Category Archives: Obituaries

Lori Rieckman, age 54, of Philip, South Dakota, died on Friday, May 19, 2023 at Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Lori Lee Shippy was born Sept. 6, 1968, in Gregory, SD to Chandlor and Judy (Stroschine) Shippy, joining brother Todd. She was raised on the family farm south of Colome, SD and graduated from Colome High School in 1986. While in high school, Lori was active in cheerleading and track. Her medley relay team still holds the school record in Colome.

Lori attended South Dakota State University and graduated in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in economics.

Lori married Jeff Rieckman on May 23, 1992, in Aurora, SD. Over the years she held many different jobs including Johnson Jewelers in Brookings, DeSmet Farm Mutual in DeSmet, Jones Bottle & Vet in Philip, Deluxe Harley Davidson in Gillette, WY, Al’s Oasis in Chamberlain, and then most recently was welcomed back at The Bottle & Vet in Philip. Lori found great joy in finding bargains at thrift stores and enjoyed excursions (trips) with friends.

Grateful for having shared in her life are her husband Jeff, Philip; father Chandlor and step-mom Gertrude Shippy of Colome; brother Todd (Janette) Shippy of Colome; sisters-in-law Julie (the late Jim) Schweitzer-Rieckman-Caron of Estelline; Colleen (Roger) Brown of Brookings; Jean (Joel) Haar of Mankato, MN; Kathy (Dave) Dargatz of Watertown; brothers-in-law Terry (Patsy) Rieckman of Salem; Dennis (Kathy) Rieckman of Sioux Falls; Tom (Sue) Rieckman of Columbus, NE; and John (Marita) Rieckman of Parkston; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Lori was preceded in death by her mother Judy (Stroschine) Shippy; her mother and father-in-law, Arnold and Helen Rieckman; and a brother-in-law Jim Rieckman.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 304, Philip, SD 57567.

Memorial visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 24 at the Philip High School Fine Arts Building, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 25 at the Philip High School Fine Arts Building, with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.

Interment will be at a later date at the Colome Cemetery.

Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.

Janice Ann Rausch, 88, Aberdeen, died Friday, May 12, 2023 at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen.

Janice Ann, daughter of Clara (Wirtz) and Henry J. Simon, was born Sept. 2, 1934 at Hoven. Other than her fourth-grade year when her family lived in Raymond, Iowa, Janice grew up in Hoven. Her formal education consisted of St. Anthony’s Parochial School and Hoven High School, Class of 1952.

She married Duane John Rausch at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Hoven Oct. 7, 1952. The newlyweds first lived on Duane’s home place 2 ½ miles west of Hoven for five years. They then expanded Rausch Herefords by purchasing a ranch one mile east and 1/2 miles south of Onaka. Here they raised their 13 children and Hereford cattle until Duane’s death on March 8, 1998. The following year, Janice moved into Hoven. She later moved to Huron and, in 2010 settled in Aberdeen. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Hoven, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Onaka,  and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen. Janice was active in Koinonia and  served as a lector and Eucharistic Minister. Janice belonged to the South Dakota Hereford Auxiliary and was active in the Cresbard PTA. Her hobbies included gardening,  photography, and scrapbooking. Janice will be remembered as a great Pray Warrior.

Janice is survived by four sons—Rick (Linda) Rausch of Onaka, Tim (Teresa) Rausch of Florence, MT, Troy (Lovette) Rausch of Choctaw, OK, and Chad (Cortney) Rausch of Powell, WY; eight daughters—Jeannie (Leonard) Heim of Winner, Cindy Schlosser of Bismarck, ND, Pam  Holt of Mina, Shellie (Owen) Melius of Olathe, Kansas, Kay (Scott) McGaugh of Huron, Deb (Joel) Owens of Mitchell, Kristie (Jon) Beal of Missoula, MT, and Peggy (Lee) Goetz of Aberdeen; two brothers- Jack (Joyce) Simon of Raytown, MO, and Dave (Lisa) Simon of Shannon, IL; three sisters—Betty Hageman of Hoven, Marjean (Lelend) Stotz of Tolstoy, and Mary Jo  Mueller of Cashton, WI; 54 grandchildren; and 127 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to Duane, she was preceded in death by her father, Henry, on April 26, 1985; her mother, Clara, on April 7, 2008; two sons—Gary and infant, Bobby; two sons-in-law-Mike Schlosser and Kevin Holt; and a daughter-in-law, Carmen Rausch; three brothers-Norman, James, and an infant, Joseph; one sister, Gina Keltgen; and one great granddaughter—Amaya Larson.

