Category Archives: Obituaries

Funeral services for Sandra Kay Young were held May 19 at the Lucas Baptist Church with Rev. Mark Tuttle officiating.

Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke.

Sandra Kay Vosika was born in Gregory SD to Stanley “Skyk” & Velda (Johnson) Vosika on May 10, 1945. She was baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist Church in Gregory.

She attended the Powell School east of Gregory through the 8th grade and then graduated from Gregory High School in 1963. In high school she participated in band and chorus.

She worked at the Gregory Hospital for 2 summers during high school as a nurse’s aide and also worked at an ice cream shop.

She attended the Sioux Valley Hospital School of Nursing for 1 year.

In 1964 Sandy met the love of her life, Weary Young, and they were married in Gregory on Nov. 14, 1964. They became the parents of five children: Brent, Brenda, Brian, Brett, and Breana. T

ragically they lost their first-born, Brent, to a freak electrical accident in 1967 when he was 2 years old.

Sandy was a homemaker as she and Weary moved around the state while he was working on various construction projects. They then moved to Gregory in 1967.

In 1973 she and Weary moved out to the farm northeast of Burke and Sandy then worked milking cows for her father-in-law until 1989. She worked at the bowling alley in Burke from 1994-2000.

Sandy bowled on a league in both Gregory and Burke for 33 years and enjoyed attending state bowling tournaments every spring.

She also enjoyed playing cards weekly starting in 1996 with a group at the bowling alley and then later at the Senior Center in Burke.

For many years she had a large garden and did a lot of canning. Her greatest joys were the births of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She babysat her grandchildren a lot over the years and enjoyed attending their various extracurricular activities as much as possible. She enjoyed doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles.

Sandy and Weary celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 2004 with a trip to Nashville, TN, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2014 with a trip to Branson, MO with their children and grandchildren.

She enjoyed many vacation trips through the years to the Black Hills and also traveled to Yellowstone National Park, Texas, Montana, Illinois, and Minnesota.

Sandy is survived by her husband, Weary; four children, Brenda Young of Midland TX, Brian (Dodi) Young of Sioux Falls, Brett (Betsy) Young of Sheldon IA, and Breana (Jack) Kennedy of Mitchell; nine grandchildren, Nicholas, Tyler (Karisa), Jenna (Zach), Taylor, Isaiah, Jackson, Paige, Ashlyn, and Drake; three great-grandchildren, Braxton, Gunnar, and Jolee; a brother, Craig (Roberta) Vosika of Gregory; brothers-in-law, Doyle (Barbara) Young and Boyt (Theresa) Young; an uncle, and several aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as two special “sisters,” Stella (Jack) Christensen of Council Bluffs IA and Cheryl Whiting of Gregory.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Brent; parents-in-law, Darrel & Helen (Brevik) Young; a brother-in-law, a niece, and several uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Grace Neyens, 95, of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at the Winner Regional Long-Term Care Facility in Winner, SD.

Graveside service will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Winner City Cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to service at the Mason Funeral Home from 10-11 a.m.

Grace Ellen Neyens daughter of the late Ernest and Nancy Ham of Viewfield, SD was born Oct. 22, 1924 in Rapid City, South Dakota. She attended grade school in Viewfield and graduated from high school in Rapid City in 1943.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Journalism from South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD in 1948. After graduation Grace moved to Winner and was employed as a reporter for the Winner Advocate.

On April 28, 1951 she was united in marriage to Harold Neyens, son of the late Pete and Carrie Neyens of Winner in the St. John Evangelist Catholic Church in Rapid City, SD. T

o this union two sons were born, Ross in September of 1952 and Lee in September of 1957.

Harold and Grace lived in Winner for a few years while Harold was employed by C.H. Sturgis Company. In 1960 they moved to the Neyen’s farm southwest of Winner where Harold and Grace farmed with Harold’s brothers, Lawrence and James Neyens. T

hey farmed together until Harold passed away in 2009. Grace continued to live on the farm until 2014 when she moved to the Winner Regional Long-Term Care Center.

Grace was a very active member of the Winner Catholic Daughters and the Weaver Tripp County Extension Club. She was a loving and kind person and a wonderful cook.

