Category Archives: Obituaries

Loren R. Siewert, age 93, of Yankton, formally of Winner, passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at the Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton. Funeral Services were held Monday, May 4, 2015 at the Christ Lutheran Church in Winner. Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

He was born on March 16, 1922 to Fred and Christina Siewert on the family farm in Gregory County. He attended rural school, completing the 8th grade. He married Jean Mardell Chastain on May 21, 1945 in Winner, SD. To this union three children were born: Rita, Larry, and Vicki.

Loren owned and operated a trucking business in Gregory, SD for several years. Following that he drove for several trucking firms hauling grain and livestock. He continued to drive truck for Edwards Oil till the age of 73. Loren was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church in Winner.

He is survived by Rita and Ron Fiala of The Village, FL., Larry and Dianne Siewert of Yankton, SD., and Vicki and Frank Ganley of Monticello, MN.; 9 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Loren was preceded in death by his parents; wife Jean; 3 brothers Harry, Emil and Albert; and 1 sister Alma.

Duane Dale Blare, 79, was taken by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, April 19, 2015.  He was born to Dale and Josephine Blare on October 22, 1935 in the farm house near Hamill.  He has lived pretty much his whole life on the homestead farm out by Hamill.  He graduated from Winner High School and played sports, pranks and the yoyo.  There he met Ruth Colleen Minchow at the Young Peoples’ Meetings whom he then married on October 3, 1954.

He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior and they joined the Orthodox Presbyterian Church where he served his Lord in whatever way possible.  Raising four children on the farm, he really enjoyed farming, raising cattle, observing how his family grew in the Lord.  Most everyone would agree that he had a happy and caring manner towards anyone he would meet.  Whether a good handshake, a big smile or most of the time a big hug, you knew he cared and wanted to help.  He hardly ever pushed himself on people but had a way of drawing you in to him.

Lorene Anna Wolf was born April 22, 1927 at Woonsocket, SD to Mathew and Lena (Hein) Wolf.

She moved to the Winner area at an early age and in 1945 she moved to the Redfield State Hospital and School. She remained there for the next 30 years.

In 1975 she moved back to Winner when the South Central Adjustment Training Center was opened. Later, she moved to the Winner Long Term Care Facility.

While living at the Adjustment Training Center, she enjoyed her work and new found independence. Lorene was presented the first Bill Sacker award. It was given to an individual with mental retardation who left an institution and became an integrated member of society. It was said in the very beginning she was determined to make it on her own. It was her dream and her goal and she never lost sight of it. Lorene won eleven Special Olympic medals and was a member of the Greater Tripp ARC, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and the Winner Lioness Club.

Evelyn Hockett, age 81, of Winner, passed away at her home on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.

Funeral service was held on Saturday April 18,  at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Winner. Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Evelyn Mae Carpenter was born at home to parents Ernest and Hazel (Sylvester) Carpenter, on October 26, 1933, in Rosewell, SD.

Evie attended grade school at Burbank Consolidated Schools. Her early high school years were spent at Canova High School. It was during her high school years that she met and married the love of her life, Robert Cecil (Bud) Hockett, Sr. To this union ten children were born.

Bud and Evie shared thirty one years together. It was during the time she tenderly cared for Bud in their home when he was suffering with cancer, that he encouraged her to pursue her new found interest in nursing care. At the age of fifty, Evie chose a future career as a nurse. Following the death of her husband, she would enter the Pierre School of Nursing in 1983, graduating suma cum laude. Evie retired from the nursing profession in 2011, caring for many and touching lives with compassion, concern and great sense of humor all grounded in her rock solid faith.

Evie loved life and having a good time and was such fun to spend time with. Her incredible sense of humor and frequent tendency to devise ways to tease and prank people, could keep others on their toes and not quite sure what she might be up to next! She loved to laugh, whether at herself or the situation, and sometimes she created that laughable situation! Many a time there was quite the mischievous sparkle in those pretty blue eyes of her’s and you didn’t know what was about to take place.

Evie was a grandma to more than her own “grands” and ”greats” as she often referred to the huge bunch of next generations she never lost count of, or grew tired of bragging on. She often said it was an honor to be called “Grandma” by all her grandchildren as well as their friends. This loving Grandma understood the concept of Jesus’ open arms to the children. She gladly welcomed hosts of adopted grandchildren over the years. And you didn’t need to be related to call her “Grandma”, she invited it and she was very good in that role. How blessed they all are that this grandma’s prayers for each of them will be remembered by God for years to come.

