Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

Royals snag victory over Bon Homme

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Royals snag victory over Bon Homme Winner/Colome Legion baseball team snagged a late lead and defeated Bon Homme 8-5 in Tyndall on June 24.

In the top of the fifth inning, Fred Whiting homered scoring three runs.The Royals won the game despite allowing Bon Homme to score three runs in the third inning. In addition to Whiting’s home runs, Joren Bruun had two home runs on the night.Winner/Colome knotted the game at four in the top of the fourth inning when Evan Farner singled scoring one run.

Kameron Meiners was on the hill for the Royals and pitched all seven innings. He allowed nine hits and five runs over seven innings and struck out seven. Bruun led the Winner/Colome team with two hits at four times at bat.

Also getting hits for the Royals were Oscar Pravecek, Whiting, Meiners, Farner, Jacob Beckers, The trip to Tyndall was the start of a series of road games for Winner/Colome.

Saturday the local Legion team was in Redfield. Redfield 13-Winner 1Winner/Colome Legion played two games in Redfield on Saturday afternoon.In the first game, Redfield defeated Winner/Colome 13-1.

The Royals watched the game slip away early and couldn’t recover in the loss. Redfield started off with six runs in the first inning.Winner/Colome scored its single run in the fourth inning. Jacob Beckers led things off on the mound as he pitched six innings. He allowed three hits and three runs over the six innings. Beckers struck out 11. Evan Farner threw one third of an inning in relief.

The Legion team will play in Gregory on July 2.On July 8, Winner/Colome will host Gregory in an 8 p.m. game.

Mid Dakota Fair

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By Dan Bechtold Editor

There will be a Mid Dakota Fair this summer but due to COVID-19 it will look much different.

The fair will be held July 29 to Aug. 8.“We are excited that we have an opportunity for our members to exhibit what they have done in their 4-H project year,” said Laura Kahler, Tripp County 4-H advisor.

However at this year’s fair everyone must follow SDSU social distancing protocol. This means that everyone must be six feet apart and everyone must wear a mask at all times.

There will be no public attendance at the livestock shows. Judges, exhibitors and a family member of those exhibiting are the only ones allowed in

DeMers girls are jr beef ambassadors

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PIERRE, SD- The South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) unveils the new Junior Beef Ambassador program for the summer, giving area youth the opportunity to share their beef story.

The program is an opportunity for youth ages 5 to 18 to help them share their beef story. The SDBIC is proud to announce that 19 Jr. Beef Ambassadors will be joining us throughout the 2020 summer, sharing photos and videos.

These young beef leaders’ stories will highlight their own ranch and what they do day in and day out. “Our youth continue to be our future and we have to prepare them and encourage them to be proud of their heritage and willing to promote the beef product,” states SDBIC Executive Director, Suzy Geppert.

The 2020 Jr. Beef Ambassadors are: Charles Barber, Jayne Blume, Lena DeMers, Maggie DeMers, Bentlee Holt, Cashley King, Koyle King, Rylee K., Brooklyn Marshall, Natalie Marshall, Baylor Pazour, Jennings Pazour, Ladd Pazour, Scarlett Radke, Fidelia Rasmussen, Kaycee Scheel, Ella Stiefvater, Kingston Wulf, and Madilyn Wulf.

These beef ambassadors come to the SDBIC program from across the state.

Follow along all summer as we highlight and recognize these young leaders and share their great beef stories!

Covid cases Climb in Tripp County

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COVID cases continue to climb in Tripp County The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tripp County continues to rise.As of Monday there are a total of 16 positive cases and 10 have recovered.

There are six active cases. Last week at this time there were only 12 cases in Tripp County.One new case was reported on June 23. There were two more cases reported on Friday.

The Winner School District sent out an E mail that an employee tested positive for COVID-19 and the lunch program providingsack lunch ended on June 25. Also all summer workout programs in the Armory were suspended until Monday.

A new case of COVID from Tripp County was reported Monday being the total to 16.Statewide on Monday there were 35 new COVID-19 cases.The death toll in South Dakota is at 91. There are 70 persons hospitalized with the virus across the state.

Joanne Bartels, age 90

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Joanne Bartels, age 90, of Winner, South Dakota, died on Monday, June 22, 2020 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care.

Joanne Bartels was born Nov. 13, 1929 in Winner, South Dakota to Thomas Henry and Ruth (Sigafoos) Scissons. She was united in marriage to Elmer Charles Bartels, and together they had five children.

After her sister died, Joanne also raised her sister’s two children. Joanne was a dietary cook at the Winner Hospital for 35 years. She enjoyed cooking,baking, crocheting, yard work, and going to yard sales.

Joanne was from the time period that when somebody stopped to visit they should never leave hungry so she graciously fed anybody that walked through her door. She was extremely proud of all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them.

Survivors include two daughters Barbara (Arnold) Olson of Platte and Deborah “Debb” Vollmer of Winner; one son David Bartels of Winner; 8 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one sister Beverly Ruhkamp of Havre, Montana; and several nieces and nephews. Joanne was preceded in death by her husband Elmer Bartels; a daughter Sharon Hysell; a son Roger Bartels; one grandson Kelly Vollmer; her parents Thomas and Ruth Scissons; four sisters and one brother.

A public graveside service was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 29, at the Winner Cemetery in Winner.

Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.

James Vobr, 87

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James Vobr, 87 of Custer, SD formerly of Winner, SD passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at Custer Regional Care Center inCuster.

Graveside services were held on Monday, June 29, at 2 p.m. at the Colome Cemetery in Colome, SD.

James Vobr was born on Sept. 25, 1932 inWinner, SD to Ludvik and Stasie (Franek) Vobr. The family lived on a farm south of Winner.

