Wanda Kunzler, 93







Wanda Kunzler was born in Lindsay, Okla., on Nov. 4, 1929, to Earl and Ruth (Hoover) Crawford.

Wanda was the oldest and had three brothers whom she loved very much: Gene, Bob and Dean. Through her many travels she ended up in Modesto, Calif., where she met the love of her life, Ted Kunzler who passed away May 6, 1987.

A few years later, she met her companion Meryl Serr and they moved to South Dakota. They owned various businesses in Dallas and Gregory. They later moved to Colome.  Wanda’s greatest love was sitting on her deck watching her great-grandchildren Raelyn and Hayze Fast play. She also enjoyed family and Sundays watching football.

Wanda passed away on Nov. 6, 2022, at the Avera Gregory Hospital.

Wanda will be buried in Ceres, Calif., next to her beloved husband Ted.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers, son Eddie Kimball, and grandson Zach Kunzler.

Wanda is survived by her beloved daughter Robin and her husband Alan Fast of Colome; four grandchildren: Fawn (Sean) Deter of Arizona, Megan, Ally and Stacey of South Dakota; six great grandchildren: Sierra (Brandon) Ellis, Madalyn (Jason) Carson, Michael Chambers, Logan Deter, Raelyn and Hayze Fast: and four great-great grandchildren: Aston and Audrina Ellis, Jay William and baby girl Carson expected in December.

Upon Wanda’s request there will be no service at this time.

Teddy Brown, 39

Funeral services for Teddy Brown, 39, Winner, will be held Nov. 30 at 1 p.m. at the Methodist Church, Winner. Burial will follow in the Winner city cemetery. There is a visitation one hour prior to the service.

Teddy Earl Brown was born on May 27, 1983, in Winner, SD, to Patrick (Pat) and Diane (Fisher) Brown. He joined his two older brothers Mike and Kip.

Ted grew up and lived all but two years of his life in the Winner area. As a child he enjoyed t-ball, baseball, and tormenting his older brothers. When Ted grew up, he enjoyed being outdoors and loved to hunt, fish and camp.

Ted graduated from Winner High School and then started working at Mid Dakota Meats and then at Anderson Tires. Ted worked for seventeen years at Frontier Motors starting as a janitor and then detailing vehicles until he finally became a mechanic. The last two years he worked at Neptune Auto in Pittsburg, Kansas, where he fit right in.

Ted married Laura Kuhlmann and they had three girls: Bailey, Sydney, and Grace. They later divorced.

In 2015 Ted married Becky Brown and gained two sons and one daughter to complete their family.

In the last year Ted was able to travel to a NASCAR race and two NFL games with his family. Ted was grateful to have had this time with his family.

Ted was diagnosed with cancer on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, and kept his spirit and personality strong to the end, planning much of his own funeral service. He insisted on being a tissue donor and was able to donate his corneas in order to help someone else with continued sight.

Ted passed away at the Avera Gregory Heath Care Center on Nov. 24, 2022, at the age of 39.

Teddy is preceded in death by his father Pat, his grandparents Teddy Fisher, Charles & Sylvia Horton, Vernon & Esther Brown.

Teddy is survived by wife Becky Brown of Colome, SD, his three daughters: Bailey Brown (Chase), Sydney Brown, and Grace Brown, his mother Diane Brown of Winner, SD, two brothers Mike Brown and Kip Brown (Julie), step children Ashely (Logan) Sponsel, Ryan Taylor, and Aaron Hacecky and future granddaughter Charlotte.

Christmas in the courthouse is dec. 8

Christmas in the Courthouse will be held Dec. 8 at the Tripp County Courthouse in Winner. The holiday event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

There will be between 35 to 40 trees that will fill two floors of the courthouse. This is an opportunity for persons to come and look at the beautiful trees.

There will be entertainment with the Acafellas plus Randy Donovan.

A bike will be given away to a Tripp County 4th grader who wrote an essay.

There will be refreshments including Christmas cookies, cider and coffee.

Ladies Night is Dec.7

Ladies Night sponsored by the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held Dec. 7 from 6-9 p.m.

“Shop Like a Queen” is the theme.

Swag bags can be picked up at the Chamber office from 1-6 p.m. on Dec. 7. These  bags will go to the first 200 ladies.

There will be a drawing box in each participating Chamber business for a chance to win  $250 Winner Cash.

Basketball scrimmages set

Basketball scrimmages for the Winner High School boys and girls basketball teams have been set.

The girls scrimmage will be Friday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m in the Armory.   This year the girls team will be doing a free will donation and there will also be baked goods up for a silent auction. All proceeds will be donated to the Winner Pix Theater.

The Winner boys Gatorade scrimmage will be Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. in the Armory.

The two teams open the season on Dec. 9.

Holiday festival is Dec. 3

Winner Regional Foundation will be hosting its annual Holiday Festival – 22 on Saturday, Dec. 3  at St. Mary’s Hall.

This year’s theme is Fireside Roasting and

Toasting. The social will begin at 5 p.m. and the dinner at 6 p.m.

The event will feature some new games, as well as some traditional ones. To add to that, there will be 90 minutes

of open bar, a couple individual roastings by our emcee, a great dinner, silent and live auction, and finished off with a

stand-up comedian. We have some great auction and raffle items this year that you will sure want to be present to win.

The goal is to raise $75,000.00 which will assist with some new physical therapy equipment, a stress test machine for our

Respiratory Therapy department, and some adjustable height tables for the residents in the long-term care.

A special appreciation goes out to the event sponsors who provided cash donations to cover the cost of this year’s festival: Dr. Tony and Kay Berg, Pravececk Farming, George and Norma Olson, Clint and Kim Vanneman, Antler Ridge Lodge, Karla’s Last Kall, Mick and Betty Rowe, Ray and Janna Pravecek, Lee and Jayne Heying, Wendy Mortenson American FamilyInsurance, Rosebud Exchange, Jeff and Sharon Schramm, Ameriprise Financial – Joel Leyden, Mason Funeral Home and Creamation Services, Guardian Flight, Eide Bailley, Mead Lumber, El Tapatio, H & O Electric, Phillip’s Custom Farming, Northern Plains, Bankwest, Golden West Telecommunications, Advanced Asset Alliance, Olson’s Pest Technician, Building Sprinkler, Johnstone Supply, Kucera Electric, Accent Florals, Ishmael Farms, and The Insurance Center.

There are many  who contributed to the games, auction items, and time; which those will be identified following the event.

“On behalf of the foundation we look forward to this year’s event and are happy to announce that we are completely sold out. A friendly reminder we will be using the side entrance this year of St. Mary’Hall as the only entrance. We wish everyone a Happy Holiday season,” said Brady Kerkman, marketing director at Winner Regional.

Opportunity available to take EMT course

There is a desperate need for more EMTs across South Dakota.

To help fill this need an EMT class will be offered online.

Paul Schueth of the Tripp County ambulance service, said he and others applied for and received an  EMS SAMHSA grant.

With the help of the University of South Dakota Tripp County received a $200,000 grant.

The 2023 class will start in January and is free for qualified students.

Persons will be able to take the class on line. The classes will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-10 p.m. via interactive video conferencing. The classes will be taught by USD.

Students will be required to take skill sessions which will be held on certain Saturdays in Winner. The weekend Saturday dates are Feb. 18, March 18, April 15 and May 13.

The cost of registration $850. But the grant funds allow it to be free for students. All books will also be free.

This class is also open to high school students who are interested in becoming an EMT.

“We are trying to get more EMTs in the western part of the state,” said Schueth. “In smaller towns it is hard getting people to volunteer,” he said.

Persons who are interested are encouraged to sign up for this class.  They can call Travis Spier at 605 328-6389 or Paul Schueth in Winner to get more information. 

A flyer where persons can scan a QR code to register is available from Schueth.

Completing an EMT course will provide opportunities for individuals seeking to support their community and assure rural communities have access to emergency services and medical care when needed.

Bromley Heath, 16

Funeral services for Bromley Heath, 16, Colome, will be held on Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. in the Colome High School gym. Private family burial will take place later in the day.

There was a prayer service Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. at Calvary Chapel, Colome. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. at the church.

Bromley Roger Heath is the old son of Justin and Shelley Heath of rural Colome, SD.  He was born on a cold winter day, Jan. 6, 2006.  He left his loving family to join Heaven on Nov. 16, 2022,  in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family.

Bromley always said he was the perfect middle child.  His siblings made his world go around.  They were his buddy, partner in crime, fort builders, movie watchers and caretakers.  He was their leader, and they were his.  Bromley was a detail kind of guy.  From the time he was little, he liked things a particular way.  As his ability slowly left, he accepted it with a grace that only God gave him. 

Bromley was diagnosed with Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy in March of 2011.  At the time, we had hoped for 10 years and we were blessed with 11 years of his smile, infectious personality, and facial expressions.  He had just turned 5, was in preschool with his friends.  As he transitioned through the years at the Colome School, which was in his top three places to be, his classmates transitioned with him.  He walked until August 2013, at which time he transitioned to a powerchair, this would have been second grade.  His classmates became his hands and feet and would do anything for him.  They helped him with homework and Bromley helped them back, they got his lunch tray and fed him, they were his protectors.  Bromley was like a magnet at school, everyone just stuck to him.

The powerchair gave him a freedom to be with his friends and family.  He  made tracks everywhere…barnyard, getting stuck in the mud, exploring at rodeos, driving down to the barn with his best dog, Mister.  Mister filled a spot in Bromley’s heart and was his faithful companion to the end.

Bromley was in a terrible burn accident on Jan. 1, 2017 and burnt his legs and left hand.  The healing process took a long time, but he never complained about it.  He always said he couldn’t wear shorts because he didn’t want others to be jealous of his legs.  As time took it’s toll on his body, it became important to do a spinal fusion surgery.  This was a very scary, hard surgery for a boy in his condition, this was November 2018.  As usual, he triumphed.  He had two rods placed in his back that straightened his smashed body, it was like he grew 6 inches.  When he got in the van the first time he was so happy he could see out the window.

Bromley’s days were spent either at school or home.  He loved that his cousins were at both places.  Klayton and Bromley had a bond that only they could share.  Those boys would do anything together, and Klayton always listened to what Bromley wanted.  From playing outside, to gator rides, exploring, watching movies, PlayStation…they enjoyed all those times together.

As he kept losing muscle, his interests changed.  He enjoyed playing football and farming on the PlayStation until his hands couldn’t hold the remote.  His phone gave him a new freedom too.  He enjoyed getting Snapchats from his friends and playing HayDay.  He and Mister would take off for a drive with his phone in hand, this way if they needed something, he could call for help.   

As he became a teenager, he had a beautiful, deep, strong voice.  When he should have been able to drive, we let 3- 14 year old boys take the van to outdoor movies.  Klayton and Joseph would enjoy evenings at the movie eating some McDonalds and Dairy Queen.  Occasionally, other friends and cousins would join in on the fun.

He loved America.  He loved Ohio State football.  He loved shopping on Amazon and putting things in the cart, most things were red, white and blue or football.  Most of his clothes had something American about them, all the way to his American underwear and socks.  He loved comfortable clothes.  He loved his mom’s food. He loved his dads’ stories.  He loved every part of life, from trees to the animals on the ranch, he loved watching things grow and change.  He loved the warmth of the sun, summertime, working cattle, helping at the arena, doing chores and telling Jakob what he needed to do.

He enjoyed watching Dukes of Hazard, Hawaii 5 O, Home Improvement, Fast n Furious movies, anything with History and would watch YouTube videos on how to build things.  His favorite food was spaghetti with summer corn and homemade fresh buns.   He loved a good burger and wimpy, his grandma’s apple pie with cheese, and homemade lemonade.

We will always wonder what he would have been, had he been given a different path.  He loved watching HGTV and would say what he would fix.  He had style and a visual mind that might have made him a builder.  He would have loved to play football.  He told us, “I would have been the quarterback.  And I would bull dog.”  Along with being a team roper and calf roper.  He never got the chance to do any of those, but got to watch a lot.  He could tell you what you did wrong, in a kind way.

We were able to make memories away from home.   In 2015, we enjoyed a Make a Wish trip to Rapid for the Stock Show.  In 2015, we went to see Willie Robertson in Louisiana, then enjoyed Silver Dollar City at Branson, MO.  He always wanted to go back to Branson.  Both sides of his family enjoyed the Louisiana trip.  In 2018, his burn doctor gifted him seats to a Minnesota Wild Hockey game.  Just this year we enjoyed a Heath Family ski trip in January 2022.

Bromley loved Jesus and wanted to be at church, go to youth group, and learn about the Bible stories.  His memory was sharp and he could remember details that the rest of us couldn’t.   The three places he wanted to be were church, home and school.  This filled his life with a completeness that gave him comfort.  He felt like he fit in and didn’t stand out.  In the last year, our row has been quite empty or with only part of us there.  In these times we would do “home church.”  We had some of the best sharing times during our home church.

