Category Archives: Obituaries

Constance “Connie” Peterson, 72, of Pierre, died Saturday, April 7 at Pierre Care and Rehab.

Memorial Service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, April 21 at Isburg Funeral Chapel with inurnment at Black Hills National Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Isburg Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.isburgfuneralchapels.com

Constance Louise Peterson was born June 17, 1944 in Deadwood, SD, to William and Grace (Haugland) Baumgart. She grew up mostly in Spearfish, SD. While her father was teaching, she spent 3 years in Morelia, Michoaca’n, Mexico, and several years in Mountain Home, Idaho, before returning to the Black Hills. She continued in school until 1962, when on Sept. 19 of that year, she married Ralph Dietrich Peterson.

After selling the Skelly service station around 1967, they moved to Tripp County, living between Colome and Winner, raising their family. Connie worked at JC Penney in Winner and then in the food service industry until relocating to Pierre in 1992. Connie worked in hospitality at two local motels until her health forced her retirement.

Connie loved collecting bells, and had some from travels around the states, and Ralph’s to Germany. She loved country dancing and spending time with family and friends. She will be deeply missed.

Those left to mourn her passing include her daughter, Shelli (Melvin) Jones, Pierre; granddaughters, Rita (Frank) Jacobs, Jessica Jones, Barbara Jones and Paige (Vernon) Jones; great granddaughters, Chloe, Alasen and Miranda Jacobs, Danika Wise and Autumn Sellon; sisters-in-law, Ruth (Doug) Jones, Caroline Peterson and Alice Slade; brothers-in-law, Jack Lunne and Blaine Lunne; daughter-in-law, Mary Owens and many nieces and nephews.

Constance was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; her husband, Ralph; son, Bradly Eugene Peterson; a daughter Ellen Marie; her mother and father-in-law; sisters-in-law, Barbara (Dennis) Grenoble and Loretta (Curt) Weidman; brothers-in-law, Dale (Caroline) Peterson, Robert (Alice) Slade and niece, Emily Weidman.

Neil Thomas Kramer Sr., died April 2 at his home in Rosebud surrounded by his family.

A wake service was held April 5 at the Sinte Gleska University multipurpose building in Mission.

Funeral services were held April 6 at 11 a.m. at the SGU multipurpose building in Mission with Rev. Annie Henninger officiating.

Kramer was born Oct. 28, 1959.

His family includes his wife, Michelle Andrews Kramer; children, Neal Kramer Jr., Jesse James Andrews, Kelcey Marie Andrews; his mother, Lois Antoine; brothers, William Fielder, Jeffery L. Fielder and Paul W. Hardy; sister Brenda J. Antoine.

He was preceded in death by Evie Kramer, Sage Hope Kramer and Baby Kramer; his father, Leonard W. Kramer and brother, Keith Fielder.

Jeffrey Allen Hespe passed away in his home on Friday March 30, 2018 at the àge of 56.

He is survived by his mother Arlene, father Richard, siblings, Teresa, Leonard, Pam, and Michelle, his seven children Ray, Trisha, Ricky, Ryan, Russell, J.C., and James and his nine grandchildren.

He loved his family and friends, hunting, fishing, and exploring the outdoors. He is much loved and missed by us all.

His service was held on April 4, 2018 at 4 p.m. in Rising Star, Texas.

Robert (Bob) Norman Gnirk Sr. was born to Fred Paul and Adeline Sylvia (Graven) Gnirk on May 13, 1940 in Burke, SD and died on April 1, 2018 at his home on the Gnirk farm/ranch (Sully Flats Homestead).

He was raised on the Gnirk family homestead northeast of Burke. He attended Hornbeck Elementary School. He attended and graduated from Burke High School in 1958. He is an alumnus of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1963. After college he explored the option of joining the United States Air Force, ultimately deciding to move back to Burke to farm and ranch.

Bob married Wilma Jean Hansen on June 13, 1961. They raised five children together on the Gnirk family farm/ranch.

Bob spent his adult years working as a farmer and rancher. He used his degree in mechanical engineering to do much of his own farm repairs and custom designed several pieces of farm equipment. He proudly worked long days from sun up to past sun down. He was elected county commissioner and enjoyed participating in managing the business affairs of Gregory County. He also served on the school board.

