Category Archives: Obituaries

Hazel Schmidt, 99, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday July 15, 2018 at the Winner Regional Long-Term Care Center in Winner, SD.

A memorial service was held on Monday July 23, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the Winner Methodist Church in Winner, SD. A one-hour visitation was held prior to the memorial service. Burial followed at the Winner City Cemetery in Winner, SD.

Hazel Schmidt was born March 30, 1919 in Royal, Neb., to Scott and Rhoda Conner, one of ten children. She passed away at the Winner Regional Long-Term Care Center on July 15, 2018.

She attended Ewing (NE) High School and graduated in 1937. She married Ralph Belmer in 1937 and to this marriage had three children: Sherry (Ron) Kramer, Lindy (Larry) Harkin, and Scott (Terri) Belmer. She also is survived by three grandchildren: Theresa (Steve) Rossow, Stefanie (Ed Islam) Daughters, Brian (Susan) Daughters and two great grandchildren: Ashley and Tyler Daughters, sister Betty Mechaley and brother Sam (Pat) Conner and many nieces and nephews.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ralph Belmer, husband Frank Schmidt, baby brother Scotty, sisters Ethel Hayes, Gladys Nothem, Dorothy Couch, Wilma Doty, Margie Schumacher, baby sister Shirley.

Hazel will be especially remembered for her love of dancing, playing cards and crocheting doilies for her family and friends.

Lee Galbraith, 81, of Wood, SD passed away on Friday, July 13, 2018 at the Avera Gregory Hospital in Gregory, SD.

Celebration of Life was held on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Wood Community Hall in Wood, SD. Burial will be held at a later date. A visitation was held on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at the First Christian Church in Winner, SD from 6-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Lee Roy Galbraith was born Dec. 29, 1936 in Winner, SD to Stanton Edgar Galbraith and Lona (Ellis) Galbraith. Lee went to his heavenly home on July 13, 2018. He was 81 years old.

Lee lived in rural Wood, SD in the same house all of his life. Lee graduated from Wood High School in 1955 and attended 1 year of college at S.D.S.U. Lee Galbraith and Marilyn Anne Dimond were united in marriage on June 18, 1960 at the United Church of Christ in Wood, SD. To this union 3 sons and 1 daughter were born.

During their 58 years of marriage they spent many hours working the ranching and farming business. Lee loved horseback riding to check his cattle and to just enjoy the country side.

Lee was a member of the United Church of Christ and always told people who asked about his faith that “Jesus and I have our own thing going”.

The past 12 years Lee and Marilyn enjoyed spending time in Zapata, Texas. They met many “Special” people there and after a Jam Session they always had homemade ice cream and dessert at Lee and Marilyn’s home.

Lee was on the Fairview Township Board of Supervisors for many years and was also on the Wood School Board.

Lee enjoyed playing cribbage with brother-in-law Ron Dimond. He also enjoyed playing canasta with brother-in-law Burton Dimond and his wife Mary and playing pitch and dominoes with Texas friends.

Lee loved watching his sons and grandchildren playing basketball, football, softball, baseball and any other sport that they were in.

Lee love all animals and especially his dogs, Pooch, Charley and Chico. Luna was his special dog, but really belongs to Sherry and family.

Lee was a respected member of the Wood Community and his family enjoyed spending quality time together, and also the time with friends.

Lee’s hobbies included hunting in earlier years, golf, cribbage, bowling and playing cards. He loved to read “Louis L’Amour” and “Wm. Johnstone” books and had an extensive collection. He loved gospel by Elvis Presley and could always find someone to talk to.

Lee is survived by his wife Marilyn, sons, Gary(Ruth), Todd(Carol), Brett(Jenny) and daughter Sherry (Galbraith) Lantz; sisters, Lois Hudgins of Los Alamos, NM and Ila(Allen) Tucker of the Golden Prairie Manor in Winner, SD.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents Lona(Ellis) and Stanton Galbraith, grandparents Roy and Ethel(Weitzeil) Galbraith, Oscar and Alice Ellis and brothers-in-law James Hudgins, Larry Dimond and Jerry Bruning.

Sharon Senkel is healthy, whole, and celebrating in the presence of Jesus. Sharon began her life April 7, 1945, in Winner, SD. She learned at an early age to love Jesus and never doubted His love for her. She had one brother, Garry, and several cousins who were more like siblings that she loved dearly.

She enjoyed making coffee and cookies for visitors, embroidering beautiful linens, listening to music, and church. Sharon left Winner in 1988 to move with her dad to Morrill Manor in Morrill, NE. There she enjoyed many special friendships while living on her own. She began attending Mitchell Berean Church and grew to love the church and the many kind people who made her a part of the family.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ariel Senkel.

