Category Archives: Obituaries

Bryan Walter Pharris, 68, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away June 9, 2022, at Avera McKennan Hospital surrounded by family at his side. He will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life and Time of Remembrance for Bryan was held  Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 6 p.m. The celebration was held at City Lights, 316 S. 2nd Street in Aberdeen.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Bryan was born Oct. 24, 1953, to Walter and Eleanor (Stroup) Pharris in Burke, SD, and resided in Gregory, SD until 1957.  The family then moved to Winner, SD.  He attended grade school and high school there, graduating in 1971.  He started to work at The Pharris Family Bakery at the age of 13.

Bryan attended college at The University Of South Dakota in Vermillion. He then moved back to Winner and met the love of his life, Cindy Holmquist.  They were married on June 23, 1974, at The United Methodist Church in Winner, SD.  They continued to work at the family bakery.  From this union, they were blessed with four children: Nicholas, Brooke, Alexander, and Bridget.

In 1983 the family moved to Rapid City, SD; and then settled in Aberdeen, SD in 1986.  Bryan continued to be an accomplished baker in Aberdeen.  Over the years Bryan and Cindy were blessed with thirteen grandchildren.

Bryan’s knack for baking and cooking was apparent and well-loved at every family gathering or holiday meal.  He was always glad to see a friend, and quick to make friends with a stranger; including the four-legged kind. Bryan’s hearty laugh could be felt before it could be heard.  He loved his grandchildren; and loved nothing more than to take them for a bum ride, navigate a canoe down the Niobrara River, or scavenge for wild asparagus.  Many heart to hearts were had over campfires, or just at the kitchen table with Columbo playing in the background.

Grateful for having shared his life are his loving wife, Cindy; daughters: Brooke Meyers of Aberdeen and Bridget Schilling of Ramsey, MN; son: Alexander Pharris; grandchildren: Ian Pharris, Austin and Ava Meyers; Gwendolyn Hauser, Grace and Jaxon Schilling; Laine Wise, Ariya Pharris; Samuel, Quade and Novella Pharris, Oliver and August Pharris; siblings: Kristine (Bill) Ringstmeyer of Winner, SD, Elizabeth Ann (Scott) Johnson of Sturgis, SD, and Keith (Linn) Pharris of Colorado; and one sister-in-law, Lorraine Pharris of Colorado.

Bryan will be terribly missed by his family. He was preceded in death by his son, Nicholas Pharris; brother Kenton Pharris and his parents, Walter and Eleanor.

Funeral services for Shirley Beck, 97, Winner, will be held on June 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the Prairie View Gospel Barn, Gregory. Burial will be in the IOOF Cemetery, Gregory.

There is a prayer service on Friday at 7 p.m. at the gospel barn.

Beck died June 9 at the Winner Regional long term care center.

Gay Lynn Barry was born to Al and LeArlie (Engel) Barry in Fremont, NE, on June 19, 1954. She was the youngest of two daughters.

Gay Lynn grew up in Dallas, SD, and spent much of her youth at her parent’s indoor roller-skating rink “Al’s Roller Dome” in Dallas. Gay Lynn graduated high school in Gregory, SD in 1972.

Gay Lynn married Jerry Olson. Gay Lynn and Jerry welcomed two children- Jamie and Kristi Lynn.

She attended business school at National American University in Rapid City, SD. Gay Lynn worked for a business office in Red Wing, MN before moving back to Gregory and starting The Flower Garden. Gay Lynn had a love for flowers and was an entrepreneur. She ran two flower shops and a café in Gregory and Winner for a brief time. She later focused on the shop in Gregory. Gay Lynn had a passion and creative gift working with flowers and especially enjoyed working late nights developing beautiful casket sprays.

Gay Lynn adored spending time with her family and watching her grandchildren’s activities. She loved her house dogs and always had a small four-legged companion.

Gay Lynn enjoyed traveling, making trips to New Mexico, Texas, and attending a couple NASCAR races.

She liked drinking Coca-Cola and collecting memorabilia. Since retiring from the flower shop, she especially enjoyed spending time in her yard and flowerbeds.

Gay Lynn appreciated playing cards with her friends at the Senior Center and hosting card parties at home. She was an active member of the Gregory Methodist Church and the Gregory County Historical Society.

