Category Archives: Obituaries

Marie Holub was born on April 17, 1927 to Frank and Mary (Vavra) Cervenka in Mosher, SD. At the age of two they moved to a farm northeast of Winner. She completed her eighth grade in a rural school. Marie attended Gregory High School, graduating with the Class of 1944.She was united in marriage to Frank Holub on August 30, 1948 and to this union two children were born-Duane and Terry.

Marie was born on Easter Sunday, which explains her “Esther” middle name. Her birth date/Easter coincided three more times: 1938, 1949 and 1960.

Child of the Depression, Marie learned to do a lot with a little, lessons she held tight across nine decades of life. She enjoyed life’s simplicity, if not its modesty. She profiled life’s sincerity. One of her favorite retells was that of receiving a paper cut-out doll for Christmas, that year’s only present.

Her first job out of Gregory High School was at Winner’s Omaha Cold Storage, one of nine bookkeepers so employed at the time. The job’s specifics: 40 cents an hour, nine hours a day, six days a week; five vacation days, no sick leave. Marie paid $2.00 a week for a room in Winner at that time. A group of women friends would meet at the Sweetshop (later Andy’s Jewelry) for a $1.50 lunch.
Following five years at the Cold Storage, Marie worked two years at Beaulieu, Backus and Bailie Hardware, three years at McCormick Hardware, then a year with the Union Credit Corporation. During all this time she was heralded for her accuracy and speed with stenography (shorthand).

Come 1960 she joined the staff of the former ASCS office in Winner. She was the wheat and feed grain clerk. During this tenure she endeared herself to area farm families by her dedication to detail and astute comprehension of ever-changing government programs. Due to cutbacks insisted by the Nixon Administration, Marie lost her ASCS job in 1973.

A woman of her temperament would not be unemployed long. She was not. Within short order First Fidelity Bank came calling. Marie started another chapter that 1973 by accepting a job to the bank’s bookkeeping department, a place she’d work the next 22 years, ascending to head bookkeeper. There were nine bookkeepers when Marie started, and almost all the work was done manually. (Remember when you received cancelled checks in the mail? Whom do you think did that?)

The 1970s begat the 80s and its techno revolution. First Fidelity’s bookkeeping department installed its first computer in 1981. Subsequent years required updates to the upgrades. Marie retired from First Fidelity in 1995, culmination of a 46-year professional career in Winner. But per her want to give and share and stay active, Marie’s work career would take one last turn when, post-Fidelity, she began a 14-year stint at Golden Prairie Manor where she qualified as a medication aide and also as a food server.
She freely gave time, leadership and support to the Winner Senior Center, relinquishing her treasurer duties but two weeks before her death.

Marie cared and took care. As siblings and friends fell victim to age and illness, she volunteered time and loved to assist in manners intimate to each. Travel distance mattered not. The more Marie was needed the more Marie needed to be there.
Marie enjoyed grandson Matt’s plays at the Mason City Community Theatre; chartering Nevada flights with grandson Chris to engage in wholesome casino-related activities; reviewing and attending screenings of grandson Grant’s Black Hills Video airings; attending witness to granddaughter Jacie’s rise within respective Air Force/Air Force Reserve and nursing careers; the birth and growth of great-grandsons Gavin and Liam, and great-granddaughter Addison.

Marie bowled many years. Hosted and attended numerous card parties. She absolutely loved to dance, recalling with fondness the old South Hall and present- day Carlock. Her last dance was Labor Day weekend at the Winner Legion. Marie and Frank’s 40th Anniversary dance in Dallas remains a seminal moment.

The VFW and American Legion and Auxiliary were important to her; at times, it appeared, she could not volunteer enough. A lifelong Catholic, she dutifully gave time and effort and experience. Professional and personal awards and honors too numerous to mention. She hosted Christmas at her Lincoln Street home, and an every-other-year Thanksgiving gathering enjoyed by Frank’s side of the family. Following Frank’s death, Marie enjoyed casual companionship with friend Walt and then Tom.

Marie traveled through each of the lower Forty-Eight. A fan of country music, trips to Nashville and Branson were, in a word, mandated. As were polka bands across the Upper Midwest. Marie and Frank pulled a small trailer to many a state park for weekend camping and fishing excursions, oftentimes accompanied by their grandchildren. Marie loved her time on the ‘van’ with friends en route to Rosebud or Radar or Flandreau. She will miss you all so very much.

Marie belonged to numerous organizations. She held offices in Catholic Daughters, American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, Business & Professional Women, Past President Parley American Legion, and was a 10 year Counselor for Jr. Catholic Daughters.

Maurice “Jack” Earll died Nov. 13 at the age of 95 at the Trinity Care Center in Farmington, Minn.  Memorial services were held on Nov. 19 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Winner.  Maurice Edwin Earll was born to Floyd A. Earll and Minnie F. (Odin) on Feb. 19, 1921 in Carter, SD.

