Category Archives: Obituaries

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.

Darlene May Foss (Schmidt), 73, formerly of Winner, SD, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on July 25th, 2016 at home in Pierre, SD after a courageous battle with cancer.

Darlene, daughter of Cornelius and Pauline (Woehl) Schmidt was born July 26th, 1942. During her youth she grew up and attended school in Winner. Darlene enjoyed talking about the adventures and mischief she experienced during her youth with her eight brothers and sisters.

On January 14th, 1958 Darlene was united in marriage to Darrell Foss. Through this marriage three sons were born, Micheal, Kelly and Todd. Darlene and Darrell lived and worked on the family farm near Winner, which they later owned and operated until their retirement in 2012. In 2014 they left the farm and moved to Winner. Darlene later moved to Pierre in 2016.

Darlene had a passion for hard work. She found time throughout her busy farm life to work several years at Winner Insurance Center, Winner Advocate, Fenenga DeSmet & Co.,Winner Bowling Center, Winner Livestock Auction and Winner Hospital.

Darlene loved the special bond she had with her twin sister Doreen Bolander. They spent many joyous times together and were almost inseperable.

Darlene enjoyed the outdoors. Her and Darrell could often be found out on the river fishing. Darlene loved the special times she had throughout her life camping with her family and friends. She was an avid sports spectator and enjoyed watching all types of sports. Her biggest joy came from spending time with her family and friends.

Orrin Smith was born March 24, 1924, at Long Pine, Neb., to Orrin Smith and Mabel (Hanson) Smith. When he was three, he and his younger sister Geneva moved with their mother to her family’s homestead near Dixon, South Dakota. Orrin had a life-long passion for horses and an aspiration to be a cowboy. He spent many hours riding his mustang pony around the countryside – there were rabbits to hunt and arrowheads to find. Inspired by old-west stories, he walked down the wooden sidewalks of Dixon with his spurs dragging and even once drove a bull down Main Street.

Orrin graduated from Dallas High School in 1942. He worked on the family farm until he was drafted into the Navy in 1945. He rode the train to the Great Lakes Training Center for basic training, then stationed at a reassignment depot in Omaha until his discharge in 1946.

Orrin married Irma Jean Edwards on November 5, 1947. They raised four daughters and were sweethearts and best friends for nearly 69 years.

During their first year of marriage, Orrin and Irma Jean lived in a tiny trailer in northwestern South Dakota. Orrin worked for a construction company building dams and bridges. He had the opportunity to work for a rancher in the area or stay on with the construction company, but decided to return to the family farm prior to the birth of their first daughter. He continued to farm in the Dixon area until 1957, when they moved to the Edwards farm north of Dallas. Orrin and Irma Jean farmed and raised cattle until they retired and in 2007 they moved to Herrick.

Orrin enjoyed hunting, fishing, target shooting, bowling, camping, reading, and dancing. He often needed a helper or driver for his hunting and fishing trips, or even for making machinery repairs, and his daughters enjoyed that special time with him. Orrin was the Sergeant-at-Arms for the Dallas American Legion and made sure that all of the guns were oiled and in working order. He belonged to the Winner Gun Club where he was a competitive trap shooter and helped present gun safety classes. He was also an active member of the Rosebud Horseman’s Club where he enjoyed calf roping and team roping in addition to organizing Little Britches Rodeos and play days. In his later years he decided he needed a new hobby, so he learned to cook by watching cooking shows, reading recipes and experimenting.

Orrin was a man of integrity and honor who kept his word. He worked hard, took time to enjoy his hobbies, loved his family, and enjoyed the wide-open spaces. He was a quiet leader without claiming to be one. His children, grandchildren, and extended family members loved and respected him greatly and will remember him through the many stories he told.

Orrin died July 27, 2016 at the Avera Gregory Hospital at the age of 92.