Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

Archie Robert  Bice passed away on Oct. 17 in Florida after a lengthy illness of recurring cancer.

He was born March 14, 1947, to Melvin and Roberta Bice of Ideal. He joined five other children on the farm, then three children making a total of nine sibblings.

He graduated from Winner High School in 1965 going on to attend Colorado State University in Ft. Collins graduating in June 1969.

He married Marilyn McCurdy of Denver right after graduation and started work at Dupont Company in Delaware where he spent his entire 40 year career. The couple started their family in 1974 and had two children, Brandon and Devon.

He spent the first ten years doing technical and research work and then managed technical organizations in support of research and development, plant design and manufacturing support.

Bice became the business engineer manager for Dupont’s carpet fiber and flooring business in the mid-90’s and managed Dupont’s engineering and processing equipment during his later years, retiring in 2009.

Accomplishments include being named primary patent holder for the chemical reactor used in manufacturing of Kevlar (R), the material used in making police and military bullet proof vests, personal armour and aircraft, aerospace and sports equipment. He had several other patents for the manufacture of Neoprene rubber and composite materials.

He and his wife lived in Delaware and Pennsylvania, later moving to Florida where they resided at the time of his death.

They traveled the world both for work and pleasure. They had been to most of the countries in Europe, Moracco, South Africa, Zambia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Mexico, Caribbean Islands, Alaska, Hawaii, Sweden and Russia.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; son, Brandon (Jill) and children Ella, Cody, Tara and daughter Devon Hilton (Will) and children Addison, Rianne and Liam. Also surviving are brothers Richard (Betty), Don (Ardy), Jon (Karen), Greg (Sis); sisters Betty (Dale ) Waters, Vesta (Laverne) Frank and Debbie (Lennie) Steffen.

Preceding him in death were his parents, a sister, Patricia.

At his request no funeral was held. His ashes will be dropped in the ocean at his beach house in Delaware this summer.

Ruby Carlson, 90, of Winner, SD passed away on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020 at the Winner Regional Health Care Center in Winner, SD.

 Private family funeral services was held on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the Winner United Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Ruby Mae Johnson was born in Winner, SD on Sept. 25, 1930 to Paul and Irene Johnson.  She passed away on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020 due to complications from COVID 19.

Ruby was the youngest child of Paul and Irene Johnson of Hamill, SD, joining siblings Paul, Jr. (Bud) and Alice.  Ruby was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Hamill, SD, that her grandfather had built.  From stories passed down from family she apparently had an abundance of energy as a child which continued through her life.  Starting school at age three, beginning to drive the family’s Model A at age five, riding her bike or horse to Hamill to see special friends or to Snow Dam to catch fish for her beloved Daddy, she was always on the move.

As with all the Johnson kids, she had a nickname, Johnny.  It stuck with her through life.  She attended high school in Winner, loved being a majorette and twirling lighted batons.  She did her part for the war effort babysitting her nephew during the summers so his mother could work for the Ordinance department in Igloo, SD. She worked on the school paper, “The Rodeo”.  During that time part of her duties were to mail copies of the paper to alumni who were active duty WWII servicemen.  Her classmate slipped her picture and a note into one of the serviceman’s paper saying, “you have to meet this girl”.  The serviceman wrote back after seeing the picture and said, “I am going to marry this girl” and on Jan. 1, 1948 Ruby married Harry Jr. (Sug) Carlson.  To this union two boys, Russell and Bradley and two girls, Crystal and Robin were born.  Jr. and Ruby lived on the family ranch raising Hereford cattle, kids and huge gardens for the next 53 years. Early in their marriage they joined a group who “square danced on horses”.  She loved to ride.  Ruby joined the Millboro Congregational Church after marriage and was the secretary for many years as well as teaching Sunday and Bible School, maintenance and decorating.  The back pew on the right side was “our” pew and the floor reveals the scuff marks to prove it.  On the ranch Mom did whatever was needed from maintaining a clean house, cooking lots of meals, filling lunchboxes with homemade goodies, harvesting gardens/wild berries, huge, delicious lunches during breaks in pheasant hunting opening weekend, working in the field with her cowboy hat and red lipstick on, painting and shingling the buildings, helping us find the first spring kittens, keeping calves in the porch or basement and fighting to save them as if she had given birth to them!  She could fix anything…even a flat tire with a baton as a jack handle while wearing a white dress and heels.  But her favorite thing to fix?  Ranch fence.  She loved it; it was her thing!  She even got a new wire stretcher for a gift and still loved all of us!  Dad always said if it wasn’t for Mom the ranch would not have survived.   She enjoyed crafting with friends, casino outings, crocheting many blankets, family trips to the Black Hills, Denver Stock Show and later trips just with Dad.   She supported all of her kids during sporting events/activities and when grandkids were participating, she did her best to be there also!

