Category Archives: Obituaries

Milda was born December 6, 1913 to William and Mary (Petera) Hoppe near Wausa, Neb. She was baptized January 4, 1914 at Golgatha Lutheran Church near Wausa. She moved with her family to Fairfax in 1928. She attended Star Valley School through the eighth grade and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfax on April 29, 1928.

On August 3, 1935 Milda married Perry Mulford. They were blessed with four children – Donald, Keith, James and Sharyl. They began their marriage living in Bonesteel where Perry worked for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Work related moves were made to Norfolk, NE, Spencer, NE, Winner, SD and back to Norfolk, NE. Upon retirement, they returned to Bonesteel.

After Perry’s death in 1991, Milda continued to maintain her home until 2006 when she moved to the Haisch Haus. In 2011, health issues caused her to move to the Lake Andes Health Care Center, where she lived until the time of her death.

Milda was a lifelong homemaker who enjoyed cooking, baking and quilting. She enjoyed taking care of her children and babysitting other children. She was an active member of the Over 50 Club in Bonesteel.

Joseph Frank Nesladek was born in Chamberlain, SD on Feb. 3, 1940 to Frank and Julia (Macha) Nesladek of Pukwana. He spent the first six years of his life on the farm south of Pukwana in Richland Township. He faithfully served as an altar boy at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Pukwana. In 1946, the family moved into Pukwana. Joe attended school at Pukwana graduating from Pukwana High School in 1960. He was homecoming king in 1959. Following high school, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in Germany from 1960 until 1963 where he learned the trade of mechanics. In July 1966, he received his Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army.

On May 21, 1966, Joe was united in marriage to Colleen Johnson at St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain. To this union, five children were born Mark, Tina, Jonathan, James, and Jolene.

Joe worked on the Big Bend Dam Project and also on the Interstate Project. He was employed at the Chamberlain Ford Garage as a mechanic and later at United Auto Parts in Chamberlain until 1986 when he opened his own shop known as Joe’s Automotive Machine Shop. In 2014, Joe retired from the shop.

Joe built motors for his nephew’s race car. He enjoyed watching lawn mower races and high school boys basketball. He loved when his grandchildren would come visit. He enjoyed doing yard and garden work and was very proud of his yard. Joe liked listening to polka music and watching Polka Party on TV. He also liked going to Czech Days in Tabor each year.

He served as chairman of the Chamberlain City Planning Commission and was an honorary member of the Chamberlain Knights of Columbus Council. Joe was a member of St. James Catholic Church and served as an usher for several years.

Joe passed away on October 25, 2016 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls at the age of 76 years.

Robert (Bob) Lee Herman was born Oct. 12, 1933 at the family homestead in Mellette County South Dakota. Bob was born one of ten children to Otto and Margaret (Woehl) Herman. Bob worked as a hired hand in his younger years for many of the areas ranchers until he entered the United States Navy on Oct. 10, 1951. He was honorably discharged after 3 years of service and a Korean War Veteran. As continued service he was a member of the American Legion.

Bob met his wife Joyce Biggins in 1958, and they were married in 1959. To this union four children were born Danny, Tony, Marty, and Penny. He worked for Max Derry during which time he went to Auto Body School in Omaha, Nebraska, which settled him and Max into Midwest Auto for 30 years. During this time he enjoyed restoring old cars and sparked his love of racing cars. He spent countless hours volunteering his time to run wrecker service at demolition derbies and races at Winner Speedway. Enjoying his sons and grandchildren race. Bob and Dan started the family business B&D Auto Salvage in 1981, Bob worked happily at the auto salvage until his illness prevented him from doing so.

Mardell Eliason was born to Roy and Amanda (Brynjulson) Eliason on April 6, 1927 at rural Canton, SD. She attended rural grade school and graduated from Canton High School in 1945.

She worked at Iowa Public Service and later was a bookkeeper at Farmers Coop in Canton.

She married Harlan Hanson on Nov. 6, 1948. They farmed in the Canton area and had one son, Mark Hanson.

Mardell married Frank Antes on Dec. 20, 1975. They made their home in Winner where they were farmer/ranchers. While living in Winner, Mardell was active in The Arts Society and PEO.

In 1994, Frank and Mardell retired and moved to Yankton. While living in Yankton, Mardell was active in PEO Chapter BT, Questers, Sons of Norway and Christ the King Lutheran Church.

Mardell will be remembered for her ever gentle spirit by her sister, Lois Reade of Yankton, sister-in-law, Mary Eliason of Canton and several nieces and nephews as well as a step son-in-law, Jerry Goddard of Sioux Falls, her step granddaughter, Jodi Ferrini and her children, Diana, Cari and Vinnie Ferrini of Ohio.

Andy was born May 25, 1923 to Bernard & Betsy (Halvardsgaard) Dice. He was the oldest of four children. He was raised in Lyman County and graduated from Presho High School in 1941. He married Donna (Larsh) on April 2, 1950 and raised their four children on the family farm northwest of Winner. He was a hard working farmer who ate many meals, that Donna packed, in the field with his family by his side. His love for the land and livestock filled his life abundantly.

Andy served on many boards in the community over the years, including rural school board, township board, rural fire department and was one of the original members of the Tripp County Sheriff’s Posse. He was also proud to be a blood donor and would drop everything to make a flying trip into town to donate whenever there was an emergency. Andy loved to play cards, always had a joke to tell and spent many Saturday nights dancing with Donna!

Taylor Dean Watzel was born on January 10, 2000, to Dean and Barbara Watzel in Winner. Taylor is the 2nd of 3 children.
Taylor was our energetic, outgoing, friendly young man, from his crooked little grin to his full on smile that was very contagious. Whether he had anything to say or not, there was always a grin that gave him away.
Although he was the 2nd child he took on the role of “big brother”. Taylor loved his siblings especially Tristan, he took him under his wing and made sure he was looked after. He made sure he looked after Madaline the same way. She was never far away.
Every day he would have rather stayed home to help out on the family farm and feedlot, walking side by side with mom & dad from feeding cattle to bailing hay and caring for every animal wild or tame. Taylor could always be found carrying a baby kitten in his hood or a baby porcupine in his pocket, he was always a protector. Not only was he an awesome brother, cousin and buddy he was a great role model and the “best big friend” to so many.
Taylor also went above and beyond in his school activities. He received many academic excellence awards. Taylor was involved in so many great activities. They range from 4-H, FFA, football and wrestling. He was also the best Flag Football Coach any kid could ever ask for. He loved to go to 4-H and FFA camp, to meet new friends and catch up with old friends. He also made great connections with lots of people through wrestling and football and made sure to stay in contact with them.
Taylor’s life was cut way to short….Taylor will never be forgotten but he will always live on in our hearts. In keeping with Taylor’s loving and generous spirit it was his decision to donate life so that others may live on.

LeRoy Emil Veskrna was born on Sept. 25, 1944 in Burke SD the son of Emil and Agnes Veskrna (Cervenka). He attended school in Burke SD, Casper, WY and graduated from Winner High School in 1963.

LeRoy joined the South Dakota Army National Guard in 1966 and was honorably discharged in 1971.

On May 17, 1969, he was united in marriage to Carol Ann Elliott at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Colome. They lived south of Colome for three years before moving into town. They were blessed with two children; LeRoy Emil Veskrna Jr. born on November 21, 1973 and Penny Jo Veskrna born on June 2, 1978.

On April 27, 1989 LeRoy’s wife passed away after a long battle with cancer. After Carol’s passing, LeRoy was left with the task of raising his two children on his own; which he took on without falter.

LeRoy worked driving truck for Bob and Geo Shippy until he started working for the Tripp County Highway Department as a mechanic. LeRoy remained at this position for 37 years before retiring. During this time LeRoy also worked evenings and weekends with his father Emil as co-owner of E&L Repair on Main Street in Colome. After his father’s passing in 1992 LeRoy planned building a new shop which, with the help from many of his friends, was completed in 1996. He then became partners with Kevin Miner and Grungy Guys Sanitation was started. This venture lasted a few years before being dissolved. LeRoy spent the remainder of his years helping friends and neighbors by repairing lawn mowers and equipment in his shop. He also drove semi-truck part time for local farmers and friends.

