Monthly Archives: May 2020

Lori Roubideaux, 52

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Lori Roubideaux, 52, of Bonesteel, SD passed away on Sunday, May 17t, 2020 at the Avera Gregory Health Care Facility in Gregory, SD.

A graveside service was held on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 1 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Garden Cemetery in Wood, SD.

Lori Ann Roubideaux was born on June 2nd, 1967 to Caroline (Roubideaux) Zephier and Sylvan High Rock in Rosebud, SD. Lori spent most of her life in Winner, SD until she moved to Gregory with her life long partner Scott Eagle Star and had 3 girls together.

Lori was the life of the party. Always smiling, laughing and joking around. She adored children and always had candy tucked away in her purse for them.

Lori was very involved with the youth in the Creek Community and served as the Youth Bull Coordinator for years. When she got sick, she moved to Bonesteel with her sister Violet and resided there until the date of her death.

Lori passed away on May 17, at Gregory Avera Health Care due to cardiac arrest.

She is survived by her six children Michelle, Dolly, Thomas, Rhiannon, Kristen, and Mika and her 11 grandchildren and 1 on the way. Her significant other Scott and his 4 children Nicholas, Trisha, Christopher, and Wayne and their children.

Lori was 1 of 10 children. She is survived by her siblings; Denise, Madonna, Wayne Jr. Corrine, Becky, Mary, Clara, Violet, and Celeste and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother Caroline, father Sylvan, brother Christopher Sr., step-grandson Owen Cay and many aunts and uncles.

Lori is loved by many and will be missed by all!

John Hanig, 66

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Public graveside services for John M. Hanig, 66, were held 11 am Saturday, May 23, 2020 at the Riverview Cemetery at Chamberlain.

John Michael Hanig “Opie” age 66, passed away May 16, 2020 in Oacoma, SD.

John was born March 2, 1954 in Gregory, SD to John A. and Orvilla (Boes) Hanig. He was raised on the family farm south of Reliance, SD.

John attended country school until high school where he graduated from Chamberlain High School in 1972.

After graduation he worked road construction for Gustafson Construction and drove truck for Gary Goodman Trucking.

On April 22, 1978 John married Sandy Kenyon. Together they had one daughter, Samantha. From 1986 to 1997 they owned and operated Dakotah Floral.

John worked for Chamberlain Wholesale for 30 years. He made many great friends across the state on his daily travels for the wholesale. He was set to retire in the next few weeks to continue his love of his lawn irrigation business, Optimum Performance Irrigation Equipment (O.P.I.E).

John was very proud of his business and treasured every minute he got to spend doing it. He loved that he was able to name his business after his childhood nickname “Opie”.

John was a people person. He loved to visit with everyone. He was especially proud of his grandson Maxon (Max). He was notorious for showing pictures and videos of Max’s accomplishments.

He was looking forward to his retirement and being able to attend more of Max’s sporting events.

John was a member of the Chamberlain/Oacoma Fire Department and is an honorary member. He was also a member of the Lakers Car Club. John had a deep appreciation of cars. He talked endlessly how he was going to restore his 1970 Chevelle SS for his grandson to have in high school.

He was surround by a great group of men that encouraged him to enjoy life. He always looked forward to his evenings with the AA (Adams Agency) group. He was looking forward to having more time and traveling to the Black Hills and riding his motorcycle with the boys.

Above all else, John was fiercely proud of his daughter, his son-in-law, and his pride and joy grandson. He was also a loyal brother who dedicated his time to those he loved. There was nothing he would not do for his family. He leaves a hole in many of our hearts and will be greatly missed by many.

He is survived by daughter Samantha, son-in-law Ryan Speed and grandson Maxon Speed of Rapid City. Siblings Gary (Fritz) and Ruth Ann Hanig of Rapid City, Jean Beckman of Chamberlain, Ann and Boyd Thiel of Chamberlain, Tony Hanig and Terami Frantz Nespor of Winner, Jim and Betty Hanig of Pukwana. Aunts Shirley Vosicka of Gregory and Wanda Engel of Winner. Special Uncle Donnie and Eleanor Hanig of Winner. His “adopted” sons Kevin and Leslie Olesen and Luke and Hilary Giese all of Chamberlain. Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents John and Orvilla Hanig, one brother Mark Hanig, brother-in-law Erv Beckman, two half-sisters Cleo Binder and Joyce Olson.

