Monthly Archives: February 2023

Funeral services for Christine Nelson were held Feb. 13 at 10:30 a.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke. Burial was Feb. 14 at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis.

Christine Nelson was born in Rock Valley, IA on Dec. 25, 1931, to William and Gertrude (Vogelzang) Rozeboom.  Christine’s mother passed away when Christine was 6 months old.  Gertrude’s parents, Simon and Jacoba, took Christine into their home and raised her as their own child.Christine graduated from Rock Valley High School in 1949 and married Dr. Julius Nelson on Feb. 25, 1955.  They made their home in Burke, SD where Julius had a chiropractic clinic in their home.  Christine lived in her home for 66 years until the fall of 2022, when she moved into the Haisch Haus in Bonesteel, due to her failing health.

Julius and Christine were blessed with five children:  Julene Kris, Eric Rinold, Ivan Jul, Chandra Marie, and Lael Todd.  In later years, they were blessed with 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Christine loved God and her family fiercely and was a wife, mother, and homemaker above all else.   Her home was open to everyone at any time, and there was always coffee on for those that stopped by.  She was famous for her cooking and her special brownies.   It was always a guess who would be seated at her dining room table.  Her home was one where the children gathered after school and she was always ready to set another place at the table. 

Christine was a receptionist and assistant in the chiropractic office, and Doc couldn’t have run his business without her.   She seemed to be busy every minute of the day, but when she rested, it was with her Bible in her hands.

Christine gave herself to the Lord at a very early age and she faithfully worshipped in a Christian Home Fellowship her entire life.   Even as her health failed, her loved ones passed on, and she grew weary of this life, her faith never wavered.

Christine loved animals and especially her many pets through the years.  There was never a time when her home was absent from a dog or a cat.  Strays seemed to always find her and she never turned them away. 

 Christine was a Patriot and served faithfully as a Lifetime member of the Disabled American Veteran’s Auxiliary and the Burke VFW Auxiliary.  The American flag flew each day on her house until she became too frail to put it out.   She honored our Veterans and served them however she could.

 Left to mourn her loss are her children, Eric (Marlis) Nelson of Burke, Ivan (Nancy) Nelson of Burke, Chandra (Mark) Isackson of Sioux Falls, and Lael (Barbie) Nelson of Olathe, KS.  Also left to mourn Christine are her grandchildren, Beth Ann (Shane) Lechtenberg of Butte, NE, Dr. Derek Julius (Rachel) Nelson of Rapid City, Ty Joseph Smith of Sioux Falls, Justin Jul (Katlyn) Nelson of Winner, Landon John (Chrissy) Nelson of Harrisburg, and Jaden Jewel and Gillian Christine Nelson of Olathe, KS; 6 great-grandchildren, Lanie Ann, Jaylee Justine, and Ally Beth of Butte, NE, and Pierce Morgan, Porter Jul, and Asher Ivan of Winner, SD and many relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death are her husband, Dr. JJ Nelson, grandson, Thor, daughter, Julene, son-in-law, Jim, brother, Henry, parents, nieces and nephews, and a host of relatives, friends and precious pets. 

The family wishes to share their deep appreciation to the staff at the Haisch Haus in Bonesteel and at the Burke Community Hospital for their loving care of Christine.

Funeral services for Elizabeth “Betty” Boxa age 94 of Gregory, South Dakota, will be held on Tuesday, February 14 at 10:30 a.m. at St Joseph Catholic Church, Gregory, SD. Burial will follow be in the IOOF Cemetery. There is a prayer service Monday evening at 7 p.m.  at the church.

Ferman “Bud” Charles Harter, Sr., 89, of Colome, SD was surrounded by his sons and afar by his daughter and family in prayer, when he passed away on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, at the Winner Regional Hospital in Winner, SD.

Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD. Arrangements are in care of the Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service.

The family invites everyone to a celebration in honor of Bud’s life with a luncheon at the Winner American Legion Hall immediately following services. After the luncheon, Bud will be laid to rest with military funeral honors at the Colome City Cemetery in Colome, SD. Attendance for his burial will be reserved for family, due to snow conditions on the cemetery grounds.

