Todd Lyle Wiebelhaus

Todd Wiebelhaus

HARTINGTON — Todd Lyle Wiebelhaus, 61, Hartington, died unexpectedly March 8, 2023, at his residence.

Mass of Christian Burial was March 14 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, with the Rev. Owen Korte and Rev. Jim Keiter officiating.

Burial was at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Hartington.

Pallbearers were Todd’s brothers, Ken, Darrel, Bruce, Randy, Terry and Tom.

Visitation and a vigil service were Monday, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and continued Tuesday, one hour prior to services. Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.

Todd Lyle was born Dec. 15, 1961, in Yankton, S.D., to Irvin and Chrysantha (Kollars) Wiebelhaus. He grew up in the Bow Valley area as a south creeker and graduated from Wynot High School in 1980. After high school, he worked for Orville Steffen on his dairy farm. Todd married Jean Marie Steffen Sept. 2, 1983, in Hartington. Todd worked for Surge Dairy and then at Wiechelman Repair, before his 30-year career at Prince Hydraulic Components, Hartington. Todd and Jean lived in town for 20 years before he built their new home southeast of Hartington in 2002, with the help of many family members and friends.

Todd was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. He was the 2015 Bow Valley Schuetzenfest King and a member of the Bow Valley Park Association. He played baseball and later umpired many games on the little league level with his grandchildren, Junior and Senior Legion, and the S.D. Amateur League. Todd also coached his girls in the Hartington Little League Basketball program and coached their traveling teams for many years.

Todd enjoyed bowling, fishing, hunting, gardening, playing pool, and competing in arm wrestling at Riverboat Days in Yankton, S.D. Todd spent much of his life playing cards, often outbidding even his partner. He also enjoyed time with his grandchildren on the farm doing chores, collecting chicken eggs, and giving ranger rides. Todd spent his time in his shop tinkering on anything that needed fixing. He worked hard, was fearless and truly lived life to the fullest.

Todd is survived by his wife, Jean, Hartington; his four daughters, Chrys (Jody) Koch, Hartington; Kayla (Tom) Arens, Ainsworth; Cheryl (Austin) Hunter, Basehor, Kan.; and Sheila Wiebelhaus (Josh Anderson), Hartington; 12 grandchildren, Kotner, Kasen, Kreyton, Kesley, Kyra and Kreston Koch; Isabelle, Andrew, Landon and Brayden Arens; Briggs and Griffin Hunter; nine siblings, Judy Schroeder, Middleburg, Fla.; Ken (Deb) Wiebelhaus, Juneau, Wis.; Darrel Wiebelhaus, Arion, Iowa; Shirley (Joe) Heydon, Laurel; Janice (Roman) Heimes, Wynot; Bruce (Julia) Wiebelhaus, Hartington; Randy (Mary) Wiebelhaus, Hartington; Terry (Wendy) Wiebelhaus, Yankton, S.D.; and Tom (Tracy) Wiebelhaus, Elgin, S.C.; mother-in-law, Patricia Steffen, Hartington; in-laws, Juli (Ron) Tighe, Dakota City; John (Paula) Steffen, Hartington; Kathie (Matt) Dresden, Hartington; and Jim (Sara) Steffen, Hartington; and numerous family and friends.

Todd was preceded in death by his parents, Irvin and Chrysantha; brother, Merlyn; sister-in-law, Sue Wiebelhaus; nephew, Alex Wiebelhaus; father-inlaw, Orville Steffen; and brother-in-law, Jeff Steffen.