Category Archives: Obituaries

Funeral services for Robert Bolander, 78, Winner, were held on Feb. 2 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gregory. Burial with military honors was at the Winner Cemetery

Robert Michael Bolander was born Feb. 27, 1942, in Winner, SD, to Cornelius Bolander and Anne (Speckman) Bolander. He was the tenth child born to this union.

Bob grew up on the family farm northwest of Winner and graduated in 1960 from Winner High School. His class enjoyed getting together for reunion parties.

In the fall of 1960 Bob enlisted and served four years in the US Air Force. He was stationed in North Africa and worked in the fire department.

After being discharged from the Air Force in May, Bob met Sherri Neumiller while out cruising around Winner. He stopped her and said, “I’ve been watching you.” Bob and Sherri were married on Feb. 3, 1968 at St. John Lutheran Church. This union brought Billy, Beth, Brady, and Blaine.

 Bob was employed at Blomstrom Oil Company from 1965-1984 driving fuel truck and enjoyed visiting the local farmers. In the fall of 1984, Bob started his postal career as a letter carrier. He walked the city routes for 20 years and retired in 2004.

Bob’s part time mowing career turned into full time after retirement and lasted 36 years. If he wasn’t mowing, you could find him tending his garden and flowers.

Bob would take the family on summer vacations to the Black Hills every year touring different areas. Many times taking cousins or friends but always great memories were made. Bolander family gatherings have lots of laughs and lots of people that have inherited that one of a kind Bolander laugh.

Bob was a leader and coach in his younger years and spent time supporting his kids at sporting events and later followed his grandkids around the state for their sporting events.

Many hours were spent in the kitchen cooking and baking. Chocolate chip cookies were his specialty and his kids could eat them by the dozen.

After retirement Bob began his morning with the coffee crew at McDonald’s where he could talk to anyone from anywhere about anything no matter the age.

Bob passed away on Jan. 28, 2021, at the Winner Regional Hospital after his heart could not fight any longer for the ones he loved.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but especially by Sherri who has lost the love of her life.

 Bob is survived by his wife Sherri Bolander of Winner, SD; daughter Beth (Chad) Ulvestad, Lead, SD; sons Brady Bolander, Winner, SD, and Blaine (Katie) Bolander, Gregory, SD; grandchildren Brecken, Breven, Brennen, Alyssa, Ayden, Jack, Dylan, and William; siblings Theresa Weber, Winner, SD, Francis Bolander, Winner, SD, Mary Wellesley, CA, Donald Bolander, NE, Loretta Allen, Arlington, TX, Joan Brunkow, Winner, SD, and Dianne Vrbsky, Colome, SD. He was preceded in death by his son Billy Bolander, parents C.A. and Anne Bolander, in-laws Pete and Beth Neumiller, brothers Richard Bolander and Daniel Bolander, and sister Genevieve Bolander.

Clarice Chauncey, 97, of Winner, SD passed away in Omaha, NE on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. 

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m. at the Carter Gospel Fellowship Church in Carter, SD.  Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery.  A visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to funeral service.

Clarice Loraine Chauncey was born Dec. 13,1923 to George and Coral (Hobson) Klein. She spent her childhood on their farm near Hidden Timber, South Dakota.  Clarice had a lifetime love of learning, and she told of her dad taking her and her siblings to country school by horse and wagon.  She graduated from Mission High School in 1941 as valedictorian of her class.  After graduation, she went to six weeks of summer school where she received a permit to be a teacher.

On Aug. 14, 1943 Clarice married Leroy ‘‘Dick” Chauncey.  Dick was sent to The Philippines to join the World War II effort, and they wrote letters to each other every day.  The war ended, Dick was discharged, and they moved to a farm in the Hidden Timber area where they started their family.  It was important to them that their family attended church, and they were part of the original founders of Carter Gospel Fellowship.  Clarice once wrote that the most memorable day of her life was when Dick passed away suddenly of a heart attack on Oct. 26, 1964, and she was left as a widow caring for seven children.

Clarice returned to the classroom and was a teacher’s aid in Mission for eight years.  Through the Career Opportunity Program, she was able to get her Bachelor of Arts from University of South Dakota in 1973.  She then taught at country schools in Tripp and Todd County until her retirement in 1988.

After retirement, Clarice kept active spending time with grandchildren, gardening and she learned to quilt.  Each of her grandchildren received one of her priceless quilts when they graduated from high school.  While enjoying her retirement she was able to travel to every state except Hawaii.

