Category Archives: News

Eugene Engel, 71, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021 at his home south of Winner, SD. 

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 at 11 a.m.  at the United Methodist Church in Winner, SD.  Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. 

Eugene Frank Engel was born on Feb. 13, 1950 to Benjamin and Gleva (Poler) Engel, in Winner, SD. Gene was the third of four children to this union. He was raised in Ellison Township before moving to Sulfur, Oklahoma during elementary school. After a year, they returned to South Dakota and moved to town in Winner when Gene was in junior high. He graduated from Winner High School in 1968, where he met his high school sweetheart and beautiful bride of 53 years, Debby Kirksey. They were joined in marriage Aug. 11, 1968. To this union, four children were born – Lori, William, Gena and Kasie.

Gene worked numerous jobs in the Winner area including Winner Gas, Prairie Distributors, Grossenburg Implement, Colome Farm Service, Winner School District, and later with his son at the Conservation District. In 1974, he and Debby and the two kids moved to the Kirksey family farm. This is where he spent his spare time farming and tending his herd. Gene had a huge love for animals of all kinds, including indoor pets such as skunks, raccoons, and birds of all feathers. He had a special love for his pigeons and geese, which had a special love for him in return. Anywhere Gene went his geese were sure to follow.  If not, they would quickly come to his call and compete in a friendly foot race with him.  Gene would spend hours in the corral watching and talking to his cows.  He loved his mule, George.

Gene was happiest at home, surrounded by family. He was so proud of his kids and grandchildren and all their accomplishments. Gene loved them all so much. He would constantly say to Debby, “We did good, huh Mom?” You could almost always find him with a pack in his pocket, a grin on his face, and a smart aleck comment up his sleeve. He was known for making everyone feel welcomed, but not without giving them a bit of a hard time at first. There was rarely a dull moment with him around. It didn’t matter if you called him Gene, Dad or Granddad, you easily could call him one-of-a-kind.

He is survived by his wife Debby, and four children Lori (Roger) Kingsbury, William (Jody) Engel, Gena (Josh) Engel, and Kasie (Craig) Sealey, and grandchildren Sarah (Chris) Aid, Kevin Kingsbury, Allie (Jesse) Docken, Chase Kingsbury, Shaydel Engel, Maddison Engel, Taylor (Emily) Sperlich, Molly Sperlich, Kaysen Sealey and Harper Sealey, great grandchildren Owen Aid and Leo Aid, brothers Duane (Amy) Engel, Leon Engel, and sister Beverly Engel. 

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Marvin Olson, and sister-in-law Sandy Engel. 

Ruth Williams, 92, of Toney, AL, formerly of Winner, SD passed away on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 in Toney, AL. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Winner United Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Ruth Elaine Williams, age 92, formerly of Clearfield, SD, passed away peacefully on the morning of Dec. 17 in Toney, AL, with her family by her side.

She was born to William and Doris Thiede on May 15, 1929 in Burton, Neb. Ruth graduated from Springview High School in 1947 and received a teaching certificate from Wayne State College in Nebraska.

She married the late James Williams in 1954 and they lived together on the George and Myrwin Williams family farm in Clearfield until his death. 

Ruth is survived by her son: Gary Williams, daughter-in-law: Ya Williams and son-in-law: Larry Wagner, sister: Kathy Titus, as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.  Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Jim, her daughter Julie Williams Wagner, sisters Ruby Richardson and Mary Williams, brothers-in-law Eldon Williams, Howard Titus, Elmer Richardson and her nephew Tom Richardson.

Ruth was a devoted mother, an extremely hard-working farmer, a dedicated parishioner of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Clearfield and patient wife of a part time musician.  She cared for her husband’s grandparents and parents as well as her own mother as they declined.  When she retired from farming, she moved to Oacoma, SD where she made a new life for herself. She made time to bake cookies for her daughter’s veterinary practice and took care of the clinic animals on the weekend so her daughter could have a break from work. Ruth was a wonderful role model for her children and the people that were around her.

