Category Archives: Obituaries

Frank Finney, 89, of Winner, SD passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, May 1, 2023. 

Funeral service was held on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Winner, SD.  Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.  

Francis H. (Frank) Finney was born at his rural family home in Thomas County, Nebraska, on Feb. 9, 1934, the sixth of ten children.

Frank attended county school through the eighth grade and graduated from Seneca High School in 1951.

That summer he attended what was then Chadron State college and in the fall began his teaching career at age 17.  He continued attending summer school and teaching rural schools for the next five years until I he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956.

After basic training, Frank spent the next two years in Germany with the 11th Armored Calvary, serving as a medic.

Soon after returning home Frank married the love of his life, Jeriann Fitzgerald in Mullen, Neb.

The following fall, Frank continued his education at what was then known as Kearney State Teachers college and a few years later, completed work on his master’s degree in elementary education.

Frank & Jeri and one year old son Jeff moved to Sidney, Neb. where Frank took a teaching position as a sixth grade teacher at South Elementary.  Six years later he was chosen as the principal and served in that position until the family of Jeri and sons: Jeff, Jon & Joel moved to Martin, SD and served as elementary principal for 13 years.

In 1990 he and Jeri moved to Winner, SD where he took the job as administrator for the Wood School District.  They both worked for the Wood District for the next 13 years.

Frank retired from education in 2002 after nearly fifty years in the school business.

We have enjoyed these years of retirement with many different activities.  They took several trips to California to visit their son Jeff.  They also spent time in Branson for shows and made many trips to Lincoln for Big Red games with the brothers.  Frank worked part-time on a farm, guided hunters, fished with his brothers, and one of his buddies in Canada,  South Dakota and Nebraska.

But, retirement was more for Frank than just fishing, hunting, and traveling. Soon after leaving Wood School, he took a position as a city board member for the City of Winner. He served in that position for many years, and was eventually elected mayor of Winner.

After serving many years at both his city and his church, a number of small strokes finally made him slow down and he tried to enjoy some quiet days around the house. He became a regular fixture, at morning coffee and at local sporting events.

On May 1, 2023, Frank finally left us, granted a quiet and peaceful passing. But, he will always be in our hearts and memories.

Gretchen Wollin, age 96 of Litchfield, MN, formerly of Winner, SD passed away peacefully on April 13, 2023.

Gretchen, one of 13 children of Ingvald and Dina Iverson, was born in Bernadotte, MN on Jan 18, 1927.

She married Edwin Wollin, Jr. in New Ulm on Oct 5, 1949. They moved to and lived in Winner until Ed’s passing on June 17, 1989. After a more than 35-year career at J.C. Penny’s there, Gretchen retired and returned to Minnesota to live with her brother Morris in Litchfield until his passing on Feb 24, 2018. She remained in Litchfield until shortly before her passing.

She was preceded in death by all of her siblings.

 Interment May 11, 2023, 4pm at Winner City Cemetery.

Funeral services for Gerald Lee “Jerry” Mundlein, 77, of Kennebec, SD were held 10  a.m., Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Presho, SD with burial in the Kennebec Cemetery at Kennebec, SD. 

 Gerald “Jerry” Lee Mundlein fought leukemia to a draw on April 27, 2023 after just recently turning 77. Since it was a tie Dad bowed out gracefully so he could spend time with his son Mark and other family in heaven.

Jerry was born April 23, 1946 to John and Bertha (Roth) Mundlein. Jerry and his twin brother Tom were born in Pierre, SD.  Jerry went to country school at Rose Center until 8th grade, and then attended high school in Kennebec. Jerry’s father John passed away just after Jerry was done with high school. Jerry & Tom set to running the family farm thereafter.  In the beginning they raised hogs, cattle, and crops. Dad hated the hogs, but found them hard to quit.  After a couple of attempts of buying hogs (and then remembering they did not like raising them) they finally quit the bad habit.  Then only had beef and crops for the next 20 or so years, and eventually just farmed.  In his late twenties Jerry went custom harvesting as far away as Topeka, Kan., while Tom minded the farm.

Jerry married Carmen Tadewald in 1969 and had three children, Penni, Dan and Mark.  Jerry was a bagger of coyotes or anything else with four or two legs. He was also an avid pheasant hunter and often guided others getting their limits. Jerry was responsible for getting more than one person in touch with their faith while they were hunting in a car for coyotes. Guns hanging out the windows taking draws sideways at a run. Dad was crafty, often commenting on better ways to do something, or inventions that should be made. He made many inventions often improving his equipment.  Snowmobiling, shop work and feeding pheasants were other loves of his life. He had friends and family far and wide and enjoyed visiting them during the winter months.  

