A part of the history of Winner was taken down early this fall

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The screen at the Pix Drive-In Theater, west of Winner, is being taken down. It was purchased by a theater in Spirit Lake, Iowa. This drive-in was open for 32 years in Winner. It closed in 1998.

The Pix Drive-In Theater was located west of Winner on Highway 18. It was a place for families and kids to go during the summer to enjoy a great movie.

Winner was one of very few cities that featured two drive in theaters.

A movie company in Iowa purchased the Pix Drive-in screen and plans to use it in an outdoor theater.

The screen is going to Superior 71 Drive-In Theater in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

The Pix Drive-In opened Sept. 9, 1966 and the opening movie was “Cat Ballou” staring Lee Marvin and Jane Fonda.

The Pix was leased to D & N Theater Corp and R. C. Metzger was the buyer and booker for the corporation.

Harold Davis leased the drive-in theater from the D&N Theater Corp for the 1967 season.

The  Pix boasted the largest screen in the state. The first screen was built similar to the drive ins in Tyndall, Gregory and O’Neill, Neb. It was destroyed by a tornado in June 1968.  Soon after the tornado, a new screen was installed.

The original screen had a full length garage attached to it.

The drive in had a capacity for 275 cars. The drive in was closed on Sept. 13, 1998 after the showing of the movie “The Negotiator.”

The only mention of D&N Theater corporation has been in the Winner Advocate and its association with Pix Theater on Main St and the Pix drive-in theater.

Steve Flora, a graduate Winner High School and South Dakota State University, was a good friend of the Metzgers. He said it may have been set up as a subsidiary under Ben-Dak Investment Company. Ben-Dak was a Metzger family business with holdings in motion picture theaters and drive-in theaters in Nebraska and South Dakota. Commercial real estate, farm land and a portfolio of stocks and bonds.

The Pix Drive-in was the last theater built by the Metzger family. In addition to Flora, Royce McDowell of Winner provided a lot of help with old stories and pictures of the drive-in theater.

16 teams to compete in sharpshooter classic

The 11th annual Winner Area Chamber of Commerce Sharpshooter Bird and Clay  Classic will be held Dec. 10-11.

The classic will feature six person teams and they will have four hours to hunt on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Check in will be at the Rosebud Arrow, Rod and Gun Club before 2 p.m.
Once checked in persons will compete in trap shooting.

The Friday night banquet will be held at the Tripp County 4-H Center where there will be a Calcutta and a drawing for landowners.
The Saturday night awards banquet will be held at the 4-H Center.  There will be games, a meal followed by awarding of prizes from the hunt.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams and guns will be awarded to each member of the team.

This year there are 16 teams in the hunt.

Mike Scott, executive director of the Chamber, says there is still need for more volunteers for the hunt. This incudes more judges for the Saturday hunt. Persons who can help are to call the Chamber office at 842-1533.

George Roubideaux, 64

George Roubideaux, 64, of Mission, SD passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021 at the Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, SD. 

Funeral service was held  Dec. 2, 2021 at noon at the Bishop Jones Building in Mission, SD.  Burial  followed in the Holy Family Cemetery.  Wake service  began on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021 at 7 p.m.  at the Bishop Jones Building in Mission.

The family of George Michael Roubideaux Sr. include wife Diane Miller and children: Denise, Michael Jr. Weylin, Tamelia, Alexis, David and Teresa.

Larry Sund, 73

Larry Sund, 73, of Hot Springs, SD, formerly of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, Dec 2, 2021 at the Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, SD.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Winner, SD. Burial will follow in the Colome City Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services.

Larry Dale Sund was born Aug. 26, 1948 to Eldon & Ruth (Burdick) Sund in Winner Baptist Hospital. He passed away on Dec. 2 in Rapid City Monument Hospital with wife & daughter by his side.

Larry grew up in the Winner area and started working for Frank Antes and worked there for 25 years. He then started work for Tripp County Highway Department and worked there for 32 years until he retired.

He married Lorinda O’Bryan on Nov. 11, 1978 in Winner, SD. To this union two children were born, Scott Sund & Shawna Rogers. They resided in Winner until October of 2019 when they moved to Hot Springs, SD.

He enjoyed spending time with family, fishing, gardening, and fixing bikes for kids. He loved watching western movies, driving around, & seeing new sights.

Larry is survived by his wife Lorinda, son Scott, daughter Shawna (David), 4 grandchildren; Adrian George, Robert George, Dustin Sund, & Destiny Sund. Sisters and brothers: Belva (Bud) Leighton, Ruth (Bob) Benedict, Carol Hight, Linda Sund, Don (Susan) Sund, Jim Sund, Mary (Mike) Hodge, Wanda (Ron) Klein, Connie Jones, Nancy (Jeff) Peters, & Roger (Tammy) Sund, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Larry is preceded in death by parents, Eldon & Ruth, sister Janet (infant), brother Eldon (Pat) Sund and in laws Patrick & Ethel O’Bryan.

