Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

William Harter, 81

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Private family funeral services for William Harter, 81, Winner were held on Jan. 30 at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory. Burial was in the Colome city cemetery.

William Wayne Harter was born April 9, 1939 at his parent’s home near Wewela, SD. Bill grew up on the family farm and after graduating he worked on a ranch at Cody, NE.

Bill enlisted in the National Guard on Oct. 8, 1962 and served for six and a half years. He did his basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. During his time with the National Guard, Bill was promoted to Mess Sergeant. It was noted on his Honorable discharge that he was a sharp shooter with a M14 rifle.

On April 7, 1962, Bill married Dianne Kostal and they made their home in Winner, SD. To this union three children were born: Toni, Brad, and Dustin. On Nov. 22, 2007, Bill was baptized in the Lutheran Church.

Bill was employed at Winner Welding for 17½ years. He bought the family farm near Wewela and farmed for many years. During this time, Bill was self-employed in trucking and hauling hay out of state until he retired. He was also a volunteer fireman for 25 years.

Bill was known for always having a deck of cards with him and being ready for a game of pitch. The joy of Bill’s life was his grandchildren. He enjoyed teaching his kids and grandkids to play cards. If he wasn’t playing cards with his family, he could be found any place that was feasible to play pitch whether it was on the hood of a truck or sitting in a vehicle.

Bill passed away peacefully on Jan. 26, 2021, at Winner Regional Hospital after battling a lengthy illness at the age of 81 years.

Bill is survived by his wife, Dianne of Winner, SD; one daughter, Toni Harter of Rock Spring, WY; two sons Brad (Jennifer) Harter of Sedan, KS, and Dustin (Amanda) Harter of Baltic, SD; two brothers, George Harter of Sioux Falls and Ralph Harter of Box Elder; two sisters, Velma Croston of Winner and Faye Condon of Winner; six grandchildren: Jon, Justin, Jessica, Jaden, Jared, and Joey; and four great grandchildren.   Bill was preceded in death by his parents James and Mildred Harter, two infant brothers, a sister Ruth Swartz, and a brother James Harter.

Joan Hughes, 90

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 Joan Hughes, 90, of Winner, SD passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Facility in Winner, SD. 

Celebration of Life was held on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 at 7 p.m. at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner, SD.  Burial  followed in the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 at noon MT. 

Joan Jessie Crooker was born Oct. 19, 1930 to Joe and Grace Crooker at Exeter, NE. She grew up on the ranch south of Ainsworth, NE. Many childhood memories were made by Joan and her two sisters Louise and Birdeen and later in life her brother Steve.

 At the age of 18, Joan met the love of her life, Ralph, who proposed to her on Ikenberg Hill.  She shared this story many times over the years with her family, as it was one of their most cherished memories and can be recited word for word by her grand son-in-law “Tree”. They were married on May 20, 1948, just 3 days after she graduated from Ainsworth High School. To this union came three children Virginia, Judy, and Bev. They lived on the ranch and later moved to Ainsworth, Neb.. From there, they moved to Wewela, SD to raise pigs on the Mullen place. Unfortunately, the pigs all drowned in a rain storm. Many memories were made there, like Judy’s broken arm (thanks Joan). Then in 1963, they moved to Colome, South Dakota where they owned and operated Hughes Propane for 17 years. After selling the propane business, they moved back to Ainsworth for a short time to care for Ralph’s father. They then moved to Winner, where they managed an apartment complex. Joan went to work at the Outlaw Trading Post for several years. Ralph and Joan then owned and operated the Dakota Inn for many years. She then started working at the Baptist Hospital, where she would become the director of housekeeping, a job that she absolutely loved and forever told stories about and only retired because she couldn’t stand the thought of her great grandbabies going to day care.  After she retired from the hospital, she and Ralph enjoyed family gatherings, trips to Oklahoma to visit Virginia and family, and she even enjoyed the long fishing trips they took together.

