Category Archives: Local

John Bailey Jones was born March 30, 1927, in Mitchell, SD, to John B. and Grace (Bailey) Jones. Eldest child of a Lyman County homesteader, John grew up in Presho with his sister Margaret Jones Konik and his brother Kenneth Jones.

John enlisted in the US Navy in 1945, taking a bus to boot camp immediately upon graduating from Presho High School that year. John saw service in the naval occupation forces in Japan, as the war ended while he was enroute on a ship. While there, he received a Pacific Fleet Appointment to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis. After attending the Naval Academy Prep School for only one semester, he concluded that his future was in South Dakota, not in service as a naval officer. Following his honorable discharge, John enrolled in the University of South Dakota (go Yotes!), Vermillion, where he obtained a degree in Business Administration in 1951 and a Law degree in 1953.

While attending college, John met a lovely young nursing student from Yankton, Rosemary Wermers, whom he married in 1950. Between 1951 and 1958, the young couple were blessed with six children.

After graduating from Law School, John established a solo law firm in his hometown of Presho. That same summer, he was appointed county judge of Lyman County and his lifetime of public service began. In 1956, the voters elected him to a two-year term in the SD House of Representatives, electing him again in 1958. John continued to practice law until he was appointed to the South Dakota Circuit Court in 1967 by Governor Nils Boe. He presided as a state judge, with his office in Kennebec, SD, until 1981, when President Ronald Reagan appointed him to the federal judiciary as a United States District Court Judge for South Dakota, assigned to the Sioux Falls federal court. John took senior status in 1995, reducing the amount of time he spent on the bench. In 2002, the South Dakota Trial Lawyers association presented Judge Jones with the Fred J. Nichol Award for Outstanding Jurist. Judge Jones was respected as an intelligent, humble, patient, quiet, gentle man who treated everyone fairly and courteously. Attorneys and other court personnel considered him to be a firm but fair judge, and an excellent mentor.

John held many leadership roles on judicial committees and commissions, as well as state and local Bar Associations. including State Bar Commissioner from 1965-1968. Some of John’s service memberships include the Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Lions Club, Presho Methodist Church, Lambda Chi Alpha social fraternity and Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. He also served as a Boys State Counselor and president and vice president of the South Dakota Boys State Corporation. Even after moving from Presho, he frequently returned to assist in the maintenance of the Presho Cemetery, continuing past his eightieth birthday.

Family ranked highest among John’s priorities as he and Rosemary lovingly raised their six children: John Jr. (Shirlene), Bill (Ruth), Mary Lou (Don) Schuh, Dave (Gerry), Judy (Brian) Bauman, and Robert. The young family spent many memorable summers camping together throughout the country and even ran their own campground, giving the children summer jobs and responsibilities. He adored his sixteen grandchildren: Becca (Jeremy) Risty, Matt (Libby) Jones, Liz Jones, Debbi (Bobby Kooiman) Jones, Eric Jones, Chris Jones, Jim (Janeen) Schuh, John (Mary) Schuh, Jeremiah Jones, Nathaniel Jones, Rachel Jones, Scott Bauman, Brett (Jessica) Bauman, Hillary (Robbie) Morgan, TJ Jones, and Juli Jones and his twelve great-grandchildren Anna, Thomas, Emeline, Grace, Luke, Nick, Andrew, Michael, Anne, Emily, Peter, and Thomas. In a scheme to keep their children and grandchildren close, he and Rosemary organized many week-long family reunions throughout the country, once taking the whole crew on a Caribbean Cruise. The grandchildren remember him as “a joyful, calm presence in our lives. He loved dancing at weddings, being with his family, watching the news before falling asleep in his armchair, and saying “yep yep yep yep” in conversation. He spoiled us grandkids with orange pop, pizza, and his stash of M&Ms.” John never missed a family graduation or wedding. He was best friends with his brother Ken Jones (Kay James) of Yankton, with whom he enjoyed many fishing trips and lively political discussions. He also enjoyed a close friendship with fellow Presho attorney Frank Brost and wife Martha.

John’s loving wife Rosemary passed away in 2004 after fifty-four years of marriage. For the past several years, he was blessed with special friend and traveling companion Pauline Buckstead. John enjoyed life fully, whether golfing, gardening, baseball (Twins and Canaries), traveling, fishing, or frequenting local restaurants. During his last few years, he lost a lot of his memories but never, till his dying day, did he lose the essence of himself – he was ever kind, considerate, patient, and polite. The family is extremely grateful to the staff at the Inn on Westport, where John lived the last four years, for caring for him with dignity, respect, and compassion and for helping him through the last few days prior to his passing on Jan. 30, 2023.

