Category Archives: Obituaries

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Elsie Meister who passed away on August 1, 2022.

Elsie was born on February 15, 1925 on the family farm in the Winner area to parents John and Barbara Meister. She was delivered at home by a midwife. Elsie never did have a birth certificate.

Elsie went to local schools and graduated from Winner High School May 25, 1944.

Elsie spent most of her adult life in northern California where she married her husband Russell Newberg December 21, 1945. They were married for 69 years and had two sons. Russell was born and raised in San Francisco. They lived there for several years before buying a home in Palo Alto and in 1962 bought a home in Livermore, California.

Elsie was a homemaker, a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother.

In 2001 Elsie and Russell moved to Casa Grande, Arizona to live near their son Gary, daughter-in-law and grandson Gary J.

Elsie’s husband passed away November 1, 2014.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, her four brothers Kenneth, Art, Junior and Alvin, her sister Clara and her nephews Ricky and Bob.

Elsie was laid to rest August 11, 2022 at the Mountain View Cemetery in Casa Grande, Arizona. She will be dearly missed but forever in our hearts.

Pam was born on February 16, 1947 to Frank and Georgia Fite.

Pam grew up in Presho, SD and graduated from Presho High School in 1965. Pam attended Northern State College where she graduated with a teaching degree in Speech Therapy.

Pam finished her career in Winner, SD where she met her husband, Al McIntosh.

Pam was a member of the Winner United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Cares Ministry and the Friendship Club.

Pam attended TOPS and was the leader at one time. She also attended several state conventions.

Pam is survived by her two sons Mac and Kip and Kip’s wife Nackea.

Pam is survived by six grandchildren, Mac’s daughters – Deyondra and Hadessa. Also, Kip’s children Kyle, Tawni, Corbin and Teegon.

Pam is also survived by her mother and sister Paula Fire Bruce plus her two nieces, Dawn Bruce Clark and family and Kari Bruce Ott and family.

Pam was preceded in death by her father and her husband, Allen.

Valentine (Val) Charles Rush was born July 8, 1949, in Flandreau, SD, the son of John J. and Evelyn M. (Valentine) Rush. He entered the presence of his loving Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022.

Funeral services will be 10:30 am Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, at the Egan United Methodist Church, Egan, SD with burial in Hillside Cemetery, Egan. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 – 7 pm with a time of sharing at 6:30 pm at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau. www.skrochfc.com

Val spent his days on the farm after graduating from St Mary’s in Dell Rapids and then Dakota State in Madison. Before he even saw it, God’s grace was apparent in his life. On Sept. 10, 1977, he married Teresa (Hessaa) Molskness, and they recently celebrated their 45th anniversary. During their marriage, they had three children, Aaron, Sarah, and Jonathan. Val spent many days planting and harvesting corn and beans. But in 1987, those days came to an end. 

Not knowing what would come next, his career moved to the insurance business. But he began sowing seeds other than corn, beans, or insurance. God called him to make the seed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ known. His call to ministry started when attending the Egan United Methodist Church at the age of 43. Several Egan Church ladies asked Val to teach their adult Sunday School Class. He loved and continued teaching God’s Word, revealed through the Bible. Later the members of the Egan church encouraged Val to attend seminary and become a pastor. It was not an easy decision, but it turned out to be very wise in the end, as obedience to God is. He attended North American Baptist Seminary starting in September 1992 and completed his degree in Divinity in May 1995.  After his first year of seminary, he received a call to serve part-time at the Garretson United Methodist Church and later served full-time after adding two small churches in Minnesota.

After seven years in Garretson, Val stated that he and Teresa would be willing to move anywhere except North Dakota. They soon packed their bags to head north to Bowman, North Dakota. Then twelve years later, they moved to pastor the Winner United Methodist Church in South Dakota. After retiring from five years of ministry in Winner, they moved to a farm near Canton and, lastly, Sioux Falls. In retirement, Val pastored the Methodist Church in Viborg, SD, worked as a volunteer hospice chaplain, and part-time chaplain at the Avera Heart Hospital. He entered into his eternal rest and has now truly retired. The remarkable grace of God marked Val’s life. Living by those words of Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” He longed that everyone would come into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Grateful for having a part of Val’s life are his wife, Teresa; Children, Aaron (Liz Rush), Avon, SD; Sarah Rush, Sioux Falls; and Jonathan Rush and Heather Rieger. Sioux Falls. Grandchildren Kuyper Rush, Zane Rush, Charles Rush, Finley Rush, Ezra Rush, Brooklyn Rieger, Ellianna Rush, and Evelyn Rush. Siblings: James Rush (Ann), Omaha, NE; Margaret Rush, Sioux Falls; Jack Rush   (Gayle), Philip, SD; Mary Jane Hover (Brad), Kansas City, MO; and Richard “Dick” Rush, Omaha, NE. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother David Rush.

