Wrestlers first in local tournament

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Winner wrestling team won first place in the local invitational meet on Saturday. The Warriors scored 229 points with Custer taking second. Pictured in front from left are Peydin Peterson, Max Fiesterman, Coy Shelbourn, Hunter Kahler, Ash Kaiser, Kash Peterson, Konner Osborn, Kayden Fryer, Parker Mathis and Kellen Brozik. Back row from left are coach Jayd Schuyler, Mason Curtis, Ryken Orel, Kaleb Osborn, Karson Keiser, Stetson Shelbourn, Achilles Willuweit, Jack Peters, Gus Bartels, Kamryn Meek, Max Brozik, Logan Radant, Joey Cole, Jude Sargent, Austin Blare, Kaden Keiser, Riley Orel, Sidda Schuyler, Jack Kruger, Saylor Schuyler, coach Spencer Novotny and Charley Pravecek.

Winner wrestlers were able to score enough points to keep Custer from overtaking the Warriors in the Winner Invitational.

Winner won the championship with 229 points. Custer was close with 203 points.

Rounding the top three was Burke/Gregory.

Maxton Brozik, Kaden Keiser and Riley Orel won individual championships.

A field of 14 teams filled the Winner Armory on Saturday.

Jhett Breen of Wagner was named the outstanding wrestling. He won the 132 championship with a pin over Owne Hansen of Burke/Gregory in 2:40. Won

The championship for Winner was the icing on the cake of a very busy week of wrestling.

Brozik won the 113 pound championship with a pin in 4 minutes over Brock Kotalik of Bon Homme/ Scotland.

Kaden Keiser won the 145 pound championship with a 19-4 decision over Riley Roberts of Wagner.

Orel won the 160 pound title with a 1-0 decision over Jonathan Lewis of Custer.

Also placing for Winner were: Karson Keiser, 2nd; Jude Sargent, 3rd; Joey Cole, 2nd; Jack Kruger, 2nd; Charley Pravecek, 3rd; Achilles Willuweit, 2nd; and Stetson Shelbourn, 2nd.

Winner had several other wrestlers competing who did not place.

The next action for Winner will be in the tournament in Aberdeen on Jan 29.

A Need for 3D Mammography is Real in Rural South Dakota

Winner Regional Health, a locally owned and operated critical access hospital is looking to have a significant impact for their community through the Driven to Serve Campaign. Within the past few years, the need to increase their technology for a 3D Mammography is real, with serving over 365 patients a year. Think about that for a second, for a smaller critical access hospital, that is one patient per day. Unfortunately, we are left with referring patients or having patients seek another healthcare facility with a 3D Mammography to get their screenings said Brady Kerkman, director of marketing and philanthropy at Winner Regional Health. 

This creates  its own set of challenges being in rural South Dakota, as it adds extra windshield time, travel costs, weather conditions, and added stress on an already daunting situation for the patient and their family. Within the past two years, we have seen approximately 100 patients per year, aside from the 365 patients served, seek services

elsewhere to receive a 3D Mammography. While we understand this is a rather large expense, with a $275,000 investment; Winner Regional Health values the input from its community and is moving forward to have those

vital services locally. Therefore, six  community members stepped up in a very large way to donate a New

2021 Jeep Renegade 4X4 valued at $26,855, to allow us to sell 500 tickets at $100 each. A sincere appreciation

goes out to Cody Haiar at Frontier Motors, John and Verna Koskan, Randy & Cam VandenHoek, Mick & Betty Rowe,

Bob & Judy Benson, and Lee & Keatha Calhoon. The tickets will go on sale on Feb. 20, which can be purchased

at Winner Regional Health, Winner Family Drug, and the Comedy Night on April 5, or at the Junior Teeners

Father’s Day Tournament on June 18, assuming there are tickets remaining. As always, persons can contact (605)

842-7231 to purchase  tickets. Winner Regional will also be hosting a Chili Feed, 4lb Burger Challenge, and Comedy Night on April 5, by Sioux Falls very own comedian, Nathan Hults. Tickets go on sale on Jan. 24 and can be

purchased the same as the tickets for the Jeep.

“While we are looking to raise $50,000 to go towards the

purchase of the $275,000 3D Mammography, we also see this as a great opportunity to educate South Dakotans

about breast cancer and the impact of early detection. It also allows us the opportunity to increase awareness

about men falling victim to breast cancer, which is often very hard for men to process. We will be seeking out grant

opportunities to cover the remainder of the cost of the 3D Mammography, but know that is no small task.” said Kerkman.

Winner Regional Health welcomes any questions you may have and greatly accepts any support or leads for grants that can bring this to fruition in 2022. For more information about the events, please follow  on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/WinnerRegional or on our website at https://winnerregional.org/about/foundation/.

The remaining question is, are you up for the challenge to finish off a 4lb Burger and have what it takes to be the

Champion?

Novotny honored for over 40 years of dedication to Winner wrestling

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Glen Novotny, right, was honored for over 40 years of dedication to the Winner wrestling program. Presenting the plaque to Novotny is Ryan Orel. The presentation was made Sunday at the youth wrestling tournament.

