Category Archives: Obituaries

Jim Calhoon, age 77, of Winner, passed away on January 6, 2016 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Facility. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Winner. Burial followed at the Winner City Cemetery.

James Raymond Calhoon, (aka, Jim R., Jimmy & Callie, his friends just called him Coach) was born on February 26, 1938 to Leon Raymond Calhoon & Wilma Amanda (Frantz) Calhoon in Winner, SD. He was the eldest of 3 boys. Jim lived on the family ranch northwest of Ideal. Jim attended grades 1-8 at Star Valley School. Finishing at the top of his class each year (he was the only one in his grade). Jim attended Winner High School, graduating in May of 1956, while in high school he was involved in football, baseball, declam, track, dramatics, music and tried to play basketball. He was not good at playing, though the game fascinated him.

Jim never played a second of varsity basketball. Jim, helped the high school basketball coach at 7:30am before school teaching basketball to the 4th-5th-6th grade boys. After graduation Jim played baseball and helped his dad on the ranch. The winter of 1957 Jim started coaching grade school basketball at Ideal. The next 14 years Jim coached basketball, baseball & football at Ideal, Hamill, Carter, Witten & Winner, while ranching northwest of Ideal. Jim & 3 other coaches formed the country conference in 1959, which still exists. Jim refereed, umpired and graduated from Auctioneer College in 1969 from Mason City, Iowa.

Jim was married to Anita L Spinar on June 8, 1958 in Colome, SD. They had three children Cyndy Lou, Lance Raymond & Rebecca Jane. The marriage ended in 1980. In January of 1970 Jim moved his family to Aberdeen, Jim enrolled at Northern State College to pursue his dream of being a coach. He received a BS in Education in 1973. Jim was assistant coach in football, basketball and head coach in baseball. While at NSC Jim was assistant coach at a football bowl game, two NAIA basketball tournaments and a college world series. Jim coached the Aberdeen Teeners in the summer time winning the state tournament in 1972. 1973-1975 Jim taught & coached football, baseball & basketball at Clark, SD. Jim taught PE & coached girls & boys basketball at McLaughlin SD from 1975-1980 taking them to the State Tournament three times. During 1981 Jim coached boys & girls basketball & track at New England St Mary’s in New England, ND.

In 1981-1982 Jim was assistant girls & boys basketball coach at Aberdeen Central High School in Aberdeen, SD. During the summers he umpired softball & baseball working 19 State and 2 National Tournaments. Jim attended NSC and received a master’s degree in classroom teaching and a master’s degree in school administration. 1982-1983 Jim was high school principal & basketball coach at South Shore, SD.

Jim met Linda Ann Larsen at Stockholm, SD. Jim & Linda were married on June 4, 1983 at Strandburg, SD. They spent the next six weeks traveling in 26 European countries, upon returning to the USA they lived in Aberdeen, SD. In 1985 they moved to White River. Jim taught, coached girls & boys basketball, track & baseball and was principal & athletic/activities director. 6 of his basketball teams qualified to play in the state tournament. Jim’s desire was that each student/athlete learned something positive from him. In 1989 Jim & Linda adopted a family of 3 children-Marie Ann-8, Adam Jacob-6 and Joanna Lynn(Jo)-3. In July 2015 after 30 years of living in White River Jim & Linda moved to Winner, SD.

