Jere Volkart

Jere Volkart ObituaryJere Lee Volkart 76, passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025 in Watertown, SD.
Please note date:
There will be a celebration of life held from 5-7:00pm, Friday July 25, 2025, at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown. Family is asked to arrive a half hour prior for a private family prayer service.
Jere Lee Volkart was born on June 2, 1949, to Wilbur and Ruby (Whiteside) Volkart. He grew up in LeRoy, MN where he attended school and graduated from LeRoy-Ostrander High School class of 1968. After graduation Jere moved to Mexico to continue his education by attending seminary college and doing missionary work. Jere then moved back to Minnesota, working for St Mary's Hospital in Rochester, later he moved to Litchfield MN to work with his brother, Mike working at his sporting goods store, Sports Haven. While working with Mike, Jere attended outboard school working on boat motors at the store. At that same time, he also worked as a deputy sheriff for Meeker County Sheriff's Department. Jere later was also a cabinet maker and homebuilder with his father-in-law Larry Kusler.
On July 17, 1976, Jere was united in marriage to Nancy A. Kusler in Litchfield, Minnesota where they made their home. Jere continued working for the Meeker County Sheriff's office and began a career with Angus Palm Industries. During this time, Jere and Nancy were blessed with two children, Hope and Joshua. In July of 1988 Jere was offered a promotion with Angus Palm industries and this promotion took him to Watertown, South Dakota. Jere and Nancy made their home in Watertown, SD with their 2 children. While in Watertown, Jere worked for Angus Palm Industries and Country View Homes, retiring in 2003.
Jere was a jack of all trades and was especially skilled in carpentry. He was always willing to give a helping hand where needed. During his free time, Jere enjoyed trap shooting, fishing for walleyes with his go to presentation of a lindy rig and deer hunting with family in southeastern MN which he treated as a national holiday! Jere was well known for his stories and telling jokes! He especially cherished the moments that he was able to spend with his children and grandchildren to whom he was affectionately known as "Papa".
Thankful for sharing in Jere's life are his loving wife, Nancy of 49 years; his children, Hope (Jamie) Pekelder of Milbank, SD and Josh (Lindsey) Volkart of Watertown, SD; his four grandchildren, Shaylee Pekelder (fiancé, Kaleb Johnson) of Clinton, MN, Will Pekelder of Milbank, SD, Carter Volkart of Watertown, SD and Cade Volkart of Watertown, SD his brother, Mike (Cindy) Volkart of Prior Lake, MN; and brother-in-law, Clayton Spangenberg of Stockholm, SD, sisters-in-law, Darcy (Fred) Anderson of Mt. Iron, MN and Merry Lemke of Watertown, SD; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Jere was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Ruby; and his sister, Susan Spangenberg and father and mother in law, Lawrence and Hazel Kusler, brother in law Les Lemke, and sister in law Linda Holmgren.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family www.wightandcomes.com.
Jere Lee Volkart 76, passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025 in Watertown, SD.
Please note date:
There will be a celebration of life held from 5-7:00pm, Friday July 25, 2025, at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown. Family is asked to arrive a half hour prior for a private family prayer service.