Glen Novotny has been dedicated to the sport of wrestling for over 50 years.

Sunday at the start of the Winner youth tournament, Novotny was honored for his dedication to the sport.

From 1971 to 1981 he was a Warrior wrestler and placed third at state his senior year. His first year out of high school in 1982, he became the middle school wrestling coach. They held practice in the “dungeon” which was a small room in the basement of the then school administration building, which is now DB’s Bait and Tackle. For just shy of two decades he devoted his time to the middle school wrestlers and continued to coach them until 2001.

In 2002, he became involved in coaching the younger wrestlers in the Winner Youth AAU program. For the last 20 years, he has strived to teach every wrestler the basics and his booming voice could be heard through the gyms, coaching several wrestlers that were on the mat at once. Win or loose, he was always on the edge of the mat, right there with a word of advice or a pat on the back.

He is a true Warrior wrestling fan. He is proud to have coached three generations of wrestlers including two sons, several nephews and his grandson, along with many others who wrestled over the last 40 plus years.

A plaque was presented to Novotny for his over 40 years of dedication and loyalty to the Winner wrestling program.

Masonic Lodge of South Dakota Awards Elmer Karl

Submitted Photo
Elmer Karl, center, received his 60 year longevity membership award in the Masonic Lodge of South Dakota. The award was presented in his home in Gregory by members of Winner Masonic Lodge 166. Pictured from left are Doug Nelson, Jack Frantz, district master of Dist. 12; Richard Ringstmeyer, master of the Winner lodge and Jim Halverson.

Take Five

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
“Take Five” is the Winner High School contest one act play that was presented this weekend at a night of one act plays at the Winner Community Playhouse. Pictured in front from left are Justin Hausmann, Leah Wiechelman, Tessa Mann, Faith Covey and Hayden McMurtrey. In back from left are Ainsley Henderson, Illyanna Crabb, Amanda Blare, director Sarah Taggart, Maggie DeMers, Madaline Watzel, Cassie Shutt, technical director Dan Patmore and assistant director Emily Moser.

George Anthony Howard, 84

George Anthony Howard, 84, of Winner, SD made his journey to the spirit world on Jan. 14, 2022 at his home in Winner, SD. 

 Funeral service was held on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022 at 2 p.m.  at the Winner Ideal Community Hall in Winner, SD.  Burial will follow at a later date. 

Wake services was held on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 22 and 23 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Winner Ideal Community Hall.

George was born in Bad Nation, SD on Dec. 14, 1937 to Nora (McLean) Clairmont and Robert Howard.  George was the last surviving sibling and the only son of six children.

George lived a solitary existence and was an exceptionally private person, very few knew little about his life, nevertheless you could always count on him to be there and support his family in time of need.  He sometimes came across as a “grumpy grandpa” yet he had a special bond with his Great Niece Jennifer DuBray as she was the only kid he would allow to visit him.  They enjoyed their time watching cartoons, eating snacks and drinking pop.  This special bond carried onto Jennifer’s youngest daughter Taya as they enjoyed their weekly run-ins at the store.

George spent his later years up until the day of his passing living his peaceful daily routine which included trips to the post office and Lil Feller.  He overcame many obstacles in his life which included changing his lifestyle for the better, surviving cancer and improving his health.  He liked to stay fit by lifting weights.  He was  a hard worker and loved carpentry of any kind.  George worked and lent a helping hand to many of the local farmers and in the 50’s he helped build the interstate.

For those of you who knew George when he told you he would come by to visit that often meant a slow drive past your house.  George didn’t usually have much to say, but when around his family the pride in his eyes and content smile on his face said it all.

George is survived by many nieces and nephews, his grandchildren and countless great nieces and nephews who are considered grandchildren in the traditional Lakota way.

Maternal nieces and nephews of George Anthony Howard are Fern DuBray, Molly DuBray, Ethel Sharkey (DuBray), John DuBray, Kathy Peneaux (DuBray) Andy DuBray, Janice DuBray, Jason DuBray, Bernadette Howard, Sandra Rouse, Cleo Rouse, Gail Rouse, Cynthis Odegard, Charlotte Rouse, and Rusty Odegard.  Grandchildren are Laura Basaldua, Shaun Klinger, Brent Klinger, Summer Klinger-Van Wagner, Jolynn Thalman, Amber Thalman and his son Craig Night Pipe.  “Family are like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one.”

George is preceded in death by his Mother Nora, Father Robert, his daughter Maxine, his sisters Dorothy, Betty Jane, Wilma, Arlene and Mary Lou, his niece Mona DuBray, nephew Michael Odegard, Henry Odegard, Billy Rouse, JR Rouse, great-grandchild Netaya Dream and numerous other loved ones.

“But as God calls us one by one the chain will link again.”

Marian Elaine Schroeder, 83

Marian Elaine Schroeder, 83, passed away peacefully at the Winner Regional Health Care on Jan. 21, 2022 surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services were held  Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, South Dakota. With Visitation on Monday, January 24, 2022 starting at 5:00 concluding with the Vigil at 6:00. Burial will be on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen, Iowa.

