Monthly Archives: December 2020

Carolyn Joan Kounkel, 81, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020 surrounded by her family.    Funeral services were held    10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020 at Grace Lutheran Church, L.C.M.S. in Le Mars.    Reverend Timothy Geitz  officiated.       

Burial followed in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hinton, Iowa.        Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.    Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.    

Carolyn Joan Larson was born May 29, 1939 in Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of Elmer and Hertha (Maschmier) Larson.   

She was raised on a farm near Hinton, Iowa.    She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church, rural Correctionville, Iowa.    She attended country school, St. Paul Lutheran Church, and graduated from Hinton High School in 1957.    She was united in marriage to Blaine “Bing” Kounkel on Nov. 10, 1958 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sioux City.    To this union, six children were born.   

She was a homemaker for her family. Later, Carolyn owned and operated the Orange Blossom Lunch Wagon.    She did catering for anniversaries, weddings, farm sales, and other events. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Le Mars.    She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

  Survivors include her 4 children: Jeff Kounkel of Iliff, CO, Jackie (Dan) Davison of Le Mars, IA, Molly (Curt) Calhoon of Ideal, SD, and Troy Kounkel of Jasper, MN; 17 grandchildren; and several great grandchildren.  

She was preceded in death by Blaine “Bing” Kounkel; her parents, Elmer and Hertha Larson; two children, Lori Kounkel and David Kounkel; two brothers, one in infancy and Douglas Larson; and her sister, Janet (Bill) Ostler.  

Funeral services for Jack “Fritz” Steffen were held Dec. 1 at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke with Pastor Keith Moody officiating. Burial was in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Colome.    

Jack (Fritz) Steffen was born Oct. 11, 1934 at Colome, South Dakota to Fred and Josephine (Schroeder) Steffen and passed away Nov. 26, 2020 at Gregory, South Dakota at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center. He spent the first 64 years of his life on the family farm south of Colome ¾ of a mile northwest of the Turtle Buttes.   

He retired in 1998 and moved to Colome, until 2017 when he moved to Elder Inn of Winner.    

He is survived by his youngest sister, Doris J. Zimmerle of Huntsville, AL, and his many friends and relatives.    

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Steffen, his three brothers: Leonard (Joyce) Steffen, Bob Steffen, both from Colome, and Vic (Dorothy) Steffen of Blunt, SD, and his three sisters: Stella (Jim) Doty of Gayville, SD, Betty (Duane) Kirwan of Pickstown, SD, and Helen Steffen of Colome.

Frances “Fran” I. Larson, 81, of Hamill, SD passed away on Saturday, Nov. 21st, 2020, at North Central Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.    

Graveside service was held at the Hamill Cemetery on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 2 p.m. with a viewing at 1:30 pm.       

Memorial services will be held at a later date.   

Fran was born March 11, 1939 to Thadius “Al” and Lillian (Peters) Houser at the Bode Home in Chamberlain, SD. She was the 10th of 12 children, and grew up on the Fort Hale river bottom north of Oacoma. She attended a small country grade school on the Fort Hale bottom, until the family moved to Chamberlain during her 8th grade year, where she attended high school. When the family moved to town, she and her sister Loy started their first paying job cleaning motel rooms, then later she worked as a waitress at the Rainbow Café and also as a secretary at the Brule County Extension Office.   

Following high school, she attended Springfield College and received her 2-yearteaching degree. Upon her return she taught at the rural schools North Fairview and Lindgrin.

Fran married Darrell Larson, on March 11, 1960.    Their first child, Mark, was born in 1961, followed by Audie in 1962, Monty in 1964, and the family was complete in 1975 with the arrival of Vicki.

Fran said that she experienced a turning point in her faith when “I finally truly gave my life to God to do with me whatever He wanted.” Her life was marked by this selfless dedication to Christ. Fran was confirmed during her 9th grade year at the Zion Lutheran church in Chamberlain. Following her marriage to Darrell, she became a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Hamill, where she touched many lives through serving as a Sunday school and Bible school teacher and superintendent and Lady’s Aid member. But even more so, she touched the lives of every person she came into contact with. She was a mother or grandmother to anyone who needed one.   

Fran and Darrell enjoyed being active in 4-H, as 4-H leaders and volunteers. She was a lifelong member of Hamill Horsemen’s Club and a member of the Southern Belle Cattlewomen.

Her passion was working with the livestock on the family ranch. She loved riding horse, working cattle, helping with calving, gardening, canning, and caring for her bottle calves, cats, dogs, ducks, and chickens. She prepared almost every meal, every day, not only for “the crew”, but also for any wandering stranger that happened upon the place. No one ever walked out the door hungry, there was always room at the family table.

