Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

Funeral services for Shirley Beck, 97, Winner, were held June 18 at the Prairie View Gospel Barn, Gregory. Burial was at the IOOF Cemetery, Gregory.

Shirley Ann Brown was born June 22, 1924, at Mule Head Ranch on the Whetstone Creek, north and east of Bonesteel, SD. Shirley was the oldest child of eight children born to William and Mabel (Cornemann) Brown. As a young girl, the family moved several times. Shirley attended many rural country schools. After two years in Dallas and one year at Gregory High School, Shirley stayed home to help her mother who had contracted polio.

On July 10, 1942, in Springview, NE, Shirley married Emmett K. Beck. They were married for 52 years, before Emmett passed in 1994. To this union nine children were born to complete this family.

Not only did Shirley keep busy with her children, she had many other duties to do. Shirley was a great cook and known for many of her dishes. The children enjoyed her cinnamon and caramel rolls and fresh homemade bread. Shirley’s famous dressing and cheesy potatoes were always a hit. The family joke was to see who got the lucky french fries as Shirley was always substituting ingredients and using whatever she could find to feed her large family.

Shirley was an accomplished seamstress and could sew anything even without a pattern. She made our everyday clothing as well as our prom dresses and wedding dresses. Helping out on the farm was just part of being a farm wife. Shirley helped milk cows and pulled many baby lambs and pigs. Raising way too many chickens prompted the kids to “always be busy” when it was time to butcher. Shirley also worked outside of the home at different times as a cook and a waitress.

Shirley’s real enjoyment was getting together with her big family. She hosted countless birthdays, holidays, and special occasions. Shirley loved to visit and enjoy a good cup of coffee with friends and family. Grandchildren and great grandchildren were the highlight of her life.

Shirley loved to bake and decorate cakes. She baked many cakes for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and special occasions–we have albums of her cake pictures!! No one knows for sure how many cakes have been made. All you had to do was mention an occasion and she would bake a special cake. This was her true calling and artistic ability. Sometimes she would throw in a “prank” sponge cake to have some fun. Shirley was a prankster at heart!

Gardening and flowers were Shirley’s escape. She loved to grow more than she needed and enjoyed giving and sharing the extra bounty. Along with her garden meant canning hundreds of jars of garden produce.

Shirley was a life-long member of the Valley Reading Circle, a neighborhood women’s group that started in the early 1920’s. She was also a member of the Rice-Walker American Legion Post #91 Auxiliary of Dallas for over 40 years. Shirley was very patriotic and very proud of her family members that served in the military. She served many positions and headed many committees in the organization. The annual Fall Pheasant Smorgasbord was her pride and joy. (Don’t stir the dressing!)

Shirley Ann passed away peacefully on June 9, 2022, at the Winner Regional Health Care Center at the age of 97 years, 11 months, and 17 days.

She was preceded in death by her husband Emmett, her parents William and Mabel Brown, grandson Emmett Jay Smith, great grandsons Kolby Beck and Brendan Hopkins, son-in-law Brent Janak, daughter-in-law Linda Beck, all of her siblings Rex Brown, Louie Brown, Jim (Delores) Brown, Leitha (Vernon) Drey, Wayne (Deloris) Brown, Russell Brown, and Gary Brown, in-laws David and Agnes (Graesser) Beck, brothers- and sisters-in-law Helga (Robert) Pennington, Donald (Ruth) Beck, Lola (Howard) Whitley, Jean (Alden) Aakhus, and Max (Faye) Beck.

Shirley is survived by her nine children: Diane (Gerald) Smith, Gregory, SD, Frank Beck, Mills, NE, Dave (Emily) Beck, Mills, NE, Janet (Charlie) Knight, Papillion, NE, Ken (Kathy) Beck, Dallas, SD, Patricia (Monte) Hopkins, Central City, NE, Brad (Barb) Beck, Winner, SD, Bev Janak, Winner, SD, and Doug (Sandy) Beck, Colome, SD; 24 grandchildren, 67 great grandchildren, 23 great-great grandchildren with one on the way; sisters-in-law Anna Mae Brown, Gregory, SD, Bonnie Brown, Winner, SD, Maureen Brown, Rapid City, SD, and Mary Brown-Nelson, Scotland, SD; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Her mind is at ease and her soul is at rest.

Martha Rae (Eagle Star) Old Lodge, 72, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at her residence in Winner, SD.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 20, 2022 at noon at the Winner Ideal Community Hall in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Wake services were held on Sunday, June 19, 2022 at 7 p.m. at the Winner Ideal Community Hall in Winner, SD.

