Brett McGovern passed away March 13, 2026.
Landon, Paige, Isaiah, and Olive are sad to share with you that their Uncle Brett Thomas McGovern, Sioux Falls, SD, went to Heaven on March 13, 2026. His sudden passing took away our movie partner, our cheerleader, and our hero. He rarely missed anything that we were doing. We want to tell you about Uncle Brett and how everyone who knew him will miss him until we see him again in Heaven.
Brett Thomas McGovern was born on March 20,1984 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Stephanie McGovern and Tom McGovern, our grandparents. Our mom, Abigail, was born in 1988. They grew up together and were each other’s best friends. Brett graduated from Sioux Falls Lincoln High School in 2003. During his younger years he worked with our Grandpa Tom at Minnehaha County Club. Uncle Brett was pretty smart when it came to technology and computer stuff. After graduating high school, he attended college at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota.
When he returned to Sioux Falls, he worked with our grandma at Hutchinson Technology and went on to work for various technology companies including Capital One, Knology and Century Link. Uncle Brett made many friends throughout the years working for these companies. Over the years he found happiness when he gathered with friends to play Pathfinder or Magic. He was always very warm, kind and touched the hearts of everyone around him. In death Brett was able to give to others by being a donor.
Uncle Brett was at our house all the time to play games or just hang out. If you ever needed to know about the movies, he was your guy. One of our favorite things to do with Uncle Brett was to go to the movies (weekly sometimes), and when we got there, the staff would greet him by name. Taking a road trip to the outdoor theater at Luverne, MN was always a summer highlight. He had great love of all genres of music; you name it he liked it.
Another one of Brett’s passions was photography, he carried his camera wherever he went. He treasured capturing the joy and laughter of us along with family reunions and family holidays. Uncle Brett traveled to the state of Maine in 2024 to capture pictures of the solar eclipse, one of his many trips to other states to capture that perfect picture.
One of his favorite places was Prairie Village in Madison, SD. From the time he was a little boy, he “vacationed” there with family and friends, especially his grandparents, Myron and Clara Downs.
Uncle Brett McGovern was a member of the Restoration Baptist Church of Sioux Falls. He was baptized by submersion in October of 2000. Brett was the local vice-president for Communications Workers of America (CWA) LOCAL 7500. He also served as a Union Steward, was on the E Board, and representative of the AFL-CIO, which gave him the opportunity to travel to Pierre many times.
If you ask us, he was the best uncle any kid could ask for. He listened to us, he played with us, but most of all he loved us with all his heart. And we love him with all our hearts, and we will live our lives to honor him. We will always remember how you made us feel…loved. Until we see you in Heaven, “We love you Uncle Brett.”
Our Uncle Brett is survived by his mother, Stephanie McGovern (Clark Fairchild), his father Tom McGovern (Jackie Blankenship); sisters Abby (Sean) Huus, Crystal (Allen) Kekahuna and children; and us: Landon, Paige, Isaiah, and Olive; Grandmother Clara Downs, special Aunt Mary Ann (Jim) Weber; and Uncle Mark (Kim) Downs; Aunt Mary Swenson. He is also survived by cousins who will miss him and his best friend from high school and his longtime roommate, David Weiss and his mom Deb Hewitt.
Greeting Uncle Brett in heaven: maternal Grandpa Myron Downs; paternal Grandparents Gerald and Goldie McGovern; Uncle Jerry McGovern; Aunt Pat Calkins and many more who welcomed him home.
We are grateful and appreciative of all our family and friends who have offered your support with prayers, food, and kind words during this time. To all of Brett’s gaming, movie, union and work friends, thank you. It is a blessing to know that so many lives were touched by Brett. Our faith in our Lord will guide us through this new journey in life missing Brett Thomas McGovern.
“One day closer to seeing you again….”
A Visitation will be held 3 PM, Monday, March 23 at Heritage Funeral Home, followed by a Funeral Service at 4 PM.
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