Jeffrey K. Fylling

Jeffrey Kenneth Fylling, a devoted bonus dad, leader and champion of athletics, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at the age of 69, surrounded by family and friends.

The Elmen Center at Augustana University in Sioux Falls will host a remembrance and celebration of Jeff's life beginning with a visitation from 9:00-11:00 am, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am, Monday, February 23, 2026. For those who are unable to attend in person, the service will be live-streamed on Augustana's NCIS network here: https://nsicnetwork.com/goaugie/

Born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on September 28, 1956, to Herbert and Jean Fylling, Jeff was one of two children. He was blessed with one beloved brother, Robert Fylling, who stood by his side through both the highest and lowest moments of life, including a bone marrow transplant and brief but difficult relapse with Leukemia.

Jeff graduated from Lennox High School in 1974. A gifted and enthusiastic athlete, he excelled in golf and cross country. At 17 he scored his first hole-in-one at the Lenkota Country Club. Jeff also played basketball and baseball. He often joked about being especially proud of his single career home run in baseball. He went on to graduate in 1978 from Augustana College, where he played collegiate golf and began his lifelong relationship with the school.

After college, Jeff began his professional career at Valley Exchange Bank in Lennox. He found his passion for sales when he joined the team at South Dakota Furniture Mart. For the next 21 years he transitioned to advertising and became the Marketing/Sports Director at Results Radio. Known for his quick wit and gift for words, Jeff helped grow numerous businesses throughout the Siouxland area - an accomplishment of which he was deeply proud.

Jeff joined Sanford Health in public relations and rose through the ranks to become Director of Public Affairs and Community Relations for Sports Medicine. In this role, he was instrumental in building and strengthening relationships between Sanford and high schools, universities, and professional teams across South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. Through his work at Sanford, Jeff met many people who would become lifelong friends. Jeff retired from his role at Sanford in 2021, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and grit.

In his "free time," Jeff served as the Play-by-Play radio Announcer for Augustana football and basketball for 42 years. Known as "The Voice of Augustana," Jeff called more than 2,000 games and drove over one million miles. Augustana was Jeff's second family. He took great pride in knowing athletes' names and statistics and could recount nearly every great play in Augustana history. His off-the-cuff humor, sharp memory, and genuine care for everyone he met left a lasting impression on players - both home and away- throughout the years. During his first battle with MDS, one of Jeff's personal goals was to announce another season of Augustana football, a milestone he proudly achieved.

Jeff loved to serve the community by being a part of many organizations and using his talents as an MC to host banquets and award ceremonies. Beyond presenting awards to others, he was a distinguished recipient of many honors over the years including his induction into the Sioux Falls Sports Club Hall of Fame in 2005, the Kolpack Media Award for his sports coverage in 2005, the Lefty Olson Award from Augustana University in 2017 and many others.

A point of pride and joy for Jeff was raising his two bonus sons, Josh and Brody. He was their Cyclones baseball coach, biggest cheerleader at their baseball and football games, and became a close friend in their adulthood.

Jeff will be remembered by many, especially his close circle of friends that loved and supported him.

Jeff is survived by his brother, Robert (Christie) Fylling of Lennox, SD; his two bonus sons, Josh (Allyson) Kunzmann of San Francisco, CA, and Brody (Libby) Kunzmann of Sioux Falls, SD; grandson Thomas also of Sioux Falls; his aunt Rita Jacobsen of Lakewood, CO; his first cousins Fred (Anna) Jacobsen of Arvada, CO, Tom (Stephanie) Jacobsen also of Arvada, and Sandy (Tom) Winthrop of Englewood, CO; former wife and friend Leslie Nelson of Elk Point, SD; and several cousins and friends he considered family.

He is preceded in death by his parents Herb and Jean Fylling, uncle Fred Jacobsen, grandparents and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Augustana University for the Fylling Family Scholarship or the Leukemia And Lymphoma Society. Please send cards to Jeff's family c/o Jarman Family Funeral Home, PO Box 588, Lennox, SD 57039.