Charles "Utica Jack" Halsted

Charles “Utica Jack” Halsted, age 83, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Sharon. Together, they shared 52 beautiful years. Jack even admitted to Sharon always being his Guardian Angel! Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 AM, on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Yankton with Reverend Scott Traynor officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery with military honors provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791 and South Dakota Army National Guard Funeral Honors. Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, on Friday, May 17 at Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a rosary and vigil service at 7:00 PM. Visitation continues one hour prior to the funeral mass at the church. Jack was born in Yankton, SD to Alfred and Agnes (Smith) Halsted. He attended and graduated from Yankton High School. He successfully owned and operated Utica Lumber and Grain for many years, learning the strengths of ownership at the young age of 17. During this time, he served in the Army National Guard for 8 years. After his retirement, the Utica Lumber was phased into Boardwalk Apartments that he continued to own and operate alongside his wife. His retirement included working, imagine that! He continued working as a Project Manager and a General Contractor. The final project he was able to oversee, was for his kids. He loved volunteering, delivering meals on wheels for the past nine years. He was known to never miss a baseball or girls basketball game, which we are sure most of you have heard because he always had a story to tell about his children. He loved to share in the successes of his family and their lives. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Jack during his 83 years, among them: never spend your money before shopping around for a better price first, always celebrate big on the Fourth of July and Christmas, and make time for Burger King after workouts. He was gifted as a master craftsmen at woodworking. Our family was blessed with beautiful works of art, hand crafted specifically to each project he set his mind to. His sharp mind, his strong love, and his love of memes will always be remembered. He is survived by his wife, Sharon of Utica. His brother Larry (Gudalia) Halsted, his two sisters Mary Alice (Mark) Foster and Dorothy Ann (Dick) Fink. His five children Dr. Elizabeth (Steven) Groetken of Vermillion, SD, Teresa (Lee) Jarvis of Minneapolis, MN, John (Regina) Halsted of Wausau, WI, Mary (Simon) Banks of Minneapolis, MN, Jennifer (Kevin) Sweeney of Minneapolis, MN. His 15 grandkids Theryn (MacKenzie) Groetken, Kara, Rosey, Isabel, Charlie, Vincent, Sanna, Hayden, Elaine, Jack, Isabel, Ian, Leo, Owen, and Colin. As well as many loving, cherished cousins and family members. He is predeceased by his parents, several aunts and uncles, each and every one of them who were very special to him, and his granddaughter, Maia Halsted.