Category Archives: Obituaries

Kimber “Kim” Lee Bell was born July 7, 1955, in Winner, SD, to Eddie Lee and Lee “Verdean” (Klein) Bell. He graduated from Winner High School in 1973, and went on to college at SDSU and NSU, participating in the ROTC program.

Eventually, Kim went to work as a trucker, and trucked for many years. After his accident, he went looking for a place to build his log house, and decided to put it right next to the interstate, just in case he decided to go back to trucking, because that would give him easy access to the road. He was later self-employed, working heavy equipment building roads.

Whatever Kim did, he worked hard and gave his all. Kim was everyone’s “hero.” No matter who you were, he would always take the time to stop and just listen, and no matter what the circumstances, he thought of others before himself.

He was a giver, not a taker. Kim had a tremendous passion for two things – old cars and bass fishing. No one can remember a time when Kim bought anything new, as he would rather fix up something himself. This translated to his love of cars, believing in working hard to restore old to new. His latest was his green 1957 Ford Ranch Wagon.

However, when it came to fishing, that was his time to relax. He loved fishing the stock dams near Winner, and the lies and stories that came afterwards were always a joy to listen to. The solitude at the pond was what it was all about to him, second only to the competition amongst the whole family when it came to fishing.

On any given Sunday afternoon during football season, Kim could be found watching his beloved Chicago Bears. He was a die-hard fan, and he refused to have company on Sundays, because there was always a game to be watched. Above all, Kim was a writer.

He always had a unique way with words, and everyone looked forward to a letter from him. His words were so wise, sincere, and straight from the heart, reminding his friends and family how loved and cherished they were.

On Monday, July 13, 2020, Kim passed away at his home in Piedmont, SD. He put up a hell of a fight to beat cancer, and succeeded for five years longer than he was supposed to. He never complained about the journey, and he never lost that determination to live until his very last breath.

Kim touched the lives of all who knew him, and will be deeply missed by each and every one.

He is survived by his sisters, Debbie Robinson, Cindy (Jerry) Haskell, and Amy (Bill) Reiser; his brother, Randy (DeEtte) Bell; niece, Sadie; nephews, Chad, Charlie, Luke, Tye, Corey, Bryce, Preston, Nick, and Brandon; and a host of other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Verdean Bell; grandparents, Lee and Lena Klein and Elmer and Hazel Bell; and his nephew, Kris Robinson.

Funeral services were held 10 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2020, at Grace United Methodist Church in Piedmont, with Pastor John Britt officiating. Graveside services followed at Piedmont Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Piedmont Cemetery Association in Kim’s name. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.

A celebration of life for Barbara Williamson, 61, formerly of Winner, will be held July 18 at 11 a.m. at the Gregory City park. The family asks that persons bring a lawn chair and a memory to share and that persons practice social distancing and wear a mask. A private burial will take place at a later date.

Barbara L. Williamson was born June 21, 1958, to Ralph and Mildred (Yeigh) Williamson in Los Angeles, CA. Barbara grew up with seven siblings: Ellen, Marjorie, David, Ralph, Teresa, Ron, and Chris. She lived in California, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota.

In 1974 Barbara was blessed with a son, Kevin Scott, but times were tough and she made the hard decision to adopt him out for a better life.

In 1977 Barbara met Don Soesbe and they were married. To this union three daughters were born: Dawn, Jennifer, and Erin. In the spring of 1987 they decided to go on different life paths.

In the fall of 1987, when Don married Sandy, Barb gained another daughter Yvonne. Barb also gained in Sandy, another trusted caregiver to her children.

In the years to come Barbara took care of numerous people and was a voice and an ear for many. She loved riding the Harley, doing embroidery, crocheting and cross stitch, and working puzzles and cross words.

Barbara worked as a barmaid/bartender in Wyoming. After moving back to SD she fought and won her battle against breast cancer. During her fight she continued to work at McDonald’s in Winner.

She spent the last of her working years at the Elder Inn in Winner where she was very attached to the residents and her coworkers.

In March of 2015 she was blessed with her son Kevin reaching out to her and completing her family. And her family grew with the addition of her daughter-in-law and two more granddaughters.

