Category Archives: Obituaries

Phyllis Margaret (Stulken) Bolton was born to Fred, Sr. and Fannie (Kreinbuhl) Stulken in Jeruald County  in South Dakota.

Phyllis attended grade school at Schaeffer School and graduated from Wessington Springs High School in 1958. Phyllis attained her LPN degree from St. Mary’s School of Practical Nursing in Pierre, SD in 1959. She went on to gain her RN degree from Sinte Gleska University/USD in 1981.

Phyllis married Donald Wayne Bolton on April 10, 1960 in Wessington Springs and they resided in Presho, SD until moving to Reliance, SD the summer of 1960. Phyllis worked at Chamberlain Hospital from 1961 to 1967 at which time they moved to Winner.  She started work at the Baptist Hospital of Winner (Winner Regional Healthcare Center) from August 1967 thru August, 2007 when she semi-retired. She also worked part-time at Community Connections from 1989 to 2009 at which time she retired from nursing to enjoy time with her family

Phyllis was a member of the Winner United Methodist Church where she enjoyed serving on the Cares Committee, was a member of BPOE Elks and Lifetime Charter member of Winner DOES and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed reading, knitting/crocheting and spending time with family and friends. She was an avid collector of angels and snowmen. Phyllis had her greatest enjoyment spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Rebecca Ann Cooper Elsberry was born on July 22, 1958 at St. Mary’s Hospital to Myron Ralph and Mary Frances Anderson Cooper. She was raised on her grandfather’s ranch southwest of Fort Pierre. She learned her love of horses at an early age and was riding before she could walk. Becky attended Wentde Country School through the 8^th grade. She graduated from Stanley County high School in 1976.

On a dare from her father, she joined the United States Army and received letters of commendation from both Basic Training and Advanced Individualized Training. She served a total of 14 years with the United States Army and the South Dakota National Guard. Becky was a proud, Paid Up For Life member of the Pike-Wagner Post #2 of Tyndall, South Dakota.

In 1984, she graduated from the Pierre School of Practical Nursing with an LPN license after passing her nursing boards. Then in 1998, with encouragement from her family , she returned to the USD School of Nursing and earned her Registered Nurses License. Earlier in 1996, she completed the Basic EMT course and worked for the Winner Ambulance Service. She had worked for ambulance services in Winner, Hot Springs, Sanborn County (Woonsocket), Campbell County (Herreid), and Tyndall. She was serving as the city’s ambulance director at the time of her death.

She began her nursing career at St. Mary’s hospital as an LPN and worked on the surgical/peds floor before transferring to Central Supply. She has worked both as an LPN and an RN at the Winner Regional Healthcare Center, as an RN at the Redfield Community Hospital, as an RN at the Linton Hospital in North Dakota, and finished her nursing career at St. Michael’s Hospital in Tyndall.

In 1989, she met Mike Elsberry and they were married in Fort Pierre on February 18, 1993. Together they have made their home in the South Dakota cities that mirror those of the various ambulance services she served. They have traveled to Korea, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Florida, and several other places of interest as well.

Becky’s hobbies included collecting Breyer horses (over 200 in all), reading, and being with family. Outside the home, she was known for her love of nursing and for working for the ambulance service. Taking care of people and serving the public were her real passions. She wanted to give a special shout out to her friends at the Tyndall Hospital and Tyndall Ambulance. She loved you all.

Becky passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 in her home having attained the age of 56 years, 10 months, and 1 day.

Jim was born to William and Marie (Casey) Dohmen on April 29, 1925 in Colome Township.  He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Colome High School in 1943.  Following graduation, Jim farmed with his father until he entered the service as a member of the U.S. Army.

He was wounded in Korea in April of 1951 and spent several months in military hospitals until his discharge on November 10, 1952.   He received many military commendations including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Jim took great pride in being a veteran; he was a member of the Colome American Legion, the Winner VFW, the Purple Heart Commanders, and the Disabled American Veterans.  He held various leadership positions in those local and state organizations.    He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Jim was a long-time business owner in Winner, first owning and operating Jim’s Liquor from 1955-1962, then starting a career in real estate in 1959.  He owned and operated Dohmen Realty, Inc. for nearly 40 years.  Jim served on the South Dakota Real Estate Commission for eight years.

Jim was united in marriage to Lorraine Earll Ruhkamp on March 4, 1970. There is a saying, “Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.”   Jim became an instant and very special Dad to three daughters on that day.

Jim enjoyed gardening, rooting for the Cardinals, and special times with his family- especially the Thanksgiving “Annual Meetings” when all the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren got together for several days of family fun.   In the early days, he enjoyed local, state and national politics; he was a delegate to the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago.

Joyce was born to Robert and Lillian (Redding) Biggins in Wheeler, SD on March 29, 1940.  In 1949 the family moved to Winner. Joyce graduated from Winner High School in 1959.

Joyce met and married Robert Herman on October 5th 1959.  Four children were born to this union:  Danny, Tony, Marty, and Penny.  “Family is family” was her motto with faith and forgiveness as her core.  Joyce was a natural caregiver her entire life.  Never putting herself before the needs of others.  To say she was a sports fan would be an understatement.  She followed her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews all over the state.  A true lover of NASCAR and her son’s Dan and Marty racing against each other with much anxiety and pride.

Cathy was born March 25, 1960 in Winner SD to LeRoy and Clarice (Klein) Chauncey.  She grew up on a farm near Hidden Timber and attended country school.  She later attended school in Mission and Winner.

