Amber Moody Joins Horizon Health as New Behavioral Health Provider

Horizon Health welcomes Amber Moody, DNP, CNP, PMHNP-BC, as its newest behavioral health provider. Amber will primarily see patients via telehealth but will spend one day a week seeing patients in-clinic at Horizon Health in Mission.

She joins Horizon Health’s Behavioral Health Team of Beth Wernke, MSW, LCSW-PIP; Jackie Genzlinger, MSW, LCSW-PIP; Presley Thompson, PMHNP-BC; Rikki Ohlrogge, MSW, LCSW-PIP; and Traci Holmquist, EdD, MS, APRN, CNP, PMHNP-BC.

Prior to joining Horizon, she practiced at Red Hills Behavioral Health.

“I like to meet people where they are in their mental health journey and create a plan of care based on their goal to improve their quality of life,” Amber said. 

She earned an associate degree in nursing from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion in 2002 and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from South Dakota State University in Brookings in 2013. She went on to receive a Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in Nursing Administration Practice in 2015. In 2022, she graduated with a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner emphasis from the University of Missouri.

Amber’s family includes her husband, Christian, and daughter, Ashlynn. She lives in the Winner area. During her free time, she enjoys camping and fishing.

To book an appointment with Moody, please call 605-772-4999.

Winner 5th graders graduated from the DARE program

Submitted Photo
Winner 5th graders graduated from the DARE program on Jan. 28. The class was taught by Winner police officer Rusty Blare. Students in Jessica Calhoon’s class in front from left are Kyler Long Crow, Rex Pederson, Porter Nelson, Harlan Littau, Lincoln Zeigler and Mason Lee. In back from left are teacher Jessica Calhoon, Miley Raines, Bailey Ptacek, Anistyn Duffy, Anna Tobin, Kenzington De’Sersa and Maggie Assman.

BankWest of Winner made a donation to the Pix Theater

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
BankWest of Winner made a donation to the Pix Theater through the bank’s Jeans on Friday promotion. Employees who wear jeans to work on Friday make a cash donation and then during the year donate this money to an organization or business. Jody Engel of BankWest presents the check to Brenda Klein of the Pix Theater board. Pictured from left are Danielle Cahoy, Jody Engel, Brenda Klein, Linda Nelson, LaDana Spreckles and Lisa Curtis.

Gary Landin, 88

Gary Landin, 88, formerly of Winner South Dakota, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025 in Chandler, Ariz.

 Gary was born on Jan. 13, 1936, in Detroit, Mich.  Gary is an Army Veteran who was in the Korean War.  He worked for Hudson’s in Detroit for many years.  He retired from Meijer Stores.  Gary lived in Pontiac/Waterford, Mich. until he and his wife, Pat, packed it all up and moved to Winner, South Dakota.  Gary and Pat enjoyed the small town of Winner, making friends and volunteering.  After Pat passed away in May of 2020, Gary decided to move closer to his daughters in Arizona. 

 Gary loved working on cars and had one of the most organized and clean garages around.  Gary loved to read books. His favorites were Scottish Detective novels.  Gary volunteered at the Tripp County Library as well as the Winner Thrift Store, enjoying working with the other volunteers and making friends. Gary fed the feral cats in Winner and ended up taking one, her name is Cat, with him when he moved to Arizona.

 Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Helen Landin, his sister, Carolyn Terwilliger, his wife, Pat Landin who passed away in May of 2020 in Winner and his son, Phillip Landin.

 Gary is survived by his two daughters, Cheri Schultz and Dora O’Brien, who both reside in Arizona, niece Noelle Klebba, grandchildren Jessica Mohr, Ashley Coon, James O’Brien, Ally Kelley, Lauren Schultz and Breanna Landin.  Gary is also survived by 15 great grandchildren.

Dennis Ray Almendinger, 78

Dennis Ray Almendinger, age 78, passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2025 at Winner Regional Healthcare Center. A burial for Dennis will be held at a later date.

Dennis was born Aug. 12, 1946 to Harold and Annetta (Nieman) Almendinger. He was the eldest of 4 siblings, two sisters, Lana and Connie and one brother Kelly. He attended Pleasant Valley grade school in Ideal, and Winner High School.

Dennis was a Vietnam Era Veteran. He served the Navy Seabees from Sept. 24, 1965, to Dec. 9, 1969. He worked as a construction electrician during his service.  He had many stories to tell about his tours in Vietnam.

