Category Archives: Obituaries

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.

Helen Bateman, 82, of Winner, SD passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022 following complications from Covid.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Nazarene in Winner, SD. Visitation was held one hour prior to the services. Burial will be held at a later date.

Helen was born on Nov. 19, 1939 in Waterbury, Neb., to the parents of Goldie and Lynn Frank. Her dad was in the Air Force so Helen grew up traveling around the world. After high school she came to Dallas, SD where she met Bill Lebert. They got married and lived out on Bill’s family farm in rural Dallas. Here they raised their four children: Tammy, Joan, Carla, & Oren.

Going from city life to farm life was a big change for Helen, but she did it with so much love and hard work. She loved cooking, baking, and gardening along with being involved in family circle, the church, and get together with all her friends and neighbors.

Helen and Bill lost their son, Oren, at a very young age to a tragic farm accident. Life moving on was hard for Helen. As time went by and the girls grew up, they began to leave the farm. Tammy joined the military and later got married and had a son, Roy. Joan married Larry Sargent who was also a farmer and they had two sons, Craig and Will. Carla went off to school in Mitchell but never married.

Helen remarried BJ Bateman. They traveled a lot but ended up settling down in Winner. By this time Helen has great grandkids who she loved so deeply: Jude, Oren, Elsie, Wakely, Wynn, Morgan, Isabella, Jazmyne, & Alyxzandria.

Helen lost her husband BJ to cancer in 2009. Helen and Carla then moved in together where Carla helped take care of her until Carla passed away due to Covid in October of 2021.

Helen and her little dog Angel then moved to the Golden Prairie Manor. Everyone there just loved her. She would always say how nice everyone was. She had so much love for everyone.

Helen will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband, BJ, her son, Oren Lebert, and daughter Carla Lebert. Her grandson, Will Sargent, parents, Lynn and Goldie Frank, and siblings, Jack, Mick, Phil, Margret Ann, Pat, and Betty.

She is survived by her children: Tammy Turner, Joan (Larry) Sargent; grandchildren: Roy Turner, Craig (Heather) Sargent; great grandchildren: Jude, Oren, and Elsie Sargent; Wakely and Wynn Sargent, Isabella McNeal, Jazmyne and Alyxzandria Turner; siblings Dick Frank and Diane Vetor, close family Therese  & Jayd Knodell and Morgan, along with in laws and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Helen Bateman, Winner, will be held Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Nazarene of Winner. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Bateman died Sept. 20 at  Winner Regional Health.

Duane Edwin Redlinger, age 73, was welcomed into the loving arms of his Savior at home on Sept. 9, 2022, with his wife at his side. 

His parents Edwin and Carol (Jerred) Redlinger preceded him in death. 

Duane was born in Winner, SD on May 10, 1949.  The family moved to Sioux City, IA when he was in grammar school, but he always cherished Winner and his roots there.  Duane’s dad, Ed, was proprietor of the Redlinger Trucking Company and Ed’s sister, Effie Evans, owned a diner near the Sale Barn, which was a popular stop for buyers on sale days.  Carol worked as a nurse at the local community hospital, a career which she pursued after moving to Iowa. Duane enjoyed returning to Winner during the summers, where he would work on his Uncle Calvin (Kelley) Jerred’s farm with numerous cousins.  Those days, with plenty of hard work mixed with pranks and fun, helped shape him into the man he became.  Duane was a 1967 graduate of Central High School (“The Castle on the Hill”) in Sioux City, attended Iowa State University and ultimately received his B.A. in Bible and Theology from Evangel University in Springfield, MO.  While in Springfield, Duane met his future wife, Carol Mastrobuono of Ohio.  They married on Aug. 21, 1971 and after graduation, moved to the Cleveland, Ohio area and put down roots.  Duane served as assistant pastor and youth pastor at Calvary Assembly of God, Willoughby Hills, OH and specialized in mobilizing members to work together on church projects.  During his tenure, he oversaw the building of a new sanctuary and worked as liaison between the general contractor and church members who volunteered their time to paint, clean up and perform numerous other tasks.  Duane was a lifelong scholar, always learning, reading, and writing.  A quiet, unassuming man, he served the Lord his entire life.   He loved to sing and was a member of the church choir.  He also worked with the Children’s Church ministry to assist with project planning, including building a float every summer for the local community parade.  One memorable year, the float theme was “Noah’s Ark” with Duane riding along as Noah.  Duane loved sports and enjoyed the church softball team where he usually was catcher or pitcher.  He faithfully followed Cleveland’s professional sports and Ohio State football teams, and never tired of watching the games.  Duane is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Carol of Chesterland, his sisters Marcia Blomberg of Hammond, LA, Janice Burlette (Kevin) of Picayune, MS and Rita Laviolette (Eddie) of Bay St. Louis, MS,

numerous Redlinger and Jerred aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Duane was laid to rest on Sept. 15 in Chesterland, OH.  He will be remembered as a compassionate, patient, loving man who had a common sense approach to problems, sprinkled with a quirky sense of humor.  His passing leaves a void that won’t be filled until the day we meet again in Glory.

On Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, John F. (Jack) Callaway, loving husband and father of three, passed away at the age of 79, at Brown County Hospital in Ainsworth, Neb.

John (Jack) was born Aug. 18, 1943 in Bassett, NE to Connie and Margaret (Bruns) Callaway.

After high school he worked for Nebraska Department of Roads, mostly the western part of the interstate, where he met and married Lynda Wright from Chappell, NE. They had two children, James and Melissa. While working for the state of Texas, they divorced.

In 1978 he married Alyce (Sue Foote) in Curtis, NE. They have one son, Travis.

Jack was truly a “Jack-of-All Trades”, he was a milk salesman, tire and parts salesman, mechanic, ranch hand, horse trader, self-taught saddle maker, he prided himself on doing the best possible job. He owned and operated Jack’s Boot and Shoe Repair then worked until retirement as a feed truck driver for Miles Feed Yard. Jack’s hobbies included love of guns, cars especially the older ones, visiting with friends, family reunions (grilling for them), his sharp wit and knowledge was appreciated by all.

Jack was preceded in death by his father, Connie (Con); his mother, Margaret; and oldest brother, Lowell.

Survivors include, wife, Sue of Ainsworth; children, James (Monique) Callaway of Canada, Melissa (Callaway) Castor of New York and Travis (Jolene Thayer) Callaway of Winner, SD; five grandchildren; brother, Con (Bette) of Phoenix, AZ; sisters, Jean Calkins of Louisiana, Joan Jackson of Colorado and Jody Denny of Wood, SD; several cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022 at The Connection in Ainsworth from 1- 4:00 p.m. Bring your memories and appetite. A luncheon will be served.

In lieu of flowers, cards or memorials to the family will suffice. A Private Inurnment will follow at a later date. Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth is assisting with arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.hochfuneralhome.com.

Gary Melville Elder, 69, of Carter, SD passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 at the Sanford Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022 at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Burial will follow in the St. John Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Witten, SD. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner from 6-7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. Rosary.

Gary was born Jan. 25, 1953 to Jack and Gladys (Hansen) Elder. Gary grew up on the family farm near Carter working with his father and grandfather.  He enjoyed showing beef calves in 4-H and also purple ribbons for his various baking abilities.

Gary attended the Red Hills elementary schools and then attended his freshman and sophomore years at the Witten High School.  As a junior and senior he attended the Wood High School where he played football and helped as manager in other sports.  After graduation he attended Mitchell Technical School where be become a welding technician.

Gary married his high school sweetheart, Mary Siegmund, in 1972.  They settled on the Siegmund farm in Wood, SD where Gary farmed and ranched.  In 1982 they moved back to Carter and continued to farm and raise their family of four very active boys.

Gary and Mary were married for 49 years and 11 months to the day.

Gary participated in many activities and hobbies in his lifetime.  He was an avid hunter and also taught hunter safety classes to local youth.  He served a term as the Wood Fire Chief and was an active member in the Knights of Columbus for many years.

He enjoyed ringing the bells during the Tootsie Roll drives, helping with the BB hoop contests, and going to the local and district meetings. He also attended may state conventions.

Gary become a talented wood carver and carved many canes, walking sticks, spoons, animals and novelty items which he often gave to family and friends.

His favorite activity was riding his Harley Davidson.  He and Mary made many trips to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, SD as well as longer ventures to Texas, the west coast and many points in between.

Gary was preceded in death by his grandparents John Melville Elder and Elizabeth M. (Dougherty) Elder, Chauncey William Hansen and Alice (Adkins) Hansen and his father John (Jack) Charles Elder.

He is survived by his mother, Gladys L. (Hansen) Elder, his wife Mary (Siegmund) Elder, children Zachary Melville and Jennifer (Thomas) Elder, Jeremy Scott Elder, Abram Joseph and Randi (Spaid) Elder, Joshua James Elder and his grandchildren Ryler Joseph Elder and Emily Thomas, his sisters, Tammie M. Elder and Lori L. (Doug) Kartak as well as nieces, nephews and other family members.