Jerry L. Meyer, 73

Funeral services for Jerry L. Meyer, 73, of Chamberlain, SD will be 3 p.m., Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at the United Church of Christ in Chamberlain with burial in the Riverview Cemetery at Chamberlain.  Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the United Church of Christ.

Jerry Lee Meyer, 73, of Chamberlain passed away peacefully on Dec. 1, 2021 at the Sanford Chamberlain Care Center surrounded by his loving family.

Jerry was born to Gideon and Adeline (Holec) Meyer on Sept. 21, 1948 in Parkston, SD. Jerry was raised in the surrounding Chamberlain area and graduated from Chamberlain High School in 1966. He worked various jobs over the years in his beloved community and served our country for 27 years in the Army National Guard.

Jerry married his high school sweetheart Sherry Smith on Nov. 20, 1966. To this union one daughter, Michele, was born.

Jerry was adored by his family and community and was always willing to help anyone in need. He worked for most of his career between Midwest Supply and Register Lakota Printing, however, his true passion was tinkering and fixing small engines. Throughout his career, Jerry supported a small engine repair shop from his home. He truly was a jack of all trades and was able to fix anything from lawnmowers to chainsaws to vacuum cleaners. Jerry also volunteered for many years as Santa Claus’ local embodiment for the City of Chamberlain and families in the community.

Memories of Jerry will survive with his life partner Sherry Meyer (Chamberlain, SD); daughter Michele Hagenlock (Winner, SD); grandson Evan Hagenlock (St. Charles, MO); half-sister Shirley Gregoire (Fairfax, SD); cousin Maynard Meyer (Tripp, SD); brothers-in-law Ty Smith (Mitchell, SD) and Ron Smith (Chamberlain, SD); dear friend of many years Ron Luurs (Pukwana, SD); his dear furry dachshund friend Oscar Weiner Meyer; and all of his community who had the opportunity to share the joy that Jerry brought to our lives.

Preceding Jerry in death were his parents, grandparents, father-in-law Clairedon Smith, mother-in-law Bertha (Hieb) Smith, brother-in-law Gary Smith, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be directed to the Chamberlain Senior Center.

Viola L. Farris, 99

Viola L. Farris, 99, of Grand Island, Neb.,  died Wednesday Dec. 1, 2021, at her home.

Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, at Apfel Funeral Home.  Inurnment will follow at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran School. Apfel Funeral Home is serving the family.

Viola Loeda Farris was born Jan. 15, 1922, near Utica, NE to Frank and Wilheminia “Minnie” (Neujahr) Suhr. She was baptized at St. Johns Lutheran Church on Feb. 6, 1922, and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York, NE on June 2, 1935. At age two, she moved to the Lushton community. She attended District 11 School. At age nine, she moved into the town of Lushton and graduated high school in 1939.

  Viola married Edwin Farris on Nov. 5, 1945, at Treasure Island, CA. To this union was born eight children She lived in Ainsworth, and Johnstown, NE and Winner and Mission, SD. She held various jobs as a waitress, cook, golf clubhouse manager at Ainsworth, NE and Winner and Mission, SD. She moved to Grand Island in 1989. Mr. Farris preceded her in death on Jan. 6, 2002.

Viola was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Ladies Aid, Altar Guild and Evening Guild. She was president of Ladies League at Fonner View Golf Course for 2 years, a life member of DAVA where she served as chaplain, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and volunteered at the Veterans Hospital. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and leader of the Chrysalis Red Hatters. She enjoyed crocheting, golf, pool, crossword puzzles, and playing Wii.

Survivors include children: Nyhlia Kempke, Audrey Farris, Robert (Sue) Farris, Randy Farris, Rick Farris, Judy (Robin)Dykstra, Ron (Janelle) Farris, Debra (Steve) Splitt; grandchildren: Keith (Becky) Kempke, Chad (Treva) Kempke, Rob Farris, Lindsay (Jessie) Farris, Amanda Farris, Maghen Farris, Alisa Farris, Christopher Bolton, Brian (Kayla) Krege, Kaelee Krege, Andrew (Megan) Krege, Jessie (Steve) Farris, Betsy Farris, John Farris, Brianna (Matt) Whalen; great grandchildren: Eli, Ruth, Aryn, Jordan, Mason, Maddox, Kannon, Olivia, Cougar, Mia, Jillian, Lyla, Serenity, Brielle, Harper, Kaeslee, and Sophie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Louis and Emanuel Suhr, and sisters: Elfrieda Strait and Evelyn Pinneo.

Online condolences may be left at www.apfelfuneralhome.com

Lorraine M. Dohmen, 86

Lorraine M. Dohmen, 86, of Winner, SD passed away Monday, Nov. 29, 2021 at the Winner Regional Hospital.  Funeral services were scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021 at the Immaculate Conception Church beginning at 10 a.m.  with visitation one hour prior to Mass.  Burial was Friday, Dec. 3, 2021 at 11 a.m. M.T, at the Black Hills National Cemetery.

Lorraine Maxine Earll was born April 28, 1935 to Lloyd and Geraldine (Schmidt) Earll.  The family was complete when younger sister, Marion, was born.  Lorraine was raised on a farm in the Witten/Carter area, graduating from Winner High School.  

