James Edwin Kucera was born Jan. 4, 1930 to
Joseph and Rosalia (Hotz) in Gregory, South Dakota. He passed away on May 20, in Gregory, South
Dakota at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center.
Jim was the youngest and grew up on various farms in Gregory County.
After graduating from Gregory High school,
Jim proudly served his country in the Korean War. After his discharge from the Army, he went to
work for Rohr Aviation in Southern California, as a machinist.
On Sept. 14, 1968, Jim married Betty Nash
in Imperial, Calif. and the couple resided in El Cajon, Calif., until Jim
retired.
The couple then moved to Panguitch, Utah,
and after that, they settled in Payson, Arizona. After Betty’s death in 1998, Jim moved to
Winner, South Dakota.
In 2001, he married Darnytia Heying in Winner, South Dakota and resided there for many happy years. Darnytia passed away May 29, 2017.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents,
Joseph and Rosalia, brother, Joseph (Joey) W. Kucera, Jr., sisters, Eleanor
Darnaby, Springfield, Missouri, Viola Hall, Rapid City, South Dakota, and Betty
Fortuna, Gregory, South Dakota.
Survivors include step-children,
Linda Watson (Norman) of Ideal, South
Dakota, Bob Kucera (Shelley) of Winner, South Dakota, Rick Kucera (Lynnette) of
Winner, South Dakota, Darla Jones (Steve) of Rapid City, South Dakota, Brenda
Jorgensen, (Bryan) of Ideal, South Dakota and many nieces, nephews,
grandchildren, great-grandchildren and cousins.
Jim will be laid to rest in the Black Hills National Cemetery, for veterans, with a private family service.
Memorials can be made to the Winner
American Legion, where he was a member.
Prairie Portrait Photo The Tripp County high school rodeo team includes in front from left Garret Phillips, Ashlyn Hoffine, Baylie Hoffine, Saydee Heath, Saylor Schuyler and Rowdy Moore. In back from left are Dusty Sell, Stetson Shelbourn, Burner Schenefeld, Linkyn Petersek, Jack Anderson, Jesse Larson and Riley Shippy.
By Shelley Heath
The Tripp County Rodeo consist of 14 members with students that attend school in Colome and Winner. This week beginning on Tuesday, nine of these members will be performing at state finals held in Ft. Pierre from the June 15-19.
Beginning on Tuesday evening, there will be a round of cutting and reined cow horse. On Wednesday, there will be the second round of cutting and reined cow horse followed with afternoon performances of the short go of cutting and in the evening the short go of the reined cow horse.
Thursday is the start of the regular events with performances starting at 9 am and 5 pm, and the same will continue for Friday. On Saturday, the contestants will compete in the short go beginning at 4 p.m. The top four contestants from each event will then go on to represent the state of South Dakota at National High School Rodeo finals, to be held in Lincoln, NE in July.
Seniors team members are Saydee Heath, CHS, competing in cutting, reined cow horse, breakaway, team roping and goat tying; Baylie Hoffine, CHS, competing in poles and barrels; Linkyn Petersek, CHS, competing in reined cow horse, tie down roping, team roping and steer wrestling. Junior team member competing is Riley Shippy, CHS, competing in bull riding. Sophomore team members competing are Ashlyn Hoffine, CHS, competing in poles and goat tying; Rowdy Moore, WHS, competing in team roping and steer wrestling; Burner Schenefeld, CHS, competing in tie down roping. Freshmen team members are Garret Phillips, WHS, competing in cutting, reined cow horse, team roping and tie down roping; Saylor Schuyler, WHS, competing in barrels and poles.
Results can be viewed on the sdhsra.com web
site and click the tab results.
An author of children’s books, Bruce
Arant will be in Winner on June 17 at the Tripp County Library.
Children will be able to learn about
illustrations and participate with fun, imaginative drawing exercises.
There will be two sessions: 10 -11 a.m.
and 1-2 p.m.
There is limited seating and persons
can call the library at 842-0330 to reserve a spot.
Arant is self-taught in a variety of
mediums that include chalk pastel, oil pastel, graphite, ink, colored pencil
and watercolor.
He has authored and illustrated two
traditionally published books and has illustrated a number of books for
authors.
Arant’s book, Simpson’s Sheep won’t Go to Sleep has garnered attention including two 2014 Nebraska book awards, nominee for the 2015-2016 Golden Sower Award, selected to represent the state of Nebraska at the 2015 national book festival, placement on the Nebraska 150 book list.
A follow up sequel, Simpson’s Sheep
Just Want to Sleep received the 2018 Nebraska Book award for best children’s picture book.
The book also represented the state of Nebraska at the 2019 national book
festival.
Arant maintains a very active speaking
schedule with regard to his writing and illustrating work.
