Category Archives: Obituaries

Blaine “Bing” Kounkel, 83, of Winner, South Dakota, formerly of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away Saturday, April 25, 2020 at Winner Regional Healthcare Center in Winner, South Dakota.

Graveside service were held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2, 2020 at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Hinton, Iowa.

Reverend Steven Stoll officiated. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Blaine Roy Kounkel was born April 30, 1936 in Merrill, Iowa, the son of Roy and Loretta (Robinson) Kounkel.

He attended country school in Stanton Township, rural Plymouth County, Iowa and graduated from Le Mars Community High School in 1954.

He was united in marriage to Carolyn Larson on Nov. 10, 1958. To this union, six children were born.

Bing farmed in Plymouth County until 1972, when he and his family moved to Sioux Rapids, Iowa. In 1975, they moved to the Neptune area in rural Plymouth County, Iowa.

Bing did several jobs over the years including, custom spraying, well work, ran the Neptune store, and drove truck up until retiring due to his health. In 2008, he moved to Le Mars and in 2013, moved to Winner, South Dakota.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Hinton and the Shrine Temple. He was active in the White Horse Mounted Patrol for many years. He enjoyed working with horses and was a baseball fan.

His favorite team was the Clearfield Sandburs which his grandsons Landon, Brody, and Logan played on. He enjoyed spending time with his family and watching his grandchildren in all their activities.

Survivors include Carolyn Kounkel of Le Mars; 4 children: Jeff Kounkel of Iliff, CO, Jackie (Dan) Davison of Le Mars, IA, Molly (Curt) Calhoon of Ideal, SD, and Troy Kounkel of Jasper, MN; 17 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; two brothers: Jack (Connie) Kounkel of Merrill, IA, and Don “Hap” (Sandy) Kounkel of Merrill, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Loretta Kounkel; two children, Lori Kounkel and David Kounkel; and a brother, Keith Kounkel.

Ervin “Erv” Bender, 74, of North Platte, Neb., passed away peacefully on April 26, 2020 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility in Winner, South Dakota after a short battle with cancer.

A private, family burial will be at the Winner Cemetery on Friday, May 8, 2020 at 11 a.m.

Erv was born on January 31, 1946 in Burke, South Dakota to Edwin Bender and Adeline (Kahler) Bender. He spent his early years on the farm with his parents and his grandparents, moving to Winner in the early 60’s.

He graduated from Winner High School in 1964.

While growing up, Erv attended St. Paul Lutheran Church south of Colome, SD and was confirmed on June 5, 1960.

He later attended Harvest Christian Fellowship in North Platte, NE.

Erv joined the National Guard after high school and was active for six years.

He spent his early working years at the Key Station in Winner, which led to his love of working on cars. He also started working at the Crossroads Market in Winner while in high school which led to his career in retail management.

He worked at Gibson’s in Winner, at first as assistant manager and then later as the manager. In the 70’s, he moved to Fort Morgan, Colo., to manage a Gibson warehouse. He later moved to North Platte, Neb., to manage a TSC Store.

When his wife became ill, he worked with her in her upholstery shop and then worked for the railroad transporting workers until his retirement.

Erv loved his little dog, Sassy, WWE wrestling, fishing, playing pool on leagues, and spending time with and helping his many friends.

He is survived by sisters, Betty (Barry) Tideman of Carter, SD, and Susan Long of Witten, SD; nephews, Brian (Melissa) Tideman of Rapid City, SD, Blake (Emily) Tideman of Winner, SD; nieces, Nikki Olson (friend, John Reed) of Winner, SD, Lacey Titze of Sioux Falls, SD, and Taylor (friend, Johnny Brooks) of Sioux Falls, SD as well as great nieces and nephews.

Ervin was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law, Kevin Long, and dear friend and ex-wife, Carol Bender.

Karen Jean Hauck Upchurch Ward, age 76, Gainesville, GA, formerly of Winner, SD, died peacefully in her sleep on April 19, 2020 at her home.

She was born to the late Emil Alfred Hauck and Doris Esther Vetter on Sept. 13, 1943. Ward was raised in Winner and graduated from Winner High School.

