Category Archives: Local

Leslie “Les” Sherwood Jr., 49, of White River, SD passed away at his home on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. 

Funeral service was held on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Wood Community Hall in Wood, SD.  Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. 

Leslie “Les” Howard Sherwood Jr. (49) was born prematurely to Peggy Lee Bowers-Sherwood and Leslie Howard Sherwood Sr. on July 21, 1974, In Winner, South Dakota. Leslie grew up in and around the Wood and White River areas. Learning ranching from his father Les Sherwood Sr. and mechanics from his step-father Roy Moran Sr. He was always learning and teaching something new along the way throughout his life.

He graduated from White River, South Dakota in 1992. After he attended technical school in Watertown, South Dakota where he became a certified diesel mechanic.

Throughout his adult life he worked for various implements using his mechanical skills, as a ranch hand at a few different locations and as a mechanic at Wagner Auto in Pierre, South Dakota. He later pursued his dream of working on his family’s ranch outside of Wood, South Dakota, where he stayed. Les is known for his kind heart, loving words, calming demeanor, love and his acceptance of everyone he met along his journey. There was never a time that Les would not make sure that he could take his grandbabies out to the pasture to see the cattle and the horses or even to let them go with him to feed in the mornings. Among all of Les’s hobbies he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family. Along with the yearly camping trip where he could enjoy family and boating. Les especially enjoyed all of the hunting adventures he went on with his brother Henry Moran.

Les passed unexpectedly on Dec. 16, 2023 in the early hours of the day. He will be missed by all.

Survived by his wife, Vickie Sherwood. His daughter Sierra Boren, son Damian Bingen (Megan) Aberdeen, South Dakota, Jarred Bingen (Brittany) Witten, South Dakota, Trey Bingen (Maddie) Burke, South Dakota. Along with his 6 grandbabies, Raphael Jax, Reese James, Delilah Belle, Kensley Mae, Jackson Leslie, and Ryker Joel. Survived by his father Les Sherwood Sr. (Lois) White River, South Dakota, Siblings Tonya Copeland (Rich) Rapid City, South Dakota, Misty Moran (Kelly Wright Sr.) Pierre, South Dakota, Henry Moran (Rose Larvie) White River, South Dakota, Harold Moran (Audra) Letcher, South Dakota, Berton Moran (Cassie Jones) Mitchell, South Dakota, Lisa Sherwood (Tyler Harter) White River, South Dakota and Brother-in-law Gabe Schumacher Wosley, South Dakota. Bonus siblings, Joelene Hamilton, Roy Moran Jr., Tim Moran (Breanna) and Jewels Moran. Along with several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his mother Peggy Lee Moran, sister Karin Schumacher, niece Kateri Knife, Maternal and paternal grandparents and several aunts and uncles.

Douglas John Taggart was born to John and Lillian Taggart in Winner, SD on April 13, 1952.

Doug grew up on a farm outside of Winner with his sister Karen and brothers Jerry, Brad and Robert.  Much has been whispered about his antics, but no one wants to come forward with hard facts on the wild days in Winner.  I can confirm that he DID learn to play the accordion, because his aunt and uncle liked to dance to the polka.  I know, right?!  The accordion.  Knock me down with a feather.  He was also the undefeated boxing champ from Winner.  He was 15 years old.  It was one fight and then he hung up his professional boxing gloves for good……but it was sanctioned.  So, we are going with Undefeated Boxing Champ.

Doug was world-renowned for his lack of patience or his endless patience (which one would you get today???), not holding back his opinion and telling it like it is. Doug always told you the truth, even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear.  It was the school of hard knocks, and yes, we were told many times how he had to walk for miles in a blizzard to get to school, so suck it up and life is tough all over kid, get used to it!

He married his main squeeze, Polly, a librarian, almost 50 years ago in Colstrip, Mont. They lived in Montana, Indiana and later returned to Montana so dad could hunt and fish. They spent many hours on a boat with fishing poles in their hands but much to Doug’s dismay, Polly could out fish him many times.  Jennifer and Whitney (the daughters), cannot out fish either of them. Recently they moved to North Dakota to be near family and so dad could go back to his roots of farming, which he loved. 

Doug taught us that family comes first, to get outside,  and work hard…at what you love.  Doug made the best sourdough treats, homemade pizza and cookies.  Jennifer and Whitney also ended up with midnight snack addictions because of Doug.  Many a night would pass with a knock on the door and a question – “Want an ice cream shake?” He also made sure that he had someone around to make his sweet treats, he taught Jennifer how to bake cookies each weekend. Why? So, he could have the cookies for a nighttime snack.

