Monthly Archives: December 2016

Paul Everett Taggart was born on the farm north of Dallas, SD in Irwin Township, Tripp County on March 3, 1934 to Archie & Helen (Beckers) Taggart. He joined three siblings with two to follow.

Paul attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Gregory until the eighth grade. Then he started farming with his Dad and continued to do so for the next 50 years until his health would no longer permit.

Paul married Ruth Peitz on November 12, 1955 and to this union five children were born. Paul enjoyed raising sheep, hogs, and cattle and spent many a night in the farrowing house and lambing barn with his family assisting. When he wasn’t busy with farming, livestock, and the pheasant hunting business, he was going to rodeos, wrestling matches, basketball, football, and baseball games. Paul served many years on the board of directors at the Dallas Elevator and was a life long member of the Knights of Columbus.

Paul didn’t say a lot but when he did you better listen, as such; do something even if it’s wrong, always plant wheat in the fall you don’t know what spring will bring, if you keep pushing something’s got to give, and if they holler don’t ask them to work cattle.

Paul enjoyed going to cattle sales and was known to have an eye for cattle. He was a serious poker player and a fun-loving pitch player. A kind, quiet man that would keep our somewhat crazy family gatherings calm and sensible (or at least he tried). His deep faith was at the heart of all that he did. Paul religiously attended Mass until health conditions would not allow. Paul was a fair and most appreciative man that would never complain about anything, and that was one, among many, of the greatest life lessons he shared with his family and all that knew him.

Paul peacefully passed away at the Avera Gregory Hospital on December 10, 2016, at the age of 82.

Bridget ‘Bea’ Angela Massingale was born Oct. 16, 1928 near Wood, South Dakota on the Thunder Creek to John and Mary (Dittman) Rohloff. She died Dec. 4, 1916 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, South Dakota at the age of 88 years.

Bea was raised on a farm near Wood, the third of for children. She taught school for a year and later met Ross Massingale. They were married May 14, 1948 and to this union four children were born: Dian, John and the twins Bill and Betty. Bea and Ross ranched and had a spraying operation.

She enjoyed living on the ranch, gardening, fishing, traveling and her grandchildren. In her younger years you could catch her Hula Hooping with kids and filming the family. She enjoyed having friends and family over for coffee.

After her husband’s passing, Bea became friends with Duane Dvorak. The enjoyed time together in Wood where she also loved gardening, her pets and having coffee and treats for her frequent visitors. They loved taking the grandchildren fishing, hunting, boating and trips to the cabin in the Black Hills. They enjoyed yearly trips to Alaska sightseeing and fishing for salmon. Together they had many adventures until Duane’s passing in September of 1991.

After this Bea Willis (Kiki) Dickson and spent the rest of her time with him. The two enjoyed going out, going to the casino and visiting kids and grandchildren. Upon moving to Valentine, she lived in an apartment before moving to the Cherry Hills Assisted Living. She enjoyed her time there until moving to the TLC Assisted Living Burke, so she could be closer to her daughter. She lived there until her passing. Everyday Kiki would call and talk to her, making sure she knew he was always there.

Robert Herman Kenobbie was born on Oct. 2, 1928 to Andrew Casper and Mary Amelia (Krause) Kenobbie in Reliance, SD. He graduated from Reliance High School in 1948, served four years in the Naval Reserve and in 1978, moved from Oacoma to Platte, SD. Bob was a hard worker; he worked at Al’s Oasis, had cattle and was an engineer for the South Dakota Department of Transportation for 41 years, retiring in 1988. He helped design Snake Creek and was inducted into the Transportation Hall of Honor in 2005.

Robert was united in marriage to Donna Kruske on July 25, 1986 at their home in Platte. He was a member of the First Reformed Church and a lifetime member of Campbell-Timmerman American Legion Post #115. He raised and trained coon dogs and also hunted raccoons to sell the fur. Bob had a good sense of humor, enjoyed gardening, helping others and cooking for different events. Bob loved his kids and his entire family dearly.

Leonard Walter Jansen was born June 19, 1924, in Dallas, SD, the sixth child of thirteen to Albert and Lena (Gruhn) Jansen. He attended several country schools and graduated from Dallas High School.

On February 7, 1946 Leonard married Donna Mae Wardrip. To this union two children were adopted, Mary Jane born March 31, 1948 and David Leonard born October 20, 1950.

In 1953, Leonard and Donna bought the Henry Saathoff farm west of Dallas where he showed his great love for farming. Upon their retirement, they built a new home in Gregory and spent many winters in Arizona until 1997 when Donna was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and they remained at home in Gregory. Donna died suddenly on May 26, 1999.

On August 11, 2000, Leonard married Clarice (Hight) Christiansen. They then sold the house in Gregory and moved back to the farm west of Dallas.

After a fall in their home, Leonard entered Rosebud Country Care Center in December of 2015. He passed away suddenly on Dec. 4, 2016 at the age of 92.