Category Archives: Obituaries

Funeral services for Jeannine Johnson age 93 of Des Moines, IA formerly of Gregory, SD will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 10:30 a.m. at the Methodist Church, Gregory, SD.  Burial will follow in the Colome City Cemetery. There is a visitation Friday night from 6-8 p.m. at the church.

Memorial services for Robert Dykeman age 82 of Mesa, AZ will be held on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home, Gregory, SD.  Burial will follow in the Colome City Cemetery.

Roland Wayne Piper, 96, of Hot Springs, SD, passed away on Oct. 11, 2023, at his residence surrounded by family.

Roland was born on Feb. 18, 1927 to Verne and Beatrice (Casey) Piper at Carter, SD.  He was the first of five boys born into this family.  During his early years, the family lived on ranches near Wood, SD.  He attended country school for eight years then went to Wood High School where he graduated in 1945 as Salutatorian.  Roland married his high school sweetheart, Twila O’Connor, on Sept. 21, 1946 in Winner, SD.  They lived on a farm in the area until 1949, when they moved to Rapid City where Roland managed a Phillips 66 service station.  From 1951-1958 they resided on various farms near Draper, SD and Vivian, SD.  Together they milked cows and cared for a very large flock of sheep along with feeding a few thousand market lambs.

In 1958, they purchased a ranch south of Hot Springs, SD where they lived for nearly 30 years.  During this time their son was born.  Together they maintained a sizeable herd of cattle and sheep while working full time jobs in town.  Roland started his building construction company, doing all types of carpentry and masonry projects in the local area until his retirement in 1989.

He married DeAnna Wotier in 1988, and operated an irrigated farm near Oral, SD from 1989-1996.  To that union, two sons were born.

Roland was baptized into the Lutheran Church after moving to Hot Springs.  He was an active member of both Bethesda Lutheran Church and then later, Grace Lutheran Church serving various leadership roles in both congregations.

Roland didn’t shy away from a hard day’s work during his lifetime, although he enjoyed spending time with his sons and their activities.  He had a passion for family history and believed in carrying forward our family stories.  He was also an avid player of cribbage and card games, he enjoyed watching rodeoes and antique tractor shows.   But above all, Roland loved socializing, especially dancing.  He spent many Thursday afternoons at the Minneluzahan Center in Rapid City, along with any dance in the region he could attend.  He was also a member of the Black Hills German Good Time Club.

Grateful for sharing Roland’s life include his survivors, sons, Randy (Karmen) Piper of Sioux Falls; Wayne Piper of Edgemont; Drake (LaShia) Piper of Fort Pierre; chosen daughter, Jazmine (Piper) Tarant of Hot Springs; twin granddaughters, Erika Piper of Omaha, NE; Brooke Piper of Sioux Falls, brothers, Don Piper of Osage, WY; Harold (Charlotte) Piper of Wood; Rodney Piper of Wood; sister-in-law, Dorothy Piper of Winner; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Twila Piper; one brother, Edward Piper; sisters-in-laws, Ina Piper; Nancy Piper; Gwendolyn Sherwood; brother-in-law, Glen Sherwood Jr. and a nephew, Roger Sherwood

Visitation will be held 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, at Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs, SD.

Funeral service will be held 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, at Grace Lutheran Church in Hot Springs, SD.

Committal services will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at the Wood Community Hall and Evergreen Cemetery in Wood, SD.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs, SD.

Barry M. Jensen, age 78, of White River, South Dakota, died on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023 in Rapid City.

Barry Marlin Jensen was born Aug. 13, 1945, in Kadoka, South Dakota on the son of William and Agnes (Stromer) Jensen of White River. Barry lived his entire life at the Jensen ranch north west of White River with the exception of a few years while he attended college. Barry attended all 12 years of school at White River Public school graduating with his high school class of 1963. He attended college at SDSU for two years before transferring to Kansas State University where he graduated with a degree in science and agriculture.

Barry married his high school classmate and sweetheart Katie (Kathryn Mickel) in 1965 and they lived in Manhattan, Kansas for the next three years while earning their college degrees. Their oldest daughter Wendy was born in Kansas.

Following graduation, they moved back to South Dakota to go into the ranching business with his parents. That next fall the White River School found themselves without a science teacher and so that following year Barry was asked to teach all science classes until a science teacher could be located. Ironically, it took four years. Many of his former students were his good friends. It was during these years that their second daughter Katie Kristine (Krisi) was born in 1970 and their youngest daughter Paige LeAnn was born in 1975.

