Category Archives: Obituaries

Edwin James Tech, 79, of Grand Island, NE passed away on Jan. 1, 2022 at his home.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at the Northridge Assembly of God in Grand Island with Pastor Mark Oberbeck officiating. Military honors will follow the service at the church.

Edwin was born on Aug. 13, 1942 in Gregory, SD to Benhard and Marie (Gall) Tech. He grew up in Winner, South Dakota. He enlisted in the Army on Nov. 5, 1964 and served during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged on Oct. 23, 1966. During his life Ed was married three times; his first marriage was to Bev Hopkins and to this marriage was one son, Brent. He was then married to Gretchen Pollock and to that marriage was a daughter, Crystal. He was then united in marriage to Bonna Wedige on Oct. 8, 2000 at Stuhr Museum in Grand Island. The couple then lived in Grand Island where Ed helped Milton Stoppekotte for 13 years and later worked for Mike Panowicz as a hired hand. 

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Bonna; daughter, Crystal; stepsons, James, John, Roger and Darrell; 16 grandchildren and two great grandchildren; two brothers, Ron and Steven Tech; and two sisters, Linda Truitt and Bonita Tech.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Brent; great grandnephew, Kevyn, sister, Carol (Don) Zaugg, and nephew, Brian Zaugg.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com

David Allen Jones , age 66, passed away on Feb. 2, 2022 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls SD.

Dave was born August 22 ,1955 to Lewis and Elizabeth Jones in Corsica SD. Dave loved to tinker with engines , fishing and watch racing.

Dave is survived by his wife Connie Jones and children Sandra (Corey) Scott [Mason and Aiden],Neil Jones[TaShawn, Elizabeth, and Jemma], Tina (Sean) Gann[Isabella,Riley, and Baxter], Douglas Jones [Allison and Lucas] and Sisters Patty Stone, Kathy Duwa, Annie Krofran brothers Robert Jones and Joe Jones.

Dave is preceded in death by his parents Lewis and Elizabeth Jones and brother Thomas Jones.

Service will be held at later date.

Alfred LeRoy Miller, was born March 12, 1938 to Russell/Lucy (Barclay) Miller in Rosebud, SD and was a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. He went home to be with Jesus Feb. 1, 2022.

Al was raised on a farm outside Winner, SD, joining the USAF after graduating from Winner High School in 1956. After their March 3, 1961 wedding Al and Jan realized Al’s dream to live in the Black Hills. Here they built their 60 year legacy, loving and serving others,  selflessly prioritizing faith, family and others. Al worked hard to provide for his family, in the USAF, and working for National Cash Register and as Miller Painting.

Serving his community through Scouts, Canyon Lake Little League and his church, many will remember being driven to Diamond Willow Ministries, Pine Haven Christian Children’s Home, Neb-wyo-dak Camp or a Christ In Youth Conference. Others will remember the 25+ years he served as Property Chairman at his church. While completely comfortable around vans, buses and buildings, Al will be treasured most by those he mentored while on a ladder, hunting deer or fishing a beaver pond.

He’s survived by wife Jan, sons Lee (Jane) of Rapid City, SD; Rusty (Connie) of Papillion, NE; and Corey (Julie) of Beaumont, TX. Grandchildren Alyssa (Drew) Meyer, Tyler (Addie) Miller, Kayla (Tim) Hawkins, Jayme (Joe) Simon, Austin Miller, Jaycee Miller, Ian Miller and Mikaela (Collin) Argo. Also by great grandchildren Jamison, Whitman and Sutton Hawkins; Macy and Millie Meyer and Reed and Lena Simon.

Helen (Soles) Michel and her twin sister, Ellen, were born on Jan. 4, 1931, in Tripp County, SD. Helen was one of 14 children born to Dottie (McCloughan) Soles and William Soles.

Helen graduated from Winner High School in 1950. Helen married Melvin Kasulka in 1953 and together they had Douglas Eugene Kasulka a year later.  After her divorce, she later married Arthur (Art) Dewey Turley in 1957. Art and Helen had two children together, Arthur Jr. Turley in Idaho and Edward Turley in Washington.

After the passing of her husband, Arthur, Helen later married Richard Marion Michel Jr., on Oct. 5, 1975, in Ojai, Calif. Helen and Richard were married for nearly 42 years until his passing in 2017.

Helen lived a full life. She was devoted to the Boy Scouts program for 23 years and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Helen received her associates degree from Ventura College. She volunteered as a drug & alcohol counselor as well as with the hospice program in Ventura. When they moved to MO, to take care of her mom Dottie, she also did family counseling in Dade County. Helen was a stock car racer, artistic painter, seamstress, and craftswoman. She baked wedding cakes professionally, was a real estate investor, loved gardening and had a passion for fishing.

After Richard’s passing, Helen moved near family in Poway, Calif. Helen was in church every Sunday at Cornerstone Church in Poway until the pandemic in February of 2020. She loved going out to lunch, Starbucks, getting pedicures at Fancy Nails in Poway, attending church events, and spending holidays with extended family.

Helen is survived by her son Doug Kasulka, son and daughter-in-law Art & Cheryl Turley, son and daughter-in-law Ed & Karen Turley, stepdaughter Carla; six grandchildren and spouses- Adia (Matt), Krystal, Mike (Karri), Tiffany (David), Brandon and Matthew; five great grandchildren- Ezekiel, Jonathan, Naomi Joy, Rowan, Willow and sisters, Ellen, and Mary.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband Richard, her parents- William and Dottie, her stepson Tom, her grandson Jonathan, her 6 brothers- Woodrow, Frank, Lewis, Harold, George, and Johnnie and 5 sisters- Velma, Nellie, Ines, Pearl, and Anna.

Helen Michel, 91, took her last breath on earth Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, and her first breath in heaven that same moment. A celebration of life service will be held at Cornerstone Church of Poway, 13617 Midland Road, Poway, CA 92064 on Sunday, Feb. 6 at 1:30pm, with a reception immediately following. Helen believed in giving love and flowers to the living.

Helen’s hope is in her Savior, Jesus Christ who prepared a place in heaven for her and for all who put their faith in Jesus as their Savior. In John 14 (NLT) Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There is more than enough room in my father’s home…I am going to prepare a place for you… I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

Gary Kingsbury, 79, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Facility in Winner, SD. 

 Funeral service was held on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022 at 11 a.m.  at the Winner United Methodist Church.  Burial will follow at a later date. 

Gary was born Sept. 6, 1942 in Smith County, Kansas, the sixth son of Marley and Irene (Hill) Kingsbury.  He attended Pleasant Hill, a one room country school, through the eighth grade.  When his father died in 1956, Gary moved to Smith Center with his mother, brother Joe, and sister Connie.  He graduated from Smith Center High School in 1960.

Gary found his first love, Carol Bose, and they were married in 1961 and later divorced.  They were blessed with three children, Tawnya, Marty, and Tayra.  They farmed and raised hogs north of Smith Center.  Later he began custom harvesting, going from North Dakota to Texas.

While he was in South Dakota he found his second love and married Sally Oakes of Winner, South Dakota in 1986.  He gained three daughters Debra, Diane, and Dawn.  Gary and Sally shared the love of farming, tilling the land, and harvesting crops.  His motto was “Eat, sleep, and farm.”  Gary always said that four hours of sleep is enough for anybody.

After retiring to Winner in 2014, Gary and Sally enjoyed traveling in their motor home, visiting family and their favorite campsites.  They took a drive each day, it was always 2 o’clock.  You could set your watch by it.

Gary loved mowing his grass farm and enjoyed his big boy toys.  He was always a hard worker, loved helping people and having fun.  Gary was a terrible aggravator and he loved doing his “little jig” to entertain us all.

Gary was a member of the Winner United Methodist Church.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Arden, Paul, Russell, Merlin, and Joe Kingsbury, sisters-in-law Sharon, Lois, Wilma Kingsbury, brother-in-law Jack Nichols and stepdaughter Diane DeBoer.

Gary is survived by his wife Sally, daughter Tawnya (Scott) Fisher, Overland Park KS; son Marty (Deb) Kingsbury, Smith Center KS, daughter Tayra (Brad) Shanley, Grand Junction, CO.  Stepdaughters Debra Boerner, Williston, VT, and Dawn Boerner, Winner, SD, along with 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Ethel Irene Vavra, 96, of Winner, South Dakota passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 at the Elder Inn in Winner, South Dakota. Rev. John Price of the Winner United Methodist Church officiated at her graveside burial in the ZCBJ cemetery south of Winner on Jan. 22, 2022. Bob Vrbsky provided accordion music.

Ethel was born on the Colome family farm on Sept. 16, 1925 to Martin and Mary (Veskrna) Vavra. She attended the nearby rural school.

She never married and had no children. She was a spunky west river woman. She had a nice smile and liked to visit with people. Ethel enjoyed the farm life and raised and cared for many a cat, chicken, duck, and goose. She enjoyed going to dances in her young years, raising a garden of flowers and vegetables, and reading. She stayed on the farm until March of 2020.

Ethel is preceded in death by her parents Martin John and Mary May Vavra, brothers Edward James, George John, and Joseph Martin Vavra, sisters Betty Ann Vavra and Lillian Christine Varilek, sister in-law Donna Marie (Graham) Vavra Pajl, brother in-law George Varilek, niece Joann Smith, nephews Lindy Gish, Dennis Smith, and Wayne Musilek.

