Category Archives: Obituaries

Neil Schroeder, 69, of Winner, SD passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020 at the Sanford USD Med Center in Sioux Falls, SD.    

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Winner, SD. Burial    followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Neil Eugene Schroeder entered his heavenly home on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020 from Sanford USD Medical Center after a hard fought battle with Covid.    

Neil was born on March 5, 1951 in Winner, SD.    He was the second of nine children born to Ralph and Betty (Pederson) Schroeder.  He was a wonderful big brother who helped take care of his siblings.  Since his mother didn’t drive, he often drove his siblings where they needed to go. Neil lived in or near Winner his entire life. He attended Winner High School where he enjoyed playing football, basketball, and baseball in the summer.    He graduated from Winner High School in 1969.   

After graduation, he attended Northern State College for two years.     On April 22, 1972, he married his high school sweetheart, Linda (Burtz) Schroeder .Together they built a strong Christian family raising four children; Bradley, Kimberly, Jeremy, and Bruce.    

When Neil and Linda were first married, Neil worked for Sioux Dairy Supply.    They also purchased a ranch 30 miles from Winner and began ranching.    Neil loved the hard work and open spaces.   

In 1985 Neil started working at the South Dakota Department of Transportation in Winner which prompted him to move his family into Winner.    He continued to drive to the ranch to work every evening.   

When he started at the DOT, it was an entry-level job, but because of his intelligence and work ethic, Neil worked his way up to Survey Crew Chief.    He enjoyed his time at the DOT and made many lifelong friends.   His work inspired his youngest son to become an engineer. He retired in 2010 to enjoy his family, especially his grandchildren.

After Neil retired, he worked part time for Schramm Furniture and then Kucera Electric. He continued his passion for ranching by helping his sons and son-in-law.    He enjoyed fishing, yard work, riding his bike, and driving his 4 wheeler to work.   His favorite pastime was watching his grandchildren in their various activities.   

He drove hundreds of miles to cheer, encourage, and congratulate them.    Throughout his lifetime, Neil was active in the community.    He served on the Winner Baptist Hospital Board and coached Witten basketball and Clearfield baseball.   

He was a member of the Winner Baptist Church where he was a trustee for many years and was instrumental in building the Winner Baptist Church. He dedicated many hours to helping young lives at AWANA on Wednesday nights. Neil loved people.   

Anywhere he went, he met friends and always stopped to visit.    He was very active his entire life and always wanted to be busy.     Above all, Neil was a man of God, grateful for his Savior Jesus Christ.    He set

a strong example to the very end, even witnessing to hospital staff.    He appreciated everything God gave him. We were blessed to have 69 years with Neil.   

Survivors include his wife of 48 ½ years, Linda. His children: Bradley (Susie) Schroeder of Canistota, SD, Kimberly (Ross) DeMers of Winner, SD, Jeremy (Rhonda) Schroeder of Winner, SD, and Bruce (Kira) Schroeder of Aberdeen, SD. His 12 precious grandchildren: Anna, Josiah, Levi, Caleb, and Sam Schroeder; Maggie, Lena, and Bianca DeMers; Rylee and Rustin Schroeder; Ruth and Eve Schroeder. Step-grandchildren: Jessica Jensen and Josh Jensen. Step Great-granchildren: Payton, Kingsley, and Maxton.Siblings: Leo Schroeder, Beverly Parezo, Gayle Hamilton, Diane Neyens, and Curt Schroeder. As well as a host of relatives and friends.     

Neil was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Betty; Father and Mother-in-Law, Earl and Marian Burtz; 3 brothers, Gary, Kenny, and Jim; and sister-in-law, Pam Burtz. Neil was a Godly man who will be missed here on earth.    We are thankful for the Christian heritage he gave us.

William “Willie” Moeller, 98, of Winner, SD passed away on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020 at the Winner Regional Health Care Center in Winner, SD.     Funeral services were held on Monday, Oct. 19, 2020 at 10 a.m. at the Winner United Methodist Church in Winner, SD.

Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. A visitation was held one hour prior to the services.   

Willie Moeller was born to Frank and Elsie (Maier) on May 30 1922 at their home in Carter, SD. Willie had 2 sisters and 4 brothers.   

Babe with her 2 sons Patrick and Bill moved to Winner, SD. This was where she would meet the love of her life Willie. They met on Main Street in Winner and were married in 1956 in Pierre after two short weeks.

After marrying, Willie and Babe purchased the Five Spot in 1960 on Main Street in Winner, owning it for three years before moving to Newport, Neb. They bought the Bar 20, which was along Highway 20, and owned and operated it for another three years. Willie had always wanted to move to a large city and work for a big company. A friend referred them to a big plant in Grand Island where they made bombs.

Willie phoned the company that very next day, and both got jobs at the bomb plant. Babe worked making trinkets and mini mites, which was very fitting considering her small stature and powerful personality, while Willie was in charge of measuring the powder. They both worked together until the plant closed four years later. After the closing of the plant, Willie and Babe wanted to settle down and move from the city. They purchased an 80-acre farm near St. Libory, Neb., where he still resided till January 2020 when he fell and broke his hip. He was hospitalized in Grand Island and Winner till he was well enough to live with Tim and Deb. Willie’s quaint farm house is nestled amongst many fields of corn and trees, alongside his barns and guest house cottage.

They always had a big garden, and took great pride in riding their lawn mowers to make their yard look special. They always had many cats to welcome their guests. Willie enjoyed a good game of cards in which Willie was proud of the fact he never lost a game of cards (he didn’t very often) but when he did, he would say, have to loss sometimes or nobody will play anymore.

Willie enjoyed playing checkers with Roy each winning a game, then quit so neither one would be mad.   

Willie went to be with Babe on Oct. 12, 2020. He was very well liked in the hospital, never complaining and always having something to say or talk to the nurses and doctors about. Willie and Babe were always together wherever they went and now together again.   

Willie is preceded in death by his parents, wife Babe, infant daughter, and sons, Bill and Patrick. 2 sisters and brother-in-law’s: Betty (Jerome) Flisram and Amelia (Johnny) Combs. 4 brothers and sister-in-law’s: Ray (June), Frantz (Esther, son Bobby and infant daughter), Roy (Estella, daughter Marcella), and Dick. And 1 sister-in-law, Linda Bicek.   

Willie is survived by nieces and nephews: Elizabeth (Alvin) Focken, children, Justin and Tyler; Joyce Flisram; Dennis Flisram; Louise Flisram; Connie Rae (Doug) Frantz; LaVonne (Brett) Brickman, children, Carter and Coy; Kenneth (Twila) Combs, children: Brent, Dawn, Heather, and Joshua; Linda Moeller; Brenda Moeller; Dough (Allison) Moeller, child, Lacey; Sharon Harbolt, child, Stefanie; Bobby, children, Russ, Sherrie, Tim, Renee, and Meridie; Kyle, children, Trent, Paul, and Sierra; Kathy (Steve) Mach, children, Roy and Lexy; Tim (Deb) Moeller, children, Tanner and Loren; Todd (Amy) Moeller, child, Morgan. Daughter-in-law’s: Joyce McHenry and Connie McHenry. Grandson Martin (Becky), great grandchildren, Abbie, Heaton, Thomas, andLillie. Brother-in-law Marlo Bicek, children, Kay (Dan), children, Kelly and Samantha; Amy (Dwayne), children, Emily, Jesse, and Ethan; Todd (Angie), children, Brandon and Austin; Carol (Justin), children, Hanna and Elijah.

Dr. Imogene Lorraine Marie DeSmet 92 of Sioux City, IA passed away on Oct. 11, 2020 at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City, IA.     Funeral services were held 10:30 am Monday, Oct. 19, at the St. Isidore Catholic Church in Colome, South Dakota with Father Kevin Achbach officiating. Burial will be in Dallas Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City.   

Imogene was born Aug. 24, 1928 to Charles and Ida (VanOverschelde) DeSmet in Colome, South Dakota.    She graduated from Colome High School and earned her BA degree from St. Mary’s of the Vasatch, in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Imogene went on to earn her MA from Creighton University in Omaha, NE and her doctoral degree from the University of Toronto in Toronto, Canada.   

Imogene taught English for many years at several places including Armour High School in Armour, SD, the College of Saint Catherine, in St. Paul, MN, and the University of Wisconsin in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. She also taught abroad for a semester in Denmark and in Malaysia. After retiring from teaching she moved to Sioux City, IA. to be closer to her family.   

She loved to travel and spend time with her family and collecting dolls.    She volunteered at each of the Catholic churches that she was a member at in many ways including being a lector, Eucharistic minister and helping educate others about the faith.  She was also very active in several academic organizations.    

Imogene is survived by her brother, Claire and his wife Modeanna of California, sisters-in-law, Valda DeSmet of South Dakota and Margo DeSmet of Massachusetts, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families who will always remember the stories she would tell them of her travels.   

She is preceded in death by her parents, four brothers; Julius (Alona) DeSmet, Charles DeSmet Jr., Louie DeSmet Joe (Marilyn) DeSmet, her three sisters; Madeline (Charles) Watzel, Sadie (Miles) Krizan, Leona (Rex) Barcus, infant sister, Marie DeSmet, and a nephew, Jerry Barcus.

James Gregg, 86, of Carter, SD was called home to be with the Lord Oct. 12, 2020, surrounded by all of his children.    

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 326 Madison Street in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. Jim was born June 7, 1934, the second of four children born to Herbert and Florence Gregg. Jim was born on the second level on the old hotel in Carter, South Dakota. Jim attended school through eighth grade in Carter, then went to work on the farm until 1954-1956 when he joined the United States Army. Jim served two years during the Korean Conflict and was medically discharged due to service-related injuries.    

On Oct. 14, 1961, Jim married the love of his life, Marian Lucille Earll. To this union, three sons and two daughters were born.   

Jim absolutely loved to farm and ranch, although about the only time you ever saw him get mad, and maybe cuss just a little, was when moving cattle. In December, 1983, Jim was injured in a farming accident, and then again two years later when he slipped on the ice and broke his previously injured leg. But that didn’t stop him from doing what he loved. Jim continued farming until about 2014 when he retired and spent most of his time delivering coffee, soda, and Little Debbie snacks to folks working in the field or working cattle in the neighborhood. Jim understood, firsthand, what amazing, caring neighbors there are in the Carter area… and the valueof “neighboring.” Jim also loved a good card game, but most of all he loved his family and demonstrated that love until the day he died.     

Jim is survived by his children Jeff Gregg(Sayna), Carter, SD; Julie Gregg-Bubac (Duane) Mammoth, WY; Jill Christensen (Joe), Arlington, SD; Jerred Gregg (Kara), Jason Gregg (Renee DeNoyer), and Pedro Cintron, all of Carter, SD; grandchildren that Jim was so proud of and loved very much: Jamin Hartland (Sarah), Rapid City, SD; Jessa Ellendorf (Gabriel), White River, SD; Jadyn Gregg (Wyatt McMillen), Rapid City, SD; Mark Bubac (Timmi), Rapid City, SD; Christi Bubac, Mammoth, WY; Dustin Christensen (Samantha), Colome, SD; Gary Christensen (Kayla), Sioux Falls, SD; Sara Wollen (Bryce), Sioux Falls, SD; JaceySmith (Conner), Faith, SD; James, Jacob, Josey, and Jenna; Justus (Liz Duffy), Jaynee, Jentry, Jude, and Jett, all of Carter, SD; great grandchildren Zylais Ellendorf, White River, SD, Sage Bubac, Rapid City, SD, Claire and Chloe Christensen and Brody Wollen, Sioux Falls, SD, Desirae Christensen, Colome, SD, and Paisley Smith and baby brother or sister due in March, Faith, SD; brothers and sisters Josephine Klein, Hidden Timer, SD; John Gregg (Jeanne Carpenter Thelen), Evansville, WY; Dennis Gregg (Kay), Martin, SD; and sister-in-law Lorraine Dohmen, Winner, SD; and many, many special nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors.   

He was preceded in death by his wife Marian, his parents, Florence and Herbert Gregg, mother and father-in-law Lloyd and Geraldine Earll, brothers-in-law Lawrence Klein and James Dohmen, and sister-in-law Loyce Gregg.

Jim touched many lives… everyone that knew him will remember his contagious giggle, that he worked hard but loved what he did, that he was a quiet soul (unless moving cattle), and that he loved spending time with his kids and grandkids. He will be missed dearly but he and Toots are together again… just in time for their 59th Anniversary (October 14). We will love you always, Triple J.

Tammy Wynette Cook-Foote, age 48, of Ideal, SD passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.    

Wake services were held on Saturday, Oct. 10, and Sunday, Oct. 11 starting at 6 p.m. at the Ideal Community Hall in Ideal, SD. Funeral services were held on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020 starting at 2 p.m.  Burial  ollowed in the Ideal Cemetery in Ideal, SD.   

Tammy Wynette Cook-Foote was born to Charlotte R. Thunder/Cook and Drury D. Cook on Nov. 19, 1971. She attended school in Ideal and finished her schooling at Flandreau Indian School. She enjoyed listening to music watching Ivan play softball, watching her 8 grandchildren, and watching family play horseshoes.     

Tammy is survived by her husband Gerrit Foote whom she married on March 10, 2006. From this union she is survived by Ivan Foote (Samantha Foote), Jordan Foote, and Chelsea Foote. She is also survived by six brothers: Larry Long Crow Sr., Charlie Long Crow, Amos Cook, Delano Cook, Drury Cook, and Bruce Cook. Her sisters: Leona Long Crow/Foote (Dewey F.) Blossom Cook (Rodney F.), and Denise Cook.       

Tammy is preceded in death by her grandparents; Amos and Jeanette Cook, Simon and Gladys Thunder. Her parents; Drury Cook Sr. and Charlotte Cook. Brothers; Wayne, Harold, Lowell, Richard, and Mark. Sisters; Enola and Gwen.

Carmelita L. “Carme” O’Malley, age 89, of Gilbert, AZ, formerly of Winner, SD passed away on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020 at the Hospice of the Valley in Gilbert, AZ. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Oct.16 at 1 p.m. at        Mason Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the Winner city cemetery.     Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.    

Carme was born on Sept. 14, 1931 to Leonard and Irene Lucas. She lived the majority of her life in Winner. She attended school in Winner and graduated from Winner High School in 1949. After high school she attended nursing school in Omaha, NE. She married Shannon P. O’Malley from Yankton South Dakota on March 3, 1950. Out of this marriage came two sons, John O’Malley of Phoenix, AZ and Marty O’Malley of Las Vegas, NV.

Carme was an avid sports fan and followed her boys to sports that they competed in whenever possible. She followed them (with Shannon) to events all over South Dakota, the U.S. and the world. Carme was also a lifetime New York Yankee’s fan. She saw them play many times even in two World Series. She also attended the Kentucky Derby and many other World Class Events.     

She loved to play bridge and dance with S.P. One of her many joys was reuniting with her famous class of 49.She was a long-time member of the Episcopal Church. She enjoyed politics, traveling, and flying in the family airplanes.    Carme was preceded in death by her husband Shannon

O’Malley, her grandparents John & Molly (Pa & Ma) Jorgenson, her mother Irene and her husband Cecil Dreyer, and her father Leonard Lucas.    She is survived by her sons John O’Malley Phoenix, AZ, and Marty O’Malley, Las Vegas, NV. Her three grandchildren John M. O’Malley (Payton), Shani O’Malley Phoenix, AZ and Kate O’Malley Scottsdale, AZ. She has 6 great grandchildren who she referred to as her greats.

She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.

Rickey Nelson died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at the VA hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 66.   

Rickey Lee Nelson was born on May 1, 1954, in Winner, South Dakota to Lee and Delores (Sterling) Nelson. He grew up on a dairy farm near Lucas, South Dakota. Rickey graduated from Burke High School in 1973 and enlisted in the US Navy immediately after.

Rickey Nelson died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at the VA hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 66.   

Rickey Lee Nelson was born on May 1, 1954, in Winner, South Dakota to Lee and Delores (Sterling) Nelson. He grew up on a dairy farm near Lucas, South Dakota. Rickey graduated from Burke High School in 1973 and enlisted in the US Navy immediately after. On Jan. 21, 1984, he was united in marriage with Martha Dueck in Winner, South Dakota. In Winner, the couple purchased their first home and later adopted their daughter, Samantha. Rickey also worked as a local police officer and EMT before he and his family moved to Sioux Falls.

Rickey was a member of First Evangelical Free Church, NRA, VFW, DAV, and American Legion. He was a talented woodworker, gunsmith, and leatherworker. He enjoyed being involved in his church, traveling, fishing, and, most importantly, being a dad. Rickey loved being a part of Samantha’s life and spent every moment he could playing outside with her, taking her to movies, and challenging her to a game of Clue.     

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Martha; daughter, Samantha, Sioux Falls, SD; brother, Ron (Sylvia), Pierre, SD; sisters, Loryece Handwerk, Marion, SD and Marcy Nelson, Peoria, AZ; and several nieces and nephews.      

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Randy Nelson.    Funeral service was held    11 am Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, at First Evangelical Free Church.    Rickey will be laid to rest at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.

Eleanor Hanig, 97, of Winner, SD passed away peacefully on Oct. 3, 2020 at the Lake Andes Nursing Home in Lake Andes, SD.    

Funeral services were held on Friday Oct.9, 2020 at 10 a.m.    at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner. Burial    followed in the Winner City Cemetery.    

She was met at the gates of heaven by her husband of 73 years Donald Hanig, her Brother Louie Klima, Sister Lavon Smith and her parents Frank and Eva Klima.       

She is survived by her sister Dolores Smith of Winner, Nephews Steven Klima (Debbie) of Sturgis, Mark Smith, Tim (Lori) Smith and Pat (June) Smith of Phoenix.   

Eleanor was born on July 20, 1923 in Hamill, South Dakota.    She and her husband Donald grew up in Hamill, South Dakota.   

Donald would tell you he fell in love Eleanor when she was 8 years old andhe was 10. Eleanor went to grade school in Hamill and graduated from Winner High School.   

Eleanor and Donald were married on Jan. 24, 1948 – 73 years, and members of the Winner Catholic Church – Immaculate Conception.    She made her life with her husband Donald in Winner. Eleanor got her undergraduate and master’s degree from the University of South Dakota and became a school teacher.    She taught grade school in Winner for over 40 years.    She taught multiple generations of students while there and was loved by all her “kids”.     

Eleanor later got her PhD in Administration and ended her career as the principal and administrative superintendent of the Carthage School District.     

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Catholic Charities – c/o Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in the name of Eleanor Hanig.

Harvey Kewley, 74, was called to his eternal resting place on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, at Bethany on 42nd in Fargo, ND.   

Harvey Leroy Kewley entered this world on Aug. 16, 1946, in Witten, SD, born to Leroy and Myrtle (DuBray) Kewley. He grew up and attended schools in Witten. After graduating, Harvey enlisted in the US Army and served two tours of duty.

Harvey was a man of many talents, but he loved caring for others and so his work as a caregiver was his true passion. He was a hard worker and passed on his work ethic to his children.   

Harvey loved all of his family, especially his kids. He enjoyed hunting and fishing very much. Harvey was a man who could quickly make friends with complete strangers, a trait that helped him in life and as a caregiver.   

He is survived by his children, Sarah Kewley, Fargo, ND; Josh Kewley, Valdosta, GA; Lee Kewley; Fargo, ND; Anne (Steven)Bokas, Tampa, FL; siblings, Larry, Wayne, and Monte Kewley.   

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Barb Wilcox.

A memorial service was held at 12:30 pm, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. Burial was at the Fargo National Cemetery.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.hansonrunsvold.com.Arrangements by Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home – Fargo, ND.

John Benda, 92, returned to his maker onJune 30, 2020. He resided at the Randolph County Nursing Home in Sparta, Illinois, until the time of his death.      

Funeral services for John will be held    Oct. 9 at 10 am, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis South Dakota where his ashes will be placed in Columbium with military veterans’ honors.       

John was born on April 20, 1928 in Ainsworth, Neb., to his parents John & Belinda (Hendrickson) Benda who resided at that time south of Millboro, SD.    The eldest of the children, John grew up on the family farm and ranch outside Winner SD alongside his 5 other siblings.   

He attended schools in Winner and Ainsworth, NE where he graduated in 1946. Immediately after graduating high school, John joined the newest branch of the military, the United States Air Force. He was one of the first trained group of airman mechanics for Jet propulsion.   

He was part of the post WWII peace keeping troops sent overseas to Okinawa Japan with the 26th Fighter Squadron in 1947. He left the military with honors at the rank of sergeant.    

John entered college after the military, playing football for both Nebraska State (1950) and Ohio State (51) until an injury ended athletic goals.     

John was a high school and college athlete participating in several sports such as football, boxing, and baseball. In team sport photos, he was always in the middle of the back row, being one of the tallest athletes on a team.        John relocated to Kansas City, Mo., where he met his first wife Florence M. (Greulich) Benda. The two were married in 1954 for 24 years. They had three childrenand relocated to St. Louis, Mo, in 1969.       

John was remarried in 1986 to Ceil Wachter and later separated. John lived his final years in the town of Sparta Illinois, just southeast of St. Louis, Mo.     

John was a Christian celebrating at different Christian denomination churches throughout his life. John or Jack as many referred to him, spent his life pursuing a variety of business careers. A few of which were heating & cooling, a funeral home, motel, restaurant, and moving & storage company.   

Our father was a kind and gentle man. You never heard him speak negative or discriminatory of others, and you liked him for those reasons. 

John is survived by his sister Mazie Marcella ( Benda) Brandt of Rapid City.    His three children Carol Ann (Benda) Bennett of St. Louis Mo., John Joseph Benda of Superior, Mont., and Neil Richard Benda of St. Louis, Mo. John has many surviving In-Laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

John was preceded in death by his parents John Benda and Belinda (Hendrickson) Benda. His sisters Peggy Marrie (Benda) Ballou and Cornelia Ann (Benda) Yost.   

His brothers Robert Willard Benda and Russell Vac Benda. Wife Florence Marie (Greulich) Benda.   

Donations can be sent in John Benda’s behalf to your favorite charity of choice.