Category Archives: Obituaries

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.

Our loved one went to be with the Lord on April 24, 2016. Marjorie Jean Dart, usually called Jean, was born August 3, 1923 in Winner, South Dakota to Fay and Merrill Kaufman of Wood, S.D. She graduated from Wood High School in 1941 with 6 other seniors. She attended  colleges in S.D. and Nebraska graduating with a BA degree. She was a full-time or substitute teacher for 66 years and loved all of her students. She thoroughly enjoyed going to church in Tipton, CA. and Woodville, CA. where she played the piano and both churches. She also loved reading, bowling, baking with her family, and going to Lemoore Base where she often said, “It’s cheaper at the base!” One of her other goals she attained was traveling in all 50 states.

Betty Beatrice “Bea” Mann a resident of the Michael J. Fitzmaurice SD State Veterans Home, died Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at 89 years old. She was born November 3, 1926 in Hamill, SD and married her high school sweetheart Vernon on December 14, 1946 in Valentine NE. They lived on a ranch at Dog Ear Lake in the Winner area until 1957 when they moved to Hot Springs. She enjoyed working at Jack & Jill’s for many years until she retired. Bea loved playing cards, fishing, camping, gardening, chocolate ice cream, and winning at Bingo. Vernon preceded her in death on July 4, 2011 after 64 years of marriage.

Nancy Ann (Kaiser) Kewley, 59, passed away unexpectedly on March 9, 2016. Nancy was born May 7, 1956, to Francis and Idalee (Johnson) Showalter in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her mother later remarried and Nancy was adopted by her step-father, Arthur “Bud” Kaiser. She grew up in Winner, South Dakota, and attended Winner High School.

She married Harvey Kewley on July 7, 1974 and gave birth to a daughter, Anne Marie, in 1975. Having grown up in the 60’s and early 70’s, Nancy was a bit of a “hippie.” She loved rock music, with the Beatles, Joni Mitchell and the Rolling Stones among her favorites. She burned incense, wore patchouli and collected vintage velvet tapestries in true bohemian fashion. She was also a bit of a clothes horse and liked to bargain hunt for designer finds. Nancy was disabled by severe mental illness. During her periods of wellness, she loved to sew and enjoy a good novel. She was an excellent cook and once dreamed of becoming a chef.

Gregg Michael Schwartz, age 60 of Denver, Colo., formerly of Colome, passed away suddenly on April 24, 2016 at his home in Denver, CO. Gregg was born to the late Richard Lee Schwartz and the late Ruth Marlene Harter Schwartz.

Funeral services were held April 30 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Colome. Burial followed in the Colome City Cemetery.

Gregg’s childhood was a busy one spent with his dog Brownie. Greg and lifelong friend, Dave Cahoy went hunting and fishing every chance they would get. He had an old pickup that was referred to as Mergatroid and he put a lot of miles on it as a teenager. He played ball on the Colome baseball team. He attended eight years of grade school in a country school northeast of their farm. Gregg graduated from Colome High School in 1974. After high school he went to Gillette, WY and pursued work for a short time and then enlisted in the United States Navy. While stationed at Moffet Field in California, Gregg was involved in an auto accident that left him a paraplegic for life. He spent time in the Minneapolis VA Center prior to his mother taking care of him on the family farm. He moved to Sioux Falls, SD where he worked as a volunteer at the Sioux Falls VA Hospital. Gregg moved to Denver, CO March 30, 2001 where he met Marilina on August 22, 2001. They were married October 13, 2005 and purchased a home in Denver where they resided for the last five years. Gregg enjoyed the backyard filled with beautiful flowers tended by Marilina. During those five years Gregg was in the hospital only two days.

Gregg won the National Volunteer of the year award multiple years. Gregg enjoyed attending concerts, collecting baseball memorabilia and clocks, watching movies, and playing pitch. He also enjoyed watching his favorite football team the Kansas City Chiefs. Joe Montana was Gregg’s favorite football player.

Lois was born August 31, 1926 in Winner, SD to Percy and Mabel (Walton) Bromwich. She was the eldest of 8 children.

She attended grade school near Wewella, SD. She graduated from high school in Winner, SD. She received her teaching certificate from Springfield, SD. She taught at country grade school for two years.

She married Ralph Sachtjen on March 3, 1945 in Winner, SD. From this union 4 children were born: Velma Jane, Gail, Cecil, and Donna. After they were married the lived on a farm SW of Winner until February 1951. They then moved to the farm where they lived for 63 years.
After Ralph returned from the service, Lois devoted her life to her husband, children, and the farm. She enjoyed taking care of her chickens, cows, pigs, and the garden. She enjoyed fishing, Hunting, and camping.

She was an active member of the Winner VFW.

In later years she took up quilting, embroidering, and crocheting. She made quilts for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She made numerous doilies to give away to family and friends.