Jake Obermeier

Jake Obermeier, age 53, of Crocker, died Saturday, April 6, 2024.

A visitation will be held at Furness Funeral Home of Clark on Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 4:00-7:00 PM and one hour prior to the service.  Funeral services will be held Friday, April 19, 2024, at 2:00 PM at the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Watertown with Pastor Dan Overbo officiating. The service will be livestreamed and may viewed at https://www.youtube.com/live/LesKqrUzwPo?si=kPlHExMq1Of6FCZu . A burial will follow at the St. Thomas Cemetery southwest of Crocker, SD. Everyone is invited to celebrate Jake's life following the service at Crocker Hills Bar and Grill.

Jacob Hans Obermeier was born on June 8, 1970 to proud parents Carl (Fritz)  and Marvine (Fromdahl) Obermeier.  He attended school in Clark, graduating in 1988.

Growing up in the Crocker Hills  on the family farm with 5 siblings and a slew of family and friends, there was never a dull moment. Jake learned to play solitaire at age 3.  He was active in the FFA and played football.  He attended SDSU and was involved in the now famous Hobo Days riot.

During the early 1990's, Jake was a broker at the Chicago Board Option Exchange and he also worked at the Chicago Board of Trade.  He was held in high esteem by his peers and other traders.  He was also known for his quick wit and keen understanding of the markets. Jake started working at Commodity Services, Inc. for owner Gary Lamb in Sioux Falls in August 1996.  He then moved to the Watertown office until August of 2021.  Gary Lamb says hiring Jake was a very easy decision as he had experience at the Chicago Board of Trade. He taught the rest of the brokers in the office from his experience in Chicago. Jake was very good with numbers and liked to manage farmer's livestock and grain risk. Jake always loved weighing up odds on any risk, not just agriculture, but sports. When referring to the CSI business, owner Gary Lamb always said "WE" because he says he couldn't have done it by himself.  Gary made the decision to retire from CSI after Jake's last day working there. They worked together 25 years. Jake returned to the family farm to work with his brother Kipp and son James in August of 2021. Jake enjoyed all aspects of farm and ranch life, especially his 4020.

Announcing local football games on the radio, Jake found his niche, always doing a great job of enunciating his words and even make a blow out interesting.  Some may remember Jake giving the market reports on 96.9.  Jake often joked he had the perfect face for radio.

He took special interest in poker and pinball, frequently winning trips to Vegas to try his luck. Considered a pinball wizard, JKO were the initials he would leave in first place, and usually 2nd through 5th. Jake was also an avid Green Bay Packer and Minnesota Wild fan!

Jake was active in Bradley softball playing for the Backroad Bobbers.  Jake had a musical talent and enjoyed playing the harmonica, bass guitar, and keyboard.

Jake was a life long member of the Crocker Lutheran Church where he was baptized and confirmed. He was active in the Crocker Men in Mission and enjoyed participating in the pancake and soup suppers.

Jake was preceded in death by his father Fritz, paternal grandparents Henry and Anna Obermeier, maternal grandparents Marvin and Ruth Fromdahl, niece Nichol Lotzer, great nephew Tucker Van Gilder, brother in-law Fred Van Gilder, various aunts and uncles, and godfather Harold Wookey.

Jake is survived by his son, James Winston and his mother Lynnette Krueger, his mother Marvine, siblings Pam Van Gilder, Carla (Chas) Obermeier, Chess (Maureen) Obermeier, Kipp (Betty) Obermeier, and Bill Henry (Krystin) Obermeier, aunts Jean Obermeier and Wendy (Rod) Christman, various nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, cousins, and godmother Merna Wookey. A special place in his heart was held by Jessica, Brooke, and Justus Reidburn, his pinball buddy Hudson McGammon, and his golden lab, Bud.

Furness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements and have an online registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com .