Mass of Christian Burial was at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Aberdeen, with Father Michael Kapperman, celebrant.  Interment was at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Onaka, 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Rausch family prefers memorials to South Dakota Right to Life, 1107 Mt. Rushmore Rd., Suite 1B, Rapid City, SD 57701 or to Roncalli FAST, 1400 N Dakota St., Aberdeen, SD 57401.

Arrangements are in care of Lien Funeral Home, Bowdle.  (www.MillerLienFH.com)

Funeral services for Irma Jean Smith, 97, were held May 20 at Clausen Funeral Home,Burke with pastor Gary Jacobsen officiating.

Burial was in Hillsview Cemetery, Dallas.

Irma Jean Edwards Smith died on May 15. She was born near Dallas on June 21, 1925, the seventh of James and Martha (Emme) Edwards’s 11 children.

Irma Jean grew up during the hard times of the Dirty Thirties. She and her sister Verna Mae lived in the dormitory while they attended Dallas High School and were the first in the family to graduate. During WW II, after only a six-week summer training course, she taught a rural school for two years.

Irma Jean married her high school sweetheart, Orrin William Smith, on Nov. 5, 1947. Their first home was a tiny trailer in northwestern South Dakota where Orrin worked for a construction company and Irma Jean had ample space as she learned to drive. Their second home was a slightly less tiny trailer house on Orrin’s family farm north of Dallas, where they welcomed their first two daughters, Karel and Kathleen. In 1955 they moved to a farm near Dixon, where their third daughter, Laurel, joined the family.

In 1957, Irma Jean’s father died, and the family moved to the Edwards farm north of Dallas. A fourth daughter, Nancy, completed their family. Irma Jean and Orrin farmed and raised cattle until they retired in the late 1990’s. In 2007 they moved to Herrick. Their marriage lasted 69 years, until Orrin’s death in 2016.

Whether in a cramped trailer or the old family farmhouse, Irma Jean created comfortable, welcoming homes. She was an artist with fabric, sewing beautifully tailored clothes for herself and her daughters and creating many lovely quilts. She and Orrin shared a love of dancing, hunting, and fishing; she was confident and competent on the dance floor, in the kitchen, at the sewing machine, or behind the wheel of a grain truck. She compiled several books of family genealogy and history. Irma Jean was a fierce competitor at Scrabble and kept her sharp wit and sense of humor until the end of her life.

Irma Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings and in-laws, Arthur Edwards (in childhood), Marie and John Stuckers, Howard and Shirley Edwards, Ernest Edwards, Mabel and Ron MacKenzie, Edna Ernsdorff, Allen Edwards, Carma Edwards, and Frank Putz; and sons-in-law Wayne Christopherson and Alvis Lisenbee.

She is survived by her daughters Karel (Robert) Birnie of Salix, IA, Kathleen Christopherson of Rapid City, SD, Laurel (Ken) Shaffer of Lennox, SD, and Nancy (Jim) Krier of Herrick, SD; her sisters Verna Mae Buhr of Viroqua, WI, and Verdene (Ralph) Parker of Gering, NE, brother Alvin Edwards of Kearney, NE; sister-in-law Geneva Putz of Park Rapids, MN; nine grandchildren: Valerie (Mike) Birnie DeBates, Sara (Chris) Birnie Allen, Jacqueline (Joe) Birnie Bates, Orrin (Alicia) Johnson, Ingrid (Jason) Johnson Reuter, Alissa (Jeremy) Shaffer Luden, Amy (Ryan) Shaffer Penning, Natalie (Fidel) Krier Arreola, and Samuel Krier; eighteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Sutton, NE., resident Helen Ann Hoffman, 80 passed away Monday, May 1, 2023, at the Sutton Community Home in Sutton, NE.

Funeral services were conducted a 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sutton, NE., with Rev. Tim Stacy officiating. Graveside services were conducted at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Battle Creek, NE.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be designated later.

Helen Ann (Nebola) Hoffman was born on May 20, 1942, to Helen Karl (Maska) and Ed Nebola in Gregory, SD. Helen was a force of nature who was unapologetically strong-willed, a fighter to the end. She led her family with grace and unending support for everyone around her. Helen’s passing will be felt by those that were lucky enough to be in her orbit for all times.

