Category Archives: Local

Funeral services for Vernon Kerner age 72 of Gregory, South Dakota, will be held on Friday, June 18 at 10:30 a.m. at St John Lutheran Church, Gregory, SD. Burial will follow in the IOOF Cemetery of Gregory.

There will be a prayer service at 7 pm on Thursday night at the church. Visitation will be one hour prior to both services.

Patricia Clausen, 79, of Burke, SD passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 13, 2021 at the Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, SD. 

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Union Baptist Church in Burke, SD.  Burial will follow in the Graceland Cemetery.  A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. at the Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD.

Patricia Lou was born on Oct. 25, 1941 to Herman and Zella (Bartlett) Larsen in Colome, SD. She and her five sisters grew up in South Dakota on farms south of Colome by the Keya Paha River, north of Hamill, southwest of Carter, and northwest of Winner. Pat loved her parents and enjoyed spending time with her sisters and their families. In her later years, Pat and her sisters remained close and savored their time together.

Pat attended Nelson Grade School in Todd County for eight years. In the summer she raised ducks and saved enough money to buy a suitcase for freshman year at boarding school in Mission, SD. In 1956, her family moved near Winner, SD and she finished high school there, graduating in 1959. Pat attended Southern State Teacher’s College, graduated in 1962, and taught at one-room country schools in Gregory County for three years. Many years later in 1994, Pat resigned from her 8-year post as Title 1 tutor at the Burke Elementary School and set her sights on the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. In May 1997, Pat graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and taught elementary school in Springview, Nebraska, then Witten, SD. She retired in 2009. She dearly loved all her students!

On Aug. 15, 1962, Patricia Lou married Glen Paul Clausen and from this union four wonderful children were born: Pamela Jean, Robley Paul, Lorinda Lou, and Brian Henry. Glen and Pat made their home in Burke, SD for 38 years, working in the family business at Clausen Funeral Home and raising their children. In June 2001 they separated, and a peaceful divorce was final in August 2001.

Pat’s most important career was being the best Christian wife and mother she could be. She tried to be there for her children, supporting them with prayer in whatever they endeavored to pursue. Pat spent countless quality time with her four children – playing games, doing creative artwork, reading, singing, talking about Jesus, enjoying nature, helping with homework, and playing in the yard. Pat especially loved being a grandmother and her truest delight was spending time with her grandchildren and great grands.

Patricia accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior when she was eleven years old while attending Church Camp in the Black Hills. How did she get there? Well, she and scores of other kids rode in a semitrailer used for hauling cattle! Pat’s faith in God was the cornerstone of her life and she shared Jesus with others by her acts of service and kindness.  Pat was a champion for the underdog and dearly loved her elderly friends, helping them with rides to church, doctor appointments, and chatting over coffee. She missed them so when they were gone.

She was an active member of the Union Baptist Church and enthusiastically served wherever needed. Pat loved children and teaching them about Jesus as well as encouraging young people in their faith; to that end she was especially passionate about two ministries: Camp Judson, serving as Camp Judson Scholarship Coordinator, and The Rock, supporting its outreach mission to the youth of our community.

Pat is preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Zella Larsen, sisters Beverly and Phyllis; in-laws Henry and Phillis Clausen; the father of her children, Glen Clausen; Great-grandson, Archer Jones; brothers-in-law, Cameron Clausen, Guy Farley, and Delbert Paulson.

Patricia is survived by her daughter, Pamela (Jim) Klein of Gregory, SD; son, Robley (Cyrele) Clausen of Emporia Kansas; daughter Lorinda Clausen of Minneapolis, MN; son Brian (Amy) Clausen of Sioux Falls, SD; Granddaughter Tricia Jean (Klein) and Dylan Jones and their daughters, Jordan Lee, Wren Patricia, and Autumn Jean; Granddaughter Jamie Lynn (Klein) and Rio Jones and their children Jayden Michael, Mckenzi Jo, Keaton Jay, and Cash Rio. Granddaughter Coley Clausen and grandsons Tony and Steve Clausen; Sisters Evelyn Farley, Sena (Dennis) Lauritsen, Mary (Jerry) Fisher; sister-in-law, Midge Clausen; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Memorials may be directed to the Union Baptist Camp Judson Scholarship Fund or The Rock.

