David Yecha
March 7, 1944 ~ October 15, 2016
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David J. “Doc” Yecha, 72, of Gettysburg, passed away Saturday, October 15, 2016 at the Faulkton Area Medical Center due to injuries sustained in a single motor vehicle accident.
Funeral services will be at 11:00a.m., Saturday, October 22, 2016 at the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg with Pastor Jeff Adel presiding. Following the service, Doc’s wishes were for his body to be donated to the Sanford USD Medical School to help future doctors.
David James Yecha was born March 7, 1944 in Billings, MT to Edward and Clara (Vik) Yecha. At the age of 8 his father passed away, which led to him being raised near Thunder Hawk and Lemmon, SD on his stepfathers’ farm, Glenn and Clara Peterson. David graduated from Lemmon High School in 1962. He went on to attend college at several schools prior to entering medical school. David graduated from USD Medical School in 1973. He did his residency in Sioux Falls and accepted a position in Gettysburg in 1978 as a family practice physician, practicing until 1992.
On December 30, 1964, David “Doc” was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Joanne Marie Felchle. Together they had three children. They raised their family in Gettysburg where Doc practiced. However, Doc was able to practice family medicine in several communities in both North and South Dakota throughout his career. The impact he made on those communities and the medical field was immeasurable.
Doc was an avid supporter of his community, athletic events, and enjoyed following his children’s and grandchildren’s activities faithfully. He was patient, compassionate, caring, and dedicated to all of the lives that he had the privilege to serve. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Doc’s life will be treasured always by his three children: Sheri Lynn Drew of Gettysburg, Lori Anne (Robert) Hansen of Rapid City and James LaVerne “Vernie” (Melissa) Yecha of Sioux Falls; his grandchildren: Haylee Hansen of Rapid City, Treyson Drew of Aberdeen, Hayden Hansen of Hawaii, Peyton and Dylan Drew of Gettysburg and Darin Yecha of Sioux Falls; great grandchild, Ramsee Hansen of Rapid City; step grandchildren: Jake and Haylee Edwards of Sioux Falls; brothers: Marlin (Leslie) Peterson of Bismarck, ND and Mark Peterson of Lemmon, SD; nieces and nephews: Lindsay, Grant and Tiffany Peterson of Bismarck, ND, Ryder Peterson of Sydney, MT and Reanna Peterson of Spokane, WA; mother-in-law, Marge Jangula of Rapid City; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Doc was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joanne; grandparents; and stepfather, Glenn.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Doc’s arrangements.
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Thoughts and prayers go out to Dr Yecha’s family. He was our Dr when we lived in Onida years ago. When we came to Sioux Falls area, the clinic we went to told us that Dr Yecha was the BEST diagnostian in SD. It was a very sad lose when we heard of his passing today.
My thoughts & prayers go out to David’s family. I enjoyed knowing him.
Our prayers go out to Dave’s family and friends for healing and comfort.
RIP Doc, will miss our Facebook chats! My heart goes out to your family!
Enjoyed talk’n with Doc back in the Del Ripley days…Two great guys-Doc Yecha/Del Ripley..will be missed greatly…prayers for the Yecha Family..God Bless
Yecha Family: I would like to sent my condolences to you folks. David and I go way back to Lemmon High School where I was two years behind David but knew him from School activites When my Dad had a operation in Minnesota David helped me with the stress I was going thru. What a nice man and know he will be missed dearly God Bless you all Duane Hofer
A caring man who will be remembered in the communities he has served in.
Cousin David was a joy to be around. We did not see each other often, however for long periods of time. As children we sometimes gathered at our grandparents Vik in Big Timber, MT. He will be missed.
Dave was my preceptor for the nurse practitioner program in ND in 1980. He was a great doc, delivered our son and taught me about everything I know about medicine. I credit him for my success in my practice and have used his pearls of wisdom daily.
Doc was amazing, and I discovered it when I started working in Sioux Falls. The doctors here have all the conveniences to help diagnosis a patient. Out in Gettysburg in the early 80’s he could diagnose with just his stethoscope and his intelligence! He treated his employees like family and was great to work for. RIP Dr Yecha Your friends (patients) and family will truly miss you
I only remember he was in my brother Gary’s class in high school and I remember him as a very handsome guy at that time I was a freshman. So sorry to hear of his passing. I never really knew what he did or where he went from Lemmon so was interested in seeing his obit and knowing more about his life. May he rest in peace and may your memories help you family members through this difficult time. Your in our prayers and our thoughts. Linda
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss, Lori! May God surround you with His loving arms during this difficult time and may He comfort you with His love.
