Harry E. Voelzke

Harry E. Voelzke, age 84, of Yankton, South Dakota, died on Monday, February 24, 2025 at Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall, South Dakota.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM, on March 8, 2025 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with his wife, Pastor Jan Voelzke officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791 and SD Army National Guard Funeral Honors. Following the service, cremation will take place and burial will be held at the South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls. Visitation is one hour prior to the funeral at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton.

Honorary pallbearers are Alex Voelzke, Landon Voelzke, Justin Eaton, Jason Eaton, Carter Noie and Jameson Noie.

Harry was born September 12, 1940 in Dallas, South Dakota to Paul and Marie (Janssen) Voelzke. He grew up in Dallas and graduated from Gregory High School in 1958. After high school, Harry farmed with his family until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1963. Harry was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas and received a hardship discharge in August of 1965 so he could continue the family farm operation in Dallas. Harry married Jeannette “Jan” Soper on April 2, 1967 in Gregory, SD and adopted her children, Shelly, Doug and Dennis; and had Steve in 1969. They continued farming until 1980 when they moved to Mitchell, SD. Harry worked for TCI as their state manager selling individual minerals and Emmert hog buildings. Harry then worked as a design engineer for Trail-Eze Trailers in Mitchell and finally spent the last seven years of his career working with his son at Doug’s Custom Paint and Body. Harry loved working with metal and iron. He created custom designs for many projects and was great at fixing and building about anything to make life easier. In his retirement years, Harry also helped his wife, Jan with the prison ministry. He was a gentle giant with a huge heart and full of compassion. Harry loved the Lord and had a strong faith. He was dedicated to his family and always treasured the time spent with them. Harry will be truly missed.

Harry is survived by his wife, Jan Voelzke of Yankton; three children: Shelly (Jim) Eaton of South Milwaukee, WI, Doug (DeAnn) Voelzke of Mitchell, SD and Steve (Melissa) Voelzke of Longview, TX; daughter-in-law, Julie Bull of Longview; seven grandchildren: Jason (Jasmine) Eaton, Justin (Danielle) Eaton, Natalie (Josh) Kerber, Maya and Landon Voelzke, Alex Voelzke and Savannah (Joseph) Shaw; 10 great grandchildren: Emerson, Emilla, Mattie, Betsy, Ella, Evie, Carter, Jameson, Ava and Parker; three siblings: Gladys “Happ” Harder of Creighton, NE, Vernon (Cathy) Voelzke of Brookings, SD and Virgie (Albert) Asper of Albert Lee, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

Harry was preceded in death by his son, Dennis Voelzke; granddaughter, Jennifer Eaton; and a sister, Marge Krcil.