Winter Storm Causes Power Outages

Winter just does not want to let go of its grip on the area.

Friday freezing rain and snow fell in the Winner area. The ice on the trees caused many branches to break. There were reports of lots of tree branches down all over Winner.

Due to ice on electrical lines here was some power blinks but there was never a total power outage in Winner.

In rural areas, some people lost power. Rosebud Electric Cooperative reported 75 percent of the power that was off was south of Colome and in the Clearfield area. They said at 10:15 a.m. on Friday the first outage was reported and as the day went on about 100 customers were without power. The REC got people back up and running on Friday but on Saturday when the heavy ice started dropping off the electrical lines, more people, including some of the same ones from Friday were without power. REC reported by 6 p.m. Saturday everyone had power. A full crew was working to restore power to their customers.

During the storm, only one pole was broken and that was in Colome. REC estimates there were a dozen wires broken.

With the poor weather on Monday, there were some sporadic outages reported by REC.

Monday there was light snow in Winner ranging from one to three inches. Fog early Monday morning reduced visibility.

The snow on Monday was wet and heavy meaning there was a lot of good precipitation.

From March 13 to March 19, Winner received 8.5 inches of snow. The greatest amount was recorded on March 17 when 3 inches was reported from the snow and icy storm on Friday. The precipitation from that three inches of snow was .25.

Due to Friday’s snow and ice there was no school in Winner. Colome school was on spring break. Due to the bad weather, the Tripp County Courthouse offices closed early on Friday afternoon.

Charles “Chuck” McCormick, 81

Charles “Chuck” McCormick, 81, of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, March 8, 2018 in Chandler, Ariz.

Funeral service were held on Monday, March 19, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Winner. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. A visitation was held on Sunday, March 18 from 6-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the church.

Charles Max McCormick was born June 13, 1936 to Charles W. McCormick and Melva (Bingham) McCormick in his grandmother Bingham’s house in Springview, Neb. Chuck was a Mayflower descendant with three descent lines, one from his father and two from his mother. Surrounded by his wife, son, and daughter, Chuck passed away peacefully after an extended hospital stay.

Chuck was the third of four sons, raised on a ranch near Hidden Timber in Todd County. Later he attended and graduated from high school in Winner, SD where he met the love of his life, Carol June Rowe. They were married in 1956 while Chuck served in the U.S. Army in Lawton, OK. Their son, Russ, was born in Lawton one year later and their daughter, Lorna, was born just one year after in Winner.

Chuck co-owned and operated a motel and propane service in Valentine, Neb., from 1960–1966 with his brother Keith. In 1967, the family moved from Winner to Denver, CO where Chuck attended gun smith school. When the family returned to Winner in 1970, Chuck welded for Winner Welding and Grossenburg’s John Deere Implement before he established his own shop and opened a portable welding business.

Chuck was a member of the Carter Gospel Fellowship where he and Carol attended church for many years. He was also an active member and supporter of Pheasants Forever. Among his other enjoyments, Chuck loved to go deer hunting with his son Russ—in fact, they hunted together every fall for 46 consecutive years. Chuck’s most relaxing pastimes were fishing and playing cards with those who shared his passion.

Many in Winner and the surrounding area fondly remember receiving a bike from Chuck. As a hobby and an act of kindness, he repaired and gave away over 3,000 bikes to anyone who wanted one.

Surviving Chuck are his wife of 61 years, Carol; his son Russ (Conni) McCormick of Mitchell, SD; his daughter, Lorna (Paul) Reiman of Fairfax, VA; Five grandchildren, Trevor McCormick, Alison (McCormick) Vanmuyden, Jocelyn McCormick, Taylor Reiman, and Kelsey Reiman; One great-granddaughter, Cooper; Three brothers, Keith (Marilyn) McCormick of Valentine, NE, Gene McCormick of Valentine, NE, and Melvin (Tracy) McCormick of Denver, CO.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Melva McCormick, his sister-in-law, Janice, and his daughter-in-law, Jill.

Elsie Minnie Fode, 101

Elsie Minnie Fode was born July 12, 1916 near Osmond, Neb., to William and Rosa (Kumm) Lindwurm. She died March 11, 2018 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Burke at the age of 101.

