Billy Duane Rumbolz, age 84, of Mitchell, SD died Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at Diamond Care Center in Bridgewater, SD. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church with burial at a later date. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday at the Will Funeral Chapel.

Billy Duane Rumbolz, son of William and Martha (Heckel) Rumbolz, was born in Mitchell, SD on February 21, 1932. He attended grade school at Rome 38 country school. Billy grew up on the farm his great grandparents homesteaded in 1892.

Billy was drafted in 1952 and took a bus to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO for basic training, happy to get off the farm. During that time his father, William had  a medical emergency and the Red Cross brought him back to the farm for a short time. After he finished his basic training, the recruits that were with him in the beginning had been sent to Korea. Hence, Billy was the lucky one going to Chaumont, France, where the Army with Air Force were building an air strip, whereby missing combat in Korea. He had the pleasure instead of operating a motor grader. While in Europe, Bill visited relatives in Germany and purchased a new black BSA motorcycle. The US government shipped the motorcycle to New York and was waiting for him on his return to the US. He rode it to Chicago for "mustering out and discharge". Then to Ethan, SD and shortly thereafter was courting Ila Mae Sampson with it.

They were united in marriage on August 13, 1957. He later purchased the farm on 266th Street, homestead of Bill's grandparents, later his parents and now their son. Bill's enjoyment in life was dancing, music and his grandchildren.

Over and eleven year period, we hosted six exchange students from Finland, Iceland, Germany and Mexico that we claim as "our own". From 1996 until 2014 Bill and Ila operated a bed and breakfast in that homestead house. November of 2013 we began and moved to 515 East 3rd in Mitchell, which is also a bed and breakfast. Still enjoy greeting guests from France, Denmark, Germany and the US. A year ago a gentleman from France, searching ancestors at the Mitchell Cemetery, knew of the air strip at Chaumont where Bill spent some military time. He said the strip has been shortened and only drones land there now.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 58 years, Ila Rumbolz, Mitchell, SD; a daughter, Lori Kay Rumbolz, Mitchell, SD; two sons, Randy (Dawn) Rumbolz, Dimock, SD and Toby (Susie) Rumbolz, DeSmet, SD; 10 grandchildren; 6 exchange children; 19 great grandchildren; 11 exchange grandchildren; two sisters, Shirley Fritza, Sioux Falls, SD, Carole Elfring, Eugene, OR; a brother, Lyle Rumbolz, Mitchell, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Jamie Rumbolz; a brother, Luverne and his wife Norma Rumbolz; nephews, Daniel Uhrich; and Douglas Rumbolz; a niece Alisha Elfring.