Category Archives: Local

Gary Melville Elder, 69, of Carter, SD passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 at the Sanford Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022 at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Burial will follow in the St. John Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Witten, SD. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner from 6-7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. Rosary.

Gary was born Jan. 25, 1953 to Jack and Gladys (Hansen) Elder. Gary grew up on the family farm near Carter working with his father and grandfather.  He enjoyed showing beef calves in 4-H and also purple ribbons for his various baking abilities.

Gary attended the Red Hills elementary schools and then attended his freshman and sophomore years at the Witten High School.  As a junior and senior he attended the Wood High School where he played football and helped as manager in other sports.  After graduation he attended Mitchell Technical School where be become a welding technician.

Gary married his high school sweetheart, Mary Siegmund, in 1972.  They settled on the Siegmund farm in Wood, SD where Gary farmed and ranched.  In 1982 they moved back to Carter and continued to farm and raise their family of four very active boys.

Gary and Mary were married for 49 years and 11 months to the day.

Gary participated in many activities and hobbies in his lifetime.  He was an avid hunter and also taught hunter safety classes to local youth.  He served a term as the Wood Fire Chief and was an active member in the Knights of Columbus for many years.

He enjoyed ringing the bells during the Tootsie Roll drives, helping with the BB hoop contests, and going to the local and district meetings. He also attended may state conventions.

Gary become a talented wood carver and carved many canes, walking sticks, spoons, animals and novelty items which he often gave to family and friends.

His favorite activity was riding his Harley Davidson.  He and Mary made many trips to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, SD as well as longer ventures to Texas, the west coast and many points in between.

Gary was preceded in death by his grandparents John Melville Elder and Elizabeth M. (Dougherty) Elder, Chauncey William Hansen and Alice (Adkins) Hansen and his father John (Jack) Charles Elder.

He is survived by his mother, Gladys L. (Hansen) Elder, his wife Mary (Siegmund) Elder, children Zachary Melville and Jennifer (Thomas) Elder, Jeremy Scott Elder, Abram Joseph and Randi (Spaid) Elder, Joshua James Elder and his grandchildren Ryler Joseph Elder and Emily Thomas, his sisters, Tammie M. Elder and Lori L. (Doug) Kartak as well as nieces, nephews and other family members.

Harry A. Jones, 90, of Brookings, SD passed away Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022 at the Neighborhoods at Brookview, Brookings, SD.

 Funeral Services were set for 11 am, Tuesday, Sept. 27 at the First Lutheran Church in Brookings.  Graveside services were held at the Lutheran cemetery with military honors. In Lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Brookings American Legion Post 74, the Brookings County Veteran’s Memorial, or First Lutheran Church of Brookings.  Rude’s funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Harry Austin Jones was born June 19, 1932, to Austin Jones and Marie (Wilcox) Jones in Winner, SD, and baptized in the Winner Methodist church. At the age of 4, his father passed away and his grandmother’s house became home until he left for college in 1950.

He began his education at West Banner Country School with his mother as his teacher. Two years later they moved to another county school in Mission, SD. He graduated in 1950 with a membership in the National Honors Society. He attended college at SDSU in Brookings, SD and was a member of the Alpha Zeta honorary agriculture fraternity.

At the end of his third year of college, he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War, and returned after two years, returning to SDSU and graduating in 1956.

During this time, he met the love of his life, Helen Beug. They were married after a year and spent three years farming with his uncle in Winner, SD.  In 1960, they moved to Brookings, SD where they joined his father-in-law in the hardware business. Harry and Helen operated the Coast to Coast hardware store, and over the years added the Gift Gallery and Kitchen and Bath stores to the operation, receiving national recognition for store design.  Harry and Helen retired in 1999 after 40 years in business.  After retirement, they enjoyed raising and showing Carin Terrier dogs with several of their dogs receiving championships and grand championships.

Harry was blessed by and survived by his wife, Helen, his three children Lorna Jones Crawford of Golden, CO, Barb (Marty) Birkholt of Elkorn, NE, and Dave (Stacy) Jones of Brandon, SD – Six grandchildren: Rachel Holland, Deidre Lang, Chloe and Sophie Birkholt and Colby and Karlee Jones as well as five great grandchildren.

Harry was a member of the Brookings Chamber of Commerce, Brookings American Legion post 74, South Dakota Retailers Association, and the Rotary Club of Brookings.

After a visit to the Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor, Harry was inspired to have a memorial in Brookings. After 10 years of effort, the Brookings County veterans memorial was completed and can be seen on the west edge of Brookings.

He was preceded in death by his parents Austin and Marie Jones, his grandparents, and several Aunts/Uncles.

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com

Sharon Marie Foxley, wife, mom, grandmother and great grandmother, 74, of Platte, SD said goodbye to her beloved family and passed peacefully to her Savior on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022 at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral Services were held Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022 at Mount Funeral Home in Platte. A Private Family Committal Service will follow at Platte City Cemetery.

