Category Archives: Obituaries

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.

Hastings resident, Joshua M. “Josh” Hedlund, 18, passed away Monday, June 20, 2016 in Hastings, Nebraska, as the result of an automobile accident.

Josh was born February 28, 1998 in Hastings, Nebraska to Don Hedlund & Susan (Brophy) Steinkruger. He was homeschooled from 8th grade through the 12th grade and graduated May 15, 2016. Josh planned to attend Central Community College for welding.

Josh worked at Rival’s in the kitchen and was a member of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family, and working at Rival’s. Josh was a very caring person with a huge heart and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Charles Douglas “Doug” Allison 67 of Indianapolis, IN., died June 24, 2016. Doug was born on April 9, 1949 in Winner, South Dakota to Charles Al and Leota V. (Ticknor) Allison. Doug was a General Manager for General Hotels Corporation for 23 years and he was a member of the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church.

Doug was preceded in death by his beautiful wife Kathryn Kay (Crosswhite) Allison and his father Charles Al Allison.

Calling is scheduled for Thursday June 30, 2016 at Flanner and Buchanan-Speedway: 2950 North High School Road Speedway, IN 46224 from 4pm to 8pm. Funeral Services will be on Friday July 1, 2016 at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church at 3pm, proceeded by a short visitation beginning at 2pm. Chapel Hill United Methodist Church is located at 963 North Girl School Road Indianapolis, IN 46214.

Bonnie Pauline (Brown) Robinson was born on June 12, 1939 in Ellston, Iowa and left this earth on her birthday of June 12, 2016.

Bonnie was born to Lawrence (Bud) and Lois (Creveling) Brown and spent part of her childhood in Ellston, IA. They moved to Wood in 1949, where Bonnie graduated high school in 1957 and enjoyed attending the all school reunions throughout the years.

She married Kencel Robinson on October 24, 1959 and to this union three children were born: Sheba, Shane and Shawn. Her family remembers her as hard working, a good cook, always at our events, loved the outdoors and entertain many of our friends and family.

In 1984, Bonnie moved to Winner and watched over her parents and worked as a bookkeeper for several years. She was always on the go, shopping – anywhere, anything, rummages the more the better, dressing up, playing ten point pitch and drinking coffee with her many friends. She believed in hard work and enjoyed “ANY” challenge. Many will remember her as a strong woman, with a quick wit, sparkling eyes and kind smile.

Bonnie had many hobbies and collecting was one. She enjoyed showing off her treasures, no matter how big or small, she enjoyed the simple things in life. She enjoyed a good laugh and was known for jokes and funny cards.
Her favorite pastime was spending time with her five grandchildren; they hold many fond memories of a grandmother who loved them dearly. She watched over them, went to their events, enjoyed roughhousing and teasing and left us a few famous “Grandma Bonnie quotes”. She loved all children and could be found on the floor or outside playing with them.