Clarice loved the country and moved to town and back several times before finally staying in Winner, South Dakota.  She was active in Friends of the Library, extension clubs, American Legion Auxiliary, the Winner Hospital Auxiliary, Federated Women’s Club, Retired Teachers and Carter Church.

Clarice’s love of the Lord was her motivation to serve, and she volunteered 17 summers to help cook at Victory Center Bible Camp in Fort Pierre.  Many of her grandchildren attended camp there, and some even got to stay with her for a week in the summer where she took them to daily Vacation Bible School at Carter Church.  It was her heart’s desire for all of her grandchildren to have a relationship with Jesus.

Clarice lived her last years at Golden Prairie Manor in Winner.  As her memory faded, we all treasured the poems that she would recite from her childhood. She loved spending time with her family and her bag was always packed ready to go visit anyone who would take her with them.  Her last road trip was to Omaha to stay with her daughter until God called her to her eternal home on Jan. 20, 2021.

Clarice is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her siblings Eleanor (William) Chauncey, Clifford (Joann) Klein, Lawrence Klein, Harold (Wilma) Klein, daughter Cathleen Lyons, and two grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Clarice is survived by her sister Gladys Kramer, sister-in-law Jo Klein, children Elaine Meiners, Darlene (Roland) Heinert, Edward (Kathy) Chauncey, John (Kathy) Chauncey, Janice (Fud) Ferris, Donald Chauncey, son-in-law Ron Walker, 20 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren, 18 great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Memorials can be sent  to Victory Center Bible Camp and Carter Church

Clarice’s funeral service will be live streamed for those that are unable to attend at cgfellowship.com

Donald Earl Kellogg, 86, died on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021 at his home in Spearfish.

Don was born June 3, 1934 in Colome, SD to Earl and Ruth (Potter) Kellogg.  The family moved to Spearfish in 1942 where he graduated from Spearfish High School in 1952.  Don was employed by the John Ward dairy.  On June 3, 1953 he was married to Mary Ellen Sampson in Winner, SD.  They started their marriage working for Ward’s while building their home on Maitland Road where they raised their four children.

In 2002, Don lost his wife Mary Ellen after 49 years of marriage.  On Dec. 28, 2002 Don was united in marriage to Lila Ann Heying in Winner, SD.  With this union six children joined the family.  Don and Lila Ann enjoyed 18 years together.

Don worked for Homestake Mining Company for 39 ½ years. Both at the mill and the mine.  After retiring in 1994 he hauled logs, cattle and sheep and kids in the school bus.  He loved having family around and always took time doing special things with each of us.  He found someone to visit with everywhere he went.  Don was proud to be a charter member of First Baptist Church where he attended the rest of his life.  He enjoyed traveling, history and exploring all around the hills.

Those grateful for having shared in Don’s life are his wife, Lila Ann; two sons, Scott (Judy) Kellogg, Custer, SD and Carson Kellogg, Columbus, MT; two daughters, Valerie (Myron) Johnston, Hammond, MT and Sandra (Mark) Hansen, Willow AK; step-children, Barbara (Lynn) Tilton, Winner, SD, Diane (Mike) Adams, Buffalo, WY, Doyle (Kathy) Heying, Piedmont, SD, Brenda (Jim) Hofeldt, Millboro, SD, Bruce (Tammy) Heying, Black Hawk, SD and Darwin (Laurie) Heying of Rapid City, SD; one brother, Larry (Druse) Kellogg; 27 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by Mary Ellen; his parents; two infant sons, two granddaughters; daughter-in-law, Julie Kellogg and brother, Keith Kellogg.

Public visitation was held on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, from 2pm until 5 pm at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish.  Due to the COVID 19 Pandemic, those attending are asked to wear face covering and practice social distancing.  A private family funeral service was held on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Spearfish.  Interment was held at 3 pm on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021 at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish.

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

Graveside services for Ranatta Granzella were held Jan. 22 at Graceland Cemetery, Burke with burial in Graceland Cemetery.

Ranata LaRee Granzella passed away on Jan. 14, 2021 after a difficult battle with cancer. She was 55 years old and was taken too soon.

Ranata was born on Feb. 21, 1965 in Nuremberg, Germany. She was blessed to travel and live around the world as a military child. Throughout her youth she built a passion for learning that would guide her to her profession.

Ranata spent most of her adult life teaching kindergarten and first-grade students at Granada Primary in Phoenix, Arizona. As a dedicated and caring teacher she gave thousands of young children strong foundations; lighting their paths to success in academics and life. She loved every second that she spent with her students and the lives she touched are shining as brightly as hers did.

Ranata’s passion for helping people to become their best also led her to volunteer for many years with the Miss Arizona Scholarship Competition. She loved mentoring young women and helping them to achieve their goals.

Ranata had a loving heart and a caring soul. She is survived by her beautiful daughter, her parents Joyce and Vince Mitchell, her sister Keta (Bob) Hyatt, her brother Christopher (David) Griggs-Ortiz, her sister Jessica (Marty) Schilling, her sister by heart Deb Riedmann, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins who all loved her very much. Her family and friends are all better for having known Ranata. She was the light of our lives and we will miss her dearly.

“If ever there comes a day where we can’t be together, keep me in your heart. I’ll stay there forever.” – Winnie the Pooh

Nancy Vesely, 60, of Winner, formerly of Wood, SD passed away on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021 at the Avas House in Sioux Falls, SD.  A graveside service was held on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 at 11 a.m. at the Evergreen Cemetery in Wood, SD.

Nancy Lee Vesely was born June 2, 1960, to Reuben and Shirley (Evans) Vesely in Rapid City, SD. She was raised and attended public school in Wood, SD.

 She enjoyed going on long walks, reading, playing cards, and spending time with her pets.  Her favorite pastime was watching her nephews, Ethan and Jackson, in their many activities. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for many years.

Nancy accepted Jesus as her savior in August 2012 and was baptized in November of the same year.  In December of 2012, she joined the Assembly of God Church in Wood, SD.

During her lifetime Nancy had a variety of jobs.  She worked in the lunchroom at the Wood School.  Nancy also worked as a home health care provider, activities assistant at the White River Nursing Home, and at the Wood Post office.

She is survived by her brother, Randy (Lisa) Vesely, her nephews, Ethan and Jackson, her aunts, June Larson and Emma Evans, all of Wood, SD, Barbara (Ronnie) Wantz, Valentine, NE, and Peggy Evans, Littleton, Co.  She has many cousins that she loved dearly that will also miss her.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Reuben and Shirley Vesely, infant sister, Shirley Ann, and her grandparents.

Della Madeline Harless Hurlbert passed away on Jan. 21, 2021 in Burnet, Texas. She was born on March 23, 1921 to Loyd and Gertrude McAnnaly Harless on the family farm located in Hamill, South Dakota. She was the last of their 8 children.

Della married Vern Blaine Hurlbert on Sept. 19,1938 and after residing in South Dakota for a few years, and giving birth to their first daughter, Verna, they decided to pull up stakes and move to California where Vern began a career in the aircraft field.

Their second daughter, Roxie, was born there right before Vern enlisted in the United States Air Corps. When he returned from the war, they set about raising their girls in various cities in southern California where work was plentiful. Della was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. Her creative talents turned every home into a shining example of her values and eye for beauty. Her ability to sew and turn out lovely outfits kept her daughters looking smart and fashionable, as well as herself.

She was always considered to be a beautiful woman by all that knew her but she never could see that in herself. Shy by nature, she preferred to take a back seat to the accomplishments of her family. Always her husband’s greatest supporter and helpmate through the businesses that they owned, she had little time to pursue a career of her own. However, she did become a licensed realtor and PTA president.

After the girls grew up and left home, Della and Vern enjoyed the life of semi-retirees with bowling, square dancing, traveling, and buying and selling homes, making them more desirable through their hard work and sense of beauty.

Della and Vern moved to Texas in 2002 to be closer to their two daughters at a time of failing health for Vern. After his death in 2004, Della maintained her home in Kingsland, Texas and enjoyed the company of her daughters and their families before declining health required a move to an assisted living facility and eventually to the loving care of the Oaks Nursing Center in Burnet, TX.

Della leaves behind many beautiful collectables that she shared throughout her lifetime with family members, her poetry, her paintings, and her love of music and dancing.

Left to cherish her memory, and to laugh at the many amusing events that surrounded her life, are her daughters, Verna Caskey (husband, Kenneth), Roxie McCoy (husband, Allen), four grandchildren, Rena & John Monson, Dixie & Jim Van Landingham, Dawn & Lance Tracy-Dulaney, and Michael & Cherese McCoy Three great grandchildren, Jarrett Brice, and Sakaiya, & Brandon McCoy.

Preceding her in death are her parents, four brothers, three sisters, and two great grandchildren.

A private family memorial will be held in California at a later date to honor, not just her memory, but her interesting life, her love of music and, most of all, her complete joy of celebrating Christmas.

Allan Wayne Hieb, 81, of Chamberlain, SD, completed his life journey at Sanford Medical Center on Jan. 17, 2021. Allan was born in Chamberlain, SD on May 22, 1939 to John and Margaret Hieb. He lived most of his life in Lyman and Brule counties.

 Allan graduated from Chamberlain High School in 1957 and served in the US Army in 1960. He was stationed in California and Germany.

  In 1960, he was united in marriage to Karen Howard. Together they started their family on a farm southwest of Reliance with his parents. Allan also worked for the SD Highway Department at this time.

Allan loved mechanic work and had a special gift for building motors. He helped many friends and families with motor repairs. In 1969, the family moved to Chamberlain when Allan was hired by A&R Truck Equipment as a diesel mechanic. He continued to help on the family farm for several years after.

In 1975, he realized his dream of owning his own shop and opened Al’s Diesel Repair; a business later taken over by his son, Scott, when Allan retired.

Allan’s love for motors and speed found him involved in stock car racing for several years. He partnered with Clifford Lantz to put the “Charlie Brown” cars on tracks in Miller, Huron, and Winner. The Pukwana Peanuts Gang was famous at all of the tracks where they raced.

Allan married Judy Miller in 1988. During their more than 32 years together, they enjoyed traveling to many countries and states. One of their favorite annual trips was to Deadwood for Kool Deadwood Nights to check out all the custom cars. Gardening was a passion for Allan and Judy. They raised one of the biggest gardens in the area. The 2020 crop was the best ever and sharing the abundance was pleasing to them.

Allan was very proud of his children, Tonya Moschell of Chamberlain, Kevin (Debbie) of Eaton, CO, Scott (Dotty) of Chamberlain, and Terri (David) Shogren of Hot Springs, SD as well as Judy’s children, Kim Hipner of Yakima, WA and Kevin (MaryAnn) Miller of Chamberlain. Allan was especially proud of his 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He loved to share playful times with the children.

Allan is also survived by his brothers Ervin of Chamberlain, Edwin of Marian, IA and sisters Lillian (Max) Fallek of Minneapolis, MN as well as many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents John and Margaret and his oldest brother, Joe.

Current COVID limitations preclude services at this time. The family is planning a celebration of Allan’s life to be announced in the early summer.

A Celebration of Life Service for Ronald Duane Sampson, age 84 of Windom, Minn.,will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Windom with Pastor Paul Sajban officiating.   

Burial will follow at Memory Garden Cemetery in Windom.    A visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 29,2021 at 5 -7 p.m. at the LaCanne Family Funeral Home in Windom. The visitation will continue 1 hour prior to the funeral service at the church.

The service will also be livestreamed on the LaCanne Family Funeral Service Facebook Page. Masks are preferred and social distancing will be observed.

Ronald Sampson passed away from lung cancer on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021 at the Sunset Cottage in Worthington, MN.

Condolences can be sent online to:    www.lacannefuneralhome.com.    

Funeral arrangements are under the care of the LaCanne Family Funeral Service in Windom.

Edward K. Rohla died on Jan. 7, 2021 at Ava’s House Hospice in Sioux Falls, SD. He was 76 years old and passed away due to complications after a 2-month battle with Covid-19.    

Ed was born Nov. 1, 1944. He was the youngest of the three children born to Robert and Eleanor Rohla. He was born, grew up, and lived most of his life on the family farm north of Carter, SD.  Ed began his elementary education at the Red Hill School and went on to attend Witten High School, lettering in track and field, and graduating in 1963. After graduation, he attended Scottsbluff Junior College for one year. Ed was deeply involved with the family farm for the majority of his life. He worked first with his father, brother and uncles, and later with his nephew, raising hogs, chickens, and cattle, as well as planting and harvesting crops.    He was dedicated to the daily chores of the farm, care of the livestock, and the planting seasons.    Ed was thankful to be able to share his life, and love of the farm, with his nephew and business partner, Rich Shimek. Ed was a proud member of the Western Fraternal Life Association as well as the Winner United Methodist Church.    He enjoyed traveling with family and friends and loved having new experiences such as concerts, dancing, and learning the practice of yoga when he was 70 years old.    Always happy and optimistic, Ed never met a stranger…he could talk to anyone and got along with everyone!

Although Ed never married, he was devoted to family.    He cared for many elderly family members over the years and loved spending time with his nieces and nephews.

Ed is survived by his sister, Eleanor Shimek of Gering, NE; brother, Robert (Nancy) Rohla of Presho, SD; nephews, Rich (Donna) Shimek of Lennox, SD; Jim (Coleen) Shimek of Scottsbluff, NE; nieces, Karol (Galen) Smith of North Platte, NE; Cristy (Ross) Flemmer of Dell Rapids, SD; Jenny (Scott) Choquette of Overland Park, KS, and many other cousins, great nieces and nephews, and wonderful friends, especially his good friend, Kathie Patten-Jundt of Pierre, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Eleanor Rohla; his brother-in-law, James D. Shimek, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.   

Due to the danger of the Covid-19 pandemic Ed did not want an in-person funeral service and instead wished to be cremated, with Mason Funeral Home in Winner SD handling the arrangements.   

There will be a private family memorial planned at a later date. Cards can be sent to the family of Ed Rohla, PO Box 614, Lennox SD 57039.

Charlotte Charlene (Chastain) Colson was born to James and Adeline (Redding) Chastain on Dec. 31,1930, in the family home at Wheeler Bottoms on the Missouri River in South Dakota. She was delivered by her Aunt Jen, as were all five of the children in the family.  Charlotte’s father ran a ferry across the Missouri River.   

At the time this was the only way to cross the river for several miles. Charlotte would do all the grocery shopping for her mother as her mother didn’t like to leave the house.     

The family moved several times while she was growing up.    First to Platte, then to Winner, and on to Custer before returning to Winner.                       

Charlotte finished the seventh grade and went to work at age 13 at Omaha Cold Storage. She always said she was breaking eggs and plucking chickens for the soldier boys.                       

Charlotte married the love of her life, Percy Colson, on Oct. 25, 1947. To this marriage four children were born: Roger, Kathryn, Karen, and Gary.                       

They worked on farms for the first several years of married life and moved to Winner in 1969. She worked several jobs after moving to town. Most notably, she and her sister Jean ran the Outlaw Creamery. Charlotte and her sisters, Jean and Twila, worked for Donna Dice and Barb Kuil and eventually took over and ran the Outlaw Cafe for many years.                       

After retiring, Charlotte and Percy enjoyed going for long rides in the country.  She lived next door to her daughter Kathy and enjoyed watching her grandkids grow up. They always knew they could go to Grandma’s to watch TV with her or just hide out if they were in trouble at home.  She was a member of the Assembly of God Church.                       

Charlotte passed away on Dec.16, 2020, at the Winner Hospital. She was 89 years 11 months and 16 days old.                        Charlotte lived the last 18 months of her life at the Winner Nursing Home. She liked it and often said “this is my home now.”  She sat out in front and watched TV. She liked it there because she could greet everybody that walked by and visit with them.   

Then the COVID-19 Pandemic hit and isolation became the new norm. She could no longer see and hug her children and grandchildren. The family tried to keep her spirits up by video chat, phone calls, and talking through the window glass. It was a losing battle and as time dragged on she got more and more depressed. She finally succumbed to her third battle with pneumonia.                       

Charlotte was loved by her family and friends and will be missed greatly.       

She is survived by two daughters, Kathryn (David) Hagen of Winner, SD, and Karen (Davey) Nahnsen of Rapid City, SD; one son, Gary Colson of  Winner, SD; her sister Twila Brunmeier, of Winner, SD; six grandchildren, Casey (Loni) Colson, Rapid City, SD, Chalsea (Chris) Larson, Elkton, SD, Chanie (Randy) Hlavka, Rapid City, SD, Chastin Hagen, Box Elder, SD, Chanteal (Zac) Pengra, Box Elder, SD, and Jesse Colson, Winner, SD; eleven great-grandchildren, Michael, Danielle, Cynthia, Olivia, Emily, Evan, Dayson, Raelyn, Evan, Riley, and Dane; also Gay Patmore, Jack and Jonathan Yeaman, and all of her Church Family.                       

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 66 years Percy, infant son Roger, brother Emmet, and sisters Jean Siewert and Shirley Broadbent.                       

Services are being planned for Summer 2021 so family and friends can gather to celebrate Charlotte’s life