Monthly Archives: October 2020

Harvey Kewley, 74, was called to his eternal resting place on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, at Bethany on 42nd in Fargo, ND.   

Harvey Leroy Kewley entered this world on Aug. 16, 1946, in Witten, SD, born to Leroy and Myrtle (DuBray) Kewley. He grew up and attended schools in Witten. After graduating, Harvey enlisted in the US Army and served two tours of duty.

Harvey was a man of many talents, but he loved caring for others and so his work as a caregiver was his true passion. He was a hard worker and passed on his work ethic to his children.   

Harvey loved all of his family, especially his kids. He enjoyed hunting and fishing very much. Harvey was a man who could quickly make friends with complete strangers, a trait that helped him in life and as a caregiver.   

He is survived by his children, Sarah Kewley, Fargo, ND; Josh Kewley, Valdosta, GA; Lee Kewley; Fargo, ND; Anne (Steven)Bokas, Tampa, FL; siblings, Larry, Wayne, and Monte Kewley.   

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Barb Wilcox.

A memorial service was held at 12:30 pm, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. Burial was at the Fargo National Cemetery.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.hansonrunsvold.com.Arrangements by Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home – Fargo, ND.

John Benda, 92, returned to his maker onJune 30, 2020. He resided at the Randolph County Nursing Home in Sparta, Illinois, until the time of his death.      

Funeral services for John will be held    Oct. 9 at 10 am, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis South Dakota where his ashes will be placed in Columbium with military veterans’ honors.       

John was born on April 20, 1928 in Ainsworth, Neb., to his parents John & Belinda (Hendrickson) Benda who resided at that time south of Millboro, SD.    The eldest of the children, John grew up on the family farm and ranch outside Winner SD alongside his 5 other siblings.   

He attended schools in Winner and Ainsworth, NE where he graduated in 1946. Immediately after graduating high school, John joined the newest branch of the military, the United States Air Force. He was one of the first trained group of airman mechanics for Jet propulsion.   

He was part of the post WWII peace keeping troops sent overseas to Okinawa Japan with the 26th Fighter Squadron in 1947. He left the military with honors at the rank of sergeant.    

John entered college after the military, playing football for both Nebraska State (1950) and Ohio State (51) until an injury ended athletic goals.     

John was a high school and college athlete participating in several sports such as football, boxing, and baseball. In team sport photos, he was always in the middle of the back row, being one of the tallest athletes on a team.        John relocated to Kansas City, Mo., where he met his first wife Florence M. (Greulich) Benda. The two were married in 1954 for 24 years. They had three childrenand relocated to St. Louis, Mo, in 1969.       

John was remarried in 1986 to Ceil Wachter and later separated. John lived his final years in the town of Sparta Illinois, just southeast of St. Louis, Mo.     

John was a Christian celebrating at different Christian denomination churches throughout his life. John or Jack as many referred to him, spent his life pursuing a variety of business careers. A few of which were heating & cooling, a funeral home, motel, restaurant, and moving & storage company.   

Our father was a kind and gentle man. You never heard him speak negative or discriminatory of others, and you liked him for those reasons. 

John is survived by his sister Mazie Marcella ( Benda) Brandt of Rapid City.    His three children Carol Ann (Benda) Bennett of St. Louis Mo., John Joseph Benda of Superior, Mont., and Neil Richard Benda of St. Louis, Mo. John has many surviving In-Laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

John was preceded in death by his parents John Benda and Belinda (Hendrickson) Benda. His sisters Peggy Marrie (Benda) Ballou and Cornelia Ann (Benda) Yost.   

His brothers Robert Willard Benda and Russell Vac Benda. Wife Florence Marie (Greulich) Benda.   

Donations can be sent in John Benda’s behalf to your favorite charity of choice.

Leo Westendorf, 66, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.    

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 at 10 a.m.    at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner. Burial was held    at the Pleasant Lawn Cemetery in Geddes, SD.    

Leo was born May 30, 1954, in Wagner, South Dakota, to Arthur and Josephine (McKenna) Westendorf and was raised south of Wagner on the family farm.    He was baptized and confirmed at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Wagner.     

He graduated from Wagner High School in 1972 where he participated in football and wrestling.    He served in the National Guard from 1973 to 1979.

In 1976, he married Janette Bren, and to this union three daughters were born; Nichole Jean, Jessica Jo, and Demi Raye.  Leo farmed near Wagner, raised Limousine cattle, and helped with custom farming.  He also enjoyed rodeoing as a bareback and bull rider.    