Jennifer married Kevin Norton and Whitney married David Gonitzke – in a stroke of amazing luck – Doug loved both of them. 

Doug was Papa to Mackenzie, Aiden, Jules and Jane.  Oh, how he loved the four of them.  We don’t want say that he got soft as a Grandpa….but he got soft!!  Those kids could do anything and get anything!  He made sure his grandkids knew how to fish and that started at a young age. Papa was a huge history buff, this love of history was passed down to his grandson, Aiden, who is going to college to be a high school history teacher.  He bragged about his grandkids to anyone that would listen!

Doug and his two best friends, Pat and Kelly, (the “Three Amigos”) hunted and fished for over 30 years together.  After a while Doug decided that their friendship was strong enough to withstand anything…..so he included them into the Taggart Brothers Secret Circle.  For years and years, the brothers circle would meet up at Uncle Jerry’s ranch house in Wyoming to fish, hunt, drink loads of beer.  Who knows what lies and tall tales were told on those trips.  Really – Guys, can’t you just tell us one little thing??

Doug traveled extensively and took us camping all the time.  We went from tent, to a pickup box camper, then a 5th wheel camper– spoiling us girls forever.  Never will Jennifer or Whitney tent camp again.  Our love of the water likely came from the plethora of trips to rivers and lakes.

He is survived by his saint of a wife, Polly; children,  Jennifer (Kevin) Norton, Whitney (David) Gonitzke; grandchildren, Mackenzie (Eric) Wineinger, Aiden Sothers, Jules and Jane Gonitzke; great-grandchild, baby Wineinger (coming in June); siblings Jerry (Janine) Taggart, Karen King, Brad (Linda Wilson) Taggart, Robert (Kim) Taggart and many, many nephews, nieces, cousins, family and friends.

Although we feel like we didn’t get enough Doug in our lives – we can remember that Doug did not live an average life.  He traveled where he wanted to travel, laughed inappropriately at every chance, danced (especially the alligator) when the opportunity arose, learned what he wanted to learn, fixed what he wanted to fix, and loved who he wanted to love, and loved those people hard……..especially Polly.

Since Doug liked to do unusual things, he also ended up with cholangiocarcinoma – bile duct cancer.  It’s rare and aggressive.  Of course, that’s what he died from, he had to be unique.  Doug went to heaven on Dec. 15, 2023.

Danny Herman, 63, of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Winner, SD. Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Danny Eugene Herman was born on April 26, 1960, in Winner, South Dakota, to Robert and Joyce (Biggins) Herman. He was the first of four to join this union. In the later years, his best friends, Tony, Marty, and Penny, joined him.

Dan attended his grade, middle, and high school career at the Winner School District. He graduated in the year of 1978. This year was his 45 class reunion. It was a lot of fun, as he drove a party bus for their celebration.

After graduating high school, he attended Western Dakota Tech for mechanics.

After his schooling, Dan joined his father at the B&D Auto Salvage. He got to do what he loved for many years – working on cars. Another passion he had was racing, and he spent many summers at the Winner Speedway. Dan now has a pit crew seat in all of the races. If anyone needed something, he would do anything that he could to help. Until his last days, individuals would find him working on cars, riding his motorcycle, or drinking Busch Lights with his friends.

If someone happened to go out to the shop at 6:30 pm, the television would be playing “The Wheel of Fortune.” He would get multiple puzzles correct and would joke that he would do better than many contestants. Fittingly, on his last night on Earth, that show was on the television. Dan certainly hit the million-dollar wedge in this thing called life.

What Dan loved the most was being a father and grandpa. His grandkids could do no wrong. You could always count on him dropping what he was doing to be there for his kids and grandkids. The second drawer on the left-hand side of his desk was filled with different toys. His grandkids would drag out all of the different toys every visit. Dan was a kid at heart, and he would always be right there playing with them. He was the best “Pop-Pop.”

Dan is survived by his five children: Travis (Kat) Walker, Trevor (Kortni) Herman, Joshua Herman, Jacob Herman, and Shanelle (Clinton) Herman. His grandchildren also survive him: Dane, Kai, Jaxon, Krew, Adyson, Connor, Canyon, Dally, Copeland, Delaynie, and Sage.  Also having an empty place in their hearts are his siblings: Marty, Tony, and Penny (Chad). Other family members include nephews: Bryce (Becky) and Adam, nieces: Lindsey and Alex, Aunt Dianne, and Uncle Darrell.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a special aunt Darlene; and aunts, uncles, and cousins.