Obituary of Glenn H. Mannes

Mannes Glenn H.

Glenn Henry Mannes, 80, of Yankton, SD, passed away on April 25, 2025, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital. Glenn was a devout Christian and believed in a life everlasting.

Glenn was born on September 28, 1944, the middle child of Henry and Lucille (Peterson) Mannes of N. Chicago Street in Sioux Falls. His older sister Ruth and younger brother Dale both loved and admired Glenn greatly, just as he loved and admired them.

The Manneses were part of a large extended family in Sioux Falls that included the Graffs, Petersons, and Schocks. Glenn had many wonderful relationships with his aunts, uncles, and cousins, and enjoyed telling tales of their family adventures. The entire clan took annual summer vacations to Vacation Village on West Lake Okoboji, where the cousins all participated in talent shows, ping pong tournaments, fishing, and other lake shenanigans.

Glenn suffered from polio as a boy and spent time in a children’s hospital between the ages of 8 and 10. Remarkably, and in great part due to his father’s dedication, Glenn recovered from polio and went on to enjoy all kinds of sports and activities with no physical limitations. He claimed to have been “Sioux Falls City Champ” at most things – golf, bowling, baseball, croquet, tiddlywinks, and more – and we have no solid proof that he wasn’t. As an adult, he especially enjoyed playing in the N.B.A. (Noon Basketball Association), golfing with his friends and grandchildren, and sailing competitively – several boat classes, but mostly Lasers and Ynglings. He also enjoyed bird watching, wood carving, pheasant hunting, fishing, bowling, bridge, taking care of his beloved pets, and going on trips with his wife and family. Regular trips to the Black Hills and Custer State Park included cycling the Mickelson Trail with friends.

After graduating from Sioux Falls Washington High School in 1962, Glenn attended Iowa State University, where he embarked on becoming an architect. Architecture was his childhood dream and a profession he would enjoy for 50 years. Iowa State is also where Glenn met Bernita Kay Mercer, of Sioux City, Iowa, after being set up on a blind date. Our dad would often tear up recalling the night of their first date and then chuckle when he told us how Bernita began the date with, “So Glenn, tell me about yourself.” Glenn and Bernita were married in 1967 and spent their early years in Sioux City, Iowa, before relocating to Yankton.

As a couple, Glenn and Bernita’s greatest joys together were the times they spent as a family with their children: son Brent and daughter Sarah. Later, the family grew to include Brent’s wife Tamara, Sarah’s husband Gregg, and then his pride and joy: grandchildren Laine and Leah, Henry and Ellia. Together they would enjoy fish frys on the deck, s’mores and crosswords around the campfire, Christmas tree hunting at Cedar Ridge (their home north of Lewis & Clark Lake), and fishing and boating at Okoboji. These times were truly life’s pinnacle, and Glenn and Bernita relished them!

Glenn’s architectural career brought him tremendous satisfaction, and he worked at it tirelessly. In Sioux City, Glenn worked for James M. Duffy, Architect, an early mentor who became a lifelong friend. In 1971, Glenn and his young family moved to Yankton, where he single-handedly opened and grew a branch office of James M. Duffy & Associates and eventually became a partner in Duffy, Mannes & Brygger. Around 1980 he went on his own, hanging out his shingle as Glenn H. Mannes, Architect. He was delighted when daughter Sarah joined his practice in 2005, when the firm officially became Mannes Architects. Sarah and Glenn worked as close partners for the final 15 years of his career.

The buildings Glenn designed - across Yankton and throughout the region - are a lasting testament to his dedication to his craft. He truly loved the process of helping his clients turn their ideas into buildings and took pride in their being practical and efficient. “Design is a patient search,” was a phrase he repeated often. All-told, Glenn completed over 1,000 projects between 1968 and 2019. He received an AIA South Dakota design award for Yankton’s Riverside Park Amphitheater, which still comes to life regularly as an outdoor event and music space.

Glenn’s favorite projects included those where he teamed up with his son Brent, who provided mechanical engineering on several projects, including the sanctuary addition at Trinity Lutheran Church (2012) and the Cedar County Courthouse remodel and addition in Hartington (2009). Glenn was also especially proud of the projects that included his son-in-law Gregg’s expertise, including the Yankton Fire Hall #2 (2014) and the Yankton School District Administration Buildings (2009). He took on a supporting role when Sarah assumed the role of lead designer in the office, spearheading projects like the South Dakota Magazine addition (2012) and the Boys and Girls Club of Yankton (2018). Our dad’s pride in us never wavered.

Glenn was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he sang in the adult choir and enjoyed the men’s bible study group. He served as congregational president and on multiple boards. He was a founding member of the Yankton Morning Optimists Club and proudly volunteered at events alongside his fellow Optimists, whom he counted as good friends. He enjoyed serving as the chairman of The Optimists’ different committees and also served as club president. He served on the Board of Directors for The Center, where he regularly played bridge, and also served on the Board of Trustees for (then) Mount Marty College. Glenn was Head Coach of the Yankton Quarterback Club and served on the BOD of the SD Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

For the last 16 months of his life, Glenn lived at Majestic Bluffs, in Memory Care. He lived in a comfortable and supportive setting as his dementia progressed, and his family were blessed to have spent so much quality time with him there. Bernita and Brent made very regular visits, and Sarah, especially, spent countless hours there with her dad, putting together puzzles, catching up on the grandkids, watching Wheel of Fortune, and hilariously working on crossword puzzles together. Their evening ritual was sharing a glass of red wine. Many of the staff at Majestic came to feel like extended family, consistently offering their care and reassurance. They delighted in Glenn’s belting out the oldies whenever the radio was on. His singing voice and keen sense of humor never diminished.

Dad, we wish the ending had been easier for you. We remember you at your very best and we celebrate the good, kind, and loving husband, father, and grandfather you were, and the impactful life you led. Your legacy will be passed on for generations.

Glenn was preceded in death by parents Henry and Lucille Mannes, sister Ruth Mannes, parents-in-law Bernard “Butch” and Gladys Mercer, and sister-in-law Vicki (Rick) Wollman.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years Bernita, son Brent (Tamara) of Sioux Falls, daughter Sarah (Gregg) Homstad of Yankton, grandchildren Laine and Leah Mannes and Henry and Ellia Homstad, and brother Dale (Barb) of Sioux Falls.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Friday, May 2, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Yankton, SD with Revs. Jeff Otterman and Michael Jordan officiating.  Burial will be in the Yankton Cemetery, Yankton, SD.  Visitations will be 5 to 7 PM, Thursday, May 1, 2025 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD and then one hour prior to the service at the church.  Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.  Live streaming of Glenn’s service can be found at: https://server.attend.live/static/event/n5Y87.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the charity of your choosing.