Ethel is survived by nephews James (Martha) Pajl, Randy Pajl, Martin Varilek, and LeRoy (Sheila) Varilek; nieces Karen (Dennis) Burdick, Janet Whittaker, Marilyn Gish, and Betty Musilek; numerous grand and great-grand nephews and nieces, cousins, and friends. Submitted by nephew James Martin (Vavra) Pajl.

George Anthony Howard, 84, of Winner, SD made his journey to the spirit world on Jan. 14, 2022 at his home in Winner, SD. 

 Funeral service was held on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022 at 2 p.m.  at the Winner Ideal Community Hall in Winner, SD.  Burial will follow at a later date. 

Wake services was held on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 22 and 23 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Winner Ideal Community Hall.

George was born in Bad Nation, SD on Dec. 14, 1937 to Nora (McLean) Clairmont and Robert Howard.  George was the last surviving sibling and the only son of six children.

George lived a solitary existence and was an exceptionally private person, very few knew little about his life, nevertheless you could always count on him to be there and support his family in time of need.  He sometimes came across as a “grumpy grandpa” yet he had a special bond with his Great Niece Jennifer DuBray as she was the only kid he would allow to visit him.  They enjoyed their time watching cartoons, eating snacks and drinking pop.  This special bond carried onto Jennifer’s youngest daughter Taya as they enjoyed their weekly run-ins at the store.

George spent his later years up until the day of his passing living his peaceful daily routine which included trips to the post office and Lil Feller.  He overcame many obstacles in his life which included changing his lifestyle for the better, surviving cancer and improving his health.  He liked to stay fit by lifting weights.  He was  a hard worker and loved carpentry of any kind.  George worked and lent a helping hand to many of the local farmers and in the 50’s he helped build the interstate.

For those of you who knew George when he told you he would come by to visit that often meant a slow drive past your house.  George didn’t usually have much to say, but when around his family the pride in his eyes and content smile on his face said it all.

George is survived by many nieces and nephews, his grandchildren and countless great nieces and nephews who are considered grandchildren in the traditional Lakota way.

Maternal nieces and nephews of George Anthony Howard are Fern DuBray, Molly DuBray, Ethel Sharkey (DuBray), John DuBray, Kathy Peneaux (DuBray) Andy DuBray, Janice DuBray, Jason DuBray, Bernadette Howard, Sandra Rouse, Cleo Rouse, Gail Rouse, Cynthis Odegard, Charlotte Rouse, and Rusty Odegard.  Grandchildren are Laura Basaldua, Shaun Klinger, Brent Klinger, Summer Klinger-Van Wagner, Jolynn Thalman, Amber Thalman and his son Craig Night Pipe.  “Family are like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one.”

George is preceded in death by his Mother Nora, Father Robert, his daughter Maxine, his sisters Dorothy, Betty Jane, Wilma, Arlene and Mary Lou, his niece Mona DuBray, nephew Michael Odegard, Henry Odegard, Billy Rouse, JR Rouse, great-grandchild Netaya Dream and numerous other loved ones.

“But as God calls us one by one the chain will link again.”

Marian Elaine Schroeder, 83, passed away peacefully at the Winner Regional Health Care on Jan. 21, 2022 surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services were held  Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, South Dakota. With Visitation on Monday, January 24, 2022 starting at 5:00 concluding with the Vigil at 6:00. Burial will be on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen, Iowa.

Marian Bowker was born Aug. 23, 1938 in Villa Park, Illinois. Marian grew up in several small towns in Illinois and completed high school in Dekalb, Illinois. She met her Iowa farm boy, Jerry Schroeder, in California and three months later their epic love story began on Sept. 7, 1957. Unbeknownst to Marian, her future husband was from the same small town in Iowa that her mother, Adeline Singer, was from. Luckily the Singers were one of the few families in that small town Jerry was not related to.

Marian and Jerry raised their five children on a farm near Remsen. They moved to Colorado in 1985 where they worked in ski country and eventually built their dream house. They retired to Lakeview, Arkansas. They lived there until Jerry’s death in 2019. Marian has spent the last few years in Winner, South Dakota with eldest daughter, Marie.

Marian enjoyed many hours of playing games with her family and friends. Those who knew Marian knew she had the most outrageous luck at cards and bingo. She would always laugh and say “But what can you do?” Her dedication to spending time with the lord praying for those on her extremely long prayer list was an inspiration.

Marian is survived by her children Marie (Dave) Fisher, Kim (Dave) Bedel, Joan (Mark) Hartman, Keith (Robyn) Schroeder, and Mary Beth (Jerrod) Olson. Also by her brother Robert Bowker. Marian and Jerry enjoyed their twenty grandchildren and twenty-four great grandchildren.

