Shirley Hoffer, 80, of Winner, SD passed away on Nov. 4, 2020 at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory, SD.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.
Shirley Joan Chambers was born Aug. 25, 1940 in the Burke Memorial Hospital to Bert and Alice (Dummer) Chambers. As a baby, her parents, and 4 siblings moved from Bonesteel, SD to a ranch north of Newport, NE then later to a ranch north of Stuart, NE. This is where she began her first grade in school. The next spring her parents purchased a ranch near Millboro, SD where she completed her grade school education at a country school.
On June 26th, 1955 she was united in marriage to Richard Hoffer in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church south of Colome. They lived on a farm near Millboro, SD. To this union four children were born Rodney, Debra, Roger, and Scott.
They bought a farm near Clearfield, SD where she was always busy with a large garden. Shirley loved her flowers, raising chickens, milking cows, and working in the fields. She also loved being outdoors. Later she worked various jobs in Winner. Due to her failing health they moved to Winner in 2003. In 2018 she moved to the Platte Care Center until January 2020 when she moved to the Gregory Health Care Center.
She leaves to mourn her husband of 65 years, daughter Debra Shreeve, son Scott (Deb) Hoffer. Grandkids; Tisha Jons, Angy (Jim) Murphy, Russell (Sarah) Hoffer, Craig (Kelly) Hoffer, Sarah (Tim) Novotny. Nikki (Shannon) Whitten, & Marie (Nathan) Lapsley. Great Grandkids; Isabella, Isaiah, Lijah, & Harley Jons; Baylor and Blayke Murphy. Tayshaun, Sadie, & Oakley Hoffer. Nancy Novotny & Scarlett Hoffer. Tyler & Emma Berg, Ava Lapsley, Shaylin & Pryce Whitten. Sisters Fern Kramer and Leora Emme and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her 2 sons Roger and Rodney, her parents, 2 brothers Wayne and Clyde. Son-in-law Roy Shreeve, brother-in-law Bill Emme and Maurice Kramer and nephew Tom Kramer.
Graveside services for Lamars Manke, 50, Sebring, Fla., were held Nov. 7 at the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory.
Lemars Lee Manke was welcomed into his heavenly home too soon on Oct. 27 2020 at the young age of 50 near his home in Florida.
His adventurous life began on April 9, 1970, to his loving parents Larry Lee Manke and Marvelyn Jean (Glynn) Manke.
Lemars grew up in Pierre, South Dakota and spent some years being raised in McCook, Nebraska. He was surrounded and cherished by family all around. With the adventurous heart he always had, he made life for him and those whom he surrounded a spontaneous thrill. Through many challenges and uphill battles Lemars’ kindred spirit always won by shining through.
He was a survivor who never met a stranger because to him everyone was a friend. Lemars was so full of ways to uplift those around him by constantly seeing the good in anything, he wouldn’t accept it otherwise. Lemars had such a beautiful way of evolving any situation into something worthwhile. His free spirit allowed him to walk into any situation with an open heart never judging those around him – something the world could use more of.
One of his passions consisted of cooking, which is how he was able to build his life traveling the states. No matter where he traveled he shared the consistency of being an exemplary employee as a cook. On any summer or winter day you would never see him without his dogs, he had so much love for them and that love was mutual.
Lemars also loved being outdoors by spending time fishing, nature hiking and exploring which led to his traveling wherever the wind took him. Even though Lemars may not be walking the Earth next to us anymore, we all know he is just on his next adventure that we will someday be able to join.
Lemars is survived by his father Larry Manke of Pierre, SD; siblings: Kerry (Bobbi) Odenbach of Florida, Carmen Cox and Lavonne Smith of Texas; nieces: Cory Manke, Shawndraya Ferro, Chantel Vincent, Kylie Smith and Kandy Harrell; nephews: Chase Smith, Kaiden Smith, TJ Harrell, and Shayne Clements; uncles: StanKlug of Burwell, NE, and Donnie Manke of Gregory, SD; aunts: Betty Vaughn of Gregory, SD; Beverly Keegan of Gregory, SD; Sandy Baker (Gene) of O’Neill, NE; daughter Bethany Waldman and grandson Victor Gustine of Rochester, MN; cousins: Rhonda (Tom) Waterbury, Justin (Jennifer) Keegan, Chauncey Keegan, Jessica (Dusty) Jones, William (Mary) Baker, Randy(Kamaha) Baker, Arlita Hamling, and Craig Klug.
Lemars was preceded in death by his mother Marvelyn Jean Manke, grandparents William and Mary Manke and Vernal and Flerida Glynn, Aunt Carol Klug, Uncle Paul Vaughn, Uncle Jim Keegan and Cousin Jay Keegan.
A group of organizations in South Dakota have joined to recommend and promote masking as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surge throughout the state and wider region.
Behind a simple message of “Mask Up South Dakota” and a hash tag of #MaskUpSoDak, these organizations include the South Dakota State Medical Association (SDSMA), Monument Health based in Rapid City, Avera Health and Sanford Health based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota Nurses Association (SDNA), South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO), South Dakota Municipal League, South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, Associated School Boards of South Dakota, and School Administrators of South Dakota and the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board.
This group supports keeping South Dakota open, and the safest way to do that is to practice good hygiene, social distancing and wearing masks. This group is not seeking a mask mandate from government, but rather is calling on South Dakotans to help manage health care resources and workforce so our state’s health systems can help those who need to be hospitalized.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has affirmed that wearing masks can help communities slow the spread of COVID-19 when worn consistently and correctly by a majority of people in public settings. Masks are most effective when used along with other preventive measures, including social distancing, frequent handwashing, and cleaning and disinfecting.
According to South Dakota Department of Health data, the number of active cases, hospitalizations and deaths are increasing across the state and wider region. There are currently over 350 hospitalizations in South Dakota and over 11,000 active cases. To date, there have been 375 deaths due to the virus. Increased cases and hospitalizations place a greater burden on health care facilities and health care workers, and is taking a toll on individuals, families and work places.
This group is asking South Dakota residents for a renewed and greater commitment to follow a list of preventive practices recommended by the CDC:
• Wear a mask to cover your mouth and nose when around others.
• Practice social distancing – put six feet of space (two arm lengths) between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
• Practice good hand hygiene – wash hands often and use hand sanitizer.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
• Stay home when you’re sick or have been exposed to the virus (except to get medical care).
• Cover your cough and sneezes.
• Monitor your health daily and watch for symptoms such as fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo Four members of the Winner High cheer and dance team have received academic all state honors. Pictured from left are Deja Kucera, Katherine Jankaukas, Brennan Bachmann and Shelby Scott
The traditional Veterans Day program in Winner will not be the same this year. Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the area, the Winner Student Council has decided to close the program to the public.
However, there will be a small program at 10 a.m. on Nov. 11 in the Armory. This will be only for high school and middle school students.
The program will be aired live on Winner Warriors Live so veterans and others can watch it.
There will be a welcome by Shannon Calhoon, student council president and Brennan Bachmann, student council vice president.
The Winner Middle School Council will lead the students in the pledge of allegiance. The high school and middle school choir will sing “God Bless America.”
Winning Voice of Democracy speeches will be given.
The WHS band will play “America the Beautiful” and “Marches of the Armed Forces.” The choir will sing “We Honor You.” Marlie Schuyler and Sidda Schuyler will give a presentation called “The Best on Earth.”
Aryn Meiners will play taps and principal Gerald Witte will give the thank you. Again, this Veterans Day program is closed to the public due to COVID-19
The Winner Regional Health and Wellness Foundation would like to announce its virtual auction fundraiser in lieu of its annual Holiday Festival.
This decision was not made easily as this event is one of few large community fundraising events in Winner. As a medical organization the wellbeing of our community is of utmost importance. With the uncertainty of the pandemic the Foundation Board believes this plan of action is the best option.
The virtual auction will take place on Dec.3 at 12pm through Dec. 5 at 5 pm. Auction items can be viewed prior to Dec. 3. The website URL will be released at a later date.
The Winner Regional Health and Wellness Foundation is grateful for the support of the community and is looking forward to the online auction of 2020 with hopes of the traditional festival returning in 2021.
Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo Congressman Dusty Johnson spoke to the Winner High School government class Monday morning via Zoom.
By Dan Bechtold/ Editor
Congressman Dusty Johnson, who is running for re-election this year, spoke to the Winner High School government class via Zoom Monday morning. Johnson was asked what he sees as far as change in Congress after the Nov. 3 election.
He thinks there will be a lot of change. He thinks there maybe 60 to 70 turnovers in the House and 10 in the U.S. Senate. “There is a lot of dynamic energy in our system and that is good,” he told the students.
Johnson is a freshman legislator as he was elected in the last general election. He was asked what it is like to be a freshman in Congress. He said it is better than he thought. He noted the bipartisanship has made his freshman experience rewarding. Johnson was asked how COVID-19 has affected his job. “It makes everything harder and everything more complicated. I don’t like it and you can put me down as being anti-COVID. It has made the experience serving in Congress less rewarding,” he said.
Now with COVID Johnson is doing more work in his hometown of Mitchell. Prior to COVID, he spent half of his time in South Dakota and half of the time in Washington, D.C. Now, it is three-fourths of his time in South Dakota.
The Congressman admitted it makes it harder to get things done.
Two weeks ago, Johnson served as a substitute teacher in Mitchell. He wanted to see what it was like in the year of COVID. “The students who were in class it was so much easier to engage them compared to the ones who are home doing e-learning.” Johnson added: “I feel badly we have not risen to the challenge quite as effectively as I know Americans can. When America is united and working together there is nothing that can beat us. It seems in the last few months Americans are more divided and when that is the case we are beating ourselves. That is really unfortunate.”
A student asked who his running mate was in the Nov. 3 election. He said it is Randy “Uriah” Luallin, Hot Springs, of the Libertarian Party. Johnson said this is the first time in the history of single House seat in South Dakota that the Democrats have not put up a candidate.
When asked to predict who will win on Tuesday, Johnson explained the polls show Joe Biden is leading President Trump. “But who knows, millions of Americans have yet to vote and we will not know the outcome till all the ballots are counted,” he said
Elsie Ptacek, 60, of Winner, SD passed away at her home surrounded by her familyon Friday, Oct. 30, 2020.
Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 4th, 2020 at 10 a.m. at the Winner United Methodist Church.
Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery.
Elsie Marie Ptacek was born Feb. 23rd, 1960 to Kenneth and Bertha Wiley of Wewela. She attended grade school in Wewela and graduated from Colome High School in1978. Not long after graduation, she met her husband, Milo. The two were married in Pierre, SD in August of 1979. The couple had three children; Melissa, Cliff, and Samantha. Elsie’s greatest passion in life was helping others.
She started her nursing career working in long term care at the Winner Regional Healthcare Center in 1992. Elsie received her Associates Degree in Nursing from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1996. Throughout her career, Elsie continued to seek out training and other opportunities to be able to provide thebest care possible to the residents.
In 2011, Elsie moved to the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory. No matter the position she was in, patient care was always her top priority and she cared deeply for each of the residents in her care. She loved being outside during the summer. She always had a large garden and could often be found out there relaxing.
Of course, her idea of relaxing in the garden meant pulling weeds. She also loved going camping. Elsie enjoyed being right down along the river where all she needed was the radio and her fishing pole. She could always out fish all of us especially when it came to catfishing. Family time was very important to Elsie. Her time with her grandchildren was very precious. They helped her in the garden, played games together, and she always had art projects for them to do.
She also cherished being able to spend time with her kids. Whether it was during the holidays, a late-night card game or throwing darts, being surrounded by her family always brought the biggest smile to her face. Her kids always knew they could come to her for advice and she was grateful to be able to pass her knowledge along to them.
Elsie is survived by her husband of 41 years, Milo; her children: Melissa Ptacek of Lennox, SD, Cliff (Andrea) Ptacek of Winner, SD, and Samantha Ptacek of Winner, SD; her grandchildren: Bailey and Camden; her sister, Nancy Wiley of Spearfish, SD; as well as her nephews and many other family members and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Bertha Wiley, her father-in-law, Milo Ptacek, Sr., and mother-in-law, Lillian Vavra.
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