Gary DeWaard

Gary Gene DeWaard, 69, went to his heavenly home Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at his home under hospice care, surrounded by family. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 26, at 10:30 a.m. at The Lighthouse Fellowship Church in Corsica. Interment will take place at Harrison City Cemetery following the service. Following the burial, family and friends are invited to a time of food and fellowship at The Lighthouse Fellowship Church in Corsica. Visitation will be on Friday, September 25, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, at The Lighthouse Fellowship Church in Corsica.Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Stickney.

Gary Gene DeWaard, was born to Walter and Pearl (Kuyper) DeWaard on April 7, 1957, in Mitchell, South Dakota. He attended and graduated from Stickney High School. After high school, Gary married LuAnn Assmus on March 26, 1976, in Harrison. Together, they built their life and raised their three children on the family farm, where Gary farmed his entire life. He was a hardworking man who could fix just about anything and had a natural ability when it came to mechanics and working with his hands. Gary was a man of strong faith, and his faith was an important part of his life. He had a gift for sharing that faith with others and brought many people to Christ throughout his life. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and watching basketball. Gary had a sweet tooth and never turned down the sweet treats made by LuAnn, or a bowl of ice cream. Music was also a part of his life. He sang bass and especially appreciated George Younce and other talented bass singers. When he wasn’t farming or fixing things, Gary could often be found riding his bike, enjoying the outdoors, or hiking Harney Peak wearing his favorite Hey Dude shoes. Gary will be remembered for his faith, his hardworking nature, and most of all, the time he spent with the people he loved. 

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, LuAnn DeWaard; his children, Riley DeWaard (special friend, Jenna Latham) of Stickney, South Dakota; Benjamin (Chelsea) DeWaard of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Olivia (Steven) Cotton of Wagner, South Dakota; his grandchildren, Collins DeWaard, Lennon DeWaard, Henry Cotton, Frederick Cotton, and McKenna Cotton; and his siblings, Shirley Scholten of Harlingen, Texas; Charlene Ledeboer of Kamiah, Idaho; and Gloria (Robert) Plooster of Harrison, South Dakota.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Pearl; two preborn children; brothers-in-law, Floyd Scholten and Alvin Ledeboer; and father- and mother-in-law, Fred and Caryl Assmus.