Winner boys golf team placed third

Submitted Photo
Winner boys golf team has qualified for the state tournament in Hot Springs. The
boys were one of the top teams to make it to state at the regional held Monday
in Mitchell. Pictured from left are coach Larry Aaker, Karson Keiser, Maxton
Brozik, Ryder Halligan, Landon Calhoon and Kaden Keiser. The state tournament is
Oct. 5-6 in Hot Springs

Winner boys golf team placed third at the pre-regional meet in Mitchell on Sept. 22. The Warriors shot a 371. Parkston won the tournament.

Ryder Halligan led the Winner golfers as he took 6th place with an 88. Maxton Brozik placed 9th and Karson Keiser took 10th. Landon Calhoon rounded out the Winner golfers as he placed 17th.

Winner Community Playhouse will present the comedy Deliver Us From Mama

Donna Howland Photo
Winner Community Playhouse will present the comedy Deliver Us From Mama
Oct. 2-3 and Oct. 8, 9 and 10. Pictured in front from left are Brandy Biggins,
Roxanne Farley, Tami Comp and Emily Moser. In the middle is Gunyr Fitzgerald.
Back from left are Doug Nelson, Charles York, Ron High Rock, Dan Patmore and
Barb DeSersa. Not pictured are Carm Cheatum, Cheril Meiners, Mary Backus and
Randy Farley. The play is directed by Sandra York. For reservations, call 842-
1958.

By Dan BechtoldEditor

Even though we are in the middle of a pandemic, theater is alive and well in Winner. The opening weekend of the Winner Community Playhouse production of “Deliver Us from Mama” is Oct. 2-3.

Curtain time will be at 7:30 p.m. at the community playhouse with the doors opening at 7 p.m. Social distancing will be practiced when seating patrons at the theater. If you feel comfortable wearing a mask by all means wear one, however they are not required.

To make a reservation persons can call 842-1958 or e mail wicoplay@gwtc.net

A large cast has been hard at work under the direction of Sandra York.

The cast includes: Brandy Biggins, Tamp Comp, Gunyr Fitzgerald, Ron High Rock, Dan Patmore, Emily Moser, Mary Backus, Roxanne Farley, Charles York, Barb DeSersa, Randy Farley, Doug Nelson, Cheril Meiners and Carm Cheatum.

Dan Patmore is doing a dual role in this production, acting on stage and being the technical director. This rip-roaring, hilarious high octane race to beat the stork begins when Walker Sprunt’s wife, Hayley, goes into labor with their first child. The problem? She’s in Alabama and he is in LA trying his best to get through a surprise visit from his meddling mother and bossy big sister. Stuck in LA because of a air traffic controller’s strike, mama wrangles her reluctant children into embarking on what turns out to be a hysterical cross country road trip.

The clocks is ticking as they race through some of America’s most unbelievably eccentric and hilarious backroad communities. Out of quarantine, been cooped up too long and want to get out of the house.

Come enjoy a good comedy and see the work of local actors and actresses. The play will also be presented Oct. 8, 9 and10 at 7:30 p.m.

Girls on the Run starts new season

Submitted photo
Girls On the Run program in Winner started Sept. 21 and there are 22 girls in
program. Girls are in the 3rd to 5th grade.

Girls on the Run program started in Winner on Sept. 21. There are 22 girls in the program from 3rd to 5th grade.

The program is a little different this year dueto COVID-19.The season is shorter and there are new COVID guidelines that have to be followed to keep the girls as safe as possible. Lindsey Foster, coach, says there is an online program that can be used if the Winner School District goes to online learning.

The group meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:45 to 5 p.m. in the city park.

Leo Westendorf, 66

Leo Westendorf, 66, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.    

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner. Burial will be held at 2 p.m.    at the Pleasant Long Cemetery in Geddes, SD. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. vigil service on Wednesday, Sept. 30,2020 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner.

Winner High School Homecoming Canidates

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Winner High School homecoming royalty candidates are in front from left Hayley
Hanson, Brennan Bachmann, Shannon Calhoon, Kalla Bertram and Maggie LaCompte. In
back from left are Bosten Morehart, Brady Fritz, Preston Norrid, Landon Calhoon
and Zach Bohnet. Coronation will be Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Armory.