Gerald Krogh, 80, of Winner, SD passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 at the Bennett County Nursing Home in Martin, SD.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022 at 2 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Winner, SD.   Burial will be held at a later date.

Gerald (Jerry) Lewis Krogh was born on March 5, 1942 in Prosser, Wash., to Lewis and Myrth (Carpenter) Krogh. He passed away quietly in his sleep on Nov. 2, 2022 at the Bennett County Nursing Home in Martin, SD.

Jerry is best known for his love of horses. His father was a ditch rider for the open irrigation systems of the Yakima Valley in Washington state and Jerry rode the ditch banks on his pony from an early age. He owned and trained horses until the last few years of his life, when his health did not permit him to continue.

Jerry was drafted into the military and served in the Air Force from Feb. 4, 1964 to Aug. 2, 1968 when he was honorably discharged. He achieved the rank of sergeant. He served in Guam, loading bombs to fly to Vietnam.

Jerry fell in love with South Dakota while stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base. He continued to make his home in the Rapid City area for the next 19 years. During that time he worked for Duane Smith, (Smitty) breaking horses and leading trail rides at Palmer Gulch Camp Ground. He also served as an ambulance driver during the Rapid City flood of 1972.

Jerry’s attachment to cars led to him earn a degree in Auto Body Repair. He was able to utilize his artistic nature restoring vehicles.

On May 22, 1987, Jerry married Ruth Egleston Tracy in Colome, SD. He became a loving father to his three step children, Raymond, Rachel and Darrell Tracy. The family lived in Mission, SD and then moved back to Jerry’s home town of Grandview, WA.

Jerry became a Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator for the city of Grandview, WA during the 1990s.

He rose to the level of assistant head operator in 1997.

They returned to South Dakota in 1999 and lived in the Lake Andes area prior to moving to Buffalo, SD in 2008. Jerry enjoyed helping area ranchers in the summer and began a new career as a leather craftsman.

Due to Jerry’s declining health, the couple moved to Winner, SD in June, 2016 to be closer to family and medical care.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lewis, his mother, Myrth, One sister, Betty (Krogh) Heim, brothers in law, Ken Heim, Lloyd Akins, Bob Forman and Fred Egleston.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth (Egleston, Tracy) Krogh, three children, Raymond (Sherrie) Tracy, Pierre, SD, Rachel (Jon) Ravnaas, Ruso, ND, and Darrell (Teri) Tracy, Winner, SD. One sister, Myrna (Krogh) Akins, 5 grandchildren, Heather (Ryan) Sandvig, Shannon (David) Newman, Tori Frey (Miles) Melius, Blake Tracy and Destiny Tracy. As well as numerous nieces and nephews. Also holding a special place in Jerry’s heart were AnnieKate and Jake Burghduff.

Jerry always said the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man. He was a friend to all he knew.

Letha Kalenda/Osburn, 85, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 at the Butte Senior Living Center in Butte, NE.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022 at 2 p.m. at the Winner United Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Colome City Cemetery.

Letha E. Kalenda/Osburn was born April 23, 1937 in Ainsworth, NE to Mildred and Hans Johnson of Sparks, NE. Letha attended Valentine High School.

She met Joe Kalenda Jr. at Wewela Hall in 1958. They were married on March 1, 1960 in Valentine, NE. They then moved to the Big Dog Ear Lake south of Winner, SD. To this union they had 3 daughters: Elaine (Russ) Klug of Herrick, SD; Gloria (late Butch) Wilson of Winner, SD; and Vickie (Les) Sherwood of White River, SD.

Letha enjoyed being a farm wife, gardening, milking cows, raising poultry, and fishing. In the late 70’s Joe and Letha took in foster care children. Joe and Letha went to many dances. Joe passed away in 2001 and in 2004 she remarried Dick Osburn. Dick and Letha enjoyed life together. Due to health problems, she was placed in the TLC February of 2019. Later she was moved to Butte, NE where she passed.

She is survived by her three children, 9 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, 1st husband Joe Kalenda Jr., 2nd husband Dick Osburn, 2 granddaughters, 1 son-in-law plus a brother and a sister.

Daniel DeNoyer Jr., 58, of Sioux Falls, SD passed away on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022 at his home in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services were held on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022 at 11a.m. at the Okreek Community Center in Okreek, SD. Burial  followed in the Calvary Episcopal Cemetery in Okreek, SD. Wake services were held on Wednesday, Oct. 26, and Thursday, Oct.27 27th, 2022 at 7 p.m. at the Okreek Community Center in Okreek, SD.