Helen grew up on the farm outside Gregory. She graduated from high school in 1960. Soon after high school, Helen married and raised five children with love, patience, and a few tears. Over the years the family lived in Winner, SD, Grand Island, and O’Neill. While taking care of the home, she also managed the books and day-to-day operations for family-owned businesses including, Johnson’s Drive-In in O’Neill. She met her person, Don Hoffman, on Feb. 13, 1986, and they married on Feb. 13, 1990. When her nest emptied, Helen started a career in the insurance industry which continued until her retirement in 2012.

Helen is survived by her sons, Robert Bromwich and Rodney (Kim) Bromwich; daughters, Kim (Mark) Henning and Stacy (Matt) Foster; stepsons, Bryan (Diane) Hoffman and Galen (Kelly) Hoffman; and stepdaughter, Rita (Dennis) Schueth; siblings, Jo Haffield; Virginia Kingsbury; and Ed (Sharon) Nebola; grandchildren, Ashley; Jarod; Natasha; Madeline; Mitchell; Colbey; Kanai; Michael; Lauren; Matthew; Breane; Beau; Brock; and Corey; as well as, 5 great-grandchildren.

Helen was preceded in death by her father, Ed Nebola; mother, Helen Karl; stepfather, Rudolph (aka Rudy) Karl; her firstborn son, Willis Bromwich; sister, Frances Lake; and brother, John Nebola.

Meredith Duane “Punk” Worth was born on April 3, 1931, in Winner, SD to Elwood and Frances (McBride) Worth. Punk passed away in his ranch home surrounded by loved ones May 2, 2023, at the age of 92 years and 29 days.

After Meredith was born, his mother took him home in a shoebox.  He was so small (weighing just four pounds at birth), his mom called him her little “Pumpkin Seed”. It didn’t take long for “Pumpkin Seed” to become “Punk”, and to this day, many people do not know Punk’s given name on his birth certificate. Punk attended numerous grade schools in Keya Paha County and graduated from Keya Paha County High School in 1948. On May 18, 1952, Punk married Enid Lorraine Graham in Ainsworth, NE. To this union, two children were born: son, Ronald Scott, and daughter, Lorraine Alice. May 18th of this year would have marked Punk and Enid’s 71st wedding anniversary.

In May of 1962, Punk and Enid purchased the Charlie Simons Ranch by Norden, Neb. They began raising Hereford cattle, and over the years transitioned to a totally black Angus herd. Asking Punk what he liked doing best, he’d  say, “Raising and working with livestock, and producing the best mother cow possible”. He raised high quality beef cattle and owned some darn good ranch horses in his day.  In earlier years, Punk also raised and sold pigs, milked cows, farmed and put up a lot of hay. After selling his cow herd in the early 2000’s, Punk was still active in developing heifers, feeding and caring for take-in cattle, and haying. At this time, he also became active in antique tractor pulling contests.

He was a member of the Borderline Tractor Pullers for twelve years, winning numerous awards. He still went to the hayfield every summer, running the swather, rake and baler for the last time in the summer of 2022 at 91 years of age. This last winter, he spent many hours in his tractors plowing and moving snow. He was always making improvements to his ranch, and enjoyed woodworking and welding. If he could make it with his own two hands, he sure wasn’t going to buy it! Punk had a very creative and sharp mind right up to the end. Three days before he passed, he was still giving orders about “things that needed to be done”.

In his younger days, Punk was an active member of the Meadville Roping Club. He was an avid supporter of rodeo his entire life. He served as the rodeo chairman for the Keya Paha County Fair and Rodeo for 35 years, negotiating many contracts with rodeo stock contractors along the way.

In 2017, Punk was inducted into the Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame. This nomination and his induction humbled him greatly. He became a huge supporter of the association and attended the annual banquet and induction ceremony each year.

Punk loved music and dancing. He was a drummer and played in numerous country western bands for the past 66 years. From barns, clubs, bars, pavilions, outdoor stages, garages, senior centers, and assisted living facilities, he played and danced in them all.  Wherever they went, Punk and Enid were always the envy of most dancers on the dance floor as watching them dance together was mesmerizing.

Punk was a staunch patriot and a Korean War Veteran serving in the United States Army from September 1952 to September 1954. He is a 67 year member of American Legion Post #98, where he still held the position of commander at his passing.