John was preceded in death by his wife Rosemary, parents John B. and Grace Jones, sister Margaret Konik, and grandson Scott Bauman.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sioux Rise Lions Club, Feeding South Dakota, the Presho Cemetery Fund, or a charity of your choice.

There was a visitation at Heritage Funeral Home on Sunday, Feb. 5  with family present.  The funeral service was at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls  on Monday, Feb. 6 at 9:30 am.  Interment was at the Presho Cemetery later that day.

Roger Myers, 69, of Winner, SD passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 1st, 2023 in Winner, SD.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Winner 4-H Center in Winner, SD. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023 from 6-7 p.m. with a 7  p.m.prayer service at the Christ Lutheran Church in Winner, SD. Funeral Services will be live streamed through the Mason Funeral Home Facebook page.

Roger Keith Myers, was born on Feb. 18, 1953, in Gregory, SD, the third son, and sixth child to Keith and Lois (Smith) Myers. Roger was taken from his loving family on Feb. 1, 2023, the result of a one vehicle accident south of Winner, SD.

Roger was baptized into the loving arms of Jesus Christ on April 5, 1953, by Pastor Kenneth C Farr in Dallas, SD.

Roger delighted his children with stories of his youth growing up on the family place north of Dixon, SD.  He loved his childhood in rural South Dakota, walking to Dixon Dam to spend the evening catching fish he would never eat or playing baseball as a proud Dixon Dodger.

Not known for his table manners, a young Roger retaliated against sister Lois Ann coaxing him to eat his vegetables once by launching peas across the table at her. He didn’t anticipate a well-timed duck and the buttered peas landed on the wall where it left its permanent stain. The incident was shared many times around the dinner table, a night filled with laughter, some form of punishment but ultimately, the family love that permeated their small home.

Roger attended District 57 Dixon Elementary.  He graduated Gregory High School in 1971 and attended South Dakota State University, in Brookings, SD to pursue a degree in Animal Science. Not only did Roger become a lifelong Jackrabbits fan, but he met the love of his life at Hobo Days in October 1973.  On June 26, 1976, Roger and Marlene Geigle were united in marriage at First Lutheran Church, in Wall, SD.

Soon after the wedding the couple moved to Frazee, MN where he was employed with Daggett Trucking.  A few months later the couple relocated to Dickinson, ND. Though Roger loved driving truck, he didn’t want that lifestyle to raise a family. In 1978, Roger and Marlene made their home northeast of Clearfield, SD. There was so much snow on the ground that January, they didn’t know they had a sidewalk until the following spring.

Two weeks later, after a long drive behind a snowplow, daughter Sherri joined the family. That next spring, while the family loaded out their first crop of calves to sell, Melanie chose that day to make her entrance.  Roger and Marlene were getting used to their two-brown haired/brown eyed daughters and didn’t realize how much the arrival of a special blonde they named Michelle would change the family dynamic for the better. Roger embraced being a “girl” dad for eight years, teaching his daughters the importance of hard work and responsibility, but giving them enough wiggle room to have some great adventures on the place. While Roger and two other families were out moving cows, the end cap to the family, Jay, decided to arrive eight years later.

Roger’s parents instilled the love of 4-H into his children’s lives.  It wasn’t a hobby you tried out as an 8-year-old but a lifelong commitment to Head, Heart, Hands and Health.  He participated in showing all types of livestock and developed a passion that later would become the center of all family vacations.  He shared stories how his parents would take him to the South Dakota State Fair, drop them off on Sunday, only to return the day they showed their animals. The kids were free to roam all day on the midway if the animals were taken care of. At night, they slept in the back of the farm truck next to the cattle barns. His biggest 4-H accomplishment was showing a market steer at the International Livestock Show in Chicago, IL.

Roger was a leader of the Clovervale 4-H Club, where his children were members.  His proudest memories were the kids showing his Registered Polled Herefords and a variety of market steers.  Showing livestock soon expanded from the Mid Dakota Fair to feeder calf shows held in Gregory, Valentine, and Stuart. They also took the family on the road to the Central States Fair, the South Dakota State Fair and the annual family vacation at Western Junior Livestock Show in Rapid City each fall. Roger took this opportunity to renew old friendship, for when he showed livestock during his youth. WJLS was not just a Myers family vacation destination but a Tripp County 4-H family vacation. These traditions with their nuclear and 4-H extended family formed bonds that lasted a lifetime and were ones Roger cherished.