I’m so very sorry for your tragic loss. He was a kind and gentle man that did so much for Gettysburg. May your fond memories give you comfort during this difficult time.
My condolences go out to Dave’s extended family. I haven’t seen Dave since back in the ’60’s when he & Jo Ann were dating. Always enjoyed Facebooking w/him. May he RIP…
Shari, Lori and Vernie. There are so many good things we could say about Doc. He was truly such a talented and kind man. He was a great doctor and helped so many people. I’m sure he’s in a very special place. He loved you kids so much and was so proud of you. Shari these last years you did such a good job looking after him. Wasn’t easy. Hugs to all of you.
So sorry to hear about your Dad and Grandpa Hansen Family, you are in our thoughts and prayers today. xoxo
So sorry to hear this. Gettysburg was lucky to have him keeping us healthy, delivering our babies and teaching us all along the way, The sacrifices made by family physicians in his day will never be heard of again. Staying up all night to delivery a baby and then going to the clinic and seeing up to 40 some patients, but don’t forget those inpatients that needed to be seen before or in between clinic patients. As most of us know, unfortunately, now a days we have hospitalists so your family doctor does not care for you when you have to be treated as an inpatient. So many stories and so much learned for this nurse who was just out of college when I first met the famous "Doc" Yecha. RIP for a job well done.
Thoughts and prayers are with family David was a great person he will be missed RIP Doc.
Too many memories to mention. Don’t ever remember not knowing Dave… Our families were very close. A great conversationalist. RIP
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family through this difficult journey. We have been friends for many years. So saddened by the news of David’s passing, but can’t help to celebrate that he will be with the Lord and reunited with Joanne. That alone gives me a sense of peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Mike & Deb Sheehan.
Dave was a friend and colleague for 45 years. Now he is at peace and resting with the Lord and his beloved Joanne. He was a caring and loving man, who was always talking about his family. Health issues kept us from getting together the last few years, but we will catch up quickly when we meet again. John 11:25-26
I am so Sorry for your loss. Your dad was my mom’s Doctor for several years. My Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
It has been my pleasure to call Dr. Dave a true friend. My prayers for the family and the many families touched by him. I will see him at the Grand reunion when the Lord calls us home.
Doc Yecha was my supervising physician shortly after arriving in Gettysburg. He patiently taught this very green, new PA the skills of clinical diagnosis and how to care for many of his patients. Those first two years with him were critical to my development as a PA. Many of my patients still talk about his loving care of them so many years ago. We will miss him.
Sorry for your loss. Doc and I were pretty good friends many years ago, but our families grew and we didn’t see much of each other except when I went on an EMT run for him. He covered G’Burg’s medical needs very well. Thank’s Doc. Don& Lila Hericks
I graduated a couple years before David. I spent more time with him after I got out of the military than in high school. David and Joann were good friends, and they are reunited. My condolences to the family.
Dear Sheri, Lori, and Vernie, I was saddened to hear about the loss of your Dad and my friend David. I learned of the loss of your Mom and my friend Joann much later after her passing. I went to high school with them both, stayed in touch during our college years and later during my trips back to Lemmon when I had family still there. I was best man at your Mom and Dad’s wedding and saw you all during your very young growing years. I moved further away from Lemmon and lost family there and your parents moved to Arizona during which time we gradually lost touch except for a few recent phone the past months. Please know that my life was enriched by your parent’s friendship and that they loved you all very much. Your Dad was a strong leader, a disciplined student, and a fine doctor. Your Mom was strong, loved people, and brought smiles to those around her. I will miss them and pray that your loss becomes easier over time. Best wishes, Gary Burdick and Karen
What a beautiful service for Dave Saturday! It was comforting to hear so many loving comments from family and friends….he was so appreciated by the many lives he touched, including ours. It was good to reconnect with cousins we never see often enough. God bless you all with His gifts of comfort and peace.