Category Archives: Obituaries

Funeral services were held May 16 at the Episcopal Church in Winner. Burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Wood.

Tim Roubideaux was born on November 7, 1955 in Mosher, SD to Charles and Virginia (Williams) Roubideaux. He was raised in Winner and attended school in Winner and worked various jobs throughout the area. He also attended Mitchell Vo-Tech and earned a Certificate in Welding.

He enjoyed family gatherings, powwows, watching softball games, working on cars, reading and most of all he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and children in whom he took great pride in. He will be greatly missed by many.

Clifford Klein of Hidden Timber passed away April 12, 2016, at Pine View Good Samaritan Center in Valentine, NE. He was 93. Celebration of Life will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, Winner, SD, on May 21 at 10:30 a.m.

Clifford Klein was born at home near Valentine on June 14, 1922, to Coral (Hobson) and George Klein. The family moved to Todd County, SD, shortly thereafter and lived on rented farms before finally settling on Rock Creek, south of Hidden Timber.

Clifford attended country school and graduated from Mission High School in 1938. Following graduation, he began farming and ranching with his father and brother Lawrence. In early 1945, Clifford volunteered for military service in place of his drafted brother and chose the Marine Corps. His military service included a tour of occupied China where he earned the rank of sergeant as a telephone man. Following his military service, he returned to the family farm. In the fall of 1949, he re-connected with JoAnn Kositzky of Winner, SD, the sister of his good friend Paul, at a dance on Dog Ear Lake. They were married Sept. 30, 1950, in Winner, and moved into the home he built for them on the farm.

JoAnn and Clifford raised three sons: Robert, Jim, and Milton. They were particularly proud when all of their sons and grandchildren received their college degrees.

Clifford became a supervisor of the Todd County Conservation District, a position he held for over 30 years. During that time, he served on the South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts’ board of directors, as vice president, and as president. He was also a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, was a 32nd degree Mason at the Mission Masonic Lodge, and American Legion Post 90.

Clifford was happy to help his family with their building and electrical wiring projects. He helped to build or remodel homes for his sisters, in-laws, and for his sons. Clifford loved his work on the ranch. He often told folks he’d rather drive a tractor or ride a horse than anything else. He took pride in being able to plant corn in straight rows and was proud of the improvements the Kleins made in their land and cattle.

Clifford and JoAnn traveled to Europe to visit Milton during his Army service. They also enjoyed travelling in the United States, sometimes on conservation business, sometimes to visit family.

Clifford never met a stranger and would strike up a conversation with anyone he met. In his seventies, a series of strokes affected his speech, a real blow to a person who loved to talk. During his later years, he was debilitated by worn-out joints and bones from decades of hard work and unforgiving farm equipment.

In 2006, Clifford and JoAnn moved to Cherry Hills Assisted Living in Valentine. JoAnn passed away in December of 2007, and Clifford later moved to Pine View Good Samaritan where he passed away April 12, 2016.

Joe Assman, age 92, of Winner, passed away on May 9, 2016 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 2016 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner. Burial followed at the Winner City Cemetery.

Joe Assman was not your average Joe. Although a remarkable life of 92 years is difficult to summarize in a few short paragraphs, Joseph James Assman was born August 9, 1923 to Isabelle (Coyle) Assman and William Assman. He was the last survivor in his family of eight. Older siblings were Ed, Bill, Don, Clarence, Margaret, and younger siblings were Nick and Isabelle. Growing up during the depression he learned to work hard and make wise business decisions like others of his generation. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Winner High School in 1941. He was very proud that he was a golden glove boxer and was called “Winner’s Joe Lewis”.

Shortly after graduation he moved to Todd County to run his father’s cattle operation. He eventually bought a quarter of land where Assman Implement currently is located and he continued to add to his farming and ranching operation. He met a blonde, blue eyed beauty in 1945 that was working at the Todd County Conservation Office by the name of Esther Elizabeth Einspahr. The romance blossomed and they were united in marriage on October 18, 1947 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Mission, SD. Tragedy struck early in their marriage with the loss of their first child, Jean, who died at birth. They were blessed with sons Greg, Chris, Ed, Brad, Dave, and tragedy struck again with the loss of another daughter, Kimberly, she was followed by Mike, Mary Beth, and Gordon. In 1965, a devastating farm accident occurred and took the life of Gordon at the age of 21 months. Joe and Esther’s strong Catholic faith helped them endure and accept his loss. In memory of Gordon, there is a large rock as a memorial of his life at Assman Implement, where the accident occurred.

