Henry Wiedrich Obituary

Henry Lee Wiedrich (74) of Wakonda, SD returned to his heavenly home in the early morning hours of Saturday July 19, 2025 at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Henry was born the youngest of three siblings to parents Henry and Ruth Wiedrich on March 17, 1951 in Ipswich, SD. He lived in Roscoe, SD for his entire childhood, graduating from Roscoe High School in 1969. Henry graduated from Northern State University with a Bachelor’s degree in 1973 and returned to complete his Master’s degree in 1979. He was a starter for the Northern State Wolves football team and later used that playing experience to coach the sport he loved at the high school and college levels.

Henry married the love of his life Nancy Anna (Odland) Wiedrich on September 5, 1969 and they enjoyed nearly 56 years of marriage that included living in South Dakota, Colorado, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas, Michigan and finally returning home to South Dakota in 2004. His union to Nancy was blessed with six children Cory (Sarah) Wiedrich of Maryville, TN, DeJay (Melissa) Wiedrich of Defuniak Springs, FL, Katy (Richard) Williams of Bennington, NE, Jeff (Jennifer) Wiedrich of Ft. Morgan, CO, Henry Laurence (Joni) Wiedrich of Gretna, NE and Joel (Kira) Wiedrich of Evanston, WY. Henry was “Papa” to 25 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren who loved him dearly.

Henry was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in various church callings over the years blessing those he served with his love of Christ, practical wisdom, quick wit, and humble heart.

He was a man of many talents. He had a gift with people and words. He could bring out the best in others. He used that gift as a coach, a teacher, a business leader and finally as a business instructor at the University of South Dakota where he got to pass along his unique wisdom to many students over the years. He grew up the son of a builder and spent many summers and weekends in his youth working with his dad and brothers. He knew how to work hard and he taught his family the value of hard work. He used these skills throughout his life. He built his family home in Colorado in 1982 during his summer break from teaching and coaching and could often be found building something at their home in Wakonda. He was always quick with a kind and encouraging word. His wife, children and grandchildren were the primary beneficiaries of his character, but he impacted many through the years because he took the time to care.

Henry will be missed deeply by his family and friends. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Nancy, his brother Ken (Jo Anna) Wiedrich of Lafayette, LA, his brother Glenn (Rae) of Roscoe, SD, and his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews, friends, teammates, work colleagues and many former students and student-athletes (young and old) who still call him Coach, Teacher, and Friend.

Hansen Funeral Home in Vermillion is serving the family. A funeral service will be held on July 29, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 20 S. Mickelson Ave., Vermillion, SD, with a visitation preceding the service at 10:00 a.m.