Wayne Jaquet

Wayne Jaquet, 74, passed away on Friday, August 7, 2026, at St. William’s Care Center in Milbank, SD.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in South Shore, SD. Pastor Ken Nelson will officiate. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank and will close with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery near South Shore, SD.

Wayne Maurice Jaquet was born August 21, 1951, in Watertown, SD, to Philip and Lucille (Asmussen) Jaquet. He grew up on the family farm near Twin Brooks, SD, alongside his brother, Kenny. The values he learned growing up—hard work, independence, perseverance, and taking pride in a job well done—would remain a part of Wayne throughout his life.

Wayne attended South Shore High School, graduating in 1969, and then attended Lake Area Tech for Automotive Mechanics, graduating in 1970.

Wayne was a man who liked working with his hands and figuring out how to make things work. That entrepreneurial spirit continued throughout his life and eventually led to the establishment and growth of Jaquet Machine Shop in Milbank, SD.

For more than four decades, Jaquet Machine Shop was an important part of Wayne’s life. He took great pride in his work and in the relationships he built through the business. Customers became friends, and many of those friendships lasted for decades. Wayne was grateful for the loyalty and support of the people and businesses who allowed him to do what he loved.

Wayne also had a lifelong love of racing. He began racing in high school, following in the footsteps of his older brother, and continued into the early 2010s. Throughout his career, he raced at Casino Speedway, Brown County Speedway, Red Devil Speedway, Canby Speedway, and many others, always under the number 75. He claimed championships at Casino Speedway in 1989, 1990, and 1993, and at Canby Speedway in 2003. Racing was more than a hobby for Wayne; it was something he genuinely loved and a community that became an important part of his life. He cherished the competition, the people, and the stories that came with it.

Wayne was married first to Donna Fassler Karsky. Together, they welcomed their son, Matthew, into their lives in 1982. Matt remained one of the greatest sources of pride in Wayne’s life.

On October 8, 1994, Wayne married Karen Baumgarn. Through their marriage, Wayne became part of Karen’s family and was a loving presence in the lives of her children, Brian, Tamara, and Heidi. Wayne and Karen shared many years together and enjoyed time with family, pontoon rides, racing, bowling, decorating the house for Christmas, and the simple pleasures of life. Karen preceded him in death on May 18, 2017.

Later in life, Wayne discovered that he had a daughter, Penny. The discovery brought a new chapter and an important relationship into his life.

Wayne’s life was built around people as much as it was around work. His shop, the racetrack, the farm, and his community brought countless people into his life. He had a way of forming friendships that lasted, and many people who knew Wayne have their own story to tell about him.

He is survived by his children, Matthew (Megan) Jaquet of Volga, SD; Brian (Melissa) Ausland of Oak Grove, MN; Tamara (John) Peters of Sioux Falls, SD; Heidi (David) Shjerve of Fergus Falls, MN; and Penny Sheehan of Billings, MT; grandchildren Matilynn, William, and Brecken Jaquet; Connor and Hailey Ausland; Michaela Ausland-Peters, Jayden Ausland, and Austin Shjerve; Madison (Thomas) Kaste; and Colton Shjerve; great-grandchildren Paisley and Piper; his special friend, Eileen Wientjes; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Lucille Jaquet; his brother, Kenny Jaquet; his wife, Karen Jaquet; and his grandson, Brady Ausland.

Wayne will be remembered for his hard work, determination, love of racing, craftsmanship, stories, and, most of all, the many friendships he made throughout his life. His legacy lives on not only through his family but through the business he built and the many people whose lives he touched along the way.