Elsie was baptized on Sept. 17, 1916, and later confirmed in the Lutheran faith. When she was almost four years old, her mother passed away with the flu. A year later she moved by train, along with her father, older sister Christina and twin sister Ella to Carlock, South Dakota. This move was so the family could be near their brother William and sister Rosie, who were staying with grandparents Rosina and George Lindwurm. On Nov. 26, 1922, their new mother, Lena Kahler Lindwurm joined their family.

Elsie attended Pleasant View school for eight years.

On May 5, 1935, she married Oscar Fode at her parents home. To this union three daughters were born: Norma, Mary Anne and Janice. In 1966 they retired from farming and moved into Burke. Elsie worked for Halls Café and Fernaus Grocery Store. She enjoyed working in her garden, flower beds, going to bingo, dancing and playing cards with family and friends.

Oscar passed away May 31, 1991 and Elsie continued to live at Parkview Manor in Burke until moving to Silver Threads in Gregory.

Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar; her sons-in-law: Harold Stahlecker, Del Carr and Jack Murray; her parents; her step-mother; her sisters: Tena Neuharth, Ella Hanson, Rosie Sengelmann and Esther Brain; an infant brother and her brother Philip Lindwurm.

Elsie is survived by her three daughters: Norma Murray of Norfolk, NE; Mary Anne Carr of Fort Collins, CO; and Janice (Arvid) Lindquist of Gregory, SD; her grandchildren: Steve and Mark Lindquist, Doug, Randy and Terry Carr; Kristi Herin and Kathi Slavik; Rick Stahlecker, Lorrie Milton and Mary Lee Tobin; 20 great-grandchildren, 18 great-great-grandchildren; her brother, William; her sister, Alvina Wonnenberg as well as several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Evelyn Moseman, 88

Evelyn Moseman, 88, of Carter, SD passed away on Friday, March 16, 2018 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Center in Winner, SD.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 1 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner. Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to funeral service.

Evelyn Elaine Moseman was born to John and Esther Moseman near White Lake SD. Evelyn attended St. John Lutheran School, south of White Lake along with 28 other children. She then attended high school in Stickney, SD staying with her Uncle Herbert and Aunt Anne Matzner. She then attended Dakota Wesleyan University. She went to school and worked at Methodist Hospital for 3 years. She graduated as a registered nurse in 1951.

Evelyn worked at the Methodist Hospital for a short while and then married Marvin, adopted son of Henry and Ida Moseman of Carter, SD on June 30, 1951. They spent most of their lives on a farm south west of Carter. Evelyn worked as an RN at Rosebud Community Hospital in Winner.

Marvin was drafted into the Army and spent 18 months as a medic in Korea. Evelyn worked at Platte Hospital as the Superintendent of Nursing. Their son Marvin Jr. was born at Platte Hospital in March. He became suddenly ill and passed away at the tender age of 8 months. His father never saw his son. Marvin returned from Korea in January 1954. They returned to the farm and Evelyn did private duty nursing. Four sons and one daughter brought joy to these parents.

Evelyn enjoyed vegetable gardening, flower gardening, teaching Sunday school, vacation bible school and working on the farm. Grateful for sharing her life are her husband Marvin, children: Carl of Melstone, MT, Tony of White Sulfur Springs, MT, Jim of Winner, SD, Curt of Carter, SD, Rosie Herrboldt, of St. Louis, MO and 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Beverly Unzelman,79

Beverly Unzelman,79, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Winner, SD passed away on Monday, March 12, 2018 at the St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Funeral service were held on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Winner. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Beverly Ann Dvorak Bromwich Unzelman was born on March 17, 1938 to Edward and Flora (Blare) Dvorak in Winner South Dakota. She was the oldest of four children. Bev lived in the Hamill and Winner areas all of her younger years. She attended school and graduated from Winner High School .

She was united in marriage to Percy (Dean) Bromwich in Pierre SD. To this union six children were born. They later divorced. She was always grateful that Dean’s family would continue to be an important part of her life. His brothers and sisters continued to be hers too.

Family was an important part of who she was. Bev was able to attend all her children’s wedding and even the yearly birthday parties held. As her family grew larger with the grandchildren the tradition carried on to their middle and high school or college graduations and then weddings. Coming up were the great grandchildren.

Bev explored several different jobs during her lifetime and driving truck was her favorite. She always had a story to tell about her trips and the people she met.