  She was united in marriage to Norbert Ruhkamp and to this union, three daughters were born: Crystal, Tracy, and Tammy.

Lorraine had a strong work ethic, whether it was working for an employer or as a housewife.  She worked for several years at Bailey Rexall Drug as a sales clerk.  She enjoyed meeting and helping customers.  She also worked at the Winner Drive-In Theater, giving her daughters the opportunity to play on the awesome playground and see many movies on hot summer nights.   She taught her girls to work hard, be kind, and mind their manners.

In 1970, Lorraine married James Dohmen.  They enjoyed years of volunteer work, travel, hosting family events, and raising the girls.  As parents and grandparents, they were second to none!  Lorraine was a Junior Catholic Daughter counselor, a member of Court Mary Imelda Catholic Daughters of the Americas, the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, the Winner VFW Auxiliary, and the Colome American Legion Auxiliary. 

 Lorraine enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She attended many ballgames, concerts, graduations, weddings, and baptisms.    

Grateful for sharing her life are daughters, Crystal (Wayne) Pauli, Tracy (Cal) Swanson, and Tammy (Riley) Sargent; grandchildren Tara (James) Johnson, Jeremy (Heather Bieber) Pauli, Josh (Samantha) Pauli, Cally (Riley) Garrigan, Tanner (Ashley) Swanson, and Baley (Brandon) Moore; great-grandchildren Austin and Cade Falor, Destrie (Rachel), Dax, and Morgan Johnson, Elizabeth and Madison Pauli, Madelyn and Gracie Garrigan, Lucy and Sylvie Swanson, Kendall and Leslie Moore, and very special family friends, Kitty Little and John (Megan) Little, as well as numerous  nieces, nephews, and cousins who played significant roles in her life.

Lorraine is preceded in death by her husband, James Dohmen; parents, Lloyd and Geraldine Earll; sister, Marion Gregg; brother-in-law, James Gregg; mother-in-law and father-in law, William and Marie Dohmen; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Rosemary and Don Elsasser, and brother-in-law, Gene Dohmen.

Connot received a $50 grant from the Winner Area Retired School Personnel

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Keely Connot received a $50 grant from the Winner Area Retired School Personnel. Connot says she will use the grant to purchase items to help increase student engagement during lessons and flexible seating. Some items would be clipboards that students can use while doing homework and activities to do with students for reviewing and homework. Connot teaches 6th grade math and English language arts.

Decision Issued on recreational marijuana

The South Dakota Supreme Court has issued the decision in Thom, Miller v. Barnett and In re Election Contest as to Amendment A. In a four-to-one decision, the Court held that Amendment A, as submitted to the voters in the November 2020 general election, violated the single subject requirement in the South Dakota Constitution. As a result of the constitutional violation, the Court has declared the amendment invalid.

The Court determined that the provisions of Amendment A embraced three separate and distinct subjects:

(1) Recreational Marijuana—by creating a comprehensive plan to constitutionally legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana for all persons at least twenty-one years of age;
(2) Hemp—by constitutionally mandating that the Legislature pass laws regarding hemp; and
(3) Medical Marijuana—by constitutionally mandating that the Legislature pass laws ensuring access to marijuana for limited medical use for qualifying persons.

In reaching its decision, the majority opinion explained that the provisions involving recreational marijuana, hemp, and medical marijuana each have separate objects and purposes, which were not dependent upon or connected with each other.

The drafters’ failure to comply with the single subject requirement in the South Dakota Constitution Article XXIII, § 1 meant that voters were unable to separately vote on each distinct subject embraced in Amendment A. The Court noted in its decision that the Proponents of Amendment A failed to identify a single “instance when voters in another state have been asked to approve a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana, medical marijuana, and hemp in a single vote.” One member of the Court issued a special writing joining the majority in finding a violation of the single subject rule, and expressing the view that a violation of the single subject requirement is not necessarily fatal in all instances; but adding that here there was no argument or proof that South Dakota voters would have adopted Amendment A in the absence of the medical marijuana and hemp provisions.

A separate opinion was filed by another member of the Court, concurring in part and dissenting in part, that focused on the long history of the initiative in South Dakota, the deference to be paid to initiated constitutional amendments passed by the voters, and the belief that Amendment A appropriately contains parts of a comprehensive plan addressing the related issues of recreational marijuana, medical marijuana, and hemp. Based on the conclusion that there was no single subject violation, the writing also addressed whether Amendment A is a constitutional revision that should have been submitted to the voters through a constitutional convention rather than by an initiative and concluded that it was not a constitutional revision.

Finally, the Court unanimously held that (1) the circuit court properly dismissed the election contest filed by Thom and Miller; (2) neither Thom nor Miller had standing to challenge Amendment A, but Governor Noem’s written ratification of Miller’s declaratory judgment action allowed for the action to proceed as if it had been commenced by the Governor; and (3) the challenge to Amendment A was not required to be brought before the election.

The Court’s opinion can be accessed on the UJS website at https://ujs.sd.gov.