Category Archives: Obituaries

Betty Darlene Parlet was born on Jan. 11, 1946, in Winner, South Dakota and died on Aug. 7, 2023, in San Luis Obispo, California after a lengthy battle with lymphoma. 

Betty’s early years were spent on a farm near Millboro, South Dakota until her parents bought their farm southwest of Winner when Betty was 12. 

Betty graduated from Winner High School in 1964.  She attended Black Hills State University for a year before returning to Winner and beginning a job at Ranchers National Bank.  She married John Parlet in 1966.  They moved to California and raised two daughters, Darci (Parlet) Turner and Joy (Parlet) Underwood.  John and Betty were in the restaurant business for more than 30 years.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Mildred (Bertram) Kaiser and her brother, Gary Kaiser, all of Winner. She is survived by her daughters, Darci Turner and her husband, Jeff Turner, of Ridgecrest, California, Joy Underwood and her husband, Lane Underwood, of Freeburg, Illinois, six grandchildren, Madison (Turner) Cleveland and husband, Cory Cleveland, of Oak Hills, California, Jacob Turner of Ridgecrest, California, and  JD Underwood, Matt Underwood, Moriah Underwood, and Bethany Underwood of Freeburg, Illinois.  In addition, Betty leaves one great grandchild, Auroara Cleveland of Oak Hills, California.  She is also survived by her former husband, John Parlet of Orange County, California.  Betty’s sister, Norma Keiser and husband, Chuck Keiser, of Winner are left to mourn her loss.  Betty will also be missed by many brothers and sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.  Those include Jacque Kaiser of Winner, Jack and Ellen Storms of Winner, Harold and Veda Parlet of Sioux Falls, Tom Parlet and Mona Garcia of Banning, California, Don and Eileen Shibley of Ridgecrest, California, Kevin and Jaime Keiser and family, Nicole Keiser, of Winner, Jennifer (Kaiser) and Daron Uthe and family of Sioux Falls, Crystal Parlet of Banning, California,  Brian Parlet of Banning, California, Tyler Storms of Orange County, California, as well as Judd and Shawna Kaiser and family, Jeff and Marit Kaiser and family, Blake and Emily Tideman and family, and Grady and Sarah Myers and family, all of Winner. 

In every place that Betty lived, she left a mark.  In the over 25 years Betty lived in Ridgecrest, Calif., she was a contributor to the community in so many ways.  She shared the values of her South Dakota upbringing with a whole generation growing up in an isolated desert town.  Betty and John employed so many young people through John’s Pizza. One of the reasons these people loved working at John’s Pizza was because John and Betty cared so much about their employees.  Betty would host staff parties at their home, and she was the glue that held everything together.  She was a woman of faith, a wife, a mom, a businesswoman, a volunteer, and a contributor to all local causes.  She served for years on the Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Board of Directors and was responsible for planting many of the trees and gardens in Ridgecrest.  Betty lived in San Luis Obispo, Calif., the last 20 years of her life.  She loved San Luis Obispo and made so many warm memories and lasting friendships.   Her home was always open, and she was happiest when it was full.  Her bible study groups, PEO sisters, bridge clubs, and family – always family – had a home in her home.  She gave real meaning to the word “gracious.”  The lives of so many family members and friends have been forever altered by her loss, yet they have all been blessed to have had such a beautiful bond with our sweet Betty. 

A celebration of life service will be held for Betty Parlet on Sunday, Aug. 20, from 1 to 3 pm at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner.   The family hopes that you can stop by to visit and celebrate a life well lived. 

Funeral services for Claudia Vaughn, 78, were held Aug. 10 a First Reformed Church, Mitchell. Burial was in Graceland Cemetery, Mitchell.

Claudia Kay Sparks was born on July 17, 1945 in Homer, Neb.,  to  Lenora (Serr) & Orville B. Sparks. 

She passed away Aug. 5, 2023, at the Dougherty Hospice House. She grew up in South Dakota/Nebraska. She met Merle Vaughn at the young age of 16 and knew instantly she was going to marry him.  They were married on Sept. 3, 1961, and were thrilled when their daughter Cathy Kaye was born on Christmas Day in 1967 in Nürnberg, Germany, where Merle was stationed in the Army. She cared for Merle during his cancer journey and he died March 5, 2009, just a few months short of their 48th anniversary. 

