Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

Marlo Bicek, 83, of Winner, SD passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at the Winner Regional Health Care Center in Winner, SD.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Winner, SD. Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Marlo was born on March 3, 1940 to Raymond and Dorothy (Keogh) Bicek where his parents lived south of Colome.  Marlo has always called himself a simple man which started early on in his life; being raised with no electricity using kerosene lamps for any lighting needs and a wood stove to heat the house. He attended the Kansas Flats country school and developed many lifelong friends during his attendance there.

Marlo made the decision to serve his country by enlisting in the National Guard. He was a member of the 730th medical company, based in Winner. Shortly after enlisting he met the love of his life, Linda Lee Sweetland, at the Little Diner located on Main Street Winner.  After much persuasion he finally convinced her to go on a date with him.  On their third date as they were dancing, Marlo told Linda that he could dance with her forever and the decision was made; they were engaged.

A wedding was soon planned for December of 1961 but plans soon were changed when Marlo was called up for active duty to Fort Riley, Kan. Marlo and Linda were then married on Sept. 3, 1961 creating a union, which Marlo had always said was meant to be. Through this union, four children were born:  Kay Evans (Daniel) of Storm Lake, Iowa, Amy Engel (DeWayne) of Winner, SD, Todd Bicek (Angie) of Winner, SD and Carol Peterson (Justin) of Winner SD.

Early on in Marlo and Linda’s marriage, Marlo discovered the second love of his life; being a truck driver. Lil Smokey (dad’s CB handle) and a lifelong career of logging over 3 million miles began. During his trucking career, Marlo developed the reputation of being a man who never met anyone who was a stranger. His children and wife would tell you that they spent many, many long-suffering hours in the back of the family’s station wagon waiting for their dad/ husband as he visited with his newfound friends at gas stations and truck stops.

Dad lived a simple life. He modeled generosity and paying it forward before it was even popular. Always seeing needs of others and helping in any way that he could, even if he was struggling to financially meets the needs of his family. He gave of his resources, money and time whenever he could.

Even though dad worked countless hours, he always found the time to get into a little bit of mischief, tell jokes and share many stories that entertained others. He also found partners to participate in his crazy antics; teaching his grandkids that having fun was an essential to living a happy life.

Since the passing of his Dolly (Dad’s name for his beloved Linda), he did his very best to help fill the void of our missing mom and grandma. Grateful and blessed for the time that we got to share with him are his children, Kay, Amy, Todd and Carol. Grandchildren Samantha Bausch (Eric), Kelly Evans (Joni), Ethan Engel, Jesse Engel, Emilee Engel (Reese), Brandon Bicek (Emily), Austin Bicek, Hannah Peterson (Ian), and Elijah Peterson (Kayleona). Great grandchildren Hastings and Elodie Bausch, Jade Evans, Oaklyn Bicek, and Gavin Fury. Sisters Rhea Nye, Donna Daley (Vinnie), and Doreen Kaiser (Kevin). Preceded in death by his wife Linda, parents Raymond and Dorothy, siblings Thomas and Lynette and brother-in-law, LaVerne Nye.

Gerald “Red” Hartford, 96, of Winner, SD passed away on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital in Rapid City, SD. 

Funeral service were held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Winner United Methodist Church in Winner, SD.  Burial followed in the Rosebud Cemetery in Bonesteel, SD.  

Gerald D. (“Red”) Hartford, loving and caring husband, dedicated father, entrepreneur, builder, businessman, Marine, and racer ascended to heaven May 17, 2023 at the age of 96.  His was a life lived full pursuing his various interests and realizing his vision through hard work and perseverance.

 He was born April 6, 1927 into a humble depression-era environment in Ewing, NE to Otto and Addie (Wilson) Hartford, the third of three children, his older brother Floyd and sister Norma, both deceased.  The family moved to a site near Bonesteel, SD during his early high school years where he would board in town during the week.  This meant, of course, that he had access to an automobile at a time when most students did not.  Although thin as a rail, he excelled at running track while at Bonesteel HS.

 Although they knew of each other, he didn’t get close to the love of his life, Alice Ruth Jons until she had graduated high school a year before he did.  Alice was attending the State Normal School in Springfield, SD pursuing her teaching degree, and they met through mutual friends.

