Kerri Old Lodge, 38

Kerri Old Lodge, 38, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021 at the Winner Regional Health Care Facility in Winner, SD.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021 at noon at the Winner Ideal Community Hall in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. Wake services began at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021 at the Winner Ideal Community Hall in Winner.

Kerri Janeen Old Lodge was born Feb. 8, 1983 to Franklin “Frank” & Martha (Eagle Star) Old Lodge in Winner, SD. Kerri joined her father Frank in heaven on Dec. 12th, 2021 at the young age of 38.

Kerri went to school in Ideal until her high school years she then attended Todd County and Winner High Schools.

Kerri has 2 loving children Ryleigh Rae & Stephan Pierre Old Lodge. Kerri was a very loving, caring, unique young lady. She had a smile that would brighten up anyone’s world. There was never a dull moment with Kerri, she was forever laughing and cracking jokes. Kerri had a heart of gold. She was always willing to open her door to anyone in need. She definitely made sure you didn’t go away hungry.

Kerri loved to bake and help her mom cook especially during the holidays. Kerri loved her mother, her children, her siblings, nieces & nephews unconditionally.

Kerri is survived by her 2 children Ryleigh Rae & Stephan Pierre Old Lodge. Her mother Martha (Eagle Star) Old Lodge; 3 sisters: Melissa “Lisa”, Nealy (Patrick) Old Lodge, Geraldine (Wayne Jr.) Running Horse; 5 brothers: Quentin “Bub” (Delphine), Howard Sr. (Jolene) Old Lodge all of Winner, SD, Brent (Mandy) Old Lodge Witten, SD, Franklin Jr. & Troy Old Lodge of Ideal, SD. Her aunts Lorelie Old Lodge of Oklahoma, Nancy Old Lodge of California, Zona (Eagle Star) Turkey of Huron, SD, & Ruth (Kevin) Olson of Sioux Falls, SD. Her uncles Clyde & Emmet Swalla of Lower Brule, SD, Million Eagle Star of Winner, SD, & Donnie (Alberta) Old Lodge of Norris, SD.

Kerri is preceded in death by her father Frank Old Lodge Sr., uncles Antoine “Tony” Sr. & Jasper Eagle Star. Aunts Marva & Karen Eagle Star, Trudy Old Lodge. Her paternal grandparents Howard & Irene (Felix) Old Lodge. Maternal grandparents Homer & Cona (Lever) Eagle Star. Nephews Homer & Jaeden Old Lodge.

Melvin Dale Cook, 95

Melvin Dale Cook, 95, of North Platte, Neb.,  passed away on Dec. 14, 2021, at North Platte Care Center.

He was born on May 27, 1926, to Stewart and Zelma (Beemer) Cook on the family homestead in Burke, South Dakota. He grew up on a farm 10 miles southwest of Clearfield, South Dakota, and attended the Lutheran school.

His family, like most, moved around frequently during the Great Depression before settling in Colome, South Dakota, where he also continued his education. Melvin enlisted in the US Navy during his junior year of high school. Following boot camp, he was assigned to a naval ammunition depot in Port Chicago, California. Melvin received his G.E.D. and was discharged from the Navy. He then returned to South Dakota and enrolled at Dakota Wesleyan University in September 1946. As a music major, he joined a traveling territory dance band the Buddy Bair Band.

Melvin married his high school sweetheart, Vera Joyce Gagan in Gregory, South Dakota. To this union a daughter was born, Melva Jean Cook. The family moved to Omaha and Melvin attended a National Railroad School. After graduation, they moved to Oshkosh where he worked as a student telegrapher and station agent. In 1951, the family moved to North Platte where Melvin worked for the Union Pacific Railroad until he retired April 1, 1986.  

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Vera; and sister, Fairy “Cookie” Gardner. Melvin is survived by his daughter, Melva Jean Cook; niece, Sherry (Doug) Best; nephews, Scott (Jane) Gardner, Bob (Vanessa) Gardner, Bill (Bonnie) Gardner and Barry (Rachell) Gardner; and other family. Online condolences can be shared at adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen and inurnment will take place at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, near Maxwell. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Jean Snavely, 98

Jean Snavely, 98, of Winner, SD passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Center in Winner, SD.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021 at 11 a.m.  at the Winner United Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services.

Eleanor Jean Snavely, 98, of Winner, SD passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Center surrounded by family. 

Jean Thee was born Sept. 1, 1923 to Victor and Amy (Bonsall) Thee in St. Joseph, MO.  Jean grew up on a farm near Columbia, MO and later graduated from high school in St. Joseph, MO.  She was united in marriage to Wayne Bunnell and to this union one son, Gary, was born.