She worked as a waitress, cook, and owner of the meat locker with Merle. Her most beloved job was daycare provider and she loved on those kids like they were her own.

She played a special role in the lives of her three grandsons, Nick, Nathan and Noah. She spoiled them with hugs, fresh cookies, warm bath towels, and most importantly, unconditional love.  This special bond was very present throughout her life, but especially during her cancer journey as they each visited and called daily.  She was blessed to add another grandson, Sam and granddaughter, Sophia when Emery joined the family marrying Cathy in 2014.

She loved coffee time and visiting with everyone she met.  She talked to her sisters daily/weekly & loved keeping in touch; always ending the conversation with “I love you & take of care   yourself”. She loved having donuts with great granddaughter Hayley,   making noodle soup for her twinkies-Jade & Jace, listening to Oliver ask “are you doing ok?’ & having Everly crawling up onto her bed. 

She spent the last seven months living with Cathy and Emery after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and breaking her hip. She loved finding new recipes and watching TV. She spent her last 3 1/2 weeks at the Dougherty Hospice House being taken care of by wonderful nurses and care assistants. 

She is survived by her daughter, Cathy and husband, Emery;  grandchildren- Nick, Nathan, Noah & wife Brittany, Sam, & Sophia; great grandchildren Hayley, Jade, Jace, Oliver, & Everly, sisters: Marsha Fyler, Mary (Gary) Schmidt, Machele (Eldon) Vogt,  and Julee Miller.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle, brother, Steve Sparks and her parents.

Mary Lou (Noble) Peklo, age 82, of Pembroke, Mass. , formerly of Omaha, Neb., passed away on July 26, 2023.

She was born in Winner, South Dakota to the late Elias and Mildred (Konop) Noble. She worked for the telephone company for 30 years both in Winner and in Omaha. Mary Lou enjoyed gardening, reading, traveling, and sewing. She was famous for telling jokes.

Mary Lou was the loving wife of the late Robert J. Peklo for 58 years.

She is survived by their children Kathleen (Rick) English of Omaha, Neb., Karen Peklo of Pembroke, brothers Elias “Chuck” (Trudy) Noble, and Wayne (Sharon)  Noble, sister Marsha (Bill) Gresham, grandchildren Ryan English of Omaha, Katrina (Adam) McKeagney of Pembroke, four great grandchildren Elias “Eli”, Xavier, Emersyn and Gabriella McKeagney, and many nieces and nephews.

Despite retinitis pigmentosa gradually stealing her vision and eventually causing complete blindness, Mary Lou maintained a positive attitude and her sense of humor until the end of her life.  Mary Lou and her husband Robert will be buried at the New Hampshire National Cemetery, honoring Robert’s service in the United States Navy. Date to be determined.

Joyce E Kauer, 75 died Aug. 2, 2023 at Monument Health – Rapid City Hospital.

Joyce Elaine (Legge) Kauer was born June 25, 1947 at Winner, SD to George and Berniece (Storms) Legge.

In July of 1948 the family moved to Clearfield, SD, where her parents owned and operated Legge Garage. Joyce attended grade school at Clearfield School 1st through 8th grade. She graduated from Winner High School in 1967. Joyce worked at DECA at Grossenburg Implement during high school and continued to work their until May 1969. She married James L. Kauer on Oct. 5, 1968, in Winner SD.

In May 1969 she and Jim moved to Rapid City SD. Daughter Jennifer Jill was born on Aug. 1, 1974. Joyce was devoted to her family and friends. She enjoyed the outdoors, her numerous cats over the years and her garden. One of her favorite activities was her neighborhood birthday club where they enjoyed food and birthday sweets. She enjoyed collecting and selling her antiques and collectibles at her booth at Black Hills Antique Mall on 6th Street. She was an excellent cook and shared many recipes over the years and made the best Christmas Bread that was always a favorite at the holidays. Joyce was always up for a game of pitch, snatch or Mexican Train dominoes. Joyce loved to paint and shared her talent with the gifts of original oil painting as gifts to family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, James, daughter, Jennifer (Jason) Totten, grandchildren, Wyatt Totten, Kaitlyn Totten (Grady Martin), Cooper Totten. One great-grandson, Brooks Martin. Brothers, Kelly (Robin) Legge, Loren (Deb) Legge, niece Halley Legge and nephew Lander (Hannah) Legge as well as many extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Carol Geldert, brother-in-law, Robert Geldert, grandparents, George C. and Amelia Legge, Joseph and Cresenthia Storms.