Ferman “Bud” Charles Harter, Sr. was born Jan. 3, 1934, in Dallas, SD to Glen and Laura Josephine (Cramlett) Harter.  He attended rural school through eighth grade. Near age 11, he went to work to help support his mother and siblings after losing his father. He worked as a farm hand on several farmsteads. At age 18, he enlisted in the Army. He served from 1952 through 1956 and was honorably discharged. He was a Korean War Veteran and was known to have been on ski patrol on the Ohara Mountain in Sendai, Japan after leaving Otaru, Japan. He was also stationed on Hokkaido Island in Japan as a squad leader and Sergeant of the Co. F. 5th Cav APO 201. Among his military honors were the Army Marksmanship Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and Korean War Service Medal.

After returning from the military, Bud worked agriculture jobs. In 1958, at the age of 24, Ferman married Leonora Jorgensen. They made their first home on a farm northwest of Dallas, SD. They settled on a farm south and west of Colome, SD during their marriage of 28 years. Born to this union were three sons and one daughter, Ferman Harter, Jr. of Colome, SD; Diane “Sis” Simunek of Hot Springs, SD and Tallahassee, FL; John Harter of Winner, SD; and Casey Harter of Colome, SD.

Bud farmed and ranched and was employed at Winner Welding & Machine Shop, Grossenburg Implement, and Edwards Oil Company, all of Winner, SD. In addition, he was a self-employed truck driver before going to work for Carlson Construction and Tripp County Highway Department. Bud retired to the town of Colome sometime after the family farmhouse burned down. He continued to help at the ranch with his son, John, while working part-time at Frank Day’s Bar in Dallas, SD into his mid-80s. Bud insisted on surviving on his own until age 88. He moved to long-term care at Winner Regional Health August of 2022. His caregivers stated his smile was contagious.

Those who knew Bud may have known his independent spirit, brief visits, obsession for auctions, and desire to read and drive the countryside. He had a knack for remembering history and pride for our country, which was notable in his recounted stories. He had been a long-time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4674 of Winner, SD. He had been a member of the American Legion Post 71, Hot Springs, SD and was a member of the American Legion Post 146, Colome, SD for 47 continuous years. In 1991, he served as Commander of the Colome American Legion. An important legacy to Bud was family, especially his siblings and continuing a family legacy through his children and grandchildren. He was known to offer a lending hand to family, friends, and strangers throughout his lifetime.        

Ferman “Bud” is survived by his sister Dorothey “Sinny” Rutherford of Beaverton, Oregon; his children, Ferman (Sally) Harter, Jr.; Diane “Sis” (Kelly) Simunek; John (Tammy) Harter; and Casey (Bobbi) Harter; ten grandchildren, Summer Simunek (Eli Hubbard); Toby (Blakely) Harter; Rebecca (Josh) Curtis; Zachary Harter (Alissa Kuyper); Autumn (Ethan) Simunek Conrad; Reed Harter (Mikayla Heirigs); and Jordyn, Tila, Kirya, and Carsyn Harter; and eight great-grandchildren, Lilly, Levi, Scarlet, Corbin, Henry, and Logan Hubbard, Lenora Conrad; and Zachary and Alissa’s baby girl-to-be.

Ferman “Bud” was preceded in death by his parents, Glen Harter and Laura Josephine Noelle; stepfather Arthur Noelle; brothers, John Henry “Johnny” Harter and Patrick Harter; and sisters, Frances Jorgensen, Bessie Jean (Calvin) Smith, and JoAnn (Bob) Ahlman; and the mother of his children, Leonora Jorgensen Harter, as well as many relatives, military buddies, friends, and his dogs.

Gary James Doty, 75, of Vermillion, SD passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.

Gary was born on April 3, 1947 to James and Stella (Steffen) Doty in Winner, SD. After receiving his GED, he joined the South Dakota Army National Guard as a Combat Medic.

Gary married Alice (Thaler) Doty on May 29, 1968 in Bonesteel, SD; they have celebrated 54 years of marriage. Together, Alice and Gary had four children. Throughout the years, Gary worked several jobs as a mechanic and had a love for horses. Gary also enjoyed fishing, hunting, music and playing his guitars, and wood crafting, which he loved sharing with his friends and family. 