In 1957, Jean married Jack Snavely and to this union two sons, David and Chris, were born.  Jack and Jean made their home in Sioux Falls, SD until moving to Winner, SD in 1999 to be closer to family.

Jean enjoyed spending the winters in Texas with Jack. They enjoyed the warm weather and Jean stayed very busy with outside activities. She played golf and tennis and loved having family visit to enjoy the weather and activities.   Jean loved pets and enjoyed visits from Barney after moving to the Long-Term Care Center. She especially loved watching her grandchildren grow up and spending time with them.  One of her favorite past times as she got older was rocking her great-grandbabies.

Jean was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls and attended the United Methodist Church in Winner.

Grateful for having shared her life are her sons, Gary (Sally) Bunnell of Bellevue, NE, David (Cathy) Snavely of Spring, TX, and Chris (Julie) Snavely of Winner, SD; grandchildren Mark (Diana) Bunnell of Plattsmouth, NE, Thomas (Jessica Scarfuto) Snavely of Bryan,TX, Heather (Adam) Anderson of Tea, SD, and Elizabeth (Christopher) Hobaugh of Spring, TX; great-grandchildren  Sarah Bunnell, Ava, Jack , Ellie, and Lennox Anderson, James Hobaugh and Jarom Bell.

Jean is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Snavely; parents Victor and Amy Thee; brothers Frank and Walter Thee and several nieces and nephews.

Brett Donald Brickman, 55

Brett Donald Brickman, age 55, of Carter, SD, passed away on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, in Gregory, SD.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, at the United Methodist Church in Winner, SD, at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation one hour prior to services.

Brett was born Aug. 5, 1966, in Winner, SD, to Donald and Eva Jean (Hansen) Brickman. He joined an older brother Bryan at home. This completed their family.

Brett attended country schools, Schmidt School and Happy Valley School. He then attended Todd County High School where he graduated in 1984. Brett played football, basketball, and track. He enjoyed shop class where he learned carpentry, welding, and auto mechanics.

Brett met LaVonne Flisram through his cousin Teresa (Kuil) Mathis. They dated and were married on July 31, 1987. They lived in Winner for a year before moving back to the farm where he grew up and lived for the rest of his life. To this union two sons were born: Carter and the family was complete when Coy was born.

Brett was a kind person and loved his two boys, his world revolved around them. He could not tell them no, if he thought it was something they shouldn’t do or have, then his answer was “go ask your mom.” He could not walk past a cat without stopping to pick it up or walk by a dog without petting it. He was also patient if it was waiting for the boys to get ready to feed cattle or haul grain, after a short time they got tired and it was stop and drop them off at grandpa and grandma’s. His patience was also tested when he had to wait to put the bar up on the mower or fold the rake because his helper (LaVonne) insisted that the corners had to be mowed and raked, even though they would catch snow, it looked better mowed.

Brett was a farmer/rancher all of his life. His first years were spent working beside his Grandpa Hansen and his dad Don. The last years were spent working beside his dad and two sons. Brett trucked some in his younger days for Engel Trucking. He never considered that a job because he had so much fun.

Brett is survived by his wife LaVonne; his sons Carter and Coy; his father Don Brickman of Carter; his brother Bryan (Julie) Brickman of Harrisburg, SD; sisters-in-law Joyce Flisram, Louise Flisram, Liz (Alvin)  Focken and Connie Rae (Doug) Frantz; brother-in-law Dennis Flisram; nephews Brandon Brickman, Justin (Heather) Focken, and Tyler (Kaitlin) Focken; nieces Brittany Brickman (James Woods) and Bryanna Brickman; four great nephews; one great niece; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Brett is preceded in death by his mother Eva Jean (Hansen) Brickman, grandparents Robert and Alma Brickman, Elvis and Betty Hansen, mother and father-in-law Jerome and Betty (Moeller) Flisram, and aunts, uncles, and cousins.

 Brett left us on Dec. 10, 2021, after an eight week stay in the hospital as the result from a leg injury. He had tears in a blood vessel in his thigh that was bleeding and being absorbed by the tissues. It was detected when the leg turned black and blue and started to swell. He had numerous units of blood transfusions, so many that all of the iron became toxic and his body could not get rid of it. He had an angiogram that led to an aneurysm that had to be fixed twice. His blood became too thin, it would not clot. His body was eating up his red blood cells. His kidneys took a hard blow, but they did bounce back some. He developed another bleeder on Monday night. He was beginning to suffer. After visiting with doctors and specialists and a lot of consideration, it was time for us to choose comfort care. God took him home.

Cheryl Ann Kerner, 68

Cheryl Ann Kerner, 68, of Mableton, GA, formerly of Winner, SD passed away on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021 at the Hospice Tranquility Care in Austell, GA.

 Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021 at 3 p.m. at the Winner United Methodist

Church in Winner, SD. Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery.

