Virgil Lee Null, 91, of Centerville, SD, entered heaven on Tuesday, July 26th, 2022 at the Pioneer Memorial Nursing home in in Viborg, SD. Virgil was born on October 20th, 1930, in Sloan, Iowa, the son of Thomas Andrew and Elizabeth Pearl (Wells) Null. Virgil graduated from Westfield High School in Westfield, Iowa. He had three brothers, Aaron, Earl, and Merlin in addition to six sisters: Dorothy, Ethel, Vivian, Bonnie, Nellie, and Pat.

Virgil married Jaqueline D. Kaufmann on January 28th, 1952 in Sioux City, IA. In July 1952 they moved to Lawton, Oklahoma where Virgil was in Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Virgil served in for the US Army in Korea from December 1952 until being wounded on August 5th, 1953. He was evacuated to Osaka, Japan and returned to the United States three months later. In December 1953 they moved to Colorado Springs, CO when Virgil was based at Fort Carson, CO. After his discharge, the couple moved to Hornick, IA and in January 1957, the moved to their farm just north of Centerville, SD where they lived for many years to come, raising their three children, Jerry (Linda) Null, Nancy (Thomas) Forchtner, and Steven Null (Mary Hallberg). Jackie and Virgil farmed raising cattle and growing corn and soybeans.

Virgil was a member of the American Legion for 60 years, was the Commander of Centerville Legion for one year, and was a life-member of the VFW Post 2975 in Beresford.  He was an honorable FFA Chapter Farmer for 1972. He was honorably discharged from the Army and finally, in the presence of his entire family, received his medals in 2001: Purple Heart, United Nations Service, Army Good Conduct, and National Defense Service. Previously, he was awarded a Bronze Star medal with two oak leaf clusters. Virgil loved the flag. Just recently, he had received the "Ambassador for Peace" from his service in the Korean War.

He was well known in his community of Centerville and in neighboring towns as well, such as in Viborg.  There, he could be found in a booth at the café nibbling on the daily lunch special and talking weather or corn prices with other patrons. In his later years, he enjoyed sitting in his recliner in the sun-drenched kitchen of his farm house where he could watch the cows and look for visitors as they made their way down his gravel driveway, past the vigilant mulberry tree. Photos of family and friends were cherished and hung throughout his home, keeping him company alongside Peaches, his beloved tabby cat.

Farming was his livelihood. Seasons were punctuated by holidays and birthday parties for grandchildren Michelle (James) Johnson, Stephanie (Aaron) Krumvieda, Elizabeth Null, and Maria Jaqueline Null and great grandchildren: Kylee, Tyler, Evan, and Rhiannon Johnson and Katalien and Kora Krumvieda. His own late October birthday became a cherished tradition, affording his family pause for celebration and gathering amidst the work of combines and harvest season.

He is survived by his three children and their spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren, three sisters, Nellie, Bonnie, and Pat, and many nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his wife of 43 years, Jacqueline, his parents, two grandchildren Clinton and Catherine Null, his three brothers Aaron (Doris), Earl (Bobbi), and Merlin and three sisters Dorothy (Earl), Ethel (Tom), Vivian (Hoyt); three brothers-in-law, Henry, Stanley, and Clyde, and other nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM, Monday, August 1, 2022 at Centerville United Church of Christ with visitation beginning 1 hour prior to services at 10:00AM.  Memorial donations may be directed to the Centerville United Church of Christ or to the Frank Holcombe American Legion Post #43.