The Heath name has run deep and long in Tripp County from the time of homestead days. This year the Farm and Ranch Family of the Year is Roger and Janell Heath and Justin and Shelley Heath.
The farm and ranch award is sponsored by the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce.
Roger is the son of Clarence and Frieda Heath, and it was Clarence’s father, Ervin, that first laid a stake in southern Tripp County. Roger grew up on a farm located in Lake Township. He wed his high school sweetheart, Janell, daughter of Gus and Orene Weidner. For the first four years of their marriage, they lived in a very small trailer house on Clarence and Frieda’s place. While living here, they added two sons, Brett and Kevin. Roger and Janell had seen there was some land for sale east of Colome. They were able to purchase the Jerry and Emma Spinar farm.
Roger and Janell made their home on the property for nearly 30 years. Within the 30 year time frame, they wintered several storms, that weren’t easy to go through with the smaller equipment of the time. They learned they had to be diversified in order to make ends meet as they saw markets rise and fall as seasons passed. Along with farming the ground, Janell taught school. When times got hard to make ends meet, milking seemed to be the solution to bring in monthly cash flow.
The dairy cows were a main stable to the farm as they raised their four children. Brett, Kevin, Justin and Marti were all vital parts to keeping everything moving as they raised some beef cattle, bucket calves and milked. In between taking care of the land, they made time for sporting activities and church was a mainstay, and a way to reset for the hard week of work ahead.
As their children grew out of the house, the younger of the two, Justin and Marti would take care of the harder work, and Roger worked in town at Vicki’s gas station and later at the Colome Feedstore. Roger delivered many tons of feed to all the ranchers and can draw you a map in his head of Tripp County.
Justin’s love for the land and cattle grew in his teenage years. One incident that inspired him was his mom leaving him in charge of over 70 head of bucket calves. She may have made a few deals with him that if he kept them alive he could get some money for it. He became very skilled at bringing a dead calf back to life.
Lennie Steffen was an important part of shaping Justin’s love for horses and cowboy work. Many hours have been spent in a saddle looking for lost critters, doctoring the sick and moving cattle from pastures to winter grazing.
He knew that college wasn’t meant for him, and after graduating from Colome in 1993, he went to work for Vernie and Jean VanEpps in Springview, NE. He worked on their large ranch, living the dream of sleepless nights from checking in blizzards to pairing out cattle for pastures, and putting up meadow hay.
In 1995, the timing was right to bring his roots back to Colome and help his parents while building his own cattle herd. In July of 1996, he married his high school sweetheart Shelley Horstman, from Mills, NE. She graduated from Keya Paha County High School in 1993 and attended Norfolk Community College and earned an Associate of Arts degree in Journalism. For the first couple of years, Justin and Shelley had milk cows and would share milking with Roger and Janell.
Being young newlyweds, they had little to start with. Truth be told, they had no electricity or water in the shabby trailer house when they moved in. Electricity came two days later, but running water came three weeks later. They were blessed to put their trailer on his Uncle Charley and Aunt Judi Vobr’s land in Stewart Township. This was the old Jerry and Clara Shea place. The beautiful red barn still stands along with another building.
Even though it wasn’t in the original plan, they were able to purchase the Vobr ground in 2003. Justin worked for his Uncle Lee’s feedlot for a few years until he had enough established to stay busy and make ends meet. Shelley has started her own photography studio in 1999. It proved it was time to build a small studio close to their trailer house as she became quite busy with both Rosebud Photos going out of business. She named her studio, Prairie Portraits, Inc.
Along with growing their cattle herd and starting a studio, they also built a family of Wiley 12, Saydee 17, Bromley 15, and Jakob 9.
Balancing daily work of farming and ranching became easier over time as their children have become an integral part of each day. Wiley and Saydee will tell stories of having to feed bucket calves before getting on the school bus when they were both in grade school.
In 2000, Roger and Janell moved from the Spinar land and started a simple homelife just one-mile south of the Calvary Chapel. They enjoy gardening and their chickens, and Janell can’t resist raising a few bucket calves. Roger is the helper of the neighborhood, and when a neighbor needs help, he is on his way.
The Spinar land was sold two times, before Justin and Shelley were able to purchase the land back. “It feels good to have the home place back, all the memories were great but having the land and knowing that our children have some heritage means the world,” said Shelley. Roger and Janell are vital to the farming and ranching in so many small ways, even though they are retired. When a part is needed, thistles need chopped, someone to watch the highway while moving cattle or moving equipment, grandma and grandpa are just a phone call away.
