Local Retailer Named State Business Delegate

John Meyer of Office Products Center in Winner was among the business owners and operators who served as Business Delegates at the South Dakota Retailers Association’s (SDRA) annual meeting and awards banquet on Monday, January 8th in Pierre.

As part of the Business Delegate program, business people from each legislative district were invited by SDRA to participate in a legislative briefing regarding issues expected to be considered during this year’s state legislative session.

The briefing kicked off with Gov. Dennis Daugaard providing information on recent sales tax activity in the state including how the farm economy, increased healthcare costs and losing tax dollars from e-commerce impacts the State’s budget.

Attendees also heard presentations from Senate President Pro Tempore Brock Greenfield (R-Clark), House Minority Leader Spencer Hawley (D-Brookings) as well as SDRA’s legislative team, who offered their thoughts on some of the retail issues to be considered during this year’s legislative session. The delegates had an opportunity to ask questions and voice their opinions about the issues.

Non-meandered waters were a hot topic of discussion throughout the afternoon. Other issues discussed included proposals regarding campaign finance and data security.

The briefing was followed by a dinner attended by SDRA Business Delegates, legislators, state constitutional officers and cabinet secretaries.

SDRA believes connecting legislators with business owners is important. This event gives legislators the opportunity to hear about real issues affecting their business community while educating retailers about becoming more active in the legislative process.

“It is imperative for legislators to understand how the laws they pass will impact the business community, and for retailers to understand how they can have a voice in the process,” state SDRA Board President Gary Cammack.

Russ Phillips, manager of the Tripp County Water User District named Rural Water System Manager of the Year

The South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems (SDARWS) recently named Tripp County Water User District manager Russ Phillips as the top rural water manager during the organization’s Annual Technical Conference in Pierre.

Phillips has been employed by Tripp County Water User District for the last 22 years. He started with the district in 1995 as a water operator and through those years acquired his certification as a Class 2 water treatment and distribution operations specialist. Since Russ accepted the role as manager, he has grown in this position and has grown the system with his leadership abilities. The system just recently completed an $11,750,000 project, which added two new system water towers, and approximately 183 miles of new pipeline, rebuilding of four and the replacement of five booster pump stations, added 88 new users and also completed 91 meter pit installations. He is currently supervising the addition of a new tower read system and the process of getting it to work in the needed areas of the District.

Tripp County Water User District employs seven individuals who oversee over 2,600 hookups. The district serves water to the counties of Tripp, Gregory, Portions of Lyman, Mellette, and Todd, individually serves the towns of Witten, Wood, Herrick, Fairfax, and St. Charles, and bulk serves the towns of Colome, Dallas, Burke, Bonesteel, six Native American communities, and serves as backup for the town of Gregory.

The South Dakota Rural Water Annual Technical Conference in Pierre annually hosts over 500 individuals and provides water and wastewater educational presentations for board members, managers, and operations specialists from throughout South Dakota.

 

 

Warriors Claim First at Home Tournament

Winner Area wrestling team captured the championship of its home tournament on Saturday. The Warriors scored 233.5 points for first place. Mobridge/Pollock scored 230 points for second place.

The Warriors had three individual champions: Kaden Keiser, Wyatt Turnquist and Sam Kruger.

Also placing for Winner Area were Riley Orel, 5th; Jack Kruger, 4th; Atlas Willuweit, 2nd; Aaron Gilchrist, 5th; Trevor Peters, 2nd; Preston Norrid, 4th; Riggin Shippy, 3rd; Landon Debus, 5th; Bosten Morehart, 4th; Achilles Willuweit, 2nd; Elijah Blare, 3rd.

Lady Warriors Claim a Couple

Winner Lady Warriors basketball team had a strong first half as they defeated Bennett County 77-28 on Jan. 16.

Morgan Hammerbeck scored 20 points followed by Madyson Frazier with 10, Abby Marts and Ellie Brozik with 9 each and Maggie LaCompte, 8.

Marts pulled down 6 rebounds. Frazier had 6 steals and 5 assists.

Morgan Hammerbeck scored a season high 35 points to help Winner girls basketball team to a 72-58 victory over Pine Ridge on Jan. 18.

Gabby Kocer added 16 points for Winner.

Hammerbeck pulled down 15 rebounds.

Peter Duffy, 88

Peter Duffy, 88, of Clearfield, SD passed away on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.
Funeral service were held on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Christ Lutheran Church in Winner. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. Peter was born on June 13, 1929 in Long Pine, NE and was the son of Gilbert (Gid) and Florence Mildred (Cleal) Duffy. He lived at Duff, NE until the age of 10. Pete, his brother Gilbert, Jr. and a family friend moved the family’s cattle herd to their new home in Clearfield, SD.