Roger took pride in his small herd of Registered Polled Hereford cattle.  He fed out calves each fall until spring and also sold his yearling bulls all over the Midwest. His family hosted the SD Junior Hereford Field Days in Winner as well as participating in two different SD Hereford Association Hereford Tours.

A servant by nature, Roger was a Tripp County 4-H leader of the Clovervale 4-H Club, Tripp County Fair Board leader and member. He was also a board member of the Rosebud Hereford Association, South Dakota Hereford Association, and served as an advisor to the South Dakota Junior Hereford Association and at the Western Junior Livestock Show.  He also served as a Clerk and Supervisor for Dog Ear Township.

In his short retirement, he spent evenings playing cards with his children and their spouses, talking to other cattleman across the area on his tablet or he could be found at the Ampride, Lil’ Feller (now the Gus Stop) having coffee with the other retired ranchers and farmers. The guys enjoyed lively conversations about beef and grain prices, politics, and fond memories of those that couldn’t make it to coffee going forward. 

Roger is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Marlene (Geigle) Myers of Winner, SD.  His daughter Sherri and Doug Mayes, grandchildren Setiva, Billy, Milo, Miley, and Lovey of Winner, SD.  His daughter Melanie and Lane Bartels, and grandson Hank of Tea, SD.  His daughter Michelle (Shelly) and Lynn Junck, and grandson Dean of Carroll, NE. His son Jay and Sarah Myers, and grandson Christopher of Winner, SD. Siblings Vil Roy and Doris Myers of Frazee, MN.  Larry and Donna Myers of Tyler, MN.  Linda Myers of Hudson, FL. Lela and Dan Platt of Wadena, MN. Lois Ann Quail of Worland, WY. Rebecca Zimmerman of Gregory, SD. Alvina Federwitz of Waxhwa, NC, August and Mary Geigle of Parkston, SD and Patti and Ray Greenseth of Murdo, SD. Roger was also survived by many nephews and nieces and grandnephews and grandnieces, many more friends and family, plus many friends that became family.

Roger was welcomed into heaven by his parents, Keith and Lois Myers, his in-laws Otto and Brigitta (Denke) Geigle.  Brother-in-law’s Carl Geigle, Jerry Axemaker, Dale Federwitz, Bill Goodwin, Richard “Dick” Zimmerman, and Irwin “Butch” Quail, his sister-in-law Zenda Geigle, and young niece Amy Quail.

We ask that you remember Roger by this verse from one of his favorite songs:

And there’s bound to be rough waters, and I know I’ll take some falls,                                                                

but with the good Lord as my captain, I can make it through them all.

Wayne Meyer, 81, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023 at the Avera Gregory Health Care Center in Gregory, SD.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Winner, SD.

Wayne S Meyer was born Dec. 17, 1941, in Winner SD to Otis and Virginia (Bell) Meyer. He passed away on Jan. 29 of Advanced Stage Parkinson’s after a week stay in the Sioux Falls hospital and his final 6 days in the Gregory Hospice. One of the final words said to him was “John has finished feeding the cows and the chores are done.” He passed away shortly after hearing the cows were taken care of for the day.

He lived all his life on the family farm raising cattle & farming. Also raising hogs in the earlier years.

On Aug. 3, 1963 he married the love of his life Georgia Layh. From this marriage came 2 daughters and 3 sons.

His days were spent caring for the cattle & farming the land. In his younger years he enjoyed riding motorcycle and water-skiing.

He started working for UPS as Christmas help in 1976 becoming full time in January of 1977. He retired in 2002 with a 25-year safe driving award. Wayne always said he missed seeing the people on his route.   He served 9 years on the Winner School Board between 1992 – 2001. He also was the area Democratic party chairman for several years.

He thoroughly enjoyed when his grand kids came and traveled to see them until he could no longer make the trip. The only thing that made him smile while he was in the hospital/hospice was the sound of his sister’s voices when we put them on speaker for him to hear.

Diagnosed with Parkinson, he would not let that slow him down.  He was opening and watching gates when the cattle were fed and could be counted on make sure the water tanks were full up until 2 ½ years ago.

He is preceded in death by baby daughter Cindy, his parents, and his brother Keith.

Surviving him is his wife Georgia, children Tammy (John) Harter, Winner SD, Brian (Kathleen) Meyer, Mesa AZ, Justin (Megan) Meyer, North Liberty, IA and Jason Meyer Myrtle Beach, SC . Grandchildren Becky (Josh) Curtis Winner SD, Ethan Meyer and Lillian Meyer of North Liberty, IA.  Siblings Jean Sigafoos Tucson, AZ, Betty (Steve) Super, Kansas City, MO. Joanne Sterner, Tucson, AZ.  Along with many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Eunice M. Siler were held Jan. 28 at the United Methodist Church in Burke. Burial was in Graceland Cemetery, Burke.

