Wayne "Red" Vetter

Watch Wayne's Recorded Funeral Service

Wayne “Red” Erich Vetter, 82, of Cresbard, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Faulkton Area Medical Center. 

A celebration of life was hel 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 25, 2025, at Concordia Lutheran Church, Cresbard, with Pastor Tom Penrod and Pastor Bret Bierman presiding. Burial with military honors will follow at the Cresbard Cemetery. A time of fellowship and luncheon followed the burial at the Cresbard Community Center. A prayer service was 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the church, with visitation one-hour prior.

Wayne (Red) Vetter was born May 19, 1943, in Redfield to Alfred and Louise (Myers) Vetter. Wayne attended grade school in Rockham and two years of high school in Faulkton before attaining his GED. He also attended two years of college at Northern State University. 

Wayne enlisted in the Army on March 3,1963 and served for 27 years before retiring at the rank of Sergeant 1st Class. He served during the Vietnam era and Iraqi Freedom and was also activated for Desert Storm. He is a lifetime member of the National Guard, of the American Legion, the American Legion Riders, and of the 40 & 8. 

Wayne worked for 13 years for the Wilhelm brothers as a farm hand at Rockham. He worked at the Chelsea Cenex from 1968-1975. While working there, he met a cute little blonde named Barb.

He married Barbara Heidenreich May 5, 1973, and had 52 wonderful years together. Wayne and Barb lived in Chelsea until moving to Cresbard in 1976. They were blessed with three sons: Eric Loren Vetter born in 1977, Joel Wayne Vetter born in 1979, and Chad Alan Vetter born in 1982.

Wayne started his law enforcement career at the Faulk County Sheriff's Office in 1975 where he put in 23 years and retired as Chief Deputy in 1998. He then started as the Veterans Service Officer/Emergency Manager for 13 years. Wayne dedicated his life to serve the people of Faulk County for a total of 40 years and 2 months. 

The American Legion was important to Wayne, and he filled all the positions including American Legion State Commander in 2003-2004. He was also the American Legion liaison for Tim Johnson. He and Barb traveled many times to Washington DC to advocate for Veterans. Wayne was instrumental in getting a highway named the Cecil E. Harris highway and a sign as you enter Cresbard in memory of Cecil E. Harris. Wayne organized many military funerals where he made sure the Veterans had a proper and respectful burial.

Cresbard is a better place because Wayne lived there. He spear headed the building of the Cresbard Community Center and the Cresbard Veterans memorial. He was also a member of the Community Center board. Wayne started his entrepreneurship by buying and running the Laundromat. He later turned it into a Rec Center for the kids of the community. Wayne also bought into the SteamX Franchise and had locations throughout eastern South Dakota. Wayne made sure the flags were up on Cresbard Main Street for all military functions. He was a member of the Concordia Lutheran Church in Cresbard.

Another venture for Wayne was raising cattle. He liked to go out to the farm and have the calves eat out of his hand. Wayne had many “experiences” with Tony the Bull. He also put up hay and loved having many peaceful hours at the farm tinkering and enjoying nature.

Wayne was an avid hunter and fisherman teaching his sons about hunting and fishing. He bought each grandchild a fishing pole on the day they were born. He also loved spending time on the farm. In his spare time, he guided pheasant hunters for many years, including top executives and NFL players.

Wayne was a family man through and through. He loved watching his sons in all their activities growing up and later in life spending lots of time in gyms and fields watching his grandchildren in their activities. He enjoyed spending time with his grandkids as well as his grand dogs. 

Grateful for sharing Wayne’s life are his wife, Barb; his sons: Eric (Nora Hoffmann) Vetter, Joel (Kristi) Vetter, and Chad (Angie) Vetter; his grandkids: Carstyn (Kaydence Stenson) Vetter, Taylor Vetter, Adyson Vetter, Austin Vetter, and Creightyn Vetter; sister, Carol Vetter; brother-in-law, Denis Heidenreich; and many nieces and nephews as well as many friends he’s met throughout his life.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; his sister and brother-in-law: Betty (Don) Burton and his sister and brother-in-law: Doris (Dale) McNutt; his in-laws: Loren and Jeannie Heidenreich, and his grandparents. He also was met in Heaven by many of his good friends. 

His life was a life of service and protection of others. He has taken his final call. “28-1B your watch is over.” He will continue to watch over us from above. 

Memorials can be sent to: Barb Vetter, 101 7th Street East, Cresbard, SD 57451.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Wayne’s arrangements.