Her grandchildren now numbered eleven granddaughters and four grandsons.

Barbara moved to Yankton in 2019 where she lived out the rest of her life anxiously awaiting her first great granddaughter, Emma Rose, who made her appearance on April 7.

Barbara passed away on April 5, 2020, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD, at the age of 61.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her children Kevin Hansen of Topeka, KS, Dawn (Bill) Atkins of Yankton, Jennifer Marks of Buxton, ND, Erin Soesbe of Gregory, and Yvonne Grewell of Rapid City; fifteen grandchildren and one great grandchild; and siblings Ellen Hoffman, Marjorie Perkins, David Williamson, Ralph Williamson, Teresa Duley, Ronald Williamson, and Chrystal Hammon.

Lester “Tiny” Wayne Emery, 88, of Mission, SD passed away on Saturday, June, 20, 2020 at the State Veterans Home in Hot Springs, SD.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2020 at the White River Cemetery in White River, SD. A memorial service will be held after the graveside service at the Catholic Hall in White River.

Lester “Tiny” Wayne Emery was born March 12, 1932 at Rosebud, SD. His parents are Clarence and Nellie (Young) Emery. Tiny was one of six children. The family lived on Ironwood Creek, near Parmelee. Clarence moved the family to Parmelee to be close to school and later to Mission for high school. Tiny left school after 8th grade to help with ranch work.

In 1951 Tiny enlisted in the Army, after basic training he was shipped to Alaska to help build Fort Richardson. After a three hitch Tiny was honorably discharged at Fort Carson, Colo.

Tiny married Laurene Markus in 1954 at Winner, SD. They have two sons Robert and Rockey, both born at Rosebud. When Tiny was building the ranch, he worked at the Rosebud boarding school’s farm/ranch. Tiny and Laurene lived in the school’s housing.

In 1958, Tiny joined the Navy. His first station was Norfolk, Virginia. Tiny rode destroyers his entire Navy career. His stations were: Newport, Rhode Island; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; back to Newport; Naval Reserve Center in Duluth, Minn., as an instructor; and Bayonne, New Jersey.

In 1970 Gunners mate Tiny Emery was selected Cruiser-Destroyer of the Atlantic Fleet- Sailor of the Year. Tiny was selected due to the performance of his duties as the Gun Boss aboard the U.S.S. Davis during their tour in Vietnam. August 1975 Tiny retired from the Navy.

Tiny and Laurene returned to the ranch and have been there ever since. Tiny passed away on June 20, 2020 at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice South Dakota Veterans Home in Hot Springs, SD.

Lester (Tiny) is survived by wife Laurene, son Bob (Paulette) Emery, son Rockey (Kathy) Emery, granddaughter Casey Emery Krogman, grandson Lance Emery, 6 great grandchildren, 2 sisters Delphine Tech of Witchta Falls, TX, Fern Benner of Williamsport, Penn.

He is preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Nellie Emery, brother Clarence Jr. Emery, sister’s Audrey Cordry, Eltine Krebs.

Nicholas “Nick” B. Pharris, 45, of Aberdeen, passed away due to injuries received from a grand mal seizure, Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.

A celebration of Nick’s life will be held at Wylie Park, Aberdeen, at a later date.

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

Nicholas Bryan Pharris was born June 15, 1975, at Baptist Hospital in Winner, SD, to Bryan and Cindy (Holmquist) Pharris. The family resided in Winner, SD, running the Pharris Bakery, into Nick’s third grade year. They then moved to Black Hawk and finally the family settled in Aberdeen in 1985. Nick attended C.C. Lee Elementary, Holgate Middle School and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1994. After a brief stint in the Chicago area he moved back to Aberdeen where he remained.

You might’ve known Nick as the bookstore guy or the show-stealer on the Aberdeen Community Theatre stage in a handful of productions in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. Many knew him as a trusted confidant and easy ear to bend. Nick wove many a memory with those he met in life. He had a passion for debate and a baker’s touch like his father. Summers never felt complete without a trip back to Winner and a canoe ride down the Niobrara River.

