Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

Helen Bernice (Hansen) Kirsch passed away on Dec. 19, 2020, at Sturgis Monument Health Hospital surrounded by her loving family.

 Helen was born on April 24, 1932, to Chancey and Alice (Adkins) Hansen on the family farm in Carter, SD.  She grew up with six sisters and three brothers. Helen attended rural school in Carter and graduated from Witten High School. 

She was married to Gordon Kirsch for 35 years, to this union eight children were born.  Helen’s family was her pride and joy.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life and she enjoyed every moment with them.

 Helen made her home in Sturgis the last 50 years after traveling and moving throughout the United States.  Helen worked at Sparrows Bakery for many years.  She delighted all of her customers with her warm smile and caring personality.

Helen cherished company at her home.  She always had a cup of coffee ready for any family or friends that stopped by. Many shared conversation and laughter at her kitchen table.  She loved late nights playing Yahtzee and Wahoo.  On Sundays you would find her watching her beloved Kansas City Chiefs.  She spent her past time visiting on the phone, listening to her scanner and staying in touch with Facebook.  She never forgot a birthday.  Her birthday calls and cards will forever be missed.  

 Helen was baptized in the Methodist Church and was a member of the VFW Auxiliary.

 Thankful for sharing her life are her children, Leslie (Al) of Sturgis; Billy (Brenda) of Pringle; and Kevin of Custer; son-in-law, Gary Budish of Park River, ND; her grandchildren, Derrick Budish, Trevor (Rachel) Papenfuss, Justin (Misty) Papenfuss, Lindsey (Brent) Taylor, Jamie Kirsch, Ryan (Sara) Kirsch, Travis (Alona) Kirsch, Kacee Kirsch, Christian (Kirsten) Kirsch and Katelyn Kirsch; great-grandchildren, Casey, Seth, Brook and Morgan Papenfuss, Kyle, Dane and Reed Papenfuss, Jozlyne, Payton and Madilyne Taylor, Kierra, Jet and Dominic Kirsch, Nellie Kirsch, Chevelle and Lucas Hudson; sisters, Ardith Francescoto, Golden CO, Adeline Vavra, Winner, SD, Gladys Elder, Carter, SD, and Margaret (John) Leetch of Rapid City, SD; and sister-in-laws, Virginia Hansen, Casper, WY, and Karen Hansen, Winner, SD; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

 She was preceded by her parents; her infant son; her twin daughters at birth, Margret Ann, and Mary Ann; daughter, Shelly Budish; and son, Lionel (Doc) Kirsch; granddaughter, Shannon Kirsch; her siblings, Leonard Hansen, Audrey Clubb, Zina “Zike” Hansen, Lewis Hansen, and Mary Lou Bernard.   

 As so eloquently said by her great-granddaughter, Helen was the most selfless person in the world that gave her life to her family.

 Memorial services were held  Dec. 29, 2020, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis, SD.

A memorial has been establishedCondolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.

Ronald Dale Edwards, 81, of Winner, SD passed away peacefully Dec. 14, 2020 at the Avera Sacred Heart Majestic Bluffs nursing home in Yankton, SD. 

A private family service was held Dec. 18. Burial followed in the Winner city cemetery.

Ronnie, or Big R as some knew him, was born April 10, 1939 in Burwell NE to Rudolph and Fern Edwards.  Growing up the family moved around NE, WY, and SD eventually settling in the Winner area.  Ronnie spent his adult life in the Winner and Wood areas running the Edwards Oil Company, ran a fleet of trucks with Edwards Trucking, order buying cattle, and working the ranch north of Wood.  Ronnie employed many truck drivers from the area and kept his sons busy pumping gas and cleaning windows at the oil station.  He was a keen business man that was always crunching numbers to better his businesses.

Ronnie was a pilot in his younger years and flew several times with friends to Mexico for fishing trips.  He was an excellent pool player.  He also enjoyed a good card game, and on occasion a good argument.

Of the many hats Ronnie wore, his favorite was working as an order buyer.  He enjoyed his time spent in the sale barn.  He could look at a steer from 30 yards away and tell you what it weighted and tell you what it was worth.  He was never off by much, if at all.

It has been said there are 3 ways to do things; the right way, the wrong way, and Ronnie’s way.  Which of course is right, still.

He was a good man most of the time, a hard man a lot of the time, but a man all of the time.  He was my father and I’ll miss him.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents Rudolph and Fern Edwards, an infant daughter Julie, and brother Wayne Edwards.   

Ronnie is survived by his wife Judy Edwards of 47 years, Daughter Allison (Doug) Moeller, sons; Ryan (Aryan), Justin (Rachelle), Richard (Beth) and daughter Amy, sisters; Melba (JD) Olson, Carolyn (William) Hinks, Marilyn (Mick) Wooden, and brother Marcus (Delores), grandchildren; Lacey, Amanda and Dale, their mother Cindi, Rudy and Gus, their mother Tennille, Ruby and Rose, Samantha, Morgan, Teagan and Kaine,  great –grandchildren Faith, Alexandrea, Gregary and Remmie.

Betty Spotted Elk, 87, of Winner, SD passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020 at the Winner Regional Long-Term Care Facility in Winner, SD. 

Funeral service was held on Monday, Dec. 21, 2020 at the St Francis Community Hall in St Francis at 11 a.m.  Burial followed in the St Charles Cemetery. 

Betty was born on Aug. 1, 1933 in Saint Francis, SD. 

Betty was a traditional dancer all of her life and won many awards and championships throughout her years.  She was a movie star and was in Man Called Horse, journey through Rosebud.  Betty was also a foster parent, a scout leader, and always loved her music and like to sing Lakota gospel a long time ago—Sioux for Christ.

Betty was a member of St. Joseph and St. Mary Society, Sicaugu Burn Theigh  Society.  She always loved her holidays and liked to travel to pow-wows, meetings,  Betty was a businesswoman , she had stands at pow-wows, sold fireworks, and had Hock’s Snack Bar in St. Francis.

 Paternal Grandparents; George Spotted Elk & Stell Castaway, Swift Crockery Maternal Grandparents; Felix Crazybull & Nellie White Wash, Crazybull, Spotted Elk

 Parents; Leo Spotted Elk Sr. & Jennie Crazybull, Spotted Elk

Siblings; Leo Spotted Elk Jr., Anthony Spotted Elk, Aleta Spotted Elk, Michah, Russell, Felix Eagleman, Melvin Spotted Elk, Dawn, Melvin (Beno) Jr., Ember Son; Felix Hock and adopted son Joseph Bracha.