Jim was a member of the Church of the Nazarene of White River for many years, serving as Sunday school teacher & superintendent, trustee and preached on many Sundays. Since 2005 Jim has been a member of & attended the Church of the Nazarene in Winner. Jim & Linda were Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle leaders in many of the schools for over 20 years. Jim was on the board of Directors for the SD Shorthorn Assn, the Mellette County Cattlemen Improvement Board, Mellette County Weed & Pest Board, the Board of Directors for the Coaches Assn for 6 years and the Basketball Coaches Assn. board of directors for 12 years & was president of the Basketball Coaches Assn for 1 term and was awarded Region Coach of the Year 11 times. He was named Northern State College(NSC) alumni coach of the year in 1995, received the SDHSAA distinguished service award in 1998 and was inducted into the SDHS Coaches Hall of Fame in 1999 & the South Dakota High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Shrine in 2004. Jim was the first person inducted into the Winner High School Hall of Fame in 2012-2013. He was very honored by this special recognition. Jim’s high school varsity record included 513 wins and 196 losses added to his teams non-varsity record basketball teams’ record includes 1,331 wins and 305 losses. His baseball teams won over 1200 wins while losing less than 300.

Jim had 6 loves in his life, besides God, his wife, Linda, his 6 children and 15 grandchildren, basketball, baseball and his shorthorn cattle. Jim had cattle all of his life. The purebred business Jim & Linda started in 1985. He loved to show the shorthorn cattle to anyone. CAL-DAK Shorthorns won the 2001 Get-of-Sire at the South Dakota State Fair. As Jim’s health failed him he still enjoyed going out and looking at the cattle.

Jim first & foremost loved God. He spent much time reading the Bible and praying. He prayed every day for each and every one of his family members and friends. Jim truly believed that through Jesus Christ the Son of God all problems could be solved, all illnesses cured. All you had to do was ask for it.

James Mann III, age 55, of Santa Rosa, Calif., formally of Winner, passed away at his home on December 29, 2015. Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 16, 2016 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner. Burial to follow at the Winner City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-7 p.m. Friday, January 15, 2016 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with a Liturgy of the Word and a Rosary starting at 7 p.m.

Jim was born December 2, 1960 in Sturgis, South Dakota; the oldest son of James E Mann, Jr. and Barbara (Assman) Mann. He graduated from Winner High School in 1979, then entered the Mechanical Engineering program at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, and graduated in 1990 with highest honors. He would then earn his PE designation a short time later, and enjoy a long, successful career in the natural gas field; working in South Dakota, Ohio, Wyoming and eventually California. Jim took tremendous pride in his work and was praised by many colleagues for his knowledge and expert craft in the industry.

In 1982, Jim married Monica Cornay of Hot Springs, South Dakota, and they had two children – Stacie and Christopher.

Aside from work, Jim loved spending time with his family, watching silly movies, and of course – his two Boston Terriers, Harley and Max. As a former member of the Lions club, he also enjoyed giving back to his community.

Virginia Meyer, age 87, passed away peacefully in the season of Christmas, on January 2, 2016 surrounded by family at Sister James Care Center in Yankton, SD.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held January 6, 2016 at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church in Winner followed by internment at the Winner City Cemetery. Visitation was held from 6pm – 7pm on January 5 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Winner with Liturgy and Rosary at 7 p.m.
Virginia Mary (Deaver) Meyer was born April 30, 1928 in Alliance, NE to Rose (Willy) Deaver and Stephen Deaver. She grew up in Alliance with her six siblings and graduated from St Agnes Academy. During her early grade school years, she would often sneak away to the Catholic hospital across from her family home and visit the patients. It was there that she developed strong relationships with the Nuns/Nurses who allowed her to visit. After High School she moved to Tuscola, Illinois to be a receptionist for her older brother, Dr. Philip Deaver. During this time she developed an interest in Nursing and eventually returned to Alliance, NE where she earned her RN from St Joseph School of Nursing.
Early in her nursing career she returned to her brother’s medical clinic in Tuscola, IL and rekindled her relationship with a local farmer and the love of her life, Clarence “Charley” Meyer. They were married in Alliance on December, 27, 1950.
In 1956, Charley and Virginia joined the Deaver family business and moved with their four young children to Winner, SD where Charley helped establish and manage the Deaver-Meyer Grain Company. Married for 44 years, they raised 10 children and shared in the joy of numerous grandchildren until Charley’s death in 1995.
Most of her career she worked as an RN at Winner Baptist Hospital as well as local clinics. Virginia was also very active in her parish and was a long time member of the Catholic Daughters. She taught Catechism, served as Eucharistic Minister and volunteered for countless other parish events and activities. She was passionate about Right to Life and the sanctity of human life. She loved and lived her Catholic faith and the virtues of hard work and honesty. Virginia expressed her devout faith through the power of praying the rosary. She always said, “A family who prays together, stays together.”
Virginia bravely survived breast cancer and tirelessly managed a household of 10 children during Charley’s long struggle with Leukemia through the 1970s. Among her greatest joys was playing “Mrs. Claus” for over twenty five years that Charley volunteered as Santa raising funds for the Tripp County Cancer Society.

