Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

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.

Robert George Bahm was born March 28, 1934 on a farm near Lucas, South Dakota to Henry and Effie (Hedlund) Bahm. He joined his sister Alice and his brothers Bill, Lawrence and Lester.

He attended the Lucas School through the eighth grade. At the age of fourteen, he began working for area farmers.

In 1957 Robert moved to Pierre, South Dakota and worked at the Oahe Dam. While in Pierre he met Lavina Faatz, they were married Nov. 12, 1957 and to this union two sons were born: Randy and Rodney.

Robert had health issues which began in 1994. He passed away on April 22, 2020 at the Gregory Healthcare Center in Gregory, South Dakota at the age of 86 years.

Robert is survived by his wife Lavina of 62 ½ years; his son Randy and wife Rochelle and their daughter Sydney (Josh); his son Rodney and his children: daughter Mandy with her kids Jason and Neveah, son Kelly (Monque) and daughter Kobe; and his brother, Raymond Bahm.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Alice; his brothers: Bill, Lester and Lawrence and his sister Joyce.

As per Robert’s wishes, no services will be held.