Category Archives: Obituaries

Ruth (Dobbin) Whiting, 90, of Rapid City, SD and formerly of Winner, SD, passed away Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Avantara Saint Cloud Nursing Home in Rapid City.

A visitation was held on Wednesday, September 8 at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City. Burial will be Thursday, September 9, at 10:00 am at the Black Hills National Cemetery.

Ruth was born March 22, 1931 in Iona, SD to Gerald and Laura (Foote) Dobbin. Ruth grew up on the family farm in Iona, SD. She told stories of her travels which included living in Japan.

Ruth returned to the Winner area and had various jobs. One of those jobs was working for the late Dr. Robert Still as a medical secretary. Ruth and Harold Whiting were united in marriage in June of 1960. They had one infant son, Michael Todd who passed away. They adopted three children, Laurie, Steve and Mary. They also took care of and raised 179 foster children within the mix. Ruth was a member of the Winner United Methodist Church and believed in bringing God into the foster children’s lives.

She loved to crochet, doing jigsaw puzzles, word search books and writing short stories and poems.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband Harry in May of 2013; infant son; her parents and brother Harold Dobbin.

She is survived by her children, Laurie (Darwin) Heying of Rapid City; Steve (Karla) Whiting of Watertown, SD and Mary Roubidaux of Red Oak, TX; six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Sympathy cards may be sent in care of Laurie Heying 572 Field View Dr., Rapid City, SD 57701.

Tiny (Larry) Eugene Keierleber, age 73, passed away on September 1, 2021 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Left behind was his spouse, Connie Royer, who he married in October of 2020.

He was born in Winner South Dakota on September 8th, 1947 to Phyllis Keierleber (Harthaus) and Harold Keierleber. After two years of High School in Winner, Tiny attended two years at Sunshine Bible Academy. Following high school, he moved to Rapid City, South Dakota in 1968 for further education. After moving, he stayed in the Black Hills area. He worked at Hills Material, and then for a while as a long haul driver. He owned The Bicycle Shop for a while. More recently, he’s had the titles of Chef and Partner at Connie’s Place and Owner of Tiny’s Knives and Things where he sold his curated knife and fire arm collection. Other odd jobs included delivering fire wood in the winters and security guard.

In October of 1969, Tiny married Carol (Pautsch) Keierleber and they had two children; Shawn (Justin) Moss, and Shane “Sweet P” (Tara) Keierleber.

Tiny’s personal interests involved outdoors, motorcycles, creativity, time with family, reading, and being the master of silly (sometimes bad) jokes. He liked to make big hearty meals and was known for his famous green chili recipe. There are dozens of handmade wooden toys that are still used and appreciated. There are also many stories of him being good with animals.

Tiny is survived by his wife, Connie; children, Shawn (Justin) Moss and Sweet P (Tara) Keierleber; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister Mary Jo, and aunt Lorraine Meeder.

A private visitation will be held for family and close friends at 9 a.m. Thursday, September 9, 2021 at the American Legion in Piedmont. Celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. All are welcome and lunch will be provided.

Veronika Lakstigala, age 99, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 at Good Samaritan Society Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Veronika was born March 13, 1922 in Daugavpils, Latvia to Sebastjans and Karina Paberzs. Her family fled to Sweden from Latvia in 1944. They moved to the United States in November 1959, locating in White River, South Dakota.

Veronika was joined in marriage to Peters E. Lakstigala on Dec. 20, 1959 in White River, South Dakota. In 1968, the couple moved to Sioux Falls. She was a piano and music teacher for 54 years before retiring in 2004.

Veronika was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. She served as a board member of the First Arts Council. She received the honor of the Knights of the White Buffalo award. Veronika founded the Piano Forum in Sioux Falls. She joined the Sioux Falls Area Music Association Auxiliary and was their first president. Veronika served 22 years as secretary treasurer of the South Dakota Music Association, and as the president from 1972-1973.

Veronika’s hobbies include gardening, geography, languages and art. Her greatest passion was music, especially teaching piano lessons to all her wonderful students.

Veronika was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Peters E. Lakstigala.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Lions Eye Bank or American Latvian Association.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, Aug.31, 2021 at Miller Funeral Home – Southside Chapel, in Sioux Falls, SD. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral arrangements held by Miller Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, SD. For obituary and online registry book, please visit www.millerfh.com.

Greg Allen Genzlinger, 73, was born on Sept. 2, 1947 in Canova, SD to Gordon and Geraldine Genzlinger. 

Greg passed away on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD from a short battle with stage 4 lung cancer that spread to the brain.   Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, at Eidsness Funeral Chapel in Elkton.  Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept.11, 2021, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Brookings with burial to follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Howard, SD. The funeral will be able to be viewed at www.mountcalvary1.org and on Mount Calvary’s Facebook page.

Greg grew up with his siblings, Winston, Mona, and Janeen, on the family farm southeast of Howard, SD.  He was active in cultivating the land and gained a great appreciation for the outdoors.  While living at home on the family farm, Greg attended St. John Lutheran Church, where he was both baptized and confirmed.

Greg and Pat (Hegdahl) were married on Aug. 10, 1968.  The following year, Greg graduated from Dakota State University.  They decided to take their adventure westward and Greg started teaching math courses in the Winner School District from 1969 to 2003.  They were active members of Christ Lutheran Church in Winner.  Two daughters were born into the family, Dawn, in April of 1971 and Robin, in October of 1977.  Greg spent many hours with the girls trying to instill his love of nature.

Through the years, Greg gained two amazing sons-in-law, Jim Reedy and Luke Hemmen.  A lot of time was spent with these guys…teaching both of them how to catch a mighty musky.  Greg and Pat gained six grandchildren from these marriages and his grandkids were Greg’s pride and joy.  He attended countless football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, track, cross-country, concerts, band, and theater events.  He would always show up supporting the kids and their team colors.  It was easy to see how much he loved and adored his grandkids…you just had to look at his face.  His life revolved around his grandkids.

We all know he had a great love for fishing and hunting.  Spring and summer were spent on ponds, lakes, rivers, and trips to Canada.  Fall and winter were reserved for pheasant and deer hunting with family and friends.  He enjoyed these activities, but he enjoyed the company of his people even more.  Winner, SD was their home for 47 years before they decided to move to Elkton, SD in 2016 to be closer to family.

Greg is survived by his wife of 53 years, Pat.  His children:  Dawn (Jim) Reedy of Norfolk, NE and Robin (Luke) Hemmen of Elkton, SD.  His six grandchildren:  Taylor (Sydney Graver) Reedy, Sydney (Andrew) Meuret, and Grace Reedy;  Jack, Malayna and Berkley Hemmen.  His sister, Mona Dickhaut and brothers-in-law Mike (Dawn) and Garry (Connie) Hegdahl; and sister-in-law Carolyn Genzlinger.  As well as a host of extended family and friends.

Greg is preceded in death by his parents Gordon and Geraldine;  Father and Mother-in-Law, Harold and Evelyn Hegdahl;  brother Winston, sister Janeen, and brother-in-law Leonard Dickhaut.  He will be greatly missed and remembered always.

Dolores Soles, 97, of Winner, SD passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021 at the Winner Regional Health Care Center in Winner, SD.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021 at 2 p.m.  at the Church of Nazarene in Winner. Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Dolores Mae Mann was born Aug. 12, 1924 to George and Myrtle (Patterson) Mann along with identical twin sister Dorothy in a farm house north of Colome. In 1927 they moved to a farm southeast of Millboro. She attended school at Millboro High School. Her and her twin Dorothy went home to work on the family farm. Dolores and Dorothy were always mistaken for each other wherever they would go.

Dolores married Frank Soles on Aug. 24, 1942 in Valentine, NE. They lived 13 miles southwest of Winner. To this union four children were born: Frank Allan, Kathy, Linda, and Patricia.

While the children were growing up, they attended Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Later in life she became a member of Church of the Nazarene and attended with her sister Maxine.

During her adult years she had daycare in her home, helped with the legion steak night, volunteered at the nursing home with her sister Maxine. She loved to bake and taught her daughters and granddaughters how. She had patience and didn’t care on how big of a mess was made in the kitchen. She loved to dance where her and Frank went with family and friends to local dance halls. She also loved to play marbles and skipbo with her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her children Frank Allan (Joanna) Soles, Bridgeton, MO; Kathy (Craig) Scott, Council Bluffs, IA; Linda (Danny) Brunmeier; Patricia Rehak; and a special friend Kathy (Ron) Taggart all of Winner, SD; also many nieces and nephews and sisters-in-law Ellen Goslin, Idaho; Mary Hayford, Oregon; & Helen Michaels, Idaho.

Her grandchildren Frank Allan Soles Jr., St. Louis, MO; Justin (Val) Brunmeier, Winner, SD; Danielle (Dan) Bohman, Pierre, SD; Jamie (Haris) Scott-Bosnic, West Des Moines, IA; and John (Jessie) Rehak, Winner, SD.

Great grandchildren Alyssa Soles, Tyler Brunmeier, Tayne Bohman, Brantley, John-Douglas, & Jack Rehak.

Great great grandchild RiverLee Brunmeier.

Preceding her in death were her husband Frank, parents George and Myrtle, her siblings Isabel, Lela, Percy, Maxine, Dorothy, Twila, Bud, son-in-law Doug Rehak, Franks parents Bill & Dottie and numerous brothers and sisters.

John Taggart passed away July 24, 2021.  John was born Dec. 1,1931 in Colome, South Dakota. 

He married Lillian Jerred in Colome SD June 11, 1951.  Lillian and John lived on the family farm until 1971, when they moved to Northglenn, Colorado.

John was an active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and the Knights of Columbus in Northglenn, Colorado.  He was Grand Knight of Council 7502 and a founding member.  He was also a member of the Colorado District 4th Degree Exemplification team for many years.

As an avid camper and fisherman, John and Lillian spent many weekends with kids and friends fishing and camping in Colorado.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian, and is survived by his 5 children, Doug (Polly), Jerry (Janine), Karen King, Brad (Linda), Robert (Kim), 20 grandchildren, great grandchildren and his brother Frank.      It was the wish of John for any donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice.  Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held

Kenneth Ward Miner passed away Sept. 3, 2020, in Independence, MO, from complications of myasthenia gravis and dementia.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Aug. 30, 2021, 1 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Gregory, SD. Visitation will be at noon at the church before the Mass.  Burial will be August 30, 2021, 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church, Paxton, SD.

Kenny was born Aug. 31, 1935, in Gregory, SD, to Harlow and Helen (Young) Miner. He grew up on the Miner farm 13 ½ miles south of Gregory, living there the next 63 years. He was an active 4-H member and showed prize-winning registered Hereford cattle. During high school, he continued in 4-H, attending the SD State Fair with his cattle, and adding FFA and Gregory Gorilla football to his life. Kenny remained close friends with his high school football coach and generally made a visit with Glen Burgess part of family vacations and hunting trips to Wyoming.  The best part of high school, according to Kenny, was meeting Doris Putnam, “a pretty girl with curly black hair who laughed and smiled a lot.” Gorilla football, however, remained a close second.

After high school graduation in 1953, Kenny planned on accepting an appointment to West Point Military Academy and serving in the Korean War. The war’s end made his decision to attend South Dakota State College on an engineering scholarship a better choice. That autumn, Kenny and Doris married Oct. 14, 1953, at St. John’s Catholic Church at Paxton. They moved to Minneapolis where Kenny worked for Doris’s aunt, Mildred Putnam Frevel, at her company that made aluminum windows. His second job was working with ice skates at Pierce Ski and Skate, a long-time Minneapolis institution, where he learned to build, sharpen, and restore skates. Many years later, when his granddaughter Timmi Lunsford told him about buying her new figure skates at a place in Minneapolis, they were delighted to discover she had been at Pierce Ski and Skate.

Kenny and Doris moved back to South Dakota in 1954 to help run the farm. Kenny soon ran his own herd of Angus cattle and a flock of Suffolk sheep. Over the many years on the Miner Sheep Ranch, he raised Suffolk rams for sale and taught his kids how to wash sheep, clip them for show, and earn purple ribbons at 4-H and regional stock shows. When the kids were bowled over by the hard-nosed rams and old, feisty ewes, he had no sympathy. Kenny encouraged all the kids to be 4-H members, with livestock, garden, and other projects. At one point, Kenny bought a Shetland pony named Flossie to teach the kids how to ride. After Jana was promptly thrown from the pony, the Shetland became Kate’s horse and Flossie’s colt Frosty became a longtime family member and an excellent little horse 4-H project.

Growing up, Kenny worked hard on the farm and his kids were expected to do the same. Kevin and Kate became his outside workers, tending cattle and herding sheep. Kate learned how to drive the hay sweep when she was 8 years old; Kevin and Kate spent many long summer days on horseback, herding sheep as they grazed ditches and pastures. He decided early on that Jana should stay in the house and work, because as he noted “she was a bad driver.” While Lorrie did her share of chores, she was allowed to work “in town” and not spend days stomping wool, docking sheep, and moving cows, or being ordered into the chicken coop full of cantankerous laying hens.

Kenny was an active member of the community, serving as a 4-H leader for many years and helping with Gregory County Achievement Days. He served on the school boards for Carlock, Pleasant Hill, and Gregory school districts. Kenny was elected to leadership positions with the South Dakota Farmers Union, the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association, the National Sheep Board, and the board of the American Sheep Industry association. For 32 years, he was a school bus driver for the Gregory and Colome, SD schools. He worked as a bartender for the Hill Crest Inn in Burke, SD, where he excelled in making the perfect martini. 

Kenny enjoyed hunting elk and moose in Wyoming and Colorado with Ray Stukel and other friends. Deer hunting, pheasant hunting, and hosting breakfasts for the annual Senator Tom Daschle pheasant hunts were events he enjoyed. Kenny was an excellent cook and grilled hundreds of pounds of pork loins, beef, and lamb to serve at 4-H events in Gregory and Tripp counties, Farmers Union meetings at the State Fair, weddings, and graduations. He researched and tried new recipes and loved to plan what he would serve. There were those Christmases where more of the wine went into Kenny and Doris than made it into the roaster with the turkey.

While Kenny made sure work was done, there were days when he would take the kids and gather mulberries, chokecherries, and wild plums. Hot summer afternoons, he would dam up the creek south of the place and wade with the kids while catching minnows. Driving to Carlock for a bottle of pop, hauling the kids on the snow mobile up the Big Hill to sled down onto the frozen creek in the west pasture, churning ice cream on the front step, or bringing huge watermelons up from the potato patch to eat on the picnic table are all good memories.

The true highlight of his life was his unconditional love for his three granddaughters. “They are so smart,” was the accolade he used to describe the girls. He talked about Courtney’s work with satellites, Kristi flying “big planes” for the Air Force, and Timmi becoming an emergency room  doctor. For each girl, there was a special time: Courtney’s canned ham surprises and loving his nickname “Kenbo” coined by her at an early age, watching Kristi’s ball games, and surprising Timmi with the quarter horse, Classi. Learning to understand figure skating, volleyball, and soccer was an example of the lengths he would go for his granddaughters.

Dementia clouded the last years of Kenny’s life.  The one person he always knew was Doris. The last two years of their life together were some of their best times. When Doris passed away, Kenny was there and held her hand, telling her he loved her and that she was a good mother and a good wife. During those few hours, he had a period of lucidity and understanding he had not had for several years. When she was gone, he retreated into himself.

Surviving Kenneth are his children: Jana Miner, Fort Pierre, SD; Kevin Miner (Judy Ingold), Bonesteel, SD; Kate Miner (Linda Watson), Kansas City, MO; Lorrie Miner Brannan (Lee Brannan), Presho, SD, and grandchildren: Courtney Brannan Ewell (Todd Ewell), Bismarck, ND; Kristi Miner (Chris Ramler Miner), Wichita, KS, and Timmi Lunsford Hutchison (Jesse Hutchison), Englewood, OH. He is survived also by brothers-in-law, Joe (Julie) Putnam and Pat (Linda) Putnam, CA, and Jim Putnam (Texas), and many nieces and nephews. He also is survived by his good friends Ray and Melba Stukel, and Larry and Carol Shepherd, and his Kansas City friends Kathy Timmerman and Tina Spallo.

Preceding  him was his wife of 66 years, Doris Putnam Miner; his parents, his brother Harlow Jr. and his wife Carol, his sister Madeline; in-laws, Francis and Bertha Putnam; nephews Greg Miner and Brian Putnam; brothers-in-law Bob Putnam and Morris Marwede; sisters-in law Margaret Putnam Marwede, Judy Putnam, Mary Lou Putnam, Mary Jane Putnam; and his great friends Ray Clemens, Robert Jappert, Glen Burgess, Kenny Messick, and Sonny Dolezal.

Verlyn Parkis, 74, of Sioux Falls, SD formerly of Winner, SD passed away at his residence in Sioux Falls, SD on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. 

  Memorial service was held on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 at 11 a.m.  at the United Methodist Church in Winner, SD.  Burial  followed in the Colome City Cemetery. 

Verlyn Parkis, 74, passed away peacefully Aug. 14 at his home in Sioux Falls, SD surrounded by his family.

Verlyn Clarence Parkis was born on Dec. 21, 1946 to Clarence & Leona (Nieman) Parkis.  Verlyn attended high school in Todd County, Wood and graduated from Colome High School.  Going through his yearbooks, we found out that he was in show choir and also a school play something that he never shared with us. 

After high school, Verlyn was drafted into the Army.

On June 6, 1966, Verlyn was united in marraige to Shirley Kaiser in Colome, SD.  The day after their wedding, Verlyn returned to active duty.  Verlyn was discharged from the Army in January 1968. To this union they were blessed with four children.

Verlyn worked various jobs but will always be remembered in the community as the milkman with Terrace Park Dairy/Land O’Lakes.  He retired in 2004 after 36 years of service, loyalty and devotion.  After retirement, Veryn volunteered countless hours with Shirley’s Diner.

In March of 2016, Verlyn and Shirley re-located to Sioux Falls to be closer to their daughter, Carrie and her family.

In November of 2016, Verlyn’s life changed when Shirley suffered her stroke and could no longer live at home.  Even though living apart, Verlyn rarely missed a day from seeing her.  Verlyn made sure Shirley was taken care of.  After she passed, his job on earth was done.  It was time for them to reunite.  Hopefully he wasn’t late but if he was, we are sure Shirley was pointing at the clock when he arrived.

Verlyn is survived by his children Carla (Andy) Bruce-Pierre, SD, Christy (Greg) Feyereisen, Larry Parkis, Carrie (Steve) Contreras all of Sioux Falls, SD and his niece whom he thought of as one of his daughters (Becky) Tom Burdick of Mitchell, SD, grandchildren Jackson (fiance Jessie) Bruce, Allison (Taylen) Templeton, Chase & Kayla Feyereisen, Bryant, Brenden and Gianna Parkis, Phil & Olivia Contreras and his great nieces that were like his granddaughters Kylee (Jonathon) Shorosh and Haley Burdick, sister Sharon Bettcher and sister in law Marcella Kaiser, numerous nieces and nephews and his companion dog (Izzy).

Verlyn was preceded in death by wife, Shirley, parents (Clarence & Leona Parkis), mother & father in law (Henry & Ella Kaiser), grandson (Ryan), sister Jeanette Bellander & brothers Virgil & Wayne (Tuff) Parkis.

The family appreciated  Aseracare Hospice for taking such good care of our dad.

Alice Marie (Marsh) Emry of Lincoln, NE (formerly of Ainsworth and O’Neill, NE and Colome, SD) passed away peacefully in her sleep on Aug. 15, 2021. 

She was born to Emil and Minna A. (Bassett) Marsh on June 8, 1916 on the family farm, 14 miles southwest of Colome (Tripp County), SD.  She would later be joined by twin brothers, Mervin and Ralph in 1918 and a brother Don in 1920, which would complete their family. 

In October of 1937, Alice married Johnny Randall and lived for many years in the Colome area.  They later moved to Ainsworth where Johnny passed away in November of 1958.  On Oct. 31, 1962, Alice then married her second husband, Kenneth Emry.  Of this union, Alice gained four beloved stepchildren.   Though Alice never bore children of her own, in 1974 she was blessed with the opportunity to care day-to-day for a young child that would later be recognized as her daughter.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, three brothers as well as many other close family and friends. 

Alice is survived by daughter, Erin (Michael) Graber of Ewing, NE; 3 grandchildren, Shalee Cook of Ewing, Tristan (Josh) Keyes of O’Neill, NE and Alexa Cook (Afton Baker) of Lincoln, NE; four great-grandchildren; four stepchildren, Robert (Jennifer) Emry of Arlington, VA, Raleigh Emry of  Manchaca, TX, Leona Emry of Kearney, NE and Ruth (Bill) Micheel of Ainsworth; as well as many precious step grandchildren,  step great-grandchildren and step great-great-grandchildren; a niece, Carol Woods of Ainsworth, and nephews, Jim Marsh, of Ceresco, NE, Gary (Phyllis) Randall  of Webster City, IA and Melvin Randall of Woolstock, IA, along with numerous other family members.

A graveside service was held on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021 in the Ainsworth Cemetery at Ainsworth, Neb., with Pastor Dan Woods officiating at the service. 

Memorials were suggested to the family in Alice’s name for future designation.  Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth was entrusted with the service arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.hochfuneralhome.com.

Lennox Jack Lapsley, aged 1 month, passed away in his parents’ arms at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI on Aug. 15, 2021, after a long surgery to repair congenital heart disease and malformed airway system.

Funeral service was held on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021 at 10 a.m.  at the United Methodist Church in Winner, SD.  Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. 

Lennox is the son of Luke Lapsley and Misti Lapsley (Hofeldt) of Winner, SD.  He defied the odds and amazed his doctors and nurses with his strength.  The fact that he was stable and was not connected to tubes or IVs prior to surgery was a miracle in itself. That gave his parents the ability to hold and feed him themselves.   During his brief visit on Earth, he enjoyed listening to music, watching his toy aquarium, and being held by his parents.  He was loved by all who met him, and will be greatly missed.

 Lennox is survived by his parents, Luke and Misti, grandparents Steve and Tammy Lapsley of Valentine, NE, Rodney Todd and Gwenith Hofeldt of Millboro, SD, great grandmother Dorothy Lapsley of Ideal, SD, aunts and uncles Kory and Greg Hall of Watertown, SD, Nick and Amanda Lapsley of Spearfish, SD, Matthew and Trisha Walker of Las Vegas, NV, Lacee Lapsley and TC Colvin of Valentine, Tricia Hofeldt of Millboro, and Michael Hofeldt of Millboro, first cousins Kaylee, Maddie, and Gage Hall, Sadie and Lexo Turner, Zach and Allie Lapsley, Kennedie Assman, and Keelani Cox.