Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

Barbara Jean “Barb” Winckler, 76

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Barbara Jean “Barb” Winckler, 76, of Winner, SD passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024 at her residence in Winner, SD.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, April 5, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.  at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Barbara Jean (“Barb”) Winckler was born on May 29, 1947, to Raymond Bambas and Genevieve (Wysuph) “Jenny” Bambas, in the Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota.  She was the only child born to the Bambas family and lived in Tyndall, South Dakota, throughout her upbringing. Ray was a plumber while Jenny was a homemaker for many years; and, together, they ran the local movie theatre and the Tyndall Sky Hi Drive-In.  

Barb graduated from Tyndall High School in 1965 – and treasured her high school classmates for life – especially the love of her life Myron “Big Mike” Winckler.  She went on to acquire her elementary education bachelor’s degree from the University of South Dakota and began teaching the next fall in the Yankton School District. 

While growing up, Barb was active in many school activities and, until the last few years, was happy to share a demonstration of a favorite cheer while a high school cheerleader.  In college, she was a proud member of the Chi Omega sorority and spoke often of her shared experiences with her sorority sisters.

After many a love letter while serving in the Army in Vietnam, Myron Mark Winckler made the best decision of his life and asked Barbara Jean Bambas to marry him.  They were engaged in February of 1969 and married on July 24, 1969.  They danced beautifully – at weddings and other events – and ultimately, through life.  To this union, two children were born – Alicia Jean in 1972 and Mark Raymond in 1978.

After a few years in Yankton, Mike and Barb moved to Colome, South Dakota, where Barb continued her career as a teacher.  A few years later, they moved to the big city – Winner – with Barb transitioning to teach in the Winner School District.  While Mike was socializing with others, enjoying the outdoors, and demonstrating reliably how to tell a great story, Barb was trying to get him to “do good, kind things”, “watch his language”, and be a role model for his children – but also laughed heartily and was entertained by his antics, sayings, and retorts for the better part of their life together.  Although their interests and personalities were very different, they remained in love through each of their earthly transitions.  

Through an impactful career of 33 years as an elementary school teacher, primarily for reading and math for early elementary students, she took great pride in the success of her school children and would reference their life successes as she tracked many of them quietly for years thereafter.  

Barb was widely known for her kindness, warmth, expressive cards and letters, and enthusiastic conversations.  She approached others always with a smile and with a positivity, hopefulness, and faith that miracles do happen while keeping hope alive for a better future.  Many have shared stories about her kind words and effervescent smile, enthusiastic waving while driving about town, and enjoyable (yet never brief) conversations as she moved about her daily life – noticeably changing their day in a positive way.

She took immense pride in and loved her family deeply.  To anyone whom she encountered, she told stories about the successes and accomplishments of her grandchildren and children – and when life wasn’t so kind – what she hoped for each of their futures.  She was also quite a sports enthusiast – especially when her son, Mark, was wrestling.  At times, her response to what was happening on the mat was more entertaining than what was actually happening on the mat.

She is survived by her daughter Alicia Jean, her grandson, Lucas Edward Hansen, his father, Gary Hansen; her son, Mark Raymond, his three children, Norah Blanche, Jacob Marcus, and Sullivan Charles, and their mother, Melissa (Grossenburg) Winckler; and her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law – Norma (Bob) Bender, JoeWayne Winckler, Vern Dangel, Jarvis (Marilyn) Winckler, Sue Winckler, Merlin (Lisa) Winckler, and Larry Winckler.

Barb passed peacefully in her home on Good Friday, March 29, 2024, appropriate as she was a staunch woman of Catholic faith. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mike, her parents, Genevieve and Ray Bambas, her sister-in-law, Arla Dangel, her brother-in-law David Winckler, Mike’s parents, Hubert and Edna Winckler, several of she and Mike’s good friends, and many uncles, aunts, cousins.

Two to receive state FFA Degree

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Bailey Fairbanks of Winner and Joseph Laprath of Colome will be recognized for receiving their state FFA degree at the 96th annual South Dakota state FFA convention April 19 in Brookings.

