Category Archives: Obituaries

Lori Roubideaux, 52, of Bonesteel, SD passed away on Sunday, May 17t, 2020 at the Avera Gregory Health Care Facility in Gregory, SD.

A graveside service was held on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 1 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Garden Cemetery in Wood, SD.

Lori Ann Roubideaux was born on June 2nd, 1967 to Caroline (Roubideaux) Zephier and Sylvan High Rock in Rosebud, SD. Lori spent most of her life in Winner, SD until she moved to Gregory with her life long partner Scott Eagle Star and had 3 girls together.

Lori was the life of the party. Always smiling, laughing and joking around. She adored children and always had candy tucked away in her purse for them.

Lori was very involved with the youth in the Creek Community and served as the Youth Bull Coordinator for years. When she got sick, she moved to Bonesteel with her sister Violet and resided there until the date of her death.

Lori passed away on May 17, at Gregory Avera Health Care due to cardiac arrest.

She is survived by her six children Michelle, Dolly, Thomas, Rhiannon, Kristen, and Mika and her 11 grandchildren and 1 on the way. Her significant other Scott and his 4 children Nicholas, Trisha, Christopher, and Wayne and their children.

Lori was 1 of 10 children. She is survived by her siblings; Denise, Madonna, Wayne Jr. Corrine, Becky, Mary, Clara, Violet, and Celeste and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother Caroline, father Sylvan, brother Christopher Sr., step-grandson Owen Cay and many aunts and uncles.

Lori is loved by many and will be missed by all!

Public graveside services for John M. Hanig, 66, were held 11 am Saturday, May 23, 2020 at the Riverview Cemetery at Chamberlain.

John Michael Hanig “Opie” age 66, passed away May 16, 2020 in Oacoma, SD.

John was born March 2, 1954 in Gregory, SD to John A. and Orvilla (Boes) Hanig. He was raised on the family farm south of Reliance, SD.

John attended country school until high school where he graduated from Chamberlain High School in 1972.

After graduation he worked road construction for Gustafson Construction and drove truck for Gary Goodman Trucking.

On April 22, 1978 John married Sandy Kenyon. Together they had one daughter, Samantha. From 1986 to 1997 they owned and operated Dakotah Floral.

John worked for Chamberlain Wholesale for 30 years. He made many great friends across the state on his daily travels for the wholesale. He was set to retire in the next few weeks to continue his love of his lawn irrigation business, Optimum Performance Irrigation Equipment (O.P.I.E).

John was very proud of his business and treasured every minute he got to spend doing it. He loved that he was able to name his business after his childhood nickname “Opie”.

John was a people person. He loved to visit with everyone. He was especially proud of his grandson Maxon (Max). He was notorious for showing pictures and videos of Max’s accomplishments.

He was looking forward to his retirement and being able to attend more of Max’s sporting events.

John was a member of the Chamberlain/Oacoma Fire Department and is an honorary member. He was also a member of the Lakers Car Club. John had a deep appreciation of cars. He talked endlessly how he was going to restore his 1970 Chevelle SS for his grandson to have in high school.

He was surround by a great group of men that encouraged him to enjoy life. He always looked forward to his evenings with the AA (Adams Agency) group. He was looking forward to having more time and traveling to the Black Hills and riding his motorcycle with the boys.

Above all else, John was fiercely proud of his daughter, his son-in-law, and his pride and joy grandson. He was also a loyal brother who dedicated his time to those he loved. There was nothing he would not do for his family. He leaves a hole in many of our hearts and will be greatly missed by many.

He is survived by daughter Samantha, son-in-law Ryan Speed and grandson Maxon Speed of Rapid City. Siblings Gary (Fritz) and Ruth Ann Hanig of Rapid City, Jean Beckman of Chamberlain, Ann and Boyd Thiel of Chamberlain, Tony Hanig and Terami Frantz Nespor of Winner, Jim and Betty Hanig of Pukwana. Aunts Shirley Vosicka of Gregory and Wanda Engel of Winner. Special Uncle Donnie and Eleanor Hanig of Winner. His “adopted” sons Kevin and Leslie Olesen and Luke and Hilary Giese all of Chamberlain. Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents John and Orvilla Hanig, one brother Mark Hanig, brother-in-law Erv Beckman, two half-sisters Cleo Binder and Joyce Olson.

In the words of John: Tally-Ho and Stay cool.

Crystal “Cris” Blare, age 62, passed away on Saturday May 16, 2020 at the Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell, SD.

Funeral service was held on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Luncheon was served at the Witten Community Hall immediately following burial.

Crystal Lynn Maier was born on Feb. 10, 1958 to Eugene and Velma Maier in Winner, SD. She attended grade school at Pahapesto School in northern Tripp County, across the road from her family ranch.

She spent her freshman year at Wood High School alongside her brother Terry who was a senior at the time. She would attend the rest of high school and graduate from Winner High School in 1975.

Following graduation, she moved to Wyoming and began working at True Trucking and later worked at Caterpillar.

She met the love of her life during this time and married Cully Blare on Aug. 12, 1989 in Gillette, Wyo. They spent several years trucking and were able to travel and see many parts of the country together.

On March 31, 1996, their daughter Josey was born in Tulare, CA, where Cully and Cris had decided to start their family.

In 2001, they moved to Coleridge, NE to be closer to her ailing dad. The following year they moved to Carter, SD and began ranching.

Cris held many jobs in her later life, some of her favorite were being a paraprofessional, the house mom in Josey’s sorority during her last semester in college, and housekeeper for all of her family and friends.

All of her life, Cris enjoyed helping and giving to those around her. She was most known for her intelligence and generosity, especially the quilts she made for her nieces and nephews and the Christmas cookies and candy boxes she made every year.

She told everyone that would listen that her proudest accomplishment was her daughter Josey and that she was attending law school at USD.

She is survived by her loving husband of 30 years, Cully, and her daughter Josey. Her brother Terry (Regina) and her sister Kim Sell.

Her stepsister Stacey Maier and stepmother Kathi Maier. 7 nieces and nephews – Ty Maier, Tara Maier, Taylor Maier, Terrance Maier, Trey Maier, Jacey Kreeger, Dusty Sell, and many uncles, aunts, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Eugene and Velma.

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.