HURON — Joel K. Sprecher, age 79, of Huron, passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at his home in Huron under hospice care. His funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, Aug. 8, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wolsey with burial to follow in the church cemetery. His visitation, with family present, will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 7, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wolsey; or one hour prior to the church on Thursday morning. The funeral service will be livestreamed through the church’s website, https://stjohnslutheran.sermon.net/main/

Casket Bearers will be Robert Reynolds, Waylon Walters, Carson Walters, Allen DeJean, Jon Feltman, and Jack Pedersen. Honorary Casket Bearers will be all of Joel’s other grandchildren and great grandchildren along with special friend, Von Denning.

Joel Kim Sprecher was born on Sept. 1, 1944, to parents Oscar and Catherine (Jungemann) Sprecher in Huron, South Dakota. He attended Wolsey schools, graduating in 1962. While in school, he was involved with 4-H and made trips to Chicago and other cites representing his 4-H club, the Blue Ribbon 4-H Club. He enjoyed showing livestock at many events. He also enjoyed playing basketball. After high school, Joel attended auctioneer school. Joel was a member of the S.D. Army National Guard.

Joel married the love of his life Nancy (Waldner) Walters in August of 1975 in Wolsey. With that union, Joel became father to Karrie and George. Farming was Joel’s life. He and Nancy lived in Las Vegas, Nev., part-time from 1991 to 1999 after the farming season finished. Joel and Nancy worked in their travel agency, “Let’s Go Travel” and would return to the farm in the spring. They sold the agency in 1999 and bought their home and acreage on Hwy 14 west of Huron. They built their home in 2014 in San Tan Valley, Ariz., where they spent winters for the last 10 years. Joel loved having his children and grandchildren over frequently and attending their various activities.

Joel also worked at Magness Livestock and was self-employed as an auctioneer for many years. He was a life-time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wolsey. He was also a member of the American Legion.

He is survived by his wife Nancy of Huron; children, Karrie (Robert) Reynolds of Clearwater, Fla., and George (Lori) Walters of Huron; three grandchildren, Megan (Allen) DeJean, Waylon (Kayla) Walters, Kymberlyn Walters; eight great-grandchildren, Regan Munck, Jack Pedersen, Tristan DeJean, Carson Walters, Cayson Walters, Kenley Walters, Kylie Walters, Monte Bolden and one great-great grandchild, Malia DeJean; his siblings, Gene (Betty) Sprecher of Wolsey, Paula (Dick) Feltman of Chamberlain, and Melanie (David) Hinders of Huron; sisters-in-law, Gerry Finney (Don Lloyd) of Florida, Jane (Steve) Robinson of Arizona; and uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Catherine; his grandparents; and many aunts and uncles.

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