Joan’s memory will forever be cherished by her daughters and their families. Memories and stories alike reveal that she always looked to the positive side of things, found the best in people, and cared for all around her.  Even until the very end when she knew she was going to meet her forever love, she was worried about her family, but was promised they would be taken care of and was at absolute peace that we can all only hope to have.   Her kindness to strangers could only be outshined by her love for her family. Joan made sure that anyone that ever visited her left with a full stomach and an even fuller heart. Joan will always be remembered as the “best grandma in history” and there has never been a closer family than the one she is leaving behind.

She is survived in death by her daughters, Virginia Ezzell, Judy (Roger) Nagel, Bev (Dave) Vaughn; her grandchildren: Todd (Shelly) Pechota, Dawn (Don) Gordon, Kim Nagel, Domini Turnquist (Blake Benedict), Brandi (Robbie) Lewis, Tommy (Dayris) Vaughn; great grandchildren: Samantha (Charlie) Hunsaker, Kaleb (Ameilia) Curtis, Kennede (Reed Driscoll), Klaycie (Justin) Olson, Jonathan Guptill, Doug (Kassie) Gordon, Steven (Katelyn) Gordon, Baleigh (Forrest) Cerv, Cohl Turnquist (Dacey Kocer), Wyatt Turnquist, Chaney Lewis, Kenndal Turnquist, Cade Lewis, Chandler Benedict, Legend Benedict, and Reagan Vaughn; great great grandchildren Tayden Pechota, Gracie Olson, Lincoln Olson, Liam Olson, Jackson Driscoll, Maverick Curtis, and Wakely Cerv; Addison Gordon and Remi Dot Gordon, Brother Steve (Jan) Crooker and several nieces and nephews.

She is proceded in death by her husband Ralph; parents Grace and Joe Crooker, in-laws Thomas and Ruth Hughes, sisters Lousie McBride, Birdeen McDermott, grandson Robert (Bobby) Nagel.

As one of her granddaughters always told her when we talked about faith and the hereafter….  “you did good Gram”

Harold Cahoy, 90

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Harold Cahoy, a resident of Sun Lakes, AZ since 1996,

 passed away peacefully in his home on Feb. 7, 2021.

Harold was born July 9, 1930 in Tripp County, South Dakota. On June 21, 1958, he married Joan Sheehan in LeMars, Iowa.  He attended South Dakota State College and the University of South Dakota, and graduated from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska School of Medicine in 1958.  He completed his medical internship in Lincoln, Neb., then a four-year general surgery residency in Cleveland, Ohio.  He was board certified in general surgery and was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

During the Korean War, he served with the US Army command in Alaska.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife Joan and grandson  Ryan McMullan. 

He is survived by his daughter Ann Cahoy Okner (Marc) of Garner, NC,  daughter Susan McMullan (Bob) of Lino Lakes, MN,  son Patrick Cahoy (Laura) of Chandler, AZ,  daughter Mary Lipinsky (Joe) of Sammamish, WA, and grandchildren Kyle, Ally,TJ and Maggie.

 The family plans a private burial service at Queen of

 Heaven Cemetery in Mesa, AZ.

Richard and Sara Grim Receive 2020 Hugh Hammond Bennett Award for Conservation Excellence

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Submitted Photo
Richard and Sara Grim on their ranch in Gregory County. The 3,600 acre ranch has
been in Saras family for generations.

Richard and Sara Grim have been named the winners of the Conservation Producer 2020 Hugh Hammond Bennett Award for Conservation Excellence for their outstanding conservation efforts on their ranch, Grim Ranch, in Gregory County.

The National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP) recognized the Grims at the National Association of Conservation Districts 75th Annual Meeting. In describing their accomplishments, Mike Brown, Executive Director of the National Association of State Conservation Agencies and co-chair of the NCPP said, “Richard and Sara Grim are true pioneers in their conservation efforts. Their desire to uphold the highest standard of conservation is evident in every decision they make for their ranch. If I were starting out in ranching tomorrow, these are the two people I would want as role models.”

“Beef, its what’s for dinner” sign on Grim ranch.Grim Ranch is located in south central SD, west of the Missouri River, near the Nebraska state line. The 3,600 acre ranch has been in Sara’s family for generations. The land is rugged and good for raising livestock if there is a nearby water supply and high-quality forage.