Gay Lynn passed away on June 7, 2022, after a battle with metastatic breast cancer at the age of 67.

Gay Lynn is survived by her son Jamie (Mica) Olson (Bloomfield, NE), ten beloved grandchildren: Samantha, Layne, Elliot, Matilynn, Tatum, Kadyn, Callie, Vanessa, Marisa, Jake; sister Marilee (Curt) VanAsperen (Custer, SD,) and a niece Andrea (Cory) Lewis and nephew Cory (Lisa) VanAsperen.

Gay Lynn is preceded in death by her daughter Kristi Olson and parents Al and LeArlie Barry.

Funeral services for Gay Lynn Barry age 67 of Dallas, SD were held on Tuesday June 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the Methodist Church, Gregory, SD. A private family burial followed in the Hillview Cemetery, Dallas, SD.

Richard L. Adrian, 82, of North Vernon,Ind.,  passed away at 1:46 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at Our Hospice of South-Central Indiana in Columbus.

A memorial service will take place on Friday, June 17, 2022 at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. A graveside service will then take place on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 10 a.m. at the Winner City Cemetery in Winner, SD.

A memorial service was held  on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral and Cremation Service.Burial will take place at a later date, cremation was chosen.

Born on March 13, 1939, Mission, SD., Richard was the loving son of Earl and Elizabeth (Angel) Adrian. He was united in marriage to Ruth Knox on Feb. 13, 1982. She survives.

Richard graduated from Marquette University, then earned his master’s degree in business from the University of Detroit. He had retired as an investment analyst and was also a farmer. He served as a treasurer for several years for the Jennings County Community Foundation and was a board member. Richard helped establish the Jennings County Farmer’s Market. He is a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and Indiana Farm Bureau.

In addition to his wife, Ruth Adrian of North Vernon, survivors include daughter, Kirsten Adrian of North Vernon; sons, Daniel L. (Alison) Adrian of Mason, OH, Richard L. (Amanda) Adrian of Greer, SC, and Jonathan P. (Angela) Adrian of Scipio; brothers, Dean Adrian of Ft Collins, CO, and Billy Adrian of Mission, SD; grandchildren, Alexander and Samantha Adrian, Mia, Dylan, and Ava Adrian, and Quinn, Duncan, Conner, and Brandon Adrian.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Elizabeth Adrian; 1st wife, Margaret (Mesner) Adrian; daughter, Megan Adrian; son, Michael Adrian; sister, Helen Marie Hanson; brother, Robert Adrian; and grandson, Rondal Lee Adrian.

Memorial donations can be made through the funeral home to Our Hospice of Jennings County or the Rondal Lee Adrian Scholarship Fund through the Jennings County Foundation.

Elizabeth Ruth Cahoy, 96, formerly of Colome/Dallas, SD passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her home near Rockerville, SD on Saturday, June 11, 2022. 

Liz was born on the Turtle Butte homestead, northwest of Wewela, SD  on Oct. 26, 1925. She was the youngest of five children born to Louis and Christiana (‘Annie’ Hartmaier) Link. She was baptized and confirmed at Hope Lutheran Church and attended Turtle Butte Elementary School. At age 12, her father passed away and shortly thereafter she and her mother moved to Colome, SD. She worked at the Colome Cash Store and graduated high school in 1943.

On April 20, 1945 she was united in marriage to Melvin Cahoy. They lived on farms near Bonesteel and north of Dallas before moving to their permanent farm southeast of Colome in 1949, where Liz was an essential  partner in  all aspects of farm life for almost 60 years.  She later had part in Colome’s Rose Manor Assisted Living. And, thanks to the care and concern from many friends and relatives, she was able to enjoy living in her own apartment in Colome, prior to moving to the Black Hills in 2018.

She was a devoted member of the Zion Lutheran Church where she served the Lord in many capacities including teaching Sunday school, helping with Vacation Bible School, Ladies Aid and WELS Medical Mission. One of her labors of love was creating unique floral arrangements, for all to enjoy, at countless church services. Liz cherished time spent with family, friends and neighbors. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, sewing, cooking, baking, polka music, word search books, chocolate, life, laughs and hugs.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, her parents, sisters Gertrude & Harry Ahlers, Helen & Louis Vander Kuur, and Louise  & Jerome Harkin, brother Otto & Minnie Link and sister-in-law Julia & Howard Bates and son-in-law Robert Brownell.

