James Farley

James “Jim” Farley, age 92, of Yankton, South Dakota, did not want to be without his Forever Valentine another year, joining her in heaven on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2026.

Funeral services are 2:00 PM, on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yankton with Reverend Steve Weispfennig officiating. The funeral will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/WintzRay. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton with military honors performed by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791 and the SD Army National Guard Funeral Honors. Visitation is one hour prior to the funeral from 1:00 to 2:00 PM on Saturday at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton.

Pallbearers are Laddie Novak, Kyle Novak, Luke Lammers, James W. A. Farley, Adam Konken, and Trenton Jordan.

James William Farley was born August 26, 1933 to Harry and Ella (Highland) Farley in Yankton, South Dakota. He was the third oldest of eight children: the oldest son. He grew up in Yankton, attending Beadle & Garfield elementary schools, Central School, and graduating from Yankton High School in 1951.

After graduation, that summer he met a cute girl running a firework stand near his house, and they began dating. On April 18, 1953, he married that girl, the love of his life, Patricia VanEpps, and they would be married 71 years before her passing in November 2024.

In 1953, Jim was drafted into the Army, and in December would head to Fort Riley, Kansas for 6 weeks of basic training, and then on to Fort Belvoir, VA, outside of DC. He graduated in advanced training from Fort Belvoir, and they kept him on as a clerk for the summer. He then was sent to Fort Sill, OK where he got equipment ready to be shipped to Germany. In December 1954, he took a train from Fort Sill to New York, and then a 2-week trip on a boat to Germany, ending up at Kitzingen Army Base, where he spent one year. December 1955, he was released from the Army and returned home to Yankton.

Jim held many jobs in his teenage years trying to make money any way he could. He helped his dad paint signs, ballparks, arrows on top of airport buildings to guide airplanes; he worked as a “grease monkey”, as he would say, at a couple of filling stations; worked shining shoes; worked with horses; and worked for the Freeman Company, making parts for aircraft. He would eventually help his father-in-law with fireworks distribution and stands, and a hog house. In November 1956, Jim began his 39-year career with Northwestern Public Service, which he was very proud of, retiring in 1995.

In 1956, Jim and Pat would start their family, with Michael James being born in December. January 1959, Steven Wayne would follow, and then Joan Lynn in October 1966.

Through the years, Pat and Jim would enjoy dances in Utica and Volin, playing cards, trips to cabins at Roy Lake & Big Stone Lake, and would eventually buy an RV and take trips and joined the Lewis & Clark Camper Club where they made many friends. Jim’s hobbies were ham radio, building and flying remote-control airplanes, hunting, fishing, and after retirement, loved to golf with family and friends, still golfing this past summer.

Jim was a quiet man who was a great role model for his family. He lived a stable, routine life, with strong work ethic, strong faith, and where family meant everything. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren always had grandpa and grandma there to cheer them on.

Jim is survived by his son, Steve Farley of Salinas, CA; and Steve’s daughter, Jolene Alvarez; daughter, Joan (Laddie) Novak of Yankton; and their children: Krista (Adam) Konken, Kyle (Keshia) Novak, Lucas Lammers, Victoria (Trenton) Jordan, and Jenna Novak. Survivors also include grandson, James W.A. Farley; and eight great-grandchildren (with one more on the way!) Surviving siblings include brother, George Farley and sister, Janet (Steve) Haffner, all from Yankton; and sister-in-law, Margaret O’Flaherty of Platteville, CO.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Patricia; son, Michael in January 2024; his parents; and siblings: Joyce Graham, Delores Jensen, Norma Broders, Jerry Farley and Harry Farley.