John Lee Feddersen

John Lee Feddersen passed away peacefully on July 27, 2023, at Judy's Assisted Living in Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

John was born March 8,1942 to Henrietta (Jonkers) and Adolf Feddersen in Pierre, South Dakota. After leaving school at the end of his eighth grade year, he worked on the family farm running tractors and farm equipment which led to him taking up operating heavy equipment.

John married Rita Ernst in August of 1962. John and Rita went on to have two daughters, Joni and Juli.

In 1978, the family moved from Estelline, South Dakota to Moorcroft, Wyoming in search of a better life for his family. The marriage ended in 1983, leaving John a bachelor until the time of his death.

John enjoyed riding his snowmobiles and watching his great grandkids grow up – often just giggling when they were misbehaving. John also loved to sit around telling stories about when he and his siblings were young pulling pranks and terrorizing the neighborhood.

John was a jack of all trades having been a mechanic, part time police officer, ambulance assistant (before you had to be certified).

John was very proud of helping build large portions of I-90 and loved talking about his days of running scrapers and other equipment for Delzer. John retired from Eagle Butte/Belle Aire mines in Gillette, Wyoming in the early 2000s.

John was an accomplished equipment operator and small engine mechanic. He was the go-to guy for fixing lawn mowers in Murdo.

John also loved mowing the cemetery in Murdo and enjoyed driving around Jones County checking things out. John could be found having coffee most mornings helping solve the days issues.

John was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church no matter where he lived.

John is survived by his daughters, Joni (Bob) Latham of Sundance, Wyoming and Juli (Skip) Wylie of Irvington, Virginia; grandkids, Jamie (Audrey) Lubken, Josh (Nikki) Lubken, Lindy (Jason) Watt all of Gillette, Wyoming, Lita (Travis) Eddy of Spearfish, South Dakota and Dalton Latham of Fort Collins, Colorado. John is also survived by 13 great grandkids, Tariq, Lincoln, Laney, Spencer, Madison, Mason, Onyka, Charli, Tatum, Tinley, Ripp, Riley and Dylan; his brothers, Butch (Lana), Marvin (Val) and Shorty (Judy) all of Murdo; numerous nieces and nephews.

John is preceded in death by his Mom and Dad, Adolf and Harriet; brothers, Roland, Allen and Lyle; sister, Yvonne; nephew, Brian.

A service to honor and celebrate John's life will be held Monday, August 7, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Murdo, with Pastor Ray Greenseth officiating. Interment will follow at the Murdo cemetery. All friends and family are invited to celebrate his life.

Memorials will be shared between Messiah Lutheran Church, Murdo Cemetery and Judy's Assisted Living.

Pallbearers: Jamie Lubken, Josh Lubken, Dalton Latham, Jason Watt, Travis Eddy, Tariq Lubken and Spencer Lubken.

John's friends and family can sign the online guestbook and leave condolences at http://www.westriverfd.com

West River Funeral Directors of Rapid City has been entrusted with arrangements.