When her birthday (March 17th) came, Bev would get all dressed up in green and head to the local parade, which was followed by corn beef and cabbage. On her 40th birthday she dressed all in black as an elderly lady and no one knew who she was. Camping, fishing and taking walks were things she enjoyed. In her later years Bev enjoyed the company of a good book. On Mondays she enjoyed playing Mexican Train Dominos with her friends at the center and on the second Thursday morning of each month she meet with former co-workers for breakfast.

After being single a few years Bev was reunited with an old friend Darwin Unzelman. She moved back to Sioux Falls and they married and enjoyed traveling and visiting relatives. Czech Republic was one of her favorite trips. Bev had traveled to most of the states in the United States. Life was happy and good to them.

Bev is survived by her husband Darwin Unzelman, (Sioux Falls), daughters LeeAnn (Brian) Stuart , Anchorage AK, Donna (Rod) Bowar, Kennebec, Lori (Daniel)Schmidt, Norris, Monica (Mark) Seachris, Presho and son Jim (Deb) Bromwich, Presho. 15 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. Sisters Sharon (Roger) Broman Spicer Minn., Connie (Tyke)French, Anchorage AK and brother John (Patty)Dvorak, Litchfield Minn.

She was preceded in death by her, grandmother Josephine Dvorak, parents Edward and Flora Dvorak, son Rob Bromwich and grandson Laddy Christensen

MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS MEET IN GEDDES

More than 60 municipal officials representing 13 cities gathered at the South Dakota Municipal League’s annual District 4 Meeting, held in Geddes on March 14, 2018.

Yvonne Taylor, South Dakota Municipal League Executive Director, spoke about the outcome of the 2018 Legislative Session, and the effect new laws will have on South Dakota municipalities. Taylor also discussed the direction and future of the Municipal League and services offered to the municipalities.

“More and more we are seeing the need to get better information out to the citizens and legislators. Municipal government provides a vast array of services, and people need to be informed of where their tax dollars are going. This type of education can only benefit municipal government. The taxpayers would be very proud of their local government if they were fully aware of how much service a municipality provides at a relatively low cost,” Taylor said.

Mike Wendland, SDML President for 2018 and Mayor for the City of Baltic, was also on hand to discuss his priorities for the current year as well as to conduct the election of District 4 officers for the upcoming year. Others in attendance were representatives of various state agencies and representatives of groups affiliated with the Municipal League.

Becky Brunsing, Finance Officer in Wagner, was re-elected as District 4 Chair and Larry Lucas, Trustee in Pickstown was re-elected as Vice-Chair.

In other business, those attending voted to hold the 2019 District 4 Meeting in Winner.

Colome Vocal Students Earn Awards

On Feb. 7 members of the Colome High School choir participated in the Kimball Vocal Contest.

Jeremiah Yeaman sang “Silent Worship” and received a superior. Grace Campbell also earned a superior with her solo, “Though Not Deserving.” Madison Gill sang “Piejesu” and was awarded a superior as well. Jaclyn Laprath and Taylor Chasing Hawk earned a superior for their duet, “My Heart’s in the Highland.” Becca Marso sang “Caro Mia Bien” and earned an excellent. Jordyn Seegers scored an excellent for singing “Kyrie.” Isaac Beltman performed the song, “My Lord, What a Mornin’” and received an excellent. As for the large girls group, an excellent was received for their performance of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”

On Feb. 21, Madison Gill traveled to Chamberlain to present her trumpet piece in front of a group of judges. She received an above average score on her performance of “Habanera.”

 

Feasibility Report Given on Jail Expansion

By Dan Bechtold, Editor

Toby Morris of Dougherty and Co., Pierre, presented a financial overview on the feasibility of expanding the city jail at the March 8 meeting of the Winner City Council.

The city is proposing to purchase the American Legion building and property for a  $2.45 Million jail expansion.

Morris said the city has run the current facility as a profitable enterprise. “From a business perspective this is huge,” said Morris.  The City of Winner would be obligated to a $150,000 payment a year for 20 years.

He added that crime is not going away and from a business side it makes sense to do the expansion.

Morris based his projections on an anticipated maximum  capacity of 35 additional clients of day. This would bring in a net income of approximately $300,000.