Category Archives: Local

Golfers get ready to open season

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Returning letterwinners on the Winner Area girls golf team are in front Gracie Root, Rylee Root. In back from left are Cici Watson, Tessa Mann and Devan Dougherty. Not pictured is Kelbie Meiners.

Golfers get ready to open season

Winner Area girls golf team will open the season April 14 when they travel to Mobridge.

There are 16 girls on the team with six returning letterwinners.

The returning girls who lettered are Rylee Root, Gracie Root, Kelbi Meiners, CiCi Watson, Tessa Mann and Devan Dougherty.

The only senior who graduated last year was Brennan Bachmann so this year’s team will have a lot of experience. Added to that will be some younger players who will help out the team.

There are two seniors—Emma Jorgensen and Marissa Meiners.

Coaching the team are Jim Halverson, who is the head coach and Elizabeth Jankauskas.

The girls have been practicing inside at the Winner Community Center due to the cold and very windy conditions. The girls are hoping the wind will die down and they can get on the course at Winner Country Club before making the long trip to Mobridge.

Last year the girls won the region tournament and placed third at the state meet. Rylee Root was the top placer at state as she took 11th.

This year the regional is in Mitchell and the state meet is at Bakker Crossing, just south of Sioux Falls.

The girls are looking for a good season and will enjoy the chance to be outside.

The golf schedule includes:

April 14—at Mobridge

April 22—at Mitchell

April 29—JV golf at Winner

May 6—at Stanley County

May 10—at Burke

May 13—at Winner

May 23—Pre-regional in Mitchell

May 26—Regional in Mitchell

June 6-7—State meet at Bakker Crossing

Colome students honored for writing

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Allie Spellman, a student at Colome High School, has received two recognitions for her writing.

Her piece “Education” was selected as an honorable mention for the Jerome Norgren poetry contest in the high school division. She has been invited to read her work at the Norgren and Witherington Celebration Reading in May on the SDSU campus in Brookings.

Her work will also be printed in “Winning Writing” (A compilation of selected works).

Spellman, a freshman, was also selected by the National Folklife Network (NFN) for the emerging writer residency.

The NFN is a network of artists, culture bearers and folklorists who strengthen our communities through nurturing folk and traditional arts.

Spellman’s work will be featured by the National Endowment for the Arts on the National Folklife Network website.

Mike Barfuss and his little black cooler bag

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Have any of you wondered “what is that little black” cooler looking bag Mike Barfuss carries everywhere he goes?

Five years ago, Barfuss of Winner was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. His symptoms continued to worsen until the summer of 2021 he was having trouble walking and playing golf without losing his breath.

Something needed to be done to improve his quality of life. In September 2021, his cardiologist in Sioux Falls recommended he see the heart pump specialist from the University of Minnesota Fairview Hospital on her next visit.

Barfuss was ineligible for a heart transplant with his age and former chemotherapy treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The antirejection drugs needed after a heart transplant would flare up the Hodgkin’s again.

After meeting with the Minneapolis doctor, Barfuss went through three days of intensive testing to se if he would be a candidate for a heart pump, LVAD (left ventricular assistive device).

The heart team of 19 in Minneapolis determined Barfuss was in the “sweet spot” and approved him for surgery. With surgery, the LVAD is placed in the heart ventricle with open heart surgery.

The pump takes the blood from the left ventricle through a tube to the aorta and blood circulates through the body. Mike’s pump spins at 5200rmps.

Following surgery and discharge a 30 days stay in Minneapolis was required to learn how to care for the belly wound, learn the average controller readings and to begin rehab.

The pump has a tube (driveline) which exits the body through a stoma which needs a weekly dressing change. That same tube plugs into a controller outside the body. The controller has two ports with cords exiting it that hook up to batteries that keep the pump going. The batteries and controller are housed in a special spandex shirt that Mike wears. The black bag has an extra set of charged batteries and an extra controller in case of a breakdown.

At night, the daytime batteries and extra set are charged up and Mike is plugged into house electricity.

The black box is named Fred and Mike needs it with him at all times. The controller is named Wilma.

David Norman Schmidt, 70

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David Norman Schmidt, 70, of Winner, SD passed away tragically in a house fire at his residence in Winner, SD on Friday, April 1, 2022.

Memorial service was held Monday, April 11, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Private burial services will follow at a later date.

David, the son of Theodore “Ted” and Raymalee “Jean” (Reichardt) Schmidt was born Feb. 20, 1952 in White River at what was then the telephone office.

David attended grade school at the Mitchell Country School, in Mellette County through the 8th grade. From there he attended the White River High School and graduated in 1971. Following graduation David spent a brief period of time serving in the U. S. Navy. David loved an adventure and wasn’t afraid to give it a try no matter what or where the adventure might take him.

He spent much of his adult life driving truck. David had a kind heart, enjoyed a good story and had many stories of his own to share. David loved the mountains where his remains will eventually rest.

On March 23, 1981 David married Sandra Kay Bromwich. Dave and Sandy were blessed with one son, Christopher. Chris was the delight of Dave and Sandy’s life.

David and his wife, Sandy sadly lost their lives together. David was preceded in death by his father, Ted N., his brother, Ted E., and his paternal and maternal grandparents. He is survived by his son, Christopher, mother, Jean Schmidt, brother, Ray (Debra) Schmidt, sister, Sally Parsons and sister-in-law, Barbara Schmidt along with many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Sandra Schmidt, 70

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Sandra Schmidt, 70, of Winner, SD passed away tragically in a house fire at her residence in Winner, SD on Friday, April 1, 2022.