A Christian Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Therese the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rapid City.  She was laid to rest following the Mass at Mt. Calvary Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.

Please visit the online memorial for Joyce at: www.OsheimSchmidt.com.

Marlene Kay (Gerdes) Kerner, 71, of Burke, SD passed away on July 18, 2023 in Burke, SD.

She was born on April 27, 1952 to John and Darline (Powers) Gerdes in Mitchell, SD.

Growing up, Marlene’s family moved around a lot because of her dad’s work as a truck driver for a construction company. The family would set up camp at each new road construction site and Marlene and her siblings would attend the local schools near the construction camps. Marlene often talked about how she didn’t mind the moving, except for when they attended a small school where her and her little brother (only 13 months younger than her) were in the same class.

Marlene didn’t say her first words until she was 2.5 years old and then suddenly one day as she was looking out the window, she said “there goes my daddy in his truck.” As her mother and everyone who knew her said, “and she hasn’t stopped talking since.” Marlene was known for being a “talker.” She never met a stranger she didn’t like and could carry on a conversation with anyone. Once on a family vacation to Six Flags, Marlene struck up a conversation with her roller coaster seatmate and afterwards commented that the young man wasn’t much of a conversationalist. That evening at the hotel pool, she was surprised to see his face on a souvenir t-shirt. Marlene said to the young lady wearing the t-shirt, “I was just on a roller coaster with that kid today.” The young lady, exclaimed, “you were on a roller coaster with NSYNC!” 

Her mother, Darline Gerdes, ran a bakery out of her home and Marlene was her mom’s right hand baking assistant, instilling a love for baking that she kept throughout her life. She happily volunteered to deliver long johns to local customers for a quarter tip, so she could go to Mrs. Lunn’s candy store to buy nickel black cherry soda and penny candy.

In 1960, her family made their permanent home in Kimball, SD where Marlene graduated from Kimball High School in 1970. During high school and college, she worked as a waitress at Chef Rudy’s Café at Skelly’s Midway Truck-Stop in Kimball, SD to pay her way through college. After high school, she attended the University of South Dakota in Springfield majoring in elementary education and student teaching at the Chamberlain Indian school, planning to be a spinster schoolteacher.

However, that all changed in 1973, while at a rodeo dance in Chamberlain, SD. Her friend Judene Holan asked her to hold her drink so she could go out on the dance floor. Not thrilled to be standing next to the bar alone holding two drinks, Marlene agreed. That gave the otherwise introverted Richard Kerner who was in Chamberlain for guard duty, the chance he needed. He walked up to Marlene and said, “do you always drink two fisted?” That was the beginning of 49 years together and Richard and Marlene where married 9 months later on May 10, 1974 in the same church were Marlene’s parents were married, Saint Margaret’s Catholic Church in Kimball, SD.

The two built their life together on a ranch south of Burke where they lived and raised their three children, Steve, Anna and David until moving to town in 2009. On the ranch, Marlene was known for her delicious cooking which usually included some variation of home raised beef and potatoes. Marlene made sure that anyone who visited or worked on the ranch, never went hungry. She was constantly cooking whether it was bacon and eggs for breakfast or lunches for moving cattle and taking to the field. She always had a large garden and canned the best beets and dill pickles. There was always boiling coffee on the stove, even though she was never a coffee drinker herself.

Much to Richard’s chagrin, she decorated the house for each holiday, especially Christmas and always made sure everyone got a present. 

Marlene was known for her pumpkin, cherry, apple and rhubarb pies which she brought to every family holiday gathering. She was a skilled donut and cake maker and decorator and made cutout and tiered cakes for all her family’s special occasions, including making her own wedding cake, and three tiered cakes for her parents 40th wedding anniversary and her daughter Anna’s high school graduation.

Marlene and Richard enjoyed visiting their daughter Anna all over the world, including taking the greyhound bus to Washington D.C., the Amtrak train to Niagara Falls, Boston, Sacramento, California and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. They also visited Anna in London twice which included a tour of Europe; visiting the beaches of Normandy, riding the train through the Alps, dining in a rotating restaurant in Berlin, Germany and going on a Gondola ride with her future son-in-law, Dan in Venice.

