Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

Stanley Christensen, 76, of Winner, SD passed away on Monday, July 3, 2023 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Facility in Winner, SD.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2023 at 10:30AM at the Winner Methodist Church in Winner, SD.  Burial will follow at a later date.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to service.

Stanley James Christensen passed away Monday July 3, 2023. He was 76 years old. “Never ornery, only maybe a bit mischievous,” Stan loved a good story and a good laugh. His big belly laugh was infectious, and he often laughed so hard that he not only cried but then couldn’t even finish the story he was telling. There was, however, nothing he loved more than giving his favorite people a good old-fashioned teasing. Stan was the master of the tease. He could make people blush with a simple look or even a few short words. If he teased you, you knew he liked you. Many of you were well loved by Stan.

Stan was born on July 15, 1946 in Winner, SD to Lowell and Frankie (Williams) Christensen. The oldest of five children, he spent his younger years terrorizing both the Ideal community and the city of Winner. He graduated from Winner High School in 1964 and was always proud to be a Winner Warrior. 

Although Stan held many different jobs over the course of his life, he always stuck close to home. After living in the Hamill and Presho communities, Stan returned to Winner and hauled propane for the Co-op, retiring in 2011. Of all his many jobs, his favorites were those that involved farming and ranching. Although he loved all cows, he had a special love for Black Angus and Black Baldies, much to the dismay of his daughters who loved the Charolais.

Ever so grateful for having been raised by Stan are his two daughters, Leslie (Rick) Ross and Rebecca Chandler (Jeff Carney), and his son Brent. He was also incredibly proud of his four granddaughters: Kayla (Josh) Swanberg, Kylie (Greg) Ellis, Katie Monson, and Molly Monson. Stan was also blessed with bonus children/grandchildren later in his life: Beth Dice and Mike (Tracy) Dice and children Kendall, Trevyn, and Kenzlee. Stan is also survived by his four siblings: Gary (Connie Christensen), Doug (Liane) Christensen, Deb Christensen (Doug Johnson), and Cheryl (Bruce) Lutz, as well as a host of nieces/nephews, cousins, and friends who were like family. Stan is preceded in death by his wife, Debra Christensen, and his parents, Lowell and Frankie Christensen. 

Stan’s daughters would like to extend a special thank you to his niece Bria Peppel, who was the best caretaker he could have ever asked for. He often referred to her as a “sweetheart” and a “god send” and we couldn’t agree more. A huge thank you to the hospice staff of Winner Regional Hospital for their kindness and compassion as well. Stan was able to remain in his home throughout his battle with COPD, which would have never been possible without the help of Bria and the hospice team. 

Stan’s daughters ask that you come to his service prepared to share your favorite Stan story. Memorials can be made to the family for future designation.

Military rites for John (Jack) Lunne, age 76, who passed away on April 17, 2022, will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Colome Cemetery.

A celebration of life and lunch will follow at the Colome Legion.

Jack graduated from Colome High School in 1964, and at the time of his death was residing in Gilbert, AZ. 

Arla Rae (Winckler) Dangel, age 74, of Yankton, SD, passed away at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital on May 24, 2023, with her husband at her side. Cremation has taken place.

A full mass burial was held at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Yankton, SD on June 17, followed by a Celebration of Life.

Arla was born on April 27, 1949 to Hubert and Edna (Fischer) Winckler in Tyndall, SD and was the fourth born of their nine children. Arla grew up in Tyndall, SD and attended Tyndall High School, class of 1966. She met Laverne “Vern” Dangel of Scotland, SD at the swimming pool in Tyndall. The following week, they went on a date every night. Vern then headed back to Vietnam. Upon return to South Dakota, he reconnected with Arla and within a week of his return, Vern proposed marriage. Within 10 days later, on August 7, 1967 she married Vern in Scotland, SD at the St. George Catholic Church. Joining this union were two sons: Paul and Kelly. Arla’s marriage with Vern took her all over the country. They began their marriage in New Mexico, back to South Dakota, then to Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Missouri again, South Dakota again, the Virginia, Florida and finally returning home to South Dakota. There were many adventures they shared along the way.

Arla had the biggest heart and the most beautiful smile. She would light up any room. She was fearless and independent, yet sensitive and incredibly compassionate. She loved cooking, baking, canning, watching movies, playing pinochle, and marbles. Most importantly shopping. She was strong-willed and courageous, but those traits defined Arla. They were part of who she was, and her strength undoubtedly helped her deal with life’s challenges. She was a fighter and took the cards she was dealt with strength and faith. As a woman of faith, Arla wished to have a celebration of the immortality promised to all by Christ. She would love to be remembered with funny, strange, or silly stories that celebrate what was good and blessed in her life.

Arla is survived by her loving husband, Vern: sons, Paul Dangel of Washington, DC, and Kelly and Delia Dangel of Niceville, FL; grandchildren, Roman, Luke and Lexi of Arlington, VA and Logan of Niceville, FL; sister, Norma (Bob) Bender of Yankton, SD; brothers, Joe (Loretta) of Volin, SD, Jarvis (Marilyn) of Avon, Murray (Lisa) of Collinsville, VA and Larry of Indiana, PA; sisters-in-law, Barbara Winckler of Winner, SD and Sue Winckler of Vermillion, SD; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arla was preceded in death by her parents, Hubert and Edna; her brothers, Leland, Myron (Mike) and David (Dave); and several beloved aunts, uncles, a nephew, cousins and friends.

Marty Allen Moore spent his years on earth as an adventurer. His early adventures began on his grandparent’s ranch where he and his brother, Mike, explored every turn of the White Thunder Creek and all the acres of the ranch either on horseback or on foot. His adventures continued as a truck driver driving from coast to coast and border to border. All maps were in his head, and he never met a stranger because he loved to visit with everyone.

Marty was born on February 29, 1964, in Valentine, Nebraska, to Larry Moore and Cheryl (Gifford) Medearis.  He made his journey to the Spirit World on May 15, 2023, in Rapid City, South Dakota, after battling diabetes and complications from dialysis with tenacity, courage and incredible mental and physical strength.

He leaves many wonderful memories treasured by his survivors: his mother, Cheryl Medearis and Wayne Colombe, of Wood, SD; his brothers and their spouses, Cody and Tracy Medearis of Caputa, SD;  Michael and Sara Moore of Mesquite, Nevada; his sisters and their spouses, Lisa and Tony Wirth, of Laurel Hill, Florida; Amber, of Wood, SD;  Morgan and Seth Miller of Spearfish, SD; and Meghan and Jared Shear of Gillette, Wyoming. Marty is also survived by two sons: Tyler Moore, of Mission, SD, Ty’s two daughters, Ava and Alexa; Ty’s son, Jaxson Fredrick; and Kade Moore of Nebraska. He was a fun-loving “Uncle Monkey” to his nieces and nephews, and his many family members and friends will also carry their memories of him into the future.

Thankful to have shared Marty’s life is his partner and soulmate, Donna Hermann, her daughters, Richenda and Ashley and their families. He will especially be missed by his “Chocolate Cowboy” and “Baby Girl”.

Marty will join these family members who have gone before him: his dad, Larry Moore; paternal grandparents Allis and Agnes Moore; maternal grandparents Willis (Woody) and Colleen Gifford;  his beloved great uncle and auntie, Dallas and Jessie Gifford and other family members and friends. Equally happy to greet him will be his beloved dog, Thunder.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 11:00 CDT at the Wood Community Hall in Wood, SD. A dinner will follow the service. A private inurnment is planned at the G-Heart Ranch where he will be “surrounded by good memories and good horses” which was his wish, and one that we will carry out.