Author Archives: Colton Hall

Mavis was born April 18th 1934 to the union of Ralph and Margaret Pettit (Holden). She was the eldest of a family of 13 and started a lifelong experience of mothering and nurturing very early in life. Mavis was baptized into the Catholic Church in Dallas shortly after birth and was supported by her faith throughout her life. Mavis attended rural elementary schools and graduated from Colome High School. She pursued a teaching degree and for several years taught at rural schools near Hamill, Winner, and Colome.

Mavis married Richard M (Dick) O’Bryan on July 7th, 1955 in Danton in a small church ceremony, which began a 60 year journey of love and devotion to husband and family from which 5 children were born. Shortly after marriage Mavis and Dick purchased their farm home south of Winner and worked side by side to improve and enlarge it their entire life. Mavis was always very proud of what had been accomplished with such a meager beginning and hard work.

Mavis was a lifelong resident of Tripp County and actually lived most of her life within 2 miles of where she was raised. Although her travels were few and distance was short she was always close to where she wanted to be…Home!!! Home where there were no locks on the doors, the wood stove was always warm, the coffee was always fresh, there was always room at the table for more, and she offered whatever she had to eat and enjoy.

Mavis’s deep faith in God and her ability to see the good in all people molded her into a very giving person. She always had something to give whether it be eggs, cream, garden produce, canned goods, cup of coffee, a moment in time, some comfort and yes sometimes even “a piece of my mind”. She was always giving something to someone. Her giving attitude was very important when she recognized firsthand the need for support of the mentally challenged in the area. Her efforts and the help of many enabled the forming of the South Central Adjustment Training Center in 1975, with a goal of supporting, protecting and enabling the mentally challenged to have opportunities equal to their capabilities. Over time the efforts and goals have led to the current “Community Connections“ group.

Mavis’s giving efforts although somewhat in the background did not go unrecognized. She was lifelong member of the Catholic Daughters of America and a member of the Legion Auxiliary Post of Colome. She was nominated and received the 1984 ARC State Volunteer of the Year and the 1985 ARC North Central Region Volunteer of the Year. Mavis also spent many hours, days, and years at the Winner Regional Hospital volunteering as a nurse’s aide before actually becoming an employee.

In 1992 Mavis was nominated and received the State of South Dakota Volunteer of the Year Award for her volunteer efforts. This award attracted the attention of the National Volunteers Association, which recognized and nominated her to receive the National Jefferson award. She very humbly became one of very few recipients of this award in Washington, DC with a visit to the White House in June 1992.

Memorial services for 78 year old Lowell Wiedmann of Dixon will be held Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Winner.
There will be a lunch to follow.

Phyllis was born October 6, 1926 in Seattle, WA, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Bradfield) Good. She graduated from Kent High School in Kent, WA, the Class of 1945. Phyllis furthered her education at the University of Washington, obtaining a nursing degree. She then worked as registered nurse for two years. Following this practical experience, Phyllis went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Nursing from Columbia University. She was united in marriage on June 30, 1956 at St. James Episcopal Church in Kent, WA to Richard McGinnis. Their marriage was blessed with three children; Paul, Stephen and Dorothy.

Phyllis was a devoted wife and partner with her husband who served as an Episcopal priest throughout his life, working as a missionary in Anvik, Alaska, and as a rector at Trinity Episcopal in Winner, SD, Trinity Episcopal in Watertown, SD, and the former St. David’s Episcopal in Jacksonville, FL. Later in life they worked tirelessly to preserve marriages creating a marriage ministry model which is now used about the country and overseas. Phyllis greatly enjoyed her children, their spouses, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Phyllis and Richard were fortunate to share many wonderful adventures together, traveling the country. She valued her family, her relationships, her marriage and her Lord most of all.

Beverly May Biggins was born August 4th, 1933 in Bonesteel, SD. She was the daughter of Arthur and Maude (Cline) Kortmeyer. Bev lived in Gregory, Naper, NE and moved to Winner, SD at the age of 10. Her dad was a butter maker at the creamery in the early years. Later he became an expert in the in the construction business.

Bev was raised with two brothers, Jack and Harry Kortmeyer, and one sister Donna (Bob) Trego. Bev attended Winner High School where she made lifelong friendships. She married the love of her life, Bob Biggins, on September 28, 1952. Together they had had five children: Steve, Joe, Rick (Pam), Barry (Cindy) and Candy, all of Winner.

Bev was the neighborhood mom to many kids as well as a Cub Scout den mother for many years. You would see her at all of her kids sporting events, she was the official score keeper for all of their baseball/softball games. Bev worked at the soda fountain during her school years, later working at the West Side Market. She started working at the Tripp County Auditors in and 1976 and later transferred to the Tripp County Assessor’s Office until her retirement in 1998. After retiring she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.