Category Archives: Obituaries

Danielle was born on December 20, 1989, in Burke, SD, to proud parents Kelly and Michelle McCollam. Danielle spent her early childhood in Winner where she attended grade school and middle school. In the summer of 2004 the family moved to Mobridge where she began her high school. She graduated from Mobridge High School in 2008, and later went on to attend Black Hills State University and South Dakota State University, she graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in Hospitality Management.

Following college she worked at the Nantucket Yacht Club in Nantucket, Massachusetts. She then moved closer to her family and worked in Bismarck, ND as the Front Desk Manager for the Ramkota. She returned to Mobridge in 2015 where she began working for Golden Living Center as the Dietary Manager. In March 2016 she became part of the Human Resources Department for PIC/Apex in Mound City, SD.

Danielle made wonderful memories during high school and was very humbled and proud to have been the Homecoming Queen in 2008. One of her other highlights from high school was being a member of the squad awarded Spirit of Six during the 2006 Girls State A Basketball Tournament. She also had a love for playing the piano that she developed from an early stage and had kept with her throughout her life. At the time of her passing Danielle was very happy to be living in Mobridge among friends and family. She was also very excited with her job that gave her the opportunity to travel between Canada and Tennessee; and meet many interesting people.

Danielle was well known for being very loving and kind, and it showed through her many friends that she had gathered throughout her life. Her ability to find the good in people was always present. Danielle was well known for her bright and vivid smile and her willingness to help. Danielle was an amazing family person, doing a great job of always keeping in touch with her family; and had a special knack for remembering birthdays and special dates. Words cannot express how much she will be missed by her family and friends.

Jordyn was born on September 29, 1996 in Winner, SD to Kenneth and Sandra (Olson) Hespe. She had an outgoing personality and everybody who met her was her friend. She moved to Todd County High School when she was a sophomore and found her place. She was active in many things but especially loved volleyball and basketball. She graduated from Todd County High School in 2015. Jordyn was selected to represent South Dakota and play basketball on the girls Down Under Basketball Team in Brisbane, Australia. This was a dream come true for Jordyn! Her trip included the Golden Coast of Australia, Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand, and Hawaii. She fell in love with Hawaii and was amazed by seeing Pearl Harbor. She had the time of her life. She met and made many friends and loved playing basketball.

She was a fun loving girl that enjoyed being around people and helping anybody that needed help. She enjoyed spending time with her dog KIKI who was her baby. Jordyn was taken in by the wonderful people of the Rosebud Nation. She became many peoples’ granddaughter, daughter, sister, auntie, and friend. She loved and cared about everyone she met. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for people. Jordyn played on the girls slow pitch softball team in Rosebud and the COED team in Winner. She lived and loved life to the fullest.

Jordyn’s pride and joy were her family, especially her nieces Bailey, and Carley as well as her nephew Payton. Her family meant the world to her as she did to her family. If she ever needed anything her sister Brooke was always there for her. Jordyn always loved her birthday because Brooke always made her favorite enchilada supper. She loved her brother Jacob and treasured the times they would go fishing and hunting together. She was looking forward to this winter because she drew an Elk tag for the Black Hills. She was so excited to shoot her own elk. She was her daddy’s little girl and her mommas’ whole world. She was not only her daughter but as she grew up she became her mother’s best friend. Jordyn loved her boyfriend Jesse. He was also her confidant and best friend. Jesse loved her very much.

Our “Princess” will be greatly missed by all.

LeRoy was born on January 10, 1928 in Herrick, SD to Merrill and Elizabeth (Determan) Foltz. He grew up in Herrick and attended school there through the ninth grade. People always asked him how he got his nickname PeeWee. Well, when he was in 8th grade, he got to play basketball on the high school team, he was the youngest and smallest player they had, therefore the nickname “PeeWee” and it stuck. After his freshman year his family moved to Winner where he graduated from Winner High School in 1945. While in high school, he enjoyed playing basketball, football, and baseball.

LeRoy “PeeWee” entered the military from 1946-1947 serving in Japan during the US occupation.

On November 7, 1949 he married Lois Jares in Gregory. They lived in Winner from 1949 to 1951, he worked for The Nesbitt Bottling Company. In 1951 they moved to Bonesteel to open the PeeWee’s TeePee Café. It was there that he started his lifetime career in the restaurant business. In 1958, a move to Colorado Springs for one year, they operated a gas station and A+W Root Beer Drive-In. They decided to move back to South Dakota, to Winner in 1959, and purchased the Holme’s Café. While in Winner, he was on the Winner City Council, Manager of the Winner Pheasant Baseball team, and a member of the Elks, VFW, and American Legion.

They moved to Denver, CO from 1965 to 1966, then to Casper, WY from 1966 to 1969. While in Casper he owned the Blue Ox Supper Club. During his time there, many different celebrities enjoyed the hospitality of the dinner club. They even hosted John Wayne’s 63rd birthday party.

