Wade Earl VenOsdel, 67
Wade Earl VenOsdel was born in Freeman, S.D. on Aug. 22, 1957, to Dean VenOsdel and Mildred (Hafner) VenOsdel. He was the fourth of six children and had so much fun playing with them on the family farm. Farm life was good: hauling bales, working in the fields, picking rocks for the neighbors, picking sweetcorn, riding the cow, swimming in the creek and stock dam, playing “farm,” building stuff, fishing and seining crayfish for “crab” feeds.
Wade was baptized and confirmed at Unity Lutheran Church, a half mile from the farm. His faith remained strong throughout his life. One move took him from “down the other” and first grade in Freeman, to attending Wolf Creek 31 Country School just a couple miles down the gravel road from the church. There a lot of fun was had playing softball, sled riding, ante aye over, pom pom pull away and kick the can. He was mischievous and loved to prank the teachers too.
High School days were filled with laughter and shenanigans. There was a lot of fun drinking beer and dancing at wedding dances. He graduated from FHS in 1975 and went to work at Melhaff Manufacturing in Freeman where he owned his home and lived for several years. He was sensitive and sentimental; loved spending time with Grandma and Grandpa Hafner, where he learned to play the fiddle and guitar. Working on the Model A was a passion. He was a good friend to many and especially kind to the older people. Other accomplishments include becoming an auctioneer, calling for several auctions, attaining his real estate license and selling Aflac insurance. He went on to work with brother Clay at Cornerstone Construction and a variety of construction work around the country; including projects with his parents, brothers and sister. Later in life he lived with and cared for his Dad and Mom in Yankton, S.D. for several years.
Family was of utmost importance to him, both immediate and extended, including friends. He made the rounds to visit them often. His nickname was Corky; affectionately known as “Uncle Corky “to his many nieces and nephews. Struggles with alcohol and mental health came in and out of Wade’s adult life. These things led him into wild and sometimes fun times as well as sad hardships for him and his family. Most of his time was spent in beloved South Dakota, with stints in Minnesota, Texas, Nevada and California. While living in and around Huntington Beach, Calif., he was in a tragic and traumatic motor vehicle accident while riding an E-Bike near the beach. This put him in intensive care in a coma, where he died on Oct. 15, 2024 at the age of 67, with brother Clay, sister Jan, sister-in-law Lisa, and nephew Kenny at his side.
He was preceded in death by his parents Dean and Millie (Hafner) VenOsdel; brothers Ivan and Lewy; grandparents Ivan and Ina (Simmons) VenOsel; step-grandpa John Meidema; grandparents John and Edna (Mayer) Hafner. He is survived by brother Danny (Lisa), sister Jan Johnson (Steve), Brother Clay (Bridgette), sister-in-law Sharon Aberle; sister-in law Donna Peterson; 20 nieces and nephews and many grand nieces and nephews.
A casual memorial open house will be held Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Freeman Community Center meeting room, 224 S. Wipf Street. Burial will take place afterward at rural Unity Lutheran Church Cemetery, just east of the farm. Condolences can be sent to VenOsdel Family at PO Box 377, Hill City, S.D. 57745. Memorial can be sent to National Alliance for the Mentally Ill at www.nami.org
