Vaughn Neshiem

Vaughn Neshiem ObituaryVaughn Neshiem, 83 of Watertown, SD passed away on September 12, 2025.
**PLEASE NOTE: DATE OF DEATH HAS BEEN CHANGED TO KEEP SERVICE CURRENT**
Memorial services will be 1:00pm, Thursday, October 9, 2025 at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Watertown with visitation one hour prior to the service. The reception will follow the service.
*SERVICE LIVESTREAM LINK BELOW*
Interment will be 1:00pm, Friday, October 10, 2025 at the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD.
Retired Army Chaplain (LTC) Vaughn R. Neshiem went to be with his Lord on Friday, September 12, 2025, in Brookings, South Dakota, at the age of 83. He was born on October 13, 1941, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Otto and Muriel Neshiem. Vaughn graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls in 1959 and from South Dakota State University in Brookings in 1963.
In June, he married Marian Cleveland. He went on to graduate from Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1967 and was ordained as a pastor in the Lutheran Church. His first call was to serve as pastor of the American Lutheran Church in Winifred, Montana. In 1970, he answered the call to Active Duty as a U.S. Army Chaplain. In 1971, he served as an Army Chaplain in Vietnam, traveling in Huey helicopters from base to base to bring comfort, prayer, and encouragement to the troops.
He also devoted time to orphanages in Saigon and Can Tho, delivering resources donated by U.S. churches and guiding soldiers through the adoption process. Through this ministry, many orphaned children found loving families-including his own.
Over the course of 22 years, Chaplain Neshiem served faithfully at military installations across the United States and in Germany. He concluded his active duty service at Fort Hood, Texas, retiring in 1992.
Following his military career, he accepted a call to Woonsocket, South Dakota, where he pastored three
congregations. In 1998, he was called to Trinidad, Colorado, where he served until retiring from parish ministry. Vaughn and Marian later made their home in Georgetown, Texas, in 2008, and then moved to Watertown, South Dakota, in 2021.
His love for animals and the outdoors began early in life, reflected in his achievement of Eagle Scout. He shared that passion with his family through trips to explore National Parks.
His deep love of family inspired his interest in genealogy and tracing his family's roots. A curious and adventurous spirit, he was a lifelong learner who also found joy in collecting stamps and reading.
Chaplain/Pastor Neshiem is survived by his beloved wife, Marian, and four children, Sarah Schulz, Georgetown, Texas; Corey Neshiem (Sheri), Brandon, Florida; Kami Downey (Dan), Concord, North Carolina; and Kristin Thompson (Lee), Cedarburg, Wisconsin; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, sister, and grandson.
Memorial contributions may be made to:
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Wounded Warrior Project
Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer (Watertown, SD) -FBO Labyrinth and Prayer Garden Eagle Scout Project
Vaughn Neshiem, 83 of Watertown, SD passed away on September 12, 2025.
**PLEASE NOTE: DATE OF DEATH HAS BEEN CHANGED TO KEEP SERVICE CURRENT**
Memorial services will be 1:00pm, Thursday, October 9, 2025 at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Watertown with visitation one hour prior to the service. The recepti