In 2010, with some unplanned housing situations, they moved in with Roger and Janell for a few weeks. Due to mold in the trailer house and unsafe living conditions, life was upturned, until the community pulled together to help them live in the barn in a matter of 10 days. The “barnhouse” became home for 15 months until their new house was built.
“You know you are loved when so many people drop everything to help you. We were humbled and grateful for everyone’s part in making the barn a livable place,” said Shelley. “Truth be told, it was hard to move out of the barnhouse because we were healthy and happy, and that’s when Jakob joined the family. There are so many fond memories of living in the barnhouse. The bucket lambs were right by the bathroom wall, the heifers were calving in one half while we lived in the other. All the kids were in one bedroom. There was a hydrant by our bed. It was a simple living arrangement that bonded us even more,” Shelley added.
Justin loves that his kids can work beside him. Everyone that farms and ranches knows there are profitable time and not so profitable times, it’s being able to adjust as markers change and hoping you make the right decisions. Having his kids work with him, and teaching them great work ethic is one of the most rewarding things that go with being a ranching family. All of the kids truly love the ranch life, they love the open space and can appreciate that hard work.
The best time of the year for the Heaths, is spring. Spring brings new hope, new life, and each year they are reminded of all the beautiful creations that God has made. Watching a baby calf be born, will always be an amazing site, seeing the natural instincts come to life as the newborns learn how to stand and suckle.
Just as Roger and Janell diversified their farming, Justin has added being an ABS Representative and Liquid Nitrogen Farm Site Delivery, takes in cows to calve and does some backgrounding on a year to year basis.
“I love to work with my family,” said Justin. Raising cattle and making good horses are rewarding. Justin and Shelley have been in charge of the High School Rodeo Team since 2015. They both love working with kids and seeing success from hard work. They also help with the Winner Regional HS Rodeo in June.
Justin currently serves on two boards, the Calvary Chapel, and the Colome School Board. In the past he has been on the Township Board.
The Heath family enjoys doing things for the community as Justin helps kids learn rodeo skills and Shelley helps with basketball. Shelley is a former 4-H leader for the Lariat Loopers. Their kids loved 4-H and all the activities that it provided, but as high school years started, decisions had to be made as there are too many options for kids now days. The kids continue to 4-H Rodeo.
Shelley continues to stay busy with the studio work and works appointments around the kids’ activities of rodeo, football, and basketball. She enjoys being part of their activities and helping when help is needed. With changing times and digital photographers quite common, it changes the dynamics of business, but she loves going to schools and working with the students and still finds time to do some family and children’s sessions. Her office is now located in their home and all sessions take place either on location or at the original studio site.
Wiley graduated in 2017 from CHS, attended MTI for Electrical and now works for YES, LLC in Watford City, ND as an apprentice electrician. Saydee is a senior at CHS and intends on attending USF and majoring in Business Administration/Accounting. Bromley is a Freshman and enjoys school and his friends, Seth has the same love for the land as his dad, and is a 7th grader, and Jakob is a third grader and loves all sports and has his two bucket calves and chicken chores.
“Living the farm and ranch life has given us the opportunity to make some really neat kids,” said Shelley. “Our entire family is humbled to be chosen for such an award.: They love to have cousins come over and help. One of the best days of the year for Justin is branding day.
Barbara Mann, 81, of Winner, SD passed away on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 at the Winner Regional Long-Term Care Facility in Winner, SD.
Memorial service will be held on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021 at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner. Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 at the Mason Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m..
Barbara Elaine (Assman) Mann passed away on January 22, 2021 in Winner, SD after a four-year battle with cancer.
Barb was born to William C Assman, Jr and Mary Helen (Kerper) Assman on Oct. 22, 1939 at the Burke Hospital. She was the second of five children born to their union.
She attended St. Mary’ Elementary school for 8 years and moved to Winner High School where she graduated in 1957. She loved those class reunions. She attended college at USD in Vermillion until the spring of 1958.
She married James Edward Mann Jr of rural Todd County on Feb. 7, 1959 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Winner. Three children were born to this union, Margaret Mary, James Edward III and William Joseph.
Jim and Barb moved with his career with the Game Fish and Parks from Pickstown to Rapid City, SD until 1968 when they went into partnership with his parents on the ranch in Todd County, during this time Barb owned Winner Abstract and Title Co and ran it until 1981 when she sold the business. She also was appointed to the SD Board of Abstracter Examiners.