Winner High School homecoming will be held Oct. 1-2.

The homecoming royalty candidates are Brennan Bachmann, Shannon Calhoon, Hayley Hanson, Maggie LaCompte, Kalla Bertram, Brady Fritz, Preston Norrid, Bosten Morehart, Zachary Bohnet and Landon Thieman.

The float riders are Katherine Jankauskas, Mackenzie Levi, Meagan Blare, Megan Brozik, Evan Farner, Sam Kruger, Owen Duffyy and Aaron Gilchrist. This year’s homecoming theme is “Bring It Back.”

The coronation will be held on Oct. 1 at 7:30p.m. in the Armory.

With all the new cases of COVID-19 in the county there have been some made to homecoming to keep students and staff healthy. At coronation, there will be no roll call of alumni. All alumni are welcome to attend and the school asks them to wear a mask. The chairs will be spaced to allow for social distancing. There will still be the crowning of the princess and warrior and the announcement of the parade marshal.

The high school band, WHS cheerleaders and Warriorettes will perform. The WHS choir will also perform.

Coaches will still introduce their players.

Taylor Headrick and Marlie Schuyler will be the mistress of ceremonies.

The burning of the “W” will follow coronation in front of the ag building.

Friday at 10 a.m. the student council will hold its annual pep rally. This will include games like family feud, clubs doing skits and the second annual Mr. WHS pageant.

Persons are asked to wear a mask at the pep rally to keep everyone safe. The students will sit on the west side and the public will sit on the east side.

On Oct. 2 the annual parade and football game will be held. The parade will be at 2 p.m. on Main Street.

Parade entries are always welcome from alumni classes, businesses and organizations. Any group that wants to have a float in the parade can contact Mona LaCompte at the high school. Parade entries will line up at the corner of 7th and Country Club Road at 12:30 p.m.

The homecoming football game will be played Friday night as the Warriors take on Chamberlain. The ticket office will open at 5:30 p.m. with pregame activities starting at 6:30 p.m. and kickoff at 7 p.m. The student council will be having the concession stand. The proceeds from the concession stand will help to fund homecoming activities.

Winner High School would like to remind everyone that the school and fields are alcohol and drug free zones. A

ll homecoming activities are put on by the WHS Student Council

South Dakota Trucking Association, driver of the month

Photo by Michelle Wells, SDTA
Claude Raschke

September 11, 2020 – The South Dakota Trucking Association (SDTA) held their 85th Annual Convention in Deadwood, SD, on September 9-11, 2020. Each month the SDTA Safety Management Council selects a Driver of the Month to honor their safe driving accomplishments.

On Friday afternoon, the twelve monthly winners between the 2019 and 2020 SDTA Conventions were invited to interview with a panel of three judges. Each were given six minute to interview. The drivers were asked the same three questions. The one who receives the highest accumulated score is then named the 2020 Driver of the Year.

It is very difficult to select one driver, especially when each driver has to their credit so many miles of safe driving. The 12 monthly winners have a combined total of nearly 22,475,000 safe driving miles and over 309 years of experience. Each monthly winner was presented a plaque and an embroidered jacket for their accomplishments.

During the Chairman’s Banquet on Friday evening, Claude Raschke, Cliff Viessman, Inc., Gary, SD, December 2019 Driver of the Month was honored with the title of 2020 Driver of the Year. He was presented a plaque from SDTA and $1000. (picture attached) Claude has been a professional truck driver for 26 years. He has 18 years over the road (semi-tractor + trailer), 5 1/2 years local (light duty). He has over two million accident-free miles logged in his career.

He has been active in the SD Truck Driving Championships, both a participant and a volunteer when working in the office. He placed third in the 5-axle class in 2019. The Truck Driving Championships is where drivers with no less than 12 months of accident-free driving can compete in a three part competition: 1) Written Exam; 2) Pre-trip Inspection; and 3) Driving Course.