In 1986, he became employed by Farmland Industries as a Livestock Production Specialist.   His sales territory spanned from Parkston to Winner. He continued his Farmland training education during this time.      

On Jan. 1, 1993, he married Stacy (Jansen) Martin at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colo.  To this union two children were born; Tyson Arthur in 2000 and Danielle Ann in 2007.  Stacy’s daughter Brooke Danielle also joined this family.

Leo became Feed Department Manager of Farmer’s Coop in Wagner. Leo and Stacy lived south of Ravinia for five years before moving to Gordon, Neb., where Leo was manager of a large feed mill for Farmer’s Co-op for the next twelve years. They lived on their 40-acre ranch west of Gordon where they raised Quarter Horses and put up hay.   

In 2010, Leo moved to Winner with the family where he took over the challenge of managing the feed department of Country Pride Coop.    Leo loved the challenges and successes of working with producers. He was so proud of his employee team and was a great mentor.   

He made lasting friendships everywhere he went with his wit and infectious laugh. He made positive contributions throughout his life in every community he lived. Examples of this include his involvement as a member of local township boards, rodeo president, saddle club president, community development director, catechism teacher, dart champion contender, countless trail rides, and training horses.   

He loved walleye fishing and his 15+ years of annual Canadian fishing trips.  He enjoyed golfing, snowmobiling, socializing, watching the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. Most of all, he loved attending his children’s school activities, teaching them and countless others how to ride horses, and enjoying numerous motorcycle adventures with his soul mate Stacy.    

Leo was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Josephine Westendorf.    

Leo is survived by his wife Stacy, children Nichole Frank, Jessica Hudon, Demi Fitzpatrick, Tyson, Danielle, and stepdaughter Brooke (Skeet) Johnson; grandchildren, Chase Frank and Alexis (Jordan) Bierbrauer, Mason Musfelt, Cole, Cody and Caycee Johnson; siblings Rita Sundermann, JoEllen Houseman, Kathleen (Scott) Clapp, and Paul (Jacquie) Westendorf.

Theresa Kathryn Snow, 91, of Houston, Texas, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020.    

Theresa was born on March 23, 1929 in Witten, South Dakota to Louis John Janak and Anna Margret Staska Janak. 

Theresa graduated from Winner High School in Winner, South Dakota and went on to graduate from South Dakota Beauty Academy in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She worked in the beauty salon business in Winner    including owning her own salon before moving to Colorado Springs, Colo. in1954. She lived in Colorado Springs for the next 60 years and raised her family there.    T

heresa was married to Charlie Snow and they had four children. Patricia, Pamela, Tamara and Scott. Theresa was a devoted daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and aunt to many nieces and nephews.   

Theresa worked for McGraw-Hill in sales and retired after 20 years. After retiring she continued to work part-time because she loved being active and being around people. Wherever she worked she made life-long friendships. She was an inspiration to her family and friends with her youthful and positive attitude whatever the circumstances. Theresa never slowed down, even after several major health issues because she always had a zest for living. She was a life- long learner and taught her family “anything worth doing, is worth doing right.”   

Among her many hobbies Theresa enjoyed cooking and baking (she was famous for her pie crusts) and was delighted to share homemade goodies with her sweet smile to her friends and neighbors.

Theresa was a faithful member of Divine Redeemer Catholic Church in Colorado Springs until she moved to Houston, Texas in 2014 when she joined St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church. She was also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Auxiliary.

Theresa is survived by her daughter, Patricia Maddox and husband Gary; daughter, Pamela Criezis and husband Spero; daughter, Tamara Survil and husband Jay; son, Scott Snow; grandchildren, Nicole Monroe and husband Loren, John Stofer, Stephen Maddox and wife Amy, John Maddox, Meili Criezis, Rachel Anderson and husband Erik, Taylor Hays and husband Mitch, Mitch Snow, Trevor Snow, Tessa Snow, great-grandchildren, Miles Monroe, Linden Monroe, Jackson Maddox, Mary Wesley Maddox, Bennett Maddox, Alex Maddox, Mason Maddox, and numerous nieces and nephews.   

Theresa always had a smile on her face and a kind word for every person that crossed her path. Her sweet, spunky and always caring nature will be greatly missed by all. The family wishes to show their appreciation to the entire staff of Clarewood House for the loving support they always gave to Theresa. She loved her home at Clarewood and the many friends she made while living there.   

In lieu of flowers please make memorial remembrances to St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, Clarewood House Resident Assistance Fund, or a charity of your choice.   

A memorial service and celebration of Theresa’s life will be held at St. Mary’s Cathedral Columbarium, 22 West Kiowa Street, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80903 at a later date.