In 1969 he began a new career in county club management in Albuquerque, NM, Belen NM, and El Paso TX for the Horizon Land Corp. Then on to the El Paso Country Club until he retired in 1997. During his many years in the country club business, he had the opportunity to play golf with professional golfers Tom Byrum, Curt Byrum, Tiger Woods, Lee Travino, and Notah Begay, just to name a few.

After he retired, he and Lois moved back to Winner to be closer to his many friends and family. He loved spending time and vacations with his children and grandchildren. PeeWee loved the many friends that he made over the years. He especially enjoyed telling all the stories of the baseball players, golfers and best buddies he had the privilege to spend time with over his lifetime.

Luella Eunice Check was born to Fred and Alvida Check October 21st 1925 in Walnut Grove Minnesota. Luella graduated from Walnut Grove Public High School and worked at West Publishing in St. Paul Minnesota.

She moved to San Diego, Calif., during Second World War. Luella worked at consolidated Aircraft and was part of the American Women that worked in shipyard and factories during WWII known as “Rosie the Riveter”. On October 21st 1946 Luella was united in marriage to Floyd Nordsiden. She and Floyd farmed in Minnesota until retirement and settled in Westbrook. Her passion was sewing, embroidering, stitching, and cooking; which she shared freely with others. She cherished time spent with family.

Luella Eunice Nordsiden died Thursday July 14 2016 at Winner Long Term Care Hospital at Winner SD, at 90 years of age.

Maryetta Louise Wacek was born on January 31, 1922 to John H. and Hazel A. (Pickett) Crume at their home in the community of Texam northwest of White River, South Dakota. Maryetta grew up in western Mellette County and attended rural elementary schools there and White River High School, graduating in 1942.

Maryetta was united in marriage to Bernard Wacek on October 23, 1950 in the Sacred Heart Catholic church in White River. They then made their life-long home in White River. She performed various office jobs before and after their marriage until they started their own business, Wacek Electric, in 1956. She was the bookkeeper and sales person of the business working with her husband and son for over 50 years.

Maryetta was a member of Sacred Heart Parish for all of her adult life, and took pride in caring for the church and parish hall for many years. She is also remembered for teaching catechism classes for the parish children. Special moments in her life included church sponsored tours of Rome and the Vatican City, Israel, and Ireland.

Donald was born on June 15, 1947 at Sioux City, Iowa to James “Tiny” and Lucille (Bertram) Williamson. He attended Avon High School in South Dakota. He entered the US Navy during the Vietnam Conflict and served as a purser on the USS Kitty Hawk. His first wife was Joyce Hagel (Cahoy) and to this union 5 children were born.

Donald later married Michele Holdsworth on June 29, 2012. Don was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Friend, NE. Donald believed his greatest achievements in life were his family. He sacrificed and worked hard to be the best husband, father, and grandfather that he could be. Donald spent countless hours and many sleepless nights traveling to always be there for his children when they were young. He was affectionately known by his grandchildren as “Grandpa Bowzer”.

Ruth Clara (Stellwag) Vavra was born November 21, 1927 on the family farm south of Gregory, SD to Hans and Clara (Faatz) Stellwag, the fourth of ten brothers and sisters in the family. Ruth completed school to the eighth grade.

Ruth started working for Buches, then located on Main Street Gregory. Ruth married Richard Vavra in Colome on October 4, 1948, and they lived on the family homestead south of Winner for two years. This is where their first son, Richard, was born. They moved to Max Creek, MO where they bought a small farm and their second son, Dean, was born during this time. They returned to South Dakota and began farming north of Dallas, where their last child, Dan, was born. In 1967 they moved into Gregory. They owned the Cozy Clean Laundromat and Ruth worked at Buches until 1989. She also worked at Tall Paul’s convenience store.

Ruth was very active in the Gregory Legion Auxiliary for many years. Ruth lived at Silver Threads until January 2015 and then moved to Firesteel Healthcare Center where she passed away on July 2, 2016 at the age of 88 years.

Kathryn Eileen Nolan was born May 6, 1929 on the family farm north of Plankinton, South Dakota to Thomas P. and Mary Naomi (Sexton) Nolan.

Eileen attended rural grade school at the Nolan Grove School. Following the death of her father Thomas in 1942, the family remained on the farm until moving to Plankinton in 1945. Eileen graduated from Plankinton High School in 1948 and was Class Valedictorian.

On May 15, 1951 Eileen married Barclay Allibone. The Allibones moved from Plankinton following Barclay’s career with the U.S. Interior Department and settled in Winner, South Dakota in 1953 where they made their residence for the next 60+ years. From this union, two sons were born; David Barclay (Sioux City, Iowa) and Michael Alexander (Kearney, Nebraska). The Allibone’s were also blessed with five grandchildren Emily (Mason) Wolzen of Omaha, Nebraska, Patrick (Kendra) Allibone of Shawnee, Kansas, Sarah (Eric) Herth of Farmington, New Mexico, Amanda Allibone of Sioux City, Iowa, and Matthew Allibone of Kearney, Nebraska) and nine great grandchildren (Zachary, Thomas, Ava, Allyson, Ethan, Audrey, Eli, Olivia, and Baby Herth #3 due in January).

