Wyatt Dean Ammon

Wyatt Dean Ammon died November 18, 2005 in Zambia, Africa, while serving as the Peace Corps.

Wyatt was born in Dell Rapids on October 19, 1981, to Greg and Jeannie Ammon. Wyatt grew up in Dell Rapids and was a 2000 graduate of Dell Rapids public high school. He then went on to further his education and was a 2004 graduate of Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota, where he earned Cum Laude distinction. He also attended University Van Amsterdam in a study abroad program at the International School for the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Wyatt was employed at Forum One communications in Washington DC, where he worked as a research analyst and project manager. Wyatt's goal in life was to always help other people, and to that end, he decided to join the Peace Corps. Wyatt began his Peace Corps training on September 6, 2005. He was a leader among his training class. He was honored to be chosen by his peers to deliver a speech for their induction ceremony. Wyatt's life was cut short as a result of injuries sustained in a fall.

Wyatt was an absolutely extraordinary individual. If you ever met Wyatt, you never forgot him. He was constantly seeking to get everything out of living in this world that he possibly could. I'm pretentious and utterly unconcerned with image, Wyatt did things his own way, all the way. Wyatt held meaningful conversations with everyone he came into contact with - friends, colleagues, children and even homeless people he met at the bus stop. He did it because he was constantly striving for knowledge and self-awareness, looking for ways to better himself and the world around him. When he died, he was in the Peace Corps's doing just that, and was truly at the happiest point of his life. Words cannot describe how much he will be missed and the void he leaves in the world.

He is survived by his parents, Greg and Jeannie Ammon of Dell Rapids; his sisters, Ginger Ammon, of Washington DC; Kyla Ammon (his twin), St. Paul, Minnesota; and Allison Amann, of Dell Rapids; his paternal grandparents, Delvon and Jean Ammon, Mitchell; his maternal grandfather, LeMoyne Martell and his wife, Judy of Big Stone city; aunts, uncles, cousins and his many friends.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Marcene Martell, and his uncle, Danny Ammon.

Wyatt's Memorial website is www.wyattammon.org.

Celebration of life services was held in the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids on Saturday, November 26, 2005, with Pastor Mark Dokken officiating.

Casket bearers were Matthew Martell, Andrew Martell, Erik Oftedahl, Benjamin Youngren, Alex Youngren and Timothy Oftedahl.

Interment was at Dell Rapids Cemetery with funeral arrangements by Kayler funeral home.

Dell Rapids Tribune November 30, 2005
Dell Rapids, Minnehaha County, South Dakota

This bench has been placed in the Mother's Healing Garden in memory of Wyatt Dean Ammon 1981 - 2005.

"Find Peace In The Silence"