In 1981 they moved to Custer, SD working in real estate until they started their own real estate business. In 1992 Barb was voted as Realtor of the year. In 1995 they went into a new business of making and selling jewelry at festivals and fairs around the country. Jim died in Nov 2001 and Barb stayed on the road herself, driving that big motorhome pulling the 16-foot trailer behind it until 2009. She retired but found retirement wasn’t for her. She started working in the Club Center at The Lodge in Deadwood and eventually moved up to Blackjack Dealer, her dream job. She worked as a dealer until she was diagnosed with cancer. She moved to Winner to be closer to family in the spring of 2020.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jim in 2001, Son Jim in 2015, brother Richard, granddaughter Jessica Wiley, stepmothers Loretta Rowan, Dorothy Ellis and Arnolla Schneidereit, and many other close family members.
She is survived by daughter Margie (Alva Lee) Wiley, grandchildren Ashley (Dustin) Duffy, Alva James “A.J.” Wiley all of Winner and Logan (Devon Lehman) Wiley of Cheyenne, WY, her son Bill (Trudy) Mann and his children Jenna (Pete) Fischer, Rapid City, Julie (Mike) Ollerich, Tea, SD, Barbara (Tyler) Shiell, Tea, SD and Tessa Mann, Winner, SD, Son Jim’s children Stacie (Caleb) Straub and Christopher Mann, both of Rapid City, daughter-in-law Monica Repp, great grandchildren: Arnolla, Auden and Anistyn Duffy, Gideon Wiley, Emelia and Arthur Fischer, Allison, Madison and Landon Ollerich, Riley and Charlie Shiell, Audrey and Natalie Straub, sisters Loretta (Dick) Stoughton, Plant City, FL, Jeanne (Ed) Miller, Ft Myers, FL and John Assman, Augusta, GA, many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Michael Kosters, 60, formerly of Winner, SD, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, in Sioux Falls, SD.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 at 1 p,m. at the Winner United Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.
Michael “Mike” James Kosters, age 60, passed away on Sunday January 24, 2021 at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls.
Michael was born on Dec. 9, 1960 in Alabama to father Jim Kosters and mother Sandra Hansen. Mike spent his childhood in Denver, CO and teenage years in Winner, SD. He graduated from Winner High School in 1979 and then attended Miami Dade College. It was in Florida that he met and married Jennifer Burg, and they settled in Southwest Ranches, FL.
Mike and Jennifer had two daughters together, Samantha and Valerie. The Kosters family lived in a beautiful ranch-style home with an acre of land. Mike was a self-taught carpenter and built not only a large 30’x40’ workshop, but also a wooden castle play set for his girls. He enjoyed completing home renovations and was skilled in electrical, plumbing, and everything in between.
Mike’s defining quality was his love of the great outdoors. A major highlight was taking the airboat out to the Everglades. He enjoyed fishing, frogging, and riding through the tall grass. At the beach, he loved floating in the waves and looking for seashells with Sam and Val. Every autumn he took an annual hunting trip with his step father, Gene Hansen, where he bagged big game such as White Tail Deer, elk, and coyote with a bow and arrow. Mike enjoyed traveling and went on an annual family vacation to a different US state every year. Admittedly a kid-at-heart, one of his favorite places was Walt Disney World.
His career with the City of Plantation lasted an impressive 30 years. Starting in irrigation, he ultimately finished with the title of Supervisor of Public Works. Mike enjoyed that each work day wasn’t spent in a cubicle. The ability to be out and about in the City of Plantation created many lifelong friendships that he held dear to his heart.
Some of Mike’s most notable character traits included generosity; he always offered a hand to those in need. He was a fiercely loyal friend and dependable father. Mike knew how to light up a room with a joke and a Mountain Dew in his hand.
After his retirement, Mike returned to Winner, South Dakota to live the good life. He spent most days out at the ranch with his friends, scouting deer and fixing fence posts. While living in Winner, he looked after his mom Sandy. Mike always made sure she had help attending various appointments and cooked lots of food with plenty of left overs. Michael was a caring son and a beloved father.
Michael is preceded in death by his father, Jim Kosters, and step-father, Gene Hansen.