Robert Waters, age 77, of Winner, passed away on December 23, 2015 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility.

Funeral services were held December 29 at Mason Funeral Home in Winner. Burial followed at the Winner City Cemetery.

Bobby as he was known to his family and friends grew up in the Witten area. He attended Winner Catholic School grades 1-8 and graduated from Witten High School in 1956.

Bobby met and married Connie Rice in 1956. From this union five children were born, Russell, Sherry, Tim, Renea and Meradie and eleven grandchildren.

Bobby worked on the family farm, drove truck delivering mobile homes in Nebraska and many other states. He moved to Whittier California in 1973 where he managed a boat marina in San Pedro until 1985. During that time he was able to do a lot of fishing which was one of his favorite things to do.
After being severely injured in a automobile accident Bobby retired and moved to Banning California where he worked as an assistant pastor to Pastor Jack. They stayed busy visiting the local nursing homes where they would preach and sing to the residents. Bobby also enjoyed going to garage sales and selling antiques He moved back to Witten and purchased a home in 2004.

Bobby always loved fishing, playing cards and watching horse racing and will always be remembered for his good sense of humor and quick wit. He never had anything bad to say about anyone and will be greatly missed.

Robert Waters, age 77, of Winner, passed away on December 23, 2015 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility.
Funeral Services were held 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 29 at Mason Funeral Home in Winner. Burial followed at the Winner City Cemetery.

Everrett Reagle was born November 21, 1945 in Valentine, NE to Arthur E. and Blanche (Howe) Reagle. Everrett enjoyed working on the farm/ranch with his family. He lived in the Olsenville, SD area his whole life. He attended school at Midway school and Todd County High School.
Everrett married Marie Hannah on August 21, 1965 in Mission, SD. They were blessed with 4 children. Everrett worked for the South Dakota DOT for 32 years were he loved plowing snow and helping people get where they needed to go safely. Until the time he departed this world, Everrett would talk about plowing roads. Everrett moved to the Winner Long Term Care in November of 2013. Everrett was 70 years old.

A private family funeral service for 72 year old Larry Pechota of Colome, was held on Monday Dec. 28. Larry was be buried in the Colome City Cemetery.
Larry was born on April 14, 1943 at the Mother of Grace hospital in Gregory, SD. He was first of three children born to Lloyd and Lois Pechota. Larry grew up on a farm near Colome, SD and attended the Viaduct school for 3 years. His family then moved to South Beach, Oregon. They returned to the Gregory area where he graduated his senior year in 1961. Larry was united in marriage to Myrna Fetzer on September 2, 1965. Together they had three children. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in September of this year. During their marriage they lived in Gregory, SD, Ainsworth, NE and then moved back to the Colome area where they have farmed since 1979.

Larry had a love for playing baseball and football while in high school and that passion carried on to watching his own children and grandchildren play sports as well. His grandchildren were the bright spots in his life. He spent many hours outside and enjoyed gardening, feeding the birds, working on building projects and watching the crops grow and mature usually with his faithful dog by his side. Larry loved to travel with friends and family to other parts of the country but was always happy to be back to where he called home.

