Category Archives: Obituaries

John Louis Greer was born on May 13, 1922 to John and Jennie (Orr) Greer. He was the eighth of nine children born to this union. John grew up and attended Ryan school west of Lucas, SD, eventually graduating from Lucas High School where he was involved in the Lucas school choir . He attended the Lucas Baptist Church where he was baptized.

Following high school, John operated a small farm in the Lucas area before marrying his high school sweet heart, Lora “Ellen” Nelson on April 10th , 1944. John and Ellen continued to live on this farm for a few years where they eventually had three children – Cheryl, Rodney and Roger. John and Ellen moved numerous times around the Dallas, Dixon area, operating small farms before settling in Gregory, SD in 1962. After arriving in Gregory, John opened two gas station/auto repair shops.

In his free time, John was very active in the Methodist Church of Gregory, participating in numerous bible study and men’s groups. John was elected United Methodist Layman of the Year in 1987 for his work in fellowship and evangelism within the Methodist Church.

After “retiring” John remained active in the church and Gregory Communities by mowing lawns (including the Methodist Church) and assisting his longtime friend Emmett Kotrba. John and Ellen were sextants At the IOOF Cemetery for Twenty five Years. On his “days off” he could be found watching old westerns and eating homemade popcorn. He also enjoyed spending time with Ellen making road trips to visit grandkids and occasionally fishing for catfish and largemouth bass.

When Ellen entered the Gregory nursing home John would lovingly be there three times a day for her. On one of these visits he fell while leaving and as a result of immobility he spent his remaining years in the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center, passing away on October 9th 2015 at 93 years of age.

David Ralph Freeman was born October 5, 1943 at his parents home, Ralph and Mary (Keckler) Freeman in Springfield, SD.  He died October 14, 2015 at Burke Community Hospital in Burke, SD at the age of 72 years.Memorial services were held Oct. 19 at the United Methodist Church of Burke with burial in the Herrick Cemetery.

His family later moved to a farm and lived with his Uncle Luther Freeman near Carlock, SD.  Dave then attended grade school at the Sioux Valley Country School-District #35 in Carlock, SD and attended high school through the 9th grade at Gregory High School and during this time he worked for several farmers in the Paxton, SD area.

In 1964 he enlisted in the US Army as a heavy equipment mechanic and sharp shooter.  His last tour of service was spent in South Korea and was discharged in 1966.
In 1967 he was working on the Herman Ranch in Draper, SD when he met the love of his life, Myrna (Miller) Labahn and they were married on April 6th, 1968.  He became the father of her two sons, Dennis and Duane (aka-Weiner) and they made their home in Draper, SD where he then worked for Max Horsley. Later they moved to the Burke area and was employed by the Gregory Country Highway department and acquired the nickname Davey, until his retirement in November of 2007. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #220 in Herrick, SD, a Fireman for the Burke Volunteer Fire Department, and devoted many hours helping build the Burke Stampede Rodeo grounds utilizing his welding skills.  After retirement Dave began the second (maybe first) love of his life of driving an 18 Wheeler until his health started failing.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, Donald Freeman, Dorthy McCarthy and Delbert Freeman and Brother-In-Law Keith Silling as well as several other relatives and friends.

Mary was born in Lead, South Dakota Oct 27, 1920 to Syd and Vi Lang and grew up in Belle Fourche.

After graduating from Belle Fourche High School she enrolled in St John’s School of Nursing and graduated in 1941. In 1943 she volunteered for the Army Nurse
Corps and was assigned to the 91st General Hospital unit in Oxford, England during World War II. Mary said “it was her privilege to have nursed so many young, brave men.” Over the years she maintained contact with several of the soldiers she cared for who credited her with helping save their lives. Mary resumed her civilian status in November 1945. Through the GI bill she took advantage of continuing education by going to anesthesia school and passing the national boards.

In 1947 while working at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls she met the love of her life, Al Clark and they were married on January 12, 1948. They moved to Rapid City where they raised two sons, Steve and Mark Clark. Mary worked as a nurse anesthetist at St John’s Hospital and her husband Al was a radio and TV personality for KOTA. In 1959 they moved to Winner where they purchased KWYR radio and Mary worked as a nurse anesthetist and administrator for the Baptist hospital.