In January 1943 Jack entered the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 45th Infantry Division at Ft. Sill OK as an artilleryman. Jack fought with the 45th starting in North Africa, then on to Anzio, Italy and the Rhine River in Germany where he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. Jack underwent experimental bone graft surgery at Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver, CO and was honorably discharged in 1945.

Jack married Lydia L. Pajl on Nov. 6, 1948. They resided in Witten, SD and then Winner. To this union they had two children, Marlene Earll, Burnsville, MN and Sharon (Steve) Wade, Burnsville, MN. Jack & Lydia moved to Burnsville, MN in 2014 to live with Marlene and be close to their family. They have 3 grandchildren: Laura Wade, Tracy (Brian) Christianson and Jeff Wade; and 3 great grandchildren: Delaney & Brennan Machacek and Maggie Christianson & new baby to arrive in January.

Inez L. Schoulte was born on August 4, 1916 on the family farm south west of Presho. She was the third child born to William G. Schoulte and Catherine (Clausen) Schoulte. Inez had a goal of reaching her 100th birthday which she celebrated in August.

Inez attended elementary school at the country school (Schoulte School) one mile south of her home. She attended Presho High School graduating in 1934. She received her elementary teaching certificate from Aberdeen and Springfield. She graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics in 1942. Inez received a Master of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1952. She pursued a doctorate degree at the University of California in Berkley.

Inez first teaching job was 5th & 6th grade in Wood S.D. She then taught home economics at Parkston High School. Inez also worked as a dietician in Charity hospital in New Orleans, Orange County Medical Center in California, Greenville North Carolina. She was associate professor of food and nutrition departments in both University of North Dakota and Utah State University. Inez dedicated her life to education and continued to study and learn her whole life. In 1963 she left the teaching profession to care for her elderly parents in California.

When Inez health began to fail in 1994 she moved back to South Dakota to be near family. She resided a Lou Hagels assisted living and then moved to Parkwood in Pierre where she lived for 14 years, then due to the flood in 2011, she moved back to Presho to New Life Boarding and then to Dakota Heritage in Pierre. In September of 2014 her health made it necessary to move to the Winner Long Term Care Facility in Winner where she passed away Nov. 15.

Inez will be fondly remembered for her stories of all the places she had been throughout her long life. Some of Inez favorite quotes were: Better days are coming, this too shall pass and just take one day at a time.

Will Sargent, age 28, of Mission, passed away on Saturday, November 12, 2016.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 18, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Winner. Burial will follow at the Winner City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, November 17, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Winner with a Prayer Service starting at 7 p.m.

Abe was born on Dec. 1, 1933, on the family farm in Clearfield, SD to Ralph and Freda (Wagner) Walton.

Abe was raised on the family farm in Tripp County, SD where he began his lifelong passion with horses and learned how to raise cattle. He attended the local country grade school and then graduated from Winner High School. Following graduation, Abe went on to enlist in the U.S. Marines serving from Jan. 19, 1952 to Jan. 18, 1955. He was stationed in Korea, while there he sponsored two children in a local orphanage. Following his enlistment he went on to attend the University of South Dakota.

On April 18, 1966 he was united in marriage to Kay Harris. The couple made their home in Alda and then Grand Island for the last 50 years. He began his 25 year employment with New Holland in 1967.

For many years, Abe would lease land where he could still raise cattle and his true passion, his horses. Years ago he raised Quarter Horses until his love of horse racing led him to raise, train and race Thoroughbreds. He shared his love of horses with others by helping them learn how to ride, as well as train, and board horses.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church. Abe cherished the time that was spent with his family and grandchildren. He was a diligent worker who had the softest heart and compassion for everyone he met.

He was born on March 8, 1934 at home near Colome, South Dakota the son of Irene and Ralph Roby. He was the oldest of six siblings.

Roger joined the Army branch of the U.S. Military on Oct. 1, 1961 and retired as a Lt. Colonel on Jan. 31, 1982. While in the army he obtained his Bachelor’s degree while in Omaha and his Master’s at Syracuse University, New York.

He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Throughout his life he was a faithful member of the WELS Lutheran church. He took great comfort and joy in knowing his life was in God’s hands. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

On Jan. 4, 1954 he married Frances Beck. This union of 62 years was blessed with six children.

Evelyn (Kalenda) Slouka was born February 6, 1931 on the family farm near Jordan to Joseph and Alice (Vrbsky) Kalenda. She was the 2nd of 8 children. During the 1940’s the family moved to the farm south of Winner.

Evelyn attended the Vobr school through the 8th grade. She then helped out on the family farm doing housework, tending the garden and canning vegetables. She always helped milking cows and taking care of the pigs and her chickens, ducks, and geese. She was always busy. She even helped neighbors clean house. She always said she enjoyed washing dishes after they got electricity and running water. Before you had to carry water into the house, fire up the wood cook store to get the water hot, wash dishes and carry the water out. Now you only have to turn on the faucet. She still loved washing dishes up to this day.

