Monthly Archives: January 2020

Dale Aeschbacher, 89, of Billings, MT passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the auditorium in Wood, SD. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Burial will follow the services at the Evergreen Cemetery in Wood, SD.

Dale was born on his family homestead on Aug. 5, 1930 north of Mosher, SD in Mellette County to Ernest and Catherine (Dimond) Aeschbacher. Around 1940 the family moved to Wood SD. Dale had two older brothers Ray and Herbert.

Dale was most proud of his track career and his relay team. Dale went to the Basset NE track meet his senior year where he won the 100meter dash. He would often times refer to the medal he had won which had a milk cow and a water tank on it. Dale graduated from Winner High School on May 27, 1949.

When Dale was just 21 years old, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on the 29 of Jan 1952. Dale served in the Korean War as a result of action against enemy forces on the Oct. 26, 1952 Dale was injured in Western Korea.

Dale earned multiple medals including: Korean Service Medal W/1, Purple Heart Medal, United Nations Services Medal, National Defense Services Medal. Dale received Honorable Discharge on the 30th of September 1953. Later in 2016 Dale received the Korean Ambassador Peace Medal.

Upon returning home from the war and healing from his wounds Dale met and married Verna Forsch on April 27, 1954. They built a house together in 1954 in Winner, SD. From this union they had four sons Allen, Myron, Meldon, and Joel.

Dale worked for the government at the Bureau of Indian Affairs with the Rosebud Agency Land management for 30 years before retiring. Dale was proud of the work he had done and the friendships he had made during his time with the BIA.

After retirement Dale enjoyed spending his time being a grandfather. He enjoyed attending every sporting events his grandsons took part in and held a very special tender place in his heart for his granddaughters. He was also an avid Dodgers baseball fan & Chicago Bears football fan.

Dale took the most pride in teaching and making memories with his grandchildren.

Deer hunting was a hobby Dale loved and a family tradition. He enjoyed spending time and passing on this family tradition with his children and grandchildren where they made many memories from hunting in Mellette County, the Badlands, and along the White River.

Another hobby that Dale enjoyed with Verna was spending Sunday evenings going downtown and playing pitch and thirty-one with friends over a few cups of coffee and great conversation. Dale had a very fast witty mind and had stories for all.

Dale is survived by his wife of 65 years Verna Aeschbacher. He also survived by his children: Allen Aeschbacher Helena MT, Myron Aeschbacher Billings MT, Meldon & Kathy Aeschbacher Ashland WI, Joel & Rhonda Aeschbacher, Wanblee SD, Grandchildren: Domenica VanDyke Sarasota FL, Brooke & Dustin Fisher Winner SD, Sam & Elaine Aeschbacher Ideal SD, Bridget & Younger Kramme, Presho SD, Patrick Aeschbacher Winner SD, Jenie & Nick Borders Thermopolis WY, Jess & Miles Vondra, Zap ND. Great Grandchildren: Payton, Bailey Carley, Jerrod, Evelyn, Elyse, Eloise, Emerie, Mieka, Lincoln, Baylee, & Tayton.

Dale is preceded in death by his parents Earnest and Catherine Aeschbacher, his in-laws Emil and Albina Forsch, his brother Herbert Aeschbacher, his sister in law Shirley Aeschbacher, his brother Ray Aeschbacher.

The family ask that you send sympathy cards to:
30171 SD Hwy 248
Presho, SD 57568

Howard Bechen, 92, of Mitchell formerly of Artesian, died Monday, Jan. 20, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab in Mitchell.

Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial was in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Howard James Bechen was born on May 30, 1927, to Ruben and Elizabeth (Mader) Bechen. He was born in Kadoka, South Dakota and joined the Navy after graduating high school in May of 1945. Howard served in both World War II and the Korean War. After returning from the wars, he met and married Marg Moore. They were married on June 20, 1952.

They were the proud parents of ten children. In January of 1982 the good Lord called Marg home. He then met and married Mary Beaner. They were married on Dec. 23, 1983.

Howard was involved in many things other than ranching and farming. He was a member of the St. Charles Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Artesian Saddle Cub, the Moose Club, the VFW and the Artesian America Legion. He was a 4-H leader and received numerous conservation awards.

He enjoyed riding horses to check his cattle as well as camping and boating for relaxing. He taught his family the value of hard work, tough love and devotion to God.

Howard passed away peacefully on Monday, January 20, 2020 surrounded by his loving wife, Mary and many of his children and grandchildren.
Howard is survived by his wife Mary (Beaner) Bechen; his children and their spouses, Doug (Renee) Bechen of Whitewood, SD , Sandy (Dick) Krantz of Winner, SD, Merl (Diane) Bechen of Mitchell, SD, Larry (Carn) Bechen of Chaska, MN, Joe (Donna) Bechen of Winfred, SD, Brad (Kathleen) Bechen of Huntsville, AL, John (Gayle) Bechen of Letcher, SD, Tom (Marie) Bechen of Mitchell, SD, Barbie (Greg) Becker of Little Elm, TX and Dave (Brenda) Bechen of Mitchell, SD. Howard had 34 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. All who loved him dearly.

Howard is preceded in death by his first wife, Marg (Moore) Bechen; infant grandson, Ian Bechen; parents, Ruben and Elizabeth (Mader) Bechen; brothers, Russell, Donald and Edward Bechen; In-laws, Loraine, Carol, and Joyce Bechen, Melvin, Earl, and Bonnie Moore, and Joe and Bill Beaner; and one niece, Dixie Zoelle.

Funeral services for Evelyn Hofer were held Jan. 20 at the Trinity Community Church in Bridgewater. Burial was in the Bridgewater city cemetery.

Evelyn Jeanette (Hossle) Hofer (87) was born in Winner, SD, to J. Vernon and Jeanette M. (Broline) Hossle on May 25, 1932. She grew up on a farm near Hamill, SD. Evelyn attended country grade school in Tripp County (riding her pony, Trixie).

When her area school was closed, she went to live with her Hossle grandparents in order to attend school in Lyman County. She graduated from Winner High School while staying with her grandmother Broline and also attended SDSU one year.

Evelyn married Calvin D. Hofer on Sept. 16, 1951, at Winner, SD. Evelyn and Calvin lived on their Century farm near Bridgewater where they raised their two children. Evelyn worked at the Bridgewater Post Office for over 20 years, 12 of them as postmaster. Evelyn and Calvin moved into town in 1996.

Evelyn was gifted in a many ways. She was a self-taught architect and gifted carpenter, designing and building their two homes and the church. She was creative (sewing, crafting, painting, quilt- ing) and showed hospitality. She was active in her church (Trinity Orthodox Presbyterian/Trinity Community) and in her community in various roles.

A unique achievement was her experience as one of ten finalists in the Mrs. South Dakota Pageant 1968 where she won an award for her original recipe.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents with whom she spent many years, her parents, and her husband of over 66 years, Calvin.

She is survived by her son Robin Hofer of Bridgewater; daughter Trudi (Dave) Nelson of Sioux Falls; grandchildren: Dusti (Aaron) Jones of San Antonio, TX, Kyle (Kathryn) Nelson of Lincoln, NE, and Kensi (Patrick) Proehl of Owatonna, MN; six great-grandchildren; brother Everett (Carol Jo) Hossle of Hamill, SD; and friends and family.