Wyatt J. Niemann
6.11.2003 - 11.6.2020
God Saw You Getting Tired
God saw you getting tired
When a cure was not to be.
So He wrapped His arms around you,
And whispered, “Come unto me.”
You didn’t deserve what you went through,
And so He gave you rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful,
He only takes the best.
So when I saw you sleeping,
So peaceful and free from pain.
I could not wish you to come back,
to suffer that all again.
– Frances and Kathleen Coelho
A Life Well Lived
Cherished family member and friend Wyatt Joseph Niemann passed away Friday, November 6, 2020, at 17. He left this world surrounded by his family at the Sanford Children’s Hospital. Wyatt was the beloved son of Garrett and Jody Niemann Priest and the late Tracy Niemann of Watertown.
A public walk-thru visitation will be held on Monday, November 16, 2020, at the Watertown High School Civic Arena, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Face masks are highly encouraged. The family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date.
Wyatt was welcomed into this world on June 11, 2003, to Tracy and Jody (Ellis) Niemann. Watertown was Wyatt’s home his entire life; he was a student at Mellette Elementary School, Watertown Middle School, and a junior at Watertown High School upon his passing. Wyatt’s father passed away on January 22, 2009. Excited to become a family, Wyatt said to his mom, “We are marrying Garrett, YEA!” upon Jody and Garrett’s engagement. They officially became a family with their marriage on September 15, 2012.
Active in his community, Wyatt was a member of many organizations. He was involved in the Cornerstone United Methodist Church youth group until he was physically unable to attend. From first through ninth grade, Wyatt was a member of the Watertown Destination Imagination team. His time in DI culminated with his participation in the Global Tournament in Tennessee. Watertown Area Special Olympics held a significant place in his heart where he competed in aquatics, equestrian, and bowling, receiving multiple gold medals and first place ribbons.
Wyatt participated in many school activities; he was a member of WMS and WHS marching, pep, and concert bands, where he played the tambourine. He also was a member of the chorus throughout middle school and part of high school. His classmates and teachers always found special ways to include Wyatt in everything, including playing the role police officer in the Middle School musical “Annie.” His favorite classes in high school were band and any class that Garrett was teaching.
Wyatt had a huge passion for all animals and was an annual member of the Bramble Park Zoo. He spent many hours visiting and taking classes at the zoo. Spending time at Joy Ranch brought Wyatt much enjoyment; he attended camps and received his equestrian program certification. Wyatt especially loved his cat, Tazzy, and the family dogs Lilly and Tally. In fact, he loved every animal he encountered.
On July 22, 2019, Wyatt received the Young Hero’s Award from the SD National Guard. He celebrated this honor with his many family members who are veterans or current members of the military. Wyatt was an ambassador for Juvenile Huntington’s Disease and The Shepherd’s Gift: GM1 for H.D. He was an ambassador for Make-A-Wish following his Make-A-Wish trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington D.C. He was an active Eagle Scout in BSA Troop #8. Wyatt’s involvement in scouts included special high adventure activities, such as rock climbing, where his fellow scouts assisted him. His Eagle Scout project to help the Beacon Center was loved by and involved the whole community.
Wyatt especially enjoyed spending time with family at Lake Madison, boating as “Captain Wyatt” and jumping off the dock’s end with his brothers and cousins. He loved adventure, especially roller coasters. His motto was, “Hands in the air like you just don’t care.” Wyatt loved traveling, eating out, and cheering for the Watertown Arrows and the Cincinnati Bengals. He even got the chance to make a special friend with Andy Dalton (Quarterback of the Bengals), who spent part of an afternoon giving him a stadium tour and introducing him to the team and coaches.
Wyatt touched countless people with his cheerful personality, contagious smile, and endless perseverance. Wyatt set an example of how to love others, animals, and life. He showed us what courage looks like while battling his illness. He brought out the best in all of us. Wyatt is our hero, and his absence will be felt by many.
Wyatt is survived by his parents, Garrett and Jody Niemann Priest of Watertown, SD; two brothers, Brett and Ethan Priest, both of Watertown, SD; his maternal grandparents, Roger and Roxie Ellis of Hudson, FL; his paternal grandparents, Merle and Deanna Niemann of Estelline, SD; and his paternal grandparent, John E. Priest of Watertown, SD and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Tracy Niemann, his paternal grandmother JoAnn Niemann, his paternal grandmother, Connie Priest, and his uncle, Steven Priest.
Services
16 November 2020: A public walk-thru visitation will take place on Monday, November 16, 2020, at the Watertown High School Civics Arena from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. Face masks are highly encouraged.