He graduated from Winner High School in 1948. In high school, he enjoyed playing football and Legion baseball. Pete was an avid pool player at the Peacock Café where he shared his pool earnings with his younger siblings. He joined the Air Force in 1949 and was stationed in Wichita Falls, TX, Rantoul, IL and Japan during the Korean War as a sheet metal man repairing planes until 1953. He was awarded the Korean Service Metal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. After his discharge, he returned to the family farm in South Dakota.

Pete met the love of his life Delores Marie Miller at the Colome Legion Hall. They were united in marriage on Aug. 25, 1957 and shared 60 years together. They resided southwest of Keya Paha until the spring of 1962 then moved to their current residence. To this union were born six children: two sons and four daughters.

Pete was an Elder at Redeemer Lutheran Church and a delegate to the Clearfield/Winner/Hamill Tri Point Parish; he was a member of the VFW, National Farmers Organization, Farmers Union, Star Prairie School Board and Star Prairie Township Supervisor. He enjoyed dancing with the Boots and Calico Square Dance Club and also at the Carlock Dance Hall.

Pete was passionate about family, baseball, the democratic process and his herd of cattle. He would like to consider himself an expert pitch player, square dancer and all around funny guy. He loved celebrating numerous birthday parties with his family along with the many milestones of anniversaries, births, graduations and weddings.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Bernadine; brothers Bill and Jr.; brothers-in-law; Dale Short and Kenneth White; nephews Rollie Duffy and Darwin Eihusen and niece Deanna Kent.

Peter is survived by his wife Delores Marie (Miller) of 60 years. Six children: Bradley (Judy) Duffy, Winner, SD; Deborah (David) Pazour, Kimball, SD; Daniel (Patricia) Duffy, Winner, SD; Deanna (Tom) Calligaro, Fairfax, VA; Barbara (Mike) Jonkers , Avon, SD; Brenda DeGraw, Sioux Falls, SD. 13 Grandchildren: Katlin Duffy (Josh), Sioux Falls, SD; Allison Duffy, Chamberlain, SD; Shannon Duffy, Vermillion, SD; Lindsey (Mike) Cottrell, Sioux Falls, SD; Haley Pazour, Brookings, SD; Samantha (Aaron) Cable, Rapid City, SD; Danee (Ryan) Bricker, Evergreen, CO; Larissa (Brady) Bertram, Watford City, ND; Skyler (Tanner) Best, Winner, SD; Pierce Jonkers, Avon, SD; Dacotah DeGraw, Watertown, SD; Wyatt DeGraw, Sioux Falls, SD; Preston DeGraw, Sioux Falls, SD. Six great-grandchildren: Aiden, Stiles, Dieter, Slade, Franki Grace and Porter. A brother Jack Duffy, Louisville, CO and a sister Mary Alice Short, Doniphan, NE and numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Pearl Chambers, 83

Pearl Chambers was born on Dec. 28th, 1934 to William (Bill) and Dottie (McCloughan) Soles in their home, with the help of a midwife, near Millboro, SD. When Pearl was around 6 years old they moved to a different home just south of Millboro. Pearl would walk 3 miles every day to school. When she was in 6th grade she would walk 1 ½ miles through pastures to school. Then her 7th and 8th grades she attended a little old home school that was a 4 mile walk. Pearl worked for her room and board while attending Winner High School during her 9th and part of her 10th grades. After all the children had grown up, Sharon tutored Pearl so she could get her high school diploma. It was such a proud day in May 1987, when she passed the exam. She couldn’t wait to call Sharon with the news.

When Pearl met Clyde Chambers of Millboro, son of Bert and Alice (Dummer) Chambers, she was 15 years old. Clyde would ride his horse over to Pearl’s place and she would get on her horse and off they would go on their date. They joined in marriage on Sept. 17, 1953. Pearl was 19 and Clyde was 21 years old at the beginning of their life journey together. Immediately after the shower they left for a short honeymoon in the Black Hills and made their home in Central City. Pearl worked at the Lead VA Hospital. Then they moved to Emmett, ID.

Charlotte Arlene was born July 29, 1954. Pearl and Clyde stayed with Ellen and Marion Goslin where Pearl worked at Jim Canning Company. Pearl and Clyde also picked apples and in the spring picked strawberries.

April 11, 1957 Cathalene Ann was born. They moved back to Idaho for a brief time. Because of the altitude they moved back to SD. They rented a place south of Clearfield where they raised pigs and milked 38 cows.

