Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

Arlene Olson, 87, of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, June 11, 2020 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Facility in Winner, SD.

Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner. Burial will be held at a later date. A visitation will be held one hour prior to memorial service.

Arlene was born on a homestead 6 miles north of Mission, a daughter of William and Opal Leighton, she was the 3rd born of her parents. Growing up with 2 sisters named Donna and Hazel, and a brother named Bud. In her early years she raised chickens and ducks that she loved to care for, and riding her buckskin horse named Buck.

She would ride Buck a few miles every day to the country school in Todd County where she gained her education. Later on, in life she moved into Mission to live with her sister, and to start work for the local veterinarian, where she met the love of her life, Alvin Olson.

Arlene and Alvin got married at the Winner Methodist church on Sept. 14, 1957 and from that unity she had two beautiful children. Ray was her first born son on Sept. 30, 1958 and he was her whole world until the birth of her second child named Debbie on Jan. 28 1966.

In her later years she became a laundry housekeeper and loved working for Bud and Louanne Haley at Haley’s Motel, then the Haley’s had the Warrior Inn built and she continued her career there when Gary and Sheryl Hutchison became the new owner and from that bloomed a great friendship for Sheryl and Arlene.

Arlene retired from the Warrior Inn to enjoy her golden year with grand and great grandchildren.

Alvin and Arlene loved to travel to their favorite destination Branson, MO and to Texas, and various other locations. There are many great and fond memories of her in her many years of life.

Arlene loved to make people happy, one time she and Jean walked across town just to get ice cream from the Dairy Queen, because they were in the mood to get ice cream.

Her hobby was sewing, she could make or repair any outfit she desired, and made many Barbie doll clothes as well.

Arlene is preceded in death by her parents William and Opal Leighton, two sisters Hazel Harrison, Donna Larvie, adopted brothers Ronnie Baker, and Benny Leighton.

She is survived by her loving husband Alvin Olson, son Ray Olson, daughter Debbie Hoffer, brother Bud Leighton, adopted brother Donnie Baker, adopted sister Ida Icard, and many great grandchildren, as well and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Robert “Mike” Schmitz were held June 12 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bonesteel with Fr. Jonathan Dillon officiating. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery on Bonesteel.

Robert “Mike” Schmitz entered this world on July 18, 1928, the second child of Clarence and Mary (Darcy) Schmitz at Burke, South Dakota. He went to eternal rest on June 7, 2020.

Keith Meyer, 76, of Winner, SD passed away on Monday, June 8, 2020 at his home in Winner.

Funeral service was held on Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Winner First Baptist Church. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Keith Leroy Meyer went to be with Jesus on June 8 in his home in Winner, surrounded by his loving family.

Keith was born on Sept. 12, 1943 in Winner to Otis and Virginia (Bell) Meyer. He attended country school West of Winner near the family farm.

He started dating the love of his life, Margaret Larsh, during their senior year, and they graduated from Winner High School together in 1961. They attended Southern State Teacher’s College in Springfield, South Dakota, where Keith graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electronics with a minor in math.

Keith and Margaret were married on Aug. 17, 1963 at First Baptist Church of Winner. They moved to Pierre, SD where Keith worked as a TV repair technician for Karl’s TV and Appliance, and where their first daughter Keatha was born.

Jobs took them to Cheyenne and then to Green River WY, where Keith began his career as a telephone central office technician. Their second daughter Megan was born to them in Green River. His job with Southwestern Bell then took them to Edwards, CO, where their third daughter Cathy joined their family.

In 2003, Keith retired from the phone company and he and Margaret returned to Winner to live in Margaret’s childhood home. Keith was never one to sit still and enjoyed working and building. He remodeled and expanded their home over the years.

He worked part-time doing maintenance for an apartment complex and tirelessly helped maintain the old First Baptist Church of Winner, where he and Margaret were active members. Between 2013 and 2015, Keith was a critical member of the team that built the new First Baptist Church of Winner building on S. County Road.

The new church building is a testament to Keith’s faith, skills, and heart.

Keith was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He had an endless supply of energy and skills, and never hesitated to help when needed.

His daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren will always treasure his kindness, gentle demeanor and generosity, and will continue to admire him as the toughest guy they knew.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by Margaret, his wife of over 56 years; daughters Keatha, Megan, and Cathy; grandchildren Jake, Ben, Luke, Seth, Sierra, Nykyta, Kaylee and Kara; and great-granddaughters Kassidy, Eleanor, and Kinley. He is also survived by his brother Wayne, and sisters Jean, Joanne, and Betty.

He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Agnes Orel, 83, of Winner, SD passed away on Wednesday June, 10, 2020 at the Winner Regional Health Care Center in Winner, SD. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Winner City Cemetery.

Agnes Ann (Klima) Orel was born in Witten, SD on March 29th 1937 to Joe and Anna Klima.

Agnes and her family moved close to Dallas, SD. She attended schools in Tripp and Gregory Counties. She attended Gregory High School. While attending High School she worked Stukels Café part time, also she worked at Warrior Inn.

In 1956 she married Melvin James Orel and they lived on their farm near Hamill. They had three daughters, Elaine, Eileen, and Lori.

Agnes loved her family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Agnes also loved working in the garden and flower garden. She was also an avid cake baker and baked several cakes for birthdays and anniversaries. Agnes also loved to square dance.

They moved to Winner in 1993 where they both spent their time and enjoyed retirement.

She is survived by her husband, Melvin, of 64 years, 3 daughters, Elaine (Brad Boes), Eileen Larson, Lori (Keith McCarty), 8 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and a brother-in-law, Donald Orel.

Preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Anna Klima, her brother Frankie, several aunts and uncles, mother and father-in-law Joe and Anna Orel, and a brother-in-law, Darrel Orel.