Dennis married Linda Smith on May 30, 1971. From this union, their daughter, Tanya Almendinger was born on Oct. 16, 1971.

In his working years, he worked for various construction companies maintaining the construction equipment. Working on cars and fixing whatever it was that needed fixed was something that Dennis always seemed to enjoy doing, even before he made it his career. He always seemed to have something to work on out in his shop.

When Dennis was not tinkering with something, he enjoyed conversations with his good friends. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to others in need.

Dennis has 5 grandchildren who he loved to “pick” on and give special nicknames, Destiney (Eric) Storms, Jordan aka George (Jayd) Docken, Paige aka Cocklebur (Tayler) Assman, Brendan Harter and Bailey Harter. Dennis was also blessed with 11 greatgrandchildren: Bryken, Jace, Henry, Sterling, Bohdy, Jehtt, Steelie, Roanie, Finley, McKenna, and Davey. To most people he was Dennis or Denny, but to his grandchildren and great grandchildren he was Grandpa George.

Including all his grandchildren and great grandchildren, Dennis is grateful to have shared his life with his wife Linda, and his daughter Tanya (Walter) Harter. His siblings Lana (Jack) Kettler, Connie (Jim) Sandstrom and many nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Dennis is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Annetta Almendinger, brother Kelly Almendinger.

Travis Waters, 49

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our husband, father and son. Travis Waters, 49, who passed away on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025 in Winner, South Dakota. 

Memorial service was held on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Winner, South Dakota.  Visitation was held one hour prior to memorial service. In celebration of Travis’s life persons were asked join us in a casual service to share memories and stories. Please wear comfortable clothing that reflects Travis’s vibrant personality, as we remember his love for the outdoors and fun.  He was a devoted husband, a loving father, a doting son, and an exceptional friend to many. Travis was born on May 27, 1975 in Winner, SD to Sherry Schroeder. He married Kay, the love of his life, on Oct. 4, 2003. From that union, he became the beloved father to Alexis, Benjamin, and Ethan.

Travis grew up in Winner and you would commonly find him out fishing, hunting, or building wooden forts.  He loved to reminisce about his days of playing high school football with his friends. Travis had a great work ethic and loved many types of work and meeting new people that became lifelong friends. As a teenager his first job was at Sooper Dooper in Winner. From there he worked at John Morrell in Sioux Falls SD then moved to Hutchinson, Kan., where he started working for Conagra, eventually becoming the acting plant manager in Hastings, Neb.. From there he lived a short while in Oklahoma. He then moved back to the place he called home, Winner SD, and worked for the City of Winner and Runnings. As much as Travis loved to work he made sure he made time to spend with family and form many great memories for them to treasure.

To remember the man that Travis was is to remember the hope and positivity he had in any situation. We lost a husband, a father, a son and a friend, but we will never lose the hope he instilled in all of us. He never ceased to make this world a better place for any of the people he loved. He had the world’s biggest heart for everyone he ever knew. He tried to see the light in any situation even when they couldn’t and never hesitated to be there for everyone.  Nobody can fill Travis’ shoes, but we know he will always be with us, watching over us.

Travis is survived by his loving wife, Kay; children, Alexis (Jason), Benjamin (Cari) and Ethan (Julie); grandchildren, Emmett Lee, Oliver, Harper, Amara, and Janae; his mother, Sherry Schroeder and father Jeff Paulson; His grandmother, Connie Luther and his 4 Aces brothers, Tom Wilcox, Justin Brunmeier, Kip Brown and Jason Jenkins. Along with numerous other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by grandfather, Don Luther; grandmother Olga Rice; great grandfather and grandmother in laws Bob and Polly Abernathy.

Katherine Taggart, 72

Katherine Taggart, 72, of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Winner, SD. 

Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the Winner Methodist Church.  Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to memorial service.

Katherine Elizabeth (Springer) Taggart was born in Huron, SD, to Nedra (Daugherty) & Robert Springer on June 2, 1952.

Kathy grew up in Winner and graduated from Winner High School in 1970.  She attended Mitchell Vo-Tech and completed a certificate in shorthand. She married Ron Taggart on Nov. 27, 1971, (54 years) in Winner.

Ron and Kathy moved to Bath, SD. They both worked in Aberdeen. From there, they made their way to Hayes, SD and along the way made many lifelong friends. They returned to their hometown of Winner in 1983.

To this union, 6 children were welcomed. Desi, Josi, Heath, Brady, Brent, and Manda.