LeRoy was very active in the Colome Community. He belonged to the Colome Volunteer Fire Department for several years. During this time he enjoyed building fire trucks and repairing the firefighting equipment. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 146 where he served as commander for two terms. He also served on the Colome City Council for several years.

The hobby LeRoy was known best for was restoring and showing antique tractors and stationary engines. Over several years he acquired a very nice collection of tractors and engines which he took great pride in showing at Steam and Gas Shows along with his family throughout South Dakota and Nebraska over several Decades.

LeRoy enjoyed camping and fishing with his children and grandchildren and would do so every chance he could get. LeRoy was liked by almost everyone he met; it was hard to find anyone who did not like him. He was very well known in the Tripp County area. LeRoy, on many occasions stated, “I have never been in a fight in my life.” He enjoyed talking to people wherever he went and was always outgoing and kind with everyone. LeRoy especially loved spending as much time as he could with his children and grandchildren. He would drop everything to help them when they needed him even if it meant he had to go without.

Virginia Pearl (Bartlett) Snethen, 89, of Carter, SD, went home to her savior Friday, October 14, 2016, at Rapid City Regional Hospital, Rapid City, SD, with family by her side.

Virginia was born Dec. 3, 1926, to Floyd and Goldia (Audiss) Bartlett on the family farm south of Carter, SD. She was the second child of two children.

Her family homesteaded near Martin, SD and after seventh grade moved to Custer, SD. She worked in the shipyards in Seattle, WA, during WWII and moved back to Custer where she finished high school and graduated in 1947.

She graduated from Watertown Beauty Academy in Watertown, SD in 1948. She returned home to Martin where she opened up her own beauty shop.

Virginia married Keith Snethen in May of 1954 and settled down on the farm near Carter where she lived and raised her nine children.

She was active in her community. She was a life member of the VFW, American Legion of Winner, a member of the local Extension Group and she served on the Todd County Election Board. She actively participated in her local church, Carter Gospel Fellowship Church.

She enjoyed many crafts, such as sewing, painting, gardening, canning, and spending time with her family. In her later years she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gary D. Sell 80 of Springview, Nebraska passed away October 11, 2016 at his home with family at his side, after a courageous battle with cancer. Gary was born January 20, 1936 at Winner, South Dakota to Henry and Theresa (Gehlsen) Sell. He grew up in Todd County, South Dakota, the youngest of five children, along with his sister, Delores Holmes, and brothers Gerald, Donald, and Howard. He attended school in Todd County.

Gary married Bobbie Pettit on April 24, 1958 in Winner. To this union were born nine children; Cindy, Connie, Ryan, Debra, Dave, Merrit, Brett, Kaye Lynn, and John. He ranched in South Dakota and Nebraska throughout his adult life. He was a police officer in South Dakota, and served as the Keya Paha County, Nebraska sheriff for twenty-eight years. After his retirement as Sheriff, Gary worked part time for the Brown and Rock County Sheriff departments. Gary enjoyed woodworking as evidenced by the many items he made for family and friends. He was also very proud of the casket he crafted of this final resting place her on earth.

Kevin Kyle Kidwiler was born June 26, 1961 in Winner, South Dakota to Dennis and Betty (Totton) Kidwiler. Kevin spent most of his early years in Winner, graduating from Winner High School in 1979.

He entered the United States Marines in 1989, being discharged in 1994. Following his stint in the Marines Kevin lived in North Carolina and Arizona for short periods of time. In 1995 he returned to Winner where he spent the rest of his life. He worked for several construction businesses before going to work for Gene at Winner Seed in 2011 and worked there until the cancer made him unable to continue.

Kevin loved to hunt, fish, garden, and take care of his yard. In 1996 the pride of his life was born. He enjoyed doing things with Kelly like helping him at a Scouts Pinewood Derby and especially took great pride in watching Kelly play football throughout high school and as defensive lineman for Dakota Wesleyan University.