She was known for her “from scratch” Angel Food cakes. She enjoyed gardening and was an avid reader.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents, her three brothers; Guy, Ross, and Donald Ham and her only sister, Ruth Ann.

She is survived by her sons, Ross and Lee both of Winner, sister-in-law Alice Stewart of Sun City, AZ and several nieces and nephews.

Leona Mathis, 89, of Winner, SD passed away on Monday, May 11, 2020 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility in Winner.

Graveside service was held on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 11 a.m. . Visitation was held on Saturday, May 16 from 10-11 a.m. at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church Ladies Aid.

Leona was a lifelong Tripp County resident. She was born on Aug. 14, 1930 to Benjamin and Katherina (Burr) Littau at the family home near Carter, South Dakota. Leona was one of ten children.

She attended grade school at New Liberty School south of Carter. When Leona moved to Winner, she got a job working at the Westside Station for Paul Blomstrom where she met her future husband.

On Feb. 19, 1961 she was united in marriage to Richard Mathis at the Lutheran Church in Witten, South Dakota. To this union two sons were born, Todd and Scot.

Leona was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary, and a member of the Trinity Lutheran Ladies Aid.

She loved gardening, baking sugar cookies, chocolate sheet cake and feeding all of her many visitors, never sending any of them away hungry.

Leona is survived by her sons, Todd (Lisa) of Valentine, NE, and Scot of Winner, SD (Deb Sarver) of Rapid City, SD.; grandchildren Skylar of Chicago, IL, Macey of Valentine, NE, Morgan of Box Elder, SD, Colter and Lathe Sarver both of Rapid City, SD, brother Ted Littau, and sisters Edna Haase and Arlene Post and many nieces and nephews.

Leona is preceded in death by her husband Dick Mathis, parents, Benjamin and Katherina, brothers: Fred Littau, Reuben Littau, Johnny Littau and sisters; Emma Lenser Freda Legge and Luellen Littau.

Marian Ruth Jorgensen went to be with the Lord on May 17, 2020. She was 95 and a resident of Golden Prairie Manor in Winner, S.D., and passed away because of a stroke and heart complications.

Memorial services are planned for Aug. 3, 2020, at the First Christian Church in Winner, but may be further delayed depending on the Covid-19 pandemic and the ability of the family to travel.

Internment will follow at the Winner Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at the First Christian Church. The funeral will be held jointly with that of Marian’s son, Terry Jorgensen, of Taylors, S.C., who passed away on March 30, 2020.

Marian was born on March 26, 1925, in Great Falls, Montana.

When she was five weeks old, her mother Mary Struble Applegate (later Fredricks) took Marian, her brother Frank and sister Merlyn by train to Nebraska where her father, Edward, met them and took them to Winner, where he had found employment as a mechanic.

Marian lived in Tripp County most of her life, graduating from Winner High School in 1942. She attended Springfield Normal School and taught for a year near Hamill.

She married Fred Schwenkner, who passed away in 1953, and married Harry Victor Jorgensen in 1955, who passed away in 2001.

Harry always referred to Marian as “the Little Flower.” They had two sons, Terry Jorgensen and Tony Harry Jorgensen (Jane), Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; and two daughters, Nancy Jorgensen (Dennis Barnhardt) of Pomerene, Ariz.; and Mary Ann Schroeder of Pierre.

The Flower loved to play cards and talk with friends and family. Her life’s mission from 2001 to 2018 was to finish the beautiful home on the hill that Harry had been restoring for more than 30 years—and she did.

Marian was also thankful to have shared her life with granddaughter Teresa Gross (Scott) of Newcastle, Wyo, and their children Hannah, Ramsey and Harrison. She viewed Terry’s former wife and Teresa’s mother, Donna Lucas (Kevin) of Sioux Falls as a dear friend and daughter, She was also survived by granddaughter Alexis Sprogis (Brandon) of Taylors, S.C., and their daughters Avery and Bailey. Marian was also close to grandniece Lovelyn Abbey of Phoenix.