Kathy worked for Parvin Insurance and then First Fidelity Bank. She also would help her friend at her favorite Flower shop, delivering flowers during special occasions. Her favorite job was chasing her grandkids at all their special events. She never missed a play, dance competition,  wrestling match, football or basketball game.

Kathy did so much in the community.  She enjoyed spending her time supporting all of the activities and events that her kids and grandkids were involved in.

Kathy’s pride and joy was her family. She was the most selfless, generous, and loving wife and mother, but her greatest joy and title was Grandma and Great Grandma.

Kathy ran the Taggart clan.. She made sure everything was taken care of, everyone had a bed, and everyone had a good meal of her famous goulash. Her grandkids knew who the boss was. Her dining table was the center of our get togethers. She loved Christmas and we all knew Christmas Eve was her holiday. She loved Christmas Eve most of all because her kids and their families surrounded her while she sat back in the recliner and took it all in.

Kathy was known for her wooden spoon.  When the kids were not listening she didn’t have to say a word and we all knew what was coming. It might have been a day later when you got thunked on the head with the wooden spoon and we would ask “what was that for”? She said “that’s for what you did 2 days ago”!

Kathy is survived by her brother Kevin Springer, husband Ron; daughter Desi and kids: Colby and great grandson Aidan, Tate (Jaden) expected great grand baby girl, and Maura Jo; daughter Josi (Shawn) and kids: Kyran, Kylar, Kamryn, and Kinley; son Heath (Erin) and kids: Lila and Beau; son Brady and daughter Raelyn; son Brent (Sarah) and kids: Chloe, Evan, and Briggs; daughter Manda (John) and kids: Philip, baby Charles, and Vivi. Her best friends/sisters Kathy and Pat Soles.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Nedra Springer, her “other” mother Dolores Soles, and special sister-in-law Deb Gaikowski.  We know she is peacefully rocking baby Charles in heaven.

Boerner receives playhouse award

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Arianne Boerner, right, was named the outstanding member of the Winner Community Playhouse. Presenting the award is Emily Moser. Boerner is active in the playhouse where she serves as the treasurer for the board of directors.

Arianne Boerner was named the outstanding member of the Winner Community Playhouse. The honor was presented at a playhouse meeting on Jan. 23.

Boerner has been involved in the Winner Community Playhouse for about 25 years.

Her father, Dan Patmore, is the technical director for the playhouse. As daddy’s girl she would go with him and leaned how to use a drill and a paint brush early on to build sets.

She has been in the sound/light booth for at least 40  community productions and also did it when she was in school for the all school plays.

She was on stage in one play but she prefers to be behind the scenes.

Arianne is a farm/ranch wife married to Dale Boerner and they have four children—Amelia, Lexie, Dylan and Landon.

In 2016, Arianne joined the WCP board and is currently the treasurer. She is also on the newsletter, props & costume, marketing and membership committees of the playhouse board.

Marilyn Rohde, 95

Marilyn Rohde, 95, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility in Winner, SD. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 10 a.m. at the St. Isidore Catholic Church in Colome, SD.  Burial will follow at the Colome City Cemetery.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to service.

Marilyn Regina Smith was born on Nov. 22, 1929, to Lee and Regina Smith in Chicago, IL. She was the youngest of six children. She grew up in a quiet Chicago neighborhood located about a mile and half from Lake Michigan, where she would go almost every day to swim in the summer.

During high school, Marilyn worked at two different factories in Chicago. She also belonged to a horse riding club. When she graduated from Waller High School, she took a job at a bank. She eventually returned to one of the factories (Triangle Pennant Co.) and became the office manager. During this time, she met her future husband, Mike Rohde. In early 1952, Mike was visiting an Army buddy and his wife in Chicago. The wife was Marilyn’s friend. After their first meeting, they wrote letters to each other, and Mike traveled to Chicago a few more times before he convinced Marilyn to come to South Dakota. They were married on Sept. 6, 1952, in Paxton, SD. This was the start of a love story that would include almost 70 years of marriage, nine children, 25 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Mike and Marilyn made their home on the farm where Mike was born. Electricity had just been installed before she arrived, but it was two years later in 1954 when they added indoor plumbing. As a former city girl, Marilyn quickly found a love for life in the country. Over the years, Mike and Marilyn worked hard to expand the family farm/ranch where they raised their family, cattle, hogs, chickens, and crops. Besides her faith, family was the most important thing in Marilyn’s life. She showed her love for her family through her nurturing and support for them. Tending to a large family required unending work, and Marilyn provided for them, especially with the delicious food that she made for her family and anyone else who was there. Her door was open to many. When the kids were little, she baked bread three times a week, and the kitchen table would be covered by loaves of bread and buns. She had a large garden and did a lot of canning, which was stored in the cellar along with potatoes and apples.