In the words of John: Tally-Ho and Stay cool.

Crystal Blare, 62

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Crystal “Cris” Blare, age 62, passed away on Saturday May 16, 2020 at the Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell, SD.

Funeral service was held on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Luncheon was served at the Witten Community Hall immediately following burial.

Crystal Lynn Maier was born on Feb. 10, 1958 to Eugene and Velma Maier in Winner, SD. She attended grade school at Pahapesto School in northern Tripp County, across the road from her family ranch.

She spent her freshman year at Wood High School alongside her brother Terry who was a senior at the time. She would attend the rest of high school and graduate from Winner High School in 1975.

Following graduation, she moved to Wyoming and began working at True Trucking and later worked at Caterpillar.

She met the love of her life during this time and married Cully Blare on Aug. 12, 1989 in Gillette, Wyo. They spent several years trucking and were able to travel and see many parts of the country together.

On March 31, 1996, their daughter Josey was born in Tulare, CA, where Cully and Cris had decided to start their family.

In 2001, they moved to Coleridge, NE to be closer to her ailing dad. The following year they moved to Carter, SD and began ranching.

Cris held many jobs in her later life, some of her favorite were being a paraprofessional, the house mom in Josey’s sorority during her last semester in college, and housekeeper for all of her family and friends.

All of her life, Cris enjoyed helping and giving to those around her. She was most known for her intelligence and generosity, especially the quilts she made for her nieces and nephews and the Christmas cookies and candy boxes she made every year.

She told everyone that would listen that her proudest accomplishment was her daughter Josey and that she was attending law school at USD.

She is survived by her loving husband of 30 years, Cully, and her daughter Josey. Her brother Terry (Regina) and her sister Kim Sell.

Her stepsister Stacey Maier and stepmother Kathi Maier. 7 nieces and nephews – Ty Maier, Tara Maier, Taylor Maier, Terrance Maier, Trey Maier, Jacey Kreeger, Dusty Sell, and many uncles, aunts, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Eugene and Velma.

Bad Reputation

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By Rep. Dusty Johnson

People like to compare the U.S. and China, so much so I think many people have forgotten a key point – our values are not the same, not even close. Large economies, yes, but China is a communist, authoritarian nation with a state-run media and a government obsessed with surveillance and control.

China’s handling of this worldwide pandemic has brought these differences to the forefront once again. For weeks, China covered up the COVID-19 outbreak and continued to allow travel from Wuhan to other parts of the world. China kicked out foreign journalists and they hid valuable information from the rest of the world. These actions will be a blood-red stain on China’s reputation for generations to come.

For years, the United States and China have developed an increasingly interdependent economic relationship, and it’s put us in a position where we excuse and accept their behavior out of convenience. It’s time for change.

Republicans in the House have established a task force aimed at combating threats posed by China. This is a good starting point, but now – more than ever – we need actions, not political theater or words without consequences.

While we still need a comprehensive investigation on the spread of the coronavirus from China, as leaders, we must be forward thinking. How does the U.S. ensure we are never in the same position again? How does the U.S. better prepare for future pandemics? How does the U.S. stockpile and develop an industrial base for supplies moving forward?

The U.S. is in an unstable relationship with China – every time they tell us they will change their ways, we see the same irresponsible behavior. This pandemic has exposed flaws in our supply chain, both domestic and abroad. More than 72% of active pharmaceutical ingredients are manufactured abroad.

Government should stay out of the business of private enterprise. At the same time, our nation’s leaders have an obligation to protect the American people. These values are in tension with each other. With that said, I find it unwise to watch a majority of our pharmaceuticals, processing plants and personal protective equipment become increasingly dependent on a good-standing relationship with China.

America needs to do better. We need to rely on companies here at home, like 3M, to produce our PPE stockpile. We need to ensure bad actors aren’t investing in our food supply chain. That’s why I signed onto the Agricultural Security Risk Review Act to allow USDA to analyze any foreign investment into our nation’s food supply. COVID-19 has reminded America that our food security and our ability to quickly produce supplies are vital.

