01/30/2026
Christopher Lewis Scott
Christopher Lewis Scott, 53, of Mitchell, SD, passed away on January 29, 2026, at Ava’s House Hospice in Sioux Falls. Even during his brave, year-long battle with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, Chris stayed unmistakably himself, the person everyone knew him to be: the one with the smiling eyes, the loudest laugh in the room, and a heart that overflowed with love for his family and friends.
Chris was born on April 8, 1972, in Mitchell, South Dakota, to Robert Lewis and Sharon Larene (Deinert) Scott, the first of four sons. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and remained a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Mitchell.
Chris graduated from Mitchell High School in 1990. In 1994, he graduated from Augustana College with a biology degree that earned him acceptance into the nation’s top optometry schools and, as he liked to joke, was a great help when selling red tractors. Named after his great-grandfather Lewis Emmanuel, who founded Scott Supply in 1915, Chris’s decision to carry on this legacy of hard work and service brought him profound joy for 32 years and afforded him abundant hours working alongside his dad and Grandpa Wally. His passion for Case IH equipment created a wide circle of friends that extended far beyond typical business relationships—company representatives who became confidants, farm customers who became family friends, and employees who knew they were working with someone who truly cared about them. His expertise and leadership were recognized across the industry, and he served on the Case IH Dealer Advisory Board and the Pioneer Equipment Dealers Association Board of Directors.
On July 12, 1997, Chris married his miracle, Tehra Lynne Setness. They were blessed with three daughters, Cailey Paige in 2001, Elle Nicole in 2003, and Lauren Tiana in 2005. Losing Elle shortly after her birth only brought them closer. Chris was the ultimate girl dad, cheering Cailey and Lauren on at swim meets and dance performances, playing duets with them at piano recitals, boating and jet skiing every Sunday on Lake Mitchell, and going to countless concerts, including Noah Kahan and Taylor Swift (four times!). Chris made every day an adventure; from family trips to Hawaii, the Cayman Islands, the Netherlands, Italy, and Australia, to the simple moments at home, breaking into song or begging for “just 30 seconds” of slow-dancing in the kitchen with his girls. He taught them to work hard, play hard, trust God, and love like there’s no tomorrow. This past year especially, Chris said again and again that what he is most proud of in life is his family. We will forever remember his advice to “Say I love you fast. Don’t save it.”
Chris’s brothers were his best friends. He had a rare gift for making everyone feel truly seen, known, and valued. Whether family or friend, each person felt they held a special place in his life. A natural storyteller and the life of every party, he proudly held many titles: “favorite uncle” to his nieces and nephews, “Squirrel” to his friends, and “the fun dad” to his confirmation group mentees and his daughters’ friends. He loved traveling with his brothers and friends to an annual Minnesota Vikings away game. As a lifelong fan, he rarely missed a home game after his dad bought season tickets when Chris was nine.
Chris is survived by his wife, Tehra, of Mitchell, SD; his daughters, Cailey and Lauren, both of Chicago, IL; his parents, Robert and Sharon, of Mitchell, SD; his brothers, Dave (Bryn) and sons, Ryan, Matthew, and Adam, of Eden Prairie, MN; Nick (Kara) and children, Jacob, Joseph, Noelle, and Caroline, of Sioux Falls, SD; and Rob (Jolene) and children, Ben and Stella, of Excelsior, MN. He is also survived by his wife’s family, father-in-law Ken Setness, of Mitchell, SD; mother-in-law Paige (Jim) Buckeye, of Jamestown, ND; sisters-in-law Tana Setness (Max) Hoefs and children, Jordan (Nicola) Setness, Morgan, Ainsley, and Jocelynne Hoefs, of Grand Forks, ND; Tia (Nate) Breske and children, Jherek, Keon, and Emsley, of Orchard Park, NY; and brother-in-law Cale (Brigitte) Setness and sons, Becks and Boyce, of Harrisburg, SD; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Elle; his grandparents, Walter and Corrine Deinert and Wallace and Gladys Scott; his uncle and godparent, Dennis Deinert, and aunt, Marjorie Goldhammer.
Services will be held at First Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Visitation will begin at 5:00 pm and conclude with a 7:00 pm prayer service on Friday, February 6, 2026. The funeral service will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 7, 2026.
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