Over the years in Winner she was active in the community and her compassion for her patients was frequently recognized by those in the medical profession and the patients themselves. In 1976 after her husband Al suffered a heart attack and had open heart surgery they transitioned to a residence in Scottsdale, Arizona, to enjoy golf, and a warmer climate. Al passed way in 1984 and Mary remained in Arizona with the many friends she had acquired. She had a passion for her dogs over the years and was a supporter of the Humane Society as well as VFW. She was able to visit Washington DC to visit the World War II Memorial and meet with Senator Mc Cain and attend a 50 year 91st General Hospital Reunion in Oxford, England. Mary enjoyed running, morning swims, movies, bridge, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Phoenix Suns until she was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease. In 2009 it was necessary for her to have 24 hour care and she moved to residential home in Scottsdale with several other Alzheimer’s patients. She had excellent care givers in her final years as well as visits from friends and family.

Mary was an amazing woman with a kind heart and sweet soul. She lived a full and vibrant life and for that we are so grateful!

Donna Dee Trego was born March 24, 1931 in Gregory, South Dakota. She was the daughter of Arthur and Maude (Cline) Kortmeyer. Donna lived in Gregory, Naper, Nebraska and moved to Winner at the age of 12. Her father, Art, was a butter maker at the creamery in the early years. Later he became an expert in the construction business.

Donna was raised with two brothers, Jack and Harry Kortmeyer, and one sister, Beverly (Bob) Biggins.

Donna attended Winner High School where she began lifelong friendships that she cherished until her passing. Outside of two years in Vermillion, South Dakota, she lived her adult life in Winner.

Donna married Robert Trego, the love of her life, in 1948. From this marriage four children were born, Bruce (Elizabeth) Trego, Vacaville, California, Jackie (Larry) Ertz, Winner, Jim (Tammy Meister ), Colorado Springs, Colorado and Cindy (Jeff) Beringer, Yankton, South Dakota.

Always a servant at heart, Donna was active in many clubs and organizations. She was a 66 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was also a member of the DAV Auxiliary, Friends of the Library, Southern Plains Behavioral Health Services, Winner United Methodist Church, and the Agape Circle Tripp County Volunteers.

Donna worked in the Tripp County Treasurers Office for 23 years and proudly served two terms as the Tripp County Treasurer until her retirement in 1996. Her post retirement years were spent enjoying the company of her children, grand children and many, many friends.

Betty Lou (Kerner) Swedlund was born in Gregory, SD on April 18, 1946 to Emil and Mary (Beavers) Kerner. She was the second of five children. Betty grew up in Valley Township, Tripp County and graduated from Gregory High School in 1964. She married Keith Swedlund on July 9th, 1965, and they made their home together on a ranch along the White River. To this union, three children were born: Brian in 1966, Tisha in 1969, and Tara in 1981. Betty also worked as a waitress at Hutch’s Cafe and Lounge in Presho for forty-three years, where her great joy was having conversations with regulars and with people from all parts of the country who stopped.

Betty was a hardworking, loving, caring Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma who was very dedicated to her family. She loved to travel and help out on the ranch with her husband Keith, with whom she recently celebrated fifty years of marriage. She took great joy and pride in caring for her yard and flower gardens. Betty attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in Witten and later transferred to Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner.

Leola “Lee” Wermers was born November 3, 1943 to Leo and Annabel (Garvis) Wermers in Parkston, SD. She graduated from Parkston High School in 1961 and then attended beauty school in Sioux Falls. Her mother introduced her to a small-town pharmacist named Phillip Pickart, they were married September 21, 1963 in Parkston. They were blessed with four children, Ann, Jon, Mark and David.

Lee was a homemaker. She enjoyed taking care of her family and was a very involved and “hands on” Grandmother. She attended all of their events and then provided them with keepsake scrapbooks of all of their events. She enjoyed caring for others by visiting friends and church members who were in the local hospitals. Her faith was very important to her and she was an active member of St. Michael Catholic Church and Catholic Daughters. Lee loved bowling and was a member of the State Board Bowling Association. She loved to visit and definitely had the gift of gab, a wonderful sense of humor and outgoing, colorful personality.

He was born October 29, 1923 in Carter, South Dakota to parents William and Cordelia Creasey Chauncey. Neil grew up in Winner, South Dakota. He served in the United States Army 102 Infantry Division during WWII. After the war, Neil married Elizabeth Erk on November 3, 1949 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Rapid City, South Dakota. To this union four children were born. Neil graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines with a degree in civil engineering. He was a member of the Theta Tau professional engineering fraternity. After graduation he worked for the Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs from 1949-1979.

