Wayne Tellinghuisen

Wayne Calvin Tellinghuisen, age 67, of Willow Lake, SD passed away on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at Lake Gospel Church in Willow Lake, SD  and one hour prior to funeral services.

The funeral service will be Friday, September 27, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Lake Gospel Church of Willow Lake, SD, with Pastor Colin Beveridge officiating.  Burial will follow at Collins Cemetery in Willow Lake, SD.

Wayne's service will be live-streamed on the funeral home's website below his obituary.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Furness Funeral Home (www.furnessfuneralhome.com)

Wayne was born on June 18, 1957, to George and Grace (Meyer) Tellinghuisen in Huron, SD.  Wayne grew up in Willow Lake with his parents and sisters JaNean, Lynda and Marleen.  He graduated from Willow Lake High School in 1975.  After his high school graduation, he attended University of South Dakota at Springfield, often referred by him as "Penn State".  He graduated in May of 1977 with an associate of applied science degree, emphasizing in construction technology.  Upon graduation from "Penn State", he took a construction job in Plentywood, Montana.

On August 19th, 1977, he wed the love of his life, Sherrie Evenson, also of Willow Lake.  Sherrie followed Wayne back to Plentywood, MT until February 1978 when they returned to Willow Lake to make it their home.  Upon coming back home to Willow Lake, Wayne continued his passion for construction, working for Bob Barker out of Bryant, SD.  Wayne and Sherrie welcomed their first child, Stephanie Renae in July later that year.  They were blessed with three more children in the years that followed; Stacie "Grace" (1980), Corey Lee (1981) and Zane Calvin (1985).  As their children grew, they also welcomed Nils Tore into the family in 1998.  Nils came to spend a year as an exchange student from Norway but left as a third son.  Wayne's love for Sherrie Ann was one of a kind, and as independent as he was, he always seemed to be looking for "Mom".  Watching his children and grandchildren grow up through the years was something that Wayne spoke little of, but they all knew they had no bigger fan and that his love was endless.

Wayne was an entrepreneur at his core, starting his own Construction company in 1979.  Aside from his family, Tellinghuisen Construction was his life.  He started out building homes, but evolved the company into something so much bigger, leaving his mark all over the state and making true connections along the way.  It was with great pride that he turned his construction company into a reputable and recognizable general contracting firm.  He traveled all over the state of South Dakota, with additional projects in Minnesota, Iowa and North Dakota.  He found great purpose in the day to day that the construction company brought and always considered it more of a hobby than work.  Wayne's son Zane took over the construction business in 2013 and Wayne continued to help him for several years that followed, eventually retiring in 2020; having the Tellinghuisen name continue in the construction industry for years to come was something that meant everything to Wayne.

Though it seemed like all Wayne wanted to do was work, he did enjoy several travels via cruise ship with family and friends, each time bringing home memories to last a lifetime.  He also took great pride in the community of Willow Lake and did anything and everything he could to continue to make it thrive each year.  Wayne served locally on the Willow Lake Fire Department, Willow Lake City Council, and Church Council.  After the community suffered a fire on main street in 2011, Wayne reacted by beautifying the town with the Hometown Hotel, moving the town forward in a way many thought impossible.  Although he had a tough outer shell, inside was a heart bigger than his personality and to know Wayne was to know his many stories and his distinctive laugh; there wasn't a day that went by that he didn't run into a "Jack".

Wayne is survived by; his wife Sherrie (Evenson) Tellinghuisen; children Stephanie (Shawn) Thompson, Stacie "Grace" (Brian) Rasmussen, Corey (Jennifer) Tellinghuisen, Zane (Lindsey) Tellinghuisen, and Nils Tore Halleraker; grandchildren Ty and Nathan Wicks, Kelin and Brody Rasmussen, Kate, Lily, Evie and George Tellinghuisen, Bree and Mahley Tellinghuisen; sisters JaNean Framstad, Lynda (Mike) Mucha, and Marleen (Ron) Meester; brother in law Terry (Gail) Evenson; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents George and Grace (Meyer) Tellinghuisen, brother Harlan Tellinghuisen, in laws Truman and Dorothy (Warkenthien) Evenson and brother-in-law Donnie Framstad.