Wayne Testerman, age 96, of Huron, died Tuesday, December 6, 2016, at the SunQuest Healthcare Center. His funeral service was held at 10:30 AM, Monday, December 12th at the Riverview United Methodist Church. Burial was in the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery, with military honors by the Huron Veterans Council. Memorials may be directed to United Methodist Dakotas Conference Archives and History, Yelduz Shrine Hospital Transportation Fund or charity of your choice.
Wayne Dalton Testerman was born March 15, 1920, to Dalton and Dora (Parks) Testerman on a farm south of Wessington. He attended rural grade school, graduated from Wessington Springs High School and Junior College. He attended Seattle Pacific College in Washington.
On March 12, 1942, Wayne married Ruth Abrams at Seattle.He served as a 1c Radio Operator in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged on March 6, 1946.He completed his education at Los Angeles State College with a bachelor's of Arts degree in education and history in 1950.
On August 15, 1953, Wayne married Betty Painter at Los Angeles.In 1954, they moved to his family farm south of Wessington. In 1961, they moved to Huron where he resided until his death. Retirement years were spent traveling through the fifty states of the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, and later winters in Los Fresnos, Texas.
Wayne was employed as county office manager for the Beadle County ASCS for fifteen years and then served as state executive director for the USDA-SD ASCS until he retire in 1985.
He was a member of the Farmers Union and past chairman of the Jerauld County Farmers Union. Wayne served as Fund Drive Chairman for the Beadle County Mental Health Association and served on the South Dakota Mental Health Association Board. He was a life member of the National Rifle Association, Huron Area Senior Center, and National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees. Wayne was past president of the Huron Kiwanis Club and past Lt. Governor of Kiwanis International.He was a member of the Huron Masonic Lodge #26 A.F. and A.M., a life member of the Royal Arch Masons Huron Chapter #10, Knights Templar Commandary #6, the Yelduz Shrine and the James Valley Shrine Club Fire Crew.Wayne was an active member of the Riverview United Methodist Church; he served on the Nominating Committee and Board of Pensions for the Dakotas United Methodist Conference and had a special interest in the Commission on Archives and History. He was an Affiliate member of the Los Fresnos United Methodist Church where he served on the Worship Committee and was a trustee.Wayne was a long time member of the Democrat party.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Dove Ferren; and his wife, Betty on January 23, 2016.
He is survived by one son, David Testerman of Portland, Oregon; three grandchildren, Janelle (Brandon) Dolan and their daughter, Mazie Ann Dolan of Los Angeles, California, Keith Testerman of Portland, Oregon, and Doree (James) Cambas and their son, Miles Cambas of Los Angeles, California; one nephew; and many cousins.