Category Archives: Obituaries

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.

Donald Covey, 73, of Winner, SD passed away on Monday, June 11, 2018 at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. A visitation was held one hour prior to the service.

Donald Eugene Covey, born on Jan. 28, 1945, in Winner, South Dakota, died on June 11, 2018, in Sioux Falls, SD, surrounded by his loving family. He was the fifth child and second son of Chester and Winnifred (Ferguson) Covey. He grew up in the Hamill and Winner area, graduating from Winner High School in 1963, the Homecoming Warrior. He lettered in football, basketball, and track and once hit the centerfield fence at Leahy Bowl on a 3-2 pitch.

On June 11, 1965, he married the love of his life, Vicki Hruska. He graduated from USD with a degree in government in 1967 (a Farber Boy). After a time farming with his dad, he answered the call of the public service and he entered USD Law School. He graduated in 1973, having served as the Copy Editor of the USD Law Review, and moved to Aberdeen to be one of the first law-trained magistrates. He entered private practice for a time in Aberdeen and then moved to Winner, SD, and practicing for 41 years, taking his turn serving as Tripp County State’s Attorney and doing his share of court appointed defense work.

Don believed in serving his community. He was a member of the Winner School Board, Rotary, Winner Investment Club, the Hamill, Clearfield, and Keyapaha Conservation Districts, among many other organizations. He was active in the South Dakota State Bar and Rosebud Bar Associations, serving on many committees, including but not limited to the Ethics, ALPS, and Victims/Witness committee. One of his proudest accomplishments was bringing medical professionals to rural areas through the Regional Primary Medical Search.

In his youth, he loved athletics, including handball, golf, bowling, and racquetball. He loved fishing and hunting with his family, mostly for the companionship of family and friends. He loved music and was a gifted singer. He sang at countless weddings and funerals, providing comfort and joy to many. He served as a cantor, Eucharistic minister, lector, and Parish Commission member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and was honored to be chosen as cantor for the Rapid City Diocese Centennial Mass. Don greatly enjoyed singing with barbershop choruses in Aberdeen and Winner. Leading his fellow Rotarians in song was a highlight of his week.

In addition to the law (he carried a copy of the United States Constitution with him), he loved and cherished his family, who loved him right back.

He is survived by his wife of exactly 53 years, Vicki, his children: Chet and Jamie (Bradley, Zachary, and Abby); Tom and Amy (Hannah and Faith); Paul and Andrea (Emmalynn, Hyatt, and Willa); and Heather and Bill Feller (Lonnie and Mellissa and Stetson and Natalie); Siblings: Della (the late Harry) Snethen, Bob (the late Barbara), Donna and Bill Bunn, Shirley and Denny DeMers, and Gwen and Jack Ragsdale; dear cousin and friends Bill and Joan Ferguson; many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister-in-law Barbara, his brother-in-law Harry, and nephews David and Randy, and countless other family, clients, and friends.

May the choirs of angels come to greet you.
May they speed you to paradise.
May the Lord enfold you in his mercy.
May you find eternal life.

Bentley Joshua Assman was born at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 5 a.m. He was placed in the loving arms of his parents, Darcy Maier and Colter Assman. Bentley was sleeping peacefully in his daddy’s arms when God called him home a short time later.

Bentley will forever be in the hearts of his parents along with grandparents Les Maier and Kim Maier and Cory and Trisha Assman, his aunts Beth (Steven) Storms and cousins Kaysen and Karsten Storms, Kristin Maier and Jayce Assman; great grandparents Burton and Mary Dimond, Shane and Shirley Bingen, Jim Assman and Peggy Douglas and Stanley Maier; great-great grandmothers Donna Dice and Geraldine Bingen and numerous other relatives.

Funeral services for Vince Svoboda, 81, Iona, were held on June 15 at the Methodist Church in Gregory. Burial was at the Iona Cemetery.

Vincent Anton Svoboda was born on April 21, 1937 in Gregory, SD to Joe and Theresa (Dite) Svoboda. The third of six children, Vince was brother to Franklin, Marilyn, Gwendolyn, Eleanor, and Joan. Vince lost his baby sister, Joan, shortly after birth, and his mother, Theresa, followed just months later. Vince’s family grew when his father married Elsie Christensen in December of 1953, and he was proud to gain five siblings, Donald, Robert, Joan, Melvin, and Marvin (Short).

Vince grew up in the Dixon area and later moved to Iona with his family in 1956. As a child, Vince developed a love of horses and spent many happy years wild horse racing with good friends, Charlie Kennedy and Warren Hammerbeck, roping, and working cattle. He was the rancher of the family and took great pride in raising Hereford cattle and Quarter Horses.

In 1980, Vince met Linda Strand from Mitchell, SD through his good friend, George Hammerbeck. Vince and Linda were married on March 6, 1982. They welcomed daughter, Jami, in March of 1983 and son, Bart, in September of 1984. A few years later, Vince acquired his other son, Rod Whitney.

Vince had a generous spirit. He was well known for gifting horses or calves and sharing the great love he had for his animals. If you were lucky, he may have gifted you with a hard fought for pie from a local benefit auction. (If you were unlucky, you were bidding against him for that pie, and you were never forgiven) He very much enjoyed visiting neighbors, friends, and family, and was often found socializing in town at dinnertime.

Vince was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Theresa, stepmother Elsie; brothers: Franklin Svoboda, Robert Christensen, and Melvin Christensen; sisters: Joan Svoboda, Marilyn Elwell, Eleanor Salmon, and Gwendolyn Meinen; brothers-in-law: Everett Meinen, Darrel Salmon, Lester Songer, and Leon Elwell; sisters-in-law: Mavis Svoboda and Carolyn Christensen.

He is survived by his wife Linda, daughter Jami, sons Bart (Sarah) and Rod (Lori) Whitney; brothers Donald (Dorothy) Christensen and Marvin (Janice) Christensen; sister Joan Songer; sisters-in-law Carol Christensen and Dorothy Christensen; many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and his cowdog, Sammy.