Evelyn had to become a caregiver early. When she was 16 her mother came down with rheumatic fever. Evelyn nursed her back to health while looking after the rest of the family, the youngest being 6.

On February 10, 1970 she was united in marriage to Robert Slouka. To this union 1 son was born. She worked on the farm with her husband and her son until Robert’s health faded. She continued to help her son on the farm to this day, still gardening and taking care of her chickens.

Evelyn loved to garden and can. She would always give canned jelly and vegetables away. She loved dancing in her younger years and would always join in family card games. In later years she wore out many decks playing solitaire. Crocheting was also a hobby she enjoyed. She was very proud of her crochet pillowcases she gave away as graduation gifts. Her homemade Angel Food Cake and popcorn balls were always a party favorite.

Evelyn struggled with different health issues later in life but was always able to overcome them. She spent more than her fair share of time in hospitals.

Vincent was born on November 7, 1919, to Fred and Adelia Soll in West Point, NE. On Sept 19, 1942 he married his high school sweetheart, Doris Thompson, while he was home on military leave from the Army while stationed on Guam during WW II.

He worked for Fonstocks and Penney’s and then graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln School of Dentistry. They moved to Winner, SD, in June 1953 and he began his dentistry career. He was active in the National Guard and was the commander of the 730th Medical Clearing Company. He retired from the Army as a Colonel. He then worked for 10 yrs. as a dispatcher for the Winner Police Department.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved going fishing with his family. He was a voracious reader of history and western books, the author Tom Clancy, and loved doing the daily crossword puzzle. He also enjoyed having his grandchildren visit in the summer and was proud of their accomplishments.

Flora Ellen was born on Jan. 30, 1920 to Harvey and Frances (Kaplan) Newland in the Norden, Nebraska area.

Flora attended school through the 8th grade in the Sparks and Norden Nebraska area. She also attended high school for a short while in Millboro, South Dakota. She was then needed at home to help her mother care for her father who was in poor health.

September 13, 1937 Flora and Ernest Hanson were united in marriage and to this union seven children were born.

Flora was a stay at home mom and was very committed to her husband Ernest and her family. She was also very involved with her church which she and Ernest helped establish in their community which is now known as the Shadly Valley Church. Together they would house the missionaries and evangelists that came from time to time.

Flora was an excellent cook and many people were fed at her table. Flora loved the farm and working with her family. She was very strong and committed to the tough things as Ernest struggled with many health issues. She had a heart that was so strong and committed to the Lord. It was always about pleasing Jesus and she always instructed her family in His ways.

Flora’s cinnamon rolls were always the best. She toiled in her garden and she had a love for the country and all of the animals and along with Ernest built their farm from the bottom up and was never known to complain.

Theresa Elizabeth Ruth (Betty) Devish was born May 22, 1923. She was the sixth child of George and Theresa (Salzmann) Kenzy. She was born at the farm home near Iona, SD. Her brothers were Sam, Carl, Paul, Leo, and John. She attended school in the community, starting at Iona High School and later graduating from Gregory High School in 1940. She became a certified teacher attending Springfield Teachers College. Elizabeth Kenzy taught at the McKinley School near Iona in 1943. She lived with her parents behind the school, and would get there first to light the wood and coal burning stove.

On August 25, 1950, she married Floyd Devish. To this union joined a son ,Mark and a daughter, Mariann. In 1959, Betty cared for her parents in Gregory. Floyd owned the dry cleaners in Gregory until 1962. “Moving west”, they made their home in Winner, SD, where Floyd ran the Pheasant Cleaners, and then Modern Cleaners. Betty taught second grade and later Title teaching at West Side Elementary. She spent summers attending USD inVermillion, SD, and then received her Masters in Education. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, and later she was the treasurer for the retired Winner Teachers group in which Arvis Simkins and she managed together. When Floyd passed away in 1978 at the age of 52, she continued to teach until 1991.

She enjoyed traveling to Sioux Falls to help with her grandchildren Michael and Nichole Devish. They loved grandma’s mashed potatoes and pies! In 2002, along with her brother Paul from Idaho, Betty moved to Oacoma and Chamberlain, SD, to help with raising her grandsons, Matthew and Marc Schwenk. They too loved grandma’s cooking! She to kept her home in Winner, traveling back and forth. Along with her friends and sister-in-laws, she would travel near and far; Betty never meant a stranger. She was also an avid reader, and enjoyed ordering many books,music tapes, and videos from Reader’s Digest! In her earlier years, she loved to dance. She was a very kind and gentle soul, loved by her family, friends, cats, especially Shadow and many former students.

Betty continued to live to the present with her daughter and grandsons in Chamberlain, SD. Her health had declined previously at home, and continued to decline during a short respite care stay at the Aurora-Brule Nursing Home in White Lake, SD, upon her death on October 29, 2016. She had entered hospice care earlier in October.