Jacob Gary Diedtrich, 37, of Custer was born to Gary & Jean Diedtrich on October 11, 1981. After a "hot" start working together on a fire engine for the Forest Service, sparks flew and Jake and Jenny were united in marriage on September 8, 2012. This union was blessed by two beautiful daughters, Olivia Lynn and Sophia Rosalie.

Jake was a very passionate man. He was always ready to lend a hand to those in need no matter what the task. He took great pride in his practical jokes and found great pleasure in scaring people, although, most women could not scream as loud as he could if he happened to be on the receiving end of a good scare. His laugh lit up the room and could always be picked out of a crowd.

Jake graduated college from the University of South Dakota with a Master's Degree in Business Communication. He turned his summer firefighting days into a career with the US Forest Service where he was serving as a Fuels Technician.

When Jake wasn't working, he loved spending time with family and friends camping, fishing, hunting, golfing and just being outdoors where he could throw a ball for his two chocolate labs Jade and Jude, and occasionally Gunner the cat who thinks he is a dog.

Jake is survived by his amazing wife Jenny and their two beautiful girls Olivia and Sophia, mother Jean, sisters Wendi and Hillary, six wonderful nieces and nephews along with other extended family, a very close family of co-workers and a sincerely loyal tribe of friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Gary Jacob Diedtrich.

A celebration of Jake's life will be at 3:00pm on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at the Custer Lutheran Fellowship.

Reception to follow at 4:00pm at the Custer Beacon.

A memorial has been established for Jake's daughters Olivia and Sophia. Contributions can be made at First Interstate Bank or through the Jacob Diedtrich Memorial Fund on Facebook.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer, SD.