Harvey John Weeldreyer

Harvey John Weeldreyer, 80, of Garretson died Thursday, March 5, 2009 at Sanford Health. Funeral Services will begin at 4:00 PM Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at the Garretson High School, Garretson. Visitation with the family present will be from 6-8:00 PM Monday at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson. Graveside services will be at 11:00 AM Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at the Restlawn Cemetery, Huron.

As a tornado raised havoc in Davis, SD on September 6, 1928 Harvey John Weeldreyer was born to Meindert (Mike) and Minnie (Wagner) Weeldreyer of rural Chancellor, South Dakota on the family farm. Harvey was child number four in a family of ten children, five sisters and four brothers. In February of 1929 the family moved to a farm southeast of Huron. He learned early in life the importance of hard work. During the dust storms of the dirty 30’s, Harvey was known for catching grasshoppers and sticking them on the barbs of the fence line, while herding cattle along the roadside.

Harvey married Sybil Lawson of Huron on January 2, 1951. To this union was born William Wayne, John Meindert and Mary Theresa. Harvey joined the US Marine Corp in August 1951, serving one year in Korea during the Korean Conflict, receiving an honorable discharge in August of 1953. Harvey attended Huron College graduating in 1957. Harvey then worked as a manager for Firestone in Fargo, ND, North Platte, NE and Tulsa, OK. Harvey went on to work for Liberty National Insurance Company as a successful agent and sales manger for a number of years.

Harvey moved back to South Dakota in July 1989 to take care of his ill mother till her untimely death. Harvey then moved to rural Garretson to live with the love of his life and life partner Patricia (Pat) Jensen. He shared the same interest with Pat belonging to the Paint Horse Association and breeding and showing Paint Horses, earning recognition and awards at many horse shows and events.

Harvey was the Vice President of the South East South Dakota Horse Show Association and a member of the association for over 15 years. Harvey enjoyed sharing his horse shows and event with the step grandchildren, bringing and helping them show. Harvey had a favorite horse named Raymond, they spent hours together. He was a lifetime member of the Alpena American Legion.

He was currently working for the Garretson School System, thoroughly enjoying working with his fellow co-workers, along with the students and the school staff.

Grateful for having shared his life are his life partner, Pat Jensen, Garretson; two sons, William “Bill” and John (Susan) all of Tulsa, OK; a daughter, Mary Weeldreyer (Eric Fullbright), Minneapolis, MN; a step son, Rick (Lisa) Ferguson, Sioux Falls; a step daughter, Kim (Glen) Jacobson, Sioux Falls; six grandchildren; four step grandchildren; a great granddaughter; two brothers, Edwin “Bud”, Sioux Falls; Robert, (Shirley), Woonsocket; four sisters, Thelma Hennager and Marleen Caffee, both of Rapid City; Ann (Bob) Becker, Hot Springs, AR; Darleen (Howard) Cuppy, Wessington Springs; aunt, Sophia Herren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Elmer and Roger, sister Ila “Sally”, sisters in law, Deloris and Elva and brother in law, Russell and his parents.