As her nine children became parents and grandparents, Marilyn loved to spend time with her always expanding family. She always enjoyed a game of pitch and treasured the family reunions. Her legacy is her family that includes the following:

-Son Steve (Gin) of Rapid City and children Aimee (Ray) Brinson of Slidell, LA, and children Owen and Audrey Brinson; Regina (Aaron) Ueckert of Valley, NE, and children Greyson and Hadley Peters and Ameri Ueckert; and Dylan Rohde of Omaha, NE.

-Son Martin (Barb) Rohde of Yankton and children Sara (Jon) McMahon of Sioux Falls and children Cecilia and Joslyn; and Levi Rohde of Yankton.

-Daughter Kathleen (Ron) Ernest of Winner and children Ethan (Krystine) Ernest of Winner and children Jaya, Esmae, and Zayden; Erin (Karl) Lehman of Lead and son Ren; Scott Ernest of Winner; and Grace Ernest (Shane Crawford) and children Sawyer and Kaia.

-Daughter Sheila (Mark) Gau of Pickstown and children Jasmine (Jeremy) Kreeger of Wagner and children Kendra, Cord, and Wade; Tina (Kelly) Nielson of Sioux Falls and children Miah, Colton, Connor, and Cali; and Leo Gau (Madisyn Gray) of Pickstown.

-Son Joseph (Pam) Rohde of Billings, MT, and children Brandton (Andrea) Rohde of Japan and children Cadence, Teagan, Kenna, and Brynn; and Jessica (Matt) Henry of Missoula, MT, and children Rowan and Asher.

-Son Ryan (Julie) Rohde of Colome and children Michael (Brittney) Rohde of Canada and Zane Rohde (Caylee Meinen) of Colome.

-Son Ross (Judy) Rohde of Rapid City and children Amy (Ben) Pravecek of Hulett, WY, and children Payton (Jeremiah) Johnson and son Jax; and Paxton Pravecek; Mandy and Justin Holcomb of Gillette, WY, and children Abby Millburg and Nash Holcomb.

-Daughter Leila Wells (Mike) of Winner and children Danielle (Dane) Anderson of Plentywood, MT, and children Finn and Ollie Anderson; Ashley Adair of Sioux Falls and children Andre, Neveah, and Chancellor; and Laven Adair of Rapid City.

-Daughter Rhonda (John) Gehlsen of Black Hawk and children Paige (Kyle Schilling), Isaac, Hannah, and Gabriel Gehlsen.

Mike and Marilyn also helped to raise two nephews: William and Jack Holden.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Mike; her parents, Lee and Regina Smith; and her siblings and in-laws: Melbourne and Kay Smith, Donald Smith, Magdalene Smith, Byron Smith, and Robert and Mary Smith.

Marlene Rae Hoppes, 75

Marlene Rae Hoppes, 75, of Kokomo, IN passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, at St. Vincent Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on June 18, 1949, in Gregory, SD, Marlene was the cherished daughter of the late Joseph and Helen (Pesek) Maska.

She married the love of her life, Gregory Hoppes on Nov. 2, 1974, and he preceded her death on Jan. 5, 2022.  They shared 47 wonderful years together.

After graduating Colome High School, she attended radiology school in Aberdeen, SD. Marlene dedicated 30 years of her career as a nursing tech at St. Joseph Hospital, with the last 10 years spent in the OB department before retiring in 2017.

She was always quick to brag about her grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them. During her free time, she enjoyed gardening, canning tomatoes from her garden, planting flowers, baking-especially with her granddaughter, playing cards and dominoes with friends and family, and reading. She was formerly a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.

Marlene is survived by her devoted daughter, Donnelle and her husband, Taylor. Her treasured grandchildren Logan Miller, and Morgan Miller. Other survivors include her sister, Carol Kindlesparker; nephew, Eric (Shannon) Wortman; great nieces and nephew, Sadie, Teddy, and Molly Wortman; and niece, Laura Wortman; other survivors include her special friends, James (Kelly) Kuntz. She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband.

Friends visited  family Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W Lincoln Road, Kokomo. The funeral service took place at 6 pm Jan. 23 with Pastor Jeff Haill officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity in lieu of flowers. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.