Dad and Mom moved to Winner “to retire”.  Moving off the ranch was incredibly hard for Mom, but she kept busy as always.  She loved to mow the lawn with her riding lawnmower and if the grass was even a “hair” long it got cut….and at terrifying breakneck speeds!  Mom finally, begrudgingly, retired the mower at the age of 89.

Mom taught us to love the Lord, persevere through hardships and loss, celebrate the victories, instilled in us a strong work ethic, and to love and care for your family and friends.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sibling, aunt and friend to all who knew her.  As this generation passes from the Carlson family, we will take our memories of this incredible woman and pass them on to the next generation.

Ruby is survived by her children, Russ (Deb) Lucas, TX; Brad (Vicki) Colome, SD; Crystal (Wally) Walton, Rapid City, SD; Robin (Vern) Millin, Wright, WY; Sister Alice Schuette, Newcastle, WY; Grandchildren/great grandchildren, Jason (Rachel) Carlson, Sydney and Sloane; Jesse Walton; Lindsey (Travis) Wieck, Drake, Bodie and Nile; Chelsea (Jake) Short, Denali; Cassidy (Shelby) Walton, Clay and Laramie; Bridget (Chase) Ryno, Huxley and Paxley; Clint Carlson; Dallas Millin; Nieces, Judy Janak and Jean Kelley; Nephews, Brent Rahn and Doug Addington.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Sug; her parents and parent in-laws, brother Bud and numerous other special family and friends.

Ronald Teigh, 74, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2020 at the Winner Regional Long-Term Care Facility in Winner, SD. 

A memorial service will be held this coming spring.  Burial will be held at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

Ron was born Dec. 27, 1945 to Floyd and Margie Teigh.

Ron attended Winner High School and graduated in 1964. After graduation, Ron joined the National Guard and served his country during Desert Storm, serving in Germany, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. After discharging from the National Guard, Ron returned to Winner where he worked at several cafes and was known for his famous omelets. While living in Winner, Ron met the love of his life, Bonnie Willamson. The two were united in marriage in 1971. To this union, a daughter and a son were born: Melinda and Jason.

In his free time, Ron enjoyed playing cards and bowling, but most of all, he enjoyed sitting on the deck with his grandchildren: Kylie, Austin, Colton and Jayden.

Ron is survived by his wife of 49 years, Bonnie; his daughter Melinda (Orville) Schroeder of Winner, son Jason Teigh of Aberdeen; Grandchildren: Kylie Schroeder, Colton Schroeder, Austin Schroeder, and Jayden Schroeder, all of Winner; Great-Granddaughter: Presley Schroeder of Mitchell; Sister: Penny (John) Vaughn of Winner, Sheri (Randy) Blare of Sioux Falls; Brother: Terry Teigh of Winner.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Margie Teigh; parents-in-law, James (Tiny) and Lucille Williamson; brother-in-law, Don Williamson.

Ron will be greatly missed by all.

David Hibbs Sr., 59, of Kearney, NE passed away on Nov., 26, 2020 at the Kearney Regional Hospital in Kearney, NE.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Dec., 5, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

David Alan Hibbs was born on May 13, 1961, in Hastings, Neb. to Donald and Maryleen Hibbs. He was raised in Superior, Neb., and attended Superior Public Schools until he graduated from Superior High School in 1979.

He married Sheryl Marie Carpenter on Aug. 9, 1980. He adopted Sheryl’s daughter Jennifer Renae Hibbs on June 1, 1980. They had a son David Alan Hibbs Jr. born on Jan. 28, 1981 and another son Jason Lynn Hibbs was born on June 26, 1983. He became a Law enforcement officer on May 10, 1981. His career as a cop ended on Aug. 19, 1992 in Guymon, Okla., due to a back injury by a suspect he was arresting. He was retired out and on disability until he passed away on Nov. 26th, 2020.

