Category Archives: Obituaries

Ruby Mae Mudgett was born to LeRoy and Clara Mudgett on January 6, 1923 in Fargo, N. Dakota. She joined her brother Harvey (18 months older), and 22 months later, sister Bernice came. Her father struggled to find work, but made harnesses for a while. When Ruby was four, sadly he left the family, and she never saw him again. Her single mother returned to Colome. She made ends meet doing household work and selling her oatmeal cookies. The children had to live at times with Aunt Margaret Funk, and took turns riding the train to Dunsmuir, California to live with Aunt Sue Funk Evans, where they attended school. The family of five lived a few years with grandparents Fred and Alcinda Funk in a one-bedroom house southwest of Winner. Ruby did not complain of hardship, but accepted life and said she remembered an orange in her school lunch every day. She determined not to complain, choosing to focus on the positive.

She enjoyed school, graduating from Colome High School. She kept in touch with good friends. Many recall that one day Ruby and Thelma Atteberry went to the cellar after school, and ate a whole jar of canned peaches, which “was against the rules.” She loved fun school songs from The Golden Songbook, and sang them recently at age 93, enjoying them again.

At fifteen, she began to date Orris Shippy. She hunted with him and was amazed when she shot her first rabbit, so she always said, “Maybe he just fell down from fright.” She helped extract honey even though she was stung five times the first day before figuring out where to lay her hand. His Aunt Margaret Shippy was married to her Uncle Lee Funk, so they knew each other from family gatherings, and spent lots of fun times at their house playing dominoes and eating popcorn.

They married two years later on June 17, 1940 and celebrated their seventieth anniversary in 2010. They loved farming south of Colome. She deeply loved him and their six children, eighteen grandchildren, and thirty-five great grandchildren. Babies and little children were her lifelong love. They still delighted her even as recently as two weeks ago. Spending twenty winters in Arizona gave them a special time with family there. She loved selflessly, and grandchildren brought her special joy, because she had more time to enjoy each one, and that love went both ways.

She cooked the hard way, making all the family’s bread, butter, cottage cheese, and the weekly summer gallon of ice cream, and so much more. The family loved it, thinking she did too, but learned later it was not her first love; she just did her work, with a smile and laughter. So we thought, it was as much fun for her as it was for us. She gardened, sewed, and worked hard. Her hobby was faithfully writing many postcards and letters to her family and numerous friends.

Facing anxiety her whole life, Ruby kept busy to cope and did not let it interfere with her love of people. One particular fear was horses, because of a photo of a horse rearing up near a girl. But in recent years she enjoyed watching westerns, especially the beauty of horses as they ran. She knew she wasn’t perfect, but trusted God and His good news of Jesus coming to be like us, die in our place, and rescue us from independence from Him. Living her faith quietly, she accepted people and life, and was known for her heart of compassion, and was also a champion listener.

She loved people not things, and brought joy to many with her warm smile and love of laughter. Her sister said, “Ruby laughed until she was beside herself, until you just couldn’t understand it.” She laughed with her entire being. One time she laughed so hard that she fell off her chair, and that was as an adult.

She managed diabetes, survived several TIA’s (first in July 2010), a broken hip May 2013 (as she gathered dandelions at age ninety-one). She worked hard to walk again and get back to her home in the Elder Inn, where she had lived with Orris for five years and then four more by herself. Then Feb 2015, colon cancer came knocking. She recovered as best she could from surgery, but soon moved to Winner Regional Long Term Care June 2015. She fell two months later, breaking the other hip, and spent her last year in a wheelchair. 2016 brought more decline with strokes, a heart attack, and some dementia. Through it all, by God’s mercy, she found strength and ways to recover, remember and connect with people, sing on the phone, keep her mind as clear as she could, smile and laugh frequently.

Ann passed away Saturday, August 6, 2016 at the Golden Living Center in O’Neill.

Anna Mae Lewis (Ann) was born December 14, 1923 to Guy & Anna (Heiden) Lewis at their home near Paxton, SD. She was the 5th of six children. She attended Sioux Valley School District #35 through the eighth grade. She walked 1-1/2 miles each day to school. She loved to ride horses so her dad bought the children a Shetland pony.

Ann said she was never afraid of work & as a child her chores were carrying fire wood, cow chips & gathering cobs from the pig pen. She, along with her siblings, helped her mom bake & wallpaper. Ann learned to sew from her mom & made a lot of her own dresses. She learned to crochet from her mom. She crocheted many afghans for her children & grandchildren.

Ann met Vernon Jamison in 1939. They married on January 6, 1943 at the United Methodist Church in Springview, NE. Vernon was home on leave from the Army. The couple moved to where Vernon was stationed at Camp Blanding, Fl. then on to Camp Robinson, AR. While at this base their daughter Ruth was born in 1944.

In 1945 while stationed at Fort Sill, OK, Vernon received orders to go to Germany during World War II, Ann moved with their daughter Ruth to her parents’ home.

