When you’re driving through Webster, South Dakota, you might pass the building at 122 West Fifth Avenue and think it’s just another brick-and-mortar establishment. But honestly, Fiksdal Funeral Service is basically a living museum of Day County history. Most folks assume funeral homes are these static, corporate entities, but here, the story goes back over a century. It’s not just about obituaries; it’s about a lineage that started in the back of a general store.
Lars J. Fiksdal actually kicked things off in 1924. Back then, he didn’t even have an embalmer’s license. He ran it as a side hustle to his merchandise business. Kinda wild to think about, right? Today, it’s a cornerstone of the community, but the journey from a merchant’s storage room to a modern chapel involved a lot of midwestern grit and several shifts in ownership that kept the "family" vibe alive, even when the last names changed.
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The Evolution of Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster, SD
If you want to understand why this place matters, you have to look at the timeline. In 1927, Lars’s son, Johan Richmond "Rich" Fiksdal, came home from mortuary school in Chicago. He took the reins just before his father passed away in 1928. For decades, the funeral service operated out of the back of a furniture store. Rich used to call it an "alternate to having visitation in the family home," which was the standard move in the early 1900s.
Things changed big time in 1978. Rich bought an old implement building downtown and turned it into the facility people recognize today. He was active in the business for 57 years until he died in 1984. That’s a massive legacy.
Then came the Ninkes. David L. and Peggy Ninke bought the business in 1985. Dave wasn't some outsider; he’d been working there since he was a high school freshman. He knew every creak in the floorboards. Fast forward to 2018, and the torch passed again to Shauna Kjos-Miotke and her husband, Jamie. Shauna was another long-time employee.
There’s a pattern here. This isn't a place that gets sold to huge national conglomerates. It stays local.
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Why Personalization is the New Traditional
Gone are the days when every service looked exactly the same. People used to think "traditional" meant a cookie-cutter ceremony with three hymns and a somber eulogy. Not anymore. Honestly, the team at Fiksdal spends a lot of time helping families do things differently.
- Livestreaming: This became a huge deal during the 2020 pandemic and it never really went away. They use their Facebook page to stream services for relatives who can't make the drive to Webster.
- Unique Venues: While they have a solid chapel with a 125-person capacity, they often coordinate services at local spots like Christ The King Catholic Church or St. John’s Lutheran.
- Military Honors: Given the deep veteran roots in South Dakota, seeing a flag-folding ceremony outside the church is a common, powerful sight.
They even handle things like "celebrants." If a family isn't particularly religious, they bring in someone trained to lead a service focused purely on life stories rather than scripture. It’s about meeting people where they are, which is a lot harder than it looks.
Breaking Down the Costs and Options
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: money. Funeral costs are notoriously opaque, but Fiksdal tries to keep it straightforward. They offer "distinctive and affordable" options, which in funeral-speak means they aren't trying to upsell you on a gold-plated casket if you don't want one.
Cremation is a growing choice in Webster. You've got options there too. Some people do a full traditional service followed by cremation. Others go for a direct cremation with a small memorial later in the summer—especially common for folks who pass away during those brutal South Dakota winters when travel is a nightmare.
The Logistics Nobody Thinks About
What happens after the service? Fiksdal doesn't just hand over the remains and say "good luck." They’ve got a lower-level lounge and coffee area for the "fellowship" part of the day. In small towns, the post-funeral luncheon is where the real healing happens over egg salad sandwiches and bars.
They also provide a full year of grief support. It’s an automated email series, sure, but for someone sitting in a quiet house in January, those weekly messages can be a lifeline.
What You Should Actually Do Next
If you’re looking at Fiksdal Funeral Service because you’re in the middle of a crisis, take a breath. It's heavy stuff. If you're just planning ahead, you're actually doing your family a massive favor.
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- Check the Obituaries: If you're looking for service times, their website is updated constantly. You can also find links to their Facebook livestreams there.
- Look into Pre-planning: It sounds morbid, but locking in your wishes—and the prices—takes a huge burden off your kids later. You can literally walk in and chat with Shauna about it.
- Coordinate Flowers: If you need to send something, local Webster florists like The Flower Cart or The Blossom Shoppe are the ones who actually handle the delivery to the Fifth Avenue location.
The reality is that Fiksdal is more than a business; it's a repository of the town's stories. Whether it’s a 102-year-old passing peacefully in a nursing home or a sudden loss that shakes the community, this is where Webster goes to say goodbye. It’s been that way since 1924, and based on how they’ve kept it in the "work family," it likely isn't changing anytime soon.
Actionable Insight: If you are attending a service at the 122 West Fifth Avenue location, keep in mind that parking can get tight during large funerals. Arrive at least 20 minutes early to find a spot on the street and navigate the elevator if you have family members with mobility issues.