Marlene and Richard had a tradition of taking family vacations once a year, which they continued with their grandchildren once they were old enough to travel. These trips included taking their oldest granddaughter Mindy to Washington, D.C. and Yellowstone, several trips to the Black Hills, taking the train to Denver, Adventureland in Iowa and meeting up with Marlene’s sister Rosemary and her grandchildren for swim weekends. In 2014, they took their granddaughter Macie to Sweden, Denmark and the Fjords of Norway.

Marlene also enjoyed trips to the casino until her health no longer allowed her to go. Her bubbly personality, infectious laugh and good luck made her well known to other players and the casino staff, many of whom became good friends. She loved to share the story of her winning two cars and true to Marlene’s generous spirit, she gave the first one to her granddaughter Mindy. Her claim to fame was that Ft. Randal Casino filmed her handing over the keys to Mindy and made a television commercial from the footage. 

Marlene constantly worried about others and family was everything to her. She always wanted to make sure everyone around her was taken care of and of course fed, especially her precious David who meant the world to her.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Richard Kerner; three children, Steve Kerner and wife Julie of Burke, SD, her daughter Anna Kerner Andersson and husband Dan of Burke, SD and her son David Kerner of Winner, SD; a brother, John Gerdes and wife Maureen of Kimball, SD; and 9 grandchildren, Mindy (Jared) Bolling, Austin (Cheyanne) Kerner, Macie (Wes) York, Ava Kerner, Mattie Kerner, Sophie Kerner Andersson, Elizabeth Kerner Andersson, Anna Christina Kerner Andersson and Richard Kerner Andersson and 3 great grandchildren, Emerson and Micah Bolling and Waylon York.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Darline (Powers) Gerdes, and her sister Rosemary Rasmussen. Funeral services for Marlene Kerner, age 71, of Burke, SD, were  held on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 10:30 a.m.  at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke, SD.  Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke.

Doug Gossard, 68, of Winner, SD passed away on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. 

A Celebration of Life service was held on Monday, July 31, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Colome American Legion.  Burial will be held at a later date.  

Doug was born in Winner, SD on May 27, 1955 to Kenneth and Lila Gossard. He was later joined by his two siblings, Wes and Kena. Doug grew up on the family farm south of Colome. He attended & graduated from Colome High School in 1974. Doug often spoke fondly of his memories of playing football in those days. Upon graduating, he hauled many loads of gravel while also working alongside his dad on the farm. Doug had a sharp mind when it came to livestock and spent much of his time watching rodeos or attending sales when he could.

 On June 12, 1982, Doug married the love of his life, Jan Cahoy Vaughn. With this marriage, he inherited little Mel. The family lived in the Colome area until 1988 when they moved to Davenport, IA. A short time later, they moved to Cherry, IL for the next six years where Doug continued his work as a truck driver for Double D Express. During this time, Doug spent many hours with his cousin Merle where countless laughs, memories, and stories were shared.

 In 1994, Doug moved his family back to South Dakota roots once again living on the family farm. While living on the farm in 1998, Doug’s most prized possession was born, his grandson. So many adventures took place between the two. This included fishing trips, an attack by a turkey in the middle of a field, and protecting his grandson from a snake with a cattle prod.

 In 2002, Doug and Jan moved to Winner. After spending some time flying planes in Washington with his brother Wes, Doug began his 20-year career at the Winner City Jail. During these 20 years, he made many friends. Those friends became family.

 Doug had many titles: son, brother, husband, dad, grandpa, friend, and neighbor. His most well-known features were recognized as being a comedian and his skill to play the guitar by ear. His comedic nature will be cherished through videos that he recorded years ago that his family will never forget. Doug wasn’t just a jokester though; he had a unique ability to make people feel understood. He was a man of values, integrity, and most of all, family.  His constant effort to make others smile, even during hard times will be something that family and friends will miss dearly.

 Doug was proceded in death by his father, Kenneth, mother Lila, father- in law, Donald Cahoy and mother-in-law Marlene Cahoy.

