Founder

Jeff Van Winkle, 53, died on August 10, 2024, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls of cancer-related complications.

Those of us who were very fortunate to know Jeff will never forget his kindness, his acceptance of all people, his love of his family and friends, his genuine love of cats, his love of flowers, and his love of pranks. There will never be another Jeff, but hopefully his generous spirit can lead us all to be better human beings.

Jeffery “Jeff” James Van Winkle was born in Yankton, SD on September 5, 1970, to Richard “Rick” and Sheryl (Dvoracek) Van Winkle. Jeff spent the earliest parts of his childhood in Wood, SD, where his father worked on a large cattle ranch and where he met those who would become like family for the remainder of his life. In Jeff’s pre-school years, the Van Winkle family moved back to Tyndall, where Jeff attended Tyndall grade school and Bon Homme High School. His artistic abilities and love of cats were beginning to show at this early age as he excelled in art class, landscaping and flower projects, and raised Himalayan cats. He was active in wrestling and was a student manager for the high school wrestling and football teams. Jeff and his friends used to meet at The Corral after games and he always loved the chocolate long johns from the Tyndall Bakery. Jeff loved being with his grandparents as well as his many aunts, uncles, and cousins who lived in the area.

Sioux Falls was his next home, where he headed after graduating from high school in 1989. He attended floral and horticulture school at Southeast Vocational Technical Institute and graduated in 1991 with Associate of Applied Science degrees in Retail Floral Operations and Design and Horticulture Landscape Design. During these years Jeff formed many more lifelong friendships and there were many stories from 300 N. Franklin Avenue in Sioux Falls, his home that he purchased in 1995. Jeff shared his home with as many as 20 roommates over the years. He had a special relationship with each and every one of them; he was their friend, mentor and confidant. As an avid prankster he was the center of continuous laughter. The household he created was busy with young adults working and living their best lives, but the end of the day everyone always gathered at the breakfast nook for an intimate conversation about the day. It was a home of treasured memories.

Also, in the 1990s, Jeff worked at the gift shop of The Soukup and Thomas Balloon and Airship Museum in Tyndall and then in Mitchell, SD. His work with the museum allowed him to travel to different states as well as the Virgin Islands. He also worked for several credit card service companies in Sioux Falls during this time.

In 2006, one of Jeff’s good friends introduced him to the love of his life, Dr. Karl Blessinger. In 2011, Jeff moved to Huron, SD to live with Karl. During this time, Jeff and Karl purchased the Under the Rainbow retail store that came with apartments Jeff managed. The two of them shared so many things in common, but most of all was their love of antiques, antique sales, and cats. Together they also had wonderful Beaujolais and Christmas parties with their many friends at their sprawling house on Dakota Avenue. Jeff and Karl married in 2016 and though their time together seemed short, they were able to pack a lifetime of living into the years they were together.

Jeff’s remaining years were spent living in Huron. Jeff and his never-ending positive outlook and social prowess, continued to gain many more friendships with colleagues, neighbors and their children; some of whom are still clearing silly string and snap pops from their yards. Never one to be idle, he did floral arrangements for weddings and funerals, taught pottery classes, attended historical board meetings, became involved in civic activities, worked at the state fair, worked on his beautiful yard, remodeled his house, and somehow found time to open Under the Rainbow Greenhouse and a dispensary, Humphrey’s THC. The remodeling and opening of both businesses were some of Jeff’s proudest accomplishments.

Jeff’s and Karl’s philanthropy to the organizations and businesses of Huron cannot be overstated. They both gave their time and money to many great causes and that generosity is the legacy they both leave behind. Jeff’s love for his cats, Patches, November, Rifia, Mocha, T, Socks, Socks Jr, #1 and Shadow are unending. In lieu of flowers or money, please make donations to either Paws to Love Rescue in Tyndall or Alley Cats Spay Neuter Mission in Huron in memory of Jeff Van Winkle.

He is survived by his brother Justin (Lisa) Van Winkle, sister-in-law Lisa (Randy) Weier, nephews Tyler, Jared, Scott, Tanner, niece Allisan, sister-in-law Donna Blessinger (Steve) Pitts, Ann Blessinger, nephew Russell and niece, Sarah.

He was preceded in death by his spouse, Dr. Karl Blessinger, his parents Rick and Sheryl Van Winkle, brother Scott Van Winkle, paternal grandparents Romain and Alice Van Winkle, maternal grandparents Leonard and Dorothy “Belle” Dvoracek, and mother-in-law, Helen Blessinger.