Category Archives: Obituaries

Alice Margaret Jorgensen Bobick was born in Winner, on March 16, 1927 and passed away on July 31, 2015 under wonderful care at the Winner Nursing Home.  Alice was the youngest of 9 children of Martin Sr. and Gertrude Jorgensen.  She was baptized, had her first communion and was confirmed at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner.  Her strong faith was with her throughout her entire life.

Her three year older brother Martin was her protector and very close friend.  Alice had scarlet fever at a young age and Martin would spend much time reading to her.  This strong relationship lasted a lifetime

Alice received her education in Ideal where she completed all her education except for her senior year.  At that time the Ideal High School was closed and she then finished her remaining education at Winner.  It was there that Alice met and became friends with Mary Storms who later became her sister in law.

After high school she got a job in the Tripp Co. Auditor’s office and worked there until her older sister Helen got her a job in 1946 at Farmers Union central exchange in St. Paul, MN where she worked for 30 plus years.  She worked in what they called a man’s business but moved up the ladder in promotions and sales.

In 1972 Alice married her second husband Jack Bobick and had 27 wonderful years together.  After Jack’s death, Alice remained living in St. Paul and enjoyed her many friends in MN.  In her later years Alice moved back to Winner to be closer to family.

Walter Edward Graesser was born on January 5, 1925 at the Gregory Hospital to Thomas D. & Neta (Stoltenberg) Graesser and died July 27, 2015 at Rosebud Country Care Center. He was the third of 4 children. Walt’s family lived in Carlock township until they moved to Valley township when he was four where he continued to live and raise his family until his retirement.

In 1943 he graduated from Gregory High School, after which he worked on the farm with his dad, taking over when his parents retired.  Walt married Arlene (Lebert) on May 27, 1950 at the Paxton Methodist Church and to this union Rod, Steve, Kevin and Karen were born.

Walt’s passion was attending the sporting events of his children and grandchildren and there was little that caused him to miss, even if it involved milking the dairy cows at 4 in the afternoon.  He loved working with horses and reminiscing about his special ones. One particular memory was during the winter of ’52 when roads were blocked with snow. Rod was a baby and became quite ill, requiring medication. The mailman was able to bring it as far as Carlock which was 10 miles away, so Walt rode his horse Rocket to get the medicine.  Another special memory was when he found his team of horses, Nip and Tuck. They, along with Dick and Jean Steffen hitched them to a covered wagon for the SD centennial and participated in the wagon train from Winner to Bonesteel.  Walt loved baseball. He played for Colome and had the opportunity to coach Rod, Steve and Kevin for several years. He also enjoyed watching his grandchildren play ball and talking Twins baseball, especially with grandson Carter.

His children have many memories of visiting neighbors which always involved a game of cards around the kitchen table. He continued to enjoy playing pitch with their many friends into his later years.

Ramona was born on May 18, 1936, to Edward and Lenora Ringing Shield in Rosebud, South Dakota.  Ramona was raised in Bad Nation, SD and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic Boarding School in Springfield, South Dakota in May 1955.

Ramona married Martin Sidney High Rock on October 5, 1956.  From this union five children were born.  Bonnie Black Feather of Winner, SD; Ronald High Rock Sr. of Aberdeen, SD; Shirley Groskruetz of Minneapolis, MN; Brenda High Rock of Winner, SD and Lonnie High Rock of Rapid City, SD.  Ramona has 22 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.

Ramona worked as a CNA at the Winner Regional Hospital in Winner, SD, a training officer at the Winner School District, as a coordinator with Family Planning, but her favorite job was being an excellent caring and loving mother and wife.  She was proud to say she was a homemaker because she was so good at it.

Victor Keith “Chipper” Burkinshaw was born on March 10, 1928 at the family ranch NW of Wood SD, to Vernon Victor and Clemintine Burkinshaw. He graduated from Wood High School. He was drafted during the Korean War into the Armed Services and did basic training at Camp Roberts, CA. On the completion of his duties he was honorably discharged and came home to take over the ranch as his father was failing with cancer. He then met and married Eunice Gilliland on November 26, 1955. They were married for 43 years before Eunice’s early passing. They were blessed with 3 children, Roger, Debbie and Cindy. After leaving the family farm and moving to Winner, he worked for Brown Oil Company for many years. He later moved to manage a motel and lastly he owned and operated a Credit Bureau.

Keith was a faithful, loving, honest and hard-working husband, father and grandfather. He also encouraged his family to never lose their faith in God. Keith sang at numerous funerals, weddings, church and other events along with his beloved wife, as she sang and played the piano, accordion and organ. He was a (witty) man who loved his family and was passionate about his faith. He set examples for his family members and also for living a Godly life. One of his greatest hobbies was gardening and yard work, spending time with Eunice, his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was an active and dedicated member of the Wood American Legion for over 50 years and a member of The First Reformed Church in Mitchell. The family would like to thank all the caregivers at Avera Brady for their efforts, care and dedication.