Gary is survived by his wife Alice of Vermillion, children Aaron Doty of Vermillion, Tammy (Troy) Dufek of Colome, Danny (Penny) Doty of Irene, and Mark (Chris) Doty of Vermillion, sister Arlene (Stephen) Rezac of Sioux Falls, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents James and Stella Doty, father and mother-in-law Adolph and Jean Thaler, and daughter-in-law Barbara Doty. 

Celebration of Life was held Feb. 3  from 5 pm-7 pm with a prayer service at 6 pm at Kober Funeral Home in Vermillion, SD.  Kober Funeral Home of Vermillion has been entrusted with the services. Condolences may be posted online to www.koberfuneralhome.com.

John Bailey Jones was born March 30, 1927, in Mitchell, SD, to John B. and Grace (Bailey) Jones. Eldest child of a Lyman County homesteader, John grew up in Presho with his sister Margaret Jones Konik and his brother Kenneth Jones.

John enlisted in the US Navy in 1945, taking a bus to boot camp immediately upon graduating from Presho High School that year. John saw service in the naval occupation forces in Japan, as the war ended while he was enroute on a ship. While there, he received a Pacific Fleet Appointment to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis. After attending the Naval Academy Prep School for only one semester, he concluded that his future was in South Dakota, not in service as a naval officer. Following his honorable discharge, John enrolled in the University of South Dakota (go Yotes!), Vermillion, where he obtained a degree in Business Administration in 1951 and a Law degree in 1953.

While attending college, John met a lovely young nursing student from Yankton, Rosemary Wermers, whom he married in 1950. Between 1951 and 1958, the young couple were blessed with six children.

After graduating from Law School, John established a solo law firm in his hometown of Presho. That same summer, he was appointed county judge of Lyman County and his lifetime of public service began. In 1956, the voters elected him to a two-year term in the SD House of Representatives, electing him again in 1958. John continued to practice law until he was appointed to the South Dakota Circuit Court in 1967 by Governor Nils Boe. He presided as a state judge, with his office in Kennebec, SD, until 1981, when President Ronald Reagan appointed him to the federal judiciary as a United States District Court Judge for South Dakota, assigned to the Sioux Falls federal court. John took senior status in 1995, reducing the amount of time he spent on the bench. In 2002, the South Dakota Trial Lawyers association presented Judge Jones with the Fred J. Nichol Award for Outstanding Jurist. Judge Jones was respected as an intelligent, humble, patient, quiet, gentle man who treated everyone fairly and courteously. Attorneys and other court personnel considered him to be a firm but fair judge, and an excellent mentor.

John held many leadership roles on judicial committees and commissions, as well as state and local Bar Associations. including State Bar Commissioner from 1965-1968. Some of John’s service memberships include the Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Lions Club, Presho Methodist Church, Lambda Chi Alpha social fraternity and Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. He also served as a Boys State Counselor and president and vice president of the South Dakota Boys State Corporation. Even after moving from Presho, he frequently returned to assist in the maintenance of the Presho Cemetery, continuing past his eightieth birthday.

Family ranked highest among John’s priorities as he and Rosemary lovingly raised their six children: John Jr. (Shirlene), Bill (Ruth), Mary Lou (Don) Schuh, Dave (Gerry), Judy (Brian) Bauman, and Robert. The young family spent many memorable summers camping together throughout the country and even ran their own campground, giving the children summer jobs and responsibilities. He adored his sixteen grandchildren: Becca (Jeremy) Risty, Matt (Libby) Jones, Liz Jones, Debbi (Bobby Kooiman) Jones, Eric Jones, Chris Jones, Jim (Janeen) Schuh, John (Mary) Schuh, Jeremiah Jones, Nathaniel Jones, Rachel Jones, Scott Bauman, Brett (Jessica) Bauman, Hillary (Robbie) Morgan, TJ Jones, and Juli Jones and his twelve great-grandchildren Anna, Thomas, Emeline, Grace, Luke, Nick, Andrew, Michael, Anne, Emily, Peter, and Thomas. In a scheme to keep their children and grandchildren close, he and Rosemary organized many week-long family reunions throughout the country, once taking the whole crew on a Caribbean Cruise. The grandchildren remember him as “a joyful, calm presence in our lives. He loved dancing at weddings, being with his family, watching the news before falling asleep in his armchair, and saying “yep yep yep yep” in conversation. He spoiled us grandkids with orange pop, pizza, and his stash of M&Ms.” John never missed a family graduation or wedding. He was best friends with his brother Ken Jones (Kay James) of Yankton, with whom he enjoyed many fishing trips and lively political discussions. He also enjoyed a close friendship with fellow Presho attorney Frank Brost and wife Martha.