Michael is survived by his mother, Sandra Hansen, daughters, Samantha and Valerie, as well as sister Terri Budd, and nephew, Max Budd. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please send a donation to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. This was an organization that Mike supported and whose mission closely aligns with his passion
Ronald Duane Sampson passed away from lung cancer at the age of 84 on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, at Sunset Hospice Cottage in Worthington, MN.
A public funeral service was held on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. at Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Windom, MN. It will also be live streamed at the LaCanne Family Funeral Service Facebook Page. Interment will be held at Memory Gardens, Windom, MN.
Ron was born on May 16, 1936, the ninth child of ten children of Alva Harrison and Sarah Jane (Creasey) Sampson, in Geddes, SD. He was baptized and later confirmed. As a young child, the family moved across the Missouri River after their land was flooded when the Oahe Dam was built. Ronald grew up on the family farm and graduated from Winner High School in South Dakota. After graduation, he and a friend decided to go to California. On the way, they stopped in Casper, Wyo. and decided to stay and find work. Ron worked in the oil fields and drilled the first holes, called “mouse hole”, “rat hole” and “main hole”, before the big rigs came in.
Ron met Janet Elaine Jensen and they were married on June 24, 1956 in Casper, WY. The marriage was blessed with four children, Toni, Julie, Barry and Thomas. In 1961, the family moved to Windom, MN and Ron worked for Peter J Schweitzer’s flax plant. The family owned the Windom Laundromat for twenty years. Ron retired from his career as an engineer tech with Dennis Johnson.
Ron was a happy man with a joyful and cheerful disposition, through life’s challenges. He cherished his family. He was a die-hard Vikings fan, even if they were losing the game. He loved to read and could fix anything. He enjoyed fishing with the boys for bullheads. Ron was on the pit crew for a race car in Jackson, MN for several years. Ron and Jan were avid card players. They traveled to New Zealand and Australia to visit the foreign exchange student that they hosted.
Ron was a member of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, where he was an usher and on the finance board. He was a member of the Jaycees, serving as President for one year. He was a volunteer fire fighter for 24 years and a Boy Scout Leader.
Ron is survived by his wife, Janet, of Windom, MN; four children: Toni (Duane) Laffrenzen of New Ulm, MN; Julie Damm of Forest City, IA, (special friend Don Knutson of Litchfield, MN); Barry (Ann) Sampson of Bovey, MN; and Thomas (Diane) Sampson of Belmont, MI; five grandchildren: Gregory Laffrenzen of Crystal, MN, David (Emily) Laffrenzen of Wabasha, MN, Nathan Damm of Clear Lake, IA, Paul Sampson, (special friend Regan McKay) of San Diego, CA, and Emily Sampson of Belmont, MI; one great-grandchild, Zachary Laffrenzen; and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, six brothers: Dale, Harold, infant twins, Walter (2 years), and Raymond; three sisters: Clara Sampson, Ruby Keiser, and Mary Kellogg; and one grandchild, Nicholas Damm.
Those wishing to express their sympathy may direct memorials to the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, American Cancer Society, or the Cottonwood County Historical Society.
Blessed be the memory of Ronald Duane Sampson.
Funeral services for Robert Bolander, 78, Winner, were held on Feb. 2 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gregory. Burial with military honors was at the Winner Cemetery
Robert Michael Bolander was born Feb. 27, 1942, in Winner, SD, to Cornelius Bolander and Anne (Speckman) Bolander. He was the tenth child born to this union.
Bob grew up on the family farm northwest of Winner and graduated in 1960 from Winner High School. His class enjoyed getting together for reunion parties.
In the fall of 1960 Bob enlisted and served four years in the US Air Force. He was stationed in North Africa and worked in the fire department.
After being discharged from the Air Force in May, Bob met Sherri Neumiller while out cruising around Winner. He stopped her and said, “I’ve been watching you.” Bob and Sherri were married on Feb. 3, 1968 at St. John Lutheran Church. This union brought Billy, Beth, Brady, and Blaine.
Bob was employed at Blomstrom Oil Company from 1965-1984 driving fuel truck and enjoyed visiting the local farmers. In the fall of 1984, Bob started his postal career as a letter carrier. He walked the city routes for 20 years and retired in 2004.
Bob’s part time mowing career turned into full time after retirement and lasted 36 years. If he wasn’t mowing, you could find him tending his garden and flowers.
Bob would take the family on summer vacations to the Black Hills every year touring different areas. Many times taking cousins or friends but always great memories were made. Bolander family gatherings have lots of laughs and lots of people that have inherited that one of a kind Bolander laugh.
