Elmer and Cecile Sexauer Papers

Elmer Harrison Sexauer was born July 13, 1888, at Winona, Minnesota, the son of George P. and Elisa (Ulrich) Sexauer. He moved with his family to Volga, South Dakota in 1891 and moved to Brookings several years later. He attended public schools in Brookings and South Dakota State College. In 1911, he joined his father in directing the operations of The Sexauer Company. He served in the US Army during World War I.

Elmer served as president of the SD Seed Dealers Association, president of the Western Seedsmen Association, president of the American Seed Trade Association and president of the National Grain and Feed Association. He also served on the Board of Directors of the US Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors of the First Bank Systems, the Board of Directors of Northwestern Bell Telephone and the Board of Trustees for the SD Memorial Art Center. He was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award in Business from the University of South Dakota. He was a member of Gamma Sigma Phi SDSU Chapter, Brookings Masonic Lodge No. 24, Brookings Commandery of Knight Templar, El Riad Shrine and Jesters. / At the time of his retirement in 1977, Elmer held the position of chairman of the board of The Sexauer Company, which has its headquarters in Brookings, SD, with division offices in Des Moines, Iowa, West Fargo, ND, and Norfolk, Nebraska.

Elmer Harrison Sexauer died on November 15, 1986.

Cecile Irene Welch Sexauer was born January 18, 1888 in Huron, South Dakota to Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Welch. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Arlington, SD, where they stayed until coming to Brookings, SD in 1903.

A graduate of Brookings High School and South Dakota State College, Cecile also attended Boston Conservatory of Music for one year and taught piano at South Dakota State College.

A member of the Christian Church at Arlington, SD, Mrs. Cecile became a member of First Baptist Church in Brookings, SD where she played piano and organ for about 25 years.

Cecile was active in local, state and national music organizations, serving as president of the National Music Organization. She was also a member of BA chapter of PEO and Sorosis Club.

Cecile Irene Welch Sexauer died on October 7, 1973 at Brookings Hospital. She had been hospitalized 4 weeks.

Elmer Sexauer and Cecile Welch were married on June 28, 1916, at Brookings, SD. They had two children, Dorothy, who died in 1966, and Robert. After Cecile's death in 1973, Elmer married Ada Mitchell Dybdahl on December 10, 1974, at Brookings, SD. Ada died in 1980.