Category Archives: Obituaries

Harold Larson, age 92, of Hamill, passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Center. Funeral Services were held Monday, July 11, 2016 at the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Winner. Burial followed at the Winner City Cemetery.
He was born June 18, 1924 at the family farm north of Hamill. He attended school through 6th grade on the White River and 7th grade through 10th grade at Reliance.
After that he went back to help on the farm. He and 2 of his brothers formed a partnership. Soon after he was drafted into World War II where he served in Washington, D.C. and Hawaii. Some duties there were to guard the Japanese prisoners.

After being discharged he returned home to do what he truly loved, farming, ranching, and breeding horses with his brothers and sister. After the 2 brothers passed he and Irene retired and moved outside of Winner for about 1 year and then decided to move into Winner, built a new house in 1988 and moved there in 1989. Irene and Harold enjoyed living there together until her death in 2004.

He enjoyed many hobbies including wood working projects, bowling, playing cards, and visiting.

Hazel was born on January 19, 1930 to Frank and Jessie (Johnson) Hrabanek. She was born in Winner, SD at the home of her Aunt and Uncle, Esther and Reinhold Woidneck. Her father purchased a new 1930 Ford Model “A” to take her home. They lived in Tripp County, Colome, SD.

Hazel attended Pleasant View grade school all 8 years and graduated from Colome High School in 1947. She went on to attend National College of Business and graduated from there with a degree in business.

On April 15, 1951 she was united in marriage to Fredrick (Fritz) Kaiser. To this union 4 children were born: Glenda, Kathy, Darrel, and Larry. They lived in Winner for two years and then moved to the farm they purchased in 1955. In 1966 they purchased Frontier Motors in Winner, SD. Hazel worked there as a bookkeeper until 2007 when she retired.

She married Jack Sondergard on August 30, 1985 and moved to his farm by Hamill, SD. After he died in 2006, she moved back to Winner.

She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner and is now a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Winner. She was a lifetime member of ESA International, American Legion Auxiliary, and VFW Auxiliary, and is current member of the Centennial Quilt Guild.

Hazel loved to sew, making clothing for all of her family, sewing many quilts. She also did daily crosswords, reading, crocheting, baking, and canning. Vegetable and flower gardening was another passion of Hazel’s.

Dick was born November 8th 1935 on a rural farm near Mosher to Boyd & Doshia [Eastin] O’Bryan. Dick was the 4 from youngest in a family of 12, which likely prepared him for a life of sharing. The O’Bryan family moved to a farm south of Winner in southern McNeely township in the mid 1940’s. Dick attended rural elementary school as well as rural church at Danton. Dicks early years were spent enjoying the rural lifestyle involving a large neighborhood and gatherings at Dog Ear Lake which was the social hub for the area.
Dick attended & graduated from winner high school in 1954 his high school years were also spent working at the Westside as well as courting his future wife of 60+ years Mavis Pettit. Dick and Mavis were married at Danton Catholic Church south of Winner on July 7th 1955. The next 60 years were spent enjoying each other as well as raising a family of 5.
Dick & Mavis purchased their home farm south of Winner shortly after marriage and together worked to improve and enlarge that farm Dick spent hours doing custom work as well as wage earner while Mavis took care of the farmstead duties involving milking, hogs, and chickens to assist with income.
Dicks early career years were spent in the auction business which also led to involvement in the local livestock auctions. He spent many hours at the winner livestock auction and actually helped put in one of the first line fences at the present day location. He was also involved with Gregory livestock auction. His work week sometimes involved leaving on Thursday for Gregory, returning late and then spend Friday –Saturday at Winner for sale and loadout.
As a ringman & auctioner, Dick thoroughly believed in the auction way whether it involved selling something for the maximum amount or even finding a bargain he always felt auction was the best way to determine value. He enjoyed meeting people and doing business the exciting auction way.
Dick spent his later career years in the real estate /insurance business which was based upon the many people he had already done business with through auctions. He became a salesman for the Lenker agency in the early 70’s and eventually purchased the business, renaming it “The O’Bryan Agency”. He always enjoyed putting a good deal together for both parties buyer and seller and took pride in his successes.
Dick’s off farm career and success as well as Mavis /family support on farm allowed them to expand and improve their farm from a very meager start to a comfortable yet manageable size and cowherd to match until health forced him into retirement.
Dick enjoyed the outdoors whether it involved hunting, fishing, gardening, or simply checking the cows. He was involved from the beginning with the Clearfield ball diamond and spent many hours in the early years when it was truly a pasture and later with Colome as his children became involved with school activities there. Whether it was coaching, umpiring, announcing or simply watching dick attended many sports activities enjoying a good game and sportsmanship but loving baseball & softball. Dicks early years of sharing with siblings set the stage for the rest of his life. He always seemed to have something to share whether it was garden produce, some eggs, a mess of fresh fish, or simply some help carried him throughout his life, but mostly he enjoyed sharing a story.