Punk was a huge community supporter all his life. He served on the Keya Paha County Ag Society for 35 years holding the positions of secretary, vice president, and president. He has been on the Keya Paha County Fire Board for 37 years, a director on the KBR Rural Public Power Board for 23 years, a 53-year member of the Elks Lodge #1790 and was a Charter Member of the American Legion Post #98 Honor Guard.

Punk was preceded in death by his parents Elwood and Frances Worth Dixon; step-father Arnold Dixon; sister Carole (Worth) and husband Gene Cullison; brother Bobby Gene Worth; father-in-law Casey Graham; mother-in-law Alice Graham; sister-in-law Avis (Graham) and husband Bill Hollopeter; nephew Robert Gene Cullison, and great-granddaughter Violet Grace Olson.

Punk is survived by his wife Enid; son Ron; daughter Lorraine; brother Malvern “Corky” (Janet) Worth, all of Springview.  Grandchildren: Troy (Angie) Worth of Imperial, NE, Mitch Worth of Springview, Brittany (Chad) Olson of Valentine, NE; sister-in-law Aliene (Graham) Clark of Rock Springs, WY; brother-in-law Gerry (Stella) Graham of Ainsworth; great-grandchildren Hayden, Hadley, Henley, Parker and Kwynn, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services were held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at the Keya Paha High School in Springview.  Pastor Sam Courts officiated at the service. 

  Memorials were suggested to Springview American Legion Post #98, Springview Fire and Rescue Department and the Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame.  Interment was in the Mt. Hope Cemetery at Springview under the direction of the Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com

Eva Ann Butcher passed away on Dec. 31, 2022, in Newcastle, Wyo.

Eva was born to William and Debbie (Kingsbury) Butcher in Ft. Carson, Colo., on Jan. 24, 1992.

She moved with her family to Hohenfels, Germany, while her dad was stationed there for the first three years of her life.

She may not have remembered the family vacation to Salzburg, Austria but there are pictures to confirm this adventure.

The family then moved to El Paso, Texas, Colorado Springs, and then her family planted her roots in Winner, S.D.

She attended Winner elementary and junior high school and graduated from Winner High School in 2010.

Eva attended Black Hills State University and graduated with a bachelors in Elementary Education in 2014.

She joined the National Guard making the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Eva taught the FACE program at St. Francis for two years.

She recently moved to New Castle to start a new chapter in her life when she passed away suddenly.

Her life was brief and she will be remembered by all who loved her.

Eva is survived by her mother Debbie Butcher; sister Jennifer (Butcher) Wood; brother-in-law Dell Wood; nephew Charles; niece Jacklynn; grandparents Archie and Eva Kingsbury and Pat Butcher; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father Bill Butcher; grandpa Vernon Butcher; and uncle Willard Butcher.

Interment services will be held Saturday, June 24, at the Abold Family Cemetery in White Clay, Neb.

Funeral Service for Meredith D. “Punk” Worth age 92 of Springview, Neb., will be held on Saturday, (May 13, 2023) at 2 p.m. at the Keya Paha County High School Gymnasium in Springview.  Burial with military honors will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery at Springview. 

Punk Worth died Tuesday May 2, 2023 at his home near Springview.

Survivors include:

Wife: Enid of Springview

2 Children: Ron Worth and Lorraine Worth of Springview

3 Grandchildren & 5 Great-Grandchildren

Brother: Malvern “Corky” Worth and wife, Janet of Springview

Sister-in-law:  Aliene Clark of Rock Springs, WY

Brother-in-law: Gerry (Stella) Graham of Ainsworth

Along with nieces, nephews and other family members

Visitation for Punk Worth will be held on Friday, May 12, 2023 at Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth from 5 to 7 p.m.  and continue Saturday at the high school one hour prior to the service.

Those attending services are asked to wear casual attire.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to Springview American Legion Post #98, Springview Fire and Rescue or to the Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame in Punk’s name.  To leave an online condolence, please visit www.hochfuneralhome.com.

Evelynne Moses, 94, of Gregory, formerly of Winner, SD passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the Avera Gregory Health Care Center in Gregory, SD.

 Funeral services were held on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 10:30 a.m.  at the Winner United Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. Visitation was held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 from 6-7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner, SD.

Evelynne Mae (Wickstrom) Moses was born on Aug. 8, 1928, in Hamill, South Dakota, to Valdemar and Florence (Shalander) Wickstrom, the second of three children.

Evelynne grew up in the Hamill community and attended school through the 8th grade.  She moved to Winner the summer before beginning high school and graduated from Winner High School in 1946.