John’s loving wife Rosemary passed away in 2004 after fifty-four years of marriage. For the past several years, he was blessed with special friend and traveling companion Pauline Buckstead. John enjoyed life fully, whether golfing, gardening, baseball (Twins and Canaries), traveling, fishing, or frequenting local restaurants. During his last few years, he lost a lot of his memories but never, till his dying day, did he lose the essence of himself – he was ever kind, considerate, patient, and polite. The family is extremely grateful to the staff at the Inn on Westport, where John lived the last four years, for caring for him with dignity, respect, and compassion and for helping him through the last few days prior to his passing on Jan. 30, 2023.

John was preceded in death by his wife Rosemary, parents John B. and Grace Jones, sister Margaret Konik, and grandson Scott Bauman.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sioux Rise Lions Club, Feeding South Dakota, the Presho Cemetery Fund, or a charity of your choice.

There was a visitation at Heritage Funeral Home on Sunday, Feb. 5  with family present.  The funeral service was at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls  on Monday, Feb. 6 at 9:30 am.  Interment was at the Presho Cemetery later that day.

Roger Myers, 69, of Winner, SD passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 1st, 2023 in Winner, SD.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Winner 4-H Center in Winner, SD. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023 from 6-7 p.m. with a 7  p.m.prayer service at the Christ Lutheran Church in Winner, SD. Funeral Services will be live streamed through the Mason Funeral Home Facebook page.

Roger Keith Myers, was born on Feb. 18, 1953, in Gregory, SD, the third son, and sixth child to Keith and Lois (Smith) Myers. Roger was taken from his loving family on Feb. 1, 2023, the result of a one vehicle accident south of Winner, SD.

Roger was baptized into the loving arms of Jesus Christ on April 5, 1953, by Pastor Kenneth C Farr in Dallas, SD.

Roger delighted his children with stories of his youth growing up on the family place north of Dixon, SD.  He loved his childhood in rural South Dakota, walking to Dixon Dam to spend the evening catching fish he would never eat or playing baseball as a proud Dixon Dodger.

Not known for his table manners, a young Roger retaliated against sister Lois Ann coaxing him to eat his vegetables once by launching peas across the table at her. He didn’t anticipate a well-timed duck and the buttered peas landed on the wall where it left its permanent stain. The incident was shared many times around the dinner table, a night filled with laughter, some form of punishment but ultimately, the family love that permeated their small home.

Roger attended District 57 Dixon Elementary.  He graduated Gregory High School in 1971 and attended South Dakota State University, in Brookings, SD to pursue a degree in Animal Science. Not only did Roger become a lifelong Jackrabbits fan, but he met the love of his life at Hobo Days in October 1973.  On June 26, 1976, Roger and Marlene Geigle were united in marriage at First Lutheran Church, in Wall, SD.

Soon after the wedding the couple moved to Frazee, MN where he was employed with Daggett Trucking.  A few months later the couple relocated to Dickinson, ND. Though Roger loved driving truck, he didn’t want that lifestyle to raise a family. In 1978, Roger and Marlene made their home northeast of Clearfield, SD. There was so much snow on the ground that January, they didn’t know they had a sidewalk until the following spring.

Two weeks later, after a long drive behind a snowplow, daughter Sherri joined the family. That next spring, while the family loaded out their first crop of calves to sell, Melanie chose that day to make her entrance.  Roger and Marlene were getting used to their two-brown haired/brown eyed daughters and didn’t realize how much the arrival of a special blonde they named Michelle would change the family dynamic for the better. Roger embraced being a “girl” dad for eight years, teaching his daughters the importance of hard work and responsibility, but giving them enough wiggle room to have some great adventures on the place. While Roger and two other families were out moving cows, the end cap to the family, Jay, decided to arrive eight years later.

