Jon Douglas Trefz

Jon Douglas Trefz, a longtime resident of Vermillion, SD, died February 13, 2023, with his family by his side. Among Jon's last words to his loved ones were these, "This life has been such a good life."
Jon was born November 6, 1952, in Eureka SD to Henry and Lydia (Heil) Trefz. As a small child, his family moved from Mound City, SD to Roscoe, SD where he attended Roscoe Public School. Many of his classmates remained lifelong friends. Indeed, Jon delighted in recounting his many childhood adventures in Roscoe in expert detail.
After graduating high school in 1971, Jon attended Northern State University to study music. Jon loved singing, playing guitar, writing folk songs, and composing pieces on the piano. In addition to music, Jon's life passion included participating as a student and instructor in the American Taekwondo Association (ATA), which he did for almost 40 years. Jon earned his Fifth-Degree Black Belt, was named Instructor of the Year for Region 114 and placed in the "Top Ten" for his age division several different years at the ATA World Championship Tournament.
Yet, more than these martial arts accolades, Jon's most cherished moments included teaching his students and seeing them grow and progress. In addition to teaching the discipline's proper technique and form, Jon's martial arts instruction included storytelling. He would often share personal anecdotes with his eager young students to reinforce important life lessons. To hold their attention, Jon would also tell tall-tales--complete with different, comic voices-and delighted in hearing their laughter.
Helping Lori Reynolds raise Kristian Reynolds was something Jon was extremely proud of. He and Kris had a special father-son bond, and the two remained close throughout his life. Spending time with Kris's family, and seeing his son as a dad himself, brought Jon immense satisfaction and happiness. Another life highlight was traveling from Hawaii to San Diego aboard the USS John C. Stennis as part of the Navy's Tiger Cruise (for parents) with Kristian.
In 2003, during the annual Trefz family reunion in the beautiful Black Hills, Jon married his sweetheart, Marilyn. Jon surpassed all expectations as a step-father to her three children, Dru, Dylan and Dawson Daniels. Jon enjoyed sharing the role of co-parent dad with his now-treasured friend Mark Daniels. In turn, Jon's children and grandchildren blessed his life immensely. Their family made so many wonderful memories at their "Little House on the Prairie," affectionately known as the LHOP, where Jon--lovingly nicknamed Fri (short for friend) --kept their whole family smiling and laughing with his silly jokes and goofy sense of humor.
In addition, Jon felt a deep connection with nature. He loved to mow his yard, plant trees, and observe the beauty of the outdoors. He also enjoyed the quiet company of his beloved cats and dogs over the years, including dogs Sadie and KC, now passed, as well as Raydar, his most recent wing-cat.
Throughout Jon's life, he also worked as a welder for various manufacturing companies--most recently for Sydell, Inc, where he made meaningful friendships with his co-workers.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Marilyn Trefz of Vermillion, SD; in-laws Robert, Gretchen and Ray Fix of Huntington Beach, CA; children Kristian and Nikki Reynolds of Hanford, CA, Dru Daniels of Boston, MA, Dylan Daniels and April Matson of Sioux Falls, SD, Dawson Daniels of Denver, CO and niece Keaton of Vermillion, SD; grandchildren Luke, Alice and Henry of Hanford, CA, and Gloria and Regina of Sioux Falls, SD; siblings and their spouses, Harley and Jaci Trefz; Carol and Harley Kirschenmann, David and Margaret Trefz, Judy and Michael Tomczak, Charles and Vickie Trefz, and Barbara Trefz; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lydia Trefz; and his brothers, Jerome Trefz and Mark Trefz.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 18th from 2-4 pm at the Washington Street Arts Center, 202 N. Washington Street in Vermillion. A short program will begin at 2:30 p.m. and all are welcome.