“Because He lives, I am in Heaven. Because He lives, all tears are gone. God took me home, I’ve crossed that River, and I am with my precious Jesus all the time.”

Graveside services for Patricia Joan Tracy were held May 20 at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Gregory.

Patricia Joan Tracy was born on Dec. 26, 1931, in Burke, SD, the only child of Elmer “Cordy” and Edna (Hall) Hansen. Pat grew up on the family farm until they moved into the home they built in Gregory. Pat graduated from Gregory High School in 1950 and then attended a two-year nursing school in Sioux Falls.  After graduating from nursing school, she began her career in nursing at the Winner Hospital.

Pat married John Tracy and they had one child Scott Tracy. The family moved to Pharr, Texas, and Pat worked at McAllen General Hospital. She later retired from nursing and started her own company, USA Medical Placement. She ran that company for more than 10 years. She retired when she was diagnosed with dementia in 2019.

Pat had a love of fishing that started when she was on the family farm as a little girl which stayed with her all her life. Pat was a great cook and was known to have the best sloppy Joes.

Pat loved her poodles Precious 1, 2 and 3 and Pepe. Pat took her poodles with her everywhere.

Pat moved into The Bridges of Mission Assisted Living in Mission, Texas, and lived there until her death at the age of 89 years on Dec. 30, 2020.

Patricia is survived by her only son Scott Tracy and daughter in law Shannon Tracy; four grandsons Wesley Mann, Michael Tracy, Ryan Tracy and Sean Tracy; great grandchildren Gage Mann, Kylie Mann, Isaac Tracy, Sky Tracy, Ryder Tracy, Everleigh Tracy and Easton Tracy.

  Patricia is preceded in death by her parents.

Roland Barton, age 93, of Murdo, South Dakota, died on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at Avantara Nursing Home in Pierre.

Roland John Henry Barton, better known as “Uncle” to all that had the pleasure of meeting him, was born on Aug. 13, 1927 to John Otto Barton and Christina Niedan Barton in Murdo, South Dakota. Roland was baptized and confirmed and was a life-long member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in the country near the farm.

Roland grew up on the family farm attending 1st grade at age 5 in the one room school house down the road. He had 2 first grade classmates and 8 other students in the school. He remembered all their names. He attended Okaton High School for three years and then graduated from Winner High School in 1944. There he took the test for the Mensa Society and was later accepted into this prestigious high IQ society. He never told us about this – we found his letter of acceptance! He always regretted not going on to college but enjoyed his many years of farming/ranching.

Uncle had a love for astronomy, and that love took him to destinations including South Africa and Aruba for viewing an eclipse, and at nearly 90 years old, took him to Nebraska to get a better view of that solar eclipse. He also had a yearning to know more about his ancestors. He was able to travel to the Ukraine where he was able to do more genealogy research and explored earlier generations’ way of life. Uncle also attended many German Fests throughout the Midwest during his lifetime. He enjoyed raising tomatoes and potatoes until his health took him to an assisted living/extended care facility in Pierre, South Dakota where he resided until he was called to his heavenly home June 3, 2021.

Roland is survived by nephews, Eugene (Becky) Barnes of Mesa, Arizona, and Steve (Michelle) Taylor of Littleton, Colorado, and niece, Linda (Bob) Barnes Caton of Littleton. Also many great-nieces and nephews, relatives and friends in the Murdo community.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Vesta Barton (Jim) Taylor and Esther Barton (Elvin) Barnes. Also nieces, Connie Taylor and Ann Marie Barnes (Merlyn) Peck.

Visitation will be held one hour preceding the services. His funeral will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 12, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, south of Midland. He will be laid to rest next to his parents at St. Peter Cemetery.