He is survived by his wife, Jan, children, Cody and Melony Bertram, grandchildren Trevor Bertram and Tatum Olson, one brother Wes Gossard (Cindy), one sister Kena (Tony) Bolton, brother-in-law Gene (Deb) Cahoy, brother-law Dave (Candy) Cahoy, sister-in-law Donelle Eby, brother-in-law Rick (Lisa) Cahoy along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Tommy L. Vaughn, age 71, of Martin, South Dakota, formerly of Winner, died on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at the Bennett County Healthcare Center in Martin.

Tommy Lewis Vaughn was born May 3, 1952, in Valentine, Neb., to Frank and Beverly (May) Vaughn. Tom attended grade school in Sidney, NE while his father worked as a ranch hand and later moved back home to South Dakota, graduating from Bennett County High School in Martin. After high school Tom attended college in Chadron, Neb., and again returned home to start working at Little Wound School in Kyle, SD. Tom loved the education world so much he continued on to Rockyford School District where he spent most of his career of over 30 years being a teachers aid in special education, a bus monitor and a librarian assistant. One of his favorite things was to read the Hank the Cowdog series which was the only books he would ever read to the kids. The kids loved listening to Tom because he would always laugh so hard reading the adventures of a silly cow dog it would turn into a rage of laughter from the whole group.

Tom had a love of dogs from a very young age. It was his first dog Brownie that actually taught him to walk. That bond instilled a life-long love for a 4 legged best friend and also lit the flame for his love of hounds and coyote hunting. Tom lived to load up a set of coyote hounds in the box of his pickup, gather a family member or friend and go out for hours on the hunt. It didn’t matter if he missed Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas with the family, coyote hunting with his dogs was always top of the priority list. The thrill of the chase brought MANY stories, laughs, jokes and wondering how far the truth was stretched.

Tom also had a love of horses and raised quality quarter horses. He had an eye for conformation and good disposition. Tom stood a couple of studs horses and to this day there are still horses with his bloodlines being used on area ranches and in local arenas. He was always proud to produce a good mount for someone.

When Tom is mentioned to family members and friends it’s always said he was a practical jokester. He loved teasing and telling stories, he loved laughing and you could always pick his giggling out of a crowd. The stories were never too far fetched with Tom around.

Tom’s last years were spent in the Winner nursing home. While there he was blessed to have met his special friend Carla. Carla would sit with Tom for hours every day keeping him company, keeping him in touch with the family and making sure everything for Tom was comfortable and in order. She was such a gift to him and we are forever thankful for her friendship to Tom.

Survivors include his sister Twila Goodman and brother Dave Nelson. Nephews Rob and Shawn Goodman, JR and Travis Nelson and niece TR Nelson and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Bev Vaughn, brother Michael “Butch” Vaughn, uncles Bud and Dan May, aunts Zona and Ramona May, and Marnie White Wolf; cousins Jerry, Tammy and Pam May, nephew Chad Nelson and special friend Carla Lebert.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Martin.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, July 31, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Martin, with Father Tyler Dennis officiating.

Interment will be at the Martin Community Cemetery.

Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.

Memorial services for Peggy Schwartz, 88, Gregory, were held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory on July 10. Burial took place at the Colome Cemetery.

Margaret “Peggy” Ann (Vavra) Schwartz was the first born of Frank and Dorothy (Cahoy) Vavra on March 4, 1935. Peggy was born on her Uncle Emil and Aunt Myrtle Cahoy’s farm and was baptized in Clearfield’s Catholic Church. She attended first grade in Clearfield, second grade in Millboro and third through eighth grade at the Viaduct School. Peggy graduated at the top of her class in 1953 from Colome High School.

She milked cows and did daily chores on the farm. After high school, Peggy joined the Catholic Daughters of St. Isidore Catholic Church, she was a member for seventy years. St. Isidore is where she was also united in marriage to her high school sweetheart Jim Schwartz on Sept. 29, 1956. She was blessed with two children that she loved dearly, Kevin and Lynne.

Not only did she work tirelessly as a wife and mother, but she also had jobs at First Fidelity Bank in Colome, Wagner’s Market in Colome, and continued to help on the farm.

Peggy was a wonderful cook and baker. Her fresh baked bread and chocolate cake are still treasured recipes today. She enjoyed gardening, reading, and attending every sporting event of her children.