She is survived by her only daughter, Shirley Brownell and grandson, Robert (R.J.) Brownell, Rockerville, SD, granddaughter, Betsy (Greg) Brose and great-granddaughters, Lily Brose of Hill City, SD and Kaia Brose, Corinth, Greece and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held at the Colome Zion Lutheran Church on Friday, June 17 at 10:30 a.m. Viewing will take place at the church just prior to the service. Burial will be at the Colome Cemetery.

Dwite Miles Krizan passed away peacefully on June 9, 2022, at the Veteran’s Hospital in Fargo, N. D., at the age of 75.

Dwite was born Oct. 24, 1946, to Miles and Sadie (DeSmet) Krizan in Winner, South Dakota. He graduated from Colome High School in 1964 and then spent four years in the Army, one of which was in Vietnam.

He married Garnet Kaiser and had two children, Michael James and Michelle Dawn.

In 1988 he married Janice (Kristofferson) Dathe, his best friend and the love of his life. Janice had three children, Byron, Davis, and Sheila, and he loved them as his own.

Dwite worked at Wayne’s Auto Shop in Winner, SD, and Homestake Goldmine in Lead, SD. They moved to the Britton, SD area, where he worked as a mechanic at Holland Brothers and his own shop, Dwite’s Auto and Small Engine Service. After retiring in 2018, they moved to Fargo, ND, to be closer to the VA Hospital.

Dwite enjoyed hunting, fishing, and team roping with his horse, Pete. With Janice, he enjoyed gardening and canning their harvests. He was always ready to have coffee with friends and neighbors. Dwite was a member of the American Legion and the VFW in Britton, where he served as commander for four years.

Grateful for having shared Dwite’s life are his wife, Janice; sons Michael (Angee) of Colorado Springs, CO, and Davis (Abby) Dathe of Rapid City, SD; daughters Michelle (Mike) L’Hotta of Monument, CO, and Sheila Dathe of Aurora, CO; brothers and sisters, Monte (Delorus) Krizan of Dallas, SD, Kelly (Cynthia) Krizan of Woodinville, WA, Kathy (Ralph) Carson of Bountiful, UT, and Jae (Bob) Stiehl of Rapid City, SD.

Along with many others, preceding Dwite in death are his parents, Miles and Sadie Krizan; son, Byron Dathe; nephew, Nicholas Krizan; and uncle, Milton John Krizan.

Memorials are preferred to the Fargo VA Hospital at https://www.cdceportal.va.gov/donate_online/

Bobbe Kositzky, age 91, of Graceville, MN, passed away on April 25, 2022, at Essentia Health – Grace Home. She had been a resident of Grace Village the past 9 years, which she enjoyed tremendously. She had a gentle soul and was a friend to all as well as being a loving mother and wife.

Memorial services will be held on June 4, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home in Graceville. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. Inurnment of both Bobbe and Paul will be held at Graceville Consolidated Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at Graceville Community Center.

Barbara “Bobbe” Karen (Holm) Kositzky was born on Dec. 4, 1930, in Omaha, NE, to Audrey (nee, Donahoe) and Jake Holm, who resided in Winner, SD. There, she was baptized, confirmed, and married to Paul Kositzky at Trinity Episcopal Church. A graduate of Winner High School, she attended two years of University of Nebraska where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She returned to Winner to marry Paul in 1951.

In 1964, Bobbe and Paul moved their family to Graceville where she resided until her death. She was a stay-at-home mother, but was also a chef to many of Paul’s sales personnel and customers, usually for lunch. In order to obtain World Books for her family, she became a successful salesperson of the encyclopedias. While in those roles, she pursued her interests as a member of art, Bridge, and dance clubs. To say she was a seamstress was an understatement because she sewed all of her clothes and those of her daughter’s. Vogue patterns were a favorite.

Survivors include her children: Kimberley (Neil) Johnson of Kennedy, MN; Kirk (Dan) Wanderscheid of Sioux City, IA; April (Neil) Klutman of Lawrence, KS; and Kyle Kositzky (Annie Erickson) of Moorhead, MN; six grandchildren: Jacob, Adam, Erin, Whitney, Quinn, and Connor; as well as five great-grandchildren.