She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Garry and Barbara Senkel; nephew Bill (Alicia) Senkel and children Lexi, Belle, and Elijah; nephew Heath (Kinsey) Senkel and sons Justin and Andrew; and special friends Pam and Ron Ward.

Funeral services were held Friday, July 13, 2018 at 3 p.m. at Dugan Kramer Funeral Home with the graveside at 1 p.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Morrill.

Francis Mason, 89, of Ideal, SD passed away on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at the Prairie View Care Center in Woonsocket, South Dakota.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at the Ideal First Presbyterian Church in Ideal at 2 p.m. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Francis Henry “Buzz” Mason was born on Sept. 29, 1928, in Tripp County South Dakota and he passed away at the Prairie View Assisted Living Care Facility in Woonsocket SD on July 12 2018. He was the son of William Henry “Hank” Mason and Ival (Lenker) Mason. Hank and Ival Mason had seven children, they were Lyle, Francis, Bill, Ted, Wanda, Clarice, and Shirley. He graduated from Colome High School. In 1946 right after high school, Buzz joined the U.S. Army. He served in the Panama Canal Zone until he separated from the Army in 1949. Buzz was immensely proud of his honorable military service.

He met Janice McMacken, his first wife at a box lunch fund raising contest when he bought one of Jan’s box lunches. Jan and Buzz were married in Tripp County in 1952. Buzz and Jan had two sons, Danny and Francis A. Mason.

During the first years of Buzz and Jan’s marriage, Buzz farmed and worked as a hired hand for Pat and Dave Lenker of Ideal SD. While living in Ideal, Buzz was very active in the Ideal Presbyterian Church and the Ideal School. In 1963 Buzz and Jan purchased and moved to a small farm west of Mitchell SD. Over the years Buzz worked as a farmer, mechanic, feed salesman, master plumber, and manager of the Davison County Rural Water System. Buzz was very proud of his days managing the Davison Rural Water System.

Buzz loved the outdoors and at an early age learned to hunt and trap. He shared this joy hunting with his sons and his friends. Over the years he developed a large collection of rifles and shotguns. He was passionate about pheasant hunting and gun collecting. Buzz as also involved in the VFW, American Legion and the Shriners.

He is survived by his current wife Ellen Ann, sons Danny and Al Mason, 11 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. The grandchildren are Aaron Mason, Jordan Jones, Hilary Mason, Patrick Mason, Sydney Mason, Natasha Mason, Madeline Mason, Timothy Mason, Evangeline Mason, Phillip Mason, and Dorothea Mason. Buzz’s great grand children are Ayden, Austyn, and Adasyn Mason

Buzz was preceded in death by his parents Hank and Ival Mason and his brothers Bill and Ted and his sisters Wanda and Clarice. Buzz was also preceded in death by his first wife Janice and his second wife Phyllis.

Josephine Cecilia Brockhoft, wife and mother, passed away at the age of 89 on July 12, 2018. Jo was born to Alice Schintgen Jungen and Otto Jungen on Jan. 13, 1929 at Valley Springs, SD and was the 3rd born of 12 children. As a young girl the family moved to rural Watertown, S.D. where Otto farmed and worked as a blacksmith to survive the depression years of the 1930’s. These were the days when school kids really did walk several miles to school and obesity was almost non-existent due to the physical hardships faced by the working class. Jo attended the Immaculate Conception Catholic School and graduated from the eighth grade, which was the highest level of formal education that she attained.

Josephine’s adult life began at an early age as she labored in the fields picking potatoes by hand, planting trees, processing poultry, and working as a waitress; all difficult work but always honest labor.

She was united in marriage to Ray Brockhoft on June 19, 1951 at Webster, S.D. They spent their early married years on their farm in the Crocker Hills near Crocker, S.D. where their two sons were born, Rodney in 1953 and Michael in 1955. The family raised cattle, sheep, and chickens and Jo milked cows by hand and sold milk and cream locally.

In 1963 the family moved to Watertown. Daughter Sheila was born in Watertown in 1964 and brought the new joy to Josephine’s life that a daughter can bring.

Josephine was a wife and mother that endured two of the men in her life having served in military service in wartime settings. Jo comforted her husband, Ray, as he endured nightmares from World War II during their early years, and later in her life, she cried for an entire month as she came to grips with her young son Rodney’s tour of duty in Vietnam.

Josephine was proud of the three children that she raised with her husband Ray. Josephine was also very proud that all of her grandchildren graduated from college or vocational school. Jo sang in the church choir for many years in Watertown and enjoyed singing while playing her guitar and organ in later years.

In 1990, Ray and Jo moved to Sioux Falls.