Marian Bowker was born Aug. 23, 1938 in Villa Park, Illinois. Marian grew up in several small towns in Illinois and completed high school in Dekalb, Illinois. She met her Iowa farm boy, Jerry Schroeder, in California and three months later their epic love story began on Sept. 7, 1957. Unbeknownst to Marian, her future husband was from the same small town in Iowa that her mother, Adeline Singer, was from. Luckily the Singers were one of the few families in that small town Jerry was not related to.

Marian and Jerry raised their five children on a farm near Remsen. They moved to Colorado in 1985 where they worked in ski country and eventually built their dream house. They retired to Lakeview, Arkansas. They lived there until Jerry’s death in 2019. Marian has spent the last few years in Winner, South Dakota with eldest daughter, Marie.

Marian enjoyed many hours of playing games with her family and friends. Those who knew Marian knew she had the most outrageous luck at cards and bingo. She would always laugh and say “But what can you do?” Her dedication to spending time with the lord praying for those on her extremely long prayer list was an inspiration.

Marian is survived by her children Marie (Dave) Fisher, Kim (Dave) Bedel, Joan (Mark) Hartman, Keith (Robyn) Schroeder, and Mary Beth (Jerrod) Olson. Also by her brother Robert Bowker. Marian and Jerry enjoyed their twenty grandchildren and twenty-four great grandchildren.

Marian is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, her twin daughters, Rosemary and Elizabeth, her parents, Frank Bowker, Adeline (Singer) Bowker, her brothers Tom and Ron Bowker, and her sister Dorothy (Bowker) Hitchcock.

Sylvania Earll, 77

Sylvania Earll, 77, of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022 at the Winner Regional Health Care Facility in Winner, SD.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services.

Sylvania was born March 9, 1944 to Clarence and Sylvania (Risch) Sigety in Watertown, SD.  She attended her elementary years in Florence. She grew up near the railroad and had lots of good memories with her friends and siblings.    In 1960, she moved with her family to Rapid City, SD.   She attended her Sophomore- Senior year there, graduating from Rapid City in 1962.  She worked at the Woolworths store and babysat when not in school.   Her parents were foster parents, so she kept busy helping with those children as well.  

In April of 1967 she went on her first date with Leo Earll.   In September of 1967, they were united in marriage.   They spent their first nine months of marriage traveling around North and South Dakota doing custom farm work.  Then, they settled on Leo’s family farm near Witten, SD raising hogs.  In March of 1970, on her birthday, her first son Duane was born.  Lee shortly followed in August of 1971.  They lived there happily until Leo passed away from a heart attack in 1976.  She found herself raising two boys on her own at age 31.  A few years after she lost Leo, she was married for a short time to Jim Sell.  She helped him with his 4 children as if they were her own.  She went on to raise her boys on her own.  In 1984, Sylvania started working at the Winner Baptist Hospital as a nurse’s aide.  She worked a brief time at the Adjustment Training Center before returning to the hospital.  A dream had awakened and she decided she would start working towards becoming a Registered Nurse.  She started nursing school at Dakota Wesleyan with her best friend, Carol Horstman, and together they graduated in 1991.  She was employed at the hospital in different capacities as a nurse.  She has left behind many stories of laughter and tears from her time there.  She was gentle and caring, but best believe she was a voice for her patients.  In 1996, she brought her mother home from Arkansas to live with her.  They resided in Colome.  She became a grandmother to her first grandson, Spencer in 1998.  She took the title very seriously.  Her second grandson, Cody was born in 2001.  She spent lots of time spoiling them rotten, making sure the snack drawer was always full and that they could go eat at the “bar”, go bowling, or to a movie whenever they wanted.  They had many adventures over the years.   Sylvania retired from nursing, but continued taking care of everyone.  She could be found cooking for her grandson over his lunch hour, baking goodies or making jelly, helping a neighbor, taking someone to an appointment, making rosaries for the church and taking care of church family.   In 2021, Sylvania was able to connect with a daughter that she made the hard choice to give up when she was young.   Meeting her this fall was one of the highlights of her life.

Sylvania was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Sylvania Sigety, husband, Leo Earll, and brother Dennis Sigety. Survived by her daughter Robyn Hauk and her family; son Duane (Kendra) Earll, grandsons Spencer and Cody Earll and son, Lee Earll, her brothers, Joe (Carole) Sigety, Kevin (Colleen) Sigety, Pat (Deb) Sigety, and many nieces and nephews, family and friends

Dan and Colleen Patmore close out the Winner Salvation Army unit bell ringer campaign with a donation

Submitted Photo
Dan and Colleen Patmore of Winner True Value close out the Winner Salvation Army unit bell ringer campaign with a donation. Dan and Colleen have volunteered many hours over the years to the annual bell ringing to help raise funds for the Winner Salvation Army unit. The annual bell ringing and kettle campaign is the only fundraiser for the Salvation Army Winner unit and helps Tripp County families with emergency needs.