Joe’s nickname was “Sparky” which was shortened by his kids as he would often tell them that “he was the sparkplug of the operation”. That was often heard when the boys had a late night on the town and were not very energized the next morning and were not getting out of bed as early as expected. Joe was a very optimistic, cheerful, friendly, generous, and gracious person and he loved babies and children. He was always patient, rarely critical, and was able to transition the management of his operation to us kids, which is sometimes difficult for men of his generation. He had strong family values and during the 1980’s we experienced financial difficulties with high interest rates and low commodity prices. There was a lot of family stress and problems and he gave us a copy of a letter his father had written to him and his siblings in 1941, it was a parable of the six sticks: “A man had six sons, who were always quarreling. They left their work and studies to quarrel among themselves. Some bad men were looking forward to the death of their father to cheat them out of their property by making them quarrel about it. The good old man one day called his sons around him. He laid before them the six sticks that were bound. He said “I will pay a hundred dollars to the one that can break this bundle.” After a long but vain trial, they said it could not be done. “And yet my boys,” said the father “nothing is easier to do.” He then untied the bundle and broke the sticks one by one with perfect ease. “Oh” said his sons, “it is easy enough to do it, and anyone could do it that way.” Their father replied, “As it is with these stick, it is with you my sons. So long as you hold fast together and aid each other, you will prosper, and none can injure you. But if the bond of union is broken, it will happen to you just as it has happened to these sticks, which lie broken on the ground.”

One of Sparky’s accomplishments was becoming a Case dealer in 1969. Although the location was not an ideal business climate, he was able to make a success out of it in spite of the location. In 1983 the dealership won top sales west of the Mississippi and won a Chrysler convertible car and a trip to Hawaii. Years later Joe asked the dealer rep “why would you ever allow a dealer in our location” he replied “I never figured you would have made it but they were having a contest for who could sign up the most dealers and they were giving away a free color TV to the rep the that signed up the most dealers and I wanted that TV.” He was lifelong member of the 4th Degree Knights, an active member of the Republican Party, and a former Todd County Commissioner. He was also very proud of his family and all their accomplishments and appreciative of his employees.

Joe made a great life for himself and his family and he remained optimistic, cheerful, and complimentary up to the end. We are so grateful for the wonderful staff at the Winner Regional Long Term Care and the excellent care he received. Several of the staff have told us “when I am having a bad day, I go see Joe and he makes my day brighter.” He never complained of the pain and remained positive in spite of being in the nursing home for over two years after undergoing a major cancer surgery. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Isabelle, brothers Ed, Bill, Don, Clarence, Nick, sisters Margaret and Isabelle, infant daughters Jean and Kimberly, infant son Gordon and his beloved dog Toby.

Shirley Ahlers, age 91, of Jackson, Calif., passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, May 8 at the Avalon Health Care Center in San Andreas, Calif. She was born on Dec. 27, 1924, in Dallas, SD to Carl Victor and Ida (Iburg) Lindholm.

The family relocated to Galva, IL, where she grew up and attended school. During WWII she engaged in the war effort by weaving ropes and doing assembly line work. Shirley was approximately 17 years old when her family returned to Clearfield, SD. While living in Clearfield she met her husband, Eilert Ahlers, they were married May 2, 1946. They engaged in farming on the Ahlers Homestead and raised their five children, Linda, Donald, Marlene, Roger and Dale.

Shirley was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the VFW Auxiliaries. She loved being a homemaker. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening, canning and made a hobby of collecting and trying new recipes. She was a lifelong avid Chicago Cub’s fan and in her later years enjoyed watching ice hockey games.

In 1981 Shirley and Eilert retired and sold the homestead and moved to California, where four of their five children were residing. They lived in Mokelumne Hill, Calif., for 21 years. While living in Mokelumne Hill they were part of the founding members of the first Missouri Synod Lutheran Church in this area, which is now the Foothill Lutheran Church in Valley Springs. After losing her husband she moved to Jackson, Calif., until her passing. She is most remembered for the wonderful role model she was due to her honesty, integrity and high moral standards.

Elsie Esther (Schmidt) Sinkular was born on July 8, 1923, on the family farm south of Dallas to Jacob and Lydia (Ring) Schmidt and died May 5, 2016 at Avera Rosebud Country Care Center. She was the third of three children.

