Monthly Archives: January 2022

Dennis Lauritsen, 76, of Wood, SD passed away on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 at the Avera Saint Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, SD. 

Graveside service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 at 1 p.m.  at the Evergreen Cemetery in Wood, SD.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to committal service at the cemetery.

Dennis Lauritsen was born Aug. 3, 1945 to Chris and Minnie (McCarthy) Lauritsen. He and his brother Richard were born later in Chris and Minnie’s life; therefore, they were referred to as the miracle babies.  Dennis always considered himself so fortunate for having lived his entire life at the ranch where he was born.

Dennis attended all 12 years of school at the Wood Public School. Dennis graduated from Wood High School in May of 1964. He attended a six-week course in welding in Fargo N.D. He loved to weld and built many ranch items. It broke his heart when the Drs. put in a pacemaker, defibrillator and he could no longer practice his loved hobby. But being a man who loved to work with his hands, he turned to woodworking and built many very neat items. If you received one of those items, then that meant he really liked you. His kids and grandkids will forever treasure the ones they received.

In November of 1963 his father purchased a hereford bull from Herman and Zella Larsen. When they delivered the bull to the ranch, he met their daughter Sena. Dennis decided on that day that this woman who could break a bull to lead would be his wife. Dennis and Sena were married on Oct. 23, 1964. Making this their 56th year of marriage.

Dennis and Sena were blessed with two sons, Russell, born in Oct, 1966 and Ronald, born in Aug. of 1968. This truly completed his dream of someone to carry on his legacy and the ranch.

Dennis loved to tell a story or two. He certainly loved to visit about local history, old machinery, and couldn’t let you leave because he always had “One more story”. Dennis was well versed in local history and who lived where. Pair him up with Willis or George Dickson and it was pure entertainment to listen.

Dennis has always loved working on local projects. It just didn’t matter as long as it was for Wood, the Wood Community, or Mellette County. He was an active member of the Wood Alumni, Mellette County Historical Society, Mellette County Conservation District, Mellette County Centennial Celebrations, Evergreen Cemetery Association, Bulldog Booster Club or the 4-H club. He truly loved this community and the people in it. His one national organization was the Minneapolis Moline Collectors Club. He truly loved going to tractor shows and comparing notes with other collectors.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Sena, his family, sons, Russ and Gloria, Ron and Pam. Grandchildren Daniel, Sara, Alexis and Katelyn. Great grandchildren, Dennis, Camryn, Hudson, and Griffon. Brother Richard and Cyndi, and many nieces and nephews. Sister-in-laws Mary (Jerry) Fisher, and Evelyn Farley.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Minnie, his Great Granddaughter Rebecca Mae Nelsen and many special Uncles, Aunts, and cousins. His sisters and brother-in laws, Guy Farley, Delbert and Phyllis Paulson, Pat and Glen Clausen, Beverly Larsen.

Joseph Donald Fernholz, 61, of Platte, SD passed away Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 at Platte Care Center Avera. Funeral services were held at  3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 at Mount Funeral Home in Platte with visitation an hour prior to service. Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family through mountfuneralhome.com.

Joseph Donald Fernholz was born on Aug. 1, 1960 to William and Kathleen (Heying) Fernholz in Winner, SD. He graduated from Winner High School in 1978 and was united in marriage to Anna Marie McKenzie on Oct. 15, 1982 in Winner. He worked at the Ford Garage for a year and then was partsman for Mathis Implement in Winner until 1991. From 1991 – 2000 Joe was employed as partsman for VanDerWerff Implement in Platte, SD.

Joe was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Platte and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed playing cards, lawn work and carpentry.  

Grateful for having shared in Joe’s life, his wife of over 39 years, Anna Fernholz of Platte, SD; three daughters: Stacy (Luke) Andersen of Clear Lake, SD, Jessica (Zach) Dalrymple of Mitchell, SD and Erin Fernholz of Sioux Falls, SD; five grandchildren: Josie and Laycee Andersen, Riley, Molly and Jameson Dalrymple; four siblings: Joan Grim of Gregory, SD, Rose Wells of Gregory, SD; Donna (John) Wright of Sioux Falls, SD and Jim (Darci) Fernholz of Fredericksburg, VA; along with many nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; three siblings: Mary, Margaret and Ed Fernholz; a brother-in-law, Rodney “Radar” Grim; and a niece, Cassie Grim.

Dorothy Berger, 94, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 at her home in Winner, SD.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the Winner United Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery and a lunch was served at the Church following the burial.

Dorothy Mae was born to Edward and Mary (Jamber) Karl on April 5, 1927 at the family farm north of Gregory, SD.  Dorothy was the third of four children.  She joined her sister Agnes, brother Edwin and later came brother Elmer.

The family lived North of Gregory, SD and Dorothy graduated from Gregory High School in 1945.

After high school Dorothy worked at the bank in Gregory.  Dorothy and her friends enjoyed going to the dances and that is where she met her soon to be husband Ernest Berger.  They were married on Sept. 17, 1946.  To this union, ten years later, four children were born, Diane, Carol, Barbara and David.

They lived in Omaha, Neb. for 2 years and moved back to Burke, SD until 1971 when they made their home in Winner, SD.

Dorothy was employed as a bookkeeper at the Winner Ford Mercury until she retired in 1989.

Dorothy was an excellent cook of many Bohemian dishes. She also baked many delicious Kolache, rolls, pies and bread over the years. Dorothy enjoyed playing cards and Wahoo, whether it be with family or many of her special card playing friends.

Dorothy was a member of the United Methodist Church, Sisters and Survivors, VFW Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Dorothy is survived by her four children, 12 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren: Diane Faubion of Winner, SD and her children Brady (Jena), Chris (Jordan) (Grayson, Dempsey), Heather (Lane) Massingale (Avery, Trinity), and Lindsay Faubion (Anthony) all of Rapid City, SD; Carol (Walt) Baker of Columbus, MT and their children Jessica (Josh) Matteson (baby due Jan 6) and Samuel, all of Billings, MT; Barbara (Darrell) DeSersa of Winner and their children Sarah (Russell) Hoffer (TayShaun, Sadie, Oaklee) of Winner, SD, Dustin (Tia) (Keyleigh, Presley, Jayda, Skyla, Liam) of Winner, SD and Megan of Cayuga, ND; David (Kristine) and their children (Henry, Edwin, Shawn) of Hudson, WI; one brother Elmer (Karen) Karl of Gregory, SD and many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy is preceded in death by Ernest, her husband of 59 years, her parents, one sister Agnes Novotny, one brother Edwin Karl, two brother-in-law’s Joseph Novotny and Louis Vodicka, two sister-in-law’s Kay Karl and Ruth Vodicka, son-in-law Rick Faubion, two nieces and one nephew.