Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

Emily Marie (Noyes) Henderson passed away peacefully at her home on the farm near Hamill, SD on Saturday Aug. 5, 2023 at the age of 83.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Aug.  12, 2023 at 2 p.m. at the Christ Lutheran Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Emily was born on Dec. 16, 1939 in Huron, SD to Marie (Duxbury) and Eben Noyes of rural Wessington, SD. She had one brother, Eben “Buzz” Noyes, Jr, born in 1948. She often shared fond memories of her childhood on the family farm in the Wessington Hills. Animals were always important to Emily, from raising poultry and puppies, to showing horses and Hereford cattle. Of course, many great memories revolved around time spent with family and friends at the SD State Fair each year.

After graduating from Wessington High School in 1957, Emily continued her education at Huron College, where she also participated in the school choir. She received her bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate in 1961, and went on to teach elementary school, first in Wessington Springs, followed by Madison, MN and Pierre, SD.

Emily then married Lauren Henderson of rural Hamill, SD on June 24, 1972. She joined Lauren on his family farm, where they raised their son, Brian, and daughter, Laura. Once their children were both school-aged, Emily returned to teaching in Colome, SD where she was the 2nd grade teacher for over 20 years.

Emily loved being a teacher. Whether it was a Sunday school lesson or her classroom, she worked hard to engage every student and keep them interested in learning. Classrooms were sometimes chaotic with many hands-on projects and even some live critters joining a lesson from time to time. She held a special place in her heart for each child, and she always referred to a former student as “one of my kids.”

After retirement, Emily had more time to enjoy her family. She especially enjoyed time with her 5 grandchildren, spending countless hours reading, playing and just visiting with them. Emily is survived by her son Brian (Anora) Henderson and their children Ainsley, Andrew and Allie, of Hamill, SD; her daughter Laura (Michael) Poncelow and their children Sarah and Samuel of Wessington Springs, SD; her brother Buzz (Donna) Noyes of Wessington, SD; sister-in-law Nadine Henderson of Pierre, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lauren, who passed away in 2008, her parents, brothers-in-law Raymond Henderson, Russ Nesson, Keith Benthin and sisters-in-law Myrna Nesson and Avis Benthin, and nephew David Nesson.

Funeral services for Dennis Flisram, 68, Witten, were held at the Methodist Church in Winner on Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. Burial followed at the Winner Cemetery.

Dennis Lee Flisram was born Aug. 26, 1954, in Winner, SD, to Jerome and Betty (Moeller) Flisram.  He joined two sisters at home; later, he would become big brother to four more sisters. He was the first and only son born into the family.  He passed away on Aug. 1, 2023, at his home in Witten, SD.

Denny, aka “Suzy” or “Cat”, grew up in Witten where attended grade school and then graduated from Wood High School in 1973.  He grew up running the streets and most likely getting into some mischief with his friends: Kevin Long, Jack Arthur, the Gardner boys (Scott, Bill, and Bob), Mike and Warren Sporrer, and Dale Tarrel (Mouse).  He was surrounded by five sisters, but never complained.  Why would he when he was somewhat spoiled?

In his adult life, he ran with his cousin Kyle Moeller.  What fun they had!  In grade school, he played basketball, and in high school, he participated in track, high jump, broad jump, and hurdles; he received several ribbons and medals. He participated in basketball until the coach told him to cut his hair.  Denny said no, and that was the end of his basketball career.

After high school, he worked for a local farmer/rancher, Orville Smith; The Pizza Pub; and Larson Cement; and during the summer months, he worked for the county. 

In 1977, he decided to move to Vancouver, Wash., where he picked up the skill of drywalling, with some remodel jobs on the side.  He was a perfectionist when it came to his work; everything was thought out to the fullest before a project was started.  Due to a shoulder injury, he was forced to retire.  In September 2017, he moved back to Witten, SD, and was home again.

While in Vancouver, he met Shelly in 1999.  She had two sons and they became his family.  He thought a lot of them and would tell many things about them.  The two sons married and had children.  Denny thought of them as his own grandchildren; he was proud of them all.

