Category Archives: Obituaries

Milo (Babe) Russell Klein, Jr., 67, of Gregory, SD, passed away on Friday, July 5, 2024, under the compassionate care of the staff at Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, SD.  A prayer service was held Wednesday evening, July 10, at 7 p.m.  with visitation one hour prior to the service. Funeral services was  Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.  All services were held at the Burke Civic Center.

Milo Russell Klein, Jr. was born Feb. 25, 1957, to Milo O. and Mary Katherine (Carr) Klein in Lexington, NE.  After a few years in Lexington, NE, Milo returned with his family to Burke, SD, where he attended country school and graduated from Burke High School in 1975. In high school, Milo excelled in track and football and participated in the state track meet all four years of his high school career. He was a place winner at the state track meet three years.  Milo was honored at the Burke High School Meet of Legends as a 2022 inductee. After graduating from high school, though Milo had an offer to play football for the University of South Dakota, he chose to begin a five-year career with Sperry New Holland in Lexington, NE. While working at Sperry New Holland, Milo met Patricia Faye Deibert, and they were married May 10, 1980. Pat brought to the marriage, two sons, Michael John and Matthew David Dorsey, who Milo loved as his own. Milo and Pat went on to have a daughter, Elizabeth Faye (Lizzy) and a son, Simon Russell.

In 1983, Milo and Pat achieved their life long dream of owning their own ranch when they were able to purchase land just outside of Gregory. When Milo and Pat purchased the ranch, Farm Service Agency advised them that they would either need to milk cows or raise pigs. Milo had never milked a cow in his life and had no desire to raise pigs, so he took the lesser of two evils and together they grew a dairy operation to become the top producing dairy herd in the region, achieving many awards for their dairy production. After many years, Milo and Pat were able to say good-bye to the dairy cows and begin their next adventure of custom haying. Milo and Pat built a well-respected custom haying business that provided their livelihood for many years and produced lifelong friends. Milo and Pat began their farming and ranching career which they continued together until Pat was tragically taken on March 13, 2004.  Milo’s hard work and dedication in the farming and ranching business produced state yield winning contests in soybeans and 300-bushel acre corn.  Milo also started a commercial Angus bull business, known as Magic Mountain Angus, selling top quality bulls throughout the region. Milo was so proud of all he accomplished in his farming and ranching career. 

Milo met Sharon Kueter, and they were married on Dec. 22, 2007.  Sharon loved and embraced Milo’s family and the ranch. Sharon and Milo enjoyed playing cards with friends, leisurely drives through the countryside, ordering take-out and watching the grandchildren’s events via livestream. Milo held a deep respect for his parents, and his children carried that same respect for Milo. Milo’s biggest joy in life was his family, especially his grandchildren, and he loved to watch and cheer them on in sports, fine arts, hunting, demolition derby, or wherever their passion took them. Milo was a loving and kind son, father, husband, brother, papa, and friend. He will be dearly missed.

As with everything in his life, Milo fought hard when diagnosed with cancer in 2011.  He died peacefully with his family by his side.

Milo was preceded in death by his first wife, Pat, his infant brother, his grandparents, Simon and Emma Klein, Bob Carr and Elizabeth Carr.

 Milo is survived by his wife, Sharon; his daughter Lizzy (Braden) Hutchison; sons Simon (Melissa) Klein, Matt (Alison Newcomer) and Michael (Nicki) Dorsey; his parents Milo O. and Kathy Klein; his sisters Tammy (Jan) Miller and Jeanette (Kelly) Frank; grandchildren: Ashley, Madi, Enoch, Hunter, Madelyn, Makayla, Hadley, Sawyer, Brecken, Breven, Brennen, James, Lily and Violet; and great grandchildren: Emma, Olivia, Riley, Vellia, Kaydon, Addalynn, Aura, and Amari.   

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to the family.

George Fairbanks Jr., 89, of White River, SD passed away on Friday, June 21, 2024 at his residence in White River, SD.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 11a.m. at the White River Events Center in White River, SD. Burial will follow in the White River Cemetery. Visitation was  held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 from 6-7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service at the White River United Methodist Church in White River, SD.

George Fairbanks Jr. was born June 7, 1935, in Venus Nebraska at the Butterfield farm house to George N and Emyra (Beggs) Fairbanks.  He began his young life in Nebraska before moving to Witten South Dakota with his dad and step mother Gula.  As an eighth grader his family moved to Colome.  In this move George drove a team of horses and a wagon loaded with their belongings. Prior to his junior year of high school his family moved to Springview, Neb., where he attended high school.  While living in Springview George worked with his dad learning the carpentry trade. He built houses and became a skilled carpenter. He also learned the trade of being a lineman for a telephone company where he worked on high line poles.

