Wayne D. Leavitt

Wayne Leavitt, age 77, of Wallace, SD, passed away on Saturday, August 24, 2024, in Watertown, SD at his family's home. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown. Pastor Scott Dempster will officiate.

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Saturday from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Watertown following the service.  Military graveside honors will be conducted by Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, Watertown, and the Military Funeral Honors Team of the SD Army National Guard.  Active pallbearers will be Ben Leavitt, Wyatt Leavitt, Elijah Leavitt, Dylan Hillberg, Chris Nicolaisen, and Jeff Meroney. A luncheon will be provided at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel by the family after the burial service.

Wayne was born on December 19, 1946, in Webster, SD, to William and Helen (Jorgenson) Leavitt. He attended school in Webster until the eighth grade before attending Watertown High School, graduating in 1965.  Wayne joined the South Dakota Army National Guard on December 30, 1965, proudly serving until December 29, 1971.

On May 21, 1966, Wayne married Roxie West in Watertown, SD. Following the marriage, the couple lived in Watertown and Castlewood.  Wayne was employed by the City of Watertown, Prairie Lakes Hospital, and Dakota Tube where he was working when he retired.  Roxie passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2010. 

On September 1, 2012, Wayne married Rosanna LaPine in Gladstone, MI. They returned to SD in 2016 where they resided in Wallace.

Wayne enjoyed family gatherings, hunting, fishing, watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, and watching “Western” TV Shows. Wayne attended New Life Evangelical Free Church and in his later years he attended Calvary Lutheran Church in Wallace, SD.  He and Rosanna enjoyed growing together in the Lord through their bible studies. They actively provided meals for Access Ministries, Salvation Army, and providing Christmas Gifts to the Beacon Center and local Christmas food baskets.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Rosanna, of Wallace, SD; his children, Ben (Heidi) Leavitt, of Bellevue, NE, Lisa Homelvig, of Sioux Falls, SD, and Jane Leavitt (Jeff Meroney), of Watertown;  step-children, Dawn Rydberg, of MN, Leyla Hughey, of MI, Kiely Hughey, of MI, and Aliesha (Mike) Sonstebo, of Watertown; brother, Terry (Heidi) Leavitt, of AZ; sisters, Lori (Rob) Lambert, of MO, and Kris (Dustin) Schreiner, of Sioux Falls, SD; twelve grandchildren, twelve step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren.

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife Roxie; his parents; his brother Doug and infant brother Gary.

All memorial funds will be used to continue the ministry of providing meals for the Salvation Army, Access Ministries, Christmas gifts for local children and Christmas food baskets.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant, Arlington, Lake Preston, Oldham

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wayne D. Leavitt, please visit our floral store.