Karyl Wishard

Karyl Wishard, 82 of Watertown, SD passed away February 18, 2025 in Watertown.
Karyl Wishard died Tuesday, February 18, 2025, on her 82nd birthday. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Watertown, SD, at 11 am with a short Remembrance Program at 1 pm.
Karyl Marie Becking was born on February 18, 1943, to Nellie (Small) and Edward Becking in Watertown, SD. She grew up in Florence, SD, and "barely" graduated, as she always said, from Florence High School.
On November 26, 1962, Karyl and Virgil Roy Wishard were united in marriage and made their home west of Watertown on the Wishard Family Farm. Karyl, having grown up on farm, became a full-fledged farm wife. She milked 3 to 5 Guernsey or Brown Swiss cattle by hand morning and night. In addition, she raised more than 1,000 chickens a year, along with 25-50 geese and ducks, and numerous bottle calves. She, and her family, also processed more than 500 roasting and frying chickens a year. It didn't take long for her to become known as "the egg lady," a name she proudly claimed.
Karyl loved hosting friends and family at the farm and created many great memories for her grandchildren, nieces, nephews and neighbors that included horseback riding, four wheeling, sledding, ice skating, homemade ice cream (because she had plenty of eggs and milk), and good homemade food. She and the Wishard Family hosted numerous kindergarten classes from McKinley Elementary School, with one of her kids always telling the students that "you could get chocolate milk by pumping the cow's tail."
Karyl loved her family and her grandchildren. She had photos of her loved ones all over the inside of her car, on her refrigerator, and throughout her home. Those faces truly brought her joy. She also treasured cards and notes from family and friends – and kept nearly every one of them!
Christian music, country music and Daniel O'Donnell could often be heard loudly playing in her kitchen. She treasured her church family, Birthday Club, and Bible Study group.
Grateful for having shared in Karyl's life are her three children: Virginia (David) Wishard-Lambert of Mitchell, SD; Doug (Cindy) Wishard of Watertown, SD, and Tim (Sara) Wishard of Sioux Falls, SD; four grandchildren: Abbie and Izzy Lambert, Tate and Sawyer Wishard; her sister, Karen (J. Dwayne) Murphy of Phoenix, AZ; sister-in-law Laurie Becking of Florence; and her extra grandchildren Ava and Kate Luken and Nathan Struckman and family.
Karyl was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Virgil, sister and brother-in-law, Millie and Jack Thomas, brother and sister-in-law, Richard (Dick) and Karyn Becking; and brother, David Becking.
Memorials may be sent to Abbott House, PO Box 700, Mitchell, SD, 57301. Abbott House was one of Karyl's favorite charities.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel ~ www.wightandcomes.com