Eileen worked for the U.S Department of Agriculture ASCS for 36 years retiring in 1990. Eileen was a member of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Winner since 1953 and active in numerous service organizations in Winner including the Catholic Daughters, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, American Legion Auxiliary, and BPO Does. She was a charter member of the Winner Does Drove. Eileen also enjoyed many other activities such as bowling, traveling across the country for various Elks activities, and attending her grandchildren’s events such as graduations, wrestling tournaments, and dance recitals. As a young girl on the farm, she enjoyed caring for the cats. She was an avid fan of the Winner Pheasants minor league baseball team in the 60’s and 70’s and loved her Notre Dame Irish football. Purple was her favorite color. Eileen was extremely proud of her Irish heritage.

Judy (Larsgaard) Tobin was born to Roy and Hazel (Sorum) Larsgaard on April 23, 1950 in Canton, South Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church, Fairview SD. Judy was raised on the family farm in Lincoln County and attended Fairview Center through the eighth grade, and graduated from Canton High School in 1968. She then attended the University of South Dakota where she met her future husband Tom Tobin. Tom and Judy were married at Bethany Lutheran Church on November 28, 1970. The couple continued to live in Vermillion until 1973 when Tom graduated from law school and they moved to Winner and Tom opened his law office. Judy worked part time in the law office and was a homemaker for their growing family.

Over the years, Judy volunteered and was involved in various community organizations, including the Arts Council, the American Cancer Society and ESA. She loved her weekly bowling league and ladies coffee group. She enjoyed playing tennis with Tom and softball and racquetball with friends. As her five children grew up, Judy loved attending all of the sporting events and other activities they were in. She enjoyed substitute teaching, working with pre-schoolers and supporting community events. She also loved to read, play the piano and cheer for the Packers.

Her Christian faith and family were the most important parts of her life. Judy lived for her children, grandchildren and spending time as a family. She was a great cook and proud of her Norwegian heritage. She enjoyed road trips, hunting, shopping and especially Christmas. It was her favorite time of year. Judy loved to bake, decorate every room and celebrate with everyone.

Whether you knew him as “the Old Farmer,” the “Ugly” from “The Good, Bad and Ugly” weightlifting club, or simply as “Mr. Keith, sir,” when you met him in a school hallway, Dean Keith made an impression wherever he went.

Dean was born July 9, 1940, to Ferdinand S. and Joyce Ann (Christensen) Keith in Gregory, South Dakota. He graduated from Gregory High School in 1958, with a reputation as an all-around athlete.

Football sent him to Huron College, where he played the sport with competitive passion for four years, earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary math and physical education, and met his dearest love, Gladys Von Behren, of Wentworth, SD.

The two married in 1961 and started life together as teachers in Crofton, NE, and Elkpoint, SD. Daughter Caroline was born in 1964 and son Greg in 1967. From the beginning, his family was a top priority, whether he was supporting music lessons, leading a baseball team, taking the whole family on a camping trip, or driving Gladys around the countryside to look for pheasants and deer. He welcomed son-in-law Doug and daughter-in-law Jaymee with his big heart and typical sense of humor, and he took tremendous pride and pleasure in spending time with his grandsons Cody and Zachary Keith.

Dean received a master’s degree in school administration in 1965 and built a career in education officially as a math teacher, driver’s education instructor, coach, and principal. Informally, he became a mentor and friend to hundreds of teenagers who responded to his personal motto of “Honesty and Mutual Respect”. He worked with students and their families in Armour, SD, Gillette, WY, Custer, SD, and Winner, SD, before retiring to Worland, WY, in 2002.
While in Worland, he and Gladys spent their retirement as part-time employees for King’s CarpetOne, where Dean shared his unique brand of humor and leadership with the King family and the store’s customers for several years. He also had time in Worland to develop interests in turning wood and creating tile mosaics, and he shared the results with many family members and friends.

In 2014, he and Gladys drove to Alaska and moved to a home in Kasilof where they could live in the same time zone as their children and grandsons. He learned to fish the Peninsula’s rivers thanks to a new friend and had terrific success, including his first king salmon catch.

In fact, much of the time he spent with his immediate and extended family, and his friends, involved doing something outdoors that would lead to meat for the table, pictures for the album, and stories to tell over and over. That included fishing adventures on the Missouri River, camping and backpacking trips throughout the Black Hills and Bighorn and Wind River Mountains, and hunting jaunts across Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota and Alaska. He respected wildlife and followed a strict personal code of sportsmanship and stewardship, and he instilled that respect for the land in his children, grandsons, and other hunting and fishing partners.

A rare form of leukemia claimed his body on June 26, 2016, but his spirit and stories endure, especially when shared over a cup of coffee. He took his black.