Bob was a leader and coach in his younger years and spent time supporting his kids at sporting events and later followed his grandkids around the state for their sporting events.
Many hours were spent in the kitchen cooking and baking. Chocolate chip cookies were his specialty and his kids could eat them by the dozen.
After retirement Bob began his morning with the coffee crew at McDonald’s where he could talk to anyone from anywhere about anything no matter the age.
Bob passed away on Jan. 28, 2021, at the Winner Regional Hospital after his heart could not fight any longer for the ones he loved.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but especially by Sherri who has lost the love of her life.
Bob is survived by his wife Sherri Bolander of Winner, SD; daughter Beth (Chad) Ulvestad, Lead, SD; sons Brady Bolander, Winner, SD, and Blaine (Katie) Bolander, Gregory, SD; grandchildren Brecken, Breven, Brennen, Alyssa, Ayden, Jack, Dylan, and William; siblings Theresa Weber, Winner, SD, Francis Bolander, Winner, SD, Mary Wellesley, CA, Donald Bolander, NE, Loretta Allen, Arlington, TX, Joan Brunkow, Winner, SD, and Dianne Vrbsky, Colome, SD. He was preceded in death by his son Billy Bolander, parents C.A. and Anne Bolander, in-laws Pete and Beth Neumiller, brothers Richard Bolander and Daniel Bolander, and sister Genevieve Bolander.
Eric Pollard has been promoted to vice president at First Fidelity Bank of Winner. The promotion was effective Jan. 1.
Pollard joined the bank in October of 2012.
Pollard grew up in Yankton and graduated from Yankton High School in 2004. He went on to college at the University of Sioux Falls graduating with a business degree in 2011.
While in college, Pollard worked for UPS and stayed with them for a year after finishing his schooling.
An opportunity opened up at the Winner bank and Pollard was hired.
He serves as a baseball umpire, football referee, on the board of the Winner Country Club and is a member of Pheasants Forever.
He and his wife, Darci, have three children: Kenli, age 8; Karter, 5 and Kelbi, 4 months old.
Darci works as a nurse at Avera Medical Group Winner.
Looking back at 2020 and the many challenges COVID-19 created, this business was able to meet these challenges head on and find ways to thrive.
The Winner Area Chamber of Commerce business of the year is El Tapatio Mexican restaurant.
Due to COVID-19, there was no annual Chamber banquet where awards are usually presented.
Three years ago Efrain Lopez with his wife Diana and their young family and Christopher Lopez moved to Winner and bought the Winner Bowling Alley. Their vision was to open their first Mexican restaurant and they called it El Tapatio. Efrain and Christopher began by cleaning, decorating, painting with new flooring and even adding windows.
Over the past three years they have been able to build their reputation on excellent food and great service.
In addition to a diverse menu, the staff will be glad to serenade and even a little whip cream for anyone that would like to celebrate their birthday at El Tapatio.
Since opening their restaurant in Winner they have expanded by opening a restaurant in Chamberlain and most recently in Belle Fourche.
Efrain and Christopher have worked hard at meeting the needs of the community from expanding take out services during 2020 to scheduling an occasional bowling party.
Efrain and Christopher have been great community supporters helping sponsor many community events.
“Thank you Efrain, Christopher and your families and employees for all you do to make Winner a stronger and better community,” said Mike Scott, executive director of the Chamber.
Clarice Chauncey, 97, of Winner, SD passed away in Omaha, NE on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m. at the Carter Gospel Fellowship Church in Carter, SD. Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to funeral service.
Clarice Loraine Chauncey was born Dec. 13,1923 to George and Coral (Hobson) Klein. She spent her childhood on their farm near Hidden Timber, South Dakota. Clarice had a lifetime love of learning, and she told of her dad taking her and her siblings to country school by horse and wagon. She graduated from Mission High School in 1941 as valedictorian of her class. After graduation, she went to six weeks of summer school where she received a permit to be a teacher.
On Aug. 14, 1943 Clarice married Leroy ‘‘Dick” Chauncey. Dick was sent to The Philippines to join the World War II effort, and they wrote letters to each other every day. The war ended, Dick was discharged, and they moved to a farm in the Hidden Timber area where they started their family. It was important to them that their family attended church, and they were part of the original founders of Carter Gospel Fellowship. Clarice once wrote that the most memorable day of her life was when Dick passed away suddenly of a heart attack on Oct. 26, 1964, and she was left as a widow caring for seven children.
