Gary L. Wickersham | December 29, 1951 - August 4, 2023
Obituaries-Pierre / Posted Aug 6, 2023 | 9:21 AM / 314 views
Gary L. Wickersham, 71, of Onida, passed away Friday, August 4, 2023.
Prayer Service with fellowship following: 6:30pm, Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at the Lankenau Shop, 400 N 9th Street, Onida
Memorial Celebration of Life: 10:30am, Thursday, August 10, 2023 at the Lankenau Shop, 400 N 9th Street, Onida
Burial: Onida Cemetery
Click HERE to watch Gary’s Celebration of Life live.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Gary’s name that will benefit his favorite charities.
Gary Wickersham, a man of many talents and a cherished family man passed away at his home in Onida, South Dakota on August 4, 2023. Born on December 29th, 1951 in Hoven, South Dakota to Chiles “Buck” and Clara (Eiseman) Wickersham. He was the seventh of nine children. He grew up on a farm northwest of Gettysburg, South Dakota where his interest in construction and cattle first began.
Gary was a graduate of Agar High School, where he was voted “most likely to do everything,” a prediction that proved eerily accurate. After his graduation he embarked on a diverse professional career. He first worked for his father and other local contractors doing construction. In 1974 he launched Wickersham Construction, a company known for work as sturdy as Gary’s reputation. Over the years he taught many young men the importance of hard work and perseverance. He was also a farmer, rancher, and grave digger. Gary was the kind of man that could plant a seed in the morning, pour a basement in the afternoon, and dig a hole for you to rest in the evening. Adding to his endeavors, he and Clark Jordre, opened Onida’s favorite watering hole, the Blue Goose, in 2007.
Gary and Shelley were married for 36 years. They shared their life in Onida where they enjoyed driving around, checking crops, and sharing meals with friends. Sometimes Shelley could talk Gary into taking time off for a trip, only if it was less than 36 hours. She stood firmly by his side through multiple medical battles over the years. Together they shared five children: Wendy, Brooks, Jay, Brandy, and Jenna.
He enjoyed serving his community in many ways. Over the years he was a member of the local Lion’s Club, the Sully County Rail Authority, and was a leading individual in getting Ring Neck Energy established in Sully County. Later he served on the board of directors for several years. Gary was a member of the Onida City Council, and later served as Mayor of Onida for 21 years.
Gary was a man of simple pleasures. He had a sweet tooth, often found indulging in desserts and sharing ice cream with his grandkids. His most cherished role was that of a grandfather. He was the proud grandpa of the smartest grandkids, a title he bestowed upon them himself, and who are we to argue?
Known for his lively spirit, Gary was full of life and laughter. He was always ready to lend a hand, share a piece of advice (or a loaf of Breadsmith bread), or offer a word of encouragement. He enjoyed driving fast, a thrill that never faded with age. With a twinkle in his eye, he was also known for chewing ass and harassing telemarketers that dared disturb his peace. In the winter he could be found at his shop, loading the wood and oil stoves in between checking the futures market on the DTN.
Here’s to Gary Wickersham, a man who lived life to the fullest and left us all with a smile on our faces. He may be gone, but his spirit lives on in the stories we tell, the memories we share, and the laughter that echoes in our hearts. He was a man who lived life on his own terms, and he left this world in the same way.
Gary is survived by his wife Shelley (Stewart) Wickersham, his children: Brooks (BJ) Hughes of Ree Heights, SD (and their children Jesse and Casey); Jay (Amanda) Alexander of Onida, SD (and their children Nevaeh, Luci, and Odette); Brandy (Christian) Heying of Loveland, CO; Jenna (Jon Morin) Wickersham of Pierre, SD (and their children Wendalynn, Clara, and Grady, Gary’s siblings: Marlene Kearns, of Encino, CA; Lyle (Deloris) Wickersham of Gettysburg, SD; Bonnie Polich of Annandale, MN; Lila (Don) Hericks of Gettysburg, SD; Julie (Claudio) Company of Camarillo, CA, brother-in-law Tom Ludovico of Sunland, CA, and father-in-law Van (Terese Swenson) Stewart of Onida, SD. He was preceded in death by his daughter Wendy Wickersham, parents Buck and Clara Wickersham, mother-in-law Bonnie (Becker) Stewart, brother Don Wickersham, sisters: Audrey Schirmer and Pam Ludovico, and brother-in-law Steve Polich.
