Wayne Besler

On June 07, 2022, Wayne Francis Arden Besler, loving husband and father of five children, passed away at 90 years old.

Funeral services for Wayne will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at the Rabbit Butte Church southwest of Bison, SD, on the Bixby road.  Burial will follow in the Rabbit Butte Cemetery.

 He was one of thirteen children born on the family homestead south of Rabbit Butte in Perkins County, SD: to Christian and Julia (Wolfe) Besler. Wayne attended Antelope Elementary Country School and Bison School.

On October 28th, 1950, he wed his high school sweetheart, Barbara Smith of Strool, SD. They were united in marriage at Homme Lutheran Church in Prairie City. To this union, Donna, Joan, Bradley, Chris, and Casey were born.

As a child, Wayne always dreamt of being a cattleman. He achieved his dream and became known for his good eye for quality cattle. He was a true cowboy, known as “John Wayne” to many. In 1979, he organized a large cattle drive, which started near the Slim Buttes and ended 9 days later at St. Onge Livestock. A cattle drive, this far and large, made national and international news. He served on various board positions throughout the community: including his church, school, township, the FHA and Perkins County Draft Board. In 2021, Wayne and Barb, were honored to be chosen as the parade marshals for Bison’s Gala Days parade. Wayne was a generous and caring man that loved and supported his family and friends. Wayne was an excellent steward of his land and was passionate about conservation and wildlife habitat. In 2019, the Besler family ranch reached the milestone of becoming one of South Dakota’s Centennial ranches.

Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Barbara; children, Joan (Larry) Schecher, Bison, SD, Bradley (Fern) Besler, Bison, SD, Chris (Rose Ann) Besler, St. Onge, SD and Casey (Angie) Besler, Spearfish, SD; son-in-law, Mike Johnson, Madison, SD; 16 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Leroy Besler, Madison, WI and Marlin (Dorothy) Besler, Spearfish, SD; two sisters, Alma O’Rourke, Spearfish, SD and Esther Haggart, Spearfish, SD; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Donna Kay Johnson; siblings, Elsie Penor, Victor Besler, Elmer Besler, Oscar Besler, Leland Besler, Ralph Besler, Darrell Besler and Raymond Besler.