Travis Hakeman

Travis Hakeman, age 40, of Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of Watertown, SD, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 8, 2023. His family and friends are deeply saddened by his sudden passing. A Celebration of Travis’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 15, 2023, at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Watertown, SD.  Rev. Dan Overbo will officiate.  The service will be live streamed via our website.

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Sunday, May 14, 2023, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. with a time for sharing at 7:00 p.m.

Burial will be at St. Peter's Cemetery in rural Madison, SD, at a later date. Honorary pallbearers will be his Children, Ari and Harlen, Class of 2001 and all of his countless friends and loved ones. Active pallbearers will be Mason Sackmann, Tony Dupont, John Geiken, Jon Walder, Gabe Hopper and Bill Meyer.

Travis was born on January 22, 1983, in Watertown, SD, to Kevin and Joan (Muth) Hakeman.  He grew up in Watertown; his childhood was full of fun and adventure.  He played sports, enjoyed hunting with his dad and his dads friend, Larry, and he loved spending time laughing with family and friends.

He graduated from Watertown High School in 2001.  After high school he went to NDSU for a year where he enjoyed socializing and proudly earned two credits in scuba diving.  He later went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in business through Dakota State.

He moved to Sioux Falls, SD and welcomed two amazing children into this world, Ari and Harlen.  He loved his children beyond measure.  He never missed an opportunity to support his kids and nephew in their activities.  Travis enjoyed watching all sports, especially cheering on the Minnesota Vikings. Travis had many professions throughout his life each tapping into his unique charm and charisma.

Travis lived a lot of life in his short 40 years.  He was big kid at heart and never quite grew up.  He was kind, hilarious, fun, and free-spirited.  He met friends wherever he went and found a way to make everyone feel special and valued.  He was the life of the party and loved telling stories, often with a dash of exaggeration.  He was a perfect example of being unapologetically who you are, a true original. In the end what he did was make this world a better place for those that knew him.  He will be missed greatly by so many people, but will live on through the countless memories and stories he left his loved ones with.

Travis is survived by his children Ari and Harlen Hakeman of Sioux Falls; mother Joan Hakemen (Lee Kratochvil) of Watertown; sister Megan Hakeman (Ben Siegfried) of Watertown; grandma Bonnie Hakeman of Madison, nephew Mason Sackmann of Watertown; and niece Joie Siegfried of Watertown, three additional nieces Aubree, Lucy, and Charlotte Schwartz of Sioux Falls, two uncles, three aunts, and seven cousins; dear friend, Jessica Frost and countless other friends.

Travis was preceded in death by his father, Kevin Hakeman; sister Erin; maternal grandparents Guy and Anna Muth, and paternal grandpa Clint Hakeman, uncles Kent and Kim Hakeman, and a very special aunt Jane Vequist.

The family requests that those who attending the services wear flip flop sandals, in honor of Travis’s laid back style.   In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations go to his children’s college fund.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel    www.crawfordosthus.com

Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant

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