David is survived by his daughter Jennifer Renae Hibbs (Alex), son David Alan Hibbs Jr., son Jason Lynn Hibbs (Maggie); Grandchildren: Jaymee Hibbs, Britney Hibbs, Dylan Hibbs, Aclynn Osterbuhr, Aayden Hibbs, Caitlynn Anderson and Chloe Blank; One sister, Lori Fennell; His parents, Donald and Maryleen Hibbs; Numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.

He is preceded in death by: Ex-wife, Sheryl Marie Hibbs; Grandparents, George and Alice Hibbs; Ben Vavra and 1st wife, Goldie Vavra and 2nd wife, Margaret Vavra; Uncle Merle Dwayne Vavra.

Mavis Mardell Peneaux, 56, of Mitchell, SD died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020 in her home in Mitchell, SD.

Graveside services were held on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Winner City Cemetery. Final viewing will begin at 10:30AM on Friday, December 4th, 2020 at the Winner Ideal Community Hall & Housing. Private family wake services were held on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 at  the Winner Ideal Community Hall & Housing. Public wake services were held on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020 at 7 p.m. at the Winner Ideal Community Hall & Housing.

Mavis was born Jan. 29, 1964 to Verle Lee Peneaux and Elsie Cordelia Fast Horse Peneaux in Rosebud, South Dakota. As a child she was adopted by Ray and Margaret Gonzales from Fort Thompson, South Dakota. Mavis is a G.E.D. graduate who went on to further her education at Sinte Gleska University, at this time she was married to her ex-husband Melvin Songer who went on and had 5 biological and 1 adopted daughter, and a son who they took in as their own Chris Zephier Sr., Stacey Foote, Maria (Daniel Alonzo) Songer, Tanya (Lance) LaPointe, Dawn (Josh) Abdo, Brenda (Chris) Joiner & Julia (Kelly) Watts.

Mavis is survived by her 6 daughters Stacy, Maria, Tanya, Dawn, Brenda, and Julia, plus 29 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 4 siblings Alma (George) Small, Bud Lee (Kathy) Peneaux, Fern Ringing Shield, and Melda (Joe) Foote and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandson Joshua Baptiste Abdo Jr., her parents, grand-parents, & 4 siblings Beryle (Peneaux) Antoine, Lester Peneaux, Wilbur Peneaux and Velda Peneaux and her son Chris Zephier Sr.

Besides spending her time watching her favorite TV shows or listening to her favorite music on the radio with her cat Samuel and her daughter Maria, she loved the presence of her grandchildren who will always remember her for her hospitality and fruit or home cooked meals especially her soup and frybread or fried chicken dinners or like her grandson Jordan will always say spaghetti. Everyone who knew Mavis knew her for her open arms, if you were hungry or needed a place to stay, her home was your home until you can get on your feet again. She had a very hard work ethic. She was a devoted CNA worker in Winner and Mitchell South Dakota. She worked at Avera Brady Rehab until early 2000’s. She is also a cancer survivor.

Roger Robert Milk was born on Dec. 24, 1933 in Milks Camp to Jesse Milk Sr. and  Salina High Rock, his siblings were Victor, Alfred, Ruth, and Jesse. Jr. who were descendants of Chief Red Cloud. Their great grandfather is Chief Good Cane Milk, Sagye Waste Asunpi. He was at the Fort Laramie Treaty talks in 1868. And their paternal grandfather is Daniel Milk son of Chief Good Cane Milk.

He was raised in Milk’s Camp community surviving through the Great Depression and World War II with his family. He attended Rosebud Boarding School in Mission, SD. He often shared the stories of those times and of the community. As a young man he would travel around South Dakota for work on farms.

Roger remained in the area until he moved to Chicago in the relocation program. While in Chicago he worked as a Journeyman and electrician. He also served as the president at the Chicago Indian Center.

He returned to the Winner area in the early 70’s. Upon his return he and Lavina King began their life together and were married Jan. 31, 1979. He cared for his family and was loved very much by his grandchildren and many young relatives. He spent many days advising them and writing letters to them. He enjoyed bowling in his younger years, in Chicago his team was the Southside Bombers.

