Category Archives: Obituaries

Funeral services for Don Christensen age 87 of Gregory, SD will be held on Wednesday, March 4, at 10:30 am at the Congregational Church in Gregory, SD. Burial will follow in the IOOF Cemetery.

Cindy Kemp, 65, of Millboro, SD passed away at her home on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 2 pm at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner, SD.

Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to memorial service.

Cindy was born on Jan. 26, 1955 to William and Virginia (Anderson) Heese in Gregory, SD.

She passed away peacefully at her home in Millboro, SD on Feb. 21, 2020.

Cindy attended elementary and grade school in Millboro, graduating from Colome High School in 1973.

In 1975, Michael was born to Cindy and David Kahler. Cindy later married Jerry Kemp, who adopted Michael.

While married to Jerry, she lived and worked on the farm south of Winner.

In 1997 she moved to Ainsworth, Neb., where she worked as a secretary for her brother Bill at Quality Truck & Tire. She worked there for several years until Bill sold the business and moved with his family to Missouri.

She then worked for a number of years as a secretary/receptionist for Farmer Ranchers COOP in Ainsworth.

In 2014, Cindy returned to the family farm to help her brother and sister Dale and Marlene. She remained on the farm helping wherever needed until her passing.

Cindy was a lifelong member of the New Apostolic Church in Ainsworth, Neb.

Cindy was preceded in death by both her paternal and maternal Grandparents, her parents William and Virginia Heese, mother-in-law and father-in-law Grace and Arthur Kemp, brother-in-law Keith Sloan and many aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her son Michael (Crystal) Kemp, grandchildren Chastin, RaeLynn and MaKaela Kemp, stepson Tod (Lori) Kemp and their daughter Grace.

She also leaves behind her sister Marlene Sloan, her brothers Bill (Melody) Heese and Dale Heese along with her nephews Zach (Stacy) Ries, Billy Heese, Adam (Sable) Heese, Benjiman (Maddie) Heese and Jesse Heese and very dear aunt Margot Vavra.

Memorial services for Fred A. Mayes, 67, of Reliance, SD were held 10 a.m., Monday, March 2, 2020 at the First Christian Church in Winner, SD with burial of the ashes in the Winner City Cemetery in Winner, SD.

Fredrick Alonzo Mayes was born Nov. 5, 1952 to George and Donna Jean (Bailey) Mayes.

He attended elementary school at Star Valley and then the Ideal School. He attended high school at Winner, SD graduating in 1971.

During Fred’s childhood he was a member of 4H and throughout his high school years he was a member of the FFA.

He played baseball as a child.

On Dec. 31, 1980, Fred was united in marriage to Edye Snyder and to this union two children were born Misty in 1982 and Fredrick “Rocky” in 1988.

Fred worked on various farms and ranches including the family farm.

In October of 1990, Fred was united in marriage to Edith Roberts and to that union two children were born Alice in 1990 and Mable in 1992.

They made their home in Missouri and while there Fred worked driving garbage truck and tow truck.

Around 2000, they moved back to South Dakota where he worked various ranch jobs.

In 2003, Fred began working for Edna Schelske on the Schelske Farms where he was still working at the time of his death.

He loved the outdoors and all that the ranch jobs entailed including the cattle, horses, and dogs.

Fred passed away on Feb. 26, 2020 at Reliance, SD at the age of 67 years.

He is survived by his children Misty (Darian) Riter of Henry, SD and their children Dawson and Carson, Fredrick “Rocky” (Krystal Paulson) Mayes of Watertown, SD and their children Cobain, Telajo, Bentley, Alice (CJ) Metz of Kennebec, SD and their children Samantha and Charlotte, and Mable (Joseph) Genzler, of Woodbine, IA and their children Markus, Jaxx, Phalen, Brantley, and JoEllen; his siblings Don (Cathy) Mayes of Winner, SD, Joann (Myron) Giddings, Aurora, CO, Carol (Wayne) Cooper of Montana, Amy Duxbury of Huron, SD, and Maxine (Jim) Fischer of Winner, SD; Lauren Mayes of Dallas, SD; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents George and Donna (Bailey) Mayes, grandparents Amos and Mabel Bailey and George and Mable Mayes, two brothers Tom and John Mayes; and several aunts and uncles.

John Condon, 67, of Millboro, SD passed away on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020 at his home near Millboro.

Memorial service was held on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the Tripp County 4-H Center in Winner, SD. Burial will be held at a later date.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to service.

John Wallace Condon was born to Howard and Vera (Pratt) Condon in Winner on Dec 17, 1952.

He grew up on ranches in South Dakota where his father worked. He competed in high school rodeo and graduated from Sturgis High School in 1971.

He worked at sale barns and Whitewood Post and Pole in the Black Hills area.

He met Marie Kollmar at the Days of ’76 in Deadwood in 1974 and were married Oct. 23 1976. They lived in the Sturgis area until moving back to Millboro in 1981.

