Category Archives: Obituaries

Lucy was born April 30, 1917, to John and Rosie (Hrabanek) Kartak. She was the eldest of 5 living children.
Lucy spent all her life near the same home where she was born. During her years growing up she attended Grand Valley School located just across the road south of her home. She also attended the Danton Catholic Church located just west on the hill from her home. She played the clarinet in the Turtle Butte Farmer’s Union band which included several neighborhood young people. During her years after school she helped several neighborhood ladies with their families and housework.
Lucy married Raymond Krumpus on March 26, 1940. To this union two sons, Larry and Lyle, were born. They lived all of their married life on a farm just west across the road where she grew up. They enjoyed going to dances at Turtle Butte Hall and Wewela, and also enjoyed going to ball games with friends. She always grew a large garden and did lots of canning and also gave a lot of it away. She loved to sew and crochet. She crocheted afghans for all her grandchildren. She was also a great cook and loved make Kolachi (a family favorite).
She was a member of St. Isidore’s Catholic Church in Colome. She was also a member of the Colome Legion Auxiliary and was a long time member of the Willing Worshers extension club.
Lucy was preceded in death by one older brother Stephen, her parents John and Rosie Kartak, husband Raymond in 1973, three brothers Clifford, Lloyd, and Raymond, one brother-in-law and 2 sisters-in-law.

Donna Janet (Papousek) Fode was born to Joseph B and Frances (Musilek) Papousek unexpectedly on the kitchen floor of their farmhouse south of Gregory, SD on July 29, 1929. She passed away May 30, 2016 at Cottagewood Senior Communities in Rochester, MN. She grew up on that farm with her 3 brothers and 1 sister: Agnes, Joseph C, Robert, and Louis.

Later, the family moved to Burke where Donna attended grade school then finished her 8th grade in Bennett, NE while living with her sister, Agnes. Donna went to work for Roy Hinze at the drugstore in Burke. She married Edwin Fode on January 11, 1948 and moved to Liberty, NE to run a cream station for a short amount of time before moving back to Gregory County to farm and be near their aging parents. To this union, 6 children were born.

After moving to Burke in 1957, Donna eventually cooked at the Hillcrest Cafe, American Legion in Gregory, and Webb’s Drive-In. They took over the Family Corner Drive-In in Burke from Glen and Gladys Wiedeman in 1968. In 1971, Edwin and Donna moved the drive-in to Bonesteel since Highway 18 was being expanded into their dining room. Together, they ran the Bonesteel Hotel and opened the new Family Corner Drive-In in 1972. For over 30 years, Donna hosted pheasant hunters from several states, lodging and feeding them. They also started the Over 50 Club in Bonesteel. In their later years, they bought a school bus that Donna converted into a mobile concession stand that was set up at Whetstone Bay on the Missouri River. She enjoyed selling bait, gas, and camping supplies to the fishermen as she caught her walleyes off the river bank in front of her silver and blue bus. During the winter, she tied fishing lures for a private label to earn some extra cash.

Donna was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Burke and the Burke VFW Auxiliary. She loved cooking, canning anything there was to can, making homemade wine and beer, playing cards, Farkle, Scrabble, Cribbage, or Peg-It, and being with her ever-growing family. Mealtimes at her house were times when you were always welcomed and never left hungry. Everyone wanted to be at Grandma’s for the holidays.

John A. (as he was known by his family) was born April 29, 1944, the first son of John and Mildred (Shanahan) Wranek.

John attended grade school at Scott School in Lake Township and graduated from Colome High School in 1962. He then attended Southern State Teachers College in Springfield and received his teaching certificate. John taught at “country schools” while taking classes to receive his 4 year teaching degree. After many years of summer school John obtained his “Master’s degree and became the Jr. High Principal in Colome. He then moved to the Winner School District and later the Miller and Lake Andes School Districts as a Jr. High Principal.

John loved his profession and took the education of the area youth very seriously. He also enjoyed his family and friends. He would often refer to his nephews as “my boys”.

John retired from teaching in 1988 and moved to the former Johnny and Lucile Heacock farm where he took great pride in fixing the buildings, fences, and yard. His family often joked “John could make a tree grow out of a rock!”
John loved to visit and had many relatives and friends he spent time with. He was also known for always having a “classy car”. John was able to remain on the farm when his health started to decline due to his cousin Dan Wranek checking on him and taking him to various appointments.

John will always be remembered by his laugh and knowledge. He was often asked to “put that in words the rest of us can understand”!

Ervin (Bunny) Borland was born on June 18, 1921, in his home in Keya Paha, SD to Charles and Elizabeth (Seiler) Borland. He attended Beaver Creek School for 11 years. In 1938, his family moved to a farm near Colome, where he finished his schooling and graduated in 1939 from Colome High School. In his youth, you would find Bunny playing baseball, fishing, or hunting wild game.

