Meet The Unofficial Mascot Of Woodlawn Cemetery In Sioux Falls

There’s something magical about white-tailed deer. No matter where you go, whether it’s the sunny forests of Florida or the snow-covered woods of Canada, these animals always seem to find a way to thrive. And right here in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, they’re just as much a part of the landscape as the cornfields and cottonwoods.

In fact, if you’ve ever driven down Southeastern Avenue or through the Old Orchard area, you’ve probably seen one yourself. Maybe on your way to work or heading home in the evening. And if you haven’t noticed, you might want to start looking a little closer!

Just the other day, I had a surprising wildlife encounter with my granddaughter in, of all places, Woodlawn Cemetery. If you're not familiar with it, Woodlawn is a beautiful, peaceful cemetery tucked between 26th Street and 33rd Street, just west of Cliff Avenue. It's about 80 acres in size, fully fenced, and the gates close at night.

As we were walking through, my granddaughter suddenly said, “Grandpa, I saw a deer!” I wasn’t sure at first, but she seemed pretty confident. Fast forward a couple of days, and I was back at the cemetery watering a plant, when sure enough, there it was. The same deer she had spotted!

Curious, I called the cemetery office and spoke with the director, Michelle Millette. She chuckled and told me I wasn’t the only one—apparently, I was caller number 200 or so! Most people notice the deer while driving by on Cliff Avenue or 26th Street, especially during early morning or dusk.

Michelle has a great vantage point from her office window looking to the south and said she often sees the deer helping itself to some of the plants on the south side of the property. Turns out, this deer has been living there for several months now!

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The cemetery has reached out to Animal Control and the local Parks Department, and the verdict? As long as the deer isn’t causing harm or distress, it’s welcome to stay. In fact, Michelle joked that they might start calling it the official cemetery mascot.

So, the next time you're stuck in traffic near Cliff and 26th and think you see something moving behind the fence—look again. You're probably not imagining things. That deer is real, and for now, it seems perfectly happy calling Woodlawn Cemetery its home.

Sometimes, it’s the little things—like a surprise visit from a wild deer—that remind us how special our everyday surroundings really are.

Thank you for sharing this with family and friends who may be visiting Woodlawn Cemetery and tell them to keep their eyes open for the deer.

By the way, shout out to all the staff and groundskeepers at Woodlawn, the cemetery looks great thanks to your hard work!

merch