Dan was born to Daniel (Chuck Dan) DeNoyer and Joann Smalls. He grew up in Okreek. Dan was raised by his grandma Christine who he called mom and his auntie Arlene.

Dan was very loving and had a big ol heart. He was always willing to help out whenever and where ever he was needed. He was a good brother, dad, uncle, grandpa, and friend. He will be missed dearly.

Jacqueline A. Duncan, 83, of Rapid City, SD, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. The family with gather for a private graveside service at a future date. Burial will be in the Winner City Cemetery in Winner, SD.

Jacqueline Ann (Fuhrer) Duncan was born on July 2, 1939, to Harold and Margaret (Talcott) Fuhrer, in Winner, SD. She graduated from Winner High School in 1957. She attended the Moline (IL) Public Hospital School of Nursing and was married briefly to James Foley. They had a daughter, Denise. She and Denise relocated to Tucson, AZ, where she began her career with Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph.

On June 3, 1966, she married Raymond L. Duncan in Tucson. At the time of their marriage, Ray, also a Mountain Bell employee, served as Director of Civilian Communications at Davis – Monthan AFB.  After stops with Mountain Bell in Wilcox and Globe, AZ, the family moved to Yankton, SD, during a blizzard in November 1969, to be closer to Jacque’s family and live in “God’s Country,” as Ray liked to tell people. Both Jacque and Ray had long careers with Northwestern Bell, retiring after 34 and 42 years, respectively. This could explain why the Duncan’s had 11 telephones in their house.

Jacque and Ray loved living near the Missouri River at Riverside Acres, boating, following their kids’ activities and spending time outdoors. After their retirement, they both worked at Leisure World in Yankton and began travelling in their motorhome, finally deciding on the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas as their winter home. Ray passed away on May 9, 1995, just months before they were to move into their home in Mission, TX.

Jacque spent the next 20+ years living between South Dakota during the early fall/late spring, heading to Texas for the winter where she was a very active volunteer at the Mission Regional Medical Center, sang in the choir at the First United Methodist Church and worked part-time at Cracker Barrell. Jacque was a people person and loved meeting new people wherever she went.

Jacque loved gardening, reading, game shows, shopping, entertaining, cooking and baking. There was always a place at the table for everyone and no one ever left hungry. She always had “the answer” to every question ever asked on game shows and was a huge fan of the Food Network. She was an avid recipe and cookbook collector. After she relocated to Rapid City in 2017 to live near her daughter, she was a resident at Fountain Springs Senior Apartments. She loved playing bingo and trying out new recipes on her neighbors. She didn’t let apartment living stand in the way of planting containers of flowers and vegetables each summer that graced the entrance and patio area.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Denise (Terry) Blomberg, Sioux Falls, Dixie (Bryce) Varilek, Rapid City, Dustin (Lynn) Duncan, Grand Junction, CO and Daniel (Kelsey) Duncan, Lincoln, NE; grandchildren Matthew Blomberg, Erik (Jody) Blomberg, both of Sioux Falls, Maren (Caitlin Fortin) Blomberg, Minneapolis, MN, Nicholas and Alexander Duncan, both of Grand Junction, CO, and Jhett Duncan, Lincoln, NE; brother Richard (Diane) Fuhrer, Gayville, SD, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and her beloved dog, Frostee.

She is preceded in death by her husband and parents and a grandson, Ryan Blomberg.

The family appreciates to the staff and providers at Monument Health and the Black Hills Eye Institute, along with the dedicated team at Interim Health Care for the excellent care and compassion they provided Jacque during the time she lived in Rapid City.

Family and friends may sign Jacque’s online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com. Memorials and condolences may be sent in c/o the Duncan family to the Kirk Funeral Home, 1051 E Minnesota St, Rapid City, SD 57701.

Carroll Bruun, 84, of Winner, SD passed away peacefully with family by his side on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, at the Winner Regional Healthcare Center.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Winner United Methodist Church in Winner, SD. A visitation with family present will take place one hour prior to the service. Burial will be held at a later date.