Eunice  M. Siler was born Aug. 30, 1919 on the family homestead near Lucas, South Dakota to Thomas C. and Anna (Ternes) Stewart and she died Jan. 20, 2023 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, South Dakota at the age of 103 years.

Eunice grew up in the Lucas area.  She and her sister spent several years in Tacoma, Wash. with an aunt and uncle because of health concerns with Eunice’s lungs.  She attended school, graduating in 1936.  She then attended Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota where she received her teaching certificate.  She began her teaching career in 1937, teaching in several local country schools Lucas, White River and Burke to mention a few. 

She was united in marriage to Dick Siler in 1944.  Although Eunice and Dick were never blessed with any children, they were like parents to many nieces and nephews.

Eunice wrote articles for many area newspapers and magazines.  Some of her hobbies were drawing, hunting, fishing, reading, baking pies for Rich’s Rec, Bingo and trips to the casino.  For her 90th birthday she was able to take a Hot Air Balloon ride and danced at Carlock celebrating her 100th birthday.  She also enjoyed playing the piano, and was a member of the Burke Senior Center. 

She won a literary award in 1985, was an original member of the Burke Library Board – a position she held for many years, and was recognized as a Trustee for the South Dakota Library Association in 2010.  She was also a member of the United Methodist Church in Burke.

Eunice was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dick in 1982, her sisters: Kathryn Swanson, Mary Distad, Janet Bohnet, Vera Sutton and a baby sister Emma in infancy.

Eunice is survived by her many nieces and nephews, her special fishing buddy Duane Davis and numerous cousins, relatives and friends.

Ruth Swedlund, 99, passed away peacefully on Jan. 21, 2023. Ruth and her twin brother Raymond were born in Brown County, South Dakota on Dec. 4, 1923 to parents Albert and Mabel Ofstedal. The Ofstedal children, Marion, Sylvia, Raymond and Ruth, attended the local country school as young children and then attended high school in Ellendale, North Dakota. The Ofstedals and many of their relatives and friends were long time members of Aurdal Lutheran church.

After graduation from high school she worked for a short time and then received notice she had received a scholarship to South Dakota State University. After 3 semesters there she moved to Chicago to stay with her sister Marion whose husband had recently gone overseas in the military. Ruth started work as a riveter building airplanes at Douglas Aircraft during WWII. She made $0.65/hr and worked up to $1.05/hr and once wrote, “Who needs college when you can make such good money?”

At Douglas she met Lyle Swedlund. They came back to South Dakota to be married at Aurdal Lutheran Church in August, 1945. On returning to Chicago they found operations for the war winding down in the factory so they returned to Tripp County, South Dakota to take up ranching.

Life on the prairie started out pretty lonely and dreary but before long they built a house and settled into life as cattle ranchers. By the time they decided to pull up roots in 1964 and move to a ranch in the Black Hills near Custer they had 4 children, Marla, Lowell (Swede), Duane and Brad. Once again, they built a new house which they moved into in 1966.

Ruth sewed, crocheted, quilted, cooked, baked, read, gardened, built things and did woodworking projects, often out of necessity but also because she enjoyed these things. She raked hay in the summer and helped pull calves when it was below zero. She enjoyed the beauty of her garden and the natural beauty of the Black Hills. She liked to drive down an unexplored road she found just to see what was there. Gathering at Custer Lutheran Fellowship and enjoying the neighborhood ladies club were favorite social activities.

Ruth’s husband Lyle passed away in 2000. She continued to live on the ranch with her son Duane until just about a year ago when they moved to assisted living at Peaceful Pines near Rapid City. Ranch life had provided many challenges during her life but she sure missed living on the ranch. She very much enjoyed many visits from family and friends throughout life and especially during her time there.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lyle, her siblings and Lyle’s siblings, daughter-in-law Anita Swedlund and son-in-law Dave Sebade.

Ruth is survived by her 4 children, Marla Sebade (Larry Chilstrom), Lowell (Swede), Duane and Brad, 4 grandchildren, Christa (Steve) Drab, Chad Sebade (Debbie Borsch), Kasiah Swedlund, and Lucyna (Swedlund) Flor and 4 great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at Custer Lutheran Fellowship Church in Custer, SD.

Committal services followed at the Custer Cemetery in Custer, SD.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity.  Good friends of Ruth should consider themselves honorary pall bearers.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer, SD.

Chamberlain-McColley’s Funeral Homes, Inc.