Category Archives: News

Memorial services for Donald Kahler age 49 of Gregory, SD will be held on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 3:30 pm at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home, Gregory, SD. Burial will follow in Colome City Cemetery in Colome, SD.

Donald Gordon Kahler was born March 14, 1972, in Burke, SD, to Harold and Evelyn (Marts) Kahler. Donald was the fifth of six children. Don grew up in Brookings, SD. He graduated from Brookings High School in 1990.

During his high school years Don was a member of the BB Gun Club and was a state champion. He was also a member of the Youth Archery team and was a state champion.

After graduation, Don started a career as a CNC machinist in Brookings that led him to working in Fargo, ND, building huge sugar beet harvesters. He then landed one of his dream jobs building guns in Sturgis, SD. His passion for guns followed him his entire life. He then worked as a welder for his uncle Jerry Marts. He also bartended for a while at Gregory Lanes where he met a man who built log homes. This led Don, his brother Dale, and nephew Tom, traveling all over the US building homes and other structures.  While in Wyoming, Don’s love for horses led him to videoing the chariot races for the fans and jockeys enjoyment. Due to a poor economy, he then went to owning and driving semi trucks mainly in North Dakota during the oil boom.

Donald passed away at his home in Gregory on Jan. 3, 2022, at the age of 49 years.

Donald is survived by four brothers: Dwight (Pam), Douglas, Daryl (Donna), and Dale all of Brookings, SD, and one sister Kathleen of Dallas, SD; and many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

August “Gus” Massa, 94, of Winner, SD passed away on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022 at the Avera Sacred Heart Nursing Home in Yankton, SD. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Immaclate Conception Catholic Church in Winner.   Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to mass.

August “Gus” Martin Massa, was born in Spring Valley, IL on Oct. 30, 1927 to John and Antoinette Massa (Chiado).  He served as a Radioman Third Class in the U.S. Navy.  He attended the University of Illinois and received a degree in architecture.

Gus married Nancy M. Schwartz on June 24, 1972 in Chicago.  They moved to Sturgis, SD where Gus worked as an instructor at Area 5 VoTech.  When the school merged with Western Dakota Tech they moved to Rapid City, SD.

Gus worked extensively with Bill and Ted Hustead to design many parts of Wall Drug.

Gus and Nancy moved to the family farm near Carter, SD in 1996 where he enjoyed gardening and taking care of his sheep, chickens, and dogs.

Gus suffered a stroke in 2016 and spent his remaining years as a resident of the Elder Inn.  Gus was a very kind, gentle and thoughtful person. Gus is survived by his brothers; John Massa and Jim (Lois) Massa and numerous nephews and nieces.  Gus is preceded in death by his parents and wife Nancy

Lawrence E. Friestad, age 75, of McCook, Neb., passed away at his home on Jan. 11, 2022. 

 He was born in Ottawa, Illinois, on Sept. 22, 1946, to Joseph M. and Hazel I. (Foreman) Friestad. Lawrence attended College View Academy in Lincoln, Neb., graduating in 1964. He attended Union College in Lincoln and obtained his nursing degree in 1971.  He worked in Hinsdale, Ill.  for three years before moving to Seattle, Wash.,  to attend Group Health’s Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) program, graduating as a CRNA in 1976. Lawrence moved to Winner, South Dakota to begin his career.

Lawrence married Rosalea “Tillie” Betts in Nevada, Iowa on Aug. 4, 1968.  The couple lived on “Rock Hill” a 20-acre plot in Winner, South Dakota. They moved to Southwest Nebraska 25 years ago while Lawrence worked in hospitals in McCook, Oberlin, Cambridge and Benkelman until he retired. Tillie preceded him in death on December 16, 2019.

Lawrence was an accomplished pianist and organist. He and Tillie donated the Trumpet Pipes for the pipe organ at the College View Church in Lincoln, Neb.  He enjoyed wild boar hunts, and prairie dog hunting. He was a collector of many things, but really enjoyed collecting old and antique tools. Lawrence would meet friends for coffee and buy lunch and have an intelligent conversation and a laugh. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Hazel; wife, Rosalea “Tillie.”

Lawrence is survived by his brother, Lloyd, of Seattle, WA; sister, Lorraine Friestad, of Shawnee, KS; niece, Jean Friestad, of Nevada, IA; and a host of friends and relatives.

