Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

Russell “Rusty” J. Till, 45, of Bismarck, N. D., passed away on April 28, 2020 after a lifelong battle with diabetes.

Rusty was born at Baptist Hospital in Winner, SD on July 3 1974. Rusty grew up in the Wood/White River area and later moved to Winner, SD.

He worked for many years as a manager at the local McDonald’s. Rusty’s favorite job was providing music entertainment with his best friends, they were known as “Digital DJs”.

Some of Rusty’s hobbies were riding his motorcycles, fishing with his sons, spending time with his family, going to see movies with his nieces, and watching his nephew play softball.

Many of his friends will remember spending time with him cruising the four lanes in his Chevy S10 pickup with his music blaring.

Rusty’s favorite time of year was celebrating his birthday and having his family come together for the 4th of July fireworks show that his brother-in-law hosts in Bismarck.

Rusty is survived by his mother Judy Till, of Pierre, SD, his sisters Karen (Tim) Hagen of Bismarck, ND and Janet (Melvin) Toman of Carter, SD, his two sons, Alex Till and Riley Sund, of Winner, SD, the mother of his sons and lifelong friend, Tammy Sund, of Winner, SD, and his nieces and nephews, Casey (Gene) Baker, of Newell, SD, Craig (Alyssa) Toman, of Carter, SD, Lindy (Sean) Gandy, of Bismarck, ND, Kelsey (Cody) Miller, of Wilton, ND, Justin Hagen, of Bismarck, ND, Precious (Jagger) Walking Eagle, of El Paso, TX, Ayanna and Marisa Tafoya of Bismarck, ND and his great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Robert “Bob” Till. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1p.m. at the Wood Community Hall on Saturday, May 16.

Lyle Smith was born Nov. 25, 1939, to Herbert and Ida (Juhnke) Smith. He grew up on his family’s ranch in Vivian, SD and graduated from Vivian High School in 1957.

After high school, he attended Dakota Wesleyan College for one year and then enlisted into the United States Army. He was honorably discharged in 1961.

Lyle married Mary Muldoon on Aug. 20, 1966. They established their family ranch south of Presho where they raised their 4 children.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, snow skiing and taking trips with family and friends. Also, he was an avid pilot.

Lyle was a life member of the Presho Lions Club. He was active in bowling and golf leagues in Presho. You could find him at Hutch’s for coffee many times throughout the day.

The last few years of his life he lived at Bethany Meadows in Brandon, SD. His jokes will be missed in the hallways. Thank you to family and friends who visited and sent Lyle cards and gifts.

He certainly appreciated it. Lyle tested negative for the COVID-19 virus but was certainly a victim of the social distancing.

Lyle is survived by his children; Margaret Louwagie (Steve Kesteloot) of Marshall, MN, Rev. Daniel Smith of Clark, SD, Dustin (Brooke) Smith of Presho, and Melissa (Eric) Fowles of Jensen, UT.

He is also survived by his brother Lorne Smith, his grandchildren: Miranda, Abigail, Natalie, Brayden, Gabe, Violet, Marissa, and Adam and numerous nieces nephews and cousins.

Lyle was preceded in death by his wife Mary M. Smith, his parents Herb and Ida Smith, brothers Richard and Robert, sister Marlys and sisters-in-law Joyce and Carolyn.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established and the funds will be used to make updates to the Presho City Park. Donations can be sent to the Lyle Smith Memorial at 30328 248th Street, Presho, SD 57568.

Graveside services were held at 11:30 am on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at Holy Angels Catholic Cemetery in Presho with Reverend Daniel Smith officiating.

The public is welcome to attend but the family asks that you please respect social distancing.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak this service will be live streamed on the Isburg Funeral Chapel website. You can find the link at the top of Lyle’s obituary. Visitation will take place before the graveside.

Due to CDC guidelines this will be limited to 10 people at a time. Please call Melissa at (701) 339-8978 if you would like to schedule a time. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be prayed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be written at: www.isburgfuneralchapels.com. You can also show support by taking part in our “Together In Spirit” option. Please email your name and a message of support to togetherinspirit@yahoo.com and we will place it on a heart that will be attached to a chair at the visitation.

The family will be able to read your heartfelt message and know that you are together with them in spirit.

Blaine “Bing” Kounkel, 83, of Winner, South Dakota, formerly of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away Saturday, April 25, 2020 at Winner Regional Healthcare Center in Winner, South Dakota.

Graveside service were held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2, 2020 at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Hinton, Iowa.

Reverend Steven Stoll officiated. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Blaine Roy Kounkel was born April 30, 1936 in Merrill, Iowa, the son of Roy and Loretta (Robinson) Kounkel.

He attended country school in Stanton Township, rural Plymouth County, Iowa and graduated from Le Mars Community High School in 1954.