Cheryl was born Sept. 22, 1953 to Alvin and Darlene Kerner in Minneapolis, MN.

Cheryl was the second oldest of eleven children. She graduated from Winner High School in1971. In her youth she rode horses and was a great softball player. Our family plus a few neighborhood kids spent many hours of playing softball, basketball and card games.

After completing high school she joined the US Army. She had basic training at Fort Bragg, NC and spent many years there. She also was at Army bases in Charleston, SC, Boise, ID, Fort Dix, NJ, Indianapolis, IN and three tours to Germany. Cheryl spent over twenty two years in the military and retired at highest level of enlisted.

She retired from the army in 1984 at rank of Command Sargent Major in charge of fifteen hundred personnel. Many of her siblings reaped the benefits of traveling Europe with her during her tours in Germany.

After leaving the Army she moved to Atlanta, Georgia. She was mother to one son Nathan.

Her granddaughter Brooklyn was a joy to her. She loved gardening and was a great lover of all animals especially dogs and cats. She took in all the strays.

She was preceded in death by her parents Alvin and Darlene, her brother Terry.

Cheryl is survived by her son Nathan Kerner and daughter-in-law Niesha Kerner and granddaughter Brooklyn Kerner of Mableton, GA. Siblings, Doug Kerner of Winner, Kevin Kerner of Winner, Gail (Bob) Harrison of Brighton, CO, Tim Kerner of Winner, Sheila Kerner of Winner, Keith Kerner of Collinsville, IL, Alex Kerner of St. Louis, MO, Angela (Terry) Rutenbeck of Wiggins, CO and Jerred (Shanna) Kerner of Summerset, SD. Along with nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.

Christmas Essay Winner

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Chord Blotski, a 4th grader in Winner, was the winner of the Christmas essay contest for Christmas in the Courthouse. For writing the winning essay he received a new bike presented by the Tripp County Commissioners. Pictured from left are commissioners Mark Winter, Joyce Kartak, Chip Schroeder plus Blotsky, his parents Kodi and Chad and fourth grade teacher Lisa Vesely.

State FFA

Justin Hausmann of Winner won first place in ag broadcasting at the state FFA Leadership Development Events held in Pierre.

“We are so proud of him,” said Winner FFA advisor Nicole Roth.

Normally, Hausmann would advance to nationals but ag broadcasting does not have a national competition.

The Winner parliamentary procedure team competed in a tough semifinal. They did not make it to the finals.

The team is made up of Justin Hausmann, Maggie DeMers, Clay Sell, Ryan Sell, Amanda Blare and Bailey Fairbanks.

“The team put in many hours of hard work to make it to that point, as earning our way to state is no easy feat in our district,” said Roth.

She explained the chair of this event said it was the closest scores he had seen in years.

Roth thanked Wyatt DeJong for offering his coaching services.

The students also had the opportunity to visit the capital to see the Christmas trees and talk with FFA sponsors.

Bryce Dade Eagle Hawk, 35

Bryce Dade Eagle Hawk, 35, of Ideal, South Dakota passed away on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 at the Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, SD. 

 Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at noon at the Winner Ideal Community Hall.  Burial will follow at the Trinity Episcopal Cemetery in Ideal, SD.  Wake services were held on Monday, Dec. 13, and Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.  at the Winner Ideal Community Hall.

Bryce Dade Eagle Hawk was born Dec. 1, 1986 in Winner, SD to Renetta Eagle Hawk and Wayne Long Crow Sr.  Bryce was raised by his grandmother Lucy (Eagle Star) Eagle Hawk.

Bryce went to school in Ideal until his freshman year.  He then attended and graduated from Winner High School in 2006.

Bryce loved being with family and friends, Bryce was always full of laughter and jokes.  Bryce enjoyed playing volleyball, horseshoes and in his younger years he enjoyed playing softball with our family team “The Familia” during Labor Day weekend.

Bryce was a dedicated fan of the Denver Broncos.

Bryce is survived by his 3 brothers: Byron and Harrison Eagle Hawk and Emery Long Crow, 4 uncles: Clarence “Junior” and Daniel Eagle Hawk Sr., Charles and Larry Long Crow, 2 aunts: Leona (Dewey) Foote and Blossom Cook.

Bryce is preceded in death by hi parents Renetta Eagle Hawk and Wayne Long Crow Sr., his maternal grandparents Clarence “Matthew” and Lucy (Eagle Star) Eagle Hawk, his paternal grandparents Wilmer Long Crow and Charlotte Cook, his aunts Virginia (Eagle Hawk) Parkis and Tammy (Cook) Foote, his uncles John Sr., Burton Sr. Eagle Hawk and Harold Cook.

                                                                             “Go Broncs!!”