Bob had a fabulous sense of humor, he loved to pull a fast one and joke with anyone that would engage him. He was known for his clever, charming and witty mannerisms. He told jokes, laughed and worked hard to enjoy life. He proudly celebrated his AA birthday on Jan. 13, 1988, for him this day was more important than his regular birthday. He was a skilled card player with a brilliant mind and spent his free time at Pump N Stuff, Bernie’s, Dallas and the Gregory Bowling Alley. If there was a card game in the county, he was usually there.

Bob loved and cherished his children, grandchildren and great granddaughter. He provided a place for Garth to hunt deer. He looked forward to raising steers, so Maranda and Codi could train, show and sell them in 4-H Achievement days. He even ventured out of his comfort zone of small town living, to attend Lacee’s high school graduation in San Antonio, TX.

Bob was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, a brother, Donald and two of his sons, Bart Douglas and Beau James.

He is survived by his brothers; Paul Gnirk, New Underwood, SD, David Gnirk, his wife Elaine, Burke, SD, and Sister-in-Law Karla Gnirk, Brookings, SD. His children; Bobby Gnirk Jr, his wife JaNell, Herrick SD, Bart Gnirk, his special friend Jessie Shook, Bismarck, ND, Garth Gnirk, his wife Kayla and daughter Heidi, Sterling, ND, Chance Gnirk, his special friend Katie Windhorst, Fargo, ND. Sister (Barbi) Law, her husband Jon, and daughters Lacee and Sareena, Schertz, TX. Little Girl (Becky) Mitchell, and her daughters Maranda and Codi, Douglass, KS. He also leaves behind a host of other friends and relatives.

Gary DeJong, age 74, Wickenburg, Ariz. , died on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at the Palm Valley Care Center in Goodyear, Ariz.

Gary R. DeJong was born Feb. 26, 1944, in Dupree, South Dakota, the third of four children born to Leo and Thelma (Parkin) DeJong. While Gary was a young boy, the family moved to a ranch south of Kennebec, South Dakota. This is where he grew up and graduated from Kennebec High School in 1962.

He was united in marriage to Betty Manger on February 22, 1963. To this union were born two sons: Lou and Travis.

Gary spent a good portion of his life breaking, training, and showing horses for numerous people. Many years were spent in the saddle and in the arena. Raising, training, and competing with good horses was the focus for most of his life.

Gary always enjoyed singing or playing music and the fellowship of good friends.

He moved from South Dakota to Arizona in the later years of his life where he lived until Jesus called him home.

Gary is survived by his two sons: Lou (Barb) DeJong of Kennebec, South Dakota and their children Dillon and Bailey; Travis (Pamela) DeJong of Philip, South Dakota and their children Tawnie, Trey, Tate, Peyton and Trew; sisters: Luella DeJong of Winner, South Dakota, and Andella Leavitt of Wickenburg, Arizona; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother Claire.

There will be a private family burial at a later date in the Winner Cemetery in Winner, South Dakota.

Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.

Darline Miller, 92, of Faulkton and formerly of Kennebec, went to be with the Lord on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018 at the Faulkton Senior Living.

Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Zion Lutheran Church, Presho, with Pastor David Otten presiding. Burial followed in the Kennebec Cemetery.
Darline Imogene Eisenbraun was born at Winner, SD to Albert and Tabea (Fettinger) Eisenbraun on July 13, 1925. She lived with her parents and family on a farm in Tripp County, where she attended grade school. She graduated from Witten High School. Darline was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

On Aug. 30, 1943 she married David Miller. To this union three children were born: David, Allen, and Linda. They farmed north of Witten until 1965, when they purchased a ranch north of Kennebec. They lived there until David died in 2003. Darline then moved into Kennebec where she made her home until 2010 at which time she entered the Faulkton Healthcare Center, where she remained until the time of her death.

Darline was a hard worker. As the wife of a rancher, she worked in the fields – mowing and stacking hay, repairing broken sickles like any farmer could, caring for the livestock, and helping brand and vaccinate cattle. Sometimes she ended up getting the raw end of the deal with broken bones. Darline was a good cook and her house was always spotless. Company was welcome anytime. She had a green thumb for flowers and gardening, and her house was full of beautiful plants including her cherished Christmas cactus. Another natural ability that she inherited from her father were her carpentry skills. She could make anything out of nothing and make it look nice. Darline was an excellent seamstress and not only made clothes for her family, but she also made the beautiful square dance shirts for herself and David for when they went square dancing.