The top winner from each class (Straight, 3-Axle,!4-Axle, 5-Axle Van, Sleeper Berth, Tank, Twins Trailers, Flatbed and Step-Van) then goes to a national competition, sponsored by the American Trucking Associations, where they compete against winners from the states.!

Claude is a US Army Veteran. We are proud of him and thank him for his service!! Claude and his wife Destine are a blended family with five children: Danyelle Raschke (28), Denver Raschke (26), Zach Reilly (22), Alexis Reilly (19) and Kacie Reilly (16). They reside in Woonsocket, SD.

Margot Elizabeth

Margot Elizabeth, 1 month old from Spearfish, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2020.

Margot blessed us with her birth on August 14,2020 to Hanna Harmon and Matthew Spear. Everyone who saw Margot immediately fell in love with her, and many who did not yet get the chance to meet her, feel the same way. Her time with us physically may have been short, but the impression she made on our hearts will last forever.

Margot is survived by her loving parents, Matthew and Hanna; Grandparents Bruce and Michelle Harmon of Spearfish, Kendra Spear and Lorenzo Briseno of Sturgis, Chad Spear of Spearfish and Sheila Niles; Great Grandparents, Allen and MarvelynSpear of Ashton SD, Bonnie Hartpence and Louis Henderson of Custer SD, Ray and Janna Pravecek of Winner SD, Cathy Perik and Larry Rodgers of Belle Fourche; Great-Great Grandparents, Rodger and Elvera Bierman of Aberdeen SD and Margaret Harmon of St. Petersburg FL; aunts and uncles Jeremiah Harmon and special friend Cally Nutting of Billings MT, Gavin and Emma Spear of Sturgis, and numerous great aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Burial will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 18, 2020. Fellowship and lunch will be held afterwards at the Spearfish City Park Center Shelter.

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

Myrna Lou Pravecek, 83

Myrna Pravecek, 83, of Winner, SD passed away on Sept. 19, 2020 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Facility in Winner, SD.   

A private family service was held on Friday Sept. 25, 2020 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Winner SD. Friends were invited to join the family at the burial in the Winner Cemetery following the service.    

Myrna Lou Knittel was born June 23, 1937 to Ed and Ola Knittel. Myrna attended Gregory Rural Schools and graduated from Gregory High School in 1956. During her school years Myrna was very involved with her 4-H club.    She loved the baking, cooking, and sewing she learned there. She also was the record keeper for the club; her attention to detail helped keep the club well organized!  Upon graduation she moved to Pierre with a friend and worked as waitress. Myrna missed her friends and family back home; she moved to Winner and took a job at Northwestern Bell.    

At her sister Lois’ wedding, Myrna met the love of her life Jim Pravecek.    Jim was serving in the Army and was sent to Germany for two years. After two years of dedicated weekly correspondence, Jim returned home and the two were married Sept. 10, 1960. The couple lived on Jim’s family farm south-east of Winner and took over farming operations from Jim’s parents in 1965. The couple was blessed with four sons, Tim, Greg, Kelly and Todd. Myrna was a very devoted mother and her life centered around her family.   

The skills she learned in 4-H were instrumental in caring for her husband and boys. She kept them well fed with her large garden, her chickens as well as using her cooking, baking, and canning talents. Myrna’s boys were involved in football and wrestling.  She was always in the crowd cheering them on while trying to keep Jim from getting ejected from the stands!   

Myrna was very generous with her time and talents. Heavily involved with the Tripp County 4-H’ers, she volunteered her time, passing on her extensive knowledge to future generations. She received the 4-H Alumni award for her efforts.   

She was an active member of the Catholic Daughters of America, helping with many various church and community projects. Not born into Catholicism, Myrna converted when she married Jim. Her faith was strong, she remained a steadfast and dedicated member of the church throughout her life.   

In retirement, Myrna and Jim enjoyed traveling and visiting family throughout the country. Myrna’s personal interests included gardening, sewing, crafting, and playing cards. Her main attention was centered around spending time with her grandchildren. She continued to be a sports booster to the next generation of athletes in her family attending as many of her grandchildren’s games as she could.   

Her love of sports manifested the most in her enthusiastic support of the Minnesota Twins.    She rarely missed a game on TV or the radio. One of her favorite memories was a trip she took with her family to a Twins game where she caught a foul ball!   

Myrna will be fondly remembered by her family and friends for her selfless dedication and love for her large family; she was so proud of her boys and grandchildren! She always kept close track of what was happening on the farm as well as the adventures of all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will also be remembered for her strong Catholic faith, hard work, volunteer efforts, and her enthusiasm for the Minnesota Twins!   

Myrna was peacefully called home to be with the Good Lord on Sept. 19, 2020.

Survivors include her sons Tim of Winner, Greg (Rita), Kelly (Charlene), Todd (Korie) all of whom reside on the family farm, brother Merlin (Gen) Knittel of Sacramento CA, sisters Lois Besmer of Rapid City, SD, Judy (Neil) Lantz of Winner, 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.    Myrna was preceded in death by her parents Ed and Ola, husband Jim, sister Carol, and granddaughter Shauna.

Alvina Frieda (Lindwurm) Wonnenberg, 96

Alvina Frieda (Lindwurm) Wonnenberg was born to William J. and Lena (Kahler) Lindwurm near Carlock, South Dakota on Dec. 30, 1923. She died in Gregory, South Dakota on Sept. 19, 2020, succumbing to Covid 19. She had been the last surviving member of her parental family of eleven.

On the farm, they pitched together and despite hard times enjoyed many good times. Amid grasshopper plagues and the Dirty Thirties, they learned early in life to work hard and trust in the Lord. As little girls, Alvina and younger sister Esther had a special chore. They were sent into the pasture, carrying a pail and a hoe. The hoe was not just to help pick up cow chips for fuel, but to clobber a rattlesnake if need be. Once, they were curious and neared a big fuzzy baby bird. A mama hawk swooped down and squawked. They screamed and made tracks! 

  Following eight years of study in a country school, Alvina often hired out as a live-in maid. She fought homesickness by studying her catechism. On the first page is written, “Jesus became a man because He had to become our substitute,” followed by, “My Confirmation Book. I memorized many Bible passages in this Book, finished in Oct.1936.” Many Bible passages!–her sons know!

Alvina married William (Bill) Wonnenberg at Carlock Peace Lutheran Church on Sept. 12, 1943. After honeymooning in Yankton, they settled down to farm near Paxton, South Dakota. They’d raise their five sons and together enjoy farm activity, milking cows, raising livestock and poultry.   

Alvina was committed to her Lord Jesus in all she did, as farm wife and homemaker, mother and Sunday School teacher. She enjoyed her flowers and reading books. She recited charming poems by heart. Her family was made happy when KWYR Radiomread over the air her prize-winning essay, “Why I am Thankful” and won a turkey!

Alvina sang a lot, while washing dishes or scrubbing floors, during good and not-so-good times–“better than complaining,” she’d quip. She had a knack for organizing events and parties. She had a reputation as good cook and hostess, and Sunday School students especially knew her as a lady who “knows her Bible.” She was a fervent prayer intercessor. In the 1970s she helped start a neighborhood Bible study; when a drought came a fast was called, soon followed by downpours of rain!   

In 1995 Bill and Alvina moved off the farm to Gregory, South Dakota. Alvina was active in the American Legion Auxiliary. She joined the choir of Union Congregational Church where she and Bill loved to worship. They enjoyed their grandchildren and “taking it easy.”

Alvina leaves behind five sons: David (Quyen) Wonnenberg, Gregory; Kenneth Wonnenberg, Tea; Charles (Diane) Wonnenberg, Wakonda; Steve (Joan) Wonnenberg, Dallas; Roger (Jacqueline) Wonnenberg, Winner; 16 grandchildren and29 great-grandchildren.

Loved ones preceding Alvina in death include her husband Bill; parents William J. and Lena Lindwurm; all siblings: sisters Christina Neuharth, Elsie Fode, Ella Hanson, Rose Sengelmann, Esther Braun; brothers William Lindwurm, John Lindwurm,Philip Lindwurm; daughter-in-law Diane (Ken’s late wife) Wonnenberg; and two grandchildren: Edward Wonnenberg and Joseph Wonnenberg.