Martha Rae (Eagle Star) Old Lodge was born Dec. 9, 1949 to Homer and Cora (Lever) Eagle Star in Hamill, SD.

Martha went to grade school in Hamill. She then attended high school at Todd County.

Martha met the love of her life Frank Old Lodge Sr. and they united in marriage on Sept. 23, 1971. To this unity they had 8 children; Quentin, Howard, Melissa, Brent, Frank Jr., Troy, Kerri, & Nealy.

In Martha’s younger years she enjoyed traveling to all the softball and fast pitch tournaments cheering on the Ideal Red Machine. Martha also loved to dance. She often traveled with her husband Frank & Son Quentin to all the dances they played at.

Martha had a heart of Gold. She loved everyone equally. Martha’s smile was like no other. Martha was full of love for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Martha was a stay-at-home mother raising her 8 children and 2 nieces.

Martha opened her home to anyone in need. She made sure you never went away hungry. Martha is a firm believer in the Lord Jesus. She and Frank traveled many miles to revivals. Martha believed in the power of prayer.

Martha loved spending her evening playing aggravation with family and friends. Martha and Frank helped raise lots of nieces, nephews, grandkids, and adopted lots of kids throughout their years.

Martha is survived by her 7 children: Quentin “Bub” (Delphine), Howard (Jolene), Melissa “Lisa”, Nealy (Patrick) all of Winner, SD, Brent (Mandy) of Witten, SD, Frank Jr. and Troy of Ideal, SD. 2 nieces Geraldine (Wayne Jr.) of Winner, Kimberly of Sioux Falls. Her brothers Millian Eagle Star of Winner, Clyde & Emmit Swalla of Lower Brule. Her sisters Zona Turkey of Huron, Ruth (Kevin) Olson of Sioux Falls, 34 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren.

Martha is united in heaven with her husband Frank, her daughter Kerri, 2 grandsons Homer & Jaeden, her parents Homer & Cora, her sisters Marva & Karen Eagle Star, her brothers; Antoine Sr., Larry Jasper Delbert Eagle Star & Benjamin Lever.

Bryan Walter Pharris, 68, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away June 9, 2022, at Avera McKennan Hospital surrounded by family at his side. He will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life and Time of Remembrance for Bryan was held  Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 6 p.m. The celebration was held at City Lights, 316 S. 2nd Street in Aberdeen.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Bryan was born Oct. 24, 1953, to Walter and Eleanor (Stroup) Pharris in Burke, SD, and resided in Gregory, SD until 1957.  The family then moved to Winner, SD.  He attended grade school and high school there, graduating in 1971.  He started to work at The Pharris Family Bakery at the age of 13.

Bryan attended college at The University Of South Dakota in Vermillion. He then moved back to Winner and met the love of his life, Cindy Holmquist.  They were married on June 23, 1974, at The United Methodist Church in Winner, SD.  They continued to work at the family bakery.  From this union, they were blessed with four children: Nicholas, Brooke, Alexander, and Bridget.

In 1983 the family moved to Rapid City, SD; and then settled in Aberdeen, SD in 1986.  Bryan continued to be an accomplished baker in Aberdeen.  Over the years Bryan and Cindy were blessed with thirteen grandchildren.

Bryan’s knack for baking and cooking was apparent and well-loved at every family gathering or holiday meal.  He was always glad to see a friend, and quick to make friends with a stranger; including the four-legged kind. Bryan’s hearty laugh could be felt before it could be heard.  He loved his grandchildren; and loved nothing more than to take them for a bum ride, navigate a canoe down the Niobrara River, or scavenge for wild asparagus.  Many heart to hearts were had over campfires, or just at the kitchen table with Columbo playing in the background.

Grateful for having shared his life are his loving wife, Cindy; daughters: Brooke Meyers of Aberdeen and Bridget Schilling of Ramsey, MN; son: Alexander Pharris; grandchildren: Ian Pharris, Austin and Ava Meyers; Gwendolyn Hauser, Grace and Jaxon Schilling; Laine Wise, Ariya Pharris; Samuel, Quade and Novella Pharris, Oliver and August Pharris; siblings: Kristine (Bill) Ringstmeyer of Winner, SD, Elizabeth Ann (Scott) Johnson of Sturgis, SD, and Keith (Linn) Pharris of Colorado; and one sister-in-law, Lorraine Pharris of Colorado.

Bryan will be terribly missed by his family. He was preceded in death by his son, Nicholas Pharris; brother Kenton Pharris and his parents, Walter and Eleanor.