Devin James Wichael

Mass of Christian Burial for Devin James Wichael, age 25, of Breckenridge, MN, will be on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 10 AM at St. John's Catholic Church, Wahpeton. Visitation will be on Friday, June 13, 2025, from 4-7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM, at the church. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Wahpeton. Devin passed away at his home on June 6, 2025, surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Devin James Wichael was born February 2, 2000, in Breckenridge, MN, to Erica Wichael and Jesse Raguse. He was raised in Wahpeton, ND, and attended Wahpeton Public School, where he graduated in 2018. During high school, Devin was involved in football, basketball, track, and baseball. Devin began working at the Bois De Souix Golf Course in the summer of 2016 and worked there until he graduated. Following graduation, Devin furthered his education for a year at the University of Jamestown, where he also ran track and pole vaulted. In 2019, Devin moved back home to Wahpeton and attended NDSCS for plumbing. Upon completion of the program, Devin started working for Schmitty’s Plumbing, where he worked for two years, until he started working for the City of Wahpeton as a utility worker.

Devin loved everything to do with being outdoors. He was an avid hunter, which started at a young age with his grandpa Jim, whom Devin lovingly called “Jimbo.” In 2022, Devin was fortunate enough to be a recipient of the Outdoor Adventure Foundation, where he was able to participate in multiple fishing and hunting trips, and was successful in harvesting a turkey and a trophy bull elk. In his spare time, you would often find Devin playing volleyball, softball, fishing, and golfing with friends and family, or pheasant hunting with his beloved dogs, Duke and Winnie. He also loved going to Vikings games, creating fantasy football teams, and following the Duke Blue Devils.

Devin had a heart of gold, a contagious laugh, and a big smile for everyone he met. He brightened each and every room he walked into. Devin made strangers feel like friends and friends feel like family. He was quick-witted and loved an ongoing joke - like sugar beet harvest, “the best time of the year”. Devin always brought an up-beat and enthusiastic work ethic when helping the Jirak family in the fall.

In 2022, Devin began his battle with synovial sarcoma. Devin was a true fighter. Despite the ups and downs that came with his battle, Devin remained positive and never gave up. When asked how he was doing, Devin liked to respond, “just livin’ the dream”. He was a recipient of Dough 4 Joe in 2022 and continued to support fellow recipients in the years following. Dough 4 Joe’s motto is “Where Friends of Friends Become Family”, and Devin embodied this whole-heartedly. Devin lost his battle on June 6th, 2025, surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Devin is survived by the love of his life Nina Jirak, Breckenridge, MN; his mother Erica Wichael, step-father Travis Peterson, Dwight, ND, siblings Treyton Link and Abbi Wichael; grandparents Jim and Maureen Wichael, Wahpeton, ND; Cindy (Steve) Messenger, Fergus Falls, MN; aunt and uncle, Cory (Anna) Wichael, Thief River Falls, MN, and Elisha (Sam) Storo, Wahpeton, ND; Nina’s parents Dean and Kim Jirak, sibling Nick Jirak all of Breckenridge, MN; Godmother Heidi Prehn, Aberdeen, SD; step-mother Kim (Jesse) Raguse, siblings Noah and Abel, Blue Earth, MN; and many loving great aunts, uncles, cousins, and everyone who called him friend.

He was welcomed into heaven by great-grandparents Henry (Louise) Petermann and Albert (Doris) Wichael, grandpa Jack Peterson, extended family, JD Link, Michelle Mostoller, and many great-aunts, great-uncles, and extended family.