When Peggy became a grandmother, she loved babysitting and attending all of their activities as well. She especially enjoyed watching baseball and track and field.

Peggy received a challenging diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes at age 24 and held the goal to live to her children’s high school graduation, but she defied all odds and was blessed to see nine great grandchildren join the family.

Peggy was truly the epitome of a farm wife and mother. She had a very giving heart, a friendly smile, and hardworking hands that never stopped until the work was done. Peggy always made time for others, and her frequent visits, phone calls, and handwritten letters are special memories. Her Catholic faith and family were so dear to her, and she will be greatly missed here as she enters her Heavenly home.

Peggy passed away on July 5, 2023, at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center at the age of 88 years.

Peggy is survived by her husband Jim of Gregory; her son Kevin of Colome; her daughter Lynne (Joe) Duling of Gregory; her granddaughter Katie (Chris) Kassin of Vermillion; her grandson Kris Schwartz of Oak Island, NC; her grandson Mitch Schwartz of Colome; her granddaughter Abigail (Skyler) Kuil of Winner; and her granddaughter Alexa (Shea) Williams of St. Louis, MO; her great-grandchildren Collins and Kellen Kassin, Rose and Summer Kuil, and Kemp, Dell, Brit, Goldie, and Dar Williams. She is also survived by her sister Jeanne (Joe) Bride, brother Bob (Merrilee) Vavra, sister Claudia (Ed) Opbroek, sister-in-law Patricia Erickson, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Ken.

Ralph Leroy Mefferd, Jr. was born Sept. 1, 1932, to Ralph L. Mefferd Sr. and Dorothy (Dodds) Mefferd in the Ainsworth, NE hospital. He died Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at the Western Nebraska Veteran’s Home in Scottsbluff, NE.

Ralph’s life began in the fossil digging camps of Morris Skinner and Company. There his father found employment on bone collecting expeditions that ranged across the Nebraska and Wyoming prairies and South Dakota Badlands. During those years, Ralph’s winters were spent in New York City attending school as the excavation team researched and processed their summer’s finds for Frick Laboratory in partnership with the Museum of Natural History. Disliking New York City, the Northeast winters, and attending school in such a large city, Ralph began living and working on his grandparent’s (Frank and Vivian Dodds) ranch while attending school in Raven, NE. He took up boxing after starting high school in Ainsworth and found the sport to be a great outlet for his natural toughness and fighting spirit. Ralph’s time spent boxing saw him qualify for state on two occasions. He placed second his sophomore year and he was undefeated his junior year before the Ainsworth boxing team became stranded while traveling to the state tournament in the Blizzard of 1949. Nebraska outlawed the high school sport his senior year.

Following high school, Ralph received his draft notice and become a veteran of the Korean War.

He served in the United States Army from Jan. 7, 1953, to Sept. 1, 1954, and spent most of his time in service overseas. Ralph operated heavy equipment to build roads and other infrastructure in Korea as he served as a combat engineer and rose to the rank of corporal. After leaving service Ralph returned to his hometown of Ainsworth. 

Upon his return home, Ralph married his longtime girlfriend and fiancé Betty J. Propst of Springview, NE on June 24, 1955. The following year, Ralph and Betty began their family as Sandra, Michael, and Kelly, joined the world and learned to live and work as hard as their parents. A faithful and devoted husband, Ralph celebrated 67 years of marriage with his lifetime sweetheart.

Ralph’s life was driven by the cowboy spirit. This began at the young age of three as “Ralphy” rode a simple stick through camp at his father’s dig sites and dreamt of his future life as a rancher and rodeo enthusiast. This carried through his high school years as he worked a local dairy farm while attending school.

Following his time in service, Ralph picked up his life as a cowboy and returned to the three rough stock events. There he once successfully rode 54 head of bucking stock straight before retiring from the events and focusing on his young family. Alongside his rodeo days, Ralph and his family lived and worked on several ranches in the area including Wood Lake, Nenzel, and Bassett, NE, as well as Hamill and Edgemont, SD. His ranching days were far from uneventful. One winter, while loading a large stack onto a hay sled, Ralph’s glove became caught in the tractor’s winch. Being unable to stop the winch in time he suffered the loss of three fingers in the accident. Also, in 1974, after managing the “Old Savage Ranch” for Rich and Dean Kinney, Ralph and his family recreated the old-time cattle drive as they relocated 200 angus pair 100 miles from Hamill, SD to their new ranch in Bassett, NE; a highlight for the livestock-focused family. Later, Ralph would purchase his second ranch on the Cheyenne River near Edgemont, SD, operating it for several years before returning to Nebraska.  

