Ernest William Yexley

Ernest William Yexley, age 90, a lifelong resident of the Bradley, SD community, died early Friday morning, August 20, 2004, at the Beverly Healthcare Center in Clark following a short illness. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 at 10:30 AM in the St. John's Lutheran Church in Bradley with Minister Marion Grimes officiating. Burial will follow in the Prairie Hill Cemetery at Bradley. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday evening at the Furness Funeral Home in Clark and prior to the services at the church on Tuesday. Music will be provided by Wendy Christman and Marvine Obermeier. Honorary casketbearers will be Ralph Johnston, Rich Sherman, Granddaughters and Great Grandchildren. Active casketbearers will be David Yexley, Douglas Yexley, Gary Popkes, Eric Meier, Arlo Saboe, Taylor Yexley and Terry Yexley. He was born on September 27, 1913 in Thorp Township near Bradley, the son of William Arthur and Nellie (ODonnell) Yexley. He attended Thorp School and then completed his education graduating from Bradley High School. He grew to adulthood and lived his entire lifetime less than five miles from Bradley. He was united in marriage to Helen Simpson on July 7, 1940 at the Congregational parsonage in Clark. The couple farmed in the Bradley area their entire married life. He was still actively involved in the farming operation at the age of 90. He entered the Beverly Healthcare Center in Clark on August 5, 2004. He was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Bradley and served on the church board for a few years. He served on the board of the South Dakota Potato Growers Association for many years. He also served on the Clark County Crop Improvement board for many years as well as on the Cottonwood Township board for over 40 years and the Bradley School Board for over 30 years. He was also involved with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for many years. Family, friends, square dancing, farming, hunting, and fishing were the special things that brought the most enjoyment to Ernie during his lifetime. Elk hunting at age 90 was something that he was proud of in particular. Among survivors grateful for having shared in his life are his wife of 64 years, Helen of Bradley; four sons, Victor and his wife Karen of Watertown, Alan of Bradley, David and his wife Joyce of West Fargo, ND, and Steven and his wife Betty of Littleton, CO; a son-in-law, Arlo Saboe of Willow Lake; 11 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; and one brother, Clifford and his wife Ida of Bradley. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Linda J. Saboe on September 9, 2000; two grandsons, CW2 Scott A. Saboe on November 15, 2003 in Iraq and Michael Yexley; and two brothers, Sidney and Victor.