Sports were a part of George’s young life. As a young boy he played baseball. Athletic talent came natural to him. At the urging of the players, his father had to sign permission for him to play on the adult team, where he would become a talented pitcher. He played football in high school and received the award of co-captain his junior year.

In 1951 he met the love of his life, Delpha Boyd.  They quickly became high school sweethearts and this began a journey that lasted seventy-three years. Seventy-one of these united as husband and wife. They were married on Jan. 31, 1953 in Yankton, South Dakota.

After marriage, George worked as a hired hand for an area farmer. During this time their oldest son was born.

When their oldest son was just six weeks old, George and Delpha moved to the Jack and Betty Carr Ranch near Cedar Butte, South Dakota, where they spent the next eight years working as a ranch hand. During this time, another son and the oldest daughter were born.

In 1961, George was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of operating his own ranch five miles north of Cedar Butte. He started out by running a cow calf operation, which soon led to his true passion of buying lightweight calves, and selling them as quality yearling cattle. George also found joy in farming where he loved working the land. Delpha worked alongside him as his true partner. George was blessed to continue this passion up until his passing. It was on this ranch that their youngest daughter was born.

George had a love for horses as a part of ranching which led their children into the world of rodeo. This later turned into being the timed event chute boss at all local White River rodeos. In 1994 he was awarded a buckle for 30 years of service as the timed event chute boss for Frontier Days. After his time as the timed event chute boss, he moved to the stripping chute where he worked until his passing. In 1999 he was also awarded a plaque for his dedicated years of service to the Frontier Days Rodeo.

One thing he will be remembered for was his time spent at Presho and Winner Livestock Auctions.  Most Thursdays and Fridays of his ranching life were spent at these two places. It was there that he met many of his lifelong friends who shared stories of the ranching life.

He will also be remembered for his faith in the Good Lord and his loving and generous heart.

George is survived by his wife Delpha of 71 years, his son Merlon (Kathy) Fairbanks of Burke, daughter LeAnna (Calvin Waln) of White River and daughter Betty Fairbanks of White River; eight grandchildren Marcy Fairbanks, Tucker (Stacy) Green, Tyler (Stacey) Green, Jeannie (Bret) Clark, Sid (Aaron Storms) Green, Sloan Benedict, Slade (Baylie Hoffine) Benedict, Trinity Benedict; great grandchildren Wyatt (Taylor) Green, Clayton (Kaylee) Green, Philip, AJ, Millie & Alex Green, Lane Green, Kaylee Clark, Kolter (Cailyn) Clark, Sydnee Green, Kane & Jerrah-Mya Waln; great-great grandchildren Amira, Ashlyn, Aubrey, Wilder, Paislee, Parker; brother Johnny Boham & sisters Edna Orsborn & Betty Menning; in-laws Delbert (Wilma) Boyd, DeAnne Vaughn, Dorene Boyd, Della (Gary) Boyd, Louise Boyd, & brother in law Larry Worth.

George was preceded in death by his parents George & Emyra, his parents in-law Merlon & Irene Boyd, his brothers Ray & George and sister Marion, Sister-in-laws Dea, Dixie & Pat, brother in-laws Dwayne & Ray and great grandson Ty Christopher.

The beauty of George’s life is reflected in his family. We are forever grateful for the impact he has left on each of us.  Forever loved and missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the family to be used for a rodeo scholarship or memorial contributions be sent to the Ronald McDonald House.

Harold Hrabanek, 91, of Winner, South Dakota passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility in Winner, SD. 

Funeral service was held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 2 p.m.  at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner, SD.  Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.  A visitation was held one hour prior to funeral service.

Harold George Hrabanek was born to Frank and Jessie (Johnson) Hrabanek on Oct. 31, 1932 at his aunt and uncle Reinhold Woidnecks home in Winner, SD.  He joined a sister, Hazel and a cousin Jessie Storm whom his parents were raising on the family farm south of Colome.

Harold attended Grand Valley and Chleboun Rural Schools.  He went to high school in Colome for 2 years staying in the dorm.  He then transferred to Winner for 2 years so he could take shop class from a favorite teacher, Bill Britton.  Harold built a row boat and a farm wagon, giving him his love of carpentry.  He graduated in 1950 with 58 classmates.

Harold then helped on the family farm until he volunteered for the Army in 1953 until 1955.  He spent time in Germany where he acquired a lifelong friend, Mike Linz of Pennsylvania.  Harold was honorably discharged as a corporal.  He then returned to the family farm.  He met Lorraine Keever at a square dance at the Turtle Butte Hall.  They were married Nov. 2, 1957.  They were blessed with 3 sons.