James attended the Vobr Country school south of Winner and enlisted in the US Army in 1955 where he served in the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge in 1961, he returned to Colome and workedfor several farmers.

He later moved south of Winner but continued working for farmers in need of help.

James enjoyed his coffee, playing cards, fishing and just being outdoors. James is survived by his sister-in-law Clara Vobr of Mitchell, his niece Linda (LuVerne) Jager, of Wessington Springs, his three nephews: Brad, Jerry and Gary (Kristy) Vobr of Mitchell. One great nephew,Austin Vobr of Mitchell and 2 great nieces, Tiffany and Carissa Vobr of Mitchell.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ludvik and Stasie Vobr and one brother, Leonard Vobr.

Robert Clark Sr., 91

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Robert “Bob” George Clark, Sr., age 91, passed away on June 25, 2020 in Rapid City, SD. He was born on Nov. 7th, 1928 in Winner, SD.

Bob grew up on his family homestead in Clearfield, SD where he drove a school busat the age of 13 and later that same year drove a cattle truck to Omaha, NE. He joined the US Army Airforce in 1947.

When he returned home to Winner due to a family hardship in 1949, he married the love of his life Juanita Gemmrig. Their honeymoon consisted of a Harley Davidson Knucklehead motorcycle trip to the Black Hills.

He reenlisted in the US Air Force in 1951 where he served as an Engine Tech on B17 and B21 Aircrafts. He was stationed in Thailand and Guam during the Vietnam War where he obtained T34 and TF37 Jet Engine Aircraft qualifications.

He was also stationed at Goose Bay Labrador USAF, Offutt AFB in Nebraska, and K. I. Sawyer AFB in Michigan. He arrived at EAFB in 1968 where he served as the SNCOIC of the Jet Engine Propulsion Aircraft Maintenance Wing until he retired as a Senior Master Sergeant (SMSGT) in 1970. After retirement from the US Air Force, he continued with his passion for vehicles and mechanics working at the Rapid City Ford garage, Rushmore Texaco, Westside Truckstop in Winner and Jerry’s Marine in Rapid City to name a few.

In 1975, he started over hire at Ellsworth Transportation until 1984 when he enlisted in Civil Service at EAFB as a Heavy Mobile Equipment Repairer and later retired in 1995. Up until his early 80’s, you could find him tinkering in his home garage on boats, motorcycles, RVs, cars and trucks. In 1973 he rode a DT125 Yamaha in the 3-day National Trials. He also competed in numerous other motorcycle enduros throughout the years with his sons.

In his later years, he spent his down time bowling in Senior Leagues at Robbinsdale Lanes. Even at 91, he could still throw a strike!

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Juanita Clark; his two sons Robert G. (Pat) Clark Jr., David A. (Gay) Clark; and his daughter Diana M. Clark, all of Rapid City; his two sisters, Alice (Ray) Minchow of Winner and Lilly (Howard) Nussbaum of Belle Fourche; and a brother William “Bill” (Joann) Clark of Winner.

He has six grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.He is preceded in death by his daughter Barbara Clark, his son Eugene “Tuff” Clark, his brother Cecil Clark, his sister Betty Korb, and a grandson Deon Clark.

Rapid City visitation will be on Wednesday, July 8 at 12 p.m. followed by funeral services at 1 p.m. at Kirk Funeral Home.

Winner visitation will be on Thursday, July 9 at 11 a.m. (Central Time Zone) at Mason Funeral Home followed by burial at 1 p.m. at the Winner Cemetery. Family and friends are welcomed to share stories and condolences on the Kirk Funeral Home website.

City, school election set for Jun 30

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The city of Winner and the Winner School Board elections will be held on Tuesday, June 30. The combined election will be held in the city council chambers. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The election was originally set for April but due to COVID-19 the governor allowed cities and schools to choose a later date. The only city election will be in Ward One where Frank Finney will face Justin Schuyler. Dave Baker, the current councilman from Ward One, is not seeking re-election.There are three candidates running for two seats on Winner School Board. The candidates are Rusty Blare, Bill Mann and Nelle Schlomer. Mann and Blare are incumbent board members.

Schlomer is a former school board member.Persons who do not want to vote in person at the city hall are urged to vote by absentee ballot. City ballots can be obtained at the city office and school absentee ballots can be obtained at the school administration office on 7th St.

At the election site on Tuesday, there will be hand sanitizer for voters to use. Persons will be asked to use social distancing when they vote. There will be a limit to the number of people in the room. The election workers will have masks and gloves.

When showing a driver’s license, election workers ask that persons hold the license as it will not be touched by the election worker. Each person will be given their own pencil to take home with them after they vote.

Winner/Colome amateur baseball Pheasants improve to 5-1

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Winner/Colome Pheasants knocked in nine runs in the second inning as they cruised to a14-5 victory over Corsica/Stickney on June 18 in Sunshine League play. Derek Graesser, Dillon Lambley, Zach Harter, Sean Kammerer, Lakin Neugebauer each drove in runs. The Pheasants fired up the offense in the first inning by scoring two runs. Austin Richey singled scoring the two runs.J. J. Farner was credited with the victory. Hewent seven innings allowing five runs on 12hits and striking out seven.Connor Hopkins threw two innings in relief.Reed Harter had a home run for Winner in the ninth inning.

Derek Graesser, Zach Harter and Oscar Pravecek all had doubles for the Pheasants. Graesser had 4 hits in 6 times at bat.Reed Harter was also at bat six times and had 3 hits.Winner/Colome, with a 5-1 record, will host the Alexandria Angels on Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m