Elsie graduated from Gregory High School in 1941 after which she attended SDSU, transferred to Southern State Normal School in Springfield, SD, and graduated in 1943 with an elementary school teaching certificate. She taught in Platte, SD, from 1943-1945 and substitute taught for a short time in Dallas.

Elsie was united in marriage to Woodrow W. Sinkular on April 20, 1944 and to this union three sons were born, Ken and Kent (twins) and Barry.

Elsie was the typical farm wife raising chickens, milking cows, vegetable and flower gardening, and always providing bountiful meals for her family, friends and the farm help. She especially loved baking and took great joy in sharing her baked goods with others. She always said she what she missed the most, when she was no longer able to live at home, were baking, cooking and gardening. She and Woody also liked to get together with friends and neighbors to play pinochle.

Elsie and Woodrow did much traveling together with the highlights being two trips to Germany to reunite with friends that Woody had made while stationed there when he was in the Army. They wintered in Rio Hondo, Texas, upon retiring, and even after Woody passed away on April 25, 1989, Elsie continued being a winter Texan until 2007. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, LWML, a lifetime member of the Dallas American Legion Auxiliary and Burke VFW Auxiliary.

Elsie entered Whispering Pines Assisted Living in December 2008, moved to Silver Threads Assisted Living in July of 2010, and due to declining health, moved to Avera Rosebud Country Care Center in July of 2012 where she always looked forward to playing bingo and attending church services.

Leslie Duane Koster, 81, Piedmont, died Wednesday, May 4, 2016, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Fort Meade, after a long battle with cancer.

Les was born July 29, 1934, in New Underwood, SD. He attended 8 years of school at the Hamilton #2 Country School. Les joined the US Army on May 8, 1957, and was a recovery specialist until his honorable discharge on May 7, 1959.

Les and his brothers were avid sportsmen. They loved to hunt and fish and Les enjoyed trapping. Many times, his brothers would come to the Black Hills for opening days of deer hunting season. They also enjoyed antelope hunting near Faith, SD. Les loved to fish, especially when he caught a 40 inch tiger muskee at Orman Dam.

Les moved to Piedmont, SD, where he helped take care of his aunt, Suzy Koster, after her husband died in 1964. Les was working as a butcher at the Bargain Barn Grocery when he met Ginger Benett. He and Ginger were married on May 4, 1964, and the made their home in Piedmont. He adopted Troy soon after.

Les loved his woodworking and gathering firewood. He was either building with wood, or burning it. His passion for wood led him into a career as a supervisor for Self Help Housing in Rapid Valley. Les also worked Meade County where he drove road grader for 3 years.

Jeffrey Ben Kolbe was born to Ben and Sally (Remter) Kolbe on April 6, 1961 and died on May 1, 2016 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 55.

Jeff was baptized on April 23, 1961 and was confirmed on April 13, 1975, both at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dixon, SD and was a current member of St John’s Lutheran Church in Gregory, SD. Jeff started school in August of 1967 as a 1st grader at Dixon School #57. In April of 1968 he moved with his family to Portland, Oregon and attended 2nd and 3rd grade. His family then moved back to Dixon and finished his elementary education at Dixon School. Jeff graduated from Gregory High School in 1979. In 1981 he graduated with High Honors from the University of SD at Springfield with a diesel mechanic degree.

Jeff lived in the Dixon area his entire adult life farming and custom combining for many years until his arthritis and scleroderma limited his activity. He was very gifted in the field of mechanics and worked on numerous machines. Jeff spent the last five years in a wheel chair with very limited movement. Even from his wheel chair he advised people how to repair and build machinery. Jeff’s sister, Natalie, cared for him for nearly four years with his parents caring for him for the last months of his life. He never complained about his health and had a positive attitude.

Jeff enjoyed vacationing. He visited the Dominican Republic, South Carolina, Florida, Mexico, Costa Rica, and other places with many of his friends. Jeff liked to hunt and was an avid gun enthusiast. As many people know, he could throw a heck of a party and DJ’d for many dances, weddings, and reunions. Jeff worked for many years at Frank Day’s Bar in Dallas, SD. He also enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and was a lucky poker player. He was a fun person to be around.

Jeff was married and had one daughter, Katie Kolbe. Jeff was especially proud of his daughter and grandson, Kenyon.

Kathy Hutton, age 54, of Winner, passed away at her home on Saturday, April 30, 2016. Memorial service were held on Friday, May 6, 2016 at 10 a.m. at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner. Burial will be held at a later date.