Darline’s grandchildren were her pride and joy. She loved every one of them and she did her job as Grandmother very well by spoiling them with love and hugs. Christmas was an important time at the Miller household!

Sharing in her life are her sons, David D. Miller of Presho and Allen (Candy) Miller of Beula, MT; daughter, Linda Gifford (Wayne Vincent) of Faulkton; seven grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Renee Miller.

Darline was preceded in death by her husband, David; her parents; two sisters, Lydia Strom and Helen “Toots” Koepp; and one brother, Robert Eisenbraun.

She will be greatly missed by those who knew her. May she rest in peace with our Lord and Savior.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Darline’s arrangements. (www.familyfuneralhome.net)

Tevis was born Oct. 12, 1936 to Dale and Betty McIntyre in Gregory, SD. He grew up the eldest of five children. Tevis attended Gregory High School through his junior year. He graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls, SD in 1954.

Tevis went on to attend the University of South Dakota in Vermillion where he majored in accounting. In 1957, Tevis moved from Vermillion to Denver, CO where he worked and continued his education. Tevis was later presented with an opportunity to work in the accounting department for Boeing in several different locations including Grand Forks, ND, Cheyenne, WY, Rapid City, SD, Santa Maria, CA, and Washington, DC.

In 1966, Tevis decided to be closer to family and moved back to Gregory, SD to work on the family farm before settling in Winner. Tevis was self-employed owning a car wash and Laundromat, and doing lawn maintenance. In December 1984, Tevis began his long-term employment with the Winner Regional Hospital as a night watchman before being promoted to the maintenance department. On Oct. 30, 2015, at the age of 79, he retired from the Winner Hospital after 31 years of service.

Tevis enjoyed spending time with family, taking pictures, and collecting memorabilia. He was an avid traveler, visiting every state except Hawaii and Alaska, as well as travels to Canada and Mexico. He enjoyed attending the Sturgis Rally every summer and spending his winters in Arizona. Tevis was also a member of the Winner Historical Society.

Tevis was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Betty; his brothers Donald McIntyre and John McIntyre, and his sister Betty Ann (Annie) Marts.

Tevis is survived by his sister Kathy (Merle) Ring of Columbus, NE; sisters-in-law Linda (Jerry) McIntyre-Price of Rockford, IL and Becky Messick of Mitchell, SD; sons Daniel McIntyre of Yankton, SD and David McIntyre of Georgia; many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces and two granddaughters.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Winner, with a luncheon after the services. Following the luncheon, the graveside service is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at the Gregory IOOF Cemetery. There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place. Family will be greeting friends on Friday, April 13, 2018 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Winner. Memorials may be directed to the family for designation.

Donna peacefully passed away on April 7, 2018 at the age of 61 at the Dougherty House in Sioux Falls SD.

Donna Marie Bromwich Bowar was born Sept. 4th 1956 in Winner SD to Beverly (Dvorak) and Percy “Dean” Bromwich. She grew up in the Colome and Winner areas and she graduated from Winner High School in 1975.

She moved to Kennebec in 1978 and worked at the Elevator, Extension Office and Kennebec Telephone Company. But her favorite job was babysitting kids who became an important part of her life.

Donna had many hobbies some of which included fishing, embroidering, quilting, watching Nascar racing (favorite driver Jimmie Johnson) and watching basketball (especially the Boston Celtics). Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her kids, grandkids and the kids she babysat. Donna followed them in their school and sporting events and was there to cheer them on.

Donna was united in marriage to Rod Bowar and they enjoyed 30 plus years. During this time they traveled and went on many camping trips and later purchased a cabin. She spent a lot of time watching the wildlife eating and wandering around the cabin. They spent many hours exploring the ATV and snowmobile trails.

Donna was blessed with 4 wonderful children and in addition to her husband Rod she is survived by Troy Christensen of San Francisco CA, Chaz (Amy) Bowar of Kennebec and Tiarra (Heath) Bowar Choal of Kennebec. Along with 4 grandchildren Jordon, Jesse, Kaden and Ryker. She also had 3 very special children that she considered grandchildren—Carter, Colton and Chloe Collins. She is also survived by her father Percy “Dean” Bromwich and his wife Connie, her mother’s husband Darwin Unzelman, sisters LeeAnn (Brian) Stuart, Lori (Daniel) Schmidt, Monica (Mark) Seachris, brother Jim (Deb) Bromwich, half-sister Amber (Valentin) Plancarte, mother and father in law Charlie and Gloria Bowar, sister in law Dana (Arlen)Mehrer and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son Laddy Christensen, a granddaughter Tyra, a brother Robin Bromwich, her mother Beverly Unzelman and maternal and paternal grandparents.

