Category Archives: Obituaries

Lois was born September 18, 1953 to Elmer and Gladys (McElroy) Kauer of Winner, South Dakota. She graduated from Winner High School and then went on to Mt. Marty College in Yankton, SD. Before completing her degree, Lois grew too ill with kidney disease to continue with school, but was given the gift of a kidney transplant in 1974 in Minneapolis, MN. She returned to Mt. Marty and finished her B.A. in Home Economics in 1981. On November 6 of that same year she was married to Paul Weidenbach of Lesterville, SD. Lois received a second kidney transplant in 1984. In 1988 they adopted their daughter, Elizabeth and in 1992 adopted their son Jakab. Lois’ battle with kidney disease continued and she received a third transplant from her brother, David in 2004.

Lois loved crocheting, cooking, gift-giving, and most of all she loved being a mother. By the grace of God, she was able to live a full, happy life despite battling kidney disease for nearly 50 years.

Marjory Ellen Caldeira (Wing), 70 years of age, passed away unexpectedly while sleeping peacefully in her home in Carter, South Dakota on Tuesday, April 25, 2017.

Marj was raised in Braintree, Mass., by the late Charles and Marjory (Doherty) Wing of Braintree. She was a graduate of Braintree High School and Massasoit College earning a degree in Liberal Arts. In 1973, she worked at Tufts Medical Center as an echocardiographer, researcher, and trainer all over the world for over 20 years.

In 2000, she moved to South Dakota to join her partner, Bill Matousek. Marj then furthered her education at Sinte Gleska University to become a teacher. She was a dedicated and loving teacher at Okreek School within the Rosebud Indian Reservation. She lived her life to the fullest enjoying, music, art, sewing, gardening, birding, boating, cooking, reading, traveling, learning, and spending time with her partner, family, friends, and animals. Marj truly made a difference in the world by helping our Earth and those in need.

Celebrating the life of Vernon Elsasser, born Feb. 15, 1927 to parents William Elsasser and Joy Audiss Elsasser. Vernon was born in Carter, South Dakota, he grew up in Anoka, Neb. and attended grade school in Anoka. He attended high school in Butte, Neb. where he attended the 10th grade.

Vernon served in the Army Air Corps from 1946 to 1948 in the Philippines and Japan. He was a radio operator directing airplanes coming back from missions. His radio operation was located in a small shack (tree house) in the top of a tree.

Vernon married the love of his life, Norma Crabtree on May 22, 1951 in Winner, SD. Norma’s father said she had to finish high school first, so they were married the day after she graduated. Vernon worked at a Hatchery, in Road Construction, for the REA and local farmers. He started at the Outlaw Trading Post in August 1952 working for 45 years as a meat cutter and meat manager until January 1998.

They were blessed with 66 years of marriage and had three children, Michael, his wife Tish who live in Oregon, Rick, his wife Cindy who live in Rapid City, and Eve, who lives in Winner.

Vernon lived with diabetes for 63 years and lived at home up until 1 month of his 90th birthday.

George Rodney Leetch was born July 14, 1943 in Colome, South Dakota the son of Charles & Myrtle (Robinson) Leetch. He grew up in Colome, South Dakota, graduating from Colome High School with the class of 1962. He entered the United States Army, April 1, 1965 serving during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged March 31, 1967. He returned to Grand Island where he was employed at the Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant until reduction in forces in February of 1971. He was later employed by the Veterans Administration working at the Veterans Hospital in Grand Island until December of 1986. He also worked at Riverside Inn, Grand Island, driving the shuttle bus and doing maintenance work, and the Grand Island Public Schools from 1998 until 2003 when he retired.

He was a member of United Methodist Church, Grand Island.

He enjoyed fishing, bowling and the company at the Grand Generation Center.

Patrick James O’Bryan was born April 10, 1931 at the homestead in Mellette County near Wood, SD to Boyd M. and Theodoshia “Doshia” [Eastin] O’Bryan. The family lived here for a few years then moving to another place in the same area. Pat attended country schools for the lower grades, then went to Winner High School for two years and continuing at Colome High School for the following two years, graduating in 1949.

  Pat worked on area farms and ranches for a few years before enlisting in the United States Army and serving in Korea. When he returned from his military service he married Ethel E. Steele in Clearfield, SD in the summer of 1954.

  One daughter, Lorinda Lou was born to this marriage in 1958. Pat worked on area farms and ranches in Tripp County until 1963 when he bought a ranch north of Hot Springs, SD bordering the Wind Cave National Park. He worked part-time as a bartender for about 4 years in Hot Springs while ranching and then worked on road construction in South Dakota and Wyoming. Pat was divorced in 1969.

  In 1973 he married Carole A. Fleming in Rawlings, WY where they worked on road construction for a few years. In 1982 the bought a bar, restaurant, and campground [Pat’s Place] south of Hill City, SD which they operated for 10 years. In 1992 they sold Pats Place and semi-retired back to the ranch north of Hot Springs. They then bought a bar in Hot Springs called the Red Eye Saloon and ran it for a few years until they sold it and moved back to the ranch full-time. He sold the ranch in 1996 and they moved into a house in Hot Springs.

  Pat was a lifetime member of the American Legion holding numerous offices in the organization. He was also a member of the 40/8 organization where he also held many offices including Nationals Grand Locale. He was a lifetime member of the V.F. W. and a member of the Eagles, both in Rapid City.