Carroll Helmer Bruun was born on Feb. 11, 1938, to Helmer and Mae (Nelson) Bruun. Helmer came to America from Tarm, Denmark and met Mae, who was from Reliance, SD. Carroll was born in Colome, SD and was baptized Sept. 21, 1941, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Dallas, SD. He grew up on the family farm southwest of Dallas with two sisters Ginny and Marlene. Carroll started school at the early age of five at the Lincoln Country School; two cousins Mavis and Wes Nelson, as well as his two sisters, attended that same school. He graduated from Gregory High School in 1955. During his high school years, he lived with the Hoffie family in Gregory while working at Louie’s Grocery. Highlights of this time were playing American Legion Baseball and winning back-to-back State Championships in 1954 and 1955. Carroll was an outstanding pitcher and center fielder.

Carroll met Janet Schramm in 1951 on a bus ride going to 4-H camp. Janet was seated behind the bus driver, and when she would look into his mirror, she could see this cute, blonde, blue-eyed boy sitting a few rows behind her winking at her. So yes, they got acquainted and were dance partners at camp! That was the beginning of their dancing career. The next two years, they would see each other when the Bruuns would come to Winner to watch Pheasant baseball. The summer before Carroll’s junior year (1953), they started dating and were later engaged on May 21, 1956. In the fall of 1956, Carroll went to Huntington Park, CA to work for General Motors on a car assembly line. In January, Janet headed to Los Angeles, CA to work at a bank. In May of 1957, Carroll wanted to move back to farm with his dad, so he and Janet headed back to South Dakota. One year to the day after getting engaged, they broke off their engagement. Over the next seven years, their paths crossed about once a year.

For the next few years, Carroll farmed and worked at a feed mill. In 1962, Carroll started farming full-time and entered the dairy business in 1963. In July of 1963, Janet was home from her teaching job in Rapid City. She went to Frank Day’s in Dallas; she walked in the door, and Carroll grabbed her hand and said, “Here’s someone I can dance with!” Second engagement was in September of 1963 with a wedding to follow on Feb. 22, 1964. Carroll continued to farm, and Janet started her teaching career in Winner. In the early years of their marriage, special twins, Donnie and Ronnie Matthews (neighbor boys to Howard and Irene Schramm), started making frequent trips to the farm on weekends. They eventually stayed and became part of the family. Johnyne Carol was born on Dec. 16, 1968; Jacey Jane on Dec. 6, 1973; and Jad Howard on Feb. 13, 1975. During their early years of marriage, Carroll enjoyed traveling to Denmark to visit his Bruun relatives. He enjoyed their return trips to visit as well.

Carroll retired from the farm in 2005. Carroll and Jad completely rebuilt the old farmhouse; Carroll and Janet lived in that house for many years during their retirement before moving back to town full-time. Carroll enjoyed going to coffee at Jonos in Gregory and McDonalds in Winner. He and Janet loved following their six grandkids in all of their activities; they also enjoyed taking as many trips as they could, especially to Branson, MO. Spending time in Brookings while attending SDSU basketball games and staying in Parker, which became their second home, were highlights of their lives. Fondest memories were having all six grandkids together at the farm and most recently visits from new great-granddaughter, Murphy.

Carroll is survived by his wife Janet of Winner; daughter Johnyne (Brad) Horstman of Winner; daughter Jacey (Dale) Peters of Parker; and son Jad (Suny) Bruun of Dallas. Grandchildren: Zachary (Tayler) Horstman of Mitchell; Jayden Bruun of Spearfish; Kylie (Jayd) VanDerWerff of Gregory; Kelby Peters of Sioux Falls; Joren Bruun of Dallas; and Karley Peters of Parker. Great-granddaughter Murphy Jean Horstman. Sister Marlene (Tom) Hansen of Canyon Lake, TX; brother-in-law Chuck Schramm of Sioux Falls; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Carroll was preceded in death by his parents Helmer and Mae Bruun; in-laws Howard and Irene (G’ma Chic) Schramm; sister Ginny Canon; brothers-in-law Doyle Robertson and Jay Canon; nephew Brad Robertson and niece Debbie Robertson.

Joyce E Lund was born Sept. 18, 1936, passed away at age 86 on Sept. 29, 2022, peacefully at home.

Joyce attended college at Baker University, where she met and fell in love with her husband of 66 years, Orville Lund. On any given day you could find Joyce in the kitchen cooking delicious meals for her family and friends—this was her happy place. Her other hobbies included crafting, painting, sewing, and being involved in the community. Joyce was an Alpha Chi Omega at Baker University, a member of the Red Hat Society, and a member of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority in Winner, South Dakota.

While Joyce was a woman of many talents, her true passion in life was family. She was a loving wife, an incredible mother to her two sons, Orville II and Leo, and a beloved grandmother and great-grandmother.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Orville Lund; her son, Orville II; her grandchildren, Orville III, Luke, and Muriel; and her sister, Deb Lawhon.

