My dad, Mason W. Wheeler, was born March 23rd, 1938. He was the oldest of 4 children born to Kennis and Dorothy (Rossman) Wheeler. He grew up on the family farm and attended Brookings High School and later SDSU, where he graduated with a degree in Political Science. He passed away March 19th, 2026, just shy of his 88th birthday.

Dad served in Army and the National Guard for 31.5 years. It was a part time job, but his dedication was full time. He spent time at Fort Hood, Texas where he first met his future wife, Janie. On June 25th, 1964, he married her in Brookings, SD at the First United Methodist Church. Something that you may not know is that Dad would drag race his 1960 Studebaker Hawk on the base. During his time with the Guard, he was the commanding officer of the 139th Transportation Battalion and his final post was as the Liaison Officer between 6th Army and the South Dakota National Guard. He was a full Colonel when he retired in 1992.

Dad’s full-time job was farming on the family farm northeast of Brookings. He farmed with his dad and two brothers for many years. After Danny left the farm, a hired man was needed to make things run. They raised cattle, hogs, corn, soybeans and a few other grains along with grass seed. Dad figures that over a 30-year period they sold over one million dollars’ worth of hogs. Dad was a man who truly loved the land. He cared for the farm and the land as if it were a living person. He sweat, bled, and cried over the farm, but he also rejoiced, laughed and gave thanks for it, too. Farming with your family is never an easy thing, but in his own way he treasured them.

Dad retired from farming in 2001 and moved to Brookings. After moving to Brookings, he became involved with the Meadow Green Community, where he served as President of the Meadow Green Homeowners Association for many years. He volunteered at the Brookings Public Library, Meals on Wheels, the SDSU Ag Museum, Sturgis Kiwanis and the Salvation Army. He also served on numerous committees at the First United Methodist Church in Brookings.

If I had to pick one word that would describe my dad, it would be caring. Dad cared about many of the people he met. He gave of himself, time, and money. Sometimes those closest to him didn’t understand how he cared for us. Tough love never seems like caring, but it is the hardest caring a person can do and Dad did it when he had to. I know he didn’t like it, but he wanted the best for all of us.

Dad is survived by his wife of 61 years, Janie, and his son, Charlie (Melissa) Wheeler. He is also survived by his siblings: Elaine Momsen, David (Marian) Wheeler, and Daniel Wheeler; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family that he loved dearly.

Dad is preceded in death by his parents, Johnny Cash, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and many, many others.

Memorials can be mailed to the following: Sturgis Kiwanis Food Pantry at P.O. Box 4136, Sturgis, S.D. 57785; South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum P.O. Box 601 Brookings, SD. 57007; or The Wheeler Family at 3812 Twisted Oak Rd. Sturgis, S.D. 57783.