Evelyn was a fantastic cook and the most amazing baker.  Her breads and cinnamon rolls were treats that were known worldwide over the years. Memories of walking into her home and taking in the delicious aroma of something wonderful about to come out of the oven are precious. She would always welcome her guests with a big smile, invite them to sit at her table, then she would put coffee on and tempt you with quite the assortment of gooey and frosted delights. Or how about those chocolate chip cookies? One bite from Evie’s bakery shop and you were hooked!

Evie loved to go camping. She was always up for the adventure of roughing it, planning tasty picnic menus, sitting by campfires, and going on hikes. She just loved the outdoors and visiting new places. She also enjoyed going to retreats and church camps. For several years she was known as the camp cook. She could whip up quite the banquet for just a few or a few hundred people, and of course it always tasted so good to those hungry campers! Evie’s spent many years attending youth and teen camps as cook and camp nurse, roles she truly enjoyed.

Patricia Nelson, 76 of Sioux Falls, SD formerly of Winner, passed away on Tuesday, April 7th, 2015 at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, April 11,  at  2 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner.  Burial will follow at a later date.

Patricia L. Nelson (nee Ogle) known to her family and friends as Pat or Patsy of Sioux Falls,  arrived August 14, 1938 on her mother’s 27th birthday in Ashland, WI and departed peacefully April 7, 2015 with her family by her side at Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls, aged 76 years.

Pat was born and raised on the shores of Chequamegon Bay in Ashland, WI, the daughter of Richard and Mary (Kovachevich) Ogle where she spent the long summers days of an idyllic youth on the beaches of Lake Superior with her siblings and friends.

After graduating from DePadua High School she was employed by Wisconsin Bell for 11 years.  She married Tom Falencik of Ashland and they started their family before moving from Ashland to Winner, SD, where they owned and operated restaurants for many years. Although Pat adopted South Dakota as her home she traveled often to Wisconsin to visit family and friends. She was employed at Fullerton Lumber in Winner until marrying Wayne Nelson, then her focus became Nelson Farms.  Wayne’s many leadership positions and their great sense of adventure took them to Washington, DC and around the world.  Always grateful to have traveled to many cities and places on six continents and meeting interesting people, she especially cherished time with family and friends, tending her gardens, baking and canning and summers at the lake house in Minnesota.

Pat and her family are grateful for the compassionate care she received at Avera McKennan and Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls during the challenges that presented with an AML diagnosis nearly 3 years ago and especially, with heart-felt gratitude,  Dr. Aref Al-Kali of The Mayo Clinic who’s unfailing optimism, compassionate care and accomplished direction he provided during an experimental drug therapy she received at The Mayo Clinic.

Marvin Lee Brandis, 59, of Winner, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at his home in Winner.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 13, 2015 at 2 p.m. at the Winner-Ideal Community Hall.  Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Marvin was born at home on June 1, 1955, in Winner, to Melvin, Sr. and Alice (High Rock) Brandis.  He went to school in Winner and Mission.  After completing his GED he attended Sinte Gleska University.  He received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota.  He also received a master of education from Sinte Gleska University.

He enlisted in the Navy and was honorably discharged in 1976. He met and married Arlene in 1980.  They had four children:  Toby Clairmont from a previous marriage, Alicia, Derek, and Wade.

Marvin enjoyed bowling with friends and family at the Winner Bowling Center. He was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan.  His favorite singer was Elvis.  He liked to watch and read ghost stories and SyFy movies.  He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed all holidays, especially Christmas, and birthday celebrations.  He enjoyed selling fireworks during the 4th of July to the surrounding families and children in the area.  He always wanted to make sure that the children had a good holiday.

Marvin worked as a middle school teacher in Winner, Lower Brule, He Dog School and was employed at Sinte Gleska University.

Maynard Duane Jensen was born May 2, 1932 at Egan, SD to Robert W. and Doris I. (Fulton) Jensen.   He attended country school near Egan and Hartford High School at Hartford.  After high school, he began farming with his father and brother.  On September 5, 1953, Maynard was united in marriage to Marcella Wiese at Sioux Falls.  To this union two daughters were born Kae and Kim.  He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1954. In I956 he was discharged and returned to the farm and served in the Army Reserves until 1961.  In 1960, Maynard, Marcella and their family moved to Chamberlain to ranch.  Maynard attended Western College of Auctioneering in Billings, MT graduating in 1965. In 1971 Maynard began work full time as an Auctioneer.  He began auctioneering at the Chamberlain Livestock Auction and also in Pierre and Kimball.  He auctioneered the first cattle sale at the Sioux Falls Stockyards in 1973.