In between calving seasons, brandings, fixing fence, and cattle drives, Ralph enjoyed returning to his younger days by fossil and arrowhead hunting on the prairie. He also found time to attend many local dances with his wife Betty and young children and enjoyed spending time with his grandkids as his family grew. Ralph took pride in his near self-sufficiency as he mastered horsemanship, mechanical work, and many aspects of veterinarian care. Throughout his life he became fond of great Western fiction, especially stories written by the novelist Louis L’Amour.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Kelly Mefferd, who tragically and unexpectedly passed on March 28, 2021; parents-in-law Henry and Gladys Propst; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Richard and Sandra Propst, and William and Susan Propst.  

He is survived by his wife Betty of Scottsbluff, NE; daughter Sandra Mefferd of Chadron, NE; son Michael (Carmen) Mefferd of Rapid City, SD; brother Charles Mefferd of Kearney, NE; grandchildren: Chancy Stewart of Orchard, NE; Mikalya Bentley of Milliken, CO; Marc Mefferd of Lander, WY; Ty Brown of Marsland, NE; and Wil Brown of Loveland, CO; brother-in-law Elvin Propst of Tuscon, AZ; great grandchildren Carter, River, Eli, Nash, and Brixleigh. Memorial services were held on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth.  Pastor Paul Smith of Hay Springs, NE officiated at the service.    Inurnment will take place in the Ainsworth Cemetery at a later date.  Memorials were suggested to the family for future designation.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.

Lucas Allen Kaiser, age 35, of Watertown, SD, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, July 10, 2023.  Funeral Services were held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Cornerstone Methodist Church in Watertown.  Pastor Luke Smith officiated 

Burial was at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown, SD. 

Lucas was born on Aug. 26, 1987, in Spearfish, SD, to Greg and Lori (Frank) Kaiser.  He attended school in Billings, MT, until his family moved to Watertown, where he graduated from WHS with the class of 2006.  Following high school, Lucas went on to further his education by attending college in Jamestown, ND, SDSU, and DSU. Lucas loved sports and excelled in track, football, and baseball. 

On Aug. 7, 2009, Lucas married the love of his life, Amanda Cass in Watertown.  The couple raised four children together, Aidan, Audrina, Lincoln, and Cecelia.  Lucas was in business with his dad for several years at Midwest Dent. He was very passionate about his job, which he considered a form of art, and enjoyed working with his dad – most days.

Lucas had a passion for motorcycles, hunting, fishing, golfing, baseball, cheering on the Dallas Cowboys, Nebraska Cornhuskers, and Seattle Mariners.  He was also an amazing cook.  His specialties were pizza (with a secret sauce he refused to share), his special noodles, and chili.  Audrina is following in his footsteps.

Lucas adored his children, they were truly the joy of his life.  He enjoyed spending as much time as he could with them, playing video games, movie nights, hitting balls, going on road trips,  and building crazy amounts of lego’s. 

Lucas will be most remembered for his contagious laugh, beautiful smile, and his amazing beard!  He was always willing to rise to the challenge of any dare or prank.  He was constantly razzing his dad, and his dad ALWAYS responded as expected.  For his children he will be remembered for his “magic kissies” to heal any wound.

Lucas is survived by his parents, Greg and Lori Kaiser of Watertown, SD; children Aidan Cass of Lake Preston, SD, Audrina, Lincoln, and Cecelia Kaiser of Watertown, SD; the mother of his children Amanda Crook of Watertown, SD; grandparents Marcella Kaiser of Spearfish, SD, and Vern and Vesta Frank of Newcastle, WY; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Lucas was preceded in death by his grandpa Robert Kaiser; uncle Jesse and aunt Stacey Frank; and uncle Jim Swaby.

Donations to assist the family can  be sent to gofundme under Lucas Kaiser memorial and kids or mailed to Kaiser Family, 59 Sunrise Drive, Watertown, SD 57201

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel   www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant