Victor John Yexley (83), a devoted farmer, proud engineer, and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great‑grandfather, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 24, 2026. Visitation will be on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am at the Furness Funeral Home in Clark, SD. Lunch will be served after the service with burial following at Prairie Hill Cemetery of rural Bradley, SD.

Victor was born in Bradley, South Dakota on February 4,1942 as the oldest of five children to Ernest and Helen (Simpson) Yexley.

Victor grew up on the family farm and graduated from Bradley High School in 1960. Victor earned an Electrical Engineering degree from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 1965. During his early career, he worked 2 ½ years in Idaho Falls, ID (Phillips) and 10 years in Minneapolis, MN (Honeywell). His engineering mind and curiosity for innovation carried throughout his entire life.

On November 27, 1963, Victor married Karen (Crabtree) in Onida, SD, beginning a 62‑year partnership grounded in devotion, resilience, and love. Together, they raised four children (Lisa, Laura, David, Doug), instilling in them a deep appreciation for discipline, integrity, and the value of family.

After several years working as an engineer, Victor returned to his roots, farming for more than 45 years near Bradley alongside his father (Ernest), brother (Alan), and son (Doug). Farming was not just his work—it was his identity. He approached every day with purpose, dedication, and pride in knowing he was preserving a family legacy.

Victor and Karen made their home in Watertown, SD for the past 20 years, where he continued to farm and enjoy time with family, friends, and the simple comforts of daily life. For 10 of these years, they spent a couple months each winter in Apache Junction, AZ where they enjoyed the warmer weather with friends and Karen’s extended family.

A man of many interests, Victor enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping—activities that allowed him to connect with the outdoors and with those he loved. He had a lifelong passion for new technology, always eager to try the newest computer, camera, or electronic device. Whether exploring the latest gadget or relaxing in front of a classic western or an episode of Perry Mason, Victor embraced both innovation and timeless tradition.

Victor will be remembered for his strong will, his steadfast discipline, his pioneering spirit, and his deep love for his family. His legacy lives on in the generations he helped shape and in the land he worked with unwavering dedication.

Victor is survived by his wife Karen Yexley; daughters Lisa Meier of Watertown SD, Laura (Gary) Popkes of Harrisburg SD; sons David (Tanya) Yexley of Jesup IA, Doug (Jamie) Yexley of Bradley SD; 12 grandchildren – Stephanie, Garret, Justin, Haley, Lyndsea, Nathan, Nicholas, Samantha, Jacob, Caleb, Katelyn, Karmen; 8 great-grandchildren – Blair, Rhett, Ava, Charlie, Henry, Brianna, Reese, Alivia; mother-in-law Carol (Crabtree) Todd of Watertown SD; brothers Alan (Susan) Yexley of Bradley SD, Steven (Betty) Yexley of Littleton CO; sister-in-law Joyce (David) Yexley of Aberdeen SD; brother-in-law Ken (Cinda) Crabtree of Arlington SD; step brothers-in-law Doug (Shirley) Todd of Indianapolis, IN, Steve (Pat) Todd of Weatherford TX; step sister-in-law Sharon (Mike) Cavenah of Rapid City SD; and many nieces and nephews.

Victor was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Helen Yexley, son Michael Victor Yexley, father-in-law Eugene “Buck” Crabtree, step father-in-law Dick (Carol) Todd, sister Linda Saboe and brother-in-law Arlo Saboe, brother David (Joyce) Yexley, and nephew Scott Saboe.

Furness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.