Bobbe was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul; sister, Dr. Jaqueline Voss; and brother-in-law, Scad Voss.

Suggested memorials may be made to Grace Village or Graceville Community Library.

To leave a condolence, please visit www.mundwilerfuneralhome.net.

Richard Hoffer, 89, of Winner, SD passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at the Platte Health Center Avera in Platte, SD. 

  Funeral service was held on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 10 a.m.  at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner, SD.  Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery. 

Richard Hoffer was born July 30, 1932 in Reliance, SD to John and Louise Hoffer.  He attended Quiet Creek school, then went to Millboro School.  Later on, to Colome where he learned to box.  Richard started school as speaking German only, later learned English.

Richard was united in marriage to Shirley Chambers June 26, 1955.  To this union 4 children were born, Rodney, Debra, Roger and Scott.

Richard drove truck for many years, and then went into milking cows, farming and ranching.  He loved the outdoors, he was always working on fixing things, like small engines, tractors, anything that needed some work done.  Richard was also very good at wood working.  Later on, he liked to play the piano and guitar.

Richard will be greatly missed left to mourn him a daughter; Deb Shreeve, son Scott (Deb) Hoffer; grandchildren; Trisha Shreeve, Angy (Jim) Murphy, Russell (Sarah) Hoffer, Craig (Kelly) Hoffer, Sarah (Tim) Novotny, Nikki (Shannon) Whitten, Marie (Nathan) Lapsley, great-grandchildren; Isabella, Isaiah, Lijah and Harley, Baylor and Blayke Murphy, Tayshaun, Sadie, Oakley Hoffer, Nancy Novotny and Scarlett Hoffer, Tyler and Emma Berg and Ava Lapsley, Shaylin and Pryce Whitten.

He is preceded to death by his wife Shirley Hoffer, 2 sons; Roger and Rodney, his parents John and Louise and a son-in-law Roy Shreeve.

Fredrick Whiting Jr., 20, of Winner, SD passed away on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.  Funeral service was held on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 10 a.m. at the Winner High School Auxiliary Gym.  Burial  followed at the Winner City Cemetery. 

A wake service began on Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 7 p.m. at the Winner High School Auxiliary Gym and again on Monday, May 23, 2022 at 7 p.m.

 Fredrick James Whiting Jr., was born Oct. 24, 2001 at the Winner Regional Hospital to Fred Sr. and Jolene Medicine Eagle-Old Lodge.

 Fred attended school K-3rd in Todd County.  He then moved to Winner where he attended Winner Schools and graduated with the “Bad Ass” “Class of 2020”.  Fred had an unbelievable passion for sports.  During his high school years Fred played basketball, football and baseball.  Fred had the advantage to know the feeling of playing in the State Championship Game.

 Fred started his baseball career playing with the Winner/Colome Pheasants.  Fred then went to play fast pitch with Red Leaf and slow pitch with Striders/ Rosebud Concrete, and the Ideal Indians.  Third base was his place, “where the action is.”

 Fred had an awesome sense of humor, a great personality and a smile that brightened up any room and a heart of gold.

 When Fred would enter a room there was bound to be jokes, love and laughter.  When Fred played ball, he played with his heart but made sure it was fun.

 In the short 20 years that Fred was here with us he made so many friends.  Fred was a happy go lucky man.  No matter who Fred met, he was bound to leave an awesome 1st impression.  He got along with everyone he met.

 Fred will always be remembered by his smile and his “baseball ass.”  Fred was known as “Big Fred” on the football field, ball field and most defiantly on the basketball court.

 Fred is survived by his mother and step-father Jolene and Howard Old Lodge Sr., his father Fredrick Whiting Sr., his sisters JoHannah, TaeLeigh Whiting, Jolisse Old Lodge, his brothers, Andrew Whiting and Kyrie Old Lodge, his maternal grandmothers, Leah (Brad) Stands, his paternal grandparents Ken and Amy Whiting.

 Fred is preceded in death by his younger brother Joshua Whiting, his maternal grandfather Carl Quilt, his grandfather Cage Medicine Eagle Sr.