Nick married Kelda Larson on Oct. 5, 2002. They had three children together, Samuel, Quade, and Novella Pharris. They were married for 13 years. He had two more sons, Oliver and August Pharris, with Amber Schanzenbach. Nick’s favorite times were spent with his children, introducing them to music, taking them fishing, playing games, or going on a bum ride through country roads.

Nick will be dearly missed by his children; sisters, Brooke (Pharris) Meyers, of Aberdeen, and Bridget (Pharris) Schilling of Ramsey, MN; brother, Alexander Pharris of Aberdeen; parents, Bryan and Cindy Pharris of Aberdeen; grandmother, Doreen Holmquist of Aberdeen; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Walter and Eleanor Pharris and Marvin “Buzz” Holmquist, and uncles, JJ Holmquist, Michael Holmquist, and Kenton Pharris.

Funeral services for Pauline Hogue 82, Gregory, will be held July 17 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service. Burial will be in the IOOF Cemetery.

Hogue died at the nursing home in Gregory.

Pauline Hoffman was born on Dec. 8, 1937, at Valentine, NE to Fred & Margaret Hoffman.

She was raised on a ranch north of Cody, NE with five other siblings.

She attended grade school in Cody and then went to high school at St. Mary’s Academy in O’Neill, NE, graduating in 1955. She then taught at a rural school for two years.

She then went to Denver and attended Parks Business School in Denver.

While in Denver she met Charles

Hogue and they were married on June 13, 1959 in Nenzel, NE. To this union three children were born: Charles (Rick) Jr., Karen, and Angela.
She worked at various jobs in her lifetime, Gibsons and Pamida in Winner and Walmart in Yankton.

She moved to Gregory in 2004 and has resided there until her passing. She made many special friends living in the Church Street Apartments, Silver Threads, and the Rosebud Country Care Center.

Pauline is survived by two sisters, Betty Jackson and Mary Jo Ring, one brother Chuck and

Sister-in-Law Gena. Her son, Charles (Rick) and wife Sue and their children Joshua, Tyler, Chelsey, Melissa, and Matthew. Daughter Karen, husband Jeff, and daughter Nikki, Daughter Angela, husband Tim, and kids Briana and Damon.

She is also survived by 8 grand children, 13 great grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles in 2001. Her parents Fred and Margaret Hoffman, in-laws Carroll and Edith Hogue, brother William Hoffman, sister Bobbi Kunert, brother-in laws Gene Kunert, Jerry Ring, Irwin Jackson, grandson Christian Ayersman, and nephew Evan Hoffman.

Joanne Bartels, age 90, of Winner, South Dakota, died on Monday, June 22, 2020 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care.

Joanne Bartels was born Nov. 13, 1929 in Winner, South Dakota to Thomas Henry and Ruth (Sigafoos) Scissons. She was united in marriage to Elmer Charles Bartels, and together they had five children.

After her sister died, Joanne also raised her sister’s two children. Joanne was a dietary cook at the Winner Hospital for 35 years. She enjoyed cooking,baking, crocheting, yard work, and going to yard sales.

Joanne was from the time period that when somebody stopped to visit they should never leave hungry so she graciously fed anybody that walked through her door. She was extremely proud of all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them.

Survivors include two daughters Barbara (Arnold) Olson of Platte and Deborah “Debb” Vollmer of Winner; one son David Bartels of Winner; 8 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one sister Beverly Ruhkamp of Havre, Montana; and several nieces and nephews. Joanne was preceded in death by her husband Elmer Bartels; a daughter Sharon Hysell; a son Roger Bartels; one grandson Kelly Vollmer; her parents Thomas and Ruth Scissons; four sisters and one brother.

A public graveside service was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 29, at the Winner Cemetery in Winner.

Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.

James Vobr, 87 of Custer, SD formerly of Winner, SD passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at Custer Regional Care Center inCuster.

Graveside services were held on Monday, June 29, at 2 p.m. at the Colome Cemetery in Colome, SD.

James Vobr was born on Sept. 25, 1932 inWinner, SD to Ludvik and Stasie (Franek) Vobr. The family lived on a farm south of Winner.