Fran is survived by husband Darrell, children Audie (Holly) Larson of Hamill, Monty Larson of Hamill, Vicki (Joel) Stuart of Hamill, grandchildren Tanya (Daniel) Shoemaker of Gregory, Kaylea Littau of Gregory, Trevor, Trace, and Jesse Larson of Hamill, great grandchildren Paiden, Oakley, Kord, and Lane, sisters Grace Wick of Mitchell, Beulah Smith of Sioux Falls, brother Thad (Dorthy) Houser of Sioux Falls, sister in-law Fern Zastrow of Sioux Falls, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Al and Lillian, in-laws Ted and Gertrude Larson, infant son Mark, siblings Lawrence Houser, Donald Houser, Lorne Houser, (infant) Dorthy Houser, Betty Cleland, Loy Busick, (infant) Alice Houser, Christine Houser, and numerous brothers in-law, sisters in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Sandra Joyce King, 73, of Winner, SD passed away on Nov. 23, 2020 at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.     

Funeral services were held on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020 at 11 a.m.    at the Winner Ideal Community Hall in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Ideal Cemetery in Ideal, SD. Wake services was held on Saturday, Nov. 28th, 2020 at 7 p.m. at the Winner Middle School Auditorium and Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020 at 7 p.m.  at the Winner Ideal Community Hall in Winner, SD.   

Joyce was born to John King Sr. and Pauline Shields-King on Jan. 9, 1947.    She passed away on Nov. 23, 2020 at Avera Mc Kennan in Sioux Falls, SD.   

Joyce has a surviving sister Lavina (Roger) Milk and siblings who have passed on before her were brothers Burton, John King Jr., Dale and Ruby LaPointe-King, Clarice Chasing Hawk.   

Joyce had (11) children; Brian King, Ruby Traversie, Christopher (Geena)Traversie, *Owen Knox and Ampa Hokshila Knox, Loretta (Sissy) King-Herman, Martin (Junior) Garneaux, Wendy (Daniel) Bad Horse, Anna Garneaux, Daniel Garneaux and Wesley Garneaux.   *Owen passed away May 5, 2012.  Joyce has 60 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.   

Joyce always had time for her grandchildren and loved them all.    Joyce was always cooking for someone or some event.    She was always there to lending helping hand by cooking the meals for wakes, funerals, Sundance, etc. Joyce was dear to all she knew and loved by all her family.   

Joyce graduated from Wakpala School and was a cheerleader. Joyce also spent time traveling with AIM when she was younger (her AIM years).    Joyce always had an open door for whoever needed a place to stay.   

Joyce was always laughing and helping anyone who needed help.    Her grandson Charlie DuBray Jr. gave her the nickname “the Eraser”.    It was a joke they always had fun teasing each other, watch out or you will get erased. Joyce had close relationships with all her grandsons (children of her nieces and nephews) with whom she loved to tease.   

Another favorite of Joyce was dancing. She was always dancing to any music and having a good time even if she was by herself dancing. Joyce was well known for her frybread.   

Joyce kept her traditions alive she was a Sundancer and made regalia for her children to dance when they were young. She was always attentive to her children and helping them in every way she could.   

God bless all she left behind and especially her children who have so many memories she left them with.

Ronald “Ron” Lee Hespe, 71, of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.       

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020 at 10 am at the United Methodist Church in Winner, SD.    Burial    followed in the Winner City Cemetery.       

Ronald Lee Hespe was born July 16, 1949 to Louis and Georgia (Sund) Hespe at the Baptist Hospital in Winner, SD.    He was the third of seven children.    Ron was raised in Winner surrounded by his many family members, who affectionately referred to him as “Ronnie.”   

Growing up, Ron loved to spend time fishing and getting into all sorts of mischief with his older brother Jerry.   

He graduated from Winner High School in 1968.Ron married the love of his life, Barbara Abbey, on June 28, 1968. In December of that year their oldest son, Bryan, was born, and in March of 1971 Ron and Barb welcomed their second son, Clay.    In 1975 they moved into their lifelong home and in December of that year their daughter, Abby, was born.   

Ron and Barb celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2018.    While in high school, Ron started working at Al’s Body and Glass, where he continued to work until 1971. From there he went to work at Grossenburg Implement until his retirement.  Upon retirement, Ron started working at the Lazy J Grand Lodge, being his son-in-law Cody’s “right hand man” and being a jack of all trades. He enjoyed getting to know the hunters who came to the lodge from all over the U.S.    

Ron was all his grandchildren’s biggest fan, following them to all their activities, and always celebrating their achievements. He especially enjoyed going hunting with his sons and grandsons.   

Ron recently got a smartphone, and he greatly enjoyed getting to keep in touch more easily with his family and friends.   

He was well known for all the memes he would continually send everyone.  Ron was a genuine person, always wanting everyone to know he was thinking of them.