Their romance was put on hold for thirteen months while Gerald fulfilled his voluntary enlistment in the Marine Corps at the end of WWII.  Once honorably discharged at age 19, they continued their courtship to the eventual decision to get married.  However, he had promised his mother that he would not marry as a teenager.  Thus, they were wed the day after he turned twenty years old April 6, 1947 at Alice’s parent’s farmhouse (Emil and Lydia Jons) south of Bonesteel.

 Gerald was a gifted mechanical wizard, and his first steady job was with Rozum Ford in Mitchell, SD where they set up residence.  He did side auto/mechanical work for a number of people from around the Mitchell area, plus built a number of items for his own enjoyment, one being a V8 powered hydroplane racing boat.  This exposure led to his becoming involved in the local auto racing scene, first as a co-promoter of the Mitchell Speedway, then a race car/engine builder, and then a driver.  Although there were a couple short periods where he didn’t race during the summers, his very successful race career in eastern SD and western MN spanned from the mid-1950’s through 1972, earning several track championships along the way.  He is also a member of the Huset’s Speedway Hall Of Fame, in Brandon, SD.

 A move in 1966 brought the family to Winner, SD where he worked as sales manager for Miller Bros. Chevrolet/Oldsmobile for the next 18 years.  In 1976, he and Alice purchased the rough lumber yard (Hiway Lumber) and set out building it up to a full-service lumber/hardware/appliance business.  He was elected President of the SD Lumberman’s Association.  Also during this time, he built/started Hiway Hardware in Hill City, SD along with a mini-strip mall on the same lot.  He then built the building that currently houses Krull’s grocery.

 Throughout this period, he built over 30 homes in the Winner area and served as a city commissioner.

 These businesses and buildings were sold over time, and at age 65 he and Alice started their last enterprise, Hartford Cabinet Shop, which manufactured commercial and residential cabinets until he turned 85, when he finally “retired”.  But he kept both a small wood shop and metal shop to keep him busy.

Gerald is survived by his wife of 76 years, Alice, as well as his children Barbara Tracy (Rapid City, SD), Jerry and wife Leslie (San Diego, CA), Lynn Jacobs and husband Pete (Rochester, MN), and Rick and wife Twila (Hickory, NC).  Also, six grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

We’ll dearly miss this man of many talents, but just as much, we’ll miss his witty sense of humor, his understated but always present caring, and his strength of character.  There were still many projects he would have liked to initiate and complete.  He just ran out of time.

Agnes Volmer, 98, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2023, at the Winner Regional Healthcare Facility in Winner, SD. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Isidore Catholic Church in Colome, SD.  Burial will follow in the Colome City Cemetery.  A rosary will be held one hour prior to the funeral service.

Agnes Julia Volmer was born on June 27, 1924, at the family farm north of Norden, Neb..  She was the youngest of five children born to John and Catherine (Simons) Keogh.   She attended country school, then continued her education at St. Martins, in Sturgis SD, and graduated from St. Johns Catholic High School in Omaha, Neb. When World War II started in 1939, Agnes returned to the family farm to help her ailing father with the farm because her brothers were drafted into the army.

On Oct. 30, 1946, she married Henry F. Volmer to this union one daughter was born.  They lived on the Volmer ranch northwest of Keya Paha and were members of the St. Ann’s Catholic Church.   Agnes was a member of the Altar Society, the local extension club, and the VFW Auxiliary.   She always had a big garden, was a fantastic seamstress, crocheted and knitted.  In the early 1970s, she worked at the Outlaw Trading Post.  Then in 1977 they sold the ranch and headed west to Rapid City. She did various jobs and then took a position at the Rapid City Medical Center as a transcriptionist and receptionist working there until she retired.   Not long after she retired, Henry was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 1993.    Instead of sitting at home, Agnes began volunteering her time at Rapid City Regional Hospital.  Taking care of her house, mowing the yard, and tending to her flowers and garden.    In 2014, she moved back to Winner to be closer to her family. 

Agnes was always very independent, insisting on doing her own housekeeping, cooking meals, and baking cookies.  She loved to share her food with others; if you stopped, she would have a cookie for you, and she loved to take her neighbors’ food.  When a new tenant moved into the building she would welcome them, and make sure if they needed anything to knock.    She was also an avid reader, reading everything from history to cooking and non-fiction books.   She had read so many books that her daughter had trouble finding books that she had not read. 

One of Agnes’ greatest joys was her grandchildren. When they would come to visit her eyes would twinkle and her contagious smile would appear, and you just knew something mischievous was about to happen. 

