Wayne A Ebright

Wayne Ebright, of Worthing, South Dakota, passed from this life in the early morning hours of December 8, 2025 at the age of 81. Services will take place on Friday, December 12 beginning with a visitation from 10:00-11:00 am followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am, at Jarman Family Funeral Home in Lennox. A video recording of the service can be viewed here:

Wayne Allen Ebright was born in Parkston, South Dakota on March 17, 1944 the oldest of five children of George and Elfrieda (Bartelt) Ebright. He grew up in Parker, where he went to high school and then enlisted in the Navy at 17 years old. During his time in the service, Wayne was stationed in Okinawa. When he returned to South Dakota, he settled in Sioux Falls, where he met Roxanna Richert. Wayne and Roxie were married at Zion Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls on October 31, 1966 on Halloween when Wayne joked he was tricked and Roxie was treated.

Wayne was a man of few words but many trades. A diesel mechanic by profession, he worked for many years at Vaughn's Trucking before becoming the transportation director at the Lennox School District. Wayne's hands were always busy; he could restore anything. From a 1927 Chevy truck to a 1956 pickup, a 1955 Chevy, and countless tractors and gas engines. If he couldn't find the part to complete a tractor, he would cast it. His 1920 Wetmore 12-25 tractor, the last one left in the world, is now at the museum in Sioux City after he restored it to its original condition over the course of several years. Another of his proudest achievements was a half scale model of a Grainbelt Tractor, the 18-36 model made in Fargo, ND. Wayne could also be found at many of the local threshing shows – The SESD Threshing show, the Granite Threshing Bee in Iowa and the Pioneer Power Threshing Show in Menno, SD to name a few. He was part of the Great Plains Street Rodders as well as the SESD Threshermen's Association and Prairie Village.

After retirement, Wayne and Roxie spent 10 winters driving their RV down to Texas, spending each Christmas with family before making the trip. He continued to work on vehicles and tractors, both his own and helping others with theirs. His steadfast determination could be seen in every project throughout his life. A quiet presence, Wayne's thoughtfully chosen words carried weight and many of his family and friends will forever hold onto the bits of wisdom he shared.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 59 years, Roxie; children, Krystal (John) Thompson of Sioux Falls, Todd (Kari) Ebright of Sioux Falls, and Michelle (Dean) Grimmius of Brandon; grandchildren, Justin Ebright, Rochelle (Nick) Boone, Briana (Nick) Barber, Ashley (Nic) Middlen, Austin (Emmi) Grimmius, and Molly Murphy; great-grandchildren, Jackson, Kaden, Mackenzie, Carson, Elaina, Emberly, Marlee, and Delaney; siblings, Gary Ebright of Sioux Falls, Dennis (Marilyn) Ebright of Lennox, Linda Brunick of Sioux Falls, and Steve (Teryl) Ebright of Inwood, IA; as well as many extended family members and friends. In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by his grandson, Michael Thompson.

Wayne's family would like to thank the first responders from throughout the area who cared for Wayne in his final moments.