Harold served on the school board for many years, was treasurer of the St. Paul’s Church, treasurer of Lake township and served on many positions in the Colome Legion, most as sergeant of arms for color guard.

After retiring and moving to Winner, he pursued his love of carpentry, building lazy susans, toy boxes from baby cribs, frames and several items for their own home.  Harold volunteered driving the Veterans van, he drove for Frontier Motors delivering or procuring cars.  He and his wife Lorraine enjoyed many bus tours with friends, playing cards, attending Legion meetings, having coffee with friends at McDonalds until Covid hit.

Harold’s health started to fail the last two years.  He lived at his home in Winner until May 2024, when he entered the Winner Long Term Care Center.

Harold is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lorraine; Ken (Kathy) of Colome, SD, Jerry (Paula) of Winner, SD, Jeff of Winner, SD; four grandchildren Chase (Shelby), Taylor (special friend Jesse Heese), Kristen (Duane) Wetzel, and Jake Hrabanek (special friend Kylie Burket); 5 great-grandchildren, 1 bother-in-law Stan (Linda) Keever, and many nieces and nephews.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Jesse Hrabanek and his sister Hazel Sondergard.

Funeral services for Joseph L. “Joe” Fott, 82, of Hamill, SD will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at the Hamill Community Hall in Hamill, SD with burial in the Hamill Cemetery at Hamill, SD. 

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, one hour prior to the funeral, at the Hamill Community Hall in Hamill, SD. 

Joseph Leroy “Joe” Fott passed away peacefully at home in Hamill South Dakota on May 17, 2024.

Joe was born on Nov. 26, 1941 to Joseph and Anna (Fortuna) Fott in Winner South Dakota, joining his siblings brother Lawrence and sister Adeline on the family farm near Hamill South Dakota.

Joe attended North Fairview grade school near Hamill and high school in Winner, SD, graduating from high school in 1959.  He attended Greer Technical Institute in Wilmington, Illinois for diesel and construction mechanics after high school.  Joe joined the South Dakota National Guard and did basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and served in the Chamberlain South Dakota Guard 200th Engineer Bridge Company until discharge in 1970.

Joe and Judith Mae Gordon were married on May 8, 1965 and had two children, Joseph Wade in 1966 and Joy Michele in 1969.

Joe spent his entire life farming and ranching on the family farm in Hamill.   Joe said that he had not worked a day in his life because he enjoyed everything involved with the farm.  Joe especially loved anything with an engine and wheels or tracks, and spent many long days in the seat of a tractor with a smile on his face and a steady hand on the steering wheel working on the farm.  Joe was happy to share his knowledge and offer a helping hand to his neighbors and friends.

Joe was a very outgoing and social person, meeting people and making new friends wherever he went.  Joe loved to take road trips when a good rain would pause the farming, wife Judy would hear “how soon can you be ready to leave?” and had many adventures while visiting many of the western states he would say “I wonder what is down that road?  Lets go find out.”

Joe loved to hunt and started hunting at a young age.  Joe and his family shared their love of hunting and the bounty of the Hamill farm with friends from near and far, making lifelong friends and lasting memories in the fields and hills.  In the late 1970’s, Joe hosted then South Dakota governor Bill Janklow for a pheasant hunt on the farm, this hunt was the start of what became the South Dakota Governor’s Hunt that Joe and his family helped to host for 25 years.

Later in life, Joe was not able to continue actively working on the farm due to physical limitations.  He did not want to retire from the farm, and always wanted to be out monitoring the equipment, crops and cows, and sharing his experiences and knowledge with neighbors and daughter Joy who is operating the family farm.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents Joseph Fott and Anna (Fortuna) Fott, sister Adeline Hight, brother Lawrence as well as his uncle John Fott and aunt Bessie (Fott) Petr and many aunts and uncle from the Fortuna side of the family.

Joe is survived by wife Judy (Gordon) Fott, son Joseph Wade and wife Wendy and children Joseph Stephen and Anna Helena, daughter Joy Michele and spouse Faye Heinis and Cynthia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s name to Hamill Community Hall or the Tripp County 4H.

Vonnie Robbins, 84, of Hamill, SD passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at the Winner Regional Long-Term Care Facility in Winner, SD. 

Funeral services were held at the Masham Baptist Church in Pawnee, OK on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 10 a.m.  Burial followed in the Masham Cemetery.  A visitation was held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at the Winner Orthodox Presbyterian Church from 4:30-5:30 p.m.  with a prayer service beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Vonnie was born April 5, 1940 in Pawnee, OK to Harold and Awilda Laird.  She grew up on the family farm attending country school and graduated from Pawnee High School in 1958.  She attended Oklahoma Baptist University for a time before marrying Wayne Robbins Feb. 27, 1960.  They were blessed with 3 children Kathy, Dawn and Amy.