Survived by her daughter Rosemary King, of Winner SD, 2 granddaughters Phyllis (Tim) Meiners, of Winner, and Susan (CJ) Munkvold, of Irene SD.   As well as five great-grandchildren, Ashley Meiners, Sioux Falls, Alex Meiners and Aryn Meiners of Winner, James Munkvold and Jayden Munkvold of Irene, along with numerous nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Henry, parents John and Catherine Keogh, brothers John and Robert Keogh, sisters Mary Hughes and Sister Margaret Mary Keogh, sister-in-law Mary Keogh, Dorothy Keogh, Margaret Williams, brother-in-law Charles Williams and Joseph Volmer. Nephews Joseph Keogh, Larry Keogh, Ronald Keogh, and Raymond Keogh

Lori Rieckman, age 54, of Philip, South Dakota, died on Friday, May 19, 2023 at Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Lori Lee Shippy was born Sept. 6, 1968, in Gregory, SD to Chandlor and Judy (Stroschine) Shippy, joining brother Todd. She was raised on the family farm south of Colome, SD and graduated from Colome High School in 1986. While in high school, Lori was active in cheerleading and track. Her medley relay team still holds the school record in Colome.

Lori attended South Dakota State University and graduated in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in economics.

Lori married Jeff Rieckman on May 23, 1992, in Aurora, SD. Over the years she held many different jobs including Johnson Jewelers in Brookings, DeSmet Farm Mutual in DeSmet, Jones Bottle & Vet in Philip, Deluxe Harley Davidson in Gillette, WY, Al’s Oasis in Chamberlain, and then most recently was welcomed back at The Bottle & Vet in Philip. Lori found great joy in finding bargains at thrift stores and enjoyed excursions (trips) with friends.

Grateful for having shared in her life are her husband Jeff, Philip; father Chandlor and step-mom Gertrude Shippy of Colome; brother Todd (Janette) Shippy of Colome; sisters-in-law Julie (the late Jim) Schweitzer-Rieckman-Caron of Estelline; Colleen (Roger) Brown of Brookings; Jean (Joel) Haar of Mankato, MN; Kathy (Dave) Dargatz of Watertown; brothers-in-law Terry (Patsy) Rieckman of Salem; Dennis (Kathy) Rieckman of Sioux Falls; Tom (Sue) Rieckman of Columbus, NE; and John (Marita) Rieckman of Parkston; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Lori was preceded in death by her mother Judy (Stroschine) Shippy; her mother and father-in-law, Arnold and Helen Rieckman; and a brother-in-law Jim Rieckman.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 304, Philip, SD 57567.

Memorial visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 24 at the Philip High School Fine Arts Building, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 25 at the Philip High School Fine Arts Building, with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.

Interment will be at a later date at the Colome Cemetery.

Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.

Janice Ann Rausch, 88, Aberdeen, died Friday, May 12, 2023 at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen.

Janice Ann, daughter of Clara (Wirtz) and Henry J. Simon, was born Sept. 2, 1934 at Hoven. Other than her fourth-grade year when her family lived in Raymond, Iowa, Janice grew up in Hoven. Her formal education consisted of St. Anthony’s Parochial School and Hoven High School, Class of 1952.

She married Duane John Rausch at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Hoven Oct. 7, 1952. The newlyweds first lived on Duane’s home place 2 ½ miles west of Hoven for five years. They then expanded Rausch Herefords by purchasing a ranch one mile east and 1/2 miles south of Onaka. Here they raised their 13 children and Hereford cattle until Duane’s death on March 8, 1998. The following year, Janice moved into Hoven. She later moved to Huron and, in 2010 settled in Aberdeen. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Hoven, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Onaka,  and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen. Janice was active in Koinonia and  served as a lector and Eucharistic Minister. Janice belonged to the South Dakota Hereford Auxiliary and was active in the Cresbard PTA. Her hobbies included gardening,  photography, and scrapbooking. Janice will be remembered as a great Pray Warrior.

