Donald A. Bedet

Donald Bedet, age 76 of Ocheyedan, Iowa passed away Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at the Sioux Falls VA Hospice Cottage.

A luncheon and fellowship will take place at 11:30 AM at the Ocheyedan Town Hall, followed by a graveside service at 1:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, North of Ocheyedan. 

A celebration of life service will take place at 2:00 PM, Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Jurrens Funeral Home in Ocheyedan, with Pastor Adam Edward Jacobsen, officiating. 

Memorials may be directed to the Sioux Falls VA Hospice Cottage:Sioux Falls Hospice CottageDonation2501 West 22nd St.Sioux Falls, SD 57105-1350

Don Bedet was a man of few words, but when he did open his mouth to speak, he sure had some zingers. Born to Arthur and Phyllis (Rasmussen) Bedet on February 2, 1949 in North Syracuse, NY. He attended various schools in the Cicero/Mattydale area including North Syracuse High School. He started working for a local farmer milking cows while in junior high.

He joined the marines before he could be drafted by the army, which was before he finished high school. He trained as an engineer and served two tours in Vietnam. When he returned home to New York in 1969 he went to Woodstock. After serving 4 years in the marines he was honorably discharged in 1972.

Don came to Iowa in October of 1976 to work for his aunt Betty Rehborg. Don’s cousin and Jane’s best friend Mindy Jurgensen introduced them.

In May 1977 he married the love of his life Jane Rusche. Three daughters were born to this union Laurie, Tanya, and Melanie. Don and Jane worked opposite shifts to make it work. Don spent 32 years from 1978 - 2011 working at Chase Bag, which then changed to Union Camp, and eventually became International Paper.

Summer vacations were spent in New York visiting his mother, Phyllis. We also visited family in Florida, Texas, Arkansas, and Montana.

Don learned to fly and got his pilots license. He spent his spare time working at the Worthington airport. He also loved bowling, nascar, bow hunting, and fishing with Jesse in Canada at a cabin with no running water.

He liked to travel, even planned an Alaskan cruise and train vacation without his wife’s input. He also visited Australia and the Mediterranean.

He was extremely handy doing plumbing, electrical, canning, also helping Jane clean and care for Zion Lutheran Church next door, and working on her 1950 GMC truck.

He liked watching John Wayne movies and listening to classical music. He cooked the holiday meals - his thanksgiving stuffing and gravy was a favorite. He was famous for his spaghetti. His grandchildren loved his waffles and always wanted to go have grandpas waffles.

He always had a large garden that the whole family helped to harvest and can. He loved to tinker, do jig saw and sudoku puzzles, as well as put together model cars, planes, and ships. During his retirement he kept chickens, bees, and turkeys. He even tried to hatch a dozen turkey eggs without Jane’s knowledge in the basement. But when he got admitted to the hospital he had to admit that she needed to go to the basement to see if any had hatched. She found Orville. She was not impressed. She is also allergic to bees but played bee keeper when he wasn’t feeling well.

He was strict, stubborn, and a bit of a smart ass. He was a free spirit that marched to the beat of his own drum.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Andrew (2019) and Bobby (1954), and brother-in law John Dunn.

Don is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 48 years Jane, daughters Laurie (Brandon) of Lakefield, Tanya (Kevin) of Galva, and Melanie (Lee) of Sioux Falls. Grandchildren Colton, Katryna, Paige, Drew, Serena, Nikita, and Leah. His sisters Linda of Madison, FL, Gladys (Paul) of Greenville TX, brothers in law John of Ocheyedan and Kent (Connie) of Hospers. Special thanks to Mindy Jurgensen for setting them up! He is also survived by many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

A special thanks to Char, his VA nurse, Dr Erika, and VA hospice cottage and all the wonderful nurses who provided him care especially Martha. We will not forget your kindness.

Semper fi! Always faithful!