One of 10 children, Marian’s surviving siblings include Deanna Croston (Allen) of Winner; Gene Fredricks (Donna) of Phoenix; and William Applegate (Mary) of Albuquerque. Special thanks go out to her niece, Sandy Croston, as well as Deanna and Allen Croston and others who helped Marian in her final years.

For 25 years, Marian worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and then became an independent crop insurance agent, retiring in 1995.

Active in community service, she was a leader in the First Christian Church for more than 85 years.

She was also in the GFWC Winner Woman’s Club, VFW Auxiliary, the American Legion Auxiliary, Friends of the Library, Tripp County Historical Society, RSVP, the Democratic Party and other organizations.

Memorials may be sent in Marian’s name to the First Christian Church, 326 Madison St., Winner 57580. Marian’s husband Harry built the church and many other landmarks in Winner.

Memorials may also be sent in her name to the Winner Regional Hospital, 745 E. 8th St., Winner.

Iva Lee Meister, 94, of Winner, SD passed away on Monday, May 11, 2020 at the Winner Regional Long-Term Care Center in Winner, SD.

Funeral Services were held on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Iva Lee Meister, age 94, was born to Amos and Irene Harter, Feb. 25, 1926, and passed away May 11, 2020. Iva Lee grew up in Witten South Dakota. She graduated from Winner High School.

She married Kenneth Meister and lived in Winner. She hung wallpaper and as result she met the boss of JC Pennies who offered her a job, where she worked until she took the keys to the store, to the realtor when the store closed.

Iva Lee taught Sunday School from the age of 15 until the of 80 years. She also joined a bowling team and met them every Wednesday morning. Iva Lee was also known for her baking of pies and sharing with friends in the community. She also volunteered at a special needs camp after she retired.

Iva Lee Is survived by two children, Richard John (Dick), wife, Susan and Donna Lee Sjostrom, husband Larry. She has 6 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers, Fred Harter and William (Bill) Harter, numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth Meister, sister Iona Kruger, brothers Joe Harter and Stanley Harter.

Guyla Joy (Cahill) Tritle, 97, of Winner, SD passed away on Monday, May 11, 2020 at the Winner Regional Health Care Center with her children, Steven & Tracy and nieces, Maureen & Michelle by her side.

A Memorial Service/Graveside Service was held on Tuesday May 19, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the Winner City Cemetery.

Guyla was born Sept. 13, 1922 in Plainview Township on the family homestead to Guy & Ruby Cahill. She attended Plainview Rural School and started school at age 5 because she and her sister Echo did not want to be separated.

She attended rural school through the 8th grade and graduated from Winner High School in 1939. After high school she worked at the Fashion Shop in Winner.

In 1942 Guyla and her two sisters, Echo and Chic moved to Long Beach, California where Guyla worked at Cal-Air Construction. While there Guyla met Ralph Tritle who was serving in the Navy during World War II.

After the war Guyla and Ralph returned to Winner, SD and were married on Nov. 9, 1946. To this union two children were born, a son, Steven and a daughter, Tracy. Guyla’s main love and focus was raising her children and helping on the family farm.

Guyla always had a great love for animals and often talked of helping her dad break horses and raising her pet coyote from a pup. Tracy inherited her mother’s love for animals and Guyla enjoyed going to exotic animal sales and miniature horse and donkey shows with her daughter.

They often came home with a new addition to add to the animal family.

Guyla loved to cook and as a result acquired a huge collection of cook-books. Ralph always told guest “If you leave here hungry it’s your own fault.”

Guyla was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and BPO Does.

Guyla is survived by her children, Steven (McKayla) Tritle & Tracy Tritle. Her grandchildren; TaNeal (Jeff) Boer, Courtney (Paul) Brozik, Blaire Tritle, Brandon (Laura) Tritle and seven great-grandchildren. Her nieces Maureen (Squeek) Hollenbeck, Michelle Parvin, nephews; Brent (Caroline) Hewett, Guy Hewett and many great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ralph, sisters Echo Dillon and Chic Hewett, great niece Tanya Parvin, and nephew Lynn Parvin.

Russell “Rusty” J. Till, 45, of Bismarck, N. D., passed away on April 28, 2020 after a lifelong battle with diabetes.