Lewis “Max” Bainter was born on May 13, 1936 in Hutchinson, Kansas. He was the only child of Viola (Lippincott) and Lewis Bainter. He had the luxury of growing up on Grand Lake of the Cherokees in Grove, Oklahoma, where he fished and hunted from the time he was 7 years old. On Friday the 13th, 1949 (his 13th birthday), he and his dog were out fishing and he dropped the boat motor into the lake. After scuba diving to get the motor, reattaching it, and continuing to fish, Max caught himself in the head with a fishing lure. He drove himself (reminder: he is 13 years old) to the doctor to have the lure removed. He came out of the doctor’s office to find the dog had eaten the interior of his dad’s brand new vehicle. He claimed the story ended with him going home to bed…. We believe it only ended after plenty of Pappa and Mamma Bainter reprimands.

He attended Grove High School in Grove, Oklahoma. He went on to quarterback the 1956 NJCAA national championship football team while attending Coffeeville Junior College in Coffeeville, Kansas. Here, he met the love of his life, Jodee Hepner. He went on to play football at Emporia Teacher’s College in Emporia, Kansas where he married Jodee. They had their first child, Becky, in November of 1958, not long after Max began working at the YMCA. The family moved to Keokuk, Iowa, and in April 1960 they were blessed with their second child, Steven. Another YMCA job offer resulted in them moving to Quincy, Illinois where they had their third child, Kirk, in May of 1964.

When a teaching position in Witten, South Dakota arose, he was thrilled to move to a part of the country rich with wildlife and opportunities for fishing and hunting. Winner became their home. Several years later, Max accepted a teaching position in the Winner school district. There, he taught and coached for many years. Rumor has it that during this time Max applied for a teaching position in Alaska. Supposedly, after preparing his application to be mailed, Jodee “lost” the application (i.e., lost it in the nearest garbage can). While disappointed that he never heard back about the job, he maintained his passions for hunting, fishing, and family here in Winner.

Louie was born in Burke, South Dakota to Leona and Slim Harsin on February 5, 1963. He was the youngest of the six Harsin children. His sisters always said they didn’t need dolls to play with, they had Louie.

Louie first met his lifelong love, Michelle Shutt, in 1978. They met again some years later and married on Oct. 4, 1986 in Gregory. Shortly after their marriage, Louie adopted Michelle’s sons, Scott and Shaun. The joy of his heart, granddaughter Dillyn, was born on March 21, 2004. Louie built “Dilly Bear” a playhouse, complete with running water. He added swings and a pool for her, showering her with his love and attention.

Louie began his working life in 1983 with his brother-in-law, Randy Lyon, in the family bee business. He worked bees from South Dakota to Texas for the next ten years. He then began his own construction business while also working alongside Michelle at the Hipp and Hilltop Theaters. Even while in the hospital, he and Slim made plans for the upcoming show season. Louie truly enjoyed the theater business and working with his dad.

Louie was the best Papa, son, husband and brother that anyone could ask for. He has the best and biggest heart, and would help anyone and everyone.

She was born on the family south of Colome to Maurice (Percy) and Leona Sealey, the 3rd of four children.

Frances graduated from Colome High School in 1946 and taught country school for one year before marrying Paul Schmidt in 1947. They bought a farm southeast of Winner and raised six children there:
Gene (Wellington, Colorado), Brenda (Steve Bruckner, Colome), Brad (Sandy, LaJunta, Colorado), Lauren (Tom Mayes, Winner), Don (Black Hawk) and Pamela (Bob Weaver, Piedmont).

Frances spent her whole life as a wife, Mom and homemaker. She loved her faith, babies, birds, flowers, dancing, playing cards, baking and especially all her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. She and Paul enjoyed traveling the US with their family and in later years traveled abroad.

Frances lost Paul in 2010 and eventually moved to the Golden Prairie Manor in 2015 where she lived for nearly one and a half years. She passed away quietly in the Winner Hospital at the age of 89.

Nadine “Bac” Stands was born in Rosebud, South Dakota, June 3, 1966 to Josephine Eagle Star and Clarence Stands. Nadine grew up in Ideal, South Dakota with her parents, six brothers, two sisters and adopted sister Glenda. She went to school in Todd county and completed the 11th grade. She enjoyed helping out her family in times of need, and hanging out with many of her beloved friends and family.

Nadine cared deeply for the ones she loved and always put their needs before her own. She loved spoiling her grandchildren Gjoa, Robin, and Eris. She was residing in Sioux Falls with son, Julian Stands, when she passed.

He was born in Mellette County, South Dakota. Dale was the son of Fred and Freda (Graf) Schwant. Dale attended Colorado State College of Education on a music scholarship where he played clarinet in the concert band, cello in the symphony orchestra, clarinet and sax in dance bands, and was the drum major of the marching band. He was a member of the music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

In January of 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and spent his overseas time in patrol bomber squadron and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with two gold stars. After WWII he attended Washington State College where he earned a varsity letter in wrestling and a BA in political science. After graduation, he worked for a year as a traveling secretary for his fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha, and then entered law school at the University of South Dakota. While in law school, he was president of the legal fraternity, Phi Delta Phi. In January of 1952, he graduated from law school and was admitted to the South Dakota State Bar. In February, he entered the FBI and was stationed in the Savannah and Knoxville Divisions before being transferred to the New York office in August of 1954. Dale retired in July of 1975 and moved to Florida in 1977, where he enjoyed playing tennis and gardening.