On February 14, 1962, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Duley were blessed with a baby girl that weighted 10 lbs. Vera thought she was her special Valentines gift. Kathy joined 2 older brothers Darrel and Thomas Duley and later a younger sister Christina Luebke and brother Andy Bender.

Kathy lived and went to school all 12 years in Colome. She got married in 1980 to Rand Reterstorf and they moved to Arizona where she lived for 30 years. She had several different jobs there, finally going to work for Norris Air-conditioning as a secretary and was there for 15 years.

She has 2 children: Jeremy Duley of Green Isle, MN and Tasha Reterstorf of Phoenix, AZ.

Kathy came back here in 2014 and worked in many different jobs until she got hired at the hospital. Kathy loved the job and the people there. She had a stroke in April of 2015.

She was predeced in death by her three brothers Darrel, Thomas, and Andy; her father Jack; and her grandparents Joel and Addie Duley and Herald and Emma Condon.

Marie Valentina (Nespor) Spreckels, 91, a longtime resident of Winner went to be with her heavenly Father on April 26, 2016. At the time of her death she resided at Fountain Springs Healthcare in Rapid City.

Services were held on April 30 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Winner with Rev. Will Harley officiating. There was a reception and lunch at the church following the service.   Private internment will be at the Winner Cemetery at a later date.

Marie was born February 14, 1925, in Hamill, SD to Joe and Agnes (Klima) Nespor. Marie grew up on the family farm east of Hamill. She attended a country grade school through the eighth grade, then attended high school in Winner, graduating in 1943. Marie lived a short time in Omaha, NE working for an insurance company. Thereafter, she met the love of her life, Norman. They were married on December 27, 1945 at Zion Lutheran Church in Colome, SD and shared 57 years of love and blessings. To this union four children were born: Judy, Sondra, Donald and Dona.

Marie was baptized and confirmed on September 16, 1944 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE. She became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Winner, SD in 1946 and was dedicated to her Lord and to her church for her whole life.

Marie was a devoted farm and ranch wife working alongside Norman. During those years she raised chickens, grew large gardens and canned anything she could get her hands on to prepare for the winter months. She was a hostess that always had a coffee pot on and a freezer-full of baked goodies in case company would drop by. In her spare time she would spend time at the sewing machine sewing for herself and her three girls, embroidering tea towels and scarves and also enjoyed making her quilts. Dancing nearly every Saturday night, especially at Carlock, and playing cards were Norman and Marie’s best entertainment, but always up on Sunday morning to attend worship at Trinity Lutheran Church until she became a care-giver for Norman the last eighteen years of his life. Due to declining health, Marie moved into Golden Prairie Manor in Winner in October of 2010; Morningstar Assisted Living in Rapid City in May of 2012; and her final home was at Fountain Springs Healthcare, Rapid City on March 11, 2016. Marie was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be greatly missed.

Joyce Gladys Songer was born to Joe and Bertha (Totton) Story on April 16, 1937 at Norris, South Dakota, and was called home on April 26, at the West Holt Memorial Hospital in Atkinson, Nebraska.

Joyce had four sisters, Melba, Dorothy, Ruby and Vera, and five brothers, Ernie, Jasper, Bud, Bill, and Glen. She grew up around the Dallas and Herrick, South Dakota area, going to school through the eighth grade. Shortly after school, she married William Fred Ronfeldt and together they had five children, Joseph Ronfeldt of Corning, Iowa, Katherine Ronfeldt of Colorado, Stanley Ronfeldt of Washington, Rebecca Baldwin of Red Oak, Iowa, and Connie Ball of Arizona. Together, they lived in Washington, Oregon, Montana, and South Dakota, finally settling in Bassett, Neb., where she remarried and had 2 more sons, Robert Johnston and Raymond Songer. Joyce lived in Bassett for 40+ years, working as a dietary cook, and as a painter and house cleaner while raising her two boys. She enjoyed many hobbies, everything from needle point, antique shopping, cooking, gardening, and bird watching. The times dearest to Joyce’s heart, were spending time with friends and family. She enjoyed having them over at holidays and any other occasion possible. She was also known around the country for her garage sales, baked goods and her service to the community. Joyce lived a long happy life with seven children, 20 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren, and other family members. She leaves behind a life time of loving memories that we all will cherish and pass along to generations to come.