Eric Martin Buckneberg was born October 6, 1976 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Paul and Colleen (Oakland) Buckneberg. He went to his eternal home, with Melissa, his wife, by his side, on February 11, 2020 following a three-year battle with multiple myeloma at the age of 43 years.

Eric was raised on the family farm west of Centerville and attended Centerville school. He was baptized at Komstad Covenant Church and confirmed at Scandia Lutheran Church. He liked sports and played on the Tornadoes football team that won state and on the basketball team. Following graduation, Eric attended SDSU before returning to work with his dad on the farm. He married Melissa Pederson in 2001. Together they raised their family on their farm near Centerville.

He was a big man with an even bigger heart to contain his many good friends. Eric will be remembered as a man of few words; but when he spoke, it was meaningful. He started and operated a successful trucking business and was turning his hobby of restoring vehicles into a career. Eric loved spending time in the Black Hills with family and friends riding 4-wheeler.

Grateful for sharing in his life is his wife, Melissa Buckneberg of Centerville; two sons, Brock and James Buckneberg of Centerville; step-daughter, Allie Kaufenberg of Morris, MN; his parents, Paul and Colleen Buckneberg of Centerville; sister, Sheila Gust of Centerville ; brother, Adam (Katie) Buckneberg of Centerville; his in-laws, John and Carla Pederson of Freeman; two brothers-in-law, Ryan (Annika) Pederson and Jason (Emilee) Pederson all of Sioux Falls; and his nieces and nephews, Chase, Carter and Thea Gust, Jaelynn and Addison Buckneberg, Austin and Seth Pederson, Bryn, Ella and Kale Nelson, and Jonathan Pederson.

Funeral services for Eric will be 2PM Monday, February 17, 2020 at Scandia Lutheran Church in Centerville with burial to follow at Riverview Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8PM Sunday, Feb. 16 ^th at the fellowship hall at church with a prayer service at 7PM.