Donna, 73, passed away on July 2nd, in the care of Jill and family, in Ideal, SD. Donna was diagnosed with Lymphoma Cancer in late February. Jill took her in their home on June 4th to be cared for. Hospice aided Donna until the time of her passing.

Donna was born to Earl and Kate (Zindler) Maher of Rapelje, MT, on May 8th, 1943 in Big Timber, MT. At a younger age, Kate discovered that Donna did not respond to the noise of the pots and pans that fell while she was watching the television. So, she tipped toed behind her back and clanged them again, no response. They took her to the doctor and discovered that she was deaf with no nerves in her ears. They believed the reason for the deafness was her mother had the German Measles while she was pregnant. When she became school age, her folks had to take her to the Deaf & Blind School in Great Falls, MT. While Donna attended school, her parents farmed at Reed Point, MT. This was her home away from home till she graduated in 1962. They communicated with their daughter by writing and made up their own sign language. Donna had a passion for horses. She had no fear of being alone with horses or riding horses even though there were lots of snakes where they lived. They had a dog that would lead her around to avoid them. After Donna graduated she came home and lived with her folks who now lived in Gallatin Gateway, MT. While living there, she met Paul Haoughtaling who also lived in that area. She married Paul in 1965. They lived on Little Bear Road, in Gallatin Gateway. Donna loved showing her horse and was involved in showing from 1970 to 1975. She received many ribbons and trophies. 10 years later, they were blessed with a daughter. She began to teach Jill sign language at 18 months of age. In 1983 they got divorced when Jill was 7 years old. Then a year later Donna and Jill moved into Bozeman, MT, with Donna’s parents. April through June 1986 they lived in Silesia, MT, as a caretaker. They then moved back to Bozeman until Jill graduated from high school in 1995. Donna became involved in the Gallatin Co. fair as well as the Montana Winter Fair from 1983 through 1994, where she did a lot of volunteering and entering in open class. She has received many ribbons on baked items as well as arts and crafts. From 1995 to 1998 Donna lived in Laurel, MT. During those years she entered projects at the Yellowstone Co. Fair in Billings, MT. She worked at Ricci’s Thrifty in Laurel, MT. In 1998 to 2013 she lived in Belgrade, MT. Donna continued to enter projects at the Gallatin Co. Fair and the Montana fair from 1998 to 2006. She had several jobs: 2000-2002 at Trinity Lutheran Daycare, in 2002 for 5 months for a personal care giver and 2002 and 2006 at McDonald’s.

Donna was involved in many clubs: Wilson Bear Ladies Aides, Gallatin Saddle Club, and the Gallatin Association of the Deaf (GAD). Donna was a member for the Montana Association of the Deaf for 17 years.

Donna enjoyed horseback riding, dancing, spending time with her deaf friends and family, singing songs in church, having a potluck gathering, playing games, fishing gardening, canning, baking, arts and crafts and genealogy. The most famous craft she was known for was the beautiful macrame items.

Donna will be missed very much, especially her smile and laughter.

Betty, daughter of Martin and Helen (Engman) Piersol, was born December 7, 1918 near Spirit Mound in Clay County, SD.

She graduated from Vermillion High School in 1936.

Betty was blessed with a beautiful mezzo-soprano voice and graduated from University of South Dakota in 1940 with a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts.

Pi Beta Phi Sorority house and sisters were a big part of her college life.

After graduation she taught in Viborg and Beresford, SD.

Betty married Bob, her handsome farm boy, turned Navy Captain, form Lake City, SD in Portsmouth, VA, November 24, 1942.

Three months later Bob started his WWII Navy tour in the South Pacific.

Betty moved to Minneapolis, MN where she worked for the University of Minnesota Band Office.

Betty and Bob were reunited after the war and settled in Norfolk, VA, where their four children were born.

