John Wacek

John Wacek, 70, of White River, S.D. passed away at his home in White River on Sunday, October 17 2021. Funeral service will be held on Monday, October 25th, 2021 at 10:30AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in White River, S.D.  Burial will follow in the White River Cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to funeral service.

  John Bernard Wacek was born October 10, 1951 in Pierre, S.D. to Bernard and Maryetta Crume Wacek.

John grew up in White River and attended all 12 years at White River School graduating in 1969.  He attended the School of Mines and graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colo. with a degree in Electrical Engineering. John worked in Atlanta, Ga. during the construction of the new airport there and in Anchorage, Alaska. He returned to White River in 1980 to help his father with the family business at Wacek Electric.

Over the years John was always available to help people who had electrical problems. He also helped the American Legion Post with the sound system during Frontier Days and other electrical issues at the rodeo grounds.

John’s hobby was photography and was always behind the camera.  He loved taking all types of pictures, especially wildlife and of scenery. He had a natural knack for taking and editing pictures.  You could ask John something about the history of White River or Mellette County and he could probably tell you or find the answer. John joined the Lions in 1980 and was always willing to make the pancakes at the pancake feeds and the popcorn for Frontier Days.  John enjoyed following White River High School sports.

He was preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Maryetta Wacek. Grandparents John & Rosa Wacek, John Crume and Hazel Gentner.

He is survived by his cousin, Cleone (Michael) Rasmusson, White River, S.D., her family as well as his high school, college and community Friends.

John will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him