He was united in marriage to Carolyn Larson on Nov. 10, 1958. To this union, six children were born.

Bing farmed in Plymouth County until 1972, when he and his family moved to Sioux Rapids, Iowa. In 1975, they moved to the Neptune area in rural Plymouth County, Iowa.

Bing did several jobs over the years including, custom spraying, well work, ran the Neptune store, and drove truck up until retiring due to his health. In 2008, he moved to Le Mars and in 2013, moved to Winner, South Dakota.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Hinton and the Shrine Temple. He was active in the White Horse Mounted Patrol for many years. He enjoyed working with horses and was a baseball fan.

His favorite team was the Clearfield Sandburs which his grandsons Landon, Brody, and Logan played on. He enjoyed spending time with his family and watching his grandchildren in all their activities.

Survivors include Carolyn Kounkel of Le Mars; 4 children: Jeff Kounkel of Iliff, CO, Jackie (Dan) Davison of Le Mars, IA, Molly (Curt) Calhoon of Ideal, SD, and Troy Kounkel of Jasper, MN; 17 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; two brothers: Jack (Connie) Kounkel of Merrill, IA, and Don “Hap” (Sandy) Kounkel of Merrill, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Loretta Kounkel; two children, Lori Kounkel and David Kounkel; and a brother, Keith Kounkel.

Ervin “Erv” Bender, 74, of North Platte, Neb., passed away peacefully on April 26, 2020 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility in Winner, South Dakota after a short battle with cancer.

A private, family burial will be at the Winner Cemetery on Friday, May 8, 2020 at 11 a.m.

Erv was born on January 31, 1946 in Burke, South Dakota to Edwin Bender and Adeline (Kahler) Bender. He spent his early years on the farm with his parents and his grandparents, moving to Winner in the early 60’s.

He graduated from Winner High School in 1964.

While growing up, Erv attended St. Paul Lutheran Church south of Colome, SD and was confirmed on June 5, 1960.

He later attended Harvest Christian Fellowship in North Platte, NE.

Erv joined the National Guard after high school and was active for six years.

He spent his early working years at the Key Station in Winner, which led to his love of working on cars. He also started working at the Crossroads Market in Winner while in high school which led to his career in retail management.

He worked at Gibson’s in Winner, at first as assistant manager and then later as the manager. In the 70’s, he moved to Fort Morgan, Colo., to manage a Gibson warehouse. He later moved to North Platte, Neb., to manage a TSC Store.

When his wife became ill, he worked with her in her upholstery shop and then worked for the railroad transporting workers until his retirement.

Erv loved his little dog, Sassy, WWE wrestling, fishing, playing pool on leagues, and spending time with and helping his many friends.

He is survived by sisters, Betty (Barry) Tideman of Carter, SD, and Susan Long of Witten, SD; nephews, Brian (Melissa) Tideman of Rapid City, SD, Blake (Emily) Tideman of Winner, SD; nieces, Nikki Olson (friend, John Reed) of Winner, SD, Lacey Titze of Sioux Falls, SD, and Taylor (friend, Johnny Brooks) of Sioux Falls, SD as well as great nieces and nephews.

Ervin was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law, Kevin Long, and dear friend and ex-wife, Carol Bender.

Karen Jean Hauck Upchurch Ward, age 76, Gainesville, GA, formerly of Winner, SD, died peacefully in her sleep on April 19, 2020 at her home.

She was born to the late Emil Alfred Hauck and Doris Esther Vetter on Sept. 13, 1943. Ward was raised in Winner and graduated from Winner High School.

After graduating from high school she moved to New York City to be a personal assistant. She then moved to Georgia and worked for the state of Georgia as a secretary.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, Frank Ray Upchurch; and son, Kelly Shawn Upchurch.

A loving mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, Karen was an amazing cook, and an avid lover of all things crochet. She could be found often crocheting blankets, hats and squares to send to Africa.

Karen also had a passion for books and all things music. She was always reading something new and has a vast library of over 10,000 books she has collected throughout the years.

Her musical love started in high school where she sang in the local choir and church choir as a 3rd soprano. A member of the gospel group the Regeneration, she also sang the National Anthem for the Atlanta Braves each Mother’s Day for nearly 10 years.

Karen is survived by her daughter Shannon Jean Upchurch, of Newnan, GA; two precious grandsons whom she adored, Maxwell Todd Prochnow and Mitchell Reid Prochnow; her sister Laurel Renee Daniel, a sister in law Lores Hauck, and 4 nephews.

A private burial was performed at Roselawn Memory Garden in Lagrange, GA on Friday, April 24, 2020, where she was laid to rest beside her son and first husband.

A celebration of life will be held later in the year after the threat of COVID-19 has passed. She will be dearly missed.