Category Archives: Obituaries

Garry Brown, 75, of Winner, SD passed away on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Facility.   

Private family service was held on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 11 a.m.    at the Winner United Methodist Church.    An open public burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery.       

Garry Lee Brown, 75, of Winner, SD was born Sept 19, 1945 in Yankton, SD. He was the son of William and Margaret (Stewart) Brown. In the early part of his life, Garry grew up in Springfield, SD and at a young age he moved to Colome SD and attended grade school and high school in Colome. He graduated from Colome in 1963.       

As a youth he attended the MYF and Sunday school at the Colome Methodist Church. Garry met the love of his life Carol McCright in 1962 at a dance in Wewela, SD and then they later married Nov. 14, 1964 in Winner, SD.    To this union two wonderful daughters were born, Jean and Susan.       

After high school Garry lived in Winner and worked at Key’s Service Station and later worked for Associate Finance also in Winner.  Garry later went on to become a salesman in the foodservice industry and retired in 2005 after working for 32 years. While working as a salesman, he enlisted in the SD National Guard (730th) in 1967 in which he served for 28 years as Medic Specialist and retired as a Master Sgt E8.   

While working with the National Guard some of his most memorable moments were going to Germany and helping with the 1972 Rapid City flood.   

Garry also worked as an EMT with Tripp County Ambulance and retired from there after 32 years. He was dedicated to his job and enjoyed the community in which he served and often referred to them as his second family.    He gave back to the community by serving on the Winner planning commission and also served as a city councilman and as member of the SD EMT Association.   

The association honored him by recognizing him as Dist 5 EMT of the Year. He was a member of the Winner Jaycees, American Legion of Winner and Colome, Winner Lions Club and the Winner Methodist Church.   

One of his hobbies was wood working in which he made a lot of the furniture pieces for his home and for others.    He also enjoyed playing 5 point pitch which he claimed he “never lost” at.   

Grateful for having sharing his life are his wife Carol of Winner, SD, daughters, Jean (Rod) Clark, of Ideal SD, and Susan (Chris)Dolney of Rapid City, SD.    Three wonderful grandsons George of Ideal, Dawson and Lincoln of Rapid City, two brothers Duane “Charlie” (Rosie) of Sioux Falls, SD, Doug (Carol) Brown of Vestavia, AL and four sisters, twin sister JoAnn (Bob) Reiff of Avon, SD, Marlene (Mark) Wallbaum of LaMesa, CA, Wilma “Willie”(Bob) Jamison of Fremont, NE and Marilyn Brown of Fremont, NE. Sister in law Lori McCright of Montgomery, TX, brother in law, Keith (Pam) of Waukesha, WI, Mardell (Jerry) Olson of Sundance, WY and Jane (Dale) Stober of Rio Rancho, NM and many nieces and nephews.     

Garry was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Bill and Arline McCright, his brother in-law Dennis McCright, grandparents Ralph and Lillian Stewart and Ed and Martha Brown.   

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to put memorial funds towards an EMT statue to be placed at the Winner Fire Hall Ambulance Building at a later date. Memorial funds can be sent to Carol Brown,713 E. Spruce Ct, Winner, SD 57580 or sent via Venmo at: www.venmo.com/EMTMemorialStatue

Claudine Swedlund, 101, of Winner, SD passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020 at the Winner Regional Long-Term Care Facility.       

Funeral service were held on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner, SD.    Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.       

Anita Claudine Ferguson was born in Harrisonville, Missouri, to Nita and Claude on Dec. 11, 1918 — right in the middle of a pandemic, and as it turns out, she left us during a second pandemic nearly 102 years later. Not even 10 years under her belt and Claude took his family north with the hope of finding work on the railroad being built in South Dakota. Along with her younger brother Dess, the family settled in an apartment in Witten. There wasn’t much money and the living was hard — today we call it poverty — and three squares a day weren’t always easy to come by. That’s the thing about growing up poor, she learned that there’s something about taking the time to acknowledge what you have, as meager as it may be. It served her well decade after decade.    

With her marriage to Sandy Swedlund in 1940, Claudine became a rancher’s wife and soon the mother of three children, each with her uniquely charming stubborn streak and eyes that told a story with just a glisten. She was proud of her family. She and Sandy created a marriage and livelihood that made the most of what they had, and inspite of everything that worked against American ranchers in the middle of the 20thcentury, they worked hard and made it work on their own terms.    

When she was interviewed by the Winner paper about her trick to making it to 100, she simply said, “I did as I pleased.” Truly a fiercely independent woman before her time, she knew that her contribution to the world meant every bit as much as her husband’s did. Not able mentions that should be remembered are her travels, including to Ireland at the age of 84 with her son.

There wasn’t a spider in all of Tripp County that stood a chance at Claudine’s house, so they knew to make their webs elsewhere. She wore heels until her late 90’s, and certainly wasn’t too shy to share her opinion on your shoes, either. Claudine cared for her family and friends all as one, all the same. She went with her beloved son, Joel, during his cancer treatments week after week – the same commitment she made to countless friends over her life.   

Other friends that should be mentioned, like the group of four women that met for coffee every week for 40-some years, discussing husbands, kids and grands growing up, not to mention the pure, simple delicious bit of fresh gossip. Her neighbor across the alley, Buck, nourished her competitive spirit by challenging her ability to grow the best tomato, and your goose was cooked if you were faced against her and June in a game of pitch. And yes, the kiddos at church or the restaurants, getting spoiled with a surplus of candy that would make any dentist cringe.   

Today our hearts are indecisive: thankful for the years we had with you and yet selfishly yearning to hear your laugh that seemed like it started in your knees. Your fan club is led by your best pal, Ev Moses, son Jerry, and daughter Cheryl. Six grandkids that watched you fry chicken like it was breakin’ the law, and great-grands that stand in awe of your never ending ability to break the rules.   

We grieved next to you when Sandy left you in 1994, and that in spite of your rallying, Joel’s cancer took him too early. We remember your pain when your son-in-law Everett passed, and you worked to offer your strength in all the ways you could.

Too many of your friends left early, too, and there isn’t room to write down all of those names.

Cherish your relationships, love your experiences, and live with your own brand of kindness, just the way Claudine did.

Leo Westendorf, 66, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.    

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner. Burial will be held at 2 p.m.    at the Pleasant Long Cemetery in Geddes, SD. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. vigil service on Wednesday, Sept. 30,2020 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner.

Margot Elizabeth, 1 month old from Spearfish, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2020.

Margot blessed us with her birth on August 14,2020 to Hanna Harmon and Matthew Spear. Everyone who saw Margot immediately fell in love with her, and many who did not yet get the chance to meet her, feel the same way. Her time with us physically may have been short, but the impression she made on our hearts will last forever.

Margot is survived by her loving parents, Matthew and Hanna; Grandparents Bruce and Michelle Harmon of Spearfish, Kendra Spear and Lorenzo Briseno of Sturgis, Chad Spear of Spearfish and Sheila Niles; Great Grandparents, Allen and MarvelynSpear of Ashton SD, Bonnie Hartpence and Louis Henderson of Custer SD, Ray and Janna Pravecek of Winner SD, Cathy Perik and Larry Rodgers of Belle Fourche; Great-Great Grandparents, Rodger and Elvera Bierman of Aberdeen SD and Margaret Harmon of St. Petersburg FL; aunts and uncles Jeremiah Harmon and special friend Cally Nutting of Billings MT, Gavin and Emma Spear of Sturgis, and numerous great aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Burial will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 18, 2020. Fellowship and lunch will be held afterwards at the Spearfish City Park Center Shelter.

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

Myrna Pravecek, 83, of Winner, SD passed away on Sept. 19, 2020 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Facility in Winner, SD.   

A private family service was held on Friday Sept. 25, 2020 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Winner SD. Friends were invited to join the family at the burial in the Winner Cemetery following the service.    

Myrna Lou Knittel was born June 23, 1937 to Ed and Ola Knittel. Myrna attended Gregory Rural Schools and graduated from Gregory High School in 1956. During her school years Myrna was very involved with her 4-H club.    She loved the baking, cooking, and sewing she learned there. She also was the record keeper for the club; her attention to detail helped keep the club well organized!  Upon graduation she moved to Pierre with a friend and worked as waitress. Myrna missed her friends and family back home; she moved to Winner and took a job at Northwestern Bell.    

At her sister Lois’ wedding, Myrna met the love of her life Jim Pravecek.    Jim was serving in the Army and was sent to Germany for two years. After two years of dedicated weekly correspondence, Jim returned home and the two were married Sept. 10, 1960. The couple lived on Jim’s family farm south-east of Winner and took over farming operations from Jim’s parents in 1965. The couple was blessed with four sons, Tim, Greg, Kelly and Todd. Myrna was a very devoted mother and her life centered around her family.   

The skills she learned in 4-H were instrumental in caring for her husband and boys. She kept them well fed with her large garden, her chickens as well as using her cooking, baking, and canning talents. Myrna’s boys were involved in football and wrestling.  She was always in the crowd cheering them on while trying to keep Jim from getting ejected from the stands!   

Myrna was very generous with her time and talents. Heavily involved with the Tripp County 4-H’ers, she volunteered her time, passing on her extensive knowledge to future generations. She received the 4-H Alumni award for her efforts.   

She was an active member of the Catholic Daughters of America, helping with many various church and community projects. Not born into Catholicism, Myrna converted when she married Jim. Her faith was strong, she remained a steadfast and dedicated member of the church throughout her life.   

In retirement, Myrna and Jim enjoyed traveling and visiting family throughout the country. Myrna’s personal interests included gardening, sewing, crafting, and playing cards. Her main attention was centered around spending time with her grandchildren. She continued to be a sports booster to the next generation of athletes in her family attending as many of her grandchildren’s games as she could.   

Her love of sports manifested the most in her enthusiastic support of the Minnesota Twins.    She rarely missed a game on TV or the radio. One of her favorite memories was a trip she took with her family to a Twins game where she caught a foul ball!   

Myrna will be fondly remembered by her family and friends for her selfless dedication and love for her large family; she was so proud of her boys and grandchildren! She always kept close track of what was happening on the farm as well as the adventures of all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will also be remembered for her strong Catholic faith, hard work, volunteer efforts, and her enthusiasm for the Minnesota Twins!   

Myrna was peacefully called home to be with the Good Lord on Sept. 19, 2020.

Survivors include her sons Tim of Winner, Greg (Rita), Kelly (Charlene), Todd (Korie) all of whom reside on the family farm, brother Merlin (Gen) Knittel of Sacramento CA, sisters Lois Besmer of Rapid City, SD, Judy (Neil) Lantz of Winner, 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.    Myrna was preceded in death by her parents Ed and Ola, husband Jim, sister Carol, and granddaughter Shauna.

Alvina Frieda (Lindwurm) Wonnenberg was born to William J. and Lena (Kahler) Lindwurm near Carlock, South Dakota on Dec. 30, 1923. She died in Gregory, South Dakota on Sept. 19, 2020, succumbing to Covid 19. She had been the last surviving member of her parental family of eleven.

On the farm, they pitched together and despite hard times enjoyed many good times. Amid grasshopper plagues and the Dirty Thirties, they learned early in life to work hard and trust in the Lord. As little girls, Alvina and younger sister Esther had a special chore. They were sent into the pasture, carrying a pail and a hoe. The hoe was not just to help pick up cow chips for fuel, but to clobber a rattlesnake if need be. Once, they were curious and neared a big fuzzy baby bird. A mama hawk swooped down and squawked. They screamed and made tracks! 

  Following eight years of study in a country school, Alvina often hired out as a live-in maid. She fought homesickness by studying her catechism. On the first page is written, “Jesus became a man because He had to become our substitute,” followed by, “My Confirmation Book. I memorized many Bible passages in this Book, finished in Oct.1936.” Many Bible passages!–her sons know!

Alvina married William (Bill) Wonnenberg at Carlock Peace Lutheran Church on Sept. 12, 1943. After honeymooning in Yankton, they settled down to farm near Paxton, South Dakota. They’d raise their five sons and together enjoy farm activity, milking cows, raising livestock and poultry.   

Alvina was committed to her Lord Jesus in all she did, as farm wife and homemaker, mother and Sunday School teacher. She enjoyed her flowers and reading books. She recited charming poems by heart. Her family was made happy when KWYR Radiomread over the air her prize-winning essay, “Why I am Thankful” and won a turkey!

Alvina sang a lot, while washing dishes or scrubbing floors, during good and not-so-good times–“better than complaining,” she’d quip. She had a knack for organizing events and parties. She had a reputation as good cook and hostess, and Sunday School students especially knew her as a lady who “knows her Bible.” She was a fervent prayer intercessor. In the 1970s she helped start a neighborhood Bible study; when a drought came a fast was called, soon followed by downpours of rain!   

In 1995 Bill and Alvina moved off the farm to Gregory, South Dakota. Alvina was active in the American Legion Auxiliary. She joined the choir of Union Congregational Church where she and Bill loved to worship. They enjoyed their grandchildren and “taking it easy.”

Alvina leaves behind five sons: David (Quyen) Wonnenberg, Gregory; Kenneth Wonnenberg, Tea; Charles (Diane) Wonnenberg, Wakonda; Steve (Joan) Wonnenberg, Dallas; Roger (Jacqueline) Wonnenberg, Winner; 16 grandchildren and29 great-grandchildren.

Loved ones preceding Alvina in death include her husband Bill; parents William J. and Lena Lindwurm; all siblings: sisters Christina Neuharth, Elsie Fode, Ella Hanson, Rose Sengelmann, Esther Braun; brothers William Lindwurm, John Lindwurm,Philip Lindwurm; daughter-in-law Diane (Ken’s late wife) Wonnenberg; and two grandchildren: Edward Wonnenberg and Joseph Wonnenberg.

William Westcott Tuttle, 88, went home to the Lord on Sept. 24, 2020.   

He was born on March 1, 1932 at the Anderson house near his family homestead near Mosher, South Dakota. He was the seventh child of Jesse and Bertha Tuttle. William was brought home to a sod house where he and his family lived until he was 9years old.   

William attended a country school for 8 years then to Winner High School where he graduated in 1949. William was a hard-working Christian man who made his living as a farmer, tire technician at Belle Retread/West Tire, and truck driver for Hubbard Mill, Schneider Transport, Croell Redi-Mix and Watson Sand & Redi-Mix until retirement.    

William was joined in marriage to Carol Week in 1966 and lived in Winner South Dakota with their son Bill, moving to Belle Fourche in 1971.   

He was a long-time member and trustee at the First Baptist Church of Belle Fourche where he enjoyed maintaining the lawn, singing praises to God and welcome all that came for fellowship.   

He also enjoyed his membership to the Belle Fourche Recreation Center and Senior Citizen Center where he could continue to expand his exceptional social skills.   

Survivors include his wife, Carol Tuttle; son, Bill (Shelley) Tuttle; daughter, Ellen (Al) Margheim; son, Lester (Garnet) Tuttle; daughter, Bev Tuttle; 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Bertha Tuttle; siblings, Bernard Tuttle, Kenneth Tuttle, Bernice Gustafson, Harold Tuttle, Beulah Salem, and Clyde Tuttle.

A Ceremonial Tribute was held at First Baptist Church in Belle Fourche on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 11 am.

An online guest book and video tribute can be viewed at klinefuneralchapel.com

Janet “Jan” Kaiser, 71, of Mitchell, SD, formerly of Winner, SD passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 at the Firesteel Healthcare Community in Mitchell, SD, after a long battle with cancer.    

Private family funeral services was held on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020 at Christ Lutheran Church in Winner, SD at 10:30 a.m.. Burial    followed in the Winner City Cemetery. A private family visitation was held    one hour prior to the services.   

She was born July 29, 1949 at the Winner Community Hospital to Ruben and Violet (Fischer) Kaiser. She was baptized on Aug. 28, 1949 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in McNeeley South Dakota.   

She attended two years of grade school at the Progressive School and six years at Gable School. She attended all four years of high school in Colome, graduating in 1967.   

She went to Zion Lutheran Church in Colome, getting confirmed on May 26, 1963, and was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Mitchell, South Dakota.    She enjoyed fishing and camping with her friends and relatives in Texas, Arizona, and South Dakota.   

She is survived by her two sisters Cheryl (Schroeder) Winner, SD, and Garnet (Krizan) Colorado Springs CO, 3 nieces Michelle (L’Hotta) Monument, CO, Nichole Schroeder, Spearfish, SD and Darcy Schroeder Winner, SD and 1 nephew Michael Krizan Colorado Springs, CO.   

She is preceded in death by her parents Ruben and Violet Kaiser, Grandparents Pete and Hulda Fischer, and Jacob Kaiser, Jr.

Bernice Abby Holthus was born to Clyde and Nellie Pharris in Winner, SD on Nov. 21, 1932.  She passed away on Sept. 22, 2020 in Gregory, SD at the age of 87.    

Bernice was the second youngest of eight and grew up on a farm south of Winner where she developed her love for horses and taking care of animals. She graduated from Winner High School in 1951. After high school, she helped her father and mother on the farm and also helped her father put up windmills for area ranchers. She always had a special place in her heart for windmills.   

Bernice also worked for a few families as a nanny and took a job with Donald and Agnes Holthus when their youngest son, David, was born.    While there, she met Donald’s youngest brother, Jake, just before he was drafted into the Korean War.    

Bernice married Alvin (Jake) Holthus in 1955 and moved to the farm in Hamill where they raised three children; Crystal, Dennis and DeEtta; and a few other kids that landed on their doorstep, including Roger Fiala and quite often, her nephew, Mitch Ptacek.   

She always had a large garden with vegetables and fruit trees and loved to can everything possible.  She loved to cook and bake. She had lots of animals and many horses that kept her busy as well as working the farm with Jake. She could work cattle all day and be back to the house with supper on the table before anyone knew she was gone.       

Bernice also enjoyed hunting season when she would have a house full of hunters to feed. It was her favorite time of year next to Christmas. 

Bernice was a devout Christian and had a special relationship with Jesus and a philosophy that Jake did not always agree with but left it alone and that was not to turn any animal away that showed up at her house just in case she was being tested by God. Bernice was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hamill and spent lots of time working projects and events with the LWML, Ladies Aid group.   

Bernice was also one of the founding members of the Hamill Horseman’s Club and always looked forward to each rodeo season and watching many kids grow up in that arena. Bernice was also an excellent rodeo mom and you could always find her at the 4-H and high school rodeos in the stands, with her sunflower seeds, keeping scores and times ,and cheering for the kids. She cherished those times with her friends and family.     

Bernice worked many years at the Homestyle Café in Colome and the café at the Winner Livestock Auction and enjoyed taking care of the patrons and visiting with old and new friends.       

Bernice was an active member of the Winner DAV, Colome American Legion, the Rural Letter Carriers Association, the Southern Bell Cattlewomen, the Tripp County Historical Society and the Tripp County Thrivent Chapter.     

Bernice and Jake moved to their house in Winner in 2003. Jake passed away in 2006 and Bernice stayed in Winner until illness took her health and she moved to the nursing home in Gregory in 2018.    

Bernice is survived by her oldest sister, Grace Sattler, Rogers, AR; daughter, Crystal (Dusty) Needham, Hamill, SD; son, Dennis Holthus, Hamill, SD; daughter, DeEtta (Wayne) Mathisen, Keenesburg, CO; and Roger Fiala, Carter SD; three grandchildren; Christopher Stieha, Joey Stieha and Cheyenne Needham; two great-grandchildren; Jacob Stieha and Gus Plumbtree; four step-grandchildren; twelve step-great-grandchildren; three step-great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.      

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jake; her mother and father; her mother-in-law and father-in-law; two brothers; four sisters; eight brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law and one step-great-grandchild.

A Prayer Service was    held at the Hamill Hall on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020 at 7 p.m. . Funeral services for Bernice was Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020 at 2 p.m. in Hamill, SD at the Hamill Hall.   

Burial was  at the Hamill Cemetery.    Reception to follow at the Hamill Hall.

Mass of Christian Burial for Thomas Harder was held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 at Corpus Christ Catholic Church, Newcastle, WY. Rosary service was held on Wednesday, Sept. 9    at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Newcastle, WY.    Interment    followed at Greenwood Cemetery. 

Tom Harder, 86, of Newcastle, WY died the morning of Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020.    He was born to Sophia and Elmer Harder on Aug. 23, 1934 in Gregory, SD.    Tom was the youngest of four boys and his father died before having the opportunity to meet him.

He graduated from Gregory High School in 1952 and then enlisted in the U.S. Army.    After an honorable discharge, he earned his master’s degree in education from South Dakota State University.

Tom met and married Shirley (Modine), his wife of 57 years, and they began their life in Winner, SD. In 1968 they moved to Newcastle, WY where they raised their four kids. He worked for Newcastle High School as a guidance counselor and golf and football coach for over 20 years. Tom had a true passion for his family and sports. He looked forward to cards with the guys and a trip or two to Deadwood. He also enjoyed attending the University of Wyoming football games.   

Tom is survived by his wife Shirley, brother Jim (Gladys) of SD, sister-in-law Gladys (NE), sister-in-law Jeanann (SD), sons Brad (Christine) WY, Mike (Leslie) FL, Dan WY and daughter Nikol (CO); grandkids Mashayla, Ryan and Olivia and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Corpus Christi Catholic Church, the Newcastle Country Club or to a charity of your choice in his name. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Meridian Mortuary 111 South Railroad Ave, Newcastle, WY 82701. Condolences may also be expressed at www.meridianmortuary.com