Funeral Mass for Dewain "Buzzy" F. Waletich Sr., 81, of Sisseton, SD will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Sisseton, SD with celebrant Rev. Fr. Jerry Ranek. Organist will be Cindy Marohl with song leader Sandi Jaspers. Pallbearers will be Greg Stillson, Joe George, Dale Oletzke, Wayne Lentsch Sr., Jared Waletich, and Dean Bendickson. Honorary Pallbearers will be "All Employee's of Sisseton Post Office and all friends at Billy's Café and Tekakwitha Living Center. There will be visitation on Friday, January 22, 2016 from 2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 P.M. at the Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD. Interment will be in the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, SD with Military Rites by the Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post #50 and Fort Sisseton VFW Post #3342. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of arrangements.
Dewain Sr. was born January 16, 1935 on the farm rural Sisseton to Joseph and Emily (Frecker) Waletich. Buzzy graduated from Veblen High School Class of 1953, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1958 serving in the medical service overseas. Buzzy married Marlys Gederos and from that union had 3 daughters and one son. On August 4, 1962, he married Joan Herrick and they resided 2 1/2 miles west of Sisseton on the family homesite. They had one son. Dewain Sr. farmed and operated cattle west of Sisseton from 1962-2013. Buzzy also served as a mail carrier for the Sisseton Post Office for 30 years.
Dewain was baptized in the Catholic faith and was a member of the St.Peter's Catholic Church. He was compassionate and good hearted in dealing with the sick and injured —people or animals. Buzzy was also known to be strong-willed and motivational. He enjoyed playing all kinds of card games and was known well at Billy's Cafe and K&K's afternoon pinnacle games. Cattle were his passion and hobby until entering the nursing home in the fall of 2013. Buzzy passed away January 17, 2016 at the Tekakwitha Nursing Care Center.
Dewain Sr. is survived by his wife, Joan of Sisseton, SD, his children, Dewain (Andrea) Waletich Jr. of Sisseton, SD, Kevin Waletich of Coquille, OR, Debby (Doug) Brandon of Ottumwa, IA, Sande Snead of Coquille, OR, Carol (Ernie) Glenn of Coquille, OR, one sister, Doreen Gangle of Grand Junction, CO, 9 Grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, a brother-in-law, Dennis (Carol) Herrick of Toddville, IA, and loved pet cat, Freddy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Emily; step-father, Frank Barrett; and brother, Marvin Waletich.