Ron is survived by his children: Bryan (Kim) Hespe, Winner; Clay (Cary) Hespe, Parkston; Abby (Cody) Jorgensen, Ideal; grandchildren: Hattie Hespe, Layne and Natalie Hespe, Phillip, Emma and William Jorgensen, Felicia and Brianna Gronenthal; Siblings: Richard (Connie) Hespe, Ivanhoe, TX; Beverly (William) Whitney, Rapid City, SD; Barbara (Melvin) Lee, Winner, SD; Doug (Ruth) Hespe, Owasso, OK; sister-in-law Linda Hespe; brother-in-law Jerry Dodd and numerous nieces and nephews, family, cousins, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, father, Louis Hespe, mother, Georgia Sund Rappe, grandchildren Lynae and Marci Hespe, brother, Gerald Hespe, sister, Deborah Dodd, parents-in-law Raymond and Rhoda Abbey, sister-in-law Diana Frank, brother-in-law Frank Tyburec, nieces Annette Devish and Catherine Whitney, nephew Jeff Hespe, great-nieces Shauna Pravecek and Jordyn Hespe, and great nephew Adam Dodd.

Robert Sharkey, 89, of Winner, SD passed away with his loved ones by his side on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 at the Gregory Health Care Facility in Gregory, SD.    

Mass of Christian burial was held on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Burial    followed in the Winner City Cemetery.       

Robert was born in Keyapaha, SD on June 14, 1931 to James and Emma (Devish) Sharkey who lived on a farm near Clearfield. “Bob” as most would know him was a loving father, son, brother, grandfather and great friend.    In 1956 Robert married Thelma Roubideaux, to this union, Bob fathered 7 children. Bob spent most of his life in the Winner Area.   

He enjoyed his time working on the farm and helping other farmers as needed.  When he retired, he liked to take drives in the country to reminisce about the old days, he enjoyed going fishing, playing cards, reading local newspapers, watching major league baseball and NFL football games.   

Bob enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and loved looking at their artwork and school papers. His children Bernadette (Lawrence) Long Crow, Larry (Ethel) Sharkey, Richard (Karen) Sharkey, Roberta Sharkey, Kevin Sharkey, Timothy (Dawn) Sharkey and Kelly(Misty) Sharkey, sisters Maxine Duffy, Doris Sharp and Jean Docken, survive Robert.   

Proud to call him grandpa were 22 grandchildren and many great grandchildren    He is preceded in death by his father James Sharkey, mother Emma (Devish) Sharkey, 3 brother-in-laws, Jack Duffy, Wayne Sharp & Jack Docken, adopted son William Sharkey, grandchildren Britney & Britton, great grandchildren, Sophia & Nape.   

Special thank you to Tammi Elder and the staff at and residents at Elder Inn for the wonderful care and compassion in helping Dad.

Bob’s angel wings were ready, but our hearts were not.

The Reverend Richard Harry McGinnis, age91 of Hudson,Wis.,    passed away Nov. 20, 2020.       

Fr Dick was born March 5, 1929 in Philadelphia, PA, the only child of Robert and Frances (Donaldson) McGinnis. He served his country at the end of World War II and was stationed in Japan after its surrender.     

After his service, he attended Seattle Pacific College graduating in 1951 with a degree in psychology.   

He then attended General Theological Seminary in New York and in 1955 was ordained as an Episcopal priest.     He was united in marriage to Phyllis Good on June 30, 1956.    Their marriage was blessed with three children: Paul, Stephen and Dorothy.       

Fr. Dick served as an Episcopal priest throughout his life. He served his Lord as a missionary in Anvik, Alaska, and as a priest for Trinity Episcopal in Winner, SD, Trinity Episcopal in Watertown, SD, and the former St. David’s Episcopal in Jacksonville, FL.   

Upon his retirement, after several years of travel, he settled in western Wisconsin close to family and assisted at the Episcopal churches in River Falls and Hudson. His early ministry was devoted to missionary work among the Athabascan and Lakota peoples in Alaska and South Dakota.    Later in life, he and his wife, Phyllis, worked tirelessly to preserve marriages, creating a marriage ministry model which is used about the county and overseas. Fr. Dick loved the outdoors and spent many days camping and hiking.    He is remembered for his warm smile and deepinterest and care for people.         

His life was devoted to sharing the love of Christ which was present in his life every day.    He is now free of the constraints of his earthly form and reunited with his wife and many friends.    

His infectious smile, gentle spirit and deep abiding love of his Lord and Savior will remain with his sons, Dr. Paul (Christine) McGinnis of Hudson and Stephen (Katrina) McGinnis of Murrieta, CA; daughter, Dorothy Washington of Hudson; grandchildren: Ian (Kaitlin), Kaitlyn and Meghan McGinnis, Anna and Cameron McGinnis, Jon (Katie), Addie and Nate Washington; great grandchildren: Simon and Ellery Washington; and father of Jon, Addie, and Nate: Derek Washington. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Phyllis.   

A graveside burial service was held with his family and a celebration memorial will be planned in the future when it is safe to move about.      Memorials are preferred to Rosebud Episcopal Mission East, 105 E. 12th St., Gregory, SD 57533 or SAMS (Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders) samsusa.org.

Funeral services are provided the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson, WI. (715) 386-3725. www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com