They lived on the Robbins family farm in Pawnee, OK until 1976 when the family moved to Hamill, SD where they lived and farmed the remainder of their lives.

Vonnie was an avid seamstress.  She was active in the church first at the Masham Baptist Church in Oklahoma then the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Hamill.  For most of her adult life she played the organ or the piano for church services.

Vonnie is survived by her daughters Kathy (Steve) Morford of Spearfish, SD and Amy Gregg of Carter, SD.  10 Grandchildren Kristin (Derek) Meyers of Fort Pierre, SD, Kellie Morford of Kingman, AZ, Kara Morford of Las Vegas, NV, Dusty (Jessica) Adams of Hamill, SD, Stacey Adams of Pawnee, OK, Justis (Elisabeth) Gregg of Carter, SD, Jaynee Gregg of Madison, SD, Jentry, Jude and Jett Gregg of Carter, SD. Great grandchildren Kooper and Ella Meyers, Gunner Adams, Kacen and Liam Adams, Jackston Gregg and baby boy Adams coming in June, her brother Gordon (Sherri) Laird and son-in-law Rick Adams.

Vonnie was preceded in death by her husband Wayne Robbins, daughter Dawn Adams, her parents and sister Linda Leforce.

Wendell Ray Burtz, 67, of rural Winner went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Avera McKennen Hospital in Sioux Falls. After dealing with heart problems for the past several months, Wendell suffered a cardiac arrest on May 11 at his regular Saturday morning Bible study in Winner.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 10 a.m.  at the First Baptist Church in Winner, SD.  Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery.  A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at the First Baptist Church in Winner from 6-7 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m.

The third child of Raymond and Berniece Burtz of rural Winner, Wendell was born on July 26, 1956 at the Baptist Hospital of Winner. He attended Greenwood School and graduated from Winner High School in 1975. After graduation he worked at various jobs in the Winner area and lived for a short time in California. He attended Oak Hills Bible Institute in Bemidji, Minn. from 1978-1980.

After that he worked at various jobs, including as a farm hand and an over-the-road truck driver, and then moved to Rapid City where he worked for Lien Metals for several years and also at Harvey’s Lock Shop. While living there, he became a member of Rimrock Evangelical Free Church.

On Feb. 14, 1987 he married Beth Nordeen in Rapid City and to this union were born Charles Wendell in 1989 and Kjerstin Lee in 1990.

In 1991 the family moved back to Winner where Wendell worked at the hospital and was an active member of the Evangelical Free Church of Winner. During those years he started Black Hills Flavored Honey, adding various fruit flavorings to pure locally produced South Dakota honey. The product was sold at gift shops around the region and was even featured at Bear Country at Disneyland.

In 2001 he started Integrity Locks and would spend the next 23 years of his career installing Kaba Ilco electronic locks at hotels and other facilities across the Midwest and beyond. He retired from the lock business in the fall of 2023.

A small engine and auto mechanic since his high school days, Wendell enjoyed restoring cars and building hot rods and at the time of his death was working on building a 1932 Chevy Coupe. He was a frequent attendee at car shows around the region and often attended Back to the 50s in St. Paul, Minn. in June.

He also had a lifelong fascination with aviation, owned aircraft and had taken lessons to become a private pilot. He has attended the air show, EAA AirVenture, in Oskosh, Wisc. almost annually over the past several years.

Wendell was also a builder, and constructed the straw bale house and shop overlooking the White River in northern Tripp County where he was living at the time of his passing.

Growing up in a musical family, Wendell was also a lover of music whose musical tastes ranged from the soft rock of the 1970s and 80s to the Christian music of Selah, Steven Curtis Chapman and Jamie Slocum.

Over the past 10 years Wendell had grown greatly in his faith and was an avid student of the Bible, often listening to the Scriptures being read by an app on his phone. He also had a deep appreciation for the preaching of Pastor John MacArthur, Ray Comfort and Paul Washer. One of his favorite biblical themes was “repentance.” For the past several years Wendell has been a member of Central Plains Evangelical Free Church in Chamberlain and was made an elder of the church in early 2024.

Wendell is survived by his son Charles of Winner; daughter Kjerstin Nielsen and her husband, Matt of Burlington, Wisc.; step-daughter, Teresa Nordeen Davis and her husband, Adam of Rosemount, Minn.; one granddaughter, Emberlee Nielsen; one step-granddaughter, Karli Davis; one step-grandson, Timothy Davis; brothers Durwin (Gwendy) of Massillon, Ohio and Ronald (Tammy) of Central City, Neb.; sister Koreen (Dennis) Caldwell of Macomb, Ill. and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and an unborn infant granddaughter