He is survived by daughter Penni (Travis) Almond, Pierre, SD and son Dan (Kate) Mundlein, Rifle, CO, granddaughter Bailey (Jade) Konst, Wasilla, AK, grandsons Maxwell and Archer, brother Tom (Shirley) and children Debbie, Laura & Val, Sister-in-Law Betty and children Sharlene, Sandy and John and special friend Kathy Caslin.

Jerry was preceded in death by his son Mark, father John, mother Bertha and brother George.

Judy Eldridge-Tomes died in her home that she shared with her son Zak, his wife Kelly and her son Jon by her side on April 26, 2023. She was 66.

Judy Ann Eldridge was born Dec. 24, 1956, in Winner, SD to Byron and Viola (Holthus) Eldridge.

 She attended school in both Hamill and Winner, SD. She graduated from Winner High School in 1975. Following high school, she attended NAU in Rapid City, Sd and graduated with an associate degree in  business administration.

Judy married a member of the United States Air Force who gave her the opportunity of a lifetime to travel and live abroad when he was stationed at Lakenheath RAFB in England where she gave birth to her first son Zak in 1984 and then she traveled and lived at Edwards AFB in Italy where she gave birth to her second son Jon in 1986. She then came back to the states in 1988 and lived at Offutt AFB in Omaha, NE. 

Judy moved to Sioux Falls, SD in 1991 and purchased the home where she raised Zak and Jon. Judy was a bookkeeper for the Sioux Empire Fair from 1995 to 2001. She worked in sales for the Argus Leader from 2001 to 2006 and then was with the South Dakota Railroad as a dispatcher until 2012 when the company dissolved. She then retired due to a disability she acquired.

The one thing Judy loved the most to do was gardening. She would spend hours and hours outside tending to the flowers, rose bushes, and lilac bushes she planted. She was also a fanatic about collecting frog memorabilia. There was not one space in the house including the bathroom that didn’t have some type of knick knack, ornament, or towel that was frog related. When she wasn’t gardening or finding more frog memorabilia to bring home, she would watch British murder mysteries on TV and would spend time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Judy was also blessed with having her granddaughter Leah, her fiancé Julyus, and her two great grandchildren Juleah and Jakob to live with her at one point.

Grateful for having shared her life are her sons Zak Tomes (Kelly), Sioux Falls, SD, Jon Tomes, Sioux Falls, adopted daughter and friend Jeanette Gaul, Sioux Falls, SD, granddaughter Michelle Moore (Nick Casstevens), great grandsons Jesse and Chevelle and great granddaughter Mireya, Brookings, SD, grandson Michael Moore (Kylie Minske), Sioux Falls, SD, granddaughter Leah Harty (Julyus James) great granddaughter Juleah and great grandson Jakob, Sioux Falls, SD, her brother Bruce Eldridge (Susan), Chamberlain, SD sister Diana Swanson (Emiel), Pukwana, SD, nephew Nathan Swanson, Pukwana, SD, nieces Heidi Elliott (Steve), Herman, NE, Heather Swanson (Josh), great nephew Clayton Swanson and great niece Samantha Walker, Freeman, SD. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Byron and Viola (Holthus) Eldridge.

Memorials made be directed to First Lutheran Church Media Ministries, 327 S Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104

A Celebration of Life will be held 11am Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Hamill Community Hall 34202 B Street, Hamill, SD 57534 with burial of her urn at the Hamill Cemetery with a reception to follow back at Hamill Community Hall. For online obituary and guest register go to the website at www.millerfh.com.

Joan Mary Adrian, 90, of Fort Collins, CO, passed away Feb. 5, 2023. Her memorial Mass was celebrated at  May 19, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Collins, CO. Please visit Joan’s tribute page at goesfuneralcare.com to read her full obituary and to share condolences with her family.

Memorial services for David Wonnenberg age 78 of Rosenberg, TX (formerly of Gregory, SD) will be held at a later date.

David passed away at the Fort Bend Healthcare Center on April 23, 2023.

Judy Lynn Hansen was born on April 11, 1947 to Kenneth and Wanda (Williams) Tuttle in Portland, Ore.

She passed away on April 22, 2023 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents; Kenneth and Wanda Tuttle.

She is survived by her husband; Jerry Hansen, children; Darcy (Joel) Aakre, Della (Brice) Thomas, and Jason (Amy) Hansen, grandchildren; Hanna White, Myca Vanderveen, Isaac Aakre, Grace Spafford, Josiah Aakre, Tyler Hansen, Sarah Hansen, Julia Thomas, great grandchildren; Martin White, Nadia White, Ayla White, Carter Aakre, Audrey Aakre, Levi Aakre, Avery Aakre, brothers; David Tuttle and Robert Tuttle, sisters; Jean Stenson and Susan Hauff.