Ranching can be difficult under any circumstances, but the Grim Family and many of their neighbors have found themselves fighting a battle with a formidable enemy the past few years – the eastern red cedar. These trees are rapidly infesting open lands and choking out native grasses, changing the ecology and amount of grazing land available in many areas of the state. To help control the invasive cedars, Rich and Sara pioneered prescribed burns in their area. 

Because of the positive outcomes of the prescribed burns, the Grims joined with like-minded neighbors, conservation professionals, and partners to establish the Mid-Missouri River Prescribed Burn Association. This association is the first of its kind in the state and has successfully raised grant dollars to treat 2,000 acres annually. Sara is proud to serve as the association’s secretary/treasurer.  

Richard and Sara were early adopters of cover crops and have also incorporated other innovative practices like tissue sampling to ensure their nutrient application is more precise and effective. They have worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Gregory County Conservation District for years on a comprehensive and flexible resource management plan that integrates conservation practices to improve pasture design and utilization, combat invasive plants, reduce erosion, improve water access, improve forages, and manage nutrients. 

The couple is eager to learn and share their experiences. In addition to hosting numerous tours and workshops, they serve as mentors for those who need help in building healthier soil, crops, or livestock. They are proud members of South Dakota’s Grasslands Coalition and Soil Health Coalition. You can hear their success story in the YouTube series called “Our Amazing Grasslands“ www.bit.ly/GrimRanch .

Brandon Walter, NRCS Biologist and former District Conservationist in Gregory County says, “I had the privilege of working with Rich and Sara to plan and carry out numerous practices over many years as part of their conservation plan. They are conscientious operators with the integrity for doing what is right and good, not only for their business, but for the health of our natural resources. I can think of no one more deserving of this award.”

The local field staff in Gregory County will be recognized as part of this award acknowledging their technical assistance in helping the Grim Family develop and implement their conservation plan. Congratulations to Andrew Steffen, NRCS District Conservationist, Brandon Walter, NRCS Biologist, Kenneth Steele, Gregory County Conservation District’s Manager, and Tina Schonebaum, Gregory County Conservation District’s Secretary.

The Hugh Hammond Bennett Award is named in memory of the man credited with raising awareness about the critical importance of soil conservation during and after the Dust Bowl. Bennett believed that real and lasting change on the land comes from developing and following a conservation plan that is designed exclusively for a plot of land based on the available resources, resource issues, and producer’s goals. The NCPP was established in 2015 to emphasize the critical role that conservation planning plays in advancing voluntary conservation efforts on private lands. The NCPP is made of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Association of Conservation Districts, National Association of State Conservation Agencies, National Conservation District Employees Association, and National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils. For more information visit www.ncpp.info.

Animal Clinic has been in business for 60 years

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The Animal Clinic has been in business for 60 years. They were honored by the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce. Pictured from left are Dr. Rachael Miller, Dr. Laura Handcock, Shara McCall, Dr. Eric Heath, Taylor Lambrecht, Denice Novotny, Hannah Welsh, Beth Lindwurm, Sherri Mayes, Jessica Adams and Dr. Tom Covey. Not pictured is Lisa Mammen.

COVID-19

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Tripp County has 17 active cases of COVID-19.

 As of Monday, Feb. 15, there were no new cases.

Since the pandemic started Tripp County has had 643 recovered cases.

There have been 15 COVID deaths in Tripp County.

Statewide, a total of 44 new cases were reported Monday. The state total active cases is 2,092 with 106,440 recovered.

Currently, there are 86 persons hospitalized.

There have been 1,844 statewide deaths.

Northern State University finished with an undefeated season

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Wyatt Turnquist of the Northern State University wrestling team takes down the University of Mary’s, Chandler Mooney, in the 149 pound match. Turnquist won 7-1

Wyatt Turnquist of Winner, a member of the Northern State University wrestling team won a 7-1 over Chandler Mooney of the University of Mary on Thursday in Aberdeen.

Northern finished with an undefeated season and won the NSIC championship.

This was Northern’s first NSIC title since 2002.