He made a trip out to Washington in 2022 to see them.  Riding his Harley was a favorite of his, but the last trip riding it back from Washington to SD was a little long.  After that, he hauled it.  He liked to attend the rally in Sturgis once every few years.  Denny was a very kind and giving person with a big heart.  He would help anyone without being asked.  He would let a younger sister comb and curl his hair, without complaining, when there was no other victim around.  Denny will be greatly missed by his sisters, more than words can express.  We love you, Dennis.

Denny is survived by sisters Elizabeth (Alvin) Focken, Joyce Flisram, Louise Flisram, Connie Rae (Doug) Frantz, and LaVonne Brickman; nephews: Justin (Heather) Focken, Cole and Evan; Tyler (Kaitlin) Focken, Landon and Kaden; and Carter and Coy Brickman; his Washington family: Paul (Deanna) Crouse, Jr., Madison; and John (Sarah) Dean-Dawson, Perry and Cordelia; cousins, an aunt, and many friends.

Denny is preceded in death by his parents Jerome and Betty Flisram, companion Shelly, grandparents Clarence and Elizabeth Flisram and Frank and Elsie Moeller, infant sister Dorothy Ann, brothers-in-law Brett Brickman and Dillon Olson, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Betty Darlene Parlet was born on Jan. 11, 1946, in Winner, South Dakota and died on Aug. 7, 2023, in San Luis Obispo, California after a lengthy battle with lymphoma. 

Betty’s early years were spent on a farm near Millboro, South Dakota until her parents bought their farm southwest of Winner when Betty was 12. 

Betty graduated from Winner High School in 1964.  She attended Black Hills State University for a year before returning to Winner and beginning a job at Ranchers National Bank.  She married John Parlet in 1966.  They moved to California and raised two daughters, Darci (Parlet) Turner and Joy (Parlet) Underwood.  John and Betty were in the restaurant business for more than 30 years.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Mildred (Bertram) Kaiser and her brother, Gary Kaiser, all of Winner. She is survived by her daughters, Darci Turner and her husband, Jeff Turner, of Ridgecrest, California, Joy Underwood and her husband, Lane Underwood, of Freeburg, Illinois, six grandchildren, Madison (Turner) Cleveland and husband, Cory Cleveland, of Oak Hills, California, Jacob Turner of Ridgecrest, California, and  JD Underwood, Matt Underwood, Moriah Underwood, and Bethany Underwood of Freeburg, Illinois.  In addition, Betty leaves one great grandchild, Auroara Cleveland of Oak Hills, California.  She is also survived by her former husband, John Parlet of Orange County, California.  Betty’s sister, Norma Keiser and husband, Chuck Keiser, of Winner are left to mourn her loss.  Betty will also be missed by many brothers and sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.  Those include Jacque Kaiser of Winner, Jack and Ellen Storms of Winner, Harold and Veda Parlet of Sioux Falls, Tom Parlet and Mona Garcia of Banning, California, Don and Eileen Shibley of Ridgecrest, California, Kevin and Jaime Keiser and family, Nicole Keiser, of Winner, Jennifer (Kaiser) and Daron Uthe and family of Sioux Falls, Crystal Parlet of Banning, California,  Brian Parlet of Banning, California, Tyler Storms of Orange County, California, as well as Judd and Shawna Kaiser and family, Jeff and Marit Kaiser and family, Blake and Emily Tideman and family, and Grady and Sarah Myers and family, all of Winner. 

In every place that Betty lived, she left a mark.  In the over 25 years Betty lived in Ridgecrest, Calif., she was a contributor to the community in so many ways.  She shared the values of her South Dakota upbringing with a whole generation growing up in an isolated desert town.  Betty and John employed so many young people through John’s Pizza. One of the reasons these people loved working at John’s Pizza was because John and Betty cared so much about their employees.  Betty would host staff parties at their home, and she was the glue that held everything together.  She was a woman of faith, a wife, a mom, a businesswoman, a volunteer, and a contributor to all local causes.  She served for years on the Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Board of Directors and was responsible for planting many of the trees and gardens in Ridgecrest.  Betty lived in San Luis Obispo, Calif., the last 20 years of her life.  She loved San Luis Obispo and made so many warm memories and lasting friendships.   Her home was always open, and she was happiest when it was full.  Her bible study groups, PEO sisters, bridge clubs, and family – always family – had a home in her home.  She gave real meaning to the word “gracious.”  The lives of so many family members and friends have been forever altered by her loss, yet they have all been blessed to have had such a beautiful bond with our sweet Betty. 