He engages audiences in elementary
schools, public libraries, teacher’s conferences and community organizations
with lively book readings and fun-filled imagination-driven exercises.
Prior to launching Arant Creative Group
as a full time illustrator, author and editor, he enjoyed a career of nearly 20
years in the magazine and custom publishing industry where he held a variety of
editorial and creative positions.
Arant graduated from the University of
Nebraska with a degree in marketing.
Funeral services for Vernon Kerner age 72 of Gregory, South Dakota, will be held on Friday, June 18 at 10:30 a.m. at St John Lutheran Church, Gregory, SD. Burial will follow in the IOOF Cemetery of Gregory.
There will be a prayer service at 7 pm on Thursday night at the church. Visitation will be one hour prior to both services.
Patricia Clausen, 79, of Burke, SD passed
away peacefully on Sunday, June 13, 2021 at the Ava’s House in Sioux Falls,
SD.
Funeral service will be held on Thursday,
June 17, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Union Baptist Church in Burke, SD. Burial will follow in the Graceland
Cemetery. A visitation will be held on
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. at the Clausen Funeral Home in Burke,
SD.
Patricia Lou was born on Oct. 25, 1941 to Herman and Zella (Bartlett) Larsen in Colome, SD. She and her five sisters grew up in South Dakota on farms south of Colome by the Keya Paha River, north of Hamill, southwest of Carter, and northwest of Winner. Pat loved her parents and enjoyed spending time with her sisters and their families. In her later years, Pat and her sisters remained close and savored their time together.
Pat attended Nelson Grade School in Todd County for eight years. In the summer she raised ducks and saved enough money to buy a suitcase for freshman year at boarding school in Mission, SD. In 1956, her family moved near Winner, SD and she finished high school there, graduating in 1959. Pat attended Southern State Teacher’s College, graduated in 1962, and taught at one-room country schools in Gregory County for three years. Many years later in 1994, Pat resigned from her 8-year post as Title 1 tutor at the Burke Elementary School and set her sights on the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. In May 1997, Pat graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and taught elementary school in Springview, Nebraska, then Witten, SD. She retired in 2009. She dearly loved all her students!
On Aug. 15, 1962, Patricia Lou married Glen Paul Clausen and from this union four wonderful children were born: Pamela Jean, Robley Paul, Lorinda Lou, and Brian Henry. Glen and Pat made their home in Burke, SD for 38 years, working in the family business at Clausen Funeral Home and raising their children. In June 2001 they separated, and a peaceful divorce was final in August 2001.
Pat’s most important career was being the
best Christian wife and mother she could be. She tried to be there for her
children, supporting them with prayer in whatever they endeavored to pursue.
Pat spent countless quality time with her four children – playing games, doing
creative artwork, reading, singing, talking about Jesus, enjoying nature,
helping with homework, and playing in the yard. Pat especially loved being a
grandmother and her truest delight was spending time with her grandchildren and
great grands.
Patricia accepted Christ as her Lord and
Savior when she was eleven years old while attending Church Camp in the Black
Hills. How did she get there? Well, she and scores of other kids rode in a
semitrailer used for hauling cattle! Pat’s faith in God was the cornerstone of
her life and she shared Jesus with others by her acts of service and
kindness. Pat was a champion for the
underdog and dearly loved her elderly friends, helping them with rides to
church, doctor appointments, and chatting over coffee. She missed them so when
they were gone.
She was an active member of the Union
Baptist Church and enthusiastically served wherever needed. Pat loved children
and teaching them about Jesus as well as encouraging young people in their
faith; to that end she was especially passionate about two ministries: Camp
Judson, serving as Camp Judson Scholarship Coordinator, and The Rock,
supporting its outreach mission to the youth of our community.
Pat is preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Zella Larsen, sisters Beverly and Phyllis; in-laws Henry and Phillis Clausen; the father of her children, Glen Clausen; Great-grandson, Archer Jones; brothers-in-law, Cameron Clausen, Guy Farley, and Delbert Paulson.
Patricia is survived by her daughter,
Pamela (Jim) Klein of Gregory, SD; son, Robley (Cyrele) Clausen of Emporia
Kansas; daughter Lorinda Clausen of Minneapolis, MN; son Brian (Amy) Clausen of
Sioux Falls, SD; Granddaughter Tricia Jean (Klein) and Dylan Jones and their
daughters, Jordan Lee, Wren Patricia, and Autumn Jean; Granddaughter Jamie Lynn
(Klein) and Rio Jones and their children Jayden Michael, Mckenzi Jo, Keaton
Jay, and Cash Rio. Granddaughter Coley Clausen and grandsons Tony and Steve
Clausen; Sisters Evelyn Farley, Sena (Dennis) Lauritsen, Mary (Jerry) Fisher;
sister-in-law, Midge Clausen; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Memorials may be directed to the Union
Baptist Camp Judson Scholarship Fund or The Rock.