Neil and Elizabeth retired to Denison, TX in 1979. He joined, and served as past president, of the Texoma Rockhounds. Neil served as past president of the Chapter 1290 Federal Retirees of Sherman. He also taught Lapidary classes to senior citizens at Grayson College for several years. Neil was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Tommie Joe Fox was born on January 11, 1933 in Winner, South Dakota to Thomas Fox and Kate (Scott) Fox. Tommie attended school in the Mission area until he dropped out in the 9th grade to help with the family ranches due to his father’s poor health.

Tommie married Dorothy Lee Dvorak on November 7, 1952. They lived and ranched on the ranch where he grew up north of Mission, South Dakota for many years. This ranch has been in the Fox family for almost 100 years. Tommie and Dorothy raised four children on the ranch and always seemed to have lots of family and friends visiting. Everyone gathered there as it was referred to as the “Home Place”.

Tommie loved the land, cattle and horses. He was a true cowboy in every sense of the word. He enjoyed ranch life and visiting with friends, neighbors, and family. He was witty and loved to talk, tell stories, and make people laugh. He also enjoyed attending rodeos and horse sales. In fact, in his younger years, Tommie Joe was quite the bronc rider and very proud of winning First Place among 40 contestants at a rodeo in the area. He cherished the belt buckle he won that day.

In the 1990’s his wife Dorothy’s declining health made it necessary to move to Winner to be close to doctors. Tommie did not like town life and traveled to the ranch almost daily. Eventually Dorothy was moved to the Winner Nursing Home and Tommie to the Elder Inn Assisted Living. Tommie was a faithful husband and visited Dorothy in the nursing home every morning and evening as long as he was able to do so.

In 2011 Tommie and Dorothy entered a nursing home in Lakewood, Colorado to be close to their daughter, Cindy, and her family. When Dorothy passed away in 2012 Tommie moved to a small Assisted Living facility with a home like environment where he resided until he passed away peacefully on September 24th after a long bout with Alzheimer’s disease.

Leuella was born December 4, 1927 in Bryant, South Dakota to Louis and Mabel Gilbertson. Leuella graduated from Hayti High School. She was united in marriage to Curtis Lee on September 7, 1947. The couple made their home near Lake Norden. While raising a family, Leuella attended SDSU and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in January of 1969. During the summer of 1969 she accepted the position as Extension Agent for Tripp County and they moved to Winner.

As the Extension Agent she taught many classes of beginning sewing and bread baking. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching and assisting 4-H members and their 4-H clubs over the years. Leuella retired after 20 years of service.

After retirement Leuella enjoyed spending time on the farm with Curtis. She raised very large gardens and enjoyed giving away her harvest to friends and family. Another passion that she mastered was quilting. Leuella made beautiful quilts for family and friends. She was a charter member of the South Canyon Lutheran Church Piecemakers in Rapid City. Leuella is quoted as saying, “nothing gets in my way to keep me from being there on Thursday mornings.”

Leuella will always be remembered for her love of family and friends. She was well known for the beautiful flowers she grew, her peach pies and homemade buns. Faith was always an integral part of her life. Leuella attend Circle and Prayer Breakfast as a member of South Canyon Lutheran Church. Her values of kindness, respect of others, hard work, and strong faith were passed onto her children and grandchildren.

Ardith Mae Roubideaux long Crow was born at home delivered by her grandmother Frances on September 10, 1949 to parents Charles and Virginia Roubideaux. She was one of thirteen children. Back in the day, tents were the Lakota family’s homes, so Ardith always told a story of being born in a tent by the railroad tracks in 1949 or 1950. She grew up unsure by what year, so she always went by 1949 as her year of birth.

Ardith grew up and lived in Winner all her life. In her younger years she had three children: Anthony, Jennifer, and Sherry. On July 19, 1979 she married Orson R. Long Crow and to this union four daughters were born: Carol, LeAnn, Victoria, and Lori. While Orson was a Winner City Police officer, Ardith worked at the Winner Nursing Home for several years. She also attended Sinte Gleska University and DWU studying nursing. Ardith eventually chose to be a homemaker caring for her children, then her grandchildren.

Ardith took great pride in her family, her children, especially her grandchildren. She devoted her life to her family and followed all the activities and football games her grandchildren participated in. Ardith was a very important part of all her grandchildren’s lives, and was happy when her family was all together. She enjoyed playing bingo, her puzzle books, and visiting with her sisters, and loved being called Grandma by all the children in her life. She had nicknames for all of them.

Ardith had an effect on many people in her life, to her beautiful smile, her unique voice, to her love she had for life.