Ordean R. Stern

Ordean R. Stern ObituaryOrdean Stern, 78 of Watertown, SD passed away on October 24, 2025.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30am Friday, October 31, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church in Watertown, SD.
Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00pm on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.
Pallbearers will be Ordean's grandsons, Austin Stern, Beau Stern, Alec Stern and Ethan Manson. Honorary pallbearers will be Ordean's granddaughters, Mariah Kozicki, Evelyn Kranz, Clara Kranz and Anna Kranz.
Ordean Ralph Stern was born on September 20, 1947, to Ralph and Pearl (Regnier) Stern. He grew up on the family farm near Crocker, SD. The physical work of farm life primed him to become a strong athlete at Conde High School. He was skilled in football, basketball and track, attending the state track meet all 4 years. He holds the Conde record for the 440 yd to this day. After high school, Ordean attended college at Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD, where one of his elective classes in insurance set him up for his career.
On June 22, 1974 Ordean was married to Susan Fero at the First Presbyterian Church in Bison, SD. Ordean's sons, Craig and Michael, soon joined the newlyweds and several years later they had a daughter, Sally.
Ordean worked for Combined Insurance Company of America for 45 years, promoting his way up through the ranks. He started as a salesman in South Dakota, then promoted to Sales Manager of Western ND, and eventually managing the entire state. He then was promoted to Zone Manager of Arkansas, and soon after became Regional Manager for Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. He stayed in this position for 17 years, living in Independence, MO. Throughout his career in the insurance business, Ordean was named Top Salesman numerous times and won countless awards for his sales, training and leadership of his teams.
In 1994, Ordean and Sue moved to Watertown, SD, continuing with Combined Insurance as a salesman. In 1997, the couple bought a farm near South Shore, SD, bringing him back to his roots; farming, raising cattle and training horses. All animals were his pets; not only the dogs, cats and horses, but even his cows, which he cared for deeply. He was a skilled horse trainer and loved working his horses and riding them. After 17 years on the farm, Ordean and Sue moved back into Watertown in 2018.
Ordean was an avid fisherman, hunter and animal lover. He shared these hobbies with his children and grandchildren throughout his life. Though he traveled during the week for work, every summer weekend was spent camping, fishing and water-skiing with the kids. Ordean loved being a grandpa. He took his grandchildren fishing and hunting every chance he had. He instilled his love for the farm, taught them about horses, and even bought a Shetland pony for them to be able to ride. He has made a lasting impression on them all.
But the center of Ordean's world was his wife, Sue. Every birthday, from the time they began dating, he bought her a dozen red roses, and he never shied from showing her affection. The two loved to dance the jitterbug, go on trail rides and relax in the evening watching the animals on the farm. In the end, he only had eyes for her, and she stayed the light he could remember.
Ordean is survived by his wife, Sue Stern of Watertown; his son, Craig (Nanny) Stern of New Hope, MN, his daughter, Sally (Mark) Kranz of Watertown; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and one on the way; his siblings, Marvin "Bud" Stern (Marilyn) of Conde, SD, Patty Flatten of Clark, SD and Gloria Grewe (Allen) of Clark, SD.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Marcella Gross; and son, Michael Manson.
Arrangements by Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel ~ www.wightandcomes.com
Ordean Stern, 78 of Watertown, SD passed away on October 24, 2025.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30am Friday, October 31, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church in Watertown, SD.
Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00pm on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.