After graduating from high school she moved to New York City to be a personal assistant. She then moved to Georgia and worked for the state of Georgia as a secretary.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, Frank Ray Upchurch; and son, Kelly Shawn Upchurch.

A loving mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, Karen was an amazing cook, and an avid lover of all things crochet. She could be found often crocheting blankets, hats and squares to send to Africa.

Karen also had a passion for books and all things music. She was always reading something new and has a vast library of over 10,000 books she has collected throughout the years.

Her musical love started in high school where she sang in the local choir and church choir as a 3rd soprano. A member of the gospel group the Regeneration, she also sang the National Anthem for the Atlanta Braves each Mother’s Day for nearly 10 years.

Karen is survived by her daughter Shannon Jean Upchurch, of Newnan, GA; two precious grandsons whom she adored, Maxwell Todd Prochnow and Mitchell Reid Prochnow; her sister Laurel Renee Daniel, a sister in law Lores Hauck, and 4 nephews.

A private burial was performed at Roselawn Memory Garden in Lagrange, GA on Friday, April 24, 2020, where she was laid to rest beside her son and first husband.

A celebration of life will be held later in the year after the threat of COVID-19 has passed. She will be dearly missed.

Robert George Bahm was born March 28, 1934 on a farm near Lucas, South Dakota to Henry and Effie (Hedlund) Bahm. He joined his sister Alice and his brothers Bill, Lawrence and Lester.

He attended the Lucas School through the eighth grade. At the age of fourteen, he began working for area farmers.

In 1957 Robert moved to Pierre, South Dakota and worked at the Oahe Dam. While in Pierre he met Lavina Faatz, they were married Nov. 12, 1957 and to this union two sons were born: Randy and Rodney.

Robert had health issues which began in 1994. He passed away on April 22, 2020 at the Gregory Healthcare Center in Gregory, South Dakota at the age of 86 years.

Robert is survived by his wife Lavina of 62 ½ years; his son Randy and wife Rochelle and their daughter Sydney (Josh); his son Rodney and his children: daughter Mandy with her kids Jason and Neveah, son Kelly (Monque) and daughter Kobe; and his brother, Raymond Bahm.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Alice; his brothers: Bill, Lester and Lawrence and his sister Joyce.

As per Robert’s wishes, no services will be held.

Kristoffer Allan Robinson, 45, passed away on Thursday, March 26, 2020 at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital.

He was an intelligent, kind, handsome, capable human being who lost his life after a life-long battle with alcoholism.

Kris was preceded in death by his caring and loving grandparents, Granny and Gramps Bell.

Kris is survived by his mother, Deb Robinson of Piedmont; his uncles and aunts, Randy & Auntie Dee Bell of Dixon, SD, Kim Bell of Piedmont, SD, Cindy and Jerry Haskell of Alliance, NE and Amy and Bill Reiser of Wagner, SD.

Kris so enjoyed family holidays, celebrating birthdays, cooking and planning big family meals.

He also enjoyed getting together with all his cousins: The Bell Boys, The Haskell Boys, The Reisers and his only girl cousin, Sadie.

An interment of Kris’ cremated remains is planned for a later date.

Arrangements are with Kirk Funeral Home of Rapid City. www.kirkfuneralhome.com

Eldon Glenn Willuweit was born in Burke SD on Feb. 17, 1935 to Lea (Stroh) and Julius Willuweit. He went to school in Herrick, SD and on March 31, 1953 at the age of 17 he enlisted in the US Air Force.

Upon return he married Patricia A. Janousek on July 25, 1960.

Eldon did road construction until his interest of electronics led him to Chamberlain in 1962 to start a TV repair business they named E & P Electronics in the back of Joedens Furniture.

He worked there for many years learning his craft. Eldon and Pat moved E&P electronics into a building on Main Street in April of 1975, which boomed into a very successful business in the Chamberlain community for 45 years.

They retired in April of 2007.

Eldon was an avid bowler. He loved and supported bowling for many years. He was inducted into the Chamberlain Bowling Alley Hall of Fame.

On July 25, 2010, Eldon and Pat celebrated 50 happy years together. Shortly after that, we lost Pat to cancer. In 2013 Eldon married Jan Gruenig, and they shared the remainder of his life together.