Josephine is survived by children, Rodney (Julie), Mike (Kris), and Sheila (Ralph) Belding; eight grandchildren, Sara (Brent) Jamison, Dr. Nichole Brockhoft (Nick) Shada, Jonathan Brockhoft, Dr. Thomas Brockhoft, Christopher Brockhoft, Lindsey (Paul) Panitzke, Amanda Belding, Valerie Belding; and six great grandchildren, Henry Jamison, Alaina, Mia, and Nicholas Shada, Anthony and Elliot Belding, and Lydia Jo Panitzke; brothers, Leo (Julie) Jungen, Clem Jungen, and Otto (Margaret) Jungen; sisters-in-law, Vivian and Della Jungen and many nieces and nephews.

Josephine was preceded in death by her husband Ray, sisters, Catherine Fisher, Pauline Briggs, Rose Hanks, Mary Hudelson, Margaret Halvorson; and brothers, Nick, John and Roger Jungen.

Goodbye and thank you Mom, Grandma, and G.G. until we meet again and walk together in fields of green clover

Mildred Brozik, 91, of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at the Avera Maryhouse Long term Care Center in Pierre, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. Visitation was held on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 from 6-7 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner with a rosary beginning at 7 p.m.

Mildred Brozik was born Jan. 1, 1927 to Dave and Anna (Novotny) Coash on a farm southwest of Winner, South Dakota. Mildred attended elementary school at St. Mary’s and Sunnyside. She graduated from Winner High School in 1944.

After high school, she worked at State Farm Bank. On a whim, she and a couple friends moved to California to experience the big city. Her love of the farm drew her back to South Dakota, and was employed at the Tripp County Extension office. Mildred earned a teaching certificate while attending Mount Marty College in Yankton and Black Hills Teacher College. She taught on the Knippling Ranch for meals and board.

She married the love of her life, Ben Brozik of Winner, on Oct. 18, 1952. They made their home on a farm east of Winner.

In 1955 they moved to a farm ten and a half miles south of Dallas where they raised their four children: Lonnie, Dave, Kathy and Cheryl.

While working alongside her husband on the farm, she was also a medical transcriptionist/clerk at the Gregory Hospital for many years.

In 1980 they moved back to Winner where Mildred had numerous interests. She enjoyed gardening, sharing her flowers with her neighbors, and working for Regis Inventory. After Ben died in 2002, Mildred became involved with Retired Teachers, Meals on Wheels, and volunteered at the Thrift Store in Winner for many years. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Catholic Daughters.

After many years of caring for others, Mildred became unable to care for herself. She moved to Golden Prairie Manor the summer of 2016 and began spending her days working on puzzles, playing cards and bingo with her friends.

Her greatest love of all was her family. She taught her children to work hard, treat others with respect, look at the simple things in life, and always seek out the positive even in the toughest situations. Her face lit up whenever her grandchildren and great-grandchildren (the younger the better) entered the room.

Mildred died at Avera Maryhouse in Pierre, South Dakota on June 21, 2018. She felt blessed to have lived 91 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dave and Anna Coash; husband, Ben; son, Lonnie; daughter-in-law, Sue Brozik; son-in-law Rod Sperl; in-laws Mike and Katherine Brozik and many brothers and sisters-in-law.

Mildred is survived by her children: Dave (Bernadine) Brozik, Kathy (Jeff) Askew, Cheryl Sperl (Al Cerny); grandchildren: Amanda (Brady) Hanson, Chelsea (Patrick) Price, Caitlin Brozik, David Brozik, Ethan Brozik, Ainsley (Joe) Monize, Sean Askew, Avery Askew, Ben (Erica) Sperl and Samantha Sperl (Caleb DuFrane); ten great-grandchildren: Jocelyn and Silas Hanson, Owen Kahler, Emma and Gideon Brozik, Cullen Monize, Raegan and Rylie Sperl, Addyson and Anders DuFrane; sister, Florence Kirkpatrick and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Mildred was loved in life, and her memory will shine through those she has left behind.

Hayden Medicine Eagle, 19, of Mosher, SD passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at his home in Mosher, SD.

Funeral service were held on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at 10 a.m. at the Winner Middle School Auditorium. Burial followed in the Advent Cemetery near Mosher, SD. Wake service began on Monday, June 25, 2018 at 5 p.m. at the Winner Middle School auditorium.

Hayden William Iron Heart Medicine Eagle was born on Jan. 10, 1999 in Winner, South Dakota to the parents of Alicia Medicine Eagle and Frank Iron Heart. He attended Todd County Schools, loved animals, spending time with his grandma and writing.

He will be lovingly remembered as grandson, son, brother, and cousin to many. Hayden is survived by his parents, grandparents Leonard Medicine Eagle, Sandra Medicine Eagle (Roubideaux) and Alberta Marie Iron Heart, siblings Brooklyn Rose Iron Heart, Homer Iron Heart, and Trevor Iron Heart, uncles Chris Medicine Eagle, Stephan Roubideaux, Thomas Roubideaux, Tyrone Andrews, Arban Iron Heart and Shane Iron Heart, and aunts Dolly Eagle Star, Stella Iron Heart, Karren Iron Heart and Georgette Boerner.