In August of 2017, he received an honorary Doctorate Degree from Sinte Gleska for his lifelong work for the people and with our treaty. Roger served the people in many capacities. He was a life long member of Episcopal Church and a Lay reader; Roger was also a member of Brotherhood of  Christian Unity. His faith extended to our traditional ways, as he experienced the power of healing and prayers attending our ceremonies.

At the Sicangu Wicoti Awayankapi Corporation he was on the board of director and an employee for over 30 years; Roger served as advocate for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at the Winner Community Connections; He was a member of the Sicangu Treaty Council serving for a time as their chairperson. Roger was on the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council from 1979 through 1981; He was also an employee of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

Roger supported local Native students in the Winner school district and their rights as Natives and human beings. He was an active part in efforts to protector the land, water and people against environmental issues. Roger said “this is not just an Indian thing we all drink the same water”, attending meetings, events and hearings to do so.

Roger leaves behind his wife Lavina of over 40 years, children: Eric & Melissa Antoine, Gary & Jurgita Antoine, Paula Antoine, Jay and Nannette Antoine, Dennis and Nancy Mahto, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His sister Ruth Mason, Melda Rose and Ralph Wendell and Marisa, special great grandson Jacob Turney,  Grandchildren and great grandkids: Kaitlyn and Eric Antoine Jr., Louis and Leona Antoine,Lucas Crow Eagle, Louis “Misun” Antoine, Dustin Antoine, Steve Antoine and Isaac Antoine, Lisa Antoine and Jaliyah Kills In Water, Skylin Thin Elk, Medeina and Algirdas Antoine

Kelly Turney, Tracy Turney, Jacob, Julie and Jorden Turney, Sean and Rexton Kilborn, and Racheal Iron Heart, Richard Swan, Kayden, Kaylie and Leonidas, Carl John Healy Jr. and Anakin, Solomon Healy, Raylene Looking Horse, Chanteal Looking Horse, Samuel Antoine, Brennan and Gabrial, Jay Antoine Jr., Alyissa Reifel, Alysson Lucia “Sunny” and Douglas Jennings, Lucy Riefal, Kyan James and Nyjah Emili, Noland Mahto & Samantha Black Bull, Kaycen and Natalia, Jaz and Dayle Sanabria, and son Wyatt, Aaron Mahto, Joy Janis, and numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren from the Milk Tiospaye.    At the time of his passing Wanbli Naji, Standing Eagle, Grandpa Bob was 86 years 10 months 30 days, his life touched so many and he will be missed and remembered for generations.

Wesley Darwin Klein, son of Andrew and Tina Elizabeth (Moore) Klein, was born on April 28, 1936 in Burke, SD and passed away peacefully in his sleep on Nov. 27, 2020. Darwin, as he was known, spent his childhood years growing up in Lucas SD, graduating from Burke High School in 1955.

 After graduation he enlisted into the US Navy and was honorably discharged 2 years later. After leaving the Navy, he returned to SD and worked on the construction of the Oahe Dam and the Platte/Winner bridge.

In September of 1958 he married the love of his life Elva Schroeder. To this union he was blessed with three children.

Darwin held various positions, which included operating a café and bowling alley in Parkston and the “Tee Pee” Café in Bonesteel, SD. Many dairy farmers will also remember Darwin driving a milk truck, which eventually lead him to his true calling of operating a small dairy farm in Lucas, SD. In 1973 he was offered the opportunity to buy his own farmland and moved his family to Bonesteel, SD where he farmed until his retirement. After several years of retirement, Darwin and Elva moved to Gregory.

Darwin is survived by his wife Elva of 62 years, daughters – Kathy (Dave) Hausmann of Pierre, SD and Donna (Mark) Leibrich of Winner, SD; grandchildren – DJ (Liz) Hausmann and Darin (Molly) Hausmann of Pierre, SD; Ashley (Brad) Montgomery and Eric Leibrich of Sioux Falls, SD; great-grandchildren – Hailey Hausmann, Atticus and Zoey Moore, Riley and Cailyn Hausmann and Ainsley Montgomery; sister Norma Inglett, and sister-in-law Eleanor Klein, and several nieces and nephews.

 Darwin was proceeded in death by his parents, son Kerry, brother Andrew Wayne, and in-laws Henry and Lilly Schroeder.

Darwin’s belief was that the land, built by the hand of the Lord, was his place of worship. A memorial service for Klein will be held at a later date. Burial was in the Rosebud Cemetery in Bonesteel.