Monthly Archives: October 2015

Mary was born in Lead, South Dakota Oct 27, 1920 to Syd and Vi Lang and grew up in Belle Fourche.

After graduating from Belle Fourche High School she enrolled in St John’s School of Nursing and graduated in 1941. In 1943 she volunteered for the Army Nurse
Corps and was assigned to the 91st General Hospital unit in Oxford, England during World War II. Mary said “it was her privilege to have nursed so many young, brave men.” Over the years she maintained contact with several of the soldiers she cared for who credited her with helping save their lives. Mary resumed her civilian status in November 1945. Through the GI bill she took advantage of continuing education by going to anesthesia school and passing the national boards.

In 1947 while working at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls she met the love of her life, Al Clark and they were married on January 12, 1948. They moved to Rapid City where they raised two sons, Steve and Mark Clark. Mary worked as a nurse anesthetist at St John’s Hospital and her husband Al was a radio and TV personality for KOTA. In 1959 they moved to Winner where they purchased KWYR radio and Mary worked as a nurse anesthetist and administrator for the Baptist hospital.

Over the years in Winner she was active in the community and her compassion for her patients was frequently recognized by those in the medical profession and the patients themselves. In 1976 after her husband Al suffered a heart attack and had open heart surgery they transitioned to a residence in Scottsdale, Arizona, to enjoy golf, and a warmer climate. Al passed way in 1984 and Mary remained in Arizona with the many friends she had acquired. She had a passion for her dogs over the years and was a supporter of the Humane Society as well as VFW. She was able to visit Washington DC to visit the World War II Memorial and meet with Senator Mc Cain and attend a 50 year 91st General Hospital Reunion in Oxford, England. Mary enjoyed running, morning swims, movies, bridge, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Phoenix Suns until she was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease. In 2009 it was necessary for her to have 24 hour care and she moved to residential home in Scottsdale with several other Alzheimer’s patients. She had excellent care givers in her final years as well as visits from friends and family.

Mary was an amazing woman with a kind heart and sweet soul. She lived a full and vibrant life and for that we are so grateful!

Donna Dee Trego was born March 24, 1931 in Gregory, South Dakota. She was the daughter of Arthur and Maude (Cline) Kortmeyer. Donna lived in Gregory, Naper, Nebraska and moved to Winner at the age of 12. Her father, Art, was a butter maker at the creamery in the early years. Later he became an expert in the construction business.

Donna was raised with two brothers, Jack and Harry Kortmeyer, and one sister, Beverly (Bob) Biggins.

Donna attended Winner High School where she began lifelong friendships that she cherished until her passing. Outside of two years in Vermillion, South Dakota, she lived her adult life in Winner.

Donna married Robert Trego, the love of her life, in 1948. From this marriage four children were born, Bruce (Elizabeth) Trego, Vacaville, California, Jackie (Larry) Ertz, Winner, Jim (Tammy Meister ), Colorado Springs, Colorado and Cindy (Jeff) Beringer, Yankton, South Dakota.

Always a servant at heart, Donna was active in many clubs and organizations. She was a 66 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was also a member of the DAV Auxiliary, Friends of the Library, Southern Plains Behavioral Health Services, Winner United Methodist Church, and the Agape Circle Tripp County Volunteers.

Donna worked in the Tripp County Treasurers Office for 23 years and proudly served two terms as the Tripp County Treasurer until her retirement in 1996. Her post retirement years were spent enjoying the company of her children, grand children and many, many friends.

Betty Lou (Kerner) Swedlund was born in Gregory, SD on April 18, 1946 to Emil and Mary (Beavers) Kerner. She was the second of five children. Betty grew up in Valley Township, Tripp County and graduated from Gregory High School in 1964. She married Keith Swedlund on July 9th, 1965, and they made their home together on a ranch along the White River. To this union, three children were born: Brian in 1966, Tisha in 1969, and Tara in 1981. Betty also worked as a waitress at Hutch’s Cafe and Lounge in Presho for forty-three years, where her great joy was having conversations with regulars and with people from all parts of the country who stopped.

Betty was a hardworking, loving, caring Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma who was very dedicated to her family. She loved to travel and help out on the ranch with her husband Keith, with whom she recently celebrated fifty years of marriage. She took great joy and pride in caring for her yard and flower gardens. Betty attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in Witten and later transferred to Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner.

Leola “Lee” Wermers was born November 3, 1943 to Leo and Annabel (Garvis) Wermers in Parkston, SD. She graduated from Parkston High School in 1961 and then attended beauty school in Sioux Falls. Her mother introduced her to a small-town pharmacist named Phillip Pickart, they were married September 21, 1963 in Parkston. They were blessed with four children, Ann, Jon, Mark and David.

Lee was a homemaker. She enjoyed taking care of her family and was a very involved and “hands on” Grandmother. She attended all of their events and then provided them with keepsake scrapbooks of all of their events. She enjoyed caring for others by visiting friends and church members who were in the local hospitals. Her faith was very important to her and she was an active member of St. Michael Catholic Church and Catholic Daughters. Lee loved bowling and was a member of the State Board Bowling Association. She loved to visit and definitely had the gift of gab, a wonderful sense of humor and outgoing, colorful personality.