In her early life, she stayed closed to home and took care of the family and farm.  In her later life she spread her wings and travelled to distant lands.  Her most notable trip took her to China where she was exposed to another culture and met her daughter’s-in-law parents.

The family requests that people make donations in support of Alzheimer’s research, instead of sending flowers.

Daniel Eagle Hawk Sr., 61, of Ideal, SD passed away on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021 at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021 at noon at the Winner Ideal Community Hall in Winner, SD. Burial will follow in the Holy Spirit Cemetery in Ideal, SD. Wake services were held on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021 at 7 p.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 at 7 p.m.  all at the Winner Ideal Community Hall.

Daniel Ross Eagle Hawk Sr. “Danny” was born Oct. 6, 1960 in Rosebud, SD to Clarence “Matthew & Lucy (Eagle Star) Eagle Hawk.

Danny attended Ideal school, Todd County High School and obtained his GED at Coolidge School in Sioux Falls, SD.

In Danny’s younger years he pitched fast pitch for “Ideal Red Machines” for many years and they won lots of championships in those years. Danny also played for “Blue Aces” and our family slow pitch team “The Familia.” Danny also enjoyed playing basketball, volleyball, and throwing horseshoes. Danny had the love for working on cars. Give him time, a tool box and a broke down car, he’d fix it in no time.

Danny has 11 children and 28 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren that whom he loved dearly.

Daniel is survived by his 11 children: Daniel Eagle Hawk Jr. and Adrian Joseph of Ideal, SD; Dana & Darren Joseph of Wagner, SD; Derek, Ashley, and Todd Antoine of Winner, SD; Krista DeNoyer of Virginia; Dazey and Edith Eagle Hawk of Winner, SD; and Sydney Iron Heart of Sioux Falls, SD. Also survived by his brother Clarence “Junior” Eagle Hawk, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

  Danny is preceded in death by his parents Clarence “Matthew” and Lucy (Eagle Star) Eagle Hawk, his brothers John Sr., Burton Sr., and LeRoy Eagle Hawk. His sisters Virginia (Eagle Hawk) Parkis and Renetta Eagle Hawk. His daughter Danielle Antoine. Paternal Grandparents John & Susie (Two Teeth) Eagle Hawk. Maternal Grandparents William and Laura (Crooked Foot) Eagle Star, and many uncles and aunts.

Jean Ellen Collins, age 78, of Baxter, passed away at her home from cancer, on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021.

 Jean was born on March 14, 1943, in Winner South Dakota to Van & Ruth (Phillips) Collins. Jean grew up on a farm at Witten, SD, with her 2 brothers and 1 sister. She graduated from Winner High School. She attended South Dakota University and graduated with a BS in Home Economics Education. Jean taught 2 years in Sauk Rapids, Minn.  and 29 years in Brainerd, Minn., Junior Highs.

Jean was an active member of First Baptist Church in Baxter, she was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary women’s education sorority. Jean served as state president in 1984-1986. She was active in both the Brainerd and Baxter Kiwanis Clubs. She served as Governor of the Minnesota Dakotas Kiwanis District in 2001-2002. Jean also served on the Baxter Cemetery Commission Board. She was a member of the Lakes area Law Enforcement Association. Jean really enjoyed volunteering. She was known for the love of her church, quilting, reading and travel.  She traveled to all 50 states and numerous countries. She enjoyed spending her time with family and going to their special events. Jean loved sports and cheering on many teams.

Jean is survived by her sister, Catherine Erickson, Blomkest, MN; brother, Vern (Paulena) Collins, Witten, SD; sister-in-law, Jean Marie Collins, Wood, SD; 9 nieces and nephews; and 12 great nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Calvin; brother-in-law, Dick Erickson; nephews Toby Collins and Joseph Bobby; niece, Connie Collins.

Funeral services for Jean will be on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021 at 10 a.m. in Winner, SD at First Baptist Church.