Eldon passed away on April 18, 2020 at home in Chamberlain at the age of 85 years.

Gratefully sharing his life are his wife Jan, his two sons Steve (Bernadette) Willuweit, and Dave Willuweit, three grandchildren Jaime McCarrier, Rachel Lindner, and Eric Willuweit, 2 step daughters, Lorinda (John) Toupal, and Laura (Dan) Bateman, four step grandchildren, Alex and Aaron Toupal, Sarinda and Stephen Bateman, and five great grandchildren.

Eldon grew up in a large family with 14 siblings. He is survived by siblings Donna Steckman, Harley Willuweit, Marva Ryther, Barb Stott, Donald Willuweit, and Verdeen Davies.

Preceding him in death were his first wife Patricia, his parents Lea and Julius, his siblings Arlene Rang, Melvin Willuweit, Winston Willuweit, Darlene Kerner, Linda Kumley, Dennis Willuweit, Merle Willuweit , plus many brothers and sisters in law.

Due the COVID pandemic, private family services will be held.
Eldon will be interred in the Riverview Cemetery at Chamberlain.

Graveside services for Elton Serr, 79, were held April 8 at the Spotted Tail Cemetery in Jamison,Neb. Burial was in the Spotted Tail Cemetery with military honors by the Burke VFW.

Elton Gary Serr was born on Dec. 14, 1940 in Burke South Dakota to Paul and Winnie (Hitchcock) Serr and he died April 5, 2020 at his home. He was 79 years and 4 months old.

He grew up on the family farm southwest of Jamison, Neb. Elton attended Spotted Tail Country School in Nebraska and graduated from Burke High School in South Dakota in 1958.

After that he attended the University of Nebraska for one year. Golf distracted him a little from college, so he went to work for Bell Telephone in Piedmont South Dakota.

He traveled and had various jobs before he was drafted into the Army in November 1963. Elton was discharged from the Army in November 1965 and came back from Vietnam. This is when he met his future wife.

On Dec. 26, 1966, Elton was united in marriage to Georgia Ann Hamling at the Catholic Church in Bonesteel South Dakota. To this union 4 children were born.

They lived most of their lives on the Serr family farm where he milked cows and farmed.

Elton was a DHIA Supervisor for more than 25 years. He retired from farming in 2014 and moved to Burke. Elton didn’t like the retired life so he started to drive a school bus route for Burke School and drove the swim bus to Bonesteel during the summer.

He continued this until May of 2019. Some of his most loved pastime were golfing, camping and fishing, and going to all of his grandchildren’s sporting events.

He golfed every Thursday for men’s league and would go with his grandchildren whenever he could.

He was a member of the Burke VFW Post 9950, the Herrick Legion, and a member of the Spotted Tail Cemetery board.

Elton was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers-in-law: Charlie Kasson and Russ Cox.

He is survived by his wife Georgia Ann Serr, his children: Tamara and Carter Bull of Newport NE, Todd Serr of Newport NE, Travis and Kathy Serr of Burke SD, and Tom and Tammi Serr of Newport NE.

His sisters: Zone Kasson of Swansea IL and LaVon Cox of Montrose CO, his 12 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild, and several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Rose Marie Kahler passed away March 29, 2020 after a brief bout with cancer at the Mayo clinic in Rochester, MN.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Burke, SD.

Rose was born June 29, 1947 in Burke, SD to Glen and Lucine (Haidle) Smizer.

She attended school in Burke, graduating from Burke High School in 1966. After graduating, Rose attended beautician school in Nebraska.

She met Paul Kahler in 1968 they were married Sept. 4, 1970 in Winner, SD. To this union, two children were born, Tammy and Tim. They lived in Winner until 1976, when they moved to Sturgis, SD.

In 1980 she moved with her family to Rapid City, where she lived the rest of her life.

Rose did childcare until she retired in 2010. She enjoyed listening to country music, dancing, bingo, going out to lunch with her friends and spending time with her grandkids.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Arnold; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rudolph and Lucille Kahler and son-in-law, Ira Sharpfish.

