RAPID CITY--Christopher "Chris" John Wackel, 27, passed away unexpectedly at home on June 18, 2014. Chris was born on January 21, 1987, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. He graduated from Rapid City Stevens High School in 2005. He went on to complete an associate's degree in Electroneurodiagnostic Technology at Southeast Technical Institute and a Bachelor's of Science in Healthcare Management from Bellevue University. He was employed at Rapid City Regional as an EEG technician. Chris was a happy-go-lucky kind of guy who enjoyed spending time with friends and family. He enjoyed hockey, golfing, hunting, baseball, and attending concerts. When it came to sports, Chris was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco 49ers, and the Dallas Stars. Chris was active in sports throughout his entire life and enjoyed playing softball on Monday nights in the summer and hockey on Thursday nights during the winter. Friends and family will remember his big heart and his willingness to always lend a helping hand. His contagious smile will be remembered by all of those who knew him. He had the unique ability to impact the lives of everybody he came into contact with. His positive outlook on life and his insatiable appetite to tackle new experiences drove him to accomplish many things in his short life. Chris is survived by the love of his life, fiancée Jessica Casanova of Rapid City, mother Kathy Kaiser (Larry Zeigler) of Winner, SD, father David (Yvonne) Wackel of Summerset, SD, brother Corey Wackel of Brookings, SD, Jessica's parents Dan and Karla Casanova, also of Rapid City, SD and grandmothers Hazel Sondergard of Winner, SD and Mary Wackel of Rapid City, SD. He will also be missed by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by grandfathers, Elmer Wackel, Jack Sondergard and Fritz Kaiser and cousin Kate Rikansrud. Visitation is scheduled for 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm, Sunday June 22nd at Blessed Sacrament Church, with a Christian wake service to follow at 6:00 pm. The Christian funeral mass will be offered at 10:00 am, Monday, June 23rd also at Blessed Sacrament Church, with the Rev. Michel Mulloy presiding. A luncheon will follow. Burial will be a private affair for immediate family. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to "Chris Wackel Memorial" in care of Highmark Federal Credit Union, 725 5th St, Rapid City, SD 57701. Chris's memorial will benefit the Pennington County Humane Society where he rescued his best buddy "Jack" and Pheasants Forever due to his passion of hunting.