11 November 2020: Mayoral proclamation and FCA prayer vigil at the Niemann Priest home at 8:15pm.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
12 Nov 2020 | Wyatt J. Niemann Day
On Thursday, November 12, 2020, Watertown Mayor Sarah Caron proclaimed the day as Wyatt J. Niemann Day. As part of the proclamation, Caron and Niemann’s parents asked people to perform acts of kindness. “Let’s fill this day with positive and meaningful generosity that Wyatt did every day with his smile,” wrote his dad Garrett Priest. Read the Mayoral Proclimation
Memoriam
In lieu of flowers, plants or gifts, the family would appreciate a donation to the Wyatt J. Niemann scholarship at Watertown High School or Wyatt’s Boy Scout Troop #8.
How to give:
Wyatt J. Niemann Scholarship
Check:
Arrow Education Foundation
Attn: Wyatt J. Niemann Scholarship
PO Box 730
Watertown, SD 57201
Online:
Boy Scout Troop #8
Check:
Watertown Grace Lutheran Church
Attn: Boy Scout Troop #8 Wyatt
202 2nd St. SE
Watertown, SD 57201
Online:
We are using this method to collect contributions to make it easy for you and to avoid high percentage fees on funding sites. This site is maintained by his aunt and all contributions will go directly to the Memoriam you select.
Directions: Click > View Photos and select the Boy Scout photo to give to Troop #8 or the group photo to give to the scholarship. Click > Buy Photo. You will then be able to select an amount or combination of the amount to reach the desired contribution. Click > Add to Cart and then follow the directions to check out.
Tributes
You can share a memory of Wyatt, tell about how you met, leave a message for the family, or any other tribute that comes to mind.
Gallery
Images from Wyatt’s wonderful life. If you have images with Wyatt you can email them to acellis@mac.com to be added to the gallery and sent to the family. You may also hashtag #wyattjniemann on Instagram to share your photos and create a feed that family and friends can look back on.
Click on a photo to see it large, comment, read the info, and share.
A Community Together
Wyatt was such an amazing young man that the community came together to support him again and again. This is a collection of some of those events that have been shared on the internet.
• Friends and Family Gather to Pay Tribute to Wyatt Niemann: 12 Nov 2020
• Kindness is Contagious shares Wyatt’s story: 11 Nov 2020
• USA Softball of South Dakota shared Wyatt’s story: 11 Nov 2020
• City to celebrate Wyatt J. Niemann Day: 10 Nov 2020
• Watertown School Board Pays Tribute to Student: 9 Nov 2020
• Tribute from Watertown Troop #8: 9 Nov 2020
• Wyatt and Jody help Troop Taylor Gnarly Bell with Merit Badge: 6 Oct 2020
• Students and Staff Rally Around Family to Build Needed Ramp: 29 Sept 2020
• Watertown teen glides up the stairs, thanks to home medical equipment gift: 24 Sept 2020
• Beacon Center Thank and Information about Wyatt’s Eagle Scout Project: 27 Feb 2020
• Eagle Scout project will collect stuffed animals for Beacon Center: 11 Feb 2020
• Let’s Talk JHD with Jody Niemann Priest: Date not listed
• South Dakota National Guard Young Hero Medal: 23 July 2019
When I think of Wyatt, I’ll always think of him as Wild Wyatt. We only got to meet a few times, but Wyatt’s energy and smile were infectious. His love of his family, his Boy Scout Troop and his music were clear, and he was someone who inspired those who met him to follow in his footsteps and make sure they make the world a little kinder and brighter. A JHD warrior who now has his wings, rest easy Wild Wyatt.
Man…tears are streaming down. I watch wyatt grow up from afar. He was in cub scouts with my son. Since both my kids were one year different than wyatt I saw him at school events… parades..ect.
I spent a few months working with him at the High School and he touched my heart instantly. He loved to laugh. He loved to scare people. Everyone loved him. I loved being able to watch him.
My heart hurts knowing this amazing young man is not physically with is anymore…. but I’ll never forget him.
Very sorry for your loss, your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Cory Ann Ellis is a friend and co worker of ours at FMS# 8 Brookings SD.
MSG Bryan Krogman
South Dakota Army National Guard
My first memory was at Jenkins Living Center when Wyatt was just a baby, all dressed in warm clothes and sitting on the ledge awaiting the Watertown Arrows parade!! As years went on, he and Jody would walk into the break room and over to the candy machine and disagree on which treats I would jokingly tell him just take one of each; he always smiled!! 2-3 years ago, Jody pushed Wyatt through the parade with a smiling and a very proud boy playing his tambourine!! Wyatt will forever be etched in my heart and many others!! My final memory was I was walking across maple, and Jody and Wyatt were on their way to have a picnic lunch Jody rolled her window down and said to Wyatt tell, Laurie where we are going!! Picnic and off they went!! Rest now, Wyatt; you will forever be loved and missed
Where to start. I first met Wyatt the summer before his 7th grade. I was informed that I would be Wyatt’s para when he started school in August. Garrett had emailed me and asked if I could come to their house and meet Wyatt and Jody and himself so we could get to know each other and they could fill me in on his condition. I was happy to meet them as we were all strangers! Jody brought me up to Wyatt’s room and he was playing a game and he wouldn’t even look at me 😂. Jody and I went down and she filled me in. I won’t lie, I was more than scared that this was going to be an assignment I didn’t know if I was qualified enough for! Skip forward to the first couple weeks of school. I was ignored by Wyatt for the first couple weeks at around 1:30 every day! Why you might ask? Well, we had Social Studies in Mr Ingals room, which was right by Wyatt’s locker, but his next class was in Matt’s room, which was in the 8th grade hallway. If you know Wyatt, his snacks were VERY important to him. Who do you think forgot his backpack with his snacks in his locker? I was ticking off things like do you need the bathroom, a drink, the sensory room? He would just look straight ahead like I wasn’t even there until I said oh I forgot your backpack! He would then get the biggest smile on his face so I would tell him to get started on his work while I went and got his bag. After about two weeks of that I wised up and left the backpack in Matt’s room! We grew to be very close❤️ My heart would burst at how happy he was to see me whenever I would show up to surprise him at his award ceremony or his band Christmas concert! Knowing he cared for ME that much is something I will cherish forever ❤️❤️ Wyatt was more than my one on one student, he was like my own boy. When he struggled, I felt it too. I tried my hardest to make things better and easier for him hoping it would lessen the strain that his disease was taking on his body. I have been beyond blessed to have had Wyatt in my life ❤️. As hard as it is to not have him here with us I am lucky to have all the memories of his huge smiles with me all the time and I am so happy he was able to do so much and go to so many amazing places in his short 17 years! You are greatly missed my loving boy❤️ RIP. I love you Wyatt..
Tracy Laue…Paraprofessional
WJ was the youngest of his male cousins. He loved all of his cousins with every ounce of his heart and they all protected and watched out for him. As an uncle, I loved to watch WJ and Ayden pal around when they were diaper wearing little goofballs, peas and carrots they were. He was so happy and loving. That personality progressed into loving so many things, too many to mention, but family was at the top of that list. He’d light up like a Christmas tree when family arrived to greet him.
WJ never lacked stuffed animals, ever. His fascination with animals was unparalleled and I’m here to say that if you mentioned anything that was incorrect about an animal he was the first to make sure you were in the know.
He never complained about food, especially if it was sweet. I mean, every kid doesn’t like something, nope, he ate everything and always had room for dessert. He never turned down a hug or the opportunity to put his hands on a pet.
He packed more experiences into 17 years than most will in their entire life and he had his mother to thank for that. We all had special and different bonds with WJ, none stronger than my sister’s love for her sweet boy. Our hearts are now plagued with a void that can only be filled with memories now. When yearning for his presence and companionship we must reflect back to that infectious smile to help brighten our day, I know it does mine.
When Wyatt left us last Friday and the hole in our hearts was growing, I was waiting for some other emotion to take over. I expected anger at his being taken and was therefore taken aback by being overcome with awe and pride.
First of all, awe in the wake of the impact that this 17 year old hero had on everyone who knew him and also people who never met him but were inspired by his story. Who gets to meet the Bengals football quarterback and doesn’t walk away with just a handshake but a personal 45 minute tour and an exchange of personal email to keep in touch? How can he have met an unknown teenager and been so impressed? Well, that was typical of reactions to our Wyatt. He met and touched SO many people, changing them in wonderful ways by his courage, kindness and constant optimism. I will always be in awe of what he did in a few years of life.
And pride? You bet we’re proud of having had him in our lives. His ongoing smile and kindness shine through even now. I was raised by a father who told me “You should leave this earth having given back twice what you took in life”. Well, Wyatt, you blew that out of the water! Now the bar is set high to live up to your example.
Yes, there are tears, but the awe, pride and love are pushing them back. See you later, sweetie.
Love, Grandma and Papa
I am the oldest immediate cousin in our family. Some of my earliest memories with the cousins had Wyatt in them. From Watertown hotel New Year celebrations to birthday parties, family pictures, and weekends spent at the lake, Wyatt was always smiling and just happy to be with everyone. I would always jokingly ask Wyatt if he wanted a beer or a glass of wine, and he would say, “I’m not old enough!” I’d reply with, “come on, no one would know.” And in front of his friends and family, he would always decline. This was our running joke for the last few years, and I loved it. He always knew right and wrong and stood by that. I’ll miss his hugs and how excited he would get when we all showed up at the lake or a family get together. Miss and love you Y-man.
Perseverance and perspective are the words I think of with Wyatt. Wyatt was a teacher, a giver, a selfless and kind soul. Wyatt taught so many how to keep going, never give up, follow your dreams and do everything with complete effort, while keep that constant smile. Wyatt never complained about his disability, in fact, just the opposite was true with Wyatt. He found happiness in everything! It was the little things that made him tick… petting Taz, filling his stomach, watching Super heros or playing Life. Wyatt reminds us all to be happy with what we are given and to enjoy the little gifts that God allows. Wyatt’s impact goes beyond words and will be felt with every breath I take! Thanks for being an inspiration and reminding us to enjoy the little things Wyatt! You’ll never be forgotten!