Because Donna wanted all kids to have an education and make the most of themselves all memorials will go to the Lyman School Building project.

Linda Beck passed away Monday, April 2, 2018, at home.

She was born Oct. 28, 1943, in Gregory, SD, to Glendon and Keithia (Hosack) Rowan, Linda grew up in rural Mills for all but one year in Osceola, NE. She attended Knapp School half a mile from her home where she would ride her bicycle to play with her best friends Lois and Norma Schrader. She helped her mom in the garden and helped out on the family farm. Linda attended Keya Paha High School.

She worked as a nurse’s aide at Burke Hospital before she married Frank Beck on Oct. 22, 1961, in the Gregory Methodist Church. They made their first home in Burton, NE and later near Dallas, SD. With two children, Todd and Pam, Linda devoted herself to her family and helping on the farm. It was then that Linda’s love for the church was ignited, traveling from South Dakota to the Mills Church nearly every Sunday. The family moved back to the Mills area for the last 50 years where Linda was known for her cooking and baking skills. She fed a lot of help over the years and showed her love for others through cooking.

Linda wore her love for her church on her sleeve. She was the first to arrive most Sundays to help make the coffee, arguably to make sure the coffee wasn’t made too strong but mostly because she didn’t know how NOT to leave the house early.

Linda was baptized for the first time on June 16, 2013, in the Keya Paha River when she felt the calling. “She didn’t want to do it but for Linda it was a step of obedience,” said the Rev. Kenly Udd, pastor at the Mills Church.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Glendon and Keithia; father-in-law Emmet Beck; and sister-in-law Mavis Rowan.

She is survived by her husband, Frank of Mills, NE; mother-in-law Shirley Beck of Winner, SD; brother Harlan Rowan of Clarks, NE; son Todd Beck of Mills, NE; daughter Pamela Reber (Gary) of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren Andy Beck of Savannah, GA; Callie Beck (Joe DeCrane) of Watertown, SD; Jamie Benedict of Brookings, SD; Rowan Taylor of Lincoln, NE; Tyler Beck of Mills, NE; Ellen Reber (Matt Goeser) of Denver, CO; Will Reber of New York, NY; and seven great-grandchildren.

Linda spent her life caring for her family and took great pride in doing so. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She was sad for the people she left behind but she was at peace for whenever her time came.

Elroy Croston, 86, of Winner, SD passed away on Friday, March 30, 2018 at his home in Winner.

Funeral service were held on Tuesday, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Winner. Burial followed in the Colome City Cemetery.

Elroy Dean Croston was born on May 11, 1931. He is the son of Irvy T. Croston and Hermina M. Hespe. The family moved South of Colome near the Keypaha River at a young age. Elroy worked on neighboring farms before and after he went into the service in 1952. He served during the Korean conflict in 1952-1954 stationed in Japan.

On Sept. 1, 1956 Elroy was united in marriage to Velma Harter. They recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. To this union two daughters were born, Rose and Renee.
Shortly after returning from the service Elroy worked as a general contractor constructing homes, commercial buildings, and did concrete work. He also raised cattle. After retiring from carpentry at age 75 he continued to raise cattle.

He was a volunteer fireman for 37 years, a member of the Colome American Legion, and a member of the First Christian Church. He never tired of playing pitch with family and friends. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding his four wheeler. He enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Later in life, the highlights of his day included his daily trip to the farm and checking his email for daily pictures of his great-grandchildren. He religiously watched The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, and the Minnesota Twins.

Elroy is survived by his wife Velma of Winner, SD, daughter Rose Croston of Gillette, WY and daughter Renee (Jeff) Holzer of Winner, SD along with grandchildren Jami (Andy) Dalchow, Kaycee (Luke) Bannister, Crystal (Josh) Kuchta and great grandchildren Mackenzie Loveday, Dominique Foster, Adriana Foster, Aspyn Bannister, Maizie Dalchow, and Kinsley Dalchow. He is also survived by brothers Orval (Betty) Croston, Alan (Deanna) Croston, and Myron (Jan) Croston, as well as in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one sister, and six brothers.