James attended the Vobr Country school south of Winner and enlisted in the US Army in 1955 where he served in the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge in 1961, he returned to Colome and workedfor several farmers.

He later moved south of Winner but continued working for farmers in need of help.

James enjoyed his coffee, playing cards, fishing and just being outdoors. James is survived by his sister-in-law Clara Vobr of Mitchell, his niece Linda (LuVerne) Jager, of Wessington Springs, his three nephews: Brad, Jerry and Gary (Kristy) Vobr of Mitchell. One great nephew,Austin Vobr of Mitchell and 2 great nieces, Tiffany and Carissa Vobr of Mitchell.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ludvik and Stasie Vobr and one brother, Leonard Vobr.

Robert “Bob” George Clark, Sr., age 91, passed away on June 25, 2020 in Rapid City, SD. He was born on Nov. 7th, 1928 in Winner, SD.

Bob grew up on his family homestead in Clearfield, SD where he drove a school busat the age of 13 and later that same year drove a cattle truck to Omaha, NE. He joined the US Army Airforce in 1947.

When he returned home to Winner due to a family hardship in 1949, he married the love of his life Juanita Gemmrig. Their honeymoon consisted of a Harley Davidson Knucklehead motorcycle trip to the Black Hills.

He reenlisted in the US Air Force in 1951 where he served as an Engine Tech on B17 and B21 Aircrafts. He was stationed in Thailand and Guam during the Vietnam War where he obtained T34 and TF37 Jet Engine Aircraft qualifications.

He was also stationed at Goose Bay Labrador USAF, Offutt AFB in Nebraska, and K. I. Sawyer AFB in Michigan. He arrived at EAFB in 1968 where he served as the SNCOIC of the Jet Engine Propulsion Aircraft Maintenance Wing until he retired as a Senior Master Sergeant (SMSGT) in 1970. After retirement from the US Air Force, he continued with his passion for vehicles and mechanics working at the Rapid City Ford garage, Rushmore Texaco, Westside Truckstop in Winner and Jerry’s Marine in Rapid City to name a few.

In 1975, he started over hire at Ellsworth Transportation until 1984 when he enlisted in Civil Service at EAFB as a Heavy Mobile Equipment Repairer and later retired in 1995. Up until his early 80’s, you could find him tinkering in his home garage on boats, motorcycles, RVs, cars and trucks. In 1973 he rode a DT125 Yamaha in the 3-day National Trials. He also competed in numerous other motorcycle enduros throughout the years with his sons.

In his later years, he spent his down time bowling in Senior Leagues at Robbinsdale Lanes. Even at 91, he could still throw a strike!

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Juanita Clark; his two sons Robert G. (Pat) Clark Jr., David A. (Gay) Clark; and his daughter Diana M. Clark, all of Rapid City; his two sisters, Alice (Ray) Minchow of Winner and Lilly (Howard) Nussbaum of Belle Fourche; and a brother William “Bill” (Joann) Clark of Winner.

He has six grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.He is preceded in death by his daughter Barbara Clark, his son Eugene “Tuff” Clark, his brother Cecil Clark, his sister Betty Korb, and a grandson Deon Clark.

Rapid City visitation will be on Wednesday, July 8 at 12 p.m. followed by funeral services at 1 p.m. at Kirk Funeral Home.

Winner visitation will be on Thursday, July 9 at 11 a.m. (Central Time Zone) at Mason Funeral Home followed by burial at 1 p.m. at the Winner Cemetery. Family and friends are welcomed to share stories and condolences on the Kirk Funeral Home website.

Joanne Bartels, age 90, of Winner, died Monday morning, June 22, 2020 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care.

Survivors include two daughters Deb Volmer of Winner, and Barbara (Arnold) Olson of Platte; one son David Bartels of Winner; 8 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one sister Beverly Ruhkamp of Havre, Montana; and several nieces and nephews. Joanne was preceded in death by her husband Elmer Charles Bartels; a daughter Sharon Hysell; a son Roger Charles Bartels; one grandson Kelly Volmer; four sisters and one brother.

Funeral services are pending with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.