Joyce was preceded in death by her son, Leo; her parents, Leo and Ellen Pennington; her father-in-law Arthur Lund, and mother-in-law Annabelle Lund.

There will be no public funeral at this time, but she will be laid to rest at Floral Hills Funeral Home and Cemetery. A true celebration of her fantastic life will be held at a later date.

A funeral service for Jack Wenger, 72, Gregory, was held on Oct. 3 at St. John Lutheran, Gregory. Burial was at Olive Branch Cemetery in Mills, Neb.

Jack Allen Wenger was born Nov. 26, 1949, barely making it through the snowstorm to the hospital in Ainsworth, NE, to Norman and Lorraine (Donason) Wenger. Jack was baptized at Grace Lutheran Church in Burton, NE, and was later confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Jameson, NE.

Growing up on the north side of the Keya Paha River, Jack and his siblings went to the Mills District #3 School House. Jack rode his family horses, Silver King and Silver Queen; at times, he would even ice skate down the river to the Mills Bridge on his walk to school! He spent his summers putting up hay and participating in 4-H, actively involved with livestock.

Jack attended Gregory High School, graduating in 1968. Jack was selfless and musically talented; throughout school, he sang in high school choir, acted in a few plays, enjoyed playing football, and taught himself to play his guitar. Jack moved back home to the family farm in Mills, NE, after studying at Denver Automotive Technological College in Colorado, graduating in 1969, where he walked 10 miles to classes and work each day.

Jack farmed more than 20 years on the Donason Homestead where he began his love for farming and ranching, custom farming for neighbors and looking after his own successful dairy farm. Jack sustained a family with his wife, (the late) Gloria Stevicks, wed on March 11, 1972. To this union, three children were born: Jack (Jackson) Allen, Jr., Shelby Lynn, and Jerrod Norman.

While Jack was on the family farm, he and his brothers, Mark and (the late) Steve, played fast pitch softball for their community team, 4-Corners, with surrounding neighbors in the area. Jack excelled at being one of the top fast pitchers in the region. Being a well-known softball pitcher, Jack was frequently asked to play for other teams.

In the early 90’s, Jack worked alongside his brother, Mark, for a bit before moving to Gregory, SD, working as an associate at Runnings before working for the City of Gregory, going on some 18 years. During this time, Jack married Valerie Kolbe on July 3, 1999. They welcomed two daughters: Lindsey Nicole and Haley Rae.

Jack was a loving father, proud family member, caring friend, and active community member. He was known as someone you could count on, a man who was humble, faithful, honest, and hardworking. His outgoing character could bring a joyful smile to your face.

 He continued his love for sports playing slow pitch softball for the Carlock Coons. Jack was a passionate bowler, accomplishing a 300 game and attending many national tournaments with his buddies. Jack enjoyed many years playing league golf in Gregory and Burke with his many friends and family. He also played baseball for the Gregory Town Team, was an avid fan of all Nebraska Huskers, enjoyed fishing, gardening, and completing puzzles alongside his many years as a baseball, softball, and t-ball umpire.

Jack served as a Gregory volunteer fire fighter for 15 years, and he was a football and basketball referee for several years before reaching (semi) retirement. Jack had just bought a fishing boat, looking forward to connecting back to his roots, of fishing with his friends and family, most especially his Uncle George and his future son-in-law, Israel.

Jack was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February of 2021. He had just completed his nine-week journey of radiation treatment in Sioux Falls, SD, on Aug. 16.  Throughout his treatment, he did his best to stay positive and be active in the lives of his children; he was abundantly appreciative of the wonderful staff, nurses, and doctors who aided in his treatment process.

Jack Wenger passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 27  while in Sioux Falls at the age of 72. He is dearly missed by all those he touched, and his legacy lives on throughout his family.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, sister Debra Lauer, brother Stephen Wenger, nephew Scott Wenger, aunt Arlene Kuechler, and dearly missed furry friend, Carter.

He is survived by three daughters: Shelby and Allan Bertram of Sioux Falls, SD; Lindsey Wenger and Israel Perez of Sioux Falls, SD; Haley Wenger and Dylan Borszich of Aberdeen, SD; two sons: Jackson and LeAnn Wenger of Rapid City, SD; and Jerrod and Cassidy Wenger of Rapid City, SD; ten grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one sister, Judy and Mark Moebeck of Webster Groves, MO; one brother, Mark and Teresa Wenger of Mills, NE; a sister-in-law, Kathy Wenger of Mills, NE; one uncle, George Wenger of Gregory; a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins; a countless number of friends, and his beloved puppy, Panda.