Victor John Yexley, 83, a devoted farmer, proud engineer and beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully Saturday, January 24, 2026. Visitation will be on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. followed by a funeral service at 11:00 A.M. at the Furness Funeral Home in Clark. Lunch will be served after the service with burial following at Prairie Hill Cemetery of rural Bradley.
Victor was born in Bradley, S.D., on February 4, 1942, as the oldest of five children to Ernest and Helen (Simpson) Yexley.
Victor grew up on the family farm and graduated from Bradley High School in 1960. He earned an Electrical Engineering degree from South Dakota School or Mines and Technology in 1965. During his early career, Victor worked two-and-a-half years in Idaho Falls, Idaho (Phillips) and 10 years in Minneapolis, Minn. (Honeywell). His engineering mind and curiosity for innovation carried throughout his entire life.
On November 27, 1963, Victor married Karen (Crabtree) in Onida, S.D., beginning a 62-year partnership grounded in devotion, resilience and love. Together, they raised four children (Lisa, Laura, David, Doug), instilling in them a deep appreciation for discipline, integrity and the value of family.
After serval years working as an engineer, Victor returned to his roots, farming for more than 45 years near Bradley alongside his father (Ernest), brother (Alan) and son (Doug). Farming was not just his work—it was his identity. He approached every day with purpose, dedication and pride in knowing he was preserving a family legacy.
Victor and Karen made their home in Watertown for the past 20 years, where he continued to farm and enjoy time with family, friends and the simple comforts of daily life. For 10 of these years, they spent a couple months each winter in Apache Junction, Ariz., where they enjoyed the warmer weather with friends and Karen's extended family.
A man of many interests, Victor enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping—activities that allowed him to connect with the outdoors and with those he loved. He had a lifelong passion for new technology, always eager to try the newest computer, camera or electronic device. Whether exploring the latest gadget or relaxing in front of a classic western or an episode of Perry Mason, Victor embraced both innovation and timeless tradition.
Victor will be remembered for his strong will, his steadfast discipline, his pioneering spirit and his deep love for his family. His legacy lives on in the generations he helped shape and in the land he worked with unwavering dedication.
Victor is survived by his wife, Karen Yexley; daughters Lisa Meier of Watertown and Laura (Gary) Popkes of Harrisburg; sons David (Tanya) Yexley of Jesup, Iowa and Doug (Jamie) Yexley of Bradley; grandchildren Stephanie (Tony) Holscher, Garret (Alex) Meier, Justin Meier, Haley (Eric) Warren, Lyndsea (Jay) Bulfer, Nathan (Nicole) Popkes, Nicholas Popkes, Samantha Yexley, Jacob Yexley, Caleb Yexley, Katelyn Yexley and Karmen Yexley; eight great-granchildren: Blair, Rhett, Ava, Charlie, Henry, Brianna, Reese and Alivia; mother-in-law Carol (Crabtree) Todd of Watertown; brothers Alan (Susan) Yexley of Bradley, Steven (Betty) Yexley of Littleton, Colo., sister-in-law Joyce (David) Yexley of Aberdeen and brother-in-law Ken (Cinda) Crabtree of Arlington; and many nieces and nephews.
Victor is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Helen Yexley, son Michael Victor Yexley, father-in-law Eugene "Buck" Crabtree, stepfather-in-law Dick (Carol) Todd, sister Linda Saboe and brother-in-law Arlo Saboe, brother David (Joyce) Yexley and nephew Scott Saboe.
The Yexley family requests that memorial donations be directed to family for further donation to the Jenkins Living Center Ice Cream Soda Fountain renovation project.
Furness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
