Category Archives: Obituaries

James Allen Berg, 80, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021 at his home in Winner, SD.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021 at 11 a.m.  at the Christ Lutheran Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Jim was born in Canby, MN on May 6th, 1941. He was born 2 months pre-mature. He had pneumonia, rickets, and a collapsed lung. Being on the verge of death, he was baptized with the nurses being witnesses.

He and his family moved to a farm east of Castlewood, SD in 1946. His father had a farm accident in 1947, so he and his sister needed to help on the farm at an early age. During this time, he and his sister attended a one room school through eighth grade. Jim graduated from Castlewood High School in 1960. He then attended college in Madison, SD and Nettleton Community College in Sioux Falls. After college he began his work in construction for SF Construction working on bridges. From there he had various jobs working on the Titan Missile, and Boeing Aircraft. He then worked for various other construction companies. Carlson Construction in Winner, SD and Anderson Western being his last. In the midst of his construction work he bought a semi and hauled for Bob Curtis Trucking.

Jim married Loretta Kusick in 1967. To this union Michael was born in 1969 and Robert in 1972. In 1989 he married Karen (Bowling) Meiners and acquired 3 stepchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

He is survived by his wife Karen, children Mike (Misty) and Bob (Julie) Berg, step-children Gregg Hanson, Shawn Tuttle, and Shendra Meiners. 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren and sister Patricia Sedivy.

Donald Eagle Star, 50, of Gregory, SD passed away at his home in Sioux Falls, SD on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021.

Funeral services were  held on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021 at 2 p.m. at the Winner Ideal Community Hall in Winner, SD. Burial  followed in the Mniska Presbyterian Cemetery. Wake services were held  on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021 and Monday, Aug. 16, 2021 at 7 p.m.  at the Winner Ideal Community Hall in Winner, SD.

Donald was born on March 17, 1971 in Winner, SD to Paul and Tina Eagle Star. He attended Marty Indian School, graduating in 1990 as valedictorian.

Donald worked as a roofing foreman for The Roofing and Construction Company, LLC. He loved his work on the roof taking pride in what he did. He was greatly respected by everyone he worked with.

Donald greatly impacted the lives of everyone around him. Always bringing together family and friends, rather it be a cookout and friendly game of volleyball, organizing a softball team, playing darts or horseshoes, or gathering around a TV to watch a good boxing match. His favorite past time was to be surrounded by family and friends. But his entire being was centered around his family. He was extremely proud of Allison and Chris Eagle Star, his niece and nephew that he raised with his longtime girlfriend, Mary Crow Good Voice, and the time spent together.

Donald is survived by longtime partner Mary Crow Good Voice, and his children Allison Eagle Star and Christian Eagle Star. His 3 grandchildren Brooklyn Eagle Star, Adrian (Bubba) Eagle Star, and Paula Eagle Star.  His 2 sisters, Peggy Two Hearts and Julie (Wayne) Eagle Star, and twin brother Ronald (Sonya) Eagle Star, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Donald is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Tina Eagle Star, brother, Paul Eagle Star Jr, and sister, Paula Eagle Star.

Donald touched the lives of so many and was greatly loved. He will be missed daily but will be remembered always.

Virgil Hansen, 83 of Winner, SD passed away on Saturday, Aug 14, 2021 at the Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, SD. 

A private family interment will be held on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. at Virgil’s favorite pasture west of Winner.  A public fellowship memorial lunch will follow at 12:30 p.m.  at the Witten Baptist Church in Witten, SD.

Virgil Lee Hansen was born on Sept. 8, 1937 in O’Neill, Neb. to Milo “Butch” and Berniece (Eddie) Hansen.  He was the oldest of four children:  the late Joan Carroll, the late Robert “Bob” Hansen, and Peggy Douglas of Witten, South Dakota.

Virgil lived his entire life in the Winner area except for his time of enlistment in the United States Army.  From an early age he worked at helping his father on the family farm one mile south of Jordan corner.  He graduated from Winner High School in 1956 and went to the army shortly thereafter.  His company receiving orders to board a troop transport in preparation for the invasion of Cuba during the Cuban missile crisis highlighted his time in the Army.  After an otherwise uneventful enlistment at Ft. Hood in Texas, he returned to farming and ranching in the Winner area.  The drought of 1974-1976 forced the eventual sale of his small herd of registered Angus cattle.  From that time forward Virgil focused on wheat farming with a few other rotation crops.

On Sept. 8, 1979 Virgil married the widowed Twila (Harter) Worden.  Twila brought two stepchildren into the marriage:  Yvonne (Worden) Mitchell of Pringle, South Dakota, and Scott Worden of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  They enjoyed almost 42 years together.  Virgil and Twila spent many hours assisting his father, Milo, in the restoration of antique tractors and cars.  Aside from the dozens of machines they worked on, it is notable that they purchased an unrecognizable tractor buried in the sand hills of Nebraska in 1980 for $600.  This tractor turned out to be an Interstates Tractor Company 10-20 Plowboy that is extremely rare; it was restored and ultimately sold in 2020 for $50,250 even after years of later neglect. 

During the winter months they would take trips to Arizona for spring training or off to California, Virginia, or Florida following Scott around during Scott’s naval enlistment.  A favorite memory for Virgil was a tiger cruise he was able to take with Scott aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.  Many trips were also made to keep up on the activities of their grandchildren in Mitchell and then Utah or Sioux Falls.

Other than his love of the land and farming, Virgil also had a love for animals.  He was especially fond of his dogs Pee Wee and Bear and his cat Sparky.  Once Virgil had a steer that was so tame, he would let him out of the cattle pens to graze in the house yard.  The steer would follow Virgil or Twila around the place like a dog and once even followed Twila into the farmhouse.

In his later years Virgil began to experience health problems beginning with a significant stroke in 2018.  A serious car accident in 2020 resulted in stays in the Winner Nursing Home and then Elder Inn.  Finally in July of 2021 it was discovered that Virgil was in late-stage liver and kidney failure along with other complications.  He was transferred to VA hospital in Sioux Fall until it was discovered that his condition was unrecoverable.  His final days were spent at the Ava’s House hospice center in Sioux Falls where he passed away on Aug. 14, 2021.

Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and one sister. 

He is survived by his wife Twila, sister Peggy, stepchildren Yvonne and Scott (Annamaria), grandchildren Kelly (Mitchell) Grosdidier (Jeremy) of Sioux Falls, Katie (Mitchell) Niehoff (Adam) of Mitchell, Brooklynn Schoenfelder of Mitchell, Jasmine Worden, Jonah Worden, and Jorgia Worden all of Sioux Falls, great-grandchildren Dylann Grosdidier, Jaxon Grosdidier, Greysen Niehoff, and Eli Niehoff.  Virgil is also survived by a brother-in-law, Melvin Harter (Wilma), a sister-in-law, Elaine Kemnitz, and by many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life dinner for Maurice Korb, age 87, of Bristow, Neb., was held 6  p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at Butte Golf Course in Butte, Neb.

Brockhaus Funeral Home in Spencer is in charge of arrangements.

Maurice died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, at Bryan Medical Center East Campus in Lincoln, Neb.

Maurice G. Korb, son of Gottlieb and Freida (Walth) Korb, was born Aug. 15, 1933, at Colome, South Dakota. Maurice attended Colome High School.

 Maurice served in the South Dakota National Guard from 1952 until 1955.

  On May 31, 1953, he was united in marriage to Marcella Delfs, at the Methodist Church in Colome. They were blessed with three children, Pamela Sue Korb-Roth, Terry Lee Korb, and James Dale Korb.

Throughout his lifetime, Maurice lived in Colome and Bristow, Neb., working as a butcher and grocer. He was a successful businessman.

He loved to golf, hunt, fish, play with grand and great-grandchildren, and Husker football. Maurice taught his children honesty, integrity, responsibility, and the value of hard work. He was a man of faith, family, community, and service.

Maurice was a member of Bristow Methodist Church, Bristow Fire Department, and the Lion’s Club. He was active in his community and served as mayor, church board member, and town cop!

Maurice is survived by his wife, Marcella Delfs Korb of Bristow; daughter, Pamela Korb-Roth and Kelley Roth of Ketchikan, AK and their sons, Sam and Ben; son, Terry and Blanca Korb of Kearney, Neb., and their children, Emily and Katelyn, Megan, Cody, and Logan; son, Jim and Barb Korb of Bristow and their children, Max, Sarah and Adrienne, Erika, and Josh; nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Frances Korb of Washington, DC and Betty Korb of Fountain Valley, Calif.; and sister-in-law, Jackie of Longmont, Colo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gottlieb and Freida Walth Korb; and brother, Robert Korb.

Everyone that met Maurice liked him and he would talk to anyone, anytime about anything.

Family would like persons to come together to celebrate the life of Larry Crouse on Aug. 28 from 1-3 p.m. at Tangier Shriners Temple at 2823 S. 84th St. in Omaha, Neb.

Alberta Crabtree, 89, died Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021 at the Fall River Health Services Hospital in Hot Springs.

Alberta Minnie Horst was born March 6, 1932 at Mission, SD to August and Bertha [Hartman] Horst.

Alberta married Delbert Crabtree on Sept. 27, 1949 in Mission and Delbert was involved in forestry and farming. Alberta was a bookkeeper. Delbert died March 22, 2014.

Survivors include five sons: Charles [Pam] Crabtree of Guthrie, OK, David [Kelly] Crabtree of Arcadia, CA, Glen [Cindy] Crabtree of Rapid City, Lyle [Joanie] Crabtree of Edgemont, SD, and Ross [Joan] Crabtree of Pierre; one daughter: Denis [Kevin] Pryor of Rapid City; daughter in law: Brenda [Mike] Haverhals of Le Mars, IA; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one sister: Hortense Artichoker of Rapid City; and one sister in law: Norma Elsasser of Winner, SD.

Alberta was preceded by her parents, husband, son Lee, brother Dewey Beselin, sisters: Helena Hansen, June Ringstmeyer, Linda Horst, Verna Duke, Bobby Case, and Twila Dvorak.

Her private Celebration of Life memorial gathering will be held at a later date.

Her inurnment was held at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Arrangements with Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Richard Allan Bertram, of Winner South Dakota passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 73. 

A celebration of life was held Aug. 7 at the Colome American Legion.

Rich was born on July 7, 1948 in Ainsworth, Neb., to Allan and Neva Bertram.  He attended Colome Public Schools, graduating from Colome High School in 1966.

Rich married his wife of fifty years, Karen Kauer on May 3, 1971 in Winner SD.  To this union they were blessed with five children:  Allan, Lance, Cody, Stephanie and Blakke.  Rich held a few jobs managing stores such as the S & S Store and Big A Auto Parts, but for the last 28 years of his working career he truly found his calling as a correctional officer for the Winner City Jail.   He loved his work at the jail and he was able to make such a profound impact on so many people through his patience and timely advice on life.

His impact was also made on the baseball and softball diamonds.  He coached many young athletes in the Colome Community in both sports and was extremely proud of the 1989 Clearfield Teener Team that he coached to a State Runner-Up Finish.  He spoke often about all of his former players and how important they were to him and the pride he had in their life accomplishments.

Rich’s entire being was centered around his family.  He was extremely proud to be a Bertram and instilled the many values and ideals that were passed down to him through his father, uncles and grandparents.  He never missed a game of his children’s and over the years and traveled thousands of miles to ensure that he was in the stands for his grandchildren’s athletic contests, concerts, recitals and major events.

Rich is survived by his wife, Karen Bertram, children Allan & Shelby Bertram, Lance & Jen Bertram, Cody & Melony Bertram, Stephanie & Justin Schuyler, Blakke & Emily Bertram.  11 Grandchildren – Skyler, Kylie, Ashtyn, Olivia, Landon, Trevor, Mason, Marlie, Owen, TaShawn, Zaeda.  Brothers Russ, Ron (Kim) Roger and Sister Rae Jean (Jeff) and a very special uncle Larry Bertram along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents Allan & Neva Bertram, Father & Mother in Law – Paul & Lorraine Kauer and sister Reva Horstman.

Rich made a lasting impact on so many, he will be missed daily but his legacy will live on forever.

In lieu of flowers any monetary donations will go towards the Richard Bertram Law Enforcement Officer Annual Employee of the Year Award.

Vicki Marie (Deutsch) Moser, 55, of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at The Center at Lowry in Denver, CO. 

Funeral service will be held on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021 11 a.m. at the Winner United Methodist Church in Winner, SD.  Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to funeral service.

Vicki Marie (Deutsch) Moser of Winner, SD was born on April 22, 1966 in Valentine, Nebraska, to Fred Deutsch and Verna Marie (Kahler) Mayer of Winner, SD. She married Chad Moser on June 11, 2011. Vicki had three children, Mark and Michael O’Rear and Tina (Espinoza) Miller; and three stepchildren, Austin, Aspen, and Layne Moser.

Vicki was well known for her kindness and loving service to others. She was a nursing assistant for many years, an expression of her care and concern for others. She enjoyed doing arts and crafts. She loved baking, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Her children and grandchildren remember her as a generous and loyal mother and grandmother.

Moser is preceded in death by her parents, Fred Deutsch and Verna Marie (Kahler) Mayer; and stepfather Del Mayer.

Moser is survived by her husband, Chad Moser; her sister, Valerie Jo Benko (John); her brother, Alan W. Deutsch (Susan); her children, Mark O’Rear, Michael O’Rear, Tina Marie Espinoza Miller (John Allan); and her stepchildren, Austin Moser (Jill), Aspen Moser (Jon), and Layne Moser. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jerimiah Valdez, Kaylee and Mark Jr O’Rear; Trinity Castro-Wade and Kaiden and Bailey O’Rear; Aliyah, Kaitlyn, and Lakely Miller; and her step-grandchildren, Hazel and Bentley Moser and Keegen, Kamden, and Karter Burdette.

Richard Bertram, 73 of Winner, SD passed away on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. 

A Celebration of Life and luncheon will be held on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021 at the Colome American Legion in Colome, SD.  The family will begin meeting people at 11:30 a.m. with food and fellowship to follow.

Rosabel (Rose) Snethen, 96, of Miami, OK, formerly of Clearfield, SD, passed away on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at the Wind Ridge Nursing Center in Miami, OK.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at 10 a.m.  at the Church of Nazarene in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Rosabel (Rose) Snethen was born Oct. 28, 1924 on a farm in Gassman Township, Tripp County, South Dakota. Parents were David and Marjorie (Larson) Erickson. The farm was on a White River bottom, 13 miles north of Hamill, SD. School was difficult and several teachers lived with the family and had class in the living room for Rose and sister Ruth.

  Rose attended Winner High School in 1939 and graduated in 1941. She then attended Van Sant Business college in Omaha, Neb., and was employed in Omaha until marriage to Maurice Snethen on Jan. 26, 1946.

Maurice and Rose purchased a farm in Rosedale Township, Tripp County, SD which was their home until 1981. Rose was active in the Winner Methodist Church, 4H and extension club. Five-year-old twins, Sandra Brozik, Gregory, SD and Randy Snethen, Dallas, TX were adopted.

In 1982, a home was purchased in Miami, OK. Because of Maurice’s failing health beginning in 1978, ten winters were spent in south Texas.

Several hobbies were enjoyed by Rose which included leathercraft, bead craft, and Hardanger Embroidery. Rose also was a volunteer at the Baptist Hospital, Miami for several years. 

In 1998, she learned to use a computer. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Miami.

Preceding her in death was Maurice Snethen, parents Marjorie and David Erickson, sisters Ruth Christensen and Dolores Fecht.

Survivors include Sandra Brozik, Randy Snethen, and brother Don Erickson plus grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.