Theodore J. "Ted" Cordell

Theodore "Ted" Cordell of Watertown, SD, passed away at the age of 84 on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 in Lake Norden, SD.
Funeral mass will be 10:30am, Thursday, December 12, 2024, with visitation one hour prior, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Watertown. The celebrant will be Father John Fischer with Jane Rokusek as the organist and Brad Heesch will be the song leader.
Interment will be at St. Mary's in Watertown.
Military Honors will be conducted by Vietnam Veterans of America of the Northeast Chapter 1054.
Pallbearers will be Galen Cordell, Kevin Waba, Mark Waba, Chris Waba, Jerry Shepherd, Larry Shepherd and Jonathon Shepherd.
Memorials may be directed to Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. Thank you.
Theodore John James Cordell was born on March 22, 1940 in Watertown, South Dakota to William J. and Delores (Schmidt) Cordell. He was raised on the family farm with his six siblings. He attended country school, Immaculate Conception Catholic School and then graduated from Watertown High School.
After graduation he joined the Army National Guard where he proudly served from 1962 until 1993, retiring as a sergeant. Ted truly loved his God and his Country and served them both with dignity, compassion and respect.
Ted was a proud member of the American Legion Post 17 in Watertown and NESD Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1054. He was also a devoted member of Holy Name of Jesus Church.
In 1966, Ted was employed at Minnesota Rubber & Plastics retiring after 40 years of dedicated work.
Ted and his brother Bernie resided on the family farm and were always together; you didn't see one without the other. He loved family reunions, bowling, fishing, hunting and of course frequenting the local restaurants.
Ted is survived by his sister, Teresa Waba of Madison, SD; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Delores Cordell; his sisters, Marian Cordell and Marie Shepherd; his brothers, Alfred Cordell, Milton Cordell and Bernard Cordell; his brother-in-law, Dale Waba; and his sister-in-law, Judy Cordell.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family - www.wightandcomes.com.