Maynard quit auctioneering at the stockyards and began working in real estate under Burton Anderson while getting his real estate license.  He received his Broker License in 1971 at which time he opened Jensen Auction and Realty.  Later, he took on partner Ed Houska in the business forming Jensen-Houska Auction and Realty. He retired from the real estate business around 2010 but continued to do auctions as this was his childhood dream and he was proud to be an auctioneer.

Maynard was especially proud of his family and loved to have his children and grandchildren come visit.

Maynard enjoyed hunting, collecting tractors, woodworking, reading, and watching western TV shows and movies.  He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and also served a term as church treasurer.  He was a member of the American Legion and the Winner Elks Club

Maynard passed away on April 6, 2015 at Sanford Medical Center in Chamberlain at the age of 82 years.  Gratefully sharing his life are his wife Marcella of Chamberlain; two daughters Kae Peterson of Seattle, WA and Kim (Clint) Vanneman of Ideal, SD; five grandchildren Kimberly Peterson, Ambur (Mike) Hinrichs, Wayne Peterson, Ashley (Cody) Kartak, Justin (Tasha Hauf) Vanneman; two great grandchildren Claire and Emma Hinrichs.  Preceding him in death were his parents, his brother Bob Jensen, and sister-in-law Gloria Miller.

Mike was born April 19, 1931 in Presho, South Dakota to Sylvester and Veronica Sweeney. He grew up in Presho where he attended school.

He was united in marriage to Wanda Lee Roberts on February 13, 1954 in Presho, SD. Mike worked as an Auto Mechanic and as Bus Manager. He enjoyed riding ATV and during his retirement years in Arizona he enjoyed collecting cans for charity. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion and Christ the King Catholic Church in Presho.

Mike is survived by his wife Wanda Lee of Presho; his children: Kathy and Jerry Styles, Lynn and Lyle Reynolds, Jim and Donna Sweeney, Mark Sweeney and Mary Jo and Marlon Hopper; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two brothers: Jerry Sweeney and Leroy Sweeney and sister Marsha Blake.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Syl, Paul and Lawrence Sweeney and two sisters: Pat Konzem and Delores Plueger.

Viola Margene Eldridge was born July 9, 1936 at Winner,  to Henry and Dorothy (Schmidt) Holthus.  She was raised in Hamill where she attended grade school and then attended high school in Winner.  On November 18, 1954, Viola was united in marriage to Byron Dale Eldridge at the Lutheran Parsonage in Winner. They made their home on Bull Creek on Byron’s folks yard for a year before moving to a farm northeast of Hamill where they remained for the next 35 years.  In 1990, they moved to Colome and then in December of 2007 moved to Chamberlain to be near family and for health reasons.

Viola was a mother and farm wife first and foremost but would also work as a substitute post master in Hamill and Colome.  At times, she worked at the Colome Cafe’.  Viola was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church serving in the Ladies Aide and as a Sunday School Teacher.  She was a member of the Hamill Horseman’s Club and was a faithful blood donor becoming a member of the “Gallon Club” and was very close to reaching the “Two Gallon Club”.  Viola was a dutiful letter writer and loved to read.

Viola passed away on April 2, 2015 at Sanford Medical Center in Chamberlain at the age of 78 years.

Steven M. Stenwall (50) of Millington, Tn. died unexpectedly at his home , March 18th. 2015.

Steve was born March 2nd. 1965 , the son of the late David E. Stenwall and Judy (Elliott) Stenwall , formerly of the Winner, South Dakota , South Sioux City and Ponca, Nebraska  areas. Steve served as a Navy Corpsman attached to Fleet Marine  Forces in Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  He was an EMT first responder  and emergency room tech at the Millington ,Tn. Naval Hospital  and a certified National EMT responder,  and a Physician  Substitute.     The full military Service for Steve was held March 24th. 2015  at the VFW in Millington, Tn. directed by the United  States Navy Chaplin  and  Honor Guards from the Unites States  Marine Corp and United States Navy.   The eulogy was given by Steve’s best  friend, of thirty years, Navy Chief , Rick West .    Steve is survived by his mother, Judy Stenwall ( husband Harold Garfinkel )  David E. Stenwall II ( Marsha ) all of Custer, South Dakota , two sisters, Dyonnie Minier and Shauna Stenwall both of Yakima , Washington. Steve is preceded in death by his father, David E. Stenwall, Sr. , his grandparents , Lee and Elsie Stenwall of Allen, Ne. and Bob and Marian Elliott of Ponca, Ne.  Steve was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Memphis, Tn., a life member of VFW Post 7175 in Millington,Tn. a member of the NRA , a volunteer with the Wounded Warrior Project  .  Steve was a decorated war veteran who served his county with honor and distinction  .   Memorials may be sent to The Wounded Warrior Project in his name.