He then started work for SD DOT as a highway maintenance worker until 1996. He later became a field enumerator for NASDA interviewing ag producers for the USDA until the time of his passing.

Their son KayCee was born in 1987. They were active the KBR harness and saddle club for many years enjoying riding and driving teams on trail rides/drives.

When KayCee joined 4H, John and Marie became co-leaders of the local club.

KayCee’s first year of 4H John was asked to chaperone at 4H Camp at Camp Bob Marshall as they needed an adult to chaperone the boys attending.

This led to many years of taking kids to camp and many years of serving on the board of directors for camp.

KayCee started shooting sports andsd John got certified as an instructor eventually becoming certified in most the disciplines offered.

In 2006 and 2007 he was the Chief Range Officer for Muzzleloader at the National 4H Shooting Sports Invitational in Rapid City and was assistant Range Officer at nationals when it was in Grand Island, NE for 8 years.

He worked at South Dakota State Fair 4H division for 15 years overseeing the general assistant crew to set up and tear down all 4H events during the fair (the only time he got paid monetarily for working with 4H).

He loved 4H and especially shooting sports and seeing the kids grow through the program and spent countless hours helping many kids to achieve their goals.

John and Marie both received many rewards for their service to 4H locally and state wide.

They started attending Old West Days Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Valentine, NE in 1992 and never missed a performance through 2019.

The Condon family was honored as Parade Marshalls for the OWD parade in 2006. He loved the horses, then the mules, and all activities with them as well as all the friends made through that and with 4H.

He was still active in 4H until the time of his passing.

John passed away at home Feb. 22 after declining health. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, many aunts and uncles, his half-brother Denzil Rush.

He is survived his wife, Marie, son, KayCee, sister, Nelda Brown, other relatives and many other “family.”

Diane Burdette, 67, Colome, passed away on Feb. 23 at Winner Regional Health.

Funeral service was held on Feb. 28 at 10:30 a.m. at Cavalry Chapel, south of Colome. Burial followed in the Colome city cemetery.

Diane Kay Burdette was born on April 12, 1952 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Sullivan, Ind., to Benjamin and Blanche Matousek. Diane was the third of four children.

In 1954 she moved with her family to a farm 5 miles south of Colome, SD. Growing up on the farm Diane developed a fondness for animals.

She enjoyed picking wild flowers and playing with her sister and brothers.

Diane attended a one room country school not far from their farm for two years, until it closed. From there she attended the Colome Public School.

During her school years Diane enjoyed singing in the choir, spending time with her family and friends, helping around the house, milking cows, and other farm chores.

During Diane’s childhood her family would often travel back to Sullivan Ind., to visit their close friends the Burdette’s. In May of 1978 Diane reunited with long-time friend Robert Ray Burdette.

After a year of courtship Diane and Robert were married at the Tripp County Courthouse on May 29, 1979. After their wedding Diane and Robert lived on the farm with Diane’s mother Blanche.

Diane enjoyed riding along with Robert in the semi, going dancing, playing cards with friends, and listening to music.

While living on the farm they had two children, Robert III and Mary.

In 1986 Robert and Diane moved from the farm to a home in Colome, SD with their two children and mother Blanche. In 1988 Diane got a job working at the Winner Nursing Home doing housekeeping.

In 1990 Robert and Diane bought their current home in Colome where they would live and raise their family. There they had one more child, Jonathan.

Diane enjoyed raising her family and taking family trips to different areas of the country. Diane enjoyed the Christmas season always making it a special time.

Diane continued working at the Winner Nursing Home for over 30 years until her health finally would not allow.

She always enjoyed being around and visiting with the residents.

During this time Diane watched her family grow. She was able to see her children get married and grandchildren born.

She often spent time with their families. Memories they will cherish forever.

In 2018 Diane was diagnosed with colon cancer which she battled for 2 long years.

Robert became her caregiver as her health declined and provided her loving care until she passed away on Feb. 23 at the age of 67 years at Winner Regional Hospital.

Diane and Robert were married 40 years.

Family was the most important thing to Diane. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Whether it be sharing a family meal, reading to her grandchildren, playing games, or visiting on the phone. Diane was a kind hearted, hard-working, loving mother, devoted wife, and caring friend.

“Diane was loved by many and will be dearly missed.”

Diane is survived by her husband, Robert, their 3 children: Robert Burdette of Colome, SD, Mary (Ray) Stevicks of Burke, SD, Jonathan (Aspen) Burdette of Winner, SD. Grandchildren; Ray, John, Katherine, Ben, Joseph, Rebecca, David, and Sarah Stevicks. Keegen, Kamden and Karter Burdette.

Taylor and Tyler Chasing Hawk. And several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, brothers; Bob Matousek and Gary Matousek, and sister Judy Bender.

Funeral services for Eugene “Bud” Reuer will be held March 6 at the United Methodist Church in Burke at 10 a.m.

Burial will be in the Reliance Cemetery.

Eugene William Reuer (and his twin sister Estella) were born March 12, 1929 to William & Lena (Wagaman) Reuer in Reliance, South Dakota.

He passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on Feb. 28, 2020 at the Burke Community Memorial Hospital.

Eugene (Bud) attended rural school north of Reliance and graduated from Reliance High School, class of 1947. He farmed and ranched with his parents until Oct. 1, 1951 when he joined the United States Navy.

Eugene (Bud) served aboard the carrier USS Bon Homme Richard CVA -31 during the Korean War.

He was also assigned to the UR 3 Air Squadron and the carrier USS Wright CU.L 49 before he was discharged in September of 1955.

On Nov. 17, 1956, Eugene married his wife, Laura Lea Anderson at the Kennebec Methodist Church. Together they raised five children; Eugene Jr., Sheree, Patricia, Bryan and Brad on their farm north of Oacoma.

Bud taught his children many skills, the most important was to work hard and be of good character. In 1973 the family moved to a dairy farm south of Herrick.

Eugene and Laura moved to the town of Herrick in 1992. Eugene and Laura celebrated 63 years of marriage in November 2019.

Eugene (Bud) was a loyal member of the Herrick American Legion Post 220, the Reliance American Legion Post 179 and the Burke VFW Post No. 9950.

He served as a proud commander in the Burke VFW as well as the Herrick and Reliance American Legion.

Bud was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was an avid Twins baseball fan, baseball player and even coach to the Herrick Teeners.

His favorite pastimes were playing cards at Bernie’s, hunting, fishing, having a good cup of coffee with family and friends and taking Laura dancing.

Bud was a wonderful grandfather who always showed his love and support by making time for all of them.

He is survived by his wife Laura, sons Eugene Jr. and Bryan (wife Kirstin); daughters Sheree Hickey (husband Terence) and Patricia; grandchildren Kelsey, Ashley, Tanner, Lacey, Samira, Gunner, Danielle, Aaron, Sierra and Dakota; great grandchildren Finola, Chevelle, Holly, Denton Jr., Chevy, Jasen Jr., Hannah and Beth and his many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Lena; sisters Helen Kenobbie and Estella Powers; son Brad and grandchildren Kristoffer and Drew.

Eugene (Bud) and his sense of humor, kind heart, strong will, determination, helpfulness and caring nature will be missed dearly by all of his friends and family.

Shirley Turgeon, 88, of Winner, SD passed away on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Facility in Winner, SD.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at 10 am at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. A Rosary will be held on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 at 7 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner.

Burial will be held at a later date.

Shirley (McKenzie) Turgeon was born Sept. 21, 1931. She was the fourth of five children born to Homer and Pearl (Mackrall) McKenzie. She grew up on the family farm southwest of Dallas, SD.

Shirley attended grade school at the McKenzie country school and high school in Gregory. She worked at the Gregory Dry Cleaners and Walt Pharris Bakery during high school and after graduation.

On Oct. 3, 1949 she married Clair Turgeon and to that union nine children were born. In her lifetime in addition to being a housewife and mother, Shirley worked as a nurse’s aide at the Burke Community Hospital.

She also worked at Lutt’s dry goods in Burke, sold monuments for Ainsworth Monument Co. and sold Watkins Products. After moving to Winner in 1970 she worked as a nurse’s aide and then a unit clerk at the Winner Baptist Hospital.

From 1979 to 2001 Shirley and Clair co-owned the Speed Queen Laundromat and Car Wash located in Winner. Shirley really enjoyed reading and bowling (bowling in nationals in North Dakota), and also sewing (which she taught to her daughters), fishing, camping, knitting, crocheting, gardening, canning and was known for her delicious cinnamon rolls baked on Saturdays in Burke.

Shirley made afghans for each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. These beautiful works of art will be forever cherished.

Shirley enjoyed visits from all of her family and especially the great-grandchildren. Shirley was a long-time member of the Catholic church. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Altar Society in Burke, American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary and Sisters and Survivors (breast cancer support group).

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Pearl McKenzie, brothers Dr. Kenny (Mardy) McKenzie, Jim (Loretta) McKenzie, infant sister Elizabeth Jane, infant son Kevin James, grand-daughter Rebecca Hubbard and grand-son Alex Turgeon.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 70 years, Clair Turgeon; her sister, Maxine Moxon-Davis; her children, Sandra (Alan) Hubbard, their children Erin, Scott, Rachel, Andrew and their families; David (Kathy) their daughters Stacy and Jamie and their families; Rick (Joey) their children Jessie, Tony, Paige and their families; Carol; Nancy and her children Jenny and Jordan; Ed (Teri) their daughters Nikki and Tiffany and their families; Doug (Leah) their children Dana and Daria and their families; and Larry (Kim) and daughter Blaire, and 19 great grand-children.

Brenton Heth, 29, of Winner, SD passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN.

Funeral service was held on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Winner Middle School Auditorium in Winner, SD.

Wake services were held on Feb. 18, 2020 and Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020 at the Winner Middle School Auditorium in Winner, SD. Burial was held on Thursday, Feb. 20th, 2020 at the Winner City Cemetery.