Most of all, we need to hold China accountable. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to make sure this accountability happens.

Legion baseball is on for the summer

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After a crazy week of on again, off again Legion baseball, the Winner Baseball Association approved a summer season for the Legion program.

The Winner Baseball Association met Friday night and approved a summer season.

Coach Kory Foss said last Saturday the state Legion board came out and said there would have a Legion season. Then the next day the national Legion board said it would not support baseball in any state.

“At that point it looked like our season was over,” said Foss. “But Class A teams began discussing the possibility of playing an independent program outside of the Legion banner,” said Foss.

After a few days of discussion, the South Dakota Legion board came out and said it would allow teams to use the Legion logo and insurance, it just would not be a part of the season. “So with that new information, the Winner board felt comfortable moving forward,” explained the Legion coach.

“We have a lot of excited kids and coaches now that we finally have a true green light. There has been so much uncertainty not just over this past week but since our spring season was postponed before we even got a practice in.

I’m most happy for our players and for our seniors. They’ve had their final school year thrown into such a tailspin. I hope this can help provide some kind of closure to their high school baseball careers,” said Foss.

He added everyone is ready for some kind of normalcy and “I think baseball could be a big part of providing that. Baseball is something we’re all used to every summer.

I think being out at Leahy Bowl on a beautiful night and watching a ball game is something everyone can enjoy, especially after everything we have all experienced these last couple of months.”

Foss explained there are going to be new rules and regulations that the team has never had before when it comes to travel and social distancing whenever possible “but these are small prices to pay to get back out on the field.”

The team will be looking to have signups this week and after waivers are signed the team will be able to hop right out there for practice. Winner cannot play ball before June 5.

“That will give us some time to get ready after such a long period off. We’ll use that time to get arms healthy and see some pitches in cages. We’ll probably look at scrimmaging the junior legion team or things like that where we can simulate some live action.

Whatever the case, I think everyone will just be happy to be back on the field with a glove, a bat or ball in hand,” said Foss.

2 students leaving for basic training received their diplomas

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
 A graduation ceremony was held for two Winner High School seniors who will not be at graduation on June 13. Cailob Week and Zane Mandl will be leaving for military training. The ceremony was held May 16 before the graduation wave parade. Pictured from left are Brett Gardner, who served as interim high school principal; Cailob Week, Zane Mandl and Supt. Keven Morehart.

Winner City puts up Winner High School senior banner’s on Main Street.

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Troy Kruger, Winner city public works director, puts up a Winner senior banner on Main Street. All 45 WHS graduates have pictures on a light pole. This was one way to honor the graduating class who have been through a lot during this pandemic. The banners were put up in time for Saturday’s graduation wave parade.

Two high school rodeo competitor’s receive their diploma

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
A graduation ceremony was held for two Winner seniors who will not be at graduation on June 13 due to their competition in the regional rodeo. Saige Schuyler and Dawson Phillips were honored on May 16 prior to the graduation wave parade. Pictured from left are Brett Gardner, who served as interim principal; Dawson Phillips, Saige Schuyler and Supt. Keven Morehart.

Paint grant awarded to Winner, Colome schools

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
A paint donation from Winner True Value will help the Winner School District. True Value donated 20 gallons of paint to the school. Pictured from left are Keven Morehart, superintendent of the Winner School District, Dan and Coleen Patmore, owners of True Value.

The Winner and Colome School Districts are able to reap the benefits of a paint program sponsored by True Value.

The Winner store donated 20 gallons of paint to both Winner and Colome schools.

“This year we were able to nominate more than one school and we were very pleased to find out both Winner and Colome schools were both awarded the grant of 20 gallons of paint each,” said Dan and Coleen Patmore, owners of Winner True Value.

Colome will use the paint for the lobby by the gym, bathroom area and hallway.

Winner will use the paint for several touchup areas in its buildings.

The paint comes from True Value Foundation’s Painting a Brighter Future program.

The paint grant can help improve learning environments and can have an impact on youth attitudes performance.

Over 1,800 schools and youth development focused organizations across the country have been awarded paint since the program’s inception in 2009, covering 22 million square feet of learning space.