Wayne A. Meester, age 76 of Watertown, passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2025 in Sioux Falls. Funeral services were at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, August 1, 2025 at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Watertown. Pastor Laura Overbo officiated. The funeral service was livestreamed and recorded.
Visitation was at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Thursday, July 31, 2025 from 4:00 - 7:00 P.M. and prior to services at the church on Friday.
Burial was at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Pallbearers were Wayne's grandchildren: Jacob, Jahna, Evan, Leyla, Joey, Rowan, Lucas, Evelyn and Charlotte.
Wayne was born on August 31, 1948 at his family's home, despite his claim he was born in a barn. He attended school in Willow Lake and participated in track and cross country. Wayne held a long-standing school record in track and was known for his prankster ways with his brother Lyle back in his high school days.
Wayne was blessed to meet the love of his life, Linda, in high school and together were married for over 54 years. Throughout their marriage, Wayne and Linda lived in Huron, Howard and Watertown. They were blessed to have three somewhat amazing children who somehow created nine perfect grandchildren.
Way attended LATI after graduating high school in Willow Lake and earned a degree in Building Trades. He worked in the building industry, opening his own lumber yard, Cashway Lumber, in 1985. Wayne was a founding member of the Watertown Home Builders Association and was honored as Lumberman of the Year in 2009 by the SD Retail Lumberman's Association. Wayne retired in 2010, proudly handing over the reins to his sons, Jason and Todd.
In his retirement, he enjoyed golfing, pickleball, spending winters in Florida and traveling the world. A highlight was spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching them in their sports and activities. He especially loved sharing his passion for hunting with his grandchildren and enjoyed watching them learn and develop their hunting skills alongside him. Wayne was positive, patient, friendly and enjoyed life to the fullest. He was a man of few words, but those words were always full of wisdom and love. He had a constant twinkle in his bright blue eyes and often a mischievous expression. Wayne was well known for his sense of humor and love for pranks. Wherever he went, he lit up the room with his zest for life.
Wayne's memory will continue to live on through his wife, Linda Meester; three children: Jason (Melissa) Meester of Watertown, Todd (Molly) Meester of Watertown and Melissa (Dan) Soper of Sioux Falls; nine grandchildren: Jacob, Jahna, Evan, Leyla, Joey, Rowan, Lucas, Evelyn and Charlotte; siblings JoAnn Deakyne of Minnetonka, Minn., Janice Hovde of Watertown, Lyle (Arlene) Meester of Omaha Neb., Cindy (Randy) Hoffman of Madison and Sharon (Rick) Symens of Willow Lake.
Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Bertha Meester; his in-laws, Gale and Mae Hall; brother Rodell and sister Donna.
Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti
