Category Archives: Local

Marie Magdalene Banek went to her heavenly home on Nov. 8, 2019 at the age of 101 at the Winner Regional Hospital.

Marie was born March 7, 1918 to John and Maria (Brunsch) Karlin near Milboro, SD. In 1925 she moved with her family to a homestead near White River, SD.

She was married to William Banek on April 15th, 1939. To this union three daughters, Bernice, Diana and Carol were born. They farmed and ranched near Parmelee, SD. In February of 1977 Bill died in a tractor accident. That fall she moved to Winner, SD.

Marie kept herself busy being a helpful farm wife. She enjoyed her hobbies of sewing, quilting, and embroidery work. She was known for being a fabulous cook.

She was baptized at an early age in the Lutheran Church and confirmed on July 3, 1932. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran for many years and was an active charter member of the Ladies Aid at the Church. After moving to Winner, SD she became a member of Christ Lutheran where she was always willing to help. Following a fall in her home she moved to assisted living at the Golden Prairie Manor for nine years and the past two years at the Winner Regional Nursing Home.

Marie was known for her witty sense of humor and for “the look”… you didn’t want to be the recipient of that “Look”!!

She loved to play cards and games but took it very seriously and kept everyone on the straight and narrow…

She is survived by her three daughters, Bernice (Bob) Sandal of Lynn Haven, FL, Diana (Terry) Zieman of Springfield, MO, Carol (Bob) Hutchinson of White River, SD, Seven grandchildren; Shane (Shana) Sandal, Justin (Andrea) Sandal, Dawn (Bryan) Snyder, Nikki (Dave) Caudill, Shawn (Lynsey) Zieman, Ryan (Patty) Hutchinson, Cole (Jessica) Hutchinson, Eleven great-grandchildren; Megan, Logan, Autumn, Madelyn, Maddox, Ashlyn, Aiden, Isla, Morgan, Connor and Evie and one very special niece Dorothy Piper along with other nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Christ Lutheran Church on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in the St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Norris, SD.

Memorial service for Danny L. Dixon, 53, of Winner, SD formerly of Madison, SD will be 2 pm Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 at the Pukwana Free Lutheran Church in Pukwana, SD with burial of the ashes at a later time.

Danny Lee Dixon was born Jan. 25, 1966 at Chamberlain, SD to Virginia Dixon. He made his home in several different communities in South Dakota including Madison and Sioux Falls where he worked construction along with other occupations.

Danny passed away on Nov. 9, 2019 at Winner, SD as a result of a motorcycle accident.

Survivors include his two children Jace Dixon of Sioux Falls and Courtney Dixon of Madison; mother Virginia Hansen of Madison; six siblings Kelly W. Dixon of Madison, Kimberly Potts of Madison, Dawn Dixon of Wisconsin, Nadine Dixon of Sioux Falls, Nicole (Scott) Knisley of Madison, and Dean Hansen of Wisconsin; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were grandparents Milo “Bud” and Dorothy Dixon, uncle Glen Dixon, and two nieces Nicoleana Dixon and Elizabeth Potts

Leah May (Jorgensen) Benson 86, passed away peacefully on Aug. 6, 2019 in Roseville, Calif., following a long battle with cancer.

Leah was born in Winner SD to Tony and Gladys Jorgensen on May 6, 1933. She was preceded in death by her husband, Orton Wilmont Benson Jr on Dec. 31, 2005. Leah is survived by her three sons, Brad (Laura), Craig (Andrea), and Kevin (Kim); four grandchildren; four great grandchildren; brother Richard; numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.

Leah loved visiting and socializing with her family and friends and enjoyed playing golf and other competitive games such as bocce ball and Mahjong. She took full advantage of available activities at Sun City where she lived for more than 23 years.

Leah will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Memorial donations may be made to The First Tee of Greater Sacramento 916-486-6220 www.thefirstteesacramento.org.

Funeral services for Lois Connelly were held Nov. 11 at United Methodist Church in Burke. Burial was in the Winner Cemetery.

Lois Marie (Teel) Connelly passed away Nov. 4, 2019 at Rapid City Hospice House at the age of 76. Lois was born April 7, 1943 in Burke, South Dakota the seventh and last child of Harold “H. K.” Teel and Opal (Rogers) Teel.

Lois grew up on a farm northeast of Herrick, South Dakota where she attended country school through the eighth grade and then attended Gregory High School. She had various jobs throughout her career including the Gregory County Assessor’s Office.

Upon moving to Rapid City in 1985, Lois found her perfect job: working the clothing departments at Herberger’s. Lois loved helping her customers find the perfect outfit to look and feel their best.

Lois’ hobbies included flowers, line dancing, aerobics, and golfing until her health prevented her from these activities. However, when Lois wasn’t able to live the active lifestyle she once enjoyed, she switched to reading, coffee with her girlfriends, and watching western movies.

Lois was a member of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid City, South Dakota and her faith in the Lord grew each day.

Lois was blessed for the 40 loving years she spent with her husband, Lee Connelly. Another great blessing in Lois’ life were her seven children: Ruthie Jo, Ricky, Jeff, Greg, Richard “Rick”, Lissa, and Vince. Lois’ ultimate blessing, as she would tell anyone who would listen, however, were her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Lois is preceded in death by her parents, Harold “H. K.” and Opal Teel, infant son Ricky, and her six siblings, Russell Teel, Harold Teel Jr. “Tom”, Ralph Teel, Geneive Steffen, Max Teel, and Ruth Ann Mathson.

Left to mourn after her passing are Lois’ husband, Lee Connelly of Rapid City, SD, daughter Ruthie Jo (Dean) Norberg of Burke, SD, son Jeff Hoffman of New Underwood, SD, son Greg (Paula) Sandoz of Lacey, WA, son Richard “Rick” (Lana) Aupperle of North Platte, NE, Lissa (Tom) Schroeder of Grant, NE, and Vince (Charlene) Connelly of Sioux Falls, SD, grandchildren Eric Colvin of Rapid City, SD, Tate Hoffman of Rapid City, SD, Rachelle Norberg of Burke, SD, Lanning Norberg of Burke, SD, Katelyn Connelly of Sioux Falls, SD, and Faith Hoffman of Rapid City, SD, great grandchildren Anthony and Daniel Aquitar of Rapid City, SD, and several nieces and nephews.

Dennis D. Stevens, age 67, passed away on Nov. 4, 2019 in Anderson, Ind. Memorial services are pending and will be held at a later date in Page, Neb.

Dennis was born on Oct. 22, 1952 in O’Neill, Neb. He was the son of Inez (Albright) and Robert T. Stevens. He attended high school in Winner, SD graduating in 1971 then pursued an undergraduate degree at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion S.D.

Dennis then moved to California to enjoy a long and distinguished career in commercial art and marketing.

Dennis was an avid artist, photographer, gardener, and cook. One of his greatest passions was to create, prepare, and cook special exotic dinners. He thoroughly enjoyed showing special attention to his steady companions, his family and all of his friends.

Dennis Stevens was a beloved son, brother, uncle and a dear friend to many in California, Nebraska, Indiana and South Dakota.

He is survived by brothers Tom (Valerie) of Colorado Springs, Colo., Jeff (Linda) of Parker, Arizona, and Bob (Sherry) of Anderson, Ind., and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother Inez (Albright) Stevens and father Robert Stevens.

Dale Francis Sherman, 55, of Norris, SD formerly of Winner, SD passed away on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 at the Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral service were held on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 at 10 am at the Winner Middle School Gym in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Mniska Presbyterian Cemetery near Dixon, SD.

Wake service began on Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Winner/Ideal Community Hall in Winner and were held on Friday, Nov. 8 at the Winner Middle School Gym.

Dale was born to Carol Ann (Bills) and John Francis Sherman on June 16, 1964. He grew up in upstate New York.

He met Judy Collins when he went to Ohio Institute of Technology. They were married on June 23, 1983. After one year of Bible School, they moved to Winner, SD.

Dale began pastoring at Indian Gospel Chapel at the age of 21. They went to Alberta, Canada for a short time, and then returned to Spring Creek, SD. In 1992, they moved to Alberton, MT to be the Boy’s Dorm Parents at Northwest Indian Bible School. After that, he pastored in Fairford, MB, Canada for 11 years. They moved back to Winner to pastor again in 2005. They were there until October 2018, at which time they moved to Norris, SD. Dale was diagnosed with stage 4 Pancreatic cancer on March 15, 2019. At that time, they moved to Sioux Falls to be close to the hospital for his treatments.

Dale was the president of the Society of Indian Missions for 10 years, stepping down due to his illness.

Dale loved the great outdoors! His favorite times were spent hiking, especially in New York with his nephew Manley. He hiked Harney (Black Elk) Peak as often as he could.

His other passions included cutting firewood, hunting, fishing and camping. His favorite “get-away” was the Black Hills.

But, Dale’s greatest passion in life was his ministry. He LOVED being a pastor. He especially loved working with children and youth. He was always looking for ways to help and care for his people. He truly loved the Native people, and they always made him feel right at home when he was with them. He will be missed by all.

Dale is survived by: his wife, Judy (Collins) Sherman; his son Tonweya (Judy) Sherman of Detroit, MI; grandchildren Aiden and Krishana. His daughter; Tasbah (Keith) Lavery of Mission, SD and grandchildren Alanna, Cassie, Emily and Yamni. His father, John (Linda) Sherman of GA; sister, Merillee (Brad) Waterman of NY; brothers; Asa (Marlene) Sherman of PA and Aaron (Hannah) Sherman of KY. Brothers-in-law Dan (Brenda) Quackenbush, IN, and Dan (Deb) Collins, IN, and John (Joyce) Drake, IN.
He also leaves many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Dale had many “adopted” children, brothers, and sisters that he truly considered part of his family that he sadly leaves behind.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Carol (Bills) Sherman, baby brother, Randell; Grandparents Francis and Eleanor Sherman, and Asa and Othelia Bills; an unborn grandchild, several aunts, uncles and close friends.

At his request, memorial donations may be made to the Society of Indian Missions; Att: Dale Sherman memorial Fund.

Carroll Kenneth Simkins of Surprise, AZ, was born March 29, 1930 to Jesse and Lucille Simkins (nee Sheldon) in rural Burke, South Dakota. He died Nov. 3, 2019, at Surprise Memory Care, Surprise AZ.

Carroll graduated in 1948 from Winner High School, Winner, SD. He joined the National Guard which was activated in 1950 for the Korean War. He spent one year of training in Colorado Springs, CO, and one year of service in Alaska. After his return home to Clearfield, SD, he met Shirley Miller and they married on May 25, 1955, in Winner, SD. They then moved to Indiana, where Carroll received a degree in Electronic Engineering from the Indiana Institute of Technology.

After graduating from IIT, Carroll worked for Douglas Aircraft in Sacramento, CA; Martin in Denver, CO; and American Bosch Arma in Salina, KS. He moved to Santa Maria, CA in 1965 to work for the Boeing Company at Vandenberg Air Force Base and in the field for Boeing in Ogden, UT, and Cheyenne, WY. Carroll retired from Boeing in 1992, after working for them for 27 years.

In 1996, Carroll and Shirley moved to Glendale, AZ and later to Surprise, AZ to be near family. Carroll enjoyed playing golf, and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Carroll also loved to work on his farm, which is near Clearfield, SD.

Carroll is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley; three daughters, Jolene Loving Semtner of Carmel, CA; Vicki Rios and her husband Rafael of Glendale, AZ; Errin Simkins and her husband Brian Kato of Huntington Beach, CA; three granddaughters, Carmen Rios Drury and her husband Adam Drury; Cristina Rios Cotton and her husband Dino Cotton; Cassandra Rios; four grandsons, Rafael Rios, and his fiancé Jessica Ratliff; Dylan, Kelsey, and Sean Kato; seven great granddaughters Rosalie Love; Brookelyn, Piper and Annabelle Cotton; Adrina and Arilyn Drury; Gabriella Bando: and one great grandson, Ronin Cotton. He is also survived by his brother, Vaughn, in Mountain Home, Ark. and his extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Donald and Vernon; and one granddaughter, Deanna Loving Matsuura.

No services are planned at this time. Please join Carroll’s family in sharing memories, pictures or videos on his tribute wall at www.caminodelsol.com.