Larry Gene Pechota, age 72, of Colome passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 after fighting a five year battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Marion M. Pearson lived 91 good years on this planet and was tough as nails and sweet as sugar. She died peacefully on December 20, 2015, in her home.
She was born Marion Marie Eldridge in a sod house near Dixon, South Dakota, in Bull Creek Township on April 20, 1924. Her parents were Charley Eldridge and Christine (Rehwinkle) Eldridge. She had two brothers, Bryon (Viola) and Bud (Bonnie), and one sister, Elaine (John).
Marion rode a horse to country school as a student and later taught at a country school. She held many jobs through her lifetime, played in a band, owned a bar, made furniture, was a secretary, and loved her family with all her heart. She had two children: Phyllis, born in 1945 from her marriage with Vince Feyereisen; and Ross born in 1955 from her marriage with Clarence Ford. Her final marriage was to William Pearson in Rapid City.
“Grandma” as she was affectionately called was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, and her son Ross, as well as her husbands and her sister’s husband, John Kunze.
She is survived by her sister, Elaine Kunze, her daughter, Phyllis Rensch, grandchildren Timothy (Kimberly) Rensch, Melissa (Patrick) Wood, William M. Rensch II, and her great-grandchildren Cameron Parette, Merissa Parette, Gabriel (Stephanie) Rensch, Alexander Rensch, Hayden Rensch, Mason Rensch, Morgan Wood, and Callahan Wood. She is also survived by sister-in-law Bonnie Eldridge, and the children of her siblings.
Grandma loved to garden, watch birds, have Christmas, and picnic on the Fourth of July. She was proud to have been raised on a farm, was a hard worker, and watched over and protected her family. She was frugal, made the best bacon and egg breakfast ever, and made good potato salad. She was patient and generous and called those near and dear to her “Sugar.” She smoked most of her 91 years, saying, “Smoking is bad for most people, but it is good for me.” Every single time you ever visited her, when you left, no matter how much her arthritis hurt or her walker resisted, she would get up from her chair, make her way to the screen door, poke her hand out and wave goodbye and smile, as if she knew it might be the last time. This time it was. Goodbye Grandma. We all love you so.

Janet Belle Tarr was born November 28, 1928, at Colome, South Dakota, the daughter of Otis and Hazel (Hougham) Tarr. She grew up on a farm-ranch six miles southeast of Norris, and attended Kaufman rural school, and later Todd County High School, graduating in 1947. She then attended Springfield Teachers’ College where she earned her teacher’s certificate. She taught at Patricia School northeast of Martin where she met Leonard.

Janet Belle was united in marriage to Leonard Andrew Hicks on June 1, 1948, in Martin. They made their home in Martin until the summer of 1952, when they moved to her parents’ farm-ranch southeast of Norris. They continued to live and work on that ranch their entire married life. Her husband Leonard preceded her in death on December 30, 2009.

In the summer of 2012, she moved to the Golden Prairie Manor Assisted Living Center in Winner, where she resided until moving into the Winner Nursing Home in July 2014. In December of 2014, she moved to the White River Nursing Home, where she has since resided.

She was on the Norris Township Election Board for many years. Janet Belle was a fabulous cook and was known for her fried chicken and milk toast.

Gregory James Erlandson, 66, of Black Hawk, SD passed away quite suddenly at work on Wed., December 16, 2015. Greg was born October 20, 1949 to Francis (Jim) and Hazel Erlandson in Miller, SD. He lived in Highmore, SD for many years before moving to several places before he was high school age. He graduated from Winner High School in 1968. On June 13, 1970 he married Sandra Rice. He went to college at Springfield, SD for a year before he married. He went to school in Rapid City where they lived for 3 ½ years. The family then moved to Watertown, SD for nine years before moving back to Rapid City. He has lived in Black Hawk for the past 22 years. He was a long time employee of Family Thrift Center and Freeds, working for 30 and 33 years.