Bromley is survived by his parents Justin and Shelley Heath, siblings, Wiley of Norfolk, NE; Saydee, attending USF in Sioux Falls; Seth a freshman and Jakob a 5th grader at Colome.  His maternal grandparents, Todd & Renee Cook of Mills, NE; Roland & Debe Horstman of Dell Rapids, SD.  His paternal grandparents, Roger & Janell Heath of Colome.  Uncles and Aunts: Brett & Cheyenne Heath, Colome; Kevin & Lexi Heath, Onida, SD; Kevin & Marti Kingsley, Colome; Becky Hoffine, Colome; Chris & Tracy Dehning, Gregory, SD; Shawn & Stacy Anderson, Norfolk, NE; TJ & Meagan Cook, Norfolk, NE; Jay Horstman, Brookings, SD; Derrick & Jessica DeWitt, Del Rapids, SD; Cousins,  Cody, Kristina and Makenzie Heath, Romona, SD; Callie Heath, Pierre, SD; Kaydee Heath, Overton, NE; Kash, Klayton and Braxton Heath, Colome; Aspen Heath, Watertown, SD; Saige & Jace Heath, Onida; Shaleena, Raelynn & Bode Kingsley, Colome; Cohl & Savannah Ratermann, Brookings, SD; Baylie & Ashlyn Hoffine, Colome; Raylynn, Bentley, Baya, Bryden Dehning of Gregory, SD; Shace, Shelton & Sydney Anderson of Norfolk, NE; Lainee, Piper & Lincoln Cook, Nofolk, NE; Aubrey, Connor, Austin DeWitt Dell Rapids, SD; Ayasha & Brooke Jarrett, Colome, foster cousins. 

He was preceded in death by maternal great grandparents, Roy and Ruby Stevicks; William and Gertrude Horstman.  Paternal great grandparents, Clarence and Frieda Heath; Gus and Orene Weidner.

Claude Edward Harrison, 81

Claude Edward Harrison was born Sept. 29, 1941, at Burke, SD to Harold & Ellen (Bailey) Harrison.  He was the oldest child and later joined by Doug, Bob, Jack, Mike and Dirk.

A private family share time was held on Sunday, Nov. 20.

He graduated from Burke High School in 1959.  Shortly after, he married Anita McKenzie.  To this union, three daughters were born, Robin, Cheryl and Natalie.  Claude and Anita lived on the ranch with his grandparents, Ed and Merle Bailey.  It was on the ranch that Claude developed his love of horses with his favorite being Black Jack.  He also hired out for Chuck Baker as a hay-grinder.  Claude and Anita later divorced.

Claude married Donna (Schweigert) Taylor and to this union, one son, Daniel was born.  Donna’s children, Nicole and Heath also joined their family.   Claude and Donna later divorced.

Claude was a jack of all trades.  He was in partnership with David and Merlin Jacobsen and founded H&J Sales.  They sold Vermeer hay equipment.  Claude dispatched trucks for Kerner Trucking and also owned his own truck.  Later, he started a construction business with his brother, Bob.  This later became a tree-trimming business. This business was multi-generational as both Cheryl and her daughter, Bailey worked with him.

He was a 30+ year member of AA and very proud of his sobriety.  He helped many on their journey to sobriety. 

Claude was very proud of his children, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren.  He was also an avid supporter of the Gregory Gorilla football team and attended many games with his good friend, Bonnie Johnson.

Claude passed away on Nov. 11, 2022 at the Sanford Chamberlain Care Center at the age of 81.

Claude is preceded in death by his parents, his step-father, Julius Bartling, his daughter, Robin, son-in-law, Sam Hoffart and brothers, Dirk, Jack and Doug.

He is survived by his children: Cheryl Hoffart (Maurie Schlaht), Natalie Ketelhut (Jim), Daniel Harrison(Tracy), Nicole Wilson and Heath Taylor;  grandchildren: Tyler Hoffart (Marah), Bailey Veskrna (Michael), Ben Hoffart, Laurel Ketelhut (Kasey), Sage Harrison, Ava Wilson, Jax Wilson, Brittney Ohlmann, Courtney Davenport and Aubree Opp; siblings: Bob Harrison (Gail), Mike Bartling (Linda), Blane Bartling (Terri) and Colleen Springer (Marshall);  and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.