After high school, he lived with his parents and continued to help them farm. Bunny attended welding school in Winner and desired to use that skill working and building ships at shipyards during WWII, but never got that chance. Instead he used his acquired skill to help on the farm. In 1941 he met the love of his life, Edna DeMers, at a dance at Dog Ear Lake. They dated for 4 years and were united in marriage in 1945. They made their home one-mile north of his parents’ farm near Colome. From this union came three wonderful children: Diane (Borland) Fletcher (Deceased), Eugene Borland (Tyndall, SD), and Wayne Borland (Lake City , FL). Bunny continued to help out on his parents’ farm while caring for his own crops. Along with farming and custom field work he trucked for other farmers for over 35 years making many friends and memories along the way. Eventually he included some of his grandchildren on his trucking adventures. He loved teaching and spending time with his grandchildren playing checkers and pitch with them and never had remorse for acting or looking silly. Bunny was blessed with the ability to strike up a conversation with anyone. Playing cards and dancing were two of his favorite past times.

Bunny will be remembered for his strong work ethic. He knew the “Art of Hard Work” and he spent his entire life nurturing the land and raising cattle. He would be up early and worked strong all day. His stamina and determination allowed him to continue his love of farming into his 90’s until an unfortunate farming accident took him away from his passion.

Robert Connot, age 43, of Winner, passed away on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at the Winner Armory in Winner. Burial followed at the Winner City Cemetery. Visitation was held from 6-7 PM Monday, May 30, 2016 at the Winner Armory with a Prayer Service starting at 7 p.m.

Robert James Connot was born September 6th, 1972 to Melvin and Rosemary (Shoemaker) Connot. Bob spent his early years working on the family farm; which instilled a strong work ethic, toughness, and pride that Bob would embody for his entire life.

As Bob got older he fell in love with sports. Football quickly became one of Bob’s passions and when asked about his high school homecoming, Bob would simply say “Winner 33 – Valentine 6.” Bob was very proud that both he and his Grandpa Red were centers on teams that beat Milbank to win state titles, Bob in 1989 and his grandpa in 1933.

On March 30, 1996 Bob married the love of his life, Kara. They were a great team and their marriage was filled with laughter and love. Bob would compare their marital greatness to that of the Green Bay Packers led by Lombardi. Bob and Kara had 5 children. Bob adored watching his children grow and he was their biggest fan! He would sacrifice anything to spend time with his kids.

Bob worked for the Tripp County Sheriff’s department from 1994-2001. He spent the past 15 years working at the Unified Judicial Services as a Court Service Officer. He used his profession to positively impact the lives of many “at risk” youth. He will be remembered as a caring, kind, and humorous co-worker.

Bob was very full of life and will leave behind a great legacy. He was a blogger, a web-caster, the manager of a softball team, a commissioner of a little league, the founder of a NCAA bracket challenge, a Winner Warrior historian, and a die-hard Cubs, Packers, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan, and not a fan of musical theatre, much to the dismay of his daughter Molly. Bob loved to garden and he loved to watch Winner Warriors football from the HILL! Most importantly he was a loving family man and a great friend.

Bob leaves behind his Kara; children Benjamin (21), Molly (18), Shea (15), Jenna (11), Annie (7); his parents; one sister Dawn (Marlo) Knoepfle. He is preceded in death by his grandparents and three uncles.

Thelma Wilding, 89, passed into the presence of our Lord on Thursday, May 19, 2016.

Thelma, the first child of three to Thomas Jefferson McFarland and Hazel Emily VanMetre McFarland, was born on August 8, 1926 in Tripp County, South Dakota and grew up on a farm near Colome, SD.

Following graduation from Colome High School, Thelma married William ‘Billy’ W. Wilding on June 2, 1947 and lived on a wheat and dairy farm near Winner, SD.  The Wildings left the family farm (1963) moving to Rapid City, SD.  Bill & Thelma moved to Minot, ND (1970), and following retirement began to travel the US (1989). They resettled in Riverdale, ND (1997) and finally moved to the Advent Christian Village, Dowling Park, FL  (2003).

Thelma labored diligently as a farm wife, an electronics technician, a nursing home cook, and a hospital volunteer.

Her favorite hobbies included needlework, vegetable gardening, crafts and playing card and board games.

Thelma was a committed and active church member throughout her life and served as a Deaconess in her former beloved church, Immanuel Baptist Church, Minot, ND. As Thelma’s health declined she lived a few years at The Good Samaritan Care Center, Dowling Park, FL, then in February 2016 she moved to Solaris Healthcare of Lake City, FL

Dennis Korb was born on March 24, 1953, in Winner, South Dakota, and departed this life on Sunday, April 10, 2016, in Prague, Oklahoma, at the age of 63.

Denny, the son of Alfred and Betty May (Clark) Korb, was a resident of Prague. He married Leila Ely on October 25, 1998, Leila passed away on January 26, 2004.

Denny had a nack for all things mechanical and loved to tinker on all sorts of projects. His favorite project was his unique red truck and you always knew it was him coming through town. He loved to tell a tale and spin a yarn.