Janice is survived by four sons—Rick (Linda) Rausch of Onaka, Tim (Teresa) Rausch of Florence, MT, Troy (Lovette) Rausch of Choctaw, OK, and Chad (Cortney) Rausch of Powell, WY; eight daughters—Jeannie (Leonard) Heim of Winner, Cindy Schlosser of Bismarck, ND, Pam  Holt of Mina, Shellie (Owen) Melius of Olathe, Kansas, Kay (Scott) McGaugh of Huron, Deb (Joel) Owens of Mitchell, Kristie (Jon) Beal of Missoula, MT, and Peggy (Lee) Goetz of Aberdeen; two brothers- Jack (Joyce) Simon of Raytown, MO, and Dave (Lisa) Simon of Shannon, IL; three sisters—Betty Hageman of Hoven, Marjean (Lelend) Stotz of Tolstoy, and Mary Jo  Mueller of Cashton, WI; 54 grandchildren; and 127 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to Duane, she was preceded in death by her father, Henry, on April 26, 1985; her mother, Clara, on April 7, 2008; two sons—Gary and infant, Bobby; two sons-in-law-Mike Schlosser and Kevin Holt; and a daughter-in-law, Carmen Rausch; three brothers-Norman, James, and an infant, Joseph; one sister, Gina Keltgen; and one great granddaughter—Amaya Larson.

Mass of Christian Burial was at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Aberdeen, with Father Michael Kapperman, celebrant.  Interment was at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Onaka, 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Rausch family prefers memorials to South Dakota Right to Life, 1107 Mt. Rushmore Rd., Suite 1B, Rapid City, SD 57701 or to Roncalli FAST, 1400 N Dakota St., Aberdeen, SD 57401.

Arrangements are in care of Lien Funeral Home, Bowdle.  (www.MillerLienFH.com)

Funeral services for Irma Jean Smith, 97, were held May 20 at Clausen Funeral Home,Burke with pastor Gary Jacobsen officiating.

Burial was in Hillsview Cemetery, Dallas.

Irma Jean Edwards Smith died on May 15. She was born near Dallas on June 21, 1925, the seventh of James and Martha (Emme) Edwards’s 11 children.

Irma Jean grew up during the hard times of the Dirty Thirties. She and her sister Verna Mae lived in the dormitory while they attended Dallas High School and were the first in the family to graduate. During WW II, after only a six-week summer training course, she taught a rural school for two years.

Irma Jean married her high school sweetheart, Orrin William Smith, on Nov. 5, 1947. Their first home was a tiny trailer in northwestern South Dakota where Orrin worked for a construction company and Irma Jean had ample space as she learned to drive. Their second home was a slightly less tiny trailer house on Orrin’s family farm north of Dallas, where they welcomed their first two daughters, Karel and Kathleen. In 1955 they moved to a farm near Dixon, where their third daughter, Laurel, joined the family.

In 1957, Irma Jean’s father died, and the family moved to the Edwards farm north of Dallas. A fourth daughter, Nancy, completed their family. Irma Jean and Orrin farmed and raised cattle until they retired in the late 1990’s. In 2007 they moved to Herrick. Their marriage lasted 69 years, until Orrin’s death in 2016.

Whether in a cramped trailer or the old family farmhouse, Irma Jean created comfortable, welcoming homes. She was an artist with fabric, sewing beautifully tailored clothes for herself and her daughters and creating many lovely quilts. She and Orrin shared a love of dancing, hunting, and fishing; she was confident and competent on the dance floor, in the kitchen, at the sewing machine, or behind the wheel of a grain truck. She compiled several books of family genealogy and history. Irma Jean was a fierce competitor at Scrabble and kept her sharp wit and sense of humor until the end of her life.

Irma Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings and in-laws, Arthur Edwards (in childhood), Marie and John Stuckers, Howard and Shirley Edwards, Ernest Edwards, Mabel and Ron MacKenzie, Edna Ernsdorff, Allen Edwards, Carma Edwards, and Frank Putz; and sons-in-law Wayne Christopherson and Alvis Lisenbee.

She is survived by her daughters Karel (Robert) Birnie of Salix, IA, Kathleen Christopherson of Rapid City, SD, Laurel (Ken) Shaffer of Lennox, SD, and Nancy (Jim) Krier of Herrick, SD; her sisters Verna Mae Buhr of Viroqua, WI, and Verdene (Ralph) Parker of Gering, NE, brother Alvin Edwards of Kearney, NE; sister-in-law Geneva Putz of Park Rapids, MN; nine grandchildren: Valerie (Mike) Birnie DeBates, Sara (Chris) Birnie Allen, Jacqueline (Joe) Birnie Bates, Orrin (Alicia) Johnson, Ingrid (Jason) Johnson Reuter, Alissa (Jeremy) Shaffer Luden, Amy (Ryan) Shaffer Penning, Natalie (Fidel) Krier Arreola, and Samuel Krier; eighteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.