Sharon Marie (Teeslink) Foxley was born on Dec. 1, 1947 to Emil and Esther (Jurczewsky) Teeslink in Platte, SD. She was the fifth of 13 children, this taught her to share and she was really good at it. She graduated from Platte High School in 1966.

Sharon was united in marriage to Randy Foxley on Aug. 31, 1966 in Platte, SD. To this union: three children were born, Jodi, Joel and Steve.

Before establishing their home north of Platte, they had to scoop oats from the living room floor. She turned the abandoned house into a home for her family. 

Although Sharon didn’t have farming experience prior to her marriage, she taught herself and her family good husbandry practices. She was an avid reader and always had articles and pictures cut out to share. 

Sharon took pride in making her home a joyful place for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her most precious memories included family visits, reunions, extended visits from her grandchildren and the frequent visits from her great grandchildren. Her home cooked meals were enjoyed by all. Regardless of what she made, it was probably the best you’d ever tasted. She took the time to make sure it looked as good as it tasted. Presentation was just as important! There was nothing better than being surprised with Sharon’s special gifts or food drop-offs. 

Sharon had an unwavering love and loyalty to her entire family. She was especially protective and watchful of the little ones. 

Sharon is survived by her husband of 56 years, Randy Foxley; daughter, Jodi Payer and her husband, Mark of Yankton, SD, sons: Joel Foxley and his wife, Jodene of Platte, SD and Steve Foxley and his wife, Jeana of Platte, SD. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Blake and Mica Foxley (Mychael and Willa), Maggie Foxley and fiancé, Tyson Dyk (Paxton and Owen), Katie and Hunter Johnson (Blakely, Logan and Louie), Jordan Payer, Payton and Gabi Foxley, Justin Payer, Caden, Joey, Jimmy, Cambree and Caylee Foxley. Her sisters: Margaret (John) Johnson, Charlene DeGroot, Darlene Koopal, Deb (Dave) Fink, Shelley (Doug) Meyerink; and her brother, Don (Kathy) Teeslink. Her sister-in-law, Pat Teeslink; brothers-in-law: Jack Pranger and Tom Gott; sister-in-law, Judy (Jim) Ryan; and nieces and nephews.

Loved ones who preceded her in death include: her father and mother, Emil and Esther Teeslink; her brothers: Dick and Robert Teeslink; her sisters: Beverly Demmon, Donna Pranger, Carol Lucas and Judy Gott; brother-in-law, Bob Demmon; and her father and mother-in-law, Curly and Blanche Foxley. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Sharon’s memory may be directed to: Platte Development Corporation, Garden of Remembrance, PO Box 283, Platte, SD 57369.  Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family through mountfuneralhome.com.

Devon Donald Senter (20) of Winner, SD passed away on Sept. 15 due to injuries sustained during a tragic car accident. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Winner, SD.  Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery.  A visitation will begin on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 6:00PM at the First Baptist Church.

Devon Donald Senter was born June 25, 2002 in Pierre, SD to Victor Senter and Carrie Davis.  Being born the oldest, Devon was so excited when his sister, Cadence Senter, came along two years later.  The two of them were inseparable and often got into some kind of mischief together.

Devon was fearless from the beginning and caused more than a few gray hairs on our heads.  Such as when he would climb out his bedroom window at 5 am to go to the city park when he was 4 years old or when he disappeared and hid in the dumpster with his puppy and only popped up when the police showed up to help search for him.  Though for all his stunts, you wouldn’t find a kid with a bigger heart and more generous soul!

In 2012, he gained another dad in Matthew Davis and a new sister, Nicole Farley.  Then in 2013 his little brother Colton was born and Devon was so excited that there was another boy in the house!

Devon loved his family so very much and would help out wherever needed.  He especially loved helping his dad, Victor, work on cars and playing video games.  He was an avid gamer and sometimes the sessions got very INTENSE!

He enjoyed hunting and fishing with the family and always looked forward to the first weekend of pheasant hunting at the Boerner farm where the family gets to enjoy the weekend.  Matt took Devon out for his first deer hunt and he really enjoyed it ever since.  He spent many weekends going to the farm to fish in the buttes or go catfishing at the river.

Devon also enjoyed a variety of sports.  He played baseball in his early years and tried his hand at football, shooting sports, and archery.

Devon and school did not always see eye to eye but he was very determined and never gave up!  He was so proud, as were we all, when he made honor society his senior year and graduated this past May.

Devon was no stranger to hard work.  While he was in school, he worked at Family Dollar where he often referred to his manager, Michelle McGuire as his second momma.  When summer break started, he would always go work for Bachmann’s Bee farm.  He was looking forward to finally getting to go with them to Texas this fall.

Devon was a shining star taken from us far too soon but his huge kind and generous heart and soul will be remembered and cherished forever!

Devon is proceded in death by his grandmother Rose Boerner, Great grandparents Wendell and Elsie Boerner, Great Uncle Kevin Bahm

He is survived by his parents, Victor Senter, Matt and Carrie Davis, sisters:  Cadence Senter and Nicole Farley, brother Colton Davis, grandparents:  Carol Bahm, Ray Durrin, Boyd Boerner, Charles and Susan Davis and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.