A celebration of life service will be held for Betty Parlet on Sunday, Aug. 20, from 1 to 3 pm at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner.   The family hopes that you can stop by to visit and celebrate a life well lived. 

Funeral services for Claudia Vaughn, 78, were held Aug. 10 a First Reformed Church, Mitchell. Burial was in Graceland Cemetery, Mitchell.

Claudia Kay Sparks was born on July 17, 1945 in Homer, Neb.,  to  Lenora (Serr) & Orville B. Sparks. 

She passed away Aug. 5, 2023, at the Dougherty Hospice House. She grew up in South Dakota/Nebraska. She met Merle Vaughn at the young age of 16 and knew instantly she was going to marry him.  They were married on Sept. 3, 1961, and were thrilled when their daughter Cathy Kaye was born on Christmas Day in 1967 in Nürnberg, Germany, where Merle was stationed in the Army. She cared for Merle during his cancer journey and he died March 5, 2009, just a few months short of their 48th anniversary. 

She worked as a waitress, cook, and owner of the meat locker with Merle. Her most beloved job was daycare provider and she loved on those kids like they were her own.

She played a special role in the lives of her three grandsons, Nick, Nathan and Noah. She spoiled them with hugs, fresh cookies, warm bath towels, and most importantly, unconditional love.  This special bond was very present throughout her life, but especially during her cancer journey as they each visited and called daily.  She was blessed to add another grandson, Sam and granddaughter, Sophia when Emery joined the family marrying Cathy in 2014.

She loved coffee time and visiting with everyone she met.  She talked to her sisters daily/weekly & loved keeping in touch; always ending the conversation with “I love you & take of care   yourself”. She loved having donuts with great granddaughter Hayley,   making noodle soup for her twinkies-Jade & Jace, listening to Oliver ask “are you doing ok?’ & having Everly crawling up onto her bed. 

She spent the last seven months living with Cathy and Emery after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and breaking her hip. She loved finding new recipes and watching TV. She spent her last 3 1/2 weeks at the Dougherty Hospice House being taken care of by wonderful nurses and care assistants. 

She is survived by her daughter, Cathy and husband, Emery;  grandchildren- Nick, Nathan, Noah & wife Brittany, Sam, & Sophia; great grandchildren Hayley, Jade, Jace, Oliver, & Everly, sisters: Marsha Fyler, Mary (Gary) Schmidt, Machele (Eldon) Vogt,  and Julee Miller.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle, brother, Steve Sparks and her parents.

Mary Lou (Noble) Peklo, age 82, of Pembroke, Mass. , formerly of Omaha, Neb., passed away on July 26, 2023.

She was born in Winner, South Dakota to the late Elias and Mildred (Konop) Noble. She worked for the telephone company for 30 years both in Winner and in Omaha. Mary Lou enjoyed gardening, reading, traveling, and sewing. She was famous for telling jokes.

Mary Lou was the loving wife of the late Robert J. Peklo for 58 years.

She is survived by their children Kathleen (Rick) English of Omaha, Neb., Karen Peklo of Pembroke, brothers Elias “Chuck” (Trudy) Noble, and Wayne (Sharon)  Noble, sister Marsha (Bill) Gresham, grandchildren Ryan English of Omaha, Katrina (Adam) McKeagney of Pembroke, four great grandchildren Elias “Eli”, Xavier, Emersyn and Gabriella McKeagney, and many nieces and nephews.

Despite retinitis pigmentosa gradually stealing her vision and eventually causing complete blindness, Mary Lou maintained a positive attitude and her sense of humor until the end of her life.  Mary Lou and her husband Robert will be buried at the New Hampshire National Cemetery, honoring Robert’s service in the United States Navy. Date to be determined.