Grateful for having shared in Rose’s live are her husband, Paul; her children, Tammy (Brian) Snyder of Burke and Tim (Felicia) Kahler of Rapid City; her grandchildren, Steve Kautz of Burke, Shawn (Monserrat) Sharpfish of Honolulu, HI, Shawna Sharpfish of Burke and Shawntel Sharpfish of Burke; brother-in-law, Rudy (Lori) Kahler of Winner, SD; nieces and nephews and many good friends.

Arrangements are with Kirk Funeral Home of Rapid City. www.kirkfuneralhome.com

A private family service will be held on April 13, 2020, with a memorial service to take place at a later date.

Marilynn Jiracek, 96, of Winner, SD, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2020 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility in Winner, SD.

Marilynn was born to Martha and John “Shorty” Hoy on Dec. 27, 1923.

Marilynn was a well-known seamstress in Winner and the surrounding area. She loved painting and listening to country music. She spent many hours tending her flowers and garden.

She is survived by her daughter Carolyn Foss, sister June Tappe, son-in-law Vernon, daughter-in-law Deb; grandchildren Colleen (Mark), Laurel (Mike), Shawn, Michael (Alaina), Terry (Shasta), Stacie (Shane), and Kevin (Sheena); along with her great grandchildren Alex, Shaun, Nicole, Siara (Hersh), Taylor (Sam), Jacquelynn, Shawn II,

Bruce, Riley, Payton, Harley, Madden, Stetson, Sawyer, Satyana; and great, great grandchildren Hudson, Saxton, Magnolia, Everly, and Rowdy, as well as many nieces
and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Sheryl, son Billy, sister Ada, and brothers Lawrence and Billy.

James LeMoyne “Bubba” Hedlund, 76, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2020 from cancer at Monument Health in Rapid City, SD.

Jim was born March 13, 1944 in Winner, SD to Floyd John and Florence Louella (Talcott) Hedlund.

He graduated from Winner High School in 1963, going on to college at National College of Business studying to be an accountant. In 1964 Jim decided to enlist in the United States Navy.

He served aboard the USS Yorktown and the USS America, reaching the rank of AE-2. He enjoyed his experiences while serving, but after 8 ½ years, he and his wife decided to leave the service so their children could get to know their grandparents.

Before leaving the service he went to Barber College at night while stationed in California to have an occupation once separating from the Navy.

He married the love of his life, Linda Kay Derry, on Aug. 27, 1966 in Winner, SD. They were blessed with a son, Brent Wade, in November 1968 and a daughter, Noelle Michelle, in February 1971.

His immediate and extended family was his greatest joy.

After leaving the Navy, Jim and family moved to Rapid City and he became the barber he studied so hard to be, but had the opportunity to join the Civil Service where he became a mechanic in the vehicle maintenance squadron at Ellsworth AFB for nearly 29 years.

Jim had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed visiting with everyone he met. After moving his family to New Underwood, he was active in the New Underwood Booster Club, being especially interested in the football team on which his son played. He worked hard to help raise money for a new scoreboard and crow’s nest in which he was an announcer for a short time.

Jim also volunteered to be an assistant coach for the football team, of which he was so proud.

Jim and Linda moved the family back to Rapid City and the couple began square dancing, and Jim went on to become a square dance caller and an avid golfer.

Jim had always enjoyed his favorite NFL team, the Minnesota Vikings, watching them religiously. He would yell at the TV, especially when his game would be interrupted by another game coming on.

He also enjoyed the Denver Broncos and enjoyed discussing the games on the phone with his son.

His is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Brent (Jysie Abucay) Hedlund and Noelle (Larry) Scoles; grandchildren, Robert (Jensen), Timothy, and Daniel (Halee) Oberhauser and Sheridan Hedlund; 5 great-grandchildren; one brother, Gary (Carol) Hedlund; one sister, Valerie (Tom) Stevens; and many nieces and nephews; and since 2002 he had gained step-grandchildren, Larry Scoles II, Amanda (Kevin) Osborne, Katrina (Scoles) Zimmer, Elizabeth Scoles, Gabrielle Roth, and Allyssa Abucay, Andrea Abucay, and Linda Rose Abucay; as well as 7 step-great-grandchildren.

Jim will be laid to rest at the Black Hills National Cemetery.