A live stream of the service will be available on the webpage the day of the service.

Everett Vernon Hossle, 82, of Hamill, SD went to be with his heavenly Father on Thursday, June 3, 2021. He passed away at the Winner Regional Health Care Center in Winner, SD.

Private family funeral services was  held on Monday, June 7, 2021 at 2 p.m. at the Church of Nazarene in Winner, SD. Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Everett was born on Jan. 5, 1939 to Vernon and Jeanette (Broline) Hossle, at the Wilson Hospital in Winner, SD. He was baptized on April 9, 1939 in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church at Hamill, SD.

Everett attended grade school at the North Bijou School and high school in Winner, SD.

On Aug. 12th, 1961, he married the love of his life, Carol Jo Spreckels. To this union four children were born; Carlette, Kirt, Kent, Kory.

Everett served as a deacon and also served on the Tripp County Fair board.

Everett loved ranching, farming, his hereford cattle, but his family was his pride and joy.

 Everett is survived by his wife, Carol Jo, his children; Carlette (Gene) Schultz, Kirt (Jacque) Hossle, Kent (Julie) Hossle, Kory (Becky Jo) Hossle, “adopted daughter” Anna (Dan) Nesseth. Grandchildren; Travis (Sara) Swartz, Jeremy Schultz, Benjamin (Jacqueline) Schultz, Colton (Lindsey) Hossle, Chisom (Jessica) Hossle, Cierra Hossle, Chelsey (Cody Daly) Storms, Sidney (Kevin Tiger) Hossle, Landon (Mariah) Hossle, Samuel Hossle, and Paisley Jo Hossle. Great Grandchildren; Rosalie Schultz, Evelyn Schultz, Memphis Hossle, Dietrich Youles, Maggie Mae Hossle, Madeline Hossle, Grayson Tiger, Ramsie Hossle, Liza Daly, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Jeanette, in-laws Harry and Bonnelle Spreckels, sister Evelyn Hofer, brother-in-law Calvin Hofer and grandson Ty Hossle.

William Long Crow III, 59, of Winner, SD passed away on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral services were held on Friday, June 4, 2021 at 11 a.m.  at the Assembly of God Church in Winner, SD. Burial  followed in the Mniska Cemetery. Wake services were held on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 5 p.m.  at the Assembly of God Church in Winner, SD.

William, also known to those who shared his life as “Will”, “Willie” or “Uncle Will”, passed on and began his journey to the spirit world on May 29, 2021 at Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls.

William was born in Rosebud, SD on June 10, 1961 to William Long Crow, Jr. and Geraldine Iron Heart. He grew up in the Bull Creek area and was raised by his grandparents, William Sr. and Rosa (Collins) Long Crow. He liked to recall the good times in Bull Creek and often mentioned his memories with his grandparents.                                                                            

Willie attended Hamill School for a short time and then went on to Todd County School where his love for basketball grew. He graduated from Todd High School in 1980.

He went on to attend Dakota Wesleyan College in Mitchell for a few years. Later on, Willie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business at Sinte Gleska University. As a student at SGU he came back to his roots as a Lakota, he made many friends there and was proud and grateful in his accomplishment.

Willie loved many things in his life. Basketball, music from the 70’s and 80’s, family dinners, and watching the Minnesota Vikings play football. But, most of all he loved just being with his grand kids and being called “Uncle” Will. You would often hear the kids in the backyard playing and Willies’ laughter right behind.

William is survived by his sister, Marvene Long Crow from Sioux Falls and brothers Lawrence (Bernadette) Long Crow from Winner and Frank Iron Heart from Sioux Falls, and many nieces, nephews and grandchildren that he cared so deeply for.   Willies’ passing was preceded by his parents Geraldine and William Jr., paternal grandparents Rosa and William, Sr., maternal grandparents Fred and Beulah Iron Heart, a special uncle, Elmer Long Crow, and 2 sisters, Jackie and Sandy.