Marian is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, her twin daughters, Rosemary and Elizabeth, her parents, Frank Bowker, Adeline (Singer) Bowker, her brothers Tom and Ron Bowker, and her sister Dorothy (Bowker) Hitchcock.

Sylvania Earll, 77, of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022 at the Winner Regional Health Care Facility in Winner, SD.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services.

Sylvania was born March 9, 1944 to Clarence and Sylvania (Risch) Sigety in Watertown, SD.  She attended her elementary years in Florence. She grew up near the railroad and had lots of good memories with her friends and siblings.    In 1960, she moved with her family to Rapid City, SD.   She attended her Sophomore- Senior year there, graduating from Rapid City in 1962.  She worked at the Woolworths store and babysat when not in school.   Her parents were foster parents, so she kept busy helping with those children as well.  

In April of 1967 she went on her first date with Leo Earll.   In September of 1967, they were united in marriage.   They spent their first nine months of marriage traveling around North and South Dakota doing custom farm work.  Then, they settled on Leo’s family farm near Witten, SD raising hogs.  In March of 1970, on her birthday, her first son Duane was born.  Lee shortly followed in August of 1971.  They lived there happily until Leo passed away from a heart attack in 1976.  She found herself raising two boys on her own at age 31.  A few years after she lost Leo, she was married for a short time to Jim Sell.  She helped him with his 4 children as if they were her own.  She went on to raise her boys on her own.  In 1984, Sylvania started working at the Winner Baptist Hospital as a nurse’s aide.  She worked a brief time at the Adjustment Training Center before returning to the hospital.  A dream had awakened and she decided she would start working towards becoming a Registered Nurse.  She started nursing school at Dakota Wesleyan with her best friend, Carol Horstman, and together they graduated in 1991.  She was employed at the hospital in different capacities as a nurse.  She has left behind many stories of laughter and tears from her time there.  She was gentle and caring, but best believe she was a voice for her patients.  In 1996, she brought her mother home from Arkansas to live with her.  They resided in Colome.  She became a grandmother to her first grandson, Spencer in 1998.  She took the title very seriously.  Her second grandson, Cody was born in 2001.  She spent lots of time spoiling them rotten, making sure the snack drawer was always full and that they could go eat at the “bar”, go bowling, or to a movie whenever they wanted.  They had many adventures over the years.   Sylvania retired from nursing, but continued taking care of everyone.  She could be found cooking for her grandson over his lunch hour, baking goodies or making jelly, helping a neighbor, taking someone to an appointment, making rosaries for the church and taking care of church family.   In 2021, Sylvania was able to connect with a daughter that she made the hard choice to give up when she was young.   Meeting her this fall was one of the highlights of her life.

Sylvania was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Sylvania Sigety, husband, Leo Earll, and brother Dennis Sigety. Survived by her daughter Robyn Hauk and her family; son Duane (Kendra) Earll, grandsons Spencer and Cody Earll and son, Lee Earll, her brothers, Joe (Carole) Sigety, Kevin (Colleen) Sigety, Pat (Deb) Sigety, and many nieces and nephews, family and friends

Memorial services for Donald Kahler age 49 of Gregory, SD will be held on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 3:30 pm at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home, Gregory, SD. Burial will follow in Colome City Cemetery in Colome, SD.

Donald Gordon Kahler was born March 14, 1972, in Burke, SD, to Harold and Evelyn (Marts) Kahler. Donald was the fifth of six children. Don grew up in Brookings, SD. He graduated from Brookings High School in 1990.

During his high school years Don was a member of the BB Gun Club and was a state champion. He was also a member of the Youth Archery team and was a state champion.

After graduation, Don started a career as a CNC machinist in Brookings that led him to working in Fargo, ND, building huge sugar beet harvesters. He then landed one of his dream jobs building guns in Sturgis, SD. His passion for guns followed him his entire life. He then worked as a welder for his uncle Jerry Marts. He also bartended for a while at Gregory Lanes where he met a man who built log homes. This led Don, his brother Dale, and nephew Tom, traveling all over the US building homes and other structures.  While in Wyoming, Don’s love for horses led him to videoing the chariot races for the fans and jockeys enjoyment. Due to a poor economy, he then went to owning and driving semi trucks mainly in North Dakota during the oil boom.

Donald passed away at his home in Gregory on Jan. 3, 2022, at the age of 49 years.

Donald is survived by four brothers: Dwight (Pam), Douglas, Daryl (Donna), and Dale all of Brookings, SD, and one sister Kathleen of Dallas, SD; and many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.