William "John" Solheim

William "John" Solheim, a longtime resident of Redfield, SD, passed away unexpectedly on December 21, 2025. He was 78 years old. John is survived by his wife, Marsha Solheim, daughter Brandi Solheim, and son Brent Solheim (Sunita). He is also survived by his mother, Shirley Solheim, and siblings, Rita Jacquot (Joe), Cathy Rayhill (Gary), Jeff Solheim (Tyrrie). Other local family members of the Solheim family include Cheryl Kimlicka, Marie Kimlicka, Jeremiah Kimlicka, and Linda Simpson. John was preceded in death by his father, Arthur "Art" Solheim. He was also preceded by his uncles, John Solheim and Kenneth Pribble, and aunt, Phyllis (Compton) Pribble.

John was born in Redfield on September 10, 1947, to Art and Shirley Solheim. He served in the Springfield chapter of the National Guard while earning his degree in Diesel Mechanics from Southern State College in Springfield, SD. Shortly after graduating, he married Marsha McLarnan at the Methodist Church in Moville, IA, on August 7, 1971. He and Marsha eventually settled in the Quad Cities region of Iowa. There, he put his college training to work, traveling the region as a dedicated field mechanic for Caterpillar and other clients for nearly a decade.

In 1981, John, Marsha, their daughter Brandi, and son Brent moved back to Redfield, where John would work on the family farm with his father Art. John devoted the rest of his life to working the land. Whether he was planting crops, tending cattle, rebuilding machinery, or helping neighbors bring in the fall harvest, he found deep fulfillment in the hard work and community of farm life. John possessed an innate drive for designing and improving equipment for his two greatest passions: farming and ice fishing. He took immense pride in welding custom farm machinery and was well-known for conceptualizing and unveiling his custom-made ice fishing shacks. Additionally, John enjoyed socializing with friends and family and playing cards at Chrystal's Bar. John was an understated, modest, and moral person-a true friend to those who knew him well. His kindness, generosity, and sense of humor will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Services for John will be held at the Redfield Methodist Church in Redfield, on January 9, 2026, at 2pm. Pastor Melissa Rowenhorst will officiate the services. Military honors will be presented at the Methodist Church, followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments in the church hall. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Spink County Poor Farm Cemetery in rural Frankfort, SD. The memorial service will also be live-streamed through the website of Hyke Funeral Home. The link will be below John's obituary (www.hykefuneralhome.com). Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield, SD.