Celebration of Life Services and fellowship with the family will be held Sunday, April 30, 2023 at Reichmuth Funeral Home – Elkhorn, NE.

Patricia Waller, 85, of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Facility in Winner, SD. 

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner.  Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.  

Patricia Waller, the daughter of John and Lois Neuhaus, was born Nov. 12, 1937 in Stickney, SD.  She grew up and attended school, graduating from Mt. Vernon High School.  Following graduation, she moved to Winner, SD to work at the Farmer’s State Bank as a teller.

 On June 8, 1958, she was united in marriage to Ronald Waller and the couple made their home in Winner.  Pat and Ron’s family grew with children Stephanie, Brenda and Steve being born within the first 7 years of marriage. With a house full of kids, Pat made the decision to leave her job at the bank and take on the more difficult position of stay-at-home mom.

 Pat stayed very busy playing bridge and golf.  Pat was an active member of the ESA, Red Hat Society, and the Catholic Daughters.  She loved to serve her church family in any way possible at events, in the choir and served for a time as the part-time parish secretary.

 After her beloved husband Ron passed away in 1995, Pat continued to reside in Winner until 1998 when she moved to Hartford.  While in Hartford, she was once again very active in her new church home of St. George Catholic Church as well as playing mahjong and golf with a great group of friends.  Pat also found great joy volunteering at the Hartford Elementary School.  Pat moved back to Winner in 2018.

 Pat’s greatest joy in life was spending time with her family and friends wherever she was, no matter what they were doing.  There was very rarely a time when Pat went to the grocery store or on a plane trip that she did not meet a new friend finding out their life story.  She was always quick with a smile and had a laugh that lit up any room.  One of Nana’s favorite things was spoiling her granddaughters.  She was always looking for the perfect gift, taking them on fun trips, being silly with them, sending thoughtful cards and leaving perfect voicemails.  It was always the right time to have an ice cream with her girls and make precious memories.

 Grateful for having shared her life are her children: Stephanie Waller, Fountain Hills, AZ; Brenda Klein (Doyle), Winner, SD; Steve Waller (Joy) Fountain Hills, AZ; and her grandchildren: Ronae Klein, Paige Waller, Bailey Waller and Hannah Buresh.

 Pat was preceded in death by her husband Ronald as well as her parents John and Lois Neuhaus.

James Mateicka, 92, of Rapid City, SD, formerly of Winner, SD passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at the Monument Healthcare Facility in Rapid City, South Dakota. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD.  Burial will follow on Friday, April 28, 2023 at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD. 

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church from 3:30-4:30 p.m. with a rosary beginning at 4:30 p.m.

James was born on Dec. 22, 1930 at Bijou Hills, Brule County, SD to Joseph and Mildred (Dvorak) Mateicka. He grew up on the farm along with his nine siblings in Buffalo County, SD. He attended Chamberlain High School and graduated in 1949.

He joined the United States Army in 1950 where he served 2 years in active duty stationed at Fort Monmouth NJ, Fort Carson CO, and Fort Richardson AK. While stationed in Alaska he was in the ski troops that were the United States border defense in conjunction with the United States Air Force. He completed his military career with another 22 years in the Army National Guard of South Dakota until his retirement in 1978 at the rank of First Sergeant.

Jim attended college at the University of South Dakota where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education allowing him to teach high school students in Phillip and Gregory.

In 1966, he met LaVerna Larsen and they were united in marriage on July 2, 1966 in Mitchell, SD. To this union one daughter, Jane, was born.

Jim enjoyed his life as a business owner and made his career selling real estate and insurance from his office in Winner.

He was a faithful member of his parish family at Immaculate Conception Church in Winner as well as a 70-year member of the American Legion having at one time served as the state Vice Commander.

Jim is survived by his wife of 57 years, LaVerna and his daughter Jane (Richard) Amiotte of Rapid City, four grandchildren; Kevin (LaTia) Swedlund and great granddaughter Katarina of Maryland, Kyle Swedlund of Winner, Kodi (Josh) Beckman and great granddaughters Avery and Kathryn of Prairie City, and Brenden (Ashley) Amiotte and great grandson Spencer and great granddaughter Maeve of Kansas City MO. Jim is also survived by 3 sisters: Gladys Stewart of Reliance, Patricia-Betty Jane Decoteau of Oregon, and Linda Penberthy also of Oregon.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers-Joe, Bob, DeLayne, and Eddie and two sisters-Vivian Cable of Washington and Mary Lou Bracy of Winner as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.