John L. Vasgaard, 89, passed away Monday, November 12, 2018 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral Services will be 1:30 PM Monday, November 19, 2018 at Scandia Lutheran Church in Centerville, SD. Visitation will be held Sunday, November 18 at the church in Fellowship Hall from 5:00-7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM.


John Lukken Vasgaard was born January 23, 1929 at Centerville to John and Engila Lukken Vasgaard. He attended Ash Grove country school and graduated from Centerville High School. He attended SDSU for 1 year, returned to the family farm and farmed all of his life. He married Patricia Ann Weeks on November 8, 1947.


John was involved in many agricultural organizations, the Vermillion and Sioux Valley Milk Producers Association, SD Livestock Feeders Association, Farm Bureau, and SD Irrigators Association. He served on the church council, was a member of the Ash Grove school board, and PTA president at Centerville Schools. John loved to sing and was a member of the church choir for 50 plus years and a member of the Augustana Fellows. He sang in a quartet called The Centerville Four and sang with the Viborg Tri-Valley Barbershop Chorus. While wintering in Texas, John sang with several men's chorus groups and in a quartet. John and Patricia enjoyed attending the International Barbershop Competitions and always planned a trip to attend each year. They loved to travel - going on cruises, traveling across the U.S., Mexico, Europe, Ireland and Norway. The highlight of John's life was going to Norway to stand on his grandfather's farm. He enjoyed eating lutefisk and lefse and went to as many church lutefisk suppers as possible. John always looked forward to watching his grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's sporting events and activities.


Grateful for sharing his life are his wife of 71 years, Patricia; his children, Charles (Joan) Vasgaard, Lake Wilson, MN, Richard (Joyce) Vasgaard, Centerville, SD, Barb (Joe) Kippes, Mitchell, SD, Jeff (Karen) Vasgaard, Wimberly TX, and Jim (Pam) Vasgaard, Brookings, SD; a sister, Donna (Orval) Fodness, Sioux Falls, SD; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.


He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Elayton Vasgaard; two sisters, VeLoris Daugaard and infant, Inez Vasgaard; and a grandson, Dr. Joel Vasgaard.


In lieu of flowers, donations in John's name may be directed to Raven Precision Agriculture Center, SDSU Foundation, PO Box 525, Brookings, SD 57007. www.sdstatefoundation.org