Clarice returned to the classroom and was a teacher’s aid in Mission for eight years. Through the Career Opportunity Program, she was able to get her Bachelor of Arts from University of South Dakota in 1973. She then taught at country schools in Tripp and Todd County until her retirement in 1988.
After retirement, Clarice kept active spending time with grandchildren, gardening and she learned to quilt. Each of her grandchildren received one of her priceless quilts when they graduated from high school. While enjoying her retirement she was able to travel to every state except Hawaii.
Clarice loved the country and moved to town and back several times before finally staying in Winner, South Dakota. She was active in Friends of the Library, extension clubs, American Legion Auxiliary, the Winner Hospital Auxiliary, Federated Women’s Club, Retired Teachers and Carter Church.
Clarice’s love of the Lord was her motivation to serve, and she volunteered 17 summers to help cook at Victory Center Bible Camp in Fort Pierre. Many of her grandchildren attended camp there, and some even got to stay with her for a week in the summer where she took them to daily Vacation Bible School at Carter Church. It was her heart’s desire for all of her grandchildren to have a relationship with Jesus.
Clarice lived her last years at Golden Prairie Manor in Winner. As her memory faded, we all treasured the poems that she would recite from her childhood. She loved spending time with her family and her bag was always packed ready to go visit anyone who would take her with them. Her last road trip was to Omaha to stay with her daughter until God called her to her eternal home on Jan. 20, 2021.
Clarice is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her siblings Eleanor (William) Chauncey, Clifford (Joann) Klein, Lawrence Klein, Harold (Wilma) Klein, daughter Cathleen Lyons, and two grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Clarice is survived by her sister Gladys Kramer, sister-in-law Jo Klein, children Elaine Meiners, Darlene (Roland) Heinert, Edward (Kathy) Chauncey, John (Kathy) Chauncey, Janice (Fud) Ferris, Donald Chauncey, son-in-law Ron Walker, 20 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren, 18 great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.
Memorials can be sent to Victory Center Bible Camp and Carter Church
Clarice’s funeral service will be live streamed for those that are unable to attend at cgfellowship.com
Donald Earl Kellogg, 86, died on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021 at his home in Spearfish.
Don was born June 3, 1934 in Colome, SD to Earl and Ruth (Potter) Kellogg. The family moved to Spearfish in 1942 where he graduated from Spearfish High School in 1952. Don was employed by the John Ward dairy. On June 3, 1953 he was married to Mary Ellen Sampson in Winner, SD. They started their marriage working for Ward’s while building their home on Maitland Road where they raised their four children.
In 2002, Don lost his wife Mary Ellen after 49 years of marriage. On Dec. 28, 2002 Don was united in marriage to Lila Ann Heying in Winner, SD. With this union six children joined the family. Don and Lila Ann enjoyed 18 years together.
Don worked for Homestake Mining Company for 39 ½ years. Both at the mill and the mine. After retiring in 1994 he hauled logs, cattle and sheep and kids in the school bus. He loved having family around and always took time doing special things with each of us. He found someone to visit with everywhere he went. Don was proud to be a charter member of First Baptist Church where he attended the rest of his life. He enjoyed traveling, history and exploring all around the hills.
Those grateful for having shared in Don’s life are his wife, Lila Ann; two sons, Scott (Judy) Kellogg, Custer, SD and Carson Kellogg, Columbus, MT; two daughters, Valerie (Myron) Johnston, Hammond, MT and Sandra (Mark) Hansen, Willow AK; step-children, Barbara (Lynn) Tilton, Winner, SD, Diane (Mike) Adams, Buffalo, WY, Doyle (Kathy) Heying, Piedmont, SD, Brenda (Jim) Hofeldt, Millboro, SD, Bruce (Tammy) Heying, Black Hawk, SD and Darwin (Laurie) Heying of Rapid City, SD; one brother, Larry (Druse) Kellogg; 27 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Mary Ellen; his parents; two infant sons, two granddaughters; daughter-in-law, Julie Kellogg and brother, Keith Kellogg.
Public visitation was held on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, from 2pm until 5 pm at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Due to the COVID 19 Pandemic, those attending are asked to wear face covering and practice social distancing. A private family funeral service was held on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Spearfish. Interment was held at 3 pm on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021 at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish.
Arrangements are under the care of the Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com
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