Barry retired from teaching and returned to ranching full time when his parents began to spend their winters in Arizona. He has continued to run the Jensen Cattle Corporation ranch up to the present day.

Barry was a role model alumnus of White River High School. He served on the Board of Education for a number of years. His name appears on the bronze plaque in the foyer declaring the dedication of this very gymnasium. He organized the first Tiger Booster Club. In 2000 he was instrumental in organizing the school alumni association which is still very active today. He served as its first chairman and in that position, he organized four all school reunions. In 2013 he enjoyed his 50th class reunion when his 1963 classmates were recognized at the spring Commencement.

While Barry and Katie were raising their family, their children were very involved in school and community activities. During those days, Barry volunteered as a church youth group leader, he was Associate Guardian for Bethel 33 of White River Job’s Daughters, judged many rodeo queen contests and announced at the local 4-H rodeos for several years. Back in the day these rodeos lasted from sun up to sun down even utilizing two arenas. He rarely missed a basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, rodeo, track or music event that his daughters participated in.

Barry was very civic minded. He served as a Mellette County Commissioner. He was elected as a legislator representing District 26 to the South Dakota House of Representatives in 2001 and again in 2005 where he served on the Judiciary committee among others.

Barry also enjoyed board work. He felt that a well-organized board, with good managerial leadership, could effectively run a successful company. Barry served on the Board of Directors with the following corporations: Country Pride Coop of Winner, SD, Farmland Industries and the Cooperative Finance Association both of Kansas City, Missouri, Southern Plains Behavioral Health of Winner, SD, Missouri Valley Insurance Company of Burke, SD, and South Dakota organizations of Cooperatives when in 2010 he was inducted into the SD Cooperative Hall of Fame.

Additionally. Barry was appointed by Governor Daugaard to the South Dakota Game, Fish, & Parks and served as commissioner until his commission expired. Barry left footprints all across South Dakota.

Barry is a member of the White River Masonic Lodge #181 of White River, The Order of Eastern Star #126 of White River and the White River United Methodist Church. Barry’s church was very important to him. He served in many different capacities from Ad Council chairman to trustee to singing in the choir. He attended regularly and when he fell ill his church family stepped up to help him celebrate his 78th birthday with cards, pictures and a singing video. He loved his church.

Throughout the years, Barry enjoyed his children and grandchildren’s activities, NASCAR racing, traveling, cruising, motorcycles, flying his airplane, sports, especially Kansas State University sports, and being outdoors on the ranch. Fall was his favorite time of year. Barry and Katie traveled across the pond on three occasions. Once to visit granddaughter Angel who was going to school in London, another time with K-State college friends on a Mediterranean cruise. And in 2017 Barry, Katie and their entire family traveled to Denmark. Arriving in Copenhagen and traveling across Denmark to the ancestral home of his great-grandfather Morten Jensen in Olgod, Denmark.

And another story: Barry’s parents bought him a car when he was near graduation from college at K-State University. Not just any car, but a Pontiac GTO. He got involved with drag racing that GTO and never told his parents. Many years later he fessed up and showed his parents his trophies after it was all said and done.

Barry is survived by his wife Katie of 58 years, three daughters Wendy (Dan) Conrad of Rapid City, Katie (Doug) Bates of Rapid City, and Paige (Bill) Kelly of Milton, Georgia; eight grandchildren; Angel Spreen, Molly (Bruce) Miller, Taylor (Ashley) Bates, Luke (Morgan) Bates, Samantha Bates, Berkeley Bates, William Kelly Jr., Jensen Kelly; other family include Kip Jensen, Beverly Jensen, Mike Dimond and family, Janel Krogman (Robert) and family, Todd Krogman (Amy) and family, Dana Krogman, the extended Lester Stromer family, Bud Stromer, and Kenny Kingsbury families, several cousins and many friends.

Barry was preceded in death by his parents, brother Clifford and sister Janet; niece Lindy Krogman; and nephews Mark, Troy, Bill Jensen.

A Celebration of Life Service was held 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Community Events Center in White River.

Interment followed at the White River Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to Mellette County Community Foundation and the American Cancer Society.

He was a South Dakota boy, grew up strong and fast

Dreamed of being a cowboy but dreams, they never last.

He felt free on a horses back, learned to rope and ride,

But he wanted a life all his own, built off love, strength and pride.

He built homes in Wyoming, learned trades as a way of life.

Built bridges in Dallas, and found the love of his life.

Work sent them to LA, they scrapped and scrimped and saved,

Soon three little ones joined the club and a whole new road was paved.

In big sky country they raised their pack,

Things got easy, things got hard, but he always had their backs

The kids grew and along the way they were taught right and wrong,

But all parents will tell you it just doesn’t last that long.

“Make me a promise”, he would say, “It’s the only one I ask,

Promise me you’ll never grow up, you think you’re up to the task?”

Walking, running, driving, love found and lost,

Fishing, laughing, playing, baseballs caught and tossed.

He watched them make their own lives, on their own terms just like him;

Pride seeped from every pore, his cup full to the brim.

He watched them travel, learn, and grow, build families of they’re own,

Experience things he never had, and my, what these three had shown.

Through their lives he lived again, each triumph and each defeat,

The stories they regaled him with he never missed a beat.

He would say, “If I die tomorrow, I wouldn’t regret a bit.

Wrong right or in between, there’s no reason to throw a fit”

“I’ve done a lot, I’ve seen a ton, I’ve lived my life, and had my fun.

But the greatest achievement I ever had, was raising you three and being your dad”.

We never realized till he was gone, too soon, as it always goes

That we three kids were his most prized possession, and through us that love grows.

I’ll think about him everyday, and the lessons that I learned.

About love, life and happiness; respect that’s only earned.

Take pride once more, for when we came up to the end

You weren’t only my Dad, you were also my best friend

I love you Dad, one day we’ll be reunited

To bask once again in the love you provided.

Sleep well now, in peace and without pain

But you won’t leave wholly, no; cause in my heart you will remain.

Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.

Funeral services for Ray Bigelow age 79 of Colome, SD were held on
Monday, September 25th at 11:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, Colome, SD. Burial followed in the Colome City Cemetery, Colome, SD. There was a
prayer service Sunday night at 6pm at the church.

Ray Robert Bigelow was born to Robert and Dorothy (Bertram) Bigelow on
August 11, 1944, in Winner, South Dakota.

Ray was an only child. Other than the short time Ray lived on the west
coast when his dad was in the Navy, he lived all his life within a
quarter mile on the same South Dakota road.

He attended Pleasant View Country School in Colome, South Dakota and
graduated from Colome High School. Ray had a desire to go on with
school, but the farm called him home to work.

Growing up Ray enjoyed playing cribbage with his grandfather. In his
later years he still enjoyed playing games and cards, cribbage and pitch
were among his favorites.

On March 15, 1969, Ray married Sharon (Worden) during a snowstorm. The
love they had for each other grew and they were blessed with three
children Kenneth Ray, Beverly Ann, and Barbara Marie. Ray and Sharon
enjoyed 54 years of marriage together.

Ray was a farmer and a rancher. He loved working hard and really loved
the farming side of his work. Ray was not as fond of the cows as he was
the farming.

Ray enjoyed music, especially country and western music. He enjoyed
listening to the music as he was not much of a dancer. Ray also loved
hunting with family and his close friends.

Ray was always willing to help out a friend, neighbor, his many family
members, and his three children. Ray cared deeply for his family,
especially his grandkids. He cherished every moment with them while they
were growing up. Ray will be so missed by Liv, Red, and Bella, as they
had a special bond with their Papa Ray. They always knew how to get a
smile out of him no matter what. Ray had a special relationship to all
of his grandchildren whether near or far.

Due to some health issues, Ray and Sharon moved Golden Prairie Manor in
July of 2022.

Ray passed away at Golden Prairie Manor on September 22, 2023, at the
age of 79 years.

Ray is survived by his wife Sharon; son Kenny (Rebecca) Bigelow,
daughter Bev Beck (special friend Bruce Clark), and daughter Barb (Shay)
Littau; grandchildren: Rebekah Bigelow, Joe (Erin) Beck, Bailey Beck,
Olivia Littau, Keegan Littau, and Bella Littau; step grandchildren:
Chelsea Blickenstaff, Garret Kruback, Kord Littau, and Lane Littau;
great grandchildren Jace and Layke Beck; and step great grandchildren
James, Izebella, and Paislee Blickenstaff.

He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Dorothy Bigelow and
grandson Kolby Beck.

Mildred Kathyrn (Kathy) Engel, 85, of Winner, SD passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 at the Winner Regional Hospital in Winner, SD.

A memorial service was held on Friday, Sept. 22, at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Winner, SD. Burial was held at 2:15 p.m. at the Evergreen Cemetery in Wood, SD.

Kathy was born on Dec. 11th, 1937 in Presho, SD to William (Slim) and Mildred Bennett. Kathy grew up on a ranch outside of Wood, South Dakota and was also a proud graduate of Wood High School.

Following high school, she attended Southern State College in Springfield, South Dakota. Kathy married Al Meister in 1957. This marriage produced two daughters, Tammy and Misty Meister. Al and Kathy were proud owners of Al’s Body Shop. Al preceded her in death in 1970.

Kathy reconnected with fellow Wood High School graduate, Dale Engel. Kathy and Dale married and enjoyed a long and productive marriage. They partnered with Dale’s son Dean to create Engel Trucking. Dale sadly passed away in 2006.

Kathy wore many hats throughout her life. She was a bookkeeper, educator, caretaker, and librarian. Kathy always had a story to share and some of them were even true!

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents Slim and Mildred, husbands Al Meister and Dale Engel, brothers Bill, Paul, Bob, John, and infant twin sisters June and Jane. She was also preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Barbara Meister.

She is survived by her three siblings Virginia Ensminger of Valentine, NE; Jim Bennett and his wife Marlene, of Gregory, SD; and Ed Bennett and his wife Judy, of Valentine, NE. Kathy is also survived by her daughter and son-in-law Tammy and Jim Trego, of Monument, CO; and daughter Misty Osborn, of Burlingame, KS. Kathy is also survived by her three grandchildren, Jesse Osborn and fiancé Kathy Steck and her daughter Neveah of Topeka, KS; Bayley and Michael Greenberg, of Plano, TX, and Tyler Trego of Boulder, CO. In addition, she is survived by a host of nieces and nephews.

Marilyn Brown left this world to join here heavenly family on Sept. 23 surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held at Fremont Alliance Church on Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. Viewing will be from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the church. Lunch will be served following the service.

Viewing will be held at Mason Funeral Home in Winner on Sept 29 from 7-8:30 p.m. with burial service at the Colome Cemetery on Sept. 30 at 10:30 p.m. Lunch will be served at the Colome Legion after the graveside service. In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to Fremont Alliance Church  or Fremont Friendship Center.

Marilyn was born Nov. 6, 1956 in Gregory to Bill and Margaret (Stewart) Brown. She lived on a farm in Colome and was the seventh child born to this union. Marilyn was baptized in Colome Methodist Church.

She began school in 1964 where she attended special education classes in Winner. Marilyn moved to Mitchell in 1975 working at various restaurants as a dishwasher and enjoyed vacations with friends.

She moved to Fremont to live with her sister Willie and brother in law Bob Jamison. Marilyn was then able to fully enjoy vacations and holidays with Willie’s family and was able to spend time with her other siblings.

Marilyn attended Fremont Alliance Church and she helped with bible school working in the kitchen. She also loved to bowl with friends and going out to eat. She enjoyed all the phone calls that she got and loved to color pictures for folks. She spent a lot of her time at the friendship center and enjoyed dancing, playing bingo and having coffee with friends there.

She was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Margaret Brown, an older brother, Garry; grandparents Ed and Martha Brown and Ralph and Lillian Stewart and aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her sibblings Jo Ann Rieff (Bob), Avon; Duane (Charlie) (Rosie) of Sioux Falls; Marlene (Mark) Wallbaum La Mesa, Calif; Willie (Bob) Jamison, Fremont, Neb., Douglas (Carol) Brown, Birmingham, AL, sister-in-law Carol Brown of Winner, 17 nieces and nephews and many grand nieces and nephews as well as many relatives and friends.

Marion Joyce (Foss) Potter age 89 of Belle Fourche, died Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023 at Belle Estate in Belle Fourche.

A celebration of Marion’s life took place Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 at the Belle Fourche Global Methodist Church. 

  Interment took  place  Tuesday at Oakridge Cemetery in Seneca SD, followed by a time of fellowship at the Seneca Community Center.

Marion was born Sept. 2, 1934, the second daughter of Dave and Sylvia (Brozik) Foss. Marion grew up on the family farm near Hamill, SD. She attended country schools in her elementary years and then Winner High School where she graduated in 1952. She later attended Black Hills State Teachers College and graduated in 1954 with her teaching certificate. After college, she worked in Denver and Albuquerque as a secretary, and then she taught in rural schools in Tripp County and in Iona, SD.

In 1954 she first met Willard Potter, a SDSM&T student, at a Black Hills State track meet. They were united in marriage on June 25, 1960 in Winner, South Dakota. To this union were born two sons and three daughters: Lee, Bruce, Joyce, Reva, and Diann.

Following their marriage, Willard worked as a Civil Engineer and his career took the Potter family to several towns, including Pierre, Selby, and Aberdeen. From 1979 to 2010, they lived near Warner, and following his retirement, Willard and Marion moved to their home on Walworth Street in Belle Fourche where Marion resided until this September.

Marion grew up through the Depression and WWII years, and these experiences instilled in her the importance of thrift and creativity, including a love of the finer things in life such as home-grown and home-canned fruits and vegetables; homemade fashion; family gatherings with music and card games; traveling between the pages of countless good books; play, crafts, and songs with children; nurturing lifelong friendships; and providing a listening, caring ear to others. She was a hardworking daughter and her father’s helper on the farm, a quiet, kind older cousin, a devoted niece, a true partner in marriage, and a mother and grandmother who was forever the teacher and a champion for children.

She was proud of her family and loved her grandchildren very much. Her quiet strength, quick humor, and faith  will be greatly missed. Marion is survived by her children, Joyce (Dean) Beck of Glenwood, MN; Lee (Darla) of Cheyenne WY, Reva (Terry Hoscheid) Potter of Belle Fourche, Diann (Don) Drew of Volga, SD; Bruce (Laura) of Garretson SD; 13 grandchildren, Gia and David (Alex) Beck; Logan and Ruth Potter; Spencer (Mackenzie), Nathan (Sentel), Kendal, and Conrad Schreier, and Nathan Hoscheid; Erin (Jon) Evenson and Rachel Drew; Eliza and Wyatt Potter; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Willard, her parents, Dave and Sylvia; and her sister, Clara Jane.

Kenneth Iron Shooter, 73, of Winner, SD passed away on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 at the Lake Andes Nursing Home in Lake Andes, SD. Funeral services were held on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Final view was held from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Winner Ideal Community Hall. Burial  followed at the St. Mary’s Garden Cemetery in Wood, SD. Wake services were held on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023 at 8 p.m. at the Winner Ideal Community Hall in Winner, SD.

Kenneth Charging Iron Shooter was born on Feb. 12, 1950 in Sioux Falls, SD. He attended school at St. Mary’s Catholic in Winner, SD. Soon after Kenny and some classmates were on the road to further their education at Job Corps when a tragic train accident left him the only survivor.

A little later in life he worked at a cheese factory in Mission, SD where he lived for a short time. This lead him back to Winner, SD where he had his own apartment, a place to call home. He enjoyed watching football, but most of all he loved, cared, and cherished all of his nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was survived by sisters, Gloria “Dolly” Iron Shooter of Mission, SD; Ruth DuBray of Ideal, SD; brothers, Darrel Iron Shooter of Winner, SD; & Xavier Iron Shooter, of Winner, SD.

He is preceded in death by brother, Frank Iron Shooter Jr.; & sisters, Martha Jones & Rosemary Eagle Hawk; along with three infant brothers.

Alice Hansen, 72, of Winner, SD passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023 at the Winner Regional Hospital in Winner, SD. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023 at 10 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner, SD. Burial will be held at 2 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Mission, SD. Alice Ann Hansen was an avid Green Bay Packer fan (sticking with them through the good and bad times), a loving sister, aunt, and friend. She left this world on Sept. 26, 2023 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loved ones who will continue to honor her life by living life to its fullest.

Alice was born to Donald and Helena (Horst) Hansen on Jan. 20, 1951. She was baptized and confirmed in the Zion Lutheran Church in Mission, SD. She attended grade school at the Lutheran school in Mission, SD and graduated from the Lutheran High School in Mobridge, SD. Her faith was strong and attending church was very important to her. She spent many years sharing her love for Jesus by teaching Sunday School.

Alice worked for the Todd County School District for 47 years. She began her career as an aide working her way up. At the time of her retirement, she was Supervisor/Pay Clerk. She was involved in establishing a Wellness Committee and continued to oversee it. She served as an officer with the South Dakota Association of Education Office Professionals, including two terms as president.

Her greatest joys in life were her family, watching NFL football, and shopping for gifts for the people she cared most about. Although she did not have children of her own, she loved her nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephew like they were her own. She loved offering her motherly advice.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Clarence and Frieda Hansen; maternal grandparents, August and Bertha Horst; her parents Don and Helena; and brother-in-law John Haukaas.

She is survived by her sisters Mary Haukaas, of Mission, SD; Phyllis (Pete) Haukaas, of Okreek, SD; Donne (Don) Kauppi, of Laughlin, NV; and Nancy (Brad) Oligmueller, of Rapid City, SD. As well as all of her nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephew.

Alice will be greatly missed but we will cherish the wonderful memories of her.