Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

William “Bill” Schroeder, 64

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William “Bill” Schroeder, 64, of Witten, South Dakota passed away on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023 at the Winner Regional Hospital in Winner, SD.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 at 10 a.m.  at The Red Hills, formerly known as the Carter Mall, in Carter, SD.

William Bradley Schroeder was born Sept. 21, 1958 to Herman and Phyllis (Smith) Schroeder. He was the 5th child of Herman and Phyllis. Bill was baptized on Sept. 22, 1963 in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner, SD. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kahler were Bill’s sponsors.

Bill grew up in the country and attended grade school until the 8th grade before coming to Winner High School. After high school Bill joined the Army and was stationed in Ft. Hood, Texas. He completed his basic training before he was injured in an accident and he was given an honorable medical discharge.

Over the years Bill worked various local jobs. He married Connie Labbs Jan. 13, 1995 at the Carter Mall in Carter, SD. Connie and Bill lived in Carter and later moved to their permanent residence home in Witten, SD. Bill loved the Witten community and people in it. Later in life as Connie’s M.S. progressed, she moved to Winner where she made a home at the Winner Long Term Care Center due to her health.

Bill was a very frequent visitor of the Winner Nursing Home. He visited his wife Connie daily, showing his love for her and keeping her up to speed with what was going in their lives and community. Bill also cared for the other residents, and also the staff of the Winner Nursing Home, helping out wherever he could and participated in many activities.

Bill is survived by his wife, Connie, siblings; Herman Jr. (Diane) of Winner, SD; Mylan Schroeder of Alcester, SD; Lori (Rudy) Kahler of Winner, SD; Kathy (Dan) Vavra of Gregory, SD; Cindy Schroeder of Winner, SD; Sally Schroeder of Gregory, SD; Orville (Melinda) of Winner, SD. Robert (Jean) Schroeder of White Lake, SD. Marlin Smith and his family of Holyoke, Colorado. Sister-in-law Patsy Smith and family of New York. Bill is also survived by his step children Ray Allen (Linda) Bahm of O’Neill, NE and children Christina Bahm and children: Ava, Cruzito, Genevieve and Reynaldo (Brandee Felix) Bahm and their 4 children: Sinella, Vincent, Elvira, Lacinna; Todd (Lisa) Bahm of St. Paul, MN and Orion; Dan Labb and family. Bill is also survived by many uncles, aunts, cousins and in-laws.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, maternal and paternal grandparents, brother Jerry, nephew Benjamin, mother-in-law Clarice Dreyer and numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Hamill Horsemen Club Receives Grant

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The Hamill Horseman’s Club received a grant from the Tripp County Foundation.

The Tripp County Community Foundation awarded a grant in the amount of $5,000 to the Hamill Horseman’s Club  for repairs, maintenance, and updates at the rodeo arena in Hamill.   A picture  was taken at one of the summer monthly playdays held on Aug.  8  and there were 50 participants.

The Hamill Horseman’s Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.  They plan to celebrate their 50th Anniversary on Saturday, September 30, 2023 with a playday and entertainment by Cody Hullinger.

The club was found in 1973 to encourage youth to get involved in rodeo.  They hold play days during the summer months and participants can earn points in various events.  Each year they have a banquet and awards night where youth receive buckles and awards for their participation.  This year the banquet and awards night has been set for Nov. 11.

This community organization is 100% operated by volunteers.  The volunteer families have been doing this for generations.

The Tripp County Community Foundation is proud to support community organizations like the Hamill Horseman’s Club.

Odenbach family wins traveling saddle

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The Rick and Becky Odenbach family received the Marcus Thompson memorial saddle at the Tripp County 4-H rodeo. Pictured from left are Randy and Debbie Steinke, Pam and Lon Dreyer, Rick and Becky Odenbach, Teri Eichstadt and Karissa Odenbach. Not pictured is Kallie Helkenn.

Each year the Marcus Thompson traveling saddle award is presented on behalf of the first regional high school rodeo committee and the 4-H committee.

This year the award was presented to the Odenbach family. Rick and Becky Odenbach family have been involved in helping youth across the state. Each of their girls grew up rodeoing in Tripp County.

Rick, Becky and Karissa can be found many times in the crows nest in either arena announcing and timing.

Becky has worked hard to get the Hamill Horseman’s Club play days going, she has grown this program with many kids getting to spend great nights at the arena with their horse.

This year is the Hamill Horseman’s Club 50th anniversary.

Quincy Phillips won the big stick award at the state tournament.

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Quincy Phillips of the Winner/Colome Junior Legion baseball team won the big stick award at the state tournament.

He batted 5-9 for a .556 batting average with a home run in the championship game.

Karson Keiser was right behind batting 5-10 with a .500 batting average and hit his own home run in the Belle Fourche game.

This is the third year in a row Winner/Colome has won the big stick. Previously went to Ethan Bartels and Landon Calhoon.

The Royals were the runner-up in the state tournament.

Pheasants fall in state tournament

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Winner/Colome Pheasants fell to Lesterville Broncs 4-3 on Thursday in final play of the game at the state meet in Mitchell.

The game was tied at three in the bottom of the ninth inning when Lesterville’s Michael Drortzmann doubled, scoring one run.

The Pheasants got on the scoreboard early scoring one run in the first inning. They added one run each in the fourth and fifth innings.

In the seventh, Lesterville scored three runs.

Winner/Colome out-hit Lesterville 6-5. Derek Graesser finished with two hits and an RBI. Drew DeMers and Reed Harter both drove in runs which Austin Calhoon, Trevor Salmonson and Zach Harter had hits.

Graesser and Drew DeMers each had a triple and Graesser had a double.

Graesser pitched all eight innings with 11 strikeouts. Graesser faced 31 batters.

The Pheasants ended the season with an 18-6 record.

Pheasants vs. Mt. Vernon

The top two teams in the Sunshine League met at the state tournament with the Pheasants winning 3-0 on Aug. 7.

The Pheasants opened the scoring in the bottom of the sixth inning thanks to two singles. Winner/Colome got on the board when Austin Richey singled, scoring one run. They scored one more run in that inning to make the score 2-0. In the seventh, the Pheasants added one more run.

J. J. Farner pitched all nine innings. He struck out three batters and faced 38 batters.

Chandler Bakley was the leader at the plate as he went 2-4. Drew DeMers, Austin Richey, Dillon Lambley and Austin Calhoon all had hits.

Update on highway construction

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By Dan Bechtold

Editor

Paving started last week on Phase 3 of the Highway 18 project in Winner.

The update on the project was given at the Aug. 8 weekly construction meeting.

The first part of the paving was from the bridge by the Country Club Motel to Iowa Street.

Starting Aug 15 paving was from Iowa Street to South County Road.

Doug Sherman with the South Dakota Department of Transportation office in Winner explained this will mean the South County Road intersection will be closed for the start of school on Aug. 17. He said the road has to be closed to gain strength on the concrete. “It will be an inconvenience but be patient with us. East Park and West Park should be open so plan according,” he said.

Sherman noted work is shifting to phase 4 which is the removal of the pavement and utility work on the south side of the highway. This will include the removal of the sidewalk. There will be temporary pedestrian crossings at Polk, Taft and West Park St.

With work on the south side, persons will see side streets closed from time to time on a temporary basis. Motorists are asked to watch closely which intersections are closed.

Persons who have questions can call the DOT office in Winner.

Emily Marie (Noyes) Henderson, 83

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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.