Category Archives: Obituaries

Lawrence (Larry) Donald Crouse, age 80, of Burke, SD passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2021.

  Larry was born in Boone, Iowa, on Oct. 7, 1940.  He was the son of Paul and Ruth (Smith) Crouse.  Larry grew up in Denison and Carroll, Iowa.  At an early age, Larry was known as a daredevil.  He wasn’t afraid of anything.  When he was very young, he was racing some kids on his bike in Denison, he rode through a stop sign and was hit by a car.  Even though he was injured, he said he won because all the other kids stopped at the stop sign.  At the age of 16, Larry began driving truck loads for Omar Bread.  He would drive from Carroll to Fort Dodge.  He drove Christmas trees from South Dakota, truck loads to Chicago and smaller loads throughout Iowa all while he was still in high school.  He graduated in 1958.

While living in California, Larry learned how to skydive.  He loved skydiving.  He said that he jumped out of an airplane many times before he actually ever flew somewhere on a plane and he jumped 30 times before ever landing in a plane.  He had over 500 jumps in his lifetime.  He created a flight jump uniform and was on the cover of a skydiving magazine.  He jumped as part of a group known as the San Joaquin Sky Divers Club.  He had two separate jump fails both shattering his leg/ankle.

He moved back to Omaha and started Nebraska-Iowa-Express (NIX) in downtown Omaha at 12th and Jones.  He met the love of his life, Rose Braun, at a lunch place on 13th and Davenport in Omaha.  He knew he wanted to marry her the first time he saw her and told her that one day her last name would be Crouse.  NIX ran to Kansas City, Denver, Sioux City, Ogalalla, Scottsbluff, Cheyenne, Casper, Kimball, Sydney, St. Joe, Nebraska City and Fall City.  In November of 1969 was the grand opening of the dock in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  At the height of NIX there were 350-400 employees (200 in Omaha/Council Bluffs alone).  He also owned Corrugated Carriers.  In 1979 -1980, he was the president of the Nebraska Motor Carriers Association.  In 1980, he testified before Congress against trucking deregulation.  There are many, many stories of Larry’s trucking days.

In the early 1970’s, Larry became interested in hunting.  His father-in-law, Gus, took him to Keya Paha County in Nebraska.  In 1982, Larry and Rose purchased a ranch along the Keya Paha river.  Also, in 1982, Larry closed the doors to NIX and bought a warehouse down the street from the Council Bluffs dock and began CDL warehouses.  He sold many of the docks that he owned across Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Illinois.  In 1983, Larry purchased Sunnyside Stables in Elkhorn, Nebraska, where he boarded many of the Shiners B Patrol horses along with his.

He was active in many charities including becoming a Mason, a Shriner, founded a golf fundraiser for mentally handicapped children, hosted wild game feeds as fundraisers and was a devout Christian.  In his 70’s, he helped build the First Baptist Church in Winner, SD.  Larry’s favorite scripture was Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Larry is survived by his beloved wife, Rose; his children and families: Bob of Arizona, Lisa (Simon) of Texas, Lynda (Todd) of Washington, Lori (Dean) of Colorado, and Mark (Angie) of Arizona; and 3 grandchildren: Ashley of Alabama, Tristan of Washington and Jordan of Colorado.

Private family services will be held.

Donald E. Knecht, 85, of Houghton passed away Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen after a weeklong battle with Covid. 

A private family funeral service was held Saturday, March 6 at Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, Aberdeen, with Pastor Eldon Reich officiating. 

Burial will be at a later date.

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

Donald Eugene Knecht was born on May 29, 1935, the oldest child of Elmer and Viola (Ole) (Hansen) Knecht in Aberdeen, SD.  Donnie grew up on the farm that he and his dad would one day farm together.   He attended the James School through 8th grade and attended high school in Claremont, graduating in 1953.  Donnie was a proud member of the undefeated Honker’s 6-man championship football team. 

Donnie married the love of his life Doris Mommer on June 29, 1956, in Aberdeen.   They made their home on a farm near Houghton, and eventually moved into Houghton, where Donnie continued to live until his death.  Donnie & Doris enjoyed 48 years together.  They loved spending time with family and friends bowling, dancing, playing cards, camping, and traveling to Twins games until Doris passed away in 2004. 

Donnie loved being a farmer, operating machinery, and raising livestock for almost 70 years.  One of his favorite times of year was harvest and running the combine.  There were many great memories made on the farm, especially working with his two sons.  Donnie was always thinking of ways to build or improve things.  He would come up with the ideas and leave it to his sons to put those ideas into action.   He took great pride in the projects they built together.   He was known for teaching the farm dogs many interesting tricks.  Neighbors and friends were always dropping by the farm (Hilltop) to visit and solve the world’s problems or play a game of horseshoe or cards.  No one enjoyed a fresh ear of sweet corn, or a cucumber, radish, or tomato straight from the garden more than Donnie. 

Donnie was a member of the Columbia Masons and Aberdeen Shriners.  He served on the Houghton and North Brown School boards and was a member of the Houghton Congregational Church where he also served on the church council.

Donnie will be greatly missed by his three children: Dawn (Monte) Nipp of Langford, Mick (Becky) Knecht, and Pat Knecht all of Houghton; six grandchildren: Abby (Gavin) Krueger, Zachary Nipp, Megan (Davi) Handa, Matt (Whitney) Knecht, Spencer Knecht and Macy Knecht; two great granddaughters: Gia and Ivy Krueger; five siblings: Karen (Allen) Siefkes, Butch Knecht, Kathy (Rick) Schultz, Chuck (Denise) Knecht, and Karyl (Jeremy) Clay, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sister-in-law Betty Knecht, and nephew Tim Knecht.

Roy Intorn, 91, of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at the Winner Regional Long-Term Facility in Winner, SD. 

Funeral service were held on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner, SD.  Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.  A visitation was  held one hour prior to service.

Roy was born in Nov. 12, 1929 in Carlock, SD.  Roy farmed with his parents south of Colome until he was drafted into the Army in February 1952 until 1954.

He met his wife Norma in Louisville, Ky.,  and they were married on July 15, 1953 in Louisville, at the Concordia Lutheran Church.

After being discharged in 1954 they moved back to South Dakota.  Roy worked for Robert Brenzina farm south of Colome for several years.

In 1985 they moved to Winner where he resided until his death.

Roy is survived by his three children; Kenny Intorn of Winner, SD, Rodney (Danita) Intorn of Pierre, SD and Karen Knadle (Roger) of Mitchell, SD, 6 grandchildren; Kelli Sitzman (Sean), Jenna (Travis) Masur, Nikki Moody, Sidney (Bethany) Intorn, Kaley (Kevin) Sonsalla, and Jacey Intorn (Kegan) and 8 great grandchildren.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Norma, one brother Henry Intorn, sisters; Hilda Ulmer, Alvina Blize, Emma Dziadula, Arlene French, Viola Kartak, Mabel Sharkey, Ida Kaiser and Lorraine Prochazka and one son-in-law Pat Knadle.

Alvin “Big Al” H. New Jr., 82, of Grand Island, Neb.,  died March 9, 2021 at CHI-Health St. Francis.

Visitation was  held on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 from 5 to 7 p.m., at All Faiths Funeral Home.

Services will be held Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 2 p.m., at All Faiths Funeral Home. Dan Naranjo will officiate.

Services in his hometown of Winner, SD will be held at Mason Funeral Home and Cremation Services at 625 W. 3rd St., Winner, SD 57580, on Friday March 19, 2021 at 11 a.m. with visitation the hour prior. Burial will follow in Winner City Cemetery.

All Faiths Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.

Al was born on November 27, 1938, eldest son of Alvin H. and Gula (Perry) New Sr. in Winner, South Dakota.

He graduated from Winner High School and attended South Dakota School of Mines. However, his love for farming led him back to the fields. On April 4, 1959 he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Donna Horstman. They built a beautiful life together on the family farm but times were tough and they decided to move to Grand Island in 1972.

While living in Grand Island Al began working for Stahla Mobile Homes. Big Al was known as Mr. Fix It by family and friends and enjoyed the different projects that each day brought. He was skilled in general construction, plumbing, woodworking and masonry. Al was famous for his large garden that he tended to meticulously, everyone enjoyed the fruits of his labor.

Al always enjoyed returning back to South Dakota for yearly hunting, fishing and camping trips. He loved family time spent with his kids, grandkids and more recently great-grandkids. Even when life and health was against Al you would never know, he wasn’t one to complain. He was a simple man who will be missed for his strength and determination.

Al is survived by daughter, Diane (Jim) Stevenson of Doniphan; son, Doug (Annette) New of Kearney; grandchildren, Brent (Jen) Stevenson, Brady (Kylee) Stevenson, Kelsey (Josh) Meier, Brandon (Amy) New, Tara (Logan) Ruzicka and Sean (Lorena) Schultz; seven great-grandchildren with one on the way, along with many extended family and friends.   He was preceded in death by his wife on February 24, 2021; parents, stepmother, Dorothy (Schneider) New; brother, Duane New and sister, Betty Lou Heying.

James Zimmerman, 82, of Winner, SD passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at the Winner Regional Health Care Center in Winner, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, March 15, 2021 at 10 a.m.  at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Burial was at 2:30  p.m.  Mountain Standard Time at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.

James was born on May 13, 1938, in Eureka, SD, to Albert Zimmerman and Bertha (Brunmeier) Zimmerman. He was a graduate of Eureka High School. He went to Northern State College in Aberdeen for one year after high school. He then taught at a country school for about one year and decided that was not for him. He then went to work for Northwestern Bell, where he would remain for his entire career.

He also served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1967, receiving an honorable discharge.

He married Mary Pettit on Feb. 15, 1969, in Winner, SD. To this union, two daughters were born, Jodi and Julie.

Jim was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, where he participated in Knights of Columbus, church choir and helping out wherever else as needed.  His greatest joy was baseball season at Leahy Bowl. Many days, nights and weekends were spent taking tickets for the Teeners and Legion games.  Rarely, if ever, did he miss a game. He enjoyed traveling with the teams to the state tournaments and cheering them on. He was also an avid Winner Warriors fan, known to park his pickup by the fence in the early hours for every football game. He also took pride in singing with the Acafellas for a number of years at various events.

Jim is survived by his daughter Jodi and son-in-law Daric Mortensen and grandson Riley of Yankton, SD; grandson Nathan Mortensen and Stacy of Sioux Falls, SD; daughter Julie and son-in-law John Gordon V and grandson John VI of Rapid City, SD; granddaughter Molly Gordon of Sioux Falls, SD; sister Eloise Cannon and Lanny of Meridian, Idaho and a host of other extended relatives.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; parents, Albert and Bertha; and sister Geri.

May the angels lead you home, Zim.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Storybook Island in Rapid City, SD.

Della Marie Farley, 77, passed away at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls after a short illness.

Memorial services will be held at the Winner Cemetery June 12 at 3 p.m.

Della was born at the Winner Baptist Hospital Dec. 29, 1943 to George and Velma Hiserote Farley.

At the very young age of 3 she came down with polio and began a very long life of pain and suffering. She spent many years in Hot Springs and then Minneapolis, Minn.

She was sponsored by the Shriners organization and they sponsored her for many years.

Eventually, she came to the Children Care Hospital in Sioux Falls and graduated from there in 1962.

She was then offered a secretarial position there and worked there until she retired.

She is survived by one sister, Rita Dillon, Ainsworth, Neb.; three sister in laws, Joan Farley Manke, Spearfish; Evelyn Farley, Mission and Elysabeth Farley, Winner, many nieces and nephews and  a host of relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Velma Farley, a sister, Bettie Toman and brothers, Guy Farley, Robert Farley (infant), Richard Farley, Ralph Farley and Merle Farley.

 Fern (Peneaux) Ringing Shield, 68, of Winner, SD passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021 at her residence in Winner, SD.

 Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Winner Middle School Auditorium in Winner, SD. Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery. Wake services were held on Tuesday, March 2 and Wednesday, March 3 at 7 p.m. at the Winner Middle School Auditorium in Winner, SD.

Fern Marie Ringing Shield (Peneaux) 68 of Winner, SD passed peacefully at her at residence with love ones by her side on Feb. 24.

Fern Marie was born in Bad Nation, SD on Nov. 18, 1952 to Verle Lee Peneaux and Elsie Coedelia Fast Horse (Peneaux).

She grew up in Bad Nation and Winner, SD with 3 brothers and 5 sisters.

She married Pete Ringing Shield Sr May 10th 1985.They had 7 children together. She went to school for a CNA and worked at Golden Prairie Manor for 7 years. She loved spending time with her family and cooking big meals for everyone.

She is survived by her children Marcy (Matt), Mardell (Michael), Calvin Sr. (Daryl), Pete Jr. (Kenja), Marissa, Corey (Jasmine), Melody; her sisters Alma (George) (Peneaux) Small and Melda (Joe) (Peneaux) Struck; her brother Bud (Kathy) Peneaux, her aunt Joyce Watts (Peneaux) and all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren

She is preceded in death by her great grandbaby Jeesie the 3rd Felix sisters Mavis Peneaux, Velda Peneaux and Beryl (Peneaux) Antione, her brothers Wilbur Peneaux and Lester Peneaux, her niece Crystal Peneaux and her husband Pete Ringing Shield Sr.

Earl Stucke, a pastor at United Methodist churches in the Winner area and across South Dakota for decades, died Feb. 25, 2021, in Rapid City with family at his side. He was 91.

Earl was born to Joseph Stucke and Phebe Sloat Stucke on April 21, 1929 in Gettysburg. His boyhood was spent on a farm near his homesteading grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family survived the Great Depression in the loving care of family and friends. After high school graduation, Earl went to South Dakota State College, where he met Grace Hay of Lake Preston. He graduated from college and then became a Navy officer serving aboard the heavy cruiser USS Los Angeles during the Korean conflict.

Earl and Grace married in December 1953. They returned to Gettysburg to farm until Earl was called by God to be a pastor. After seminary he began a decades-long ministry in South Dakota that included the Winner Larger Parish. From 1966 to 1972, Earl served the Winner, Colome and Lakeview Methodist churches, Ideal Presbyterian, and Millboro and Wewela United Churches of Christ.

Earl and Grace retired to Rapid City in 1994.

Earl loved his congregations and ministry in South Dakota. He was trusting, quick with a handshake and had an affinity for good stories and jokes.

He has been blessed by his marriage to Grace and their five children and their spouses, Janet and Rob Young of Rapid City; Karen and John Stucke-Jungemann of Tempe, Ariz.; Kathy and Mike Torgerson of Rapid City; David and Bea Stucke of Rapid City; and John and Lorie Stucke of Spokane, Wash. He had nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Earl shared a special bond with surviving brother Lloyd and his wife Dar of Mesa, Ariz.

Earl’s family could not have asked for a better role model, mentor, confidant and friend. May his spirit of joyful optimism continue to flourish in the company of Heaven.

A memorial service is pending for late June.

For a full obituary, visit https://www.kirkfuneralhome.com/obituary/raymond-stucke.

Marvin F. Olson, 77, of Wood River, formerly of Winner, SD, passed away on Monday, March 1, 2021 at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, NE.

 Funeral services were held  1 p.m.  on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at the United Methodist Church, 301 West 4th Street – Winner, South Dakota.  Interment will be in the Winner Cemetery in Winner, South Dakota. 

 In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Marvin Olson Memorial Fund.  Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul, Nebraska is assisting the family. 

 Marvin was born on June 19, 1943 to Amiel “Bud” Olson and Stella (Nelson) Olson, inside a farmhouse on a little farm 8.5 miles west of Colome, SD.  He was the 4th oldest of 8 children, with 2 sisters and 5 brothers.  In 1945, his parents moved to their forever home 12.5 miles south of Winner, S.D. where he spent most of his life and even became blessed enough to own the property later on in his life.

In 1957, Marvin completed his first semester at Winner High School before becoming ill in the fall and choosing to leave school and help on the family farm. Marvin also helped on neighboring farms until 1963, when he started working for Hanson Feed and Fertilizer. He was employed here for four years before taking a job as a mechanic at Schramm Auto Sales and Repair. He and his brother Ken also did custom haying and harvesting across the state of South Dakota during this time.

 In the fall of 1962, Marvin met the love of his life, Beverly Engel, and the two were married on May 10, 1963. To this union, five children were born, with a plus one born in 1987. In 1972 they moved to a farm south of Winner where they farmed while he continued to work at the garage. He never retired from being a mechanic.

 Marvin and his family started Olson Dairy Farm. This was a family venture with all hands-on deck. Marvin, with the help of his children, ran the dairy farm while he also drove truck, hauling milk for other dairy producers for 18 years. During this time, he worked for Meyer Dairy Transport out of Springview, NE and Riteway Milk out of Holdrege, NE. After 18 long years in the truck, and numerous friendships made, Marvin decided to give up the open road and took a job at the City of Winner as a Shop Foreman and Maintenance Supervisor. He worked here for four years before retiring.

 Marvin had a strong set of family values, which he instilled in his children and grandchildren. There was not a person around that Marvin would not invite to their dinner table or lend a helping hand, if there was a need. He was a wealth of knowledge and a caretaker, mechanic, friend, and the go-to for many. He loved to sit around and tell stories, and his laugh will never be forgotten. His love for music will live on in all of us left here to cherish the memories and appreciation for a good guitar solo.

 After retirement, Marvin continued to be the family mechanic and was always working on something. He never rested and was always busy. He cherished his time with his great-grandchildren and on Tuesdays and Thursdays you would find him in the carpool lane, picking them up from school. This was the highlight of his week. There was not a birthday or event that he missed. He was incredibly involved in every aspect of our lives, until the very end. He was the unofficial Shop Foreman at Mid Plains Landscaping, LLC until his passing and took his duties for the business very seriously and had great pride in the success of the business.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Beverly Olson; brothers, Alvin Olson, Donald Olson, and Dale Olson; his sister, Carol (Bill) Boerner; his sister-in-law, Marilyn Olson; children Ronda Olson, Roslyn Olson, Kimberly (Bob) Farley, Ed Olson, Kerry (Jamey) Vannier, and Chelsea (Danny) Powell; 9 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Amiel and Stella Olson; his in-laws, Ben and Gleva Engel; brothers, Kenneth and Larry; sister, Lorraine; and sisters-in-law, Arlene and Sherry.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.jacobsengreenway.com

Larry Jackson McCollam of Spearfish was born Sept.  3, 1940 in Pierre, SD to Andrew McCollam and Ruby Evans McCollam.  He grew up in Carter, SD working for the Farnsworth family on their farm until 1960 when he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Larry served for 6 years which included two tours in Vietnam. 

After being honorably discharged, he worked in Carter helping his mom run the family grocery store and his dad with the family gas station.  He subsequently bought and ran a farm outside of Carter until 1975 when he moved to Spearfish to work for Don Nichols Construction. 

Larry then moved to Spearfish, SD in 1980 where he met his lovely wife JoAnn Crofutt-Clevenger. They were married in August 1981, and they began L&J Log Hauling.  Larry retired from logging in 2016, and enjoyed working in his garden with his faithful canine companion, Sparky.  Larry was a man of few words, however he was a loyal friend who would bend over backwards to help anyone who needed it.  He fought a courageous battle with cancer for 13 years.  His battle ended on Thursday, March 4 surrounded by his wife, his three children and many of his grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Ruby, three brothers and three sisters, and a grandson Andrew.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, JoAnn McCollam of Spearfish; son, Dave Clevenger (Michele) of Custer, SD; daughter Michele Joyce (Kirk) of Tucson, AZ; daughter Megan Molm (Brandon) of Billings, MT; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; one sister in Winner, SD, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.  If you would like to honor Larry, please donate in his name to Western Hills Humane Society in Spearfish.

Arrangements are under the care of the Fidler-Isburg Funeral Homes and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com