lit a candle 6h agoMy mother called me about this one, she still gets the Sioux Falls paper sent to her. Never met the man but Gettysburg is close enough to where she is that half the town seems to know a Whiteis. Thirty five years married is the kind of thing that should get more notice than it does.
Their story
This page was created 1h ago, as soon as Michael’s death was reported. The full story, with chapters and answers to the questions people ask, is being written now and should appear within the hour. You can already light a candle or leave a tribute.
Michael George Whiteis was a private citizen of Gettysburg, South Dakota, remembered by family for his devotion to his wife and children and his lifelong love of sports, cars and the outdoors. He was not a public figure in the sense of holding office, working in entertainment or achieving national…
Michael George Whiteis was a private citizen of Gettysburg, South Dakota, remembered by family for his devotion to his wife and children and his lifelong love of sports, cars and the outdoors. He was not a public figure in the sense of holding office, working in entertainment or achieving national recognition, and there is no Wikipedia article about him. His life became a matter of public record through the obituary published by Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Sioux Falls, which was picked up by outlets such as Legacy.com and the KTIV obituary listings service in the days after his death.
According to the obituary, Whiteis was born on October 20, 1949, in Mason City, Iowa, to Obert and Ellen Whiteis, and he grew up in Austin, Minnesota. As a boy he played baseball and ran track, and his speed on the field earned him the nickname "Wheaties" among friends and coaches, a nickname that stuck with him for the rest of his life. He carried that same determination into adulthood, working a series of jobs over the years to support his family, and he never shied away from hard work.
Outside of his working life, Whiteis was known among family and friends for a deep appreciation of cars, whether he was talking shop about them, tinkering under the hood, or simply admiring a well kept vehicle. He also treasured time spent with his buddies, trading stories and enjoying the kind of easy camaraderie that lasts a lifetime. He eventually settled in Gettysburg, South Dakota, where he lived for much of his later life.
Whiteis died on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the age of 76, surrounded by family. His obituary does not state a cause of death, and no cause has been made public. He is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 35 years, and by his five children, Amy DeVries, Tammy Julius, Scott Ahlemeier, Kevin Ahlemeier and Curt Ahlemeier, along with 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, with two more expected. He was preceded in death by his parents and two younger brothers.
A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Monday, September 21, 2026, at 10:00am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, with a visitation planned for Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00pm, followed by a wake service at Heritage Funeral Home. Tributes so far have come primarily through the funeral home's online guestbook, where family and friends have been invited to share photo memories and messages of condolence.
Biography adapted from News reports and the sources cited on this page; death reported by PennLive.com.
Same, my aunt in Aberdeen mentioned it too, word travels fast out there.