Donald Werkmeister

Donald Werkmeister, age 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 2, 2025, in Yankton, South Dakota.

A celebration of life will begin at 1:30 p.m. Friday, August 8 at Goglin Funeral Home in Yankton. Fr. Darin Schmidt will preside.

Donald W. "Don" Werkmeister was born on December 2, 1937, in Winner, South Dakota, to Harold and Clara (Breding) Werkmeister. Don grew up on a farm and ranch south of Ewing, Nebraska. He graduated from Wheeler County High School in Bartlett in 1955 and earned his degree from the University of Nebraska in January 1960. While in college in Lincoln, Don converted to Catholicism after meeting a priest he greatly respected. His faith became a cornerstone of his life and he rarely missed Sunday Mass. Even while traveling, Don mapped out Catholic churches and service times—making sure there was never an excuse to miss Mass.

On June 18, 1960, Don married JuLee Albers at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelby, Nebraska. Together they shared 65 years of marriage, built a home filled with love, and raised three children.

Don began his career teaching Vocational Agriculture and Driver’s Education in Scribner, Rising City, and Plainview, Nebraska. From 1968 to 1971, he managed the Meuret Grain fertilizer plant in Brunswick before farming and raising livestock full-time alongside JuLee. The couple retired in 2003 and moved to Yankton.

After retiring, Don worked part-time for the Yankton County Soil Conservation Service, planting CRP acres for local farmers—a role he found both rewarding and meaningful. He served over 20 years on the Brunswick Village Council Board and worked with Norfolk Production Credit and Farm Credit Services from 1977 to 1997. He also served on the board of the Yankton Senior Center. Don began volunteering with Feeding South Dakota in 2016 and remained actively involved through 2025.

Don found joy in fishing, hunting elk in Colorado, and visiting the casino—but his greatest joy was always found in faith, service and family.

Don is survived by his wife, JuLee Werkmeister of Yankton, SD; children, Shane (Brenda) Werkmeister, Wayne (Melissa) Werkmeister and Cindy (Creston) Ashburn; grandchildren, Austin, Garret, Kris, Kendra and Carson; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Darold (Laurel) Werkmeister of O’Neill, NE; and sister, Judy (Ned) Bixby of Las Cruces, NM.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Keegan; brother, Marvin; brother-in-law, Ned; and sisters-in-law, Laurel and Virginia.

In honor of Don's memory, memorials may be directed to Feeding Yankton, 103 Violet Drive, Yankton, SD 57078. Your support helps nourish local families in need.