 Memorial service was held Monday, April 11, 2022 at 11a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Ideal Cemetery near Ideal, SD.

 Sandra “Sandy” Kay Bromwich was born to Roland and Florence (Sachtjen) Bromwich on Aug. 19, 1951 at Winner, SD.  She is the fourth of seven children.  She attended Winner School and graduated in 1970.

Sandy met David Schmidt of White River, SD, and were married on March 23, 1981 at Pierre, SD.  To this union there was one son, Christopher Allen Schmidt.

Sandy and David moved to Montana in 1982 where they worked on a ranch that mainly had sheep and goats.  Sandy spent time on the ranch milking goats and working sheep.  She became quite the sheep woman while in Montana.  To this day family members still seek her counsel regarding sheep.  The family spent many hours hunting and fishing and even invited family to join them.

The family moved to Winner, SD and upon their arrival, Sandy began working as a waitress at Sargent’s Café.  When Sargent’s Café closed, Sandy became employed at Cal’s Dairy Queen where she continued to work until the time of her death.

Sandy loved to spend time with her family.  It didn’t matter if it was a birthday party, graduation, wedding, holiday or just some family time for the weekend, she was there and offering to help out.  She loved to play cards and spent many hours playing cards (especially Rummy with her own rules) with Chris and many nieces and nephews.  For the last several years, Sandy has played dice with Aunt Eunice every Saturday night.

Over the years Sandy spent many hours at her parents’ farm.  She loved the family farm and farm life.  She had many gardens, chickens and spent hours helping plant and dig potatoes.

Sandy will be greatly missed by her family, many friends and community.

Sandy is survived by her son Christopher Schmidt, brother Lyle(Darla) Bromwich and sisters Evelyn Bromwich, Linda Wentland and Judy(Dan) Kayl. Aunt Eunice Sharer and Uncles Arthur Bromwich, Dean Bromwich and Darrell Bromwich, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and extended family.

Sandy sadly lost her life with her husband David Schmidt, and is preceded in death by her parents Roland and Florence Bromwich, brothers Dalton Bromwich and Roger Bromwich and great-nephew Gavin Huntley.

Area churches will be holding special services in celebration of Easter.

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Pastor Wade Harr

April 15—Good Friday service, 7 p.m.

April 17—Easter service at 9 a.m.

Zion Lutheran of Hamill

Pastor Wade Harr

April 14—Holy Thursday service at 7:30 p.m.

April 17—Easter service at 10:30 a.m. followed by a brunch and after the brunch there will be an Easter egg hunt.

Assembly of God

Pastor David Jahn

April 15—Good Friday service at 7 p.m.

April 17—Easter service, 10:30 a.m.

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

Fr. Kevin Achbach

April 14—Holy Thursday, 7 p.m.

April 15—Good Friday service, 7 p.m.

April 16—Easter vigil, 9:15 p.m.

April 17—Easter Mass at 10:30 a.m.

St. Isidore of Colome

Fr. Kevin Achbach

April 15—Good Friday, 5 p.m.

April 17—Easter Mass, 8:30 a.m.

Our Lady of Good Counsel of Wood

Fr. Kevin Achbach

April 17—Easter Mass, 2 p.m.

First Baptist Church

Pastor Justin Wheadon

April 15—Good Friday service, 7 p.m.

April 17—Easter service, 10 a.m.

First Christian Church of Winner

Pastor Maurice Gustafson

April 17—Easter service, 9 a.m.

Ideal Presbyterian Church

Pastor Maurice Gustafson

April 17—Easter sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. followed by a breakfast

United Methodist Church

Pastor John Price

April 14—Holy Thursday, 7 p.m.

April 15—Good Friday, 7 p.m. with a special skit

April 17—Easter Sunday, 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Church of the Nazarene

Pastor Ron Snethen

April 17—Easter sunrise service at 7 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m.

Colome Methodist Church

Pastor Ron Snethen

April 14—Holy Thursday, 6 p.m.

April 15—Good Friday, noon

April 17—Easter service, 9 a.m.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Pastor Don Windsperger

April 15—Good Friday service, 6 p.m.

April 17—Easter service at 9 a.m.

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colome

April 15—Good Friday, 7:30 p.m.

April 17—Easter service, 10:30 a.m.

Winner Orthodox Presbyterian Church

Pastor Nick Barnes

April 15—Good Friday service, 7 p.m.

April 17—Easter service, 9:30 a.m.

Hamill Orthodox Presbyterian Church

Pastor Nick Barnes

April 17—Easter service, 11 a.m.

Middle School Awards Presented

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Awards were presented to middle school students at a spring concert in Winner. Pictured in front from left are Aiden Hespe, director’s award; Addi Heenan, people’s choice; Kacie Petersen, outstanding musician and Riley Peppel, director’s award. In back from left are Suchi Chaudhari, people’s choice award; Sophia DuBray, most improved; Tianna Evans, outstanding musician; Jamisyn Crow Eagle, most improved.

Winner High School Band Awards

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Winner High School students in band and chorus were presented awards at an April 1 concert. In front from left are Cassidy Seeking Land, most improved; Cassie Shutt, most improved and Luke Boerner, director’s award. In back from left are Justin Hausmann, people’s choice; Hayden McMurtrey, outstanding musician and people’s choice; Melanie Brozik, director’s award.