The state FFA Degree is the highest degree of membership conferred by the South Dakota FFA association.

Fairbanks is a senior at Winner High School and Laprath is a senior at Colome High School.

Fairbank’s SAE is based on her herd of registered Savanna goats. She raises the goats on her family’s ranch in Tripp County on the banks of the White River. Her responsibilities include feeding, administering medications, trimming hooves and maintaining facilities. She also shows the animals and is responsible for training, clipping, washing and fitting.

Her community service project included serving meals at the holiday festival, snow removal, preparing backpacks, Little Dance camp, and helping with upkeep of the Tripp County Historical Society.

For his SAE, Laprath worked with his sawmill and woodworking business. For his community service, he has helped plan and host through NHS the annual Colome High School Cowboy Olympics for homecoming week, assist students in exploratory agriculture build wooden boot jacks and help referee during a weekend junior high basketball game.

The requirements for the degree include:

•Having earned and productively invested at least $1,000 or worked at least 300 hours in excess of scheduled class time or a combination thereof, in a Supervised  Agricultural Experience program.

•Demonstrated leadership ability by performing ten procedures of parliamentary law, giving a six minute speech on agriculture or FFA related topic and serving as an officer or committee chairperson or participating member of a chapter committee.

•Have completed at least 25 hours of community service.  

There are 319 FFA members who will receive their state FFA Degree.

Rotary Essay Contest Winner

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Katie Burns won the Winner Rotary 4 Way Test essay contest. She is pictured with her parents Misti and Chris Burns on the right and her grandparents Jack and Marlene Burns on the left.

Katie Burns, a sixth grade student at Winner Middle School, is the winner of the Winner Rotary Club Four-Way test essay contest. 

She is the daughter of Chris and Misti Burns.

Here is the winning essay.

How Can I Apply the Four-Way Test to My Life?

How can I apply the four-way test to my life? Today, people are faced with a lot of

challenges that will have a significant impact on their eve1yday lives. Often times we will spread rumors about somebody or something to make ourselves feel better or feel included. I think that applying the 4-Way test to our lives can make an impact on our lives and many other people’s lives.

The first question of the Four-Way test is, “Is it the truth?” Before saying anything about someone or something you should ask yourself “is it the truth?” It can be hard not to get caught up in gossip, but we have to remember that it is not the truth. We also must understand that gossiping will only result in you feeling guilty and others getting hurt. It does not feel so great when others lie to you, so why should you lie to them? We have all been in situations where we are pressured to lie, but what matters is if you lie with them or if you simply walk away from the situation, “those you surround yourself with is who you become.”

The next question to the Four-Way test is, “ls it fair to all concerned?” If you are fair to all concerned, you will face no issues with friendships. Imagine what you would feel like if someone did what you did to them, would you feel joyous or would you feel sorrowful? We must understand that we all deserve equality. It can be difficult to put others before ourselves sometimes, but when we do, we feel great. The fourth question to the 4-Way test is, “Is it beneficial to all concerned?”, before we say or do something about a situation, we should ask ourselves, “is it beneficial to all concerned?”, is everyone who is involved happy about the outcome.

The third question of the Four-Way test is, “Will it build good will and a better friend?” I believe that nowadays people strive to make more friendships and do not even bother to improve the friendships that they already have. We must understand that we should not attempt to make more friends if we cannot keep the ones that we have. According to Rotary, there are five attributes to being a good companion, respect, trust, reciprocity, shared experience, and enjoyment of each other’s company.

I can apply the Four-Way test by asking myself four questions before I say something that can harm others. You never do really realize how saying four simple things can make an impact on your and other people’s lives. The Four-Way test has helped me understand that I need to look at the outcome of a situation before saying something hurtful towards others. I believe that if everyone applies the 4-Way test to their daily lives, we could have a safe and healthy environment.

