Jeffrey “Jeff” James Spitzer

Goodwin, SD-Funeral Service for Jeffrey "Jeff" James Spitzer, 64, of Goodwin and formerly of Eureka will be 10:00 am Friday, April 16, 2021 at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown. Rev. Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett will officiate. The service will be live streamed and available at www.Carlsenfh.com under Jeffrey's obituary.

Visitation will be for two hours prior to the service.

A second Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Carlsen Funeral Home in Eureka.

Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service.

Inurnment will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery.

Jeffrey died April 7, 2021 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Jeffrey James Spitzer was born July 19, 1956 to Ruben "Tom" and Theresa (Geffre) Spitzer in Eureka, SD. He grew up in Eureka, graduating from Eureka High School with the class of 1975. He worked for his parents in their family restaurant, Tom's Place.

Jeff was united in marriage to Carol Guthmiller on August 21, 1982 in Zion Lutheran Church at Eureka. He was a custodian at Northwest GF Mutual Insurance and Zion American Lutheran Church in Eureka. In 1992, he and Carol purchased the Eureka Bakery. Jeff was instrumental in lobbying the State Legislature to have Kuchen named the South Dakota State Dessert. They sold kuchen at craft shows across the state and Jeff put on many miles taking their kuchen to stores for resale.

In 2006, they closed the bakery in Eureka and moved to Watertown. They began work at County Fair Food Store of Watertown where he was the Bakery Assistant Manager. He later worked as a custodian at HyVee and currently was at the Watertown Middle School.

Jeff was known for raising donkeys and many other specialty animals. He loved raising animals and playing with his grandchildren.

He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Dakota Feather and Fur Club and New Ulm Pigeon Club.

Grateful for having shared Jeff's life are his wife, Carol; daughter, Katherine Spitzer of Watertown; sons, Tom Spitzer of Watertown, and David (Betsy Pierce) Spitzer of Burlington, WA; six grandchildren; and brothers, Kevin (Lynda) Spitzer of Mina, SD, and Tom (Lisa) Lapka of Chanhassen, MN.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents.

The family prefers memorials to Glacial Lakes Humane Society and Shelter, Sarah's Treasures Rescue in Watertown, or American Cancer Society.

Carlsen Funeral Home of Eureka has been entrusted with arrangements.

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