He grew up in the country and attended a country school through grade school. He joined the Nation Guard and served four years. He lived in various places in South Dakota and Nebraska before settling in Oklahoma.

He loved his wife Leila and missed her greatly after her passing. He had a soft spot for animals of all kinds. He was an honorable man and if he considered you a friend, you were a friend for life. He loved being a trucker and the freedom that the road provided. He was looking forward to getting Papa Pete back on the road. While he didn’t attend church regularly, he believed in God.

The Funeral Mass for the repose of the soul of Anita Steinfeld was prayed at 10:30 AM Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial was at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Dimock.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Anita Elizabeth Schoenfelder Steinfeld was born August 27, 1925, the oldest child of Barney and Elizabeth (Kummer) Schoenfelder in Parkston, SD. Anita attended school in Parkston and later moved to Kennebec, SD, where she worked as a clerk in the Lyman County Court House. It was here where she met James Steinfeld, starting a romance that would last 61 years. They married on October 27, 1947 and to this union they happily welcomed four children.

Anita spent her adult years living in Mitchell and Winner. She worked in various professions: caring for children in her home, altering and building clothes as a master seamstress, and working as a sterilization tech in the operating room at the Winner Hospital.

Anita was active in her church and the Moose Lodge. She always had an open door and heart for everyone who stopped by. The coffee was fresh, sweets were abundant, and there was always a hot game of pinochle on the table. She cherished her family and friends above all else. Her unending commitment and unconditional love was evident in everything she did. Having her as our matriarch was a privilege and honor.

One of her most recent challenges was a November 2011 motor vehicle accident that resulted in her residing at Avera Brady Health and Rehab. Her magnetic spirit touched all who cared for her. We are forever grateful for the compassion, love, and care that were extended to her every day.

After a courageous battle with cancer, Dwight Allen Young left for heaven to be with his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, niece & nephew who had preceded him, passing away with loving family & friends by his side on April 5, 2016 in Kalispell, Montana at the age of 66.

Dwight leaves behind his 3 children and 5 grandchildren; son, Dwight Young Jr. (Crystal & Dusty) of Herrick, SD., daughter, Loretta & Travis Lang (Alexa & Tristen) of Lakeside, MT and son, Heeth & Mindy Young (Jessah) of Pequot Lakes, MN.

He also leaves behind 3 brothers & sisters-in-law all of South Dakota; Weary & Sandy of Burke, Doyle & Barb of Brandon and Boyt & Theresa of Hamill, many nieces, nephews and great nieces & nephews as well as numerous extended family and friends.

Dwight was born on July 31, 1949 in Gregory, SD to Darrell and Helen (Brevik) Young. He grew up as the third of four boys. Boy oh boy, did Helen have her hands full with all of them. Dwight graduated from Burke High School in 1967 and went on to the National College of Business in Rapid City, SD where he graduated in 1970 with a degree in Accounting.
During his time in Rapid City, Dwight met and married Pamela Rae Coldwell in 1969. Together they welcomed Dwight Jr., Loretta & Heeth to this union, sadly the marriage ended in divorce.

Dwight Allen Young, to those who knew him best and even those who only knew him briefly, it was obvious that first & foremost he loved his children & grandchildren very deeply and with great pride.
He also had a great love for all of his nieces & nephews, with a special place in his heart for all of those “great” ones, frequently pointing out the importance of taking the time to spend and make lasting memories right now. “Time passes so quickly” he would always say.

Dwight loved all animals great & small and seemed to have an innate sense of what they needed and how to care for them. He always had a bit of an extra soft spot for his horses, dairy cattle, sheep, rabbits and dogs.
As the years passed Dwight thoroughly enjoyed sharing the joy of a new puppy or other small animal with all of those around him, especially the obvious delight or the sound of a giggle it would bring, especially to the elderly and the young.
He truly enjoyed being able to bring a smile and joy to others, even when many times he was suffering tremendously in silence or might himself not have had much to give.

Another great joy for Dwight was in growing and tending his plants, no not in fields of beans or corn or wheat, but in tending and sharing his gardens full of vegetables, flowers and fruit trees that treated the eyes to some of God’s beautiful wonders.
Dwight truly was one of God’s great garden keepers.

Grace was born October 8, 1919 at Loudonville, OH to Homer and Effie (Bunting) Morris. She attended country schools until the 7th grade; she went on to graduate from Sullivan High School in Sullivan, OH.

She married Gaylord Wise in Sullivan OH in 1937 and they had one daughter, Janet.

She married John Jenson of Presho, SD in 1949 and they farmed near Presho until moving into town in 1982. John passed away in 1986. Several years after John passed away Grace went home to Ohio to visit family. While home in Ohio she was reacquainted with her first husband Gaylord. They remarried in 1995 almost 60 years after their first marriage. They spent their time in Presho and Ashland, OH until Gaylord passed away in 1999.

Grace was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Presho.