Rusty was born at Baptist Hospital in Winner, SD on July 3 1974. Rusty grew up in the Wood/White River area and later moved to Winner, SD.

He worked for many years as a manager at the local McDonald’s. Rusty’s favorite job was providing music entertainment with his best friends, they were known as “Digital DJs”.

Some of Rusty’s hobbies were riding his motorcycles, fishing with his sons, spending time with his family, going to see movies with his nieces, and watching his nephew play softball.

Many of his friends will remember spending time with him cruising the four lanes in his Chevy S10 pickup with his music blaring.

Rusty’s favorite time of year was celebrating his birthday and having his family come together for the 4th of July fireworks show that his brother-in-law hosts in Bismarck.

Rusty is survived by his mother Judy Till, of Pierre, SD, his sisters Karen (Tim) Hagen of Bismarck, ND and Janet (Melvin) Toman of Carter, SD, his two sons, Alex Till and Riley Sund, of Winner, SD, the mother of his sons and lifelong friend, Tammy Sund, of Winner, SD, and his nieces and nephews, Casey (Gene) Baker, of Newell, SD, Craig (Alyssa) Toman, of Carter, SD, Lindy (Sean) Gandy, of Bismarck, ND, Kelsey (Cody) Miller, of Wilton, ND, Justin Hagen, of Bismarck, ND, Precious (Jagger) Walking Eagle, of El Paso, TX, Ayanna and Marisa Tafoya of Bismarck, ND and his great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Robert “Bob” Till. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1p.m. at the Wood Community Hall on Saturday, May 16.

Lyle Smith was born Nov. 25, 1939, to Herbert and Ida (Juhnke) Smith. He grew up on his family’s ranch in Vivian, SD and graduated from Vivian High School in 1957.

After high school, he attended Dakota Wesleyan College for one year and then enlisted into the United States Army. He was honorably discharged in 1961.

Lyle married Mary Muldoon on Aug. 20, 1966. They established their family ranch south of Presho where they raised their 4 children.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, snow skiing and taking trips with family and friends. Also, he was an avid pilot.

Lyle was a life member of the Presho Lions Club. He was active in bowling and golf leagues in Presho. You could find him at Hutch’s for coffee many times throughout the day.

The last few years of his life he lived at Bethany Meadows in Brandon, SD. His jokes will be missed in the hallways. Thank you to family and friends who visited and sent Lyle cards and gifts.

He certainly appreciated it. Lyle tested negative for the COVID-19 virus but was certainly a victim of the social distancing.

Lyle is survived by his children; Margaret Louwagie (Steve Kesteloot) of Marshall, MN, Rev. Daniel Smith of Clark, SD, Dustin (Brooke) Smith of Presho, and Melissa (Eric) Fowles of Jensen, UT.

He is also survived by his brother Lorne Smith, his grandchildren: Miranda, Abigail, Natalie, Brayden, Gabe, Violet, Marissa, and Adam and numerous nieces nephews and cousins.

Lyle was preceded in death by his wife Mary M. Smith, his parents Herb and Ida Smith, brothers Richard and Robert, sister Marlys and sisters-in-law Joyce and Carolyn.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established and the funds will be used to make updates to the Presho City Park. Donations can be sent to the Lyle Smith Memorial at 30328 248th Street, Presho, SD 57568.

Graveside services were held at 11:30 am on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at Holy Angels Catholic Cemetery in Presho with Reverend Daniel Smith officiating.

The public is welcome to attend but the family asks that you please respect social distancing.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak this service will be live streamed on the Isburg Funeral Chapel website. You can find the link at the top of Lyle’s obituary. Visitation will take place before the graveside.

Due to CDC guidelines this will be limited to 10 people at a time. Please call Melissa at (701) 339-8978 if you would like to schedule a time. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be prayed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be written at: www.isburgfuneralchapels.com. You can also show support by taking part in our “Together In Spirit” option. Please email your name and a message of support to togetherinspirit@yahoo.com and we will place it on a heart that will be attached to a chair at the visitation.

The family will be able to read your heartfelt message and know that you are together with them in spirit.

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.