She was united in marriage to Bill Lyons on Dec.2, 1976. They lived in various locations, including Texas, Nebraska, and Lakeview, South Dakota before moving to Pierre in 1989.

Cathy passed away in the care of her family at her home overlooking the Missouri River in Pierre after a three year long courageous battle with cancer.

A memorial service celebrating the life of former Colome and Winner resident Edith Verabelle “Vera” (Story) Maier is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, May 23, 2015 in the American Legion Hall at Colome.

Vera was born October 12, 1928 at Hidden Timber, SD and died February 8, 2015 at Beemer, NE.  She is survived by two daughters, four sons, 17 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren and numerous other family members, some of whom reside in the Winner, Dallas and Colome communities.

A private committal will be held at the Colome Cemetery prior to the memorial service.

James Edward Joseph Heying, son of Paul and Anna (Full) Heying was born March 3, 1932 at the family farm near Hamill, SD.  Jim attended elementary school at King School and graduated from Winner High School in 1950.  He enlisted in the Army and was stationed at the Fort Leonard Wood where he married Veronica Jessie Lulf on March 14, 1953.  The couple resided in Texas until Jim was discharged from military duty in October of 1954.  The couple returned to the Heying family farm near Hamill to farm with Jim’s brother Bob.  In 1972 they moved to Mitchell where Jim was employed at Ellefson Implement and Dakota Manufacturing until taking a position with Mitchell Vocational Institute as the Welding Dept. instructor until his retirement in 1996.  Jim was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.  His early retirement years were filled with hunting, fishing walleye on the Missouri River, woodworking, playing guitar, and drinking coffee with friends at Coborns.  Later, as his failing health kept him more inside, he spent hours reading books during his breathing treatments and watching old westerns on television.  Though unable to walk fields, Jim never missed opening pheasant season on the farm by showing up the young ones during blue rock target practice.

A very special friend, Carol Callan, was one of the motivators in Jim’s recovery from months in the hospital with pneumonia.  His concern for Carol and desire to return home brought him back to us for another four years.

Gloria Leibrich, age 82, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, May 3rd, 2015 at the Winner Regional Health Care Facility in Winner, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, May 9, at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner. Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Gloria was born to Guy and Frances (Vavra) Carter in Dallas, SD on January 25, 1933. She grew up north of Dallas and graduated from Dallas High School in 1952.  She then attended Northern State Teachers College graduating with a teaching degree.  After college, she went with a friend to Oregon where she worked at a cherry factory. She taught school in Viborg, Fairfax, Winner, and was a substitute teacher at the St Mary’s Catholic school.  While working at the Farm and Fleet Store in Winner, she met her husband Robert Leibrich. They were united in marriage January 25, 1958.  In 1971, she began working part-time at JC Penney until it closed in1993.  She also worked part-time at the Tripp County Auditor’s office from 1976 to 1981. Gloria owned and operated L&L Transfer with her husband Robert from 1982 to 1988.  The business was sold and Gloria retired to spend time with family and friends.

Gloria was a member of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary and was a Cub Scout Den Leader.  She had many interests and joys in her lifetime including playing cards, Yahtzee, putting puzzles together, visiting with friends, and morning coffee with her children, daughter-in-laws and son-in-law.  She also enjoyed attending school and recreational activities in which her grandchildren participated.

Wilma Joyce Roubideaux, age 67, of Wagner, formally of Winner, passed away on Saturday May 2, 2015 at the Sanford Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Funeral Service was held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 7 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Winner. Burial  followed at the Winner City Cemetery.

Leslie Laverne Sachtjen was the seventh child born to Frank and Ida (Beckner) Sachtjen, on June 20, 1924 on their farm in Tripp County, SD.  He passed away Thursday, May 7, 2015 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, South Dakota at the age of 90 years.

Funeral services were held May 11 at 2 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke with Rev. David Schmidt officiating. Burial was in Graceland Cemetery in Burke.

He grew up on a farm in Tripp County and as a young man helped his father.  Later, he worked on the Harry Carlson, Sr. family ranch.  It was at this time that a young neighbor girl of the Carlsons, by the name of Viola, caught his eye.

Leslie and Viola Kaiser were married on August 10, 1947 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner.  They lived in Winner for 16 years while Les worked for Grossenburg Implement.  During this time their three children were born.  In 1962, they moved to Burke as Les began working for Cerny Implement.  Later, Les and Vi purchased the gas station on Highway 18, which became known as Les’s Texaco.  His son, Terry, joined him in the business, which they ran together, and was later known as Burke Phillip 66.  He was involved in that business for 19 years.  Les and Vi, along with their son, Terry, and his wife Michaela then purchased True Value Hardware and was involved in that business until his retirement.  Les was known for his exceptional mechanic skills and ability to fix anything.  He had a love for reading books and newspaper alike. For the past 4 years, he has called Silver Threads his home where he has received loving care from some pretty special people.

Les and Vi enjoyed camping and fishing with family and friends.  Hunting was another passion he enjoyed.   Visits from the grandchildren brightened any day.  Spending time with friends was important to them as they got together to play Peg-It, Bean Bag Toss, and Pitch.  He thoroughly looked forward to the times when they were able to go to Texas to spend time with some special friends, old and new. Les was active in the community serving on the Burke City Council and being a member of the Burke Community Club.   He was a member of Grace Ev. Lutheran Church in Burke where he had served on the council.