Winner receives grant

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Winner has received a $500,000 solid waste management grant from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The grant is to purchase an existing solid waste handling facility and equipment to include a walking floor trailer, used semi tractor, four roll off containers, a mini excavator to facilitate the loading of garbage within the facility and standardize solid waste containers for individual and commercial use.

Winner Mayor Jody Brozik said: “Great day for the residents of Winner, South Dakota.  The DANR recognized the efforts, abilities, and vision of the Sanitation and Recycling enterprise of the city. 

“I would like to congratulate Public Works Director Troy Kruger, Sanitation Foreman Travis Waters, Finance Officer Chandra Phillips, and the city council for all their work in a successful grant application.  A lot of research and development has gone into this endeavor.  This team stuck to our beliefs and were able to express the long term fruits to the committee.  They believed in our vision and believe we will follow through on our plan.  With the award they have entrusted us with moving forward responsibly and we thank them for this trust.”

The mayor added: “Although the immediate funds will be useful and impactful, I am excited to see how operationally this will blossom into more sustaining long term results for the residents of the City of Winner.  When we took over this project, it was the belief of this administration and council we could hold our collection rates for up to four years.  We have sustained two years of status quo and should easily see the ability to sustain our current rates for another two years plus.”

The Winner grant was one of several grants and loans for drinking water, wastewater, storm water and solid waste projects in South Dakota. All the grants totaled $172,554,815.

Chad Robert Kucera, 49

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After a courageous battle with depression, Chad Robert Kucera, age 49 died by suicide on March 18, 2024, in Belgrade, MT. Chad will always be remembered for the love and affection he showed family, friends, and the light he brought to so many lives. The strength, bravery, and courage he displayed in fighting depression was immense. We will always love and miss him, more than words can ever express. It is our hope that he found his peace.

Chad was born on July 16, 1974, in Winner, SD to Robert and Shelley Kucera. He graduated from Winner High School in 1992. He began his electrical career working with his dad at Kucera Electric and went on to receive an Associate Degree in Electrical Construction and Maintenance from Mitchell Tech. He moved to Spearfish, SD, and in the summer of 2000 met the love of his life, Tina. The two were inseparable and moved their adventurous lives to the beautiful mountains and rivers of Montana. Chad immediately discovered a strong love for floating down Montana’s rivers in his cataraft, that he lovingly called “Stella Blue.” He and Tina made many extended and adventurous trips down the Smith and Yellowstone Rivers with friends. Many great memories were made.

Chad also joined the Bozeman Curling Club. He quickly developed a strong love for the sport and became an active board member. He was a dedicated advocate for building, growing, and promoting the club. He was a loyal teammate, known for playing in his bright orange pants. Chad’s biggest passion was music. He often commented that music was “therapy to his soul.” He attended as many concerts and festivals as he could. He was an absolute connoisseur and known to be a music snob. Amongst Chad’s last wishes, was that his family and friends log onto Spotify and listen to his 7,000 most liked songs. He said it contains his entire life story. Chad worked as a Master Electrician and in the last year as an Inside Salesman for North Coast Electrical Supply. Chad had a strong work ethic and was always devoted to every job he did.

He was a compassionate man, who had a strong love for all his friends and many he called his brothers. He will forever be missed as the “fun” uncle who adored and loved his nieces and nephews; even allowing them to decide his next tattoo. He was very proud of his family and cherished the memories he made with everyone.

Chad leaves behind his wife, Tina and their loyal dogs, Lou and Sailor; parents, Bob and Shelley Kucera; brothers, Jeremy Kucera, wife, Lauren and daughters, Natalie and Hannah, Tyler Kucera, wife, Danielle and daughters, Deja, Ada and Stella, and sons, Jake and Luke. A Celebration of Chad’s Life will be shared with family and friends at a later date.

“I have passed the mountain peak, my soul is soaring in the firmament of complete and unbounded freedom; I am in comfort, I am in peace”-Khalil Gibran. 

Thomas Oli Strand, 63

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Thomas Oli Strand was born on Feb. 1, 1961, to Shep and Elizabeth (Slattery) Strand in Ainsworth, Neb. and passed away on March 24, 2024, at the Winner Regional Hospital in Winner, South Dakota.

