Category Archives: Local

Warren “Buck” Sealey, 92

  By | | , ,
Leave a comment

Warren “Buck” Sealey, 92, of Colome, SD passed away on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory, SD. 

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, June 21, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Isidore Catholic Church in Colome, SD.  Burial  followed in the Colome City Cemetery. 

Warren “Buck” Ellsworth Sealey of Colome, SD was born on a farm in Pleasant View Township on May 21, 1929 to Maurice and Leona (DeMers) Sealey. He passed away on June 16, 2021 in Gregory, SD at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center.

Buck was the youngest of 4 children which included brother Don and sisters Frances and Ruth. After graduating from Colome High School in 1947, he enlisted in the Air Force where he attended Radio Operator School in St. Louis, Missouri. He was then sent to Okinawa and Guam. He originally planned to return to the United States after completing three years in the Air Force, but his tour of duty was extended two more years when the North Koreans invaded South Korea. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1952.

Buck returned to South Dakota and began to raise cattle.     On July 6, 1954 Buck was united in marriage to Donna Eggers. To this union three sons were born: Glenn, Jerry, and Michael. The couple resided on a farm south of Colome until they moved into town in 1978.

Buck was elected and served as a Tripp County Commissioner from 1969 to 1978.

Buck became a full-time rural mail carrier in 1980. In 1994 he received the National Rural Letter Carriers Association’s Outstanding Carrier of the year award. In 1995 he received the South Dakota’s Rural Carrier of the year award. Buck retired from the Postal Service in 1998.Buck was a member of Thayer Waters Legion Post 146 in Colome serving for many years as Firing Squad Commander. He was also a past Commander of the post.  In later years, he served as District 8 Commander and State Vice Commander.

Buck’s granddaughter, Stephanie, encouraged him to participate in the Midwest Honor Flight to Washington, DC in May of 2018. He was accompanied by his son, Glenn. Buck was especially moved by the welcome home he and his fellow veterans received from their families.

Buck was a lifelong member of St. Isidore Catholic Church in Colome, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and son, Michael.

Buck is survived by his wife, Donna of 66 years, and sons, Glenn (Cindy) and Jerry (Lori).  He is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Buck believed strongly in faith, family, and country.

Golfers place third at state

  By | | , ,
Leave a comment
Submitted Photo
Winner Area girls golf team took third place at the state tournament in
Spearfish. Pictured from left are coach Jim Halverson, Gracie Root, Kelbi
Meiners, Brennan Bachmann, Devan Dougherty, Rylee Root and assistant coach Liz
Jankauskas.

Winner Area girls golf team took third place in the State A meet in Spearfish June 7-8.

This is only the third time in school history that a girls golf team has placed at state.

Rylee Root placed 11th with a 90-87—177; Gracie Root, 19th, 97-94—191; Brennan Bachmann, 23rd, 101-93—194; Kelbi Meiners, tied for 36th, 105-97; Devan Dougherty, tied for 46th with a 105-110-215.

Three of the girls placed in the top 25—Rylee Root,  Gracie Root and Brennan Bachmann.

“Our players gave their best effort,” said coach Jim Halverson.

Both days were warm with just enough wind to keep everyone somewhat comfortable.

Halverson said what makes him proud as a coach is the compliments from other coaches, parents and spectators. He said there were other golfers who wanted to have a Winner player in their group for a friendly face.

Halverson said the Lady Warriors knowledge of the rules made their decisions on the course better for everybody in their groups. “Their ability to play golf the way it is supposed to be played makes it even sweeter,” said the coach.

Halverson appreciates everyone in the community for their words of encouragement and support. “The Winner Area girls golf team will continue to get better with community support and their efforts,” explained Halverson.

4-Hers receive ribbons in public presentation

  By | | ,
Leave a comment

Thirteen 4-Hers competed in the pubic presentation contest June 4.

Ribbon winners and the name of the project  include: Avery Antelope and Evan Littau, blue, semintal vs. black angus;  Allie Littau, purple, doggy; Maggie DeMers, purple, beneficial beef; Nadia Millian, blue, pro potting; Elizabeth Wonnenberg and Zona Serr, blue, shooting sports safety; Camille King, Cloverbud, how to shoot a video; Lydia Wonnenberg and Lashya Farmer, Cloverbud, making glass case out of duck tape; Ciera Bordeaux, blue, pickle wraps for the win; Amanda Blare and Bailey Fairbanks, purple, just don’t drop me.

Trap team wins first ever state title

  By | | , ,
Leave a comment
Submitted Photo
The Winner /Colome varsity trap team won first place with a score of 477/50.
Pictured from left are Jack Anderson, Katie Welker, Jude Sargent, Hunter Shippy
and Tane Pravecek.

The Winner/Colome high school trap team competed at the South Dakota Clay Target league state tournament in Aberdeen on Saturday June 12.

  The Winner/Colome team had 4 junior varsity and 9 varsity shooters competing. There was a total of 340 shooters from 26 teams across the state at the tournament. The Winner/Colome shooters had a fantastic day with all of the kids shooting at or above their season averages.

The Junior varsity shooters were Breven Bolander, Derek Fenenga, Noah Manke, and Oren Sargent. Breven had an 82/100. He had a season average of 18.4 and shot an average of 20.5 at the state tournament. He tied for 22nd place overall in JV shooters.

  Derek shot 78/100, his season average was 17.5 and he improved to a 19.5 and tied for 44th, Noah shot 73/100 his season average was 18.4 and he shot 18.25 in Aberdeen and tied for 72nd place. Oren shot 68/100, his season average was 16.8 and he averaged 17 and tied for 98th place. There were 136 junior varsity shooter at the state tournament.

Varsity shooters were Jack Anderson, Faith Covey, Jesse Larson, Hunter Osborn, Tane Pravecek, Cole Rank, Jude Sargent, Hunter Shippy and Katie Welker. Jack shot 92/100, his season average was 21.7 and was 23 in Aberdeen and he tied for 21st place overall in varsity shooters. Faith had 91/100, season average 20.3 with 22.75 in Aberdeen and tied for 25th place. Jesse shot 88/100, season average 20.7 and improved to 22 and tied for 42nd place. Hunter O had 79/100, season average 20 with a 19.75 in Aberdeen and tied for 76th place. Tane shot 99/100, season average 21.8 and improved his to a 24.75 at the state tournament and tied for 2nd place. The tie was broke by reverse run of target hits which moved him to the 3rd place medal.

  Cole shot 80/100, season average 19.25 with a 20 at state and tied for 74th place. Jude shot 94/100, season average 23.2 with a 23.5 in Aberdeen and he tied for 16th place. Hunter Shippy shot a 94/100, season average 19.9 and had a 23.5 at state and tied for 16th place. Katie shot 98/100, season average 24.7 with a 24.5 in Aberdeen. She was the 1st place varsity female. There were 97 varsity shooters at the state tournament.

At the tournament you shoot your first 50 targets then you have to wait until all the other teams sharing you trap house have shot their 1st 50 and then you shoot your 2nd 50. So you have a wait time of anywhere for 2 to 2 1/2 hours between rounds. A lot can change in those 2 hours, temperature, wind and mental exhaustion to name a few things. A team consists of 5 shooters. We didn’t have enough junior varsity shooters to have a team. The team is comprised of your top 5 scores in each division. The top 5 varsity members for Winner/Colome were Jack Anderson, Tane Pravecek, Jude Sargent, Hunter Shippy and Katie Welker. These kids ended up being the top team in the state. They shot a combined score of 477/500. They had the top score overall between the 1A and the 2A schools, which shot trap on Sunday in Aberdeen. Shooting is a mental sport where you really have to keep you mind sharp and clear and concentrate on one target at a time. Our kids did a tremendous job of that coming from 3rd place after the first 50 targets to flipping to 1st place after 100.

Shooting 50 straight at the tournament were Tane Pravecek and Katie Welker. Shooting 25 straight were Jack Anderson and Hunter Shippy got his 1st ever which was very cool to see! If you are gonna do your best state is a great place to do it!

We as coaches cant say enough good things about these kids. They have worked hard and went to Aberdeen and brought their A game, ready to compete and ready to bring home our first ever state tournament team championship. Tane is our only senior on the team and it was great to see him close out his high school career as the first male from our team to bring home a state medal. We would also like to thank those who have donated to our team to help defray the costs for the kids. We appreciate your support of this great team!

James Edwin Kucera, 91

  By | | , ,
Leave a comment

James Edwin Kucera was born Jan. 4, 1930 to Joseph and Rosalia (Hotz) in Gregory, South Dakota.  He passed away on May 20, in Gregory, South Dakota at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center.

Jim was the youngest and grew up on various farms in Gregory County.

After graduating from Gregory High school, Jim proudly served his country in the Korean War.  After his discharge from the Army, he went to work for Rohr Aviation in Southern California, as a machinist. 

On Sept. 14, 1968, Jim married Betty Nash in Imperial, Calif. and the couple resided in El Cajon, Calif., until Jim retired.

The couple then moved to Panguitch, Utah, and after that, they settled in Payson, Arizona.  After Betty’s death in 1998, Jim moved to Winner, South Dakota.

In 2001, he married Darnytia Heying in Winner, South Dakota and resided there for many happy years.  Darnytia passed away May 29, 2017.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Rosalia, brother, Joseph (Joey) W. Kucera, Jr., sisters, Eleanor Darnaby, Springfield, Missouri, Viola Hall, Rapid City, South Dakota, and Betty Fortuna, Gregory, South Dakota.

Survivors include step-children,

Linda Watson (Norman) of Ideal, South Dakota, Bob Kucera (Shelley) of Winner, South Dakota, Rick Kucera (Lynnette) of Winner, South Dakota, Darla Jones (Steve) of Rapid City, South Dakota, Brenda Jorgensen, (Bryan) of Ideal, South Dakota and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and cousins.

Jim will be laid to rest in the Black Hills National Cemetery, for veterans, with a private family service.

Memorials can be made to the Winner American Legion, where he was a member.

Tripp Co Rodeo Athletes to Compete at State

  By | | , ,
Leave a comment
Prairie Portrait Photo
The Tripp County high school rodeo team includes in front from left Garret
Phillips, Ashlyn Hoffine, Baylie Hoffine, Saydee Heath, Saylor Schuyler and
Rowdy Moore. In back from left are Dusty Sell, Stetson Shelbourn, Burner
Schenefeld, Linkyn Petersek, Jack Anderson, Jesse Larson and Riley Shippy.

By Shelley Heath

 The Tripp County Rodeo consist of 14 members with students that attend school in  Colome and Winner. This week beginning on Tuesday, nine of these members will be performing at state finals held in Ft. Pierre from the June 15-19.

Beginning on Tuesday evening, there will be a round of cutting and reined cow horse.  On Wednesday, there will be the second round of cutting and reined cow horse followed with afternoon performances of the short go of cutting and in the evening the short go of the reined cow horse.

Thursday is the start of the regular events with performances starting at 9 am and 5 pm, and the same will continue for Friday.  On Saturday, the contestants will compete in the short go beginning at  4 p.m.  The top four contestants from each event will then go on to represent the state of South Dakota at National High School Rodeo finals, to be held in Lincoln, NE in July.

Seniors team members are Saydee Heath, CHS, competing in cutting, reined cow horse, breakaway, team roping and goat tying; Baylie Hoffine, CHS, competing in  poles and barrels; Linkyn Petersek, CHS, competing in  reined cow horse, tie down roping, team roping and steer wrestling.  Junior team member competing is Riley Shippy, CHS, competing in bull riding.  Sophomore team members competing are Ashlyn Hoffine, CHS, competing in poles and goat tying; Rowdy Moore, WHS, competing in team roping and steer wrestling; Burner Schenefeld, CHS, competing in tie down roping. Freshmen team members are Garret Phillips, WHS, competing in cutting, reined cow horse, team roping and tie down roping; Saylor Schuyler, WHS, competing in  barrels and poles.

Results can be viewed on the sdhsra.com web site and click the tab results.

Author to speak in Winner

  By | | ,
Leave a comment

An author of children’s books, Bruce Arant will be in Winner on June 17 at the Tripp County Library.

Children will be able to learn about illustrations and participate with fun, imaginative drawing exercises.

There will be two sessions: 10 -11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.

There is limited seating and persons can call the library at 842-0330 to reserve a spot.

Arant is self-taught in a variety of mediums that include chalk pastel, oil pastel, graphite, ink, colored pencil and watercolor.

He has authored and illustrated two traditionally published books and has illustrated a number of books for authors.

Arant’s book, Simpson’s Sheep won’t Go to Sleep has garnered attention including two 2014 Nebraska book awards, nominee  for the 2015-2016 Golden Sower Award, selected to represent the state of Nebraska at the 2015 national book festival, placement on the Nebraska 150 book list.

A follow up sequel, Simpson’s Sheep Just Want to Sleep received the 2018 Nebraska  Book award for best children’s picture book. The book also represented the state of Nebraska at the 2019 national book festival.

Arant maintains a very active speaking schedule with regard to his writing and illustrating work.

He engages audiences in elementary schools, public libraries, teacher’s conferences and community organizations with lively book readings and fun-filled imagination-driven exercises.

Prior to launching Arant Creative Group as a full time illustrator, author and editor, he enjoyed a career of nearly 20 years in the magazine and custom publishing industry where he held a variety of editorial and creative positions.

Arant graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in marketing.