May 19, 1961 Sharon Eileen was born. Around 1965 Pearl and Clyde moved the family to the John Chleboun place and eventually bought it. Pearl lived there until October 2015. It was a very hard decision to sell the place in March 2014, but Clyde was diagnosed with only 6 months to live so he made the decision to sell. He did not want Pearl to have to deal with selling the property after he was gone.

Pearl was a charter member and the 1st President of the Winner Does, 2 term President of the local Farmers Union, President of the America Legion Auxiliary and was a current member, life time member of the VFW, and was involved in many committees. Pearl and Clyde were always volunteering either at the VFW, Legion, or the Elks Lodge. She loved being active in the community.

The time came and she was ready to get a job in town. She was very excited to work at the South Central Adjustment Training Center; Pearl also worked at Beverly Enterprises and in 1987 was selected as Employee of the Month. In 1994 Pearl started working at Coast to Coast (True Value) she was only about 6 months from being there 20 years and really wanted to go back. Due to Clyde’s health and then her declining health, she was not able to.

From the end of 2013 through Oct 2015 Pearl, and Clyde until his passing, lived part-time with Sharon Novotny in Sioux Falls SD. Oct 2015 Pearl moved in permanently and in June 2016 moved with the Novotny’s to Anthony FL. Pearl loved to eat the grapefruits that were picked off the tree in the yard. She attended many plays that her Grandson was in and on her 82nd birthday, Cody and Toni Novotny surprised her by taking her back stage to meet the cast of one of his plays. She enjoyed sitting outside and watching the horses next door. Pearl loved the family’s 2 dogs and cat, and loved when the cat would lay on her lap.

Pearl was making all the decisions up to the day before she passed. She wanted to go to the Legacy Hospice House so the 2 little dogs could visit her one last time. Her wish was granted she loved them so much. Pearl passed away the next morning, at the Legacy House, with Sharon by her side.

Pearl is survived by her three children: Sharon (Dewey) Novotny, Cathalene (Jack) Russell, Charlotte Deaver, Grandchildren: Toni and Cody Novotny, Kevin and Kelly VanMatre, Cory (Melissa) VanMatre, Jaden Russell, Darcie (Chris) Ward, Christopher Deaver, Stephanie (Shawn) Ray, Michelle Deaver, and 11 Great Grandchildren. One Brother George Soles, Sisters: Nellie Warner, Helen Michel, Ellen Goslin, Mary Hayford

Preceding in death: Her husband, Clyde Chambers, Parents: William Soles and Dottie Jensen, one Son-In-Law Wayne Deaver, Brothers: Johnnie, Frank, Harold, Lewis, and Bud Soles, and Sisters: Velma Wilch, Ines Sharp, Anna Divine

Melinda Jean (Schlaht) Kruse, 57

Melinda Jean (Schlaht) Kruse, age 57, of Luverne, Minn., passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage surrounded by family. Her diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic cancer was Dec. 6, 2017.

She was born April 1, 1960, in Burke, SD to Maurice and Sylvia (Iler) Schlaht. She attended Burke Elementary and High School, active in band and chorus, graduating in 1978. Melinda earned her Secretarial Degree from Mitchell Area Vo-Tech. Later continuing her education at Lake Area Vo-Tech, where she obtained her Dental Assistant Degree. Due to her health, Melinda recently resigned as general manager for TJ Enterprises.

Melinda treasured her time with family and adored her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed being around people and making them laugh. She found pleasure in playing the piano, Yahtzee, puzzles, crocheting, and reading. Melinda will be remembered for always thinking of others before herself. Her love, care and concern had no boundaries. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and Order of the Eastern Star.

Melinda is survived by her two children, Whit Kruse (Alissa Schmitt), Magnolia; and Jennifer Kruse, Adrian; three grandchildren, Aliyah, Dominic and Olivia; mother, Sylvia Schlaht, Burke, SD; four siblings, Maurie (Cheryl Hoffart) Schlaht, Jr., Gregory, SD; Gregg (Joan) Schlaht, Lockhart, TX; Brenda (Arlyn) Klundt, Lead, SD; and Jody (Pat) O’Brien, Okoboji, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father; Maurice Schlaht Sr.; and a niece.

A memorial service was held on Jan., 19 at 10 am at the United Methodist Church, in Luverne, officiated by Pastor Theodora K. Hall.

A memorial service was also held on Jan. 19 at 5 pm at the United in Faith Methodist Church in Burke, SD. A private family service will be at a later date at the Herrick Cemetery in Herrick, SD