Herbert William Mager, Jr., 76, passed away on January 29, 2016, at Mountain Edge Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, due to complications of COPD. His cremated remains will be interred at a later date in The Memory Garden in Iowa City, Iowa. A gathering of friends and family with a luncheon served will be from 12-2:30 PM on Saturday, October 8, 2016, at Active Generations Sertoma Room B (2300 W 46th Street, Sioux Falls, SD).

Herbert, Jr. was born to Herbert Paul and Bernice Frances (Rose) Mager on December 28, 1939, in Sioux Falls, SD. The family soon moved to a farm near Tulare, SD, and he attended rural school there and later in Redfield, SD. Because Herbert was bullied when he first attended school, his parents held him back a year so he could then be in the same grade as his younger brother, Lester. The family returned to Sioux Falls in 1950, and Herbert attended Beadle, Franklin, Bryant, and Whittier, Jr. High. Herbert enlisted in the U.S. Army in the late 1950's and attended basic training at Ft. Leonardwood, MO. He later was granted an honorable medical discharge.

Herbert was first employed by Art B. Thomas Carnivals where he set up rides and later travelled with the circus in the Midwest. He worked for Sweetman Construction helping to build I-29 and I-90.

Herbert married Marge Saxon of Sioux Falls in Luverne, MN, on April1, 1961. The marriage later ended in annulment. Herbert married Betty Mathisen of Dell Rapids, SD, on December 14, 1963, in Sioux Falls. They had 2 daughters, Linda Marie and Brenda Lee. They divorced in 1968. On December 7, 1968 Herbert married Laura "Jay" Eibeck of Iowa City. They made their first home there and moved to Las Vegas in 1979.

Herbert was first employed as a garbage hauler in Las Vegas and later worked at the Silver Slipper, The Golden Nugget, and The Showboat. His last employment was delivering newspapers with Jay.

Herbert was happy and content with the simple things in life. He enjoyed watching old westerns and wrestling on TV and liked listening to Johnny Cash. He loved telling stories from the past and jokes. He collected antique beer glasses and old signs and he had a roomful of caps on display. He could always be found with a smile on his face while at work as a porter and doorman in the casinos. He treated all the guests the same no matter their walk in life.

He had a special connection with animals beginning at a young age when he rescued an orphaned duckling from the falls. This duck would follow only Herbert - not any of his eight brothers and sisters. He cried when his pet died after choking on a piece of Big Boogie candy. He and Jay raised many cats and dogs in their years together.

Herbert is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Jay Mager of Las Vegas, NV; two daughters, Linda (Mike) Siegenthaler and Brenda Mager of Sioux Falls; six grandchildren: Amanda Seaton Wheeler, Allison Siegenthaler, Ashley Mager, Cory Mager, Heather Mager, Makayla Mager; two great-grandchildren: three brothers: Lester (Sharon) Mager of Ramsey, MN, Walt (Gina) Mager of Cerritos, CA, and Kenny (Cheryl) Mager of Buffalo, MN; three sisters: Loretta Volkers, Redfield, SD, Vivian (Bob) Pope, Florence, KY, and Yvonne (Donn) Fetzer, Brookings, SD; sister-in-law, Joan Mager, Sioux Falls, SD and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Paul and Pearl Eibeck, his brother, Ronnie Mager and sister, Virginia Denton.

Condolences may be sent to Laura "Jay" Mager 244 Seahawk St., Las Vegas, NV 89145.