Following the war, in 1946 Vernon returned from Germany & the family moved to the farm north of Wewela, SD. Here they farmed, ranched & milked cows. While living there four children were born: Bob, Barbara, John & Carol. Ann was an active member of the Do-A-Deed Ladies Aid. Summer-time was busy for her with several large gardens to tend & canning / preserving produce for winter meals.

The couple sold the farm in 1973. They moved to Winner, SD. prior to settling in O’Neill, NE. in 1975. While in O’Neill Ann briefly worked at Tielke’s Sandwiches & sold Tupperware. She was the unofficial Secretary of the Shamrock Ringers Horseshoe Club. She enjoyed crossword & word search puzzles. The majority of her time was spent, canning, baking, & making her famous refrigerator pickles or chicken & noodles. Her passion was crocheting, as shown by the many blankets & afghans that were made for her children & grandchildren. She enjoyed making things for her family. She was an avid card player, especially Pitch, which was played at every family gathering. She loved & was well-loved by her family.

Dale Leroy Butler was born April 8th, 1934 to Lloyd and Mildred “Tootsie” Butler. He passed away on Thursday, August 11, 2016 in Winner, SD at the age of 82 years old.

Dale attended school and graduated from Burke High School in 1952. After high school he obtained a two year business administration degree from the National School of Business in Rapid City. In September of 1954 he enlisted in the US Army and was honorably discharged in September of 1956. After serving in the military, he returned to the Burke area and began working for SD Job Service. Later he worked as a bookkeeper for Dale Sanderson at Hewlitt Motor. He then moved to Gregory to work for Tilton Motor Company. He and Martin Tilton then purchased the Ford Dealership in Winner in 1969, and later built a new facility known as Winner Ford Mercury Inc., now known as Harry K Ford. Dale retired from the car business in 1996.

Dale married Katherine Garrow on April 12, 1958 at the Winner Catholic Church. Born to this union were three daughters: Denise, Delaine and Darla.

Dale enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and family. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He liked playing pitch with his family throughout the years. He loved watching his grandsons and great grandsons wrestle and play baseball. In the summer, Dale loved planting a garden with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. One of the highlights of Dale’s life was spending time fishing with his grandkids and great grandkids. He was a lifetime member of the Winner American Legion.

On February 25, 1984 he was joined in marriage to Patricia Tate. To this union four children were born.

In August of 1994 he moved to Salem, SD where he resided until his death. He was employed until recently at Dakota Kitchen and Bath in Sioux Falls.

Over the years he was active in Masons, Boy Scouts, youth group, and volunteering in Special Olympics. His greatest joy was spending time with family and friends, but most of all his children.

Verlene Claudette Long was born on February 27, 1932. She was the youngest child of Joe and Mabel (Putzier) Long. Verlene grew up in the Witten and Clearfield Area. She attended Star Prairie School and then Winner High School. At the age of 16, she started to work in Winner as an operator for the telephone company.

On May 28, 1949 she married Henry (Hienie) Kaiser. To this union, 3 children were born; Brenda in 1950, Janine in 1952 (deceased in 1956) and Keith in 1958. Mom stayed at home with us kids until we were older and then resumed her employment with the telephone company from which she retired at age 55.

Mom and Dad enjoyed camping, boating, and fishing with their kids, grandkids, and friends. They took a few bigger trips in their motorhome. They enjoyed following and watching the grandkids participate in sporting events. There was a lot of good times enjoyed in that motorhome. Mom also enjoyed making scrapbooks and photo albums of her family, as well as tending to her flowers.

Imogene was born October 28, 1919 to Elmer and Rena (Haukaas) Smith on the family homestead located one and a half miles north of the Turtle Butte. She was the youngest child of a family of eight. Imogene attended her elementary education at the Turtle Butte School. In order to attend high school at Colome, Imogene lived and worked in the school’s dormitory. She was very active in high school, including cheerleading and school newspaper. She graduated in 1936 and continued her education at the Southern State Teachers College at Springfield, SD where she received her teaching degree. She taught for seven years in Gregory and Tripp County, majority of years at the Turtle Butte School. Education and continued learning was something that Imogene took great pride in and instilled in her children and their families.

On January 28, 1940, Imogene was baptized at the Wewela Community Church, where she continued to be a life-time member. On December 27, 1941, Imogene Smith married Donald Turnquist at this same church in Wewela. Imogene frequently said that Donald had the bluest eyes she had ever seen. To this union, 5 children were born: Donna, Ronald, Larry, Roger, and Nancy. In 1942, Don enlisted in the Navy. Imogene followed Donald to Illinois and Florida where he was stationed for training and enabled her to see various parts of the United States. When Don was stationed overseas in 1943, Imogene returned home to be close to family in the Wewela area. Following the end of WWII, Don and Imogene purchased a farm located a mile south of Wewela near the Nebraska State line.