Roger’s parents instilled the love of 4-H into his children’s lives.  It wasn’t a hobby you tried out as an 8-year-old but a lifelong commitment to Head, Heart, Hands and Health.  He participated in showing all types of livestock and developed a passion that later would become the center of all family vacations.  He shared stories how his parents would take him to the South Dakota State Fair, drop them off on Sunday, only to return the day they showed their animals. The kids were free to roam all day on the midway if the animals were taken care of. At night, they slept in the back of the farm truck next to the cattle barns. His biggest 4-H accomplishment was showing a market steer at the International Livestock Show in Chicago, IL.

Roger was a leader of the Clovervale 4-H Club, where his children were members.  His proudest memories were the kids showing his Registered Polled Herefords and a variety of market steers.  Showing livestock soon expanded from the Mid Dakota Fair to feeder calf shows held in Gregory, Valentine, and Stuart. They also took the family on the road to the Central States Fair, the South Dakota State Fair and the annual family vacation at Western Junior Livestock Show in Rapid City each fall. Roger took this opportunity to renew old friendship, for when he showed livestock during his youth. WJLS was not just a Myers family vacation destination but a Tripp County 4-H family vacation. These traditions with their nuclear and 4-H extended family formed bonds that lasted a lifetime and were ones Roger cherished.

Roger took pride in his small herd of Registered Polled Hereford cattle.  He fed out calves each fall until spring and also sold his yearling bulls all over the Midwest. His family hosted the SD Junior Hereford Field Days in Winner as well as participating in two different SD Hereford Association Hereford Tours.

A servant by nature, Roger was a Tripp County 4-H leader of the Clovervale 4-H Club, Tripp County Fair Board leader and member. He was also a board member of the Rosebud Hereford Association, South Dakota Hereford Association, and served as an advisor to the South Dakota Junior Hereford Association and at the Western Junior Livestock Show.  He also served as a Clerk and Supervisor for Dog Ear Township.

In his short retirement, he spent evenings playing cards with his children and their spouses, talking to other cattleman across the area on his tablet or he could be found at the Ampride, Lil’ Feller (now the Gus Stop) having coffee with the other retired ranchers and farmers. The guys enjoyed lively conversations about beef and grain prices, politics, and fond memories of those that couldn’t make it to coffee going forward. 

Roger is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Marlene (Geigle) Myers of Winner, SD.  His daughter Sherri and Doug Mayes, grandchildren Setiva, Billy, Milo, Miley, and Lovey of Winner, SD.  His daughter Melanie and Lane Bartels, and grandson Hank of Tea, SD.  His daughter Michelle (Shelly) and Lynn Junck, and grandson Dean of Carroll, NE. His son Jay and Sarah Myers, and grandson Christopher of Winner, SD. Siblings Vil Roy and Doris Myers of Frazee, MN.  Larry and Donna Myers of Tyler, MN.  Linda Myers of Hudson, FL. Lela and Dan Platt of Wadena, MN. Lois Ann Quail of Worland, WY. Rebecca Zimmerman of Gregory, SD. Alvina Federwitz of Waxhwa, NC, August and Mary Geigle of Parkston, SD and Patti and Ray Greenseth of Murdo, SD. Roger was also survived by many nephews and nieces and grandnephews and grandnieces, many more friends and family, plus many friends that became family.

Roger was welcomed into heaven by his parents, Keith and Lois Myers, his in-laws Otto and Brigitta (Denke) Geigle.  Brother-in-law’s Carl Geigle, Jerry Axemaker, Dale Federwitz, Bill Goodwin, Richard “Dick” Zimmerman, and Irwin “Butch” Quail, his sister-in-law Zenda Geigle, and young niece Amy Quail.

We ask that you remember Roger by this verse from one of his favorite songs:

And there’s bound to be rough waters, and I know I’ll take some falls,                                                                

but with the good Lord as my captain, I can make it through them all.