HURON –– Dennis Miedema, age 75, of Huron, passed away on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen. His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Welter Funeral Home with burial at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Wolsey. Visitation, with his family present, will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Welter Funeral Home. A prayer service will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening at the funeral home.
Dennis Edward Miedema was born on October 21, 1950, in Huron, to Andrew and Lois (Anderson) Miedema. He grew up in the Wolsey area and attended Pleasant Hill Country School in Dearborn Township through the sixth grade. Dennis then continued his education at Dearborn Central for seventh and eighth grades before graduating from Wolsey High School in 1968. He went on to attend South Dakota State University, studying Agriculture and General Studies.
In 1970, Dennis and his girlfriend, Brenda Hein, were involved in a serious automobile accident in St. Paul, Minn., an event that would profoundly shape his life. He endured several major surgeries and spent more than 100 days hospitalized. At one point, doctors were uncertain if he would ever walk again. Dennis sustained lasting spinal cord injuries as a result of the accident. He also lived with diabetes from the age of 12. Though these challenges brought many difficulties throughout his life, Dennis faced them with remarkable strength and determination, always choosing to persevere.
On February 14, 1976, Dennis was united in marriage to Alice Metter in Watertown, South Dakota. From this union, one daughter, Candice, was born. The couple later divorced.
Dennis began his career in cattle buying in 1969, working for various packing houses and serving as an order buyer for farmers and ranchers. The sale barn was where he truly felt at home—it was not just his work, but his passion and hobby. If he wasn’t at the sale barn, you could find him working on his farm east of Huron. Dennis had a gift for connecting with people; he was known for knowing everyone and being friends with all. After a lifelong career he loved, Dennis retired from cattle buying in 2024.
He is survived by his daughter Candice (Seth) Klipfel of Forbes, N.D., and grandchildren, Noah, Harper and Quinn Klipfel; sister Cathy (Gene Anderson) Saylor of Watertown; and dear friend Heather Kohrs and her family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his three brothers, Randy, Kenneth, and infant Jeffrey Miedema; brother-in-law Jim Saylor; and Brenda Hein.
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