Gerry Printup, formerly of Winner, died peacefully at her condo in Phoenix, AZ on Sept. 9, 2017 with her family by her side.
The family is having a graveside memorial at Britton Cemetery on July 15, 2018 at 3 p.m., where she will rest with her husband Tim. The family will also be enjoying the sunset in Gerry’s honor at Clear Lake State Park that evening, weather permitting. All are welcome to come and share a memory.

She was born Aug. 30, 1939 in Mitchell, S.D. to Elmer and Virginia Druse. She was 1 of 5 children. Gerry graduated from Letcher High School and went to college at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell where she met A. Timothy Printup from Britton. They were married in 1959. Tim was a Trooper for the S. D. Highway Patrol and Gerry was a school teacher in Sisseton. They had 2 daughters, Gaylene D. and Greer Denae. Tim was later transferred to Winner becoming Sergeant and Gerry taught Headstart and volunteered. Tim died in 1980.

Gerry moved her daughters to Phoenix, AZ where they went to school in the winter and spent summers at their lake cabin on Clear Lake. Gerry was active in the Order of Eastern Star, Job’s Daughters International, Girl Scouts of America, Campfire Girls, First Presbyterian Church in Sisseton, Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Winner and Shepherd of the Hills United Church of Christ in Scottsdale.

She later met her life companion and friend of 30 yrs., Michael Lambert. They enjoyed trains, hot air balloons, traveling and summers at Clear Lake. Gerry worked as security guard for Camelback High School, Judson Boarding School and an insurance agent. She was also a caregiver for many years.

She is survived by her friend Michael Lambert, daughters, Gail (Tim) Matti, Greer (Kenneth) Baldwin and 4 grandsons, TJ (Maura), Tabor, Kyle and Seth. Her brother Rodney Druse of Minot ND, brother in law Franklin Peters of Coralville IA and several beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral and Memorial Garden Service was held at Shepherd of the Hills UCC on Sept. 16, 2017

Doyle was born on Nov. 4, 1933 to Truman and Louise (Metzger) Mathis in Mitchell, SD. In 1936 the family moved to Yankton, SD. Ten years later the family moved to Meckling, SD where they resided on the farm. Doyle graduated from Meckling High School in 1951.

After graduation Doyle enlisted in the US Army where he was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska for two years.

Doyle and his brother Richard (Dick) purchased the International Harvester Implement dealership in 1958. They have been in business for 60 years as of March 2018. Throughout those 60 years it was not only a business but a place where he gained a lifetime of friendships.

Doyle was united in marriage to Eldora (Williamson) on Oct. 18, 1959 in Winner, SD. They were blessed with four children, Ann, Lynn, James & Tom.

Doyle and Eldora spent 20 years on Monday nights square dancing and every Saturday night at the Carlock Dance Hall. The past 26 years he enjoyed his yearly snowmobile trips to the Black Hills with the boys.

Along with selling farm machinery, his love for his family, farming, and raising livestock continued throughout his life.

Doyle is survived by his wife Eldora, four children; Ann (Bren Beard) Martinson, of Dixon, IL, Lynn Larson of Omaha, NE, James (Teresa) Mathis of Winner, SD, Tom Mathis of Winner, SD, 9 grandchildren; Jessica, Samantha Martinson, Cale, Kylee Larson, Kyle, Katie, Kennede Mathis, Tayden and Parker Mathis, 2 brothers; Richard (Dick) Mathis of Winner, SD and Art Mathis of Spokane, WA. and several nieces and nephews.

Doyle is preceded in death by his parents Truman and Louise Mathis.

Arlene Vera Thietje was born on Oct. 10, 1928, near Winner, SD to Ferd and Anna (Mahoney) Brunmeier. After graduating from Winner High School she was united in marriage to Ernest Thietje on June 1, 1946. They farmed in the Winner area before moving to Monroe in 1956. She ran Ernie’s Place for a number of years and was the city of Monroe finance officer. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, attended First Church of Monroe, loved to play bingo and bowl. She has been a resident of the Tieszen Home since 2009.

Grateful for having shared her life are her 3 children, Wayne (Sandy LaPoint), Monroe, Daryl (Addamaine), New Prague, MN, and Karlene (Leon) Schoenwald, Monroe; 6 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren; a sister Vivian Ruhkamp, Yuma, AZ; and 2 sister in laws, Twila Brunmeier, Winner and Clara Bailey, Powell, WY. She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest in 2004, and a brother Leonard.