Imogene was very involved in the Wewela and surrounding area activities, including the fund raising and building of the Wewela Church holding various offices in the operation of the church. She helped organize the “Do-A-Deed Extension Club” that was an organization where Imogene spent many hours doing charity works including funding and sending supplies to soldiers in WWII. Imogene was also a leader in 4-H, FHA Chapter mother for Springview High School, substitute teacher at Wewela school, and was member of the Colome American Legion Auxiliary. Her organization, work ethic, and leadership skills were exemplified in the fact that Imogene always held various offices in every organization she belonged to including being President of the Colome American Legion Auxiliary. Her children and their activities were her pride and joy. Whether it be volunteering to sew cheerleading outfits or driving carloads of kids to sporting events, she loved being involved with not only her children, but people in general. Imogene had a gift of making every one welcome and comfortable whether it be in her own house or at a ball game. When grandchildren began their own activities, Imogene became their biggest fan also. Imogene was a huge supporter of the Smith Family Reunion each year and cherished recording the family activities.

After the family had grown and left home, Imogene began a new career as Postmaster of the Wewela Post Office. She dedicated 24 years to a job she loved, retiring at age 80 in 2000. In 2000, Don and Imogene decided it was time to enjoy their family and grandchildren even more. They sold the farm to their son, Roger, and his wife, Helen. Don and Imogene continued to live on the farm in their own home, traveling to visit family and friends, and attending even more grandchildren’s activities. In 2011, they moved to Gregory, SD to be closer to family.

Monica (“Monie”) was born near Timber Lake, SD on May 2, 1927 to Jay and Iva (McGuire) Coyle.  She attended rural schools and St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Timber Lake and graduated from Timber Lake High School on May 4, 1945 as valedictorian of her class.  She then graduated from Notre Dame Junior College, Mitchell, SD in May 1946 (now Presentation College in Aberdeen).  After graduation, Monica worked as a bookkeeper in Aberdeen for three years.

On October 3, 1949 she married Al Welk at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Timber Lake.  They moved around South Dakota as Al worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. in various positions, residing in various communities such as Gettysburg, Bonesteel and Howard.  In 1958, they moved to Winner, SD where they raised their two sons, Tom, Sioux Falls, SD and Dick, Nampa, Idaho.  From 1958 to 1970 Monica was active in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner and the Catholic Daughters, St. Mary’s School and helping at the rectory and St. Mary’s Hall.

In 1970, she began working for JC Penney Co. in Winner, SD as a bookkeeper.  When Al was transferred to Rapid City in 1974 she also transferred to Penney’s and retired in 1989.  Upon retirement, Al and Monica traveled, visited family frequently and remained very close to their siblings for visits and family events.

Al and Monica moved to Sioux Falls in the fall of 2008 and resided at Avera Prince of Peace complex.  Monica and Al were persons of strong Catholic faith.  While they resided at Avera Prince of Peace attendance at daily Mass in the Chapel was the foundation of their lives.

Monie was a member of Catholic Daughters St. Rita’s Court #916, Rapid City and Sacred Heart Chapel, Prince of Peace.  She is also a member of National Order of Catholic Foresters, Howard, SD.  Al, her husband for 62 years, died on October 14, 2011.  She had many close friends and corresponded with them regularly.  Monica took great care and detail, remembering special events of all she knew.

Evelyn was born on January 25, 1927 near Clearfield, SD to Lee and Lucille (Shultz) Quick. She graduated from Colome High School. She taught school near Hidden Timber where she met Harold “Bud” Whiting who would soon become her husband.

They lived and ranched near Hidden Timber where they raised cattle and sheep. They raised 4 children Robert “Bob”, Patsy, Danny and June.

Evelyn had many talents and enjoyed reading, cooking, baking, quilting, gardening, raising sheep and carpentry projects.

She was born February 23, 1918, to Raymond H. Best and Maggie (Christensen) Best in Hutchinson County, 5 miles south of Olivet, SD. At age 5, she moved with her family to an area previously homesteaded in Mellette County, seven miles west of Carter, SD. She graduated from Wood High School and attended Commercial College in Mitchell. In June, 1939, she was wed to Charles Adams of Birmingham, Alabama, and the couple moved to Spencer, Iowa. Three sons were born to this union, one of whom died as an infant. Charles Adams passed in 1948. Goldie and her sons Robert and Larry then came back to South Dakota and she took employment at McCormick Hardware of Winner, SD, and taught country school in Tripp County.

In December of 1950 she married Alfred Carter of Mellette County. Born to this union were a daughter, Janet, and son, Eddy. They lived in Mellette County until 1958 when they returned to Tripp County where they farmed and operated a dairy for 11 years. In 1969 the family moved into Winner and Goldie worked for Farmland Industries for several years. In her retirement years in Winner, she worked at the Tripp County Historical Society, Tripp County Library, and cared for a number of house-bound people in their homes.

Alfred passed away in December, 1989, and in June of 1994 Goldie moved to Wessington Springs. She was affiliated with Baptist Churches in Witten, Winner and Wessington Springs, SD, and Sierra Vista, AZ. She taught Sunday School for a number of years.

Goldie was a lover of nature, especially trees, flowers and birds. She was an avid reader and, having worked in libraries, learned to do research and wrote many stories on various subjects. She was a home body, a wonderful cook, enjoyed baking goodies for her families, crocheting and crafting. She collected coins and stamps for 35 years and corresponded with other collectors. She loved learning and knowledge and encouraged her children and grandchildren to do the same.