Reed Harter

A funeral service for Reed Harter, 28, of Ethan, SD, formerly of Colome, SD, was held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Greg Sherman Memorial Colome High School Gymnasium in Colome, SD. Burial will be held at a later date. Mason Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Reed Glen Holden Harter was born to Ferman and Sally (O’Bryan) Harter in Gregory, SD, on February 27, 1997. Reed grew up on a farm near Colome, SD, with his two brothers, Toby and Zach. Animals were Reed’s young passion, but sports were arguably his top priority, which later led to his natural ability to lead a team.

Always a leader, Reed played multiple sports from a young age. His basketball career started in Country Conference as an Ideal Tiger, progressed to the Tripp Country Trojan traveling team, and ultimately led to becoming a Colome Cowboy. At all ages, Reed participated in football, basketball, track and field, and baseball, was recognized as a threesport All Stater in high school. He is the all-time leading scorer for the Colome Cowboys basketball program, a record that remains unbroken since 2016.

Reed graduated from Colome High School in 2016, spending the summers playing Legion baseball, helping his dad in the hayfields, and starting his career as a respected umpire.

Reed received multiple accolades throughout his life, from being crowned Homecoming king in high school to most recently being inducted into the South Dakota High School Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025. Reed was a proud member of the Winner/Colome Pheasants Amateur Baseball Team since 2016. A stellar second baseman, Reed rallied the Pheasants to many victorious seasons. In 2019, he won the Tony Adams Hustle Award and made the State Amateur Baseball All Tourney Team in 2016 and 2019. Reed gave 100% to everything he did, and expected the same from others. He was a competitor with a big heart and a whole lot of passion.

After high school, Reed majored in History Education. He attended the University of Sioux Falls for one semester to play baseball and transferred, in the Spring of 2017, to Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD. Reed was an honor roll student every semester, while also excelling as a player and leader on the baseball team.

When COVID-19 arose, Reed was given an extra year of baseball eligibility which he decided to take advantage of. While playing that last year (2020-2021), he pursued his Masters of Educational Administration.

After graduating from DWU, Reed began teaching social sciences in Ethan, SD. He was an assistant football coach in 2021 and 2022 for the Bridgewater Emery-Ethan Seahawks. He was also the assistant boys basketball coach for the Ethan Rustlers from 2021-2026. During this time, Reed also volunteered as assistant baseball coach at his alma mater, Dakota Wesleyan University, from 2023-2026. Reed was a beloved colleague, teacher, and coach.

Reed married the love of his life Mikayla (Heirigs) Harter on July 6, 2024, in Irene, SD.

Reed made people feel noticed and important, whether in the classroom or everyday life. He was genuine and soft-hearted, which explains why he was such a great “cat-whisperer”. His kindness towards children and animals extended to each person he met, even those he didn’t personally know. His charisma carried further than his voice, making him truly a one-of-a-kind person. Students from all walks of life adored Mr. Harter, even his meticulous lesson plans.

Reed Harter, age 28, passed away due to an automobile accident on Friday, January 16, 2026.

He is survived by his wife Mikayla Harter and Mr. Binx (their cat); his parents, Sally and Ferman Harter, Colome, SD; his brothers, Toby (Blakley) Harter, Grand Forks, ND, and Zachary (Alissa) Harter and his niece Wrenly Rae, Elk Point, SD; his in-laws Bruce and Jodi Heirigs, Irene, SD, Christopher Heirigs, Tacoma, WA, and Skyler Heirigs, Irene, SD; many aunts, uncles, and several cousins; his baseball family; and a large circle of friends.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents Mavis and Richard O’Bryan Sr. and Leonora Harter and Ferman (Bud) Harter Sr.; his “sister-cousin” Sara (Slim) O’Bryan Bradford; and one of his dearest friends Chandler (Chuck) Bakley.