Category Archives: Obituaries

Bernard Lee Baxa  passed away on Wednesday, January 28^th, 2015 at Avera Gregory Hospital at the age of 80 years old.

Funeral services were held on Feb. 3 at the Burke Civic Center. Burial was in the Herrick Cemetery.

He was born on September 23^rd, 1934 in Dixon, SD in the farmhouse of his parents John and Nettie (Konop) Baxa. He has two older siblings, Ruby (Baxa) Stevicks and Duane Baxa. Bernie went to school in St. Charles, SD until his sophomore year and then finished high school in Burke, graduating in 1952. After graduating, Bernie worked on the family farm and also did custom farm work for other famers in the area. Bernie was baptized, confirmed, and became a member of The Herrick Lutheran Church.

On May 14, 1954 Bernie married his beautiful bride of 60 years,   Marilyn Tietgen. Together they had six children: Janet (Steve  Bailey) of Bonesteel, SD; Dan (Cheryl) of Herrick, SD; John (Linda) of Hohnville, LA; James (Sue) of Canistota, SD; Julie (Bruce Otto) of Canistota, SD; Jolene (Mark Ward) of Spring Creek, NV.

In 1958 Bernie started working for Gustinson Construction building bridges. In 1960 Bernie and Marilyn moved to Herrick from their farm south of town. They bought “Todd’s Recreation” in 1973, now known as Bernie’s Inn. Bernie always took pride in working hard to provide for his family.

Gladys Siewert, 73, of Gatesville, Texas, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2015 in Gatesville, Texas.  Funeral service were held on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner. Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Gaye Hambek  was born on July 18, 1941 south of Colome, SD in her grandparent’s home. She was born the oldest of three girls to Carl and Rita (Amick) Stroschine.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 13 at Grace Fellowship Church in Spearfish.  Interment followed at Rosehill Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to benefit the Spearfish Ambulance Service and Northern Hills Relay for Life.

Mervin John Higgins was born July 20, 1929 to John and Ada (Brown) Higgins at Brocksburg, Nebraska.  He died January, 20, 2015 at the Gregory Community Hospital at the age of 85 years.

Funeral services were held Jan. 23 at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Butte, Neb with Father Andrzej Wyrostek officiating. Burial was in the Catholic Cemetery at Naper.