Category Archives: Obituaries

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.

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.