Graveside services were  held at the College View Cemetery in Lincoln, Neb. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2021, at 1 p.m. with Rev. Ray Daniels officiating. Friends may leave on-line condolences at herrmannfh.com. Memorials may be left in Lawrence’s name to Union College in Lincoln, Neb. Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.

Dennis Lauritsen, 76, of Wood, SD passed away on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 at the Avera Saint Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, SD. 

Graveside service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 at 1 p.m.  at the Evergreen Cemetery in Wood, SD.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to committal service at the cemetery.

Dennis Lauritsen was born Aug. 3, 1945 to Chris and Minnie (McCarthy) Lauritsen. He and his brother Richard were born later in Chris and Minnie’s life; therefore, they were referred to as the miracle babies.  Dennis always considered himself so fortunate for having lived his entire life at the ranch where he was born.

Dennis attended all 12 years of school at the Wood Public School. Dennis graduated from Wood High School in May of 1964. He attended a six-week course in welding in Fargo N.D. He loved to weld and built many ranch items. It broke his heart when the Drs. put in a pacemaker, defibrillator and he could no longer practice his loved hobby. But being a man who loved to work with his hands, he turned to woodworking and built many very neat items. If you received one of those items, then that meant he really liked you. His kids and grandkids will forever treasure the ones they received.

In November of 1963 his father purchased a hereford bull from Herman and Zella Larsen. When they delivered the bull to the ranch, he met their daughter Sena. Dennis decided on that day that this woman who could break a bull to lead would be his wife. Dennis and Sena were married on Oct. 23, 1964. Making this their 56th year of marriage.

Dennis and Sena were blessed with two sons, Russell, born in Oct, 1966 and Ronald, born in Aug. of 1968. This truly completed his dream of someone to carry on his legacy and the ranch.

Dennis loved to tell a story or two. He certainly loved to visit about local history, old machinery, and couldn’t let you leave because he always had “One more story”. Dennis was well versed in local history and who lived where. Pair him up with Willis or George Dickson and it was pure entertainment to listen.

Dennis has always loved working on local projects. It just didn’t matter as long as it was for Wood, the Wood Community, or Mellette County. He was an active member of the Wood Alumni, Mellette County Historical Society, Mellette County Conservation District, Mellette County Centennial Celebrations, Evergreen Cemetery Association, Bulldog Booster Club or the 4-H club. He truly loved this community and the people in it. His one national organization was the Minneapolis Moline Collectors Club. He truly loved going to tractor shows and comparing notes with other collectors.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Sena, his family, sons, Russ and Gloria, Ron and Pam. Grandchildren Daniel, Sara, Alexis and Katelyn. Great grandchildren, Dennis, Camryn, Hudson, and Griffon. Brother Richard and Cyndi, and many nieces and nephews. Sister-in-laws Mary (Jerry) Fisher, and Evelyn Farley.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Minnie, his Great Granddaughter Rebecca Mae Nelsen and many special Uncles, Aunts, and cousins. His sisters and brother-in laws, Guy Farley, Delbert and Phyllis Paulson, Pat and Glen Clausen, Beverly Larsen.

Joseph Donald Fernholz, 61, of Platte, SD passed away Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 at Platte Care Center Avera. Funeral services were held at  3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 at Mount Funeral Home in Platte with visitation an hour prior to service. Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family through mountfuneralhome.com.

Joseph Donald Fernholz was born on Aug. 1, 1960 to William and Kathleen (Heying) Fernholz in Winner, SD. He graduated from Winner High School in 1978 and was united in marriage to Anna Marie McKenzie on Oct. 15, 1982 in Winner. He worked at the Ford Garage for a year and then was partsman for Mathis Implement in Winner until 1991. From 1991 – 2000 Joe was employed as partsman for VanDerWerff Implement in Platte, SD.

Joe was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Platte and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed playing cards, lawn work and carpentry.  

Grateful for having shared in Joe’s life, his wife of over 39 years, Anna Fernholz of Platte, SD; three daughters: Stacy (Luke) Andersen of Clear Lake, SD, Jessica (Zach) Dalrymple of Mitchell, SD and Erin Fernholz of Sioux Falls, SD; five grandchildren: Josie and Laycee Andersen, Riley, Molly and Jameson Dalrymple; four siblings: Joan Grim of Gregory, SD, Rose Wells of Gregory, SD; Donna (John) Wright of Sioux Falls, SD and Jim (Darci) Fernholz of Fredericksburg, VA; along with many nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; three siblings: Mary, Margaret and Ed Fernholz; a brother-in-law, Rodney “Radar” Grim; and a niece, Cassie Grim.