Category Archives: Local

Nathan McPhee, 44, of Carter, SD passed away on Wednesday, February 24th, 2021. Funeral service were held on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Winner United Methodist Church. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Nathan was born on July 30th, 1976 to James and Patricia (Schilling) McPhee in Winner, SD. He was the youngest of 4 children. He grew up on his family’s farm in Winner, SD.

After graduating from high school, he moved to Colorado, where he worked at the Sweet Buffalo Ranch, before moving back to South Dakota. Once back in South Dakota, he worked at various jobs, including Butler Machinery and Ferguson Farms.

Nathan married the love of his life Amber (Rowe), in Cancun, on November 12, 2004. To this union one daughter, Ashlynn Ann, was born on September 25, 2005. In 2005, they made their home on the family farm. This is where Nathan found his true calling of farming and ranching with his father-in-law.

Family was very important to Nathan. Ashlynn was the light of his life. As a family, they enjoyed activities such as camping, hunting, running to sporting events, and riding motorcycle. Nathan and Amber enjoyed many miles together on their Harley. This was something they looked forward to every summer. Nathan had an outstanding personality; therefore, he built many friendships.

Nathan is survived by his loving wife, Amber and daughter, Ashlynn. The loving son of James and Patricia; one brother, Matt McPhee; two sisters, Jamie McPhee and Jody Keegan. His in-laws, Doug and Bonita Rowe; sister-in-law, Autumn (Mark) Tucker; brother-in-law’s, Ryan (Shaneyl) Rowe; Kelly Keegan; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by grandparents, Melba and George Schilling; William and Margaret McPhee; Keith Rowe; and a nephew Chalan Hedman.

Kevin Leroy Graesser was born on Nov. 12, 1961, at the Rosebud Community Hospital in Winner, SD, to Walter & Arlene (Lebert) Graesser, and died Feb.  23, 2021 at the Avera Gregory Hospital surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cholangiocarcinoma.

He was the third of four children, Rod, Steve, Kevin, and Karen. Kevin grew up on the family farm southwest of Dallas where he would later return to raise his family until his death.

In 1980 he graduated from Colome High School. He initially attended Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD on a basketball scholarship. He would transfer to South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, where he graduated in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. Following graduation, Kevin returned to Gregory and worked as a feed salesman while helping on his family farm.

He was united in holy matrimony to Tammy (Thomas) on Aug. 1, 1987 at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gregory, SD. They moved to Brookings for a short time before making their way to Mitchell, SD, where Kevin took a job as a loan officer in Parkston, SD. Though they only lived in Mitchell for a short while, they were blessed with many life long friendships. It was also here where their first two children, Derek and Alisyn, were born.

Kevin and his family would then return to his family farm following the retirement of Kevin’s parent’s to join his brother Rod. In May 2008 Kevin and Tammy completed their family with the addition and blessing of Regan Ruth. Kevin had a strong passion for the cattle business. He built a successful cow operation along with a registered Angus bull business. Again, Kevin was able to create lasting relationships, much in part due to his kind and honest spirit.

Since a young age, Kevin would follow in his father’s footsteps with his love for sports. He was an avid Twins and Vikings fan. As a child Kevin would sit for hours playing with football and baseball cards, along with playing catch with his brother Steve. This passion would continue throughout his life as he excelled in athletics even into the later years of his life. In 1979 as a junior in high school Kevin would go on to score 64 points and pull down 24 rebounds in a 103-90 win against Delmont. His love for the game continued throughout his life as a coach in baseball, basketball, and football at various levels. One of Kevin’s greatest joys was coaching his son Derek’s teams. Kevin played amateur baseball up until 2019 and had the opportunity to participate in an Amateur World Series over 30 tournament. The passion he had for sports was felt by many of his players, fans, and opponents.

Kevin loved his family dearly, building relationships and friendships with everyone – meeting people where they were at, empowering and leading the many players that he coached. He was unselfish, offering love and friendship unconditionally. His kindness was abundant, genuinely caring about the community and village he had created and surrounded himself and his family by. He was a devoted father and took every opportunity he had to spend with his children.

Kevin, a faithful servant, trusting God in the best of days and in the darkest of days. His faith constant without waiver. He served on St. Joseph Catholic Parish Council and Knights of Columbus at the time of his passing.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Walt and Arlene, and brother, Steve.

He is survived by his wife Tammy, children Derek (Cheyenne) Graesser, Alisyn (Jeff) Donnelly, and Regan Graesser; grandchild to-be Baby Donnelly; his siblings Rod (Beverly) Graesser, Dallas, SD and Karen (Jim) Baumgartner, Iona, SD; in-laws Dick & Vickie Thomas, Gregory, SD; Greg Thomas, Ainsworth, NE; Jessy (Brett) Kenzy, Iona, SD; Jenny (Matt) Mangulis, Mankato, MN; Sarah (Jon) Sperl, Gregory, SD and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Kevin Graesser, age 59, of Dallas, South Dakota, were held on Monday, March 1, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at St Joseph Catholic Church, Gregory, SD, with Father Jonathan Dillon as celebrant. There was a visitation and prayer service Sunday night at the church.

Burial was in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Gregory, SD.

Ann M. Peck, age 80 of Cherokee, IA, passed away on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, at her residence in Cherokee.

A private family service will be held at a later date. The Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.

Ann M. Peck, the daughter of Elvin and Esther (Barton) Barnes, was born July 30, 1940, in Winner, SD. Her childhood years were spent in Winner, where she attended school and graduated from high school in 1958. She then attended college in Sioux Falls, SD, and graduated as an x-ray tech.

Ann moved to Cherokee, IA following college and worked for Sioux Valley Hospital. She was united in marriage to Merlyn Peck on Aug. 5, 1961. They were blessed with 4 children. During that time, Ann stayed at home to raise their kids. She eventually went to work at the Cherokee MHI for several years and then worked part time at the Hy-Vee meat department until her retirement.

Ann enjoyed crossword puzzles, gambling, and knitting. She loved a stout cup of black coffee and visiting with friends. Most of all, she enjoyed time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren.

On Feb. 22, 2021, Ann passed away at her residence surrounded by her family at the age of 80.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elvin and Esther Barnes; and her husband, Merlyn Peck in 1992.

She will be lovingly remembered by her four children: Cindy (Matt) Hyndman of Sioux City, IA, David (Holli) Peck of Cherokee, IA, Marvin (Heidi) Peck of Olathe, KS, and Cheryl Peck of Waterloo, IA; five grandchildren: Alex Peck, Annamarie Hyndman, Muriel Hyndman, Sydney Peck, and Jordyn Peck; one great-grandson, Maddox Peck; brother, Eugene (Becky) Barnes of Mesa, AZ; sister, Linda (Bob) Caton of Littleton, CO; one uncle, Roland Barton of Murdo, SD; and other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family has set up an educational scholarship fund for local students. Any contributions can be sent directly to Peck Education Memorial Fund @ Cherokee State Bank  212 W Willow St, Cherokee, IA 51012.

Donna D. New, 80, of Grand Island,  wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 at CHI-Health St. Francis Skilled Care.

Services were held at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 1, 2021 at All Faiths Funeral Home. Dan Naranjo  officiated.

Services in her hometown of Winner, SD will be held at Mason Funeral Home and Cremation Services at 625 W. 3rd St., Winner, SD 57580, on Wednesday March 3, 2021 at 11 a.m. with visitation the hour prior. Burial will follow in Winner City Cemetery.

All Faiths Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to the Alpha-1 Foundation.

Donna was born on April 5, 1940 on the family farm near Carter, SD, daughter of Frank and Majel (McManigal) Horstman.

Donna grew up on the family farm, and graduated from Winner High School. While in high school she met the love of her life Alvin New; on April 4, 1959 they were married. They made their home on the farm until 1972 when they moved to Grand Island.

Donna was employed as a cook at Wood School and a local nursing home while living near Winner. After relocating to Grand Island, Donna was a seamstress and made many custom drapes. She was also employed at the Stop & Go gas station at 5 points in Grand Island, where she made many long-lasting friendships.

Donna loved to camp and fish in South Dakota and spent many summers there with her children, grandchildren, and later great-grandchildren. In her spare time, she would crochet blankets for family and friends and also made other beautiful creations that she would give as gifts. Donna also enjoyed cooking and baking and could almost always be found in the kitchen making things from scratch. She was famous for her jellies and jams. Bowling was another hobby she loved and she was a part of a Senior League at Westside for many years.

Donna was exceptional at giving unsolicited advice and was usually correct. Donna was homebound due to her health but it didn’t stop her from keeping track of her grandkids and keeping up with their events. Donna didn’t mince words and spoke her mind. She will be missed for her determination, strength, and love!

Donna is survived by her husband of 62 years, Alvin New of Grand Island; daughter, Diane (Jim) Stevenson of Doniphan; son, Doug (Annette) New of Kearney; grandchildren, Brent (Jen) Stevenson, Brady (Kylee) Stevenson, Kelsey (Josh) Meier, Brandon (Amy) New, Tara (Logan) Ruzicka and Sean (Lorena) Schultz; brother, Ronald (Bonnie) Horstman of Winner, SD; sister-in-law, Carol Horstman of Winner, SD; seven great-grandchildren with one on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Barry and Darrell.

Condolences may be left at www.giallfaiths.com