“Because He lives, I am in Heaven. Because
He lives, all tears are gone. God took me home, I’ve crossed that River, and I
am with my precious Jesus all the time.”
Submitted Photo Scott Hollenbeck, treasurer of the Tripp County 4-H Leaders Corporation, presented Bonnie Rutten, chairman of the Tripp County building facility committee with a check for $20,000 to be used for the new building being constructed at the Tripp County Fairgrounds along with new livestock pens for the building. These funds will make a total of $30,000 the Tripp County 4-H Leaders have given to building projects at the Tripp County Fairgrounds. Previously, the leaders gave $10,000 for renovations of the existing dairy barn. The leaders have been saving up funds over the past few years and are glad to see the dreams of improvements and renovations at the fairgrounds are coming to fruition. Supporting all the 4-H programs, 4-H youth and continuing to make improvements of the facility are the perpetual goals of the Tripp County 4-H Leaders. None of this could not be done without all the volunteers and donors.
Amanda Blare received a scholarship to
attend a South Dakota FFA leadership retreat this summer.
FFA members were able to write an essay
how their FFA adviser impacted their lives.
Twenty-five students had their essays
chosen and will receive a scholarship. Blare received the Walt Johnson memorial
scholarship.
As part of her essay, Blare
wrote: “Mrs. Nicole Roth gave me opportunities to learn and grow. Without her
pushing me to do more and work harder, I would still be a shy little blond
sitting in the back and never standing up for myself. Because of her, I have
self confidence. She doesn’t get nearly enough credit for the awesome things
she does.
The regional high school rodeo will be
held in Winner at the Tripp County Fairgrounds June 11, 12 and 13.
About 120 cowboys and cowgirls will be
vying for a spot in the state rodeo finals which starts June 15 in Ft. Pierre.
The rodeo on Friday will start at 1
p.m. with cutting and reined cow horse.
The rodeo on Saturday starts at noon
and on Sunday at 10 a.m.
The Tripp County contestants in the
rodeo are: seniors, Saydee Heath, Colome High School; Baylie Hoffine, CHS;
Linkyn Petersek, CHS; juniors, Riley Shippy, CHS; Dusty Sell, CHS; Jesse
Larson, CHS; sophomores, Rowdy Moore, Winner High School; Ashlyn Hoffine, CHS;
Burner Schenefeld, CHS; freshmen Garret
Phillips, WHS: Saylor Schuyler, WHS; Bailey Fairbanks, WHS; Stetson
Shelbourn, WHS and Jack Anderson, CHS.
Justin and Shelley Heath are the Tripp
County high school rodeo advisors.
The stock contractor for the timed
events is Brent and Jennie Belkham of Blundt. Donnie Moore is the stock
contractor for the rough stock.
The announcer in the large arena is
Cody Kartak and in the small arena is the Rick Odenbach family.
Andrew Odden will be one of the bull fighters.
There will be a concession stand all
three days of the rodeo.
The local regional rodeo committee
members are: Marty and Roni Phillips, Justin and Shelley Heath, Ben Kartak,
Jentrie Maurer, Andrew Odden, Jerry Salonen, Kirby Kartak and Danielle
Schubert.
Graveside services for Patricia Joan Tracy
were held May 20 at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Gregory.
Patricia Joan Tracy was born on Dec. 26, 1931, in Burke, SD, the only child of Elmer “Cordy” and Edna (Hall) Hansen. Pat grew up on the family farm until they moved into the home they built in Gregory. Pat graduated from Gregory High School in 1950 and then attended a two-year nursing school in Sioux Falls. After graduating from nursing school, she began her career in nursing at the Winner Hospital.
Pat married John Tracy and they had one child Scott Tracy. The family moved to Pharr, Texas, and Pat worked at McAllen General Hospital. She later retired from nursing and started her own company, USA Medical Placement. She ran that company for more than 10 years. She retired when she was diagnosed with dementia in 2019.
Pat had a love of fishing that started when she was on the family farm as a little girl which stayed with her all her life. Pat was a great cook and was known to have the best sloppy Joes.
Pat loved her poodles Precious 1, 2 and 3 and Pepe. Pat took her poodles with her everywhere.
Pat moved into The Bridges of Mission Assisted Living in Mission, Texas, and lived there until her death at the age of 89 years on Dec. 30, 2020.
Patricia is survived by her only son Scott Tracy and daughter in law Shannon Tracy; four grandsons Wesley Mann, Michael Tracy, Ryan Tracy and Sean Tracy; great grandchildren Gage Mann, Kylie Mann, Isaac Tracy, Sky Tracy, Ryder Tracy, Everleigh Tracy and Easton Tracy.
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