Tom grew up in Ainsworth and in 1983, he married Patsy Denny of Newport, Neb. To this union three daughters were born: Jessica, Ashly and Sheena. In 2007 they divorced and Tom began his new life with fiancé, Vicki Condon. The last ten years were spent in Winner sharing their life with his daughters and Vicki’s son, Lane Hall.

His grandchildren, Darion Dye, Olivia Strand, DaShawn Sellers-Strand, Chloe Strand, Lily Dye and Bo Dye, were his pride and joy. Tom loved them all and was happiest when they were around. His family, friends and cats were also an important part of his life.

Tom loved the outdoors, spending a lot of time working in his yard and his garden. He had a love for fishing, (especially when he caught that “BIG” one), hunting and driving in demolition derbys with his skeleton on the passenger side.

Tom worked for his father at Shep’s Wrecker Service and Body Repair and spent his life working in various body shops. He was known for being one of the best autobody men around. Everything Tom did he would say, “I did it my way.”

Tom was preceded in death by his father Shep Strand; sister, Angela (Philbrick) Hansen; grandson, Marcus Sellers; nephews, LeRoy and Amos Assarsson.

He is survived by his fiancé Vicki of Winner and her son Lane Hall of Sutherland, Nebraska; three daughters, Jessica Dye and husband Jason of Chadron, Nebraska, Ashly O’Keefe of North Platte, Nebraska and Sheena Strand of Rapid City, South Dakota; six grandchildren; mother, Liz Strand of Ainsworth; brothers, Rick Philbrick and wife Jana of Gillette, Wyoming, Rob Strand and wife Lori of Ainsworth, and Shane Philbrick of Springview, Nebraska; sister, Deb Assarsson and husband Bill of Bassett; mother of his children, Patsy Strand of North Platte; along with many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 1, 2024 at the Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth with Tammi Painter officiating. 

 In lieu of flowers, memorials were suggested to the family in Tom’s name.  Interment was in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of the Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com. 

Wilbur “Bill” Boerner, 85

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Wilbur “Bill” Boerner, of Winner, SD, passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024, in Pierre, S.D.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 2 p.m. at the Winner Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. 

Bill was born on Dec. 13, 1938, in Winner, S.D. to Harold and Alice Boerner. In Bill’s early years, he lived on the family farm north of Winner. Later, his family moved to Lamar, AR., where he grew up with his four sisters, Lynn, Pat, Shirley and Diane and graduated high school in 1957.

After high school, Bill eventually moved back to Winner, S.D., where he met Carol Ann Olson, and married on Feb. 24, 1968. They had two children, Michael and Sylvia.

Bill worked various farming jobs in the Winner area, which was something he always loved. He left farming in 1989 to work for the City of Winner. Bill worked for the city 14 years and retired in 2003.

 Bill loved the Lord, family, friends, being on the farm and country music. He was musically gifted and could play almost any instrument he picked up or song he heard. He could also build or weld almost anything he could think of. Bill was a member of the Winner Methodist Church.

Bill is survived by his son, Michael (Georgette) of Winner, S.D., daughter, Sylvia (Ron) Nelson of Pierre, S.D. Grandchildren; Melissa Boerner of Pierre, S.D., Lance Boerner of Sioux Falls, S.D., Dani DeVries (Darian) of Sioux Falls, S.D., Gennefier Schuppan of Sioux Falls, S.D., Amanda Nelson of Pierre, S.D, and Matthew Boerner of Winner, S.D. Great grandchildren; Serenity and Ryan Lopez of Pierre, S.D. Sisters; Lynn Elsasser of Dessert Hot Springs, CA, Patricia Gage of Jacksonville, AR, Shirley Shain of Jacksonville, AR and Diane Yates of Cabot, AR. And numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Alice Boerner, wife Carol Boerner, and brother-in- laws, Joby Shain, George Gage and Paul Elsasser.