Joey attended rural schools close to the Colome family farm until his parents moved to Winner.  He graduated from Winner High School and went to Mitchell Business School in Mitchell, SD where he received a degree in business.  Joey went to work at the Winner Cold Storage and a Winner Gas Station where he worked in the office.
Joey joined the United States Army and was stationed at various bases around the country during the Korean War Conflict and was honorably discharged in February 1953.  He worked in the mail department which led to a job for the US Post Office in Winner where he worked for 35 years.  Joey first worked as a mail carrier and later as a clerk.  He was well-liked by his patrons and co-workers.

Joey was an active and lifetime member of the American Legion, VFW and the Elks Club.  For many years Joey marched in the Labor Day Parade.  He also served as Commander of the American Legion and was Grand Marshal for the Labor Day Parade.  Joey was care taker for his father for many years until his father passed away.

Joey liked to read and was a stamp and coin collector.  He was an avid sports fan, he also enjoyed car races and listening to the local school ball games on his radio.  Joey enjoyed traveling when he was younger, a highlight for him was to see a Vikings game in Minneapolis. Joey occupied his free time with his dog Snoopy, his vegetable and flower garden, his farm, farm animals, listening to Bohemian music, and spending time with his family and friends.  Joey was a kind, giving, and warm-hearted man.  He always had a warm smile and hello for everyone that made them feel special and wonderful.

Joanne was born on December 6th, 1927 in Redfield, SD. She was the daughter of Mary (Becht) and Truman Rutherford. She graduated high school in Winner, SD in 1945.

Joanne (Grami) Zeigler was a beloved wife, dedicated mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, as well as a dear friend to many. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, playing mah jongg, and camping.

Raymalee Fladebo, 103, of Winner, SD passed away on Tuesday, July 21, at the Winner Regional Healthcare Center in Winner.  Funeral service were held on Saturday, July 25, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Winner.  Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Raymalee Grace Adams was born Aug. 5, 1911 to Clarence and Annie Belle Adams in the homestead shack built by her father located 4 miles SW of Keya Paha, SD. After suffering 18 U.S. Presidents and numerous Wars, Raymalee was preceded in death by her husband George; brother Charles Adams; sisters Edith McElhaney, Stella Cramer, Mildred Jenson and Frances Adams; one son Darrell Fladebo; and one sister-in-law Frances Adams.

Phyllis Brei, 80, of Kearney, died Saturday, July 4, 2015 at Mt. Carmel Keens Memorial Home in Kearney.  Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 10, 2015 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winner, S.D.  Interment will follow at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Mission, S.D. Visitation will be held 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, July 9, 2015 at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney.  Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Chapel of the Pines in Valentine is in charge of arrangements.

Phyllis Irene Christiansen Brei was born on February 24th, 1935 at the General Hospital in Winner, SD to John and Gladys Christiansen, nee Vandeventer.  She attended adult instruction classes and was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in Mission, SD on January 9, 1954.  Phyllis was a faithful member of the Wisconsin Lutheran Synod throughout her adult life, she was a member at Zion in Mission, SD, Trinity in Winner, SD and Good Shepherd in Kearney, NE.   She was active in various organizations through the church and helped out with many projects over the years.

Phyllis lived on the family farm in southeastern Todd County, SD, near the community of Keya Paha, Nebraska; she attended country school through eighth grade and attended high school in Mission, SD at Todd County High School, living on the campus during the school year.  Phyllis graduated from Todd County High School in 1953 and was active with alumni association keeping records and addresses of alumni until her declining health impacted this work in 2007.  Phyllis enjoyed staying in touch with the alumni of TCHS as she worked diligently to find information on former alums who the committee had lost contact with.   The Todd County High School reunions were a very important to Phyllis, she very much enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with old friends from around the immediate area as well as from across the country.

Phyllis worked for the Missouri Valley Insurance Company in Burke, SD following graduation, until her marriage to Reuben Brei on June 12th, 1954.  To this union two children were born, a son Philip and a daughter, Cheryl.

Phyllis worked for the South Dakota Department of Social Services from July 1st. 1954 until April 1st, 1958, when she became a stay at home mom.  Phyllis rejoined the work force in 1966 involved in the Title Five program, at the end of this program she was able to re-join the Department of Social Services, retiring after 34 years of service in January 1997.  The star quilt that Phyllis received upon her retirement was an item that she was very proud of and grateful for.

Phyllis and her mother were avid seamstresses, making many of her children’s clothes, Phyllis was always working on crafts or projects, usually making gifts for the special people in her life, friends or family.

Phyllis’ main passion was crocheting, she crocheted everything from potholders and baby blankets to full sized afghans.  She was always looking for a way to add a crocheted border to a blanket or add a personalized touch to something she wanted to give to someone.  She enjoyed making and sharing her beautiful handiwork with friends and relatives for all types of occasions.

Phyllis is survived by her husband Reuben, her son Philip, daughter-in-law, Lois of Kearney, NE, two grandsons, Kevin of Charles City, IA and Matthew of Kearney, NE. Nieces, JoAnn Holmes, Laura Emde and Doris Abraham and their families, Nephews, Jerald Brei and Harold Brei and their families, as well as numerous cousins throughout Minnesota, Nebraska, Michigan and Oregon.

William “Bill: Lester Bowden was born to Clarence Miles and Hazel Charlotte (Lester) Bowden April 5, 1923 on a farm two miles west of Tekamah, Nebraska. He passed away June 27, 2015 at The Legacy Retirement Community in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 92 years.