Josephine (Jo) I. Waldner, 89, of Brookings, passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2026, in Brookings, South Dakota. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at First Lutheran Church in Brookings at 10:30 a.m. A time of fellowship and a meal will immediately follow the service at the church. Interment will follow the meal, and take place at First Lutheran Cemetery in Brookings. Visitation will be held the evening prior, Friday, November 6, 2026, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Josephine was born on August 22, 1937, in Mitchell, SD, to Joe and Irene (Cook) Atkins. Her family moved to Winner, SD for a few years and then returned to the family farm east of Wessington Springs, SD. She received her education at Wessington Springs until her senior year when she attended Woonsocket High School. Following graduation she worked at Northwest Security National Bank of Huron.

She loved to share her memories of growing up on the farm, including harnessing and driving draft horses and participating in thrashing crews moving around the area. She always had a love for horses and was selected as the Huron Rodeo Queen in 1954.

On June 5, 1956, she married Richard C. Waldner in Huron, SD. Richard was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1957, so they moved to Fort Eustis, VA, where Josephine worked as a civilian employee on the base and became proficient in shorthand. Following Richard’s discharge, they returned to Brookings. Josephine worked briefly in the SDSU Economics Department before beginning a 34-year career with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, retiring as the Administrative Officer at the USDA-ARS “Bug Lab” in Brookings, SD.

She was a member of First Lutheran Church and spent many years helping with Sunday School.

Her entire lifetime was filled with horses, and she was active in many horse organizations, such as the SD Quarter Horse Association, SD Paint Horse Club, SD Palomino Exhibitors Association, and the SD Horse Council. Josephine and Richard raised horses and operated the Double W Ranch near Brookings for over 50 years. During this time, they received the American Paint Horse Association Distinguished Service Award and the American Quarter Horse Legacy Breeder Award. For many years, Josephine and her daughters managed horse shows in the area and most recently, she served on the American Quarter Horse Association Region 2 Show Committee. A position she treasured as it allowed her to stay connected to the horse industry and her dear horse friends each year.

From the age of 8, Josephine began participating in 4-H and exhibiting each year at the SD State Fair from horses in early years to baked goods, flowers and herbs in recent years. Even in 2026, she had entries at the state fair and attended this cherished event. Josephine was a 4-H leader for many years, and they were honored to receive the Friend of 4-H award from Brookings County 4-H.

Josephine and Richard were strong supporters of SDSU athletics since the 1960’s and rarely missed anything SDSU. It brought them much joy to share Jackrabbit experiences with their entire family. Mom loved a good SDSU vs. USD game and that final win made her Jackrabbit heart happy. She also took great pride watching her grandchildren at horse shows, livestock shows, sporting events and most recently seeing them grow into successful young adults with bright futures.

Survivors include her two daughters, Dawn Jo (Bill) Taylor of Volga, SD, and Gail LeAnn (Jason) Gullickson of Flandreau, SD; grandchildren Grady Gullickson (fiancé Kelsie Ehrenberg), Gage Gullickson (fiancé Haley Tvinnereim), and Lauren Taylor (fiancé Cody Shepardson); brother-in-law Raymond (Diane) Waldner of Worthington, MN; niece Robyn Moser, and the Atkins-Willersheidt family in Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her half-brother Marion Atkins.

Memorials may be directed to the SDSU Foundation in memory of Josephine Waldner.