Missing their Midwestern roots, they moved back to South Dakota in 1953.

With her gift of a beautiful voice, Betty sang solos for weddings and funerals for many years. Her favorite song was Ave Maria.

Betty was a longtime member of St. Mary Catholic Church, St. Mary Altar Society, Catholic Literary and Catholic Daughters.

She served as choir director of Baptist Church in Vermillion. Betty participated in USD Orchestra, USD Choir soloist, Community Choir in Minneapolis, MN, Symphony Choir in Norfolk, VA, Bach Society Choir, American Legion Choir and St. Mary Choir in Sioux Falls.

Betty loved her family and so enjoyed visits and phone calls from her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ryan Joseph Petersek was born on April 3, 1984 in Tyndall, SD. He was born to Rick Petersek and Darla Hunt.

Ryan was raised and attended school in Colome, SD. After high school he did various electric work in Sioux Falls, Watertown, and Kimball.

Ryan was a very fun loving, kind hearted, quick witted Dad. He had two children: Rustin (11) and Lydia (3) who he loved more than anything. He enjoyed spending his time with his family and many friends. Ryan also enjoyed fishing and camping.

Ryan will surely be missed. He was always care free and fun spirited. Everyone was proud of what he was doing in his life and we know that he is in a great place now.

Cinda Louise Demorest, daughter of Roy and Aura Lea (Pratt) Demorest, was born November 17, 1955 in Salt Lake City, UT. She grew up and graduated from Kerns High School in Salt Lake City.

Cinda worked at various jobs in Salt Lake City before moving to Sioux Falls, SD in 1982. She worked at the Olive Garden and later for Len’s Awnings before retiring for health reasons.

Cinda was united in marriage with Ricky Schnepf in February of 1996.

Moyra was born in Winner, SD to Charles Edmund (Eddie) Mason and Jessie (Frescoln) Mason on September 7, 1933. She attended school in Winner until her family moved to Sioux City, Iowa. She graduated from Central High School in Sioux City in December, 1950.

Moyra married the love of her life Dennis Pospisil on June 9, 1951 in Winner, SD. They were blessed with five children: Terry, Liane, Laurie, Lance, and Beth. They had a great life and were happily married for 52 years until Dennis’s death in 2003.

Moyra was lucky to find love twice and married Father Lyle Martin on June 25, 2006. She was his “wild Irish rose” for 10 years and 1 day.

For many years, Moyra was a piano teacher. Some of her granddaughters are proud to be former piano students of hers. She was also a talented and fastidious bookkeeper.

Moyra had many passions in her life. She was an avid reader, enjoyed counted cross-stitching, and loved to play games, especially Bridge with the girls and Mexican Train with her beloved family. She also had gifts as a talented pianist and was an exceptional cook and baker with a love for anything chocolate! She had a strong faith which sustained her always, but especially during the end of her life when her health started to fail.

John was born on April 28, 1967 in Gregory, South Dakota to Martin and Mary Jane Smith.

He went to the Lucas Elementary School, then on to Burke High School. John graduated in 1985. After graduation he went to SDSU in Brookings, SD and graduated in 1992 with a degree in Arts and Sciences.

After graduation he helped his dad Martin farm. After his dad passed away he continued to run the family farm.
John was baptized at the Burke Baptist Church.

He enjoyed his farm life and received honors at the state fair as a century farmer. John loved and appreciated his family and everyone around him. He will be greatly missed by everyone.

Vernon Earl Thomas Jr., 75 of Greeley, CO went to be with his Lord and
Savior on June 20, 2016. He passed away due to complications of a
massive stroke.

He was born on October 22, 1940 in Valentine, NE to Vernon Earl and Ida
Louise (Mizner) Thomas. He was the youngest of 5 children.

Vern married Erma Allshouse on June 7, 1959 in Valentine, NE. In 1969
they moved to Pierre, SD where Vern managed the Credit Bureau, sold real
estate and ran the Terrace Motel. In 1982 they moved to Eaton, CO where
Vern sold cars at Garnsey & Wheeler for 20 years before retiring in
2002. Soon after, he had the pleasure of driving part-time for Tanco
Engineering, it was his dream retirement job. Vern traveled all over the
US enjoying all the folks he met along the way.

He was a member of the Fellowship Church in Greeley, CO and belonged to
various clubs and organizations, of which CBMC was instrumental in
strengthening his faith in Jesus.