Evelynne married the love of her life, William Dave Moses, on May 20, 1947.  To this union three children were born:  Steven, Sally & Debra.

First and foremost, Evelynne’s most important occupation was that of a mother and wife.  She was an active member of the Winner United Methodist Church and worked as the church secretary for nine years.  She also worked for Paul Blomstrom in the office of the West- side Market and worked at Farmers State Bank for several years in Winner.

Evelynne was famous for her hospitality!  She always made everyone feel welcomed and right at home in their house on West 8th Street.  Her pies were legendary, the several course meals served on the daily whether it was for a holiday or a regular weekday meal, and there were always homemade sugar cookies available for all the grands.  She took pride in her home and personal appearance; always dressed to the “nines” and ready for the day.

Her life was filled with grandchildren and their activities, card games, coffee parties, cheering on the Minnesota Twins & Vikings, and devotion to the church.  Evelynne started going to the United Methodist Church in Winner when she was 13 years old; beginning her freshman year in high school.  Evelynne and Bill joined the church in 1955.  Her faith was strong and devout.

Love, patience, and respect were the foundation of Bill and Evelynne’s 71-year love affair.  Their commitment to each other and their family was the greatest love story ever told.  Evelynne was very proud of the fact that they were able to celebrate their 70th anniversary and 90th birthdays together, both with grand celebrations!

Evelynne Mae Moses went to meet her Lord and Savior on April 29, 2023, at the age of 94 years.  She passed away at the Avera Gregory Healthcare Center in Gregory, South Dakota.

Evelynne is survived by:  Son Steven and wife Cathy, grandchildren Marcy (Jared), Megan (Jason), Mindi (Gregg), Matthew (Rowena), and Molly (Merritt).  Daughter Sally, and grandchildren Sara and Sonya (Scott).  Daughter Debra and husband Scott Ochsner, grandchildren Amanda (Dennis) and Amy (Paul).  And by twenty-six great grandchildren.  Two sisters-in-law, Bernice Weickum and Beverly Moses, and brother-in-law DL Hart.  And a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Evelynne was preceded in death by her parents Valdemar & Florence Wickstrom, husband, William Moses, brother Reuel (Ann) Wickstrom and sister Phyllis (Garry) White, son-in-law, Nelson Miller, and grandson-in-law, Brian Anderson, and other relatives.

Frank Finney, 89, of Winner, SD passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, May 1, 2023. 

Funeral service was held on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Winner, SD.  Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.  

Francis H. (Frank) Finney was born at his rural family home in Thomas County, Nebraska, on Feb. 9, 1934, the sixth of ten children.

Frank attended county school through the eighth grade and graduated from Seneca High School in 1951.

That summer he attended what was then Chadron State college and in the fall began his teaching career at age 17.  He continued attending summer school and teaching rural schools for the next five years until I he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956.

After basic training, Frank spent the next two years in Germany with the 11th Armored Calvary, serving as a medic.

Soon after returning home Frank married the love of his life, Jeriann Fitzgerald in Mullen, Neb.

The following fall, Frank continued his education at what was then known as Kearney State Teachers college and a few years later, completed work on his master’s degree in elementary education.

Frank & Jeri and one year old son Jeff moved to Sidney, Neb. where Frank took a teaching position as a sixth grade teacher at South Elementary.  Six years later he was chosen as the principal and served in that position until the family of Jeri and sons: Jeff, Jon & Joel moved to Martin, SD and served as elementary principal for 13 years.

In 1990 he and Jeri moved to Winner, SD where he took the job as administrator for the Wood School District.  They both worked for the Wood District for the next 13 years.

Frank retired from education in 2002 after nearly fifty years in the school business.

We have enjoyed these years of retirement with many different activities.  They took several trips to California to visit their son Jeff.  They also spent time in Branson for shows and made many trips to Lincoln for Big Red games with the brothers.  Frank worked part-time on a farm, guided hunters, fished with his brothers, and one of his buddies in Canada,  South Dakota and Nebraska.

But, retirement was more for Frank than just fishing, hunting, and traveling. Soon after leaving Wood School, he took a position as a city board member for the City of Winner. He served in that position for many years, and was eventually elected mayor of Winner.

After serving many years at both his city and his church, a number of small strokes finally made him slow down and he tried to enjoy some quiet days around the house. He became a regular fixture, at morning coffee and at local sporting events.

On May 1, 2023, Frank finally left us, granted a quiet and peaceful passing. But, he will always be in our hearts and memories.