Dennis Schroeder, 76

Dennis Schroeder, 76, of Winner, SD passed away on Monday, Nov. 15th, 2021 in Winner, SD.

Funeral services were  held on Friday, Nov. 19th, 2021 at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Winner, SD. Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Dennis was born on Jan. 27, 1945 to John and Clara (Speidel) Schroeder.

Dennis graduated from Winner High School in May of 1964.  Dennis enlisted in the Army in 1965 and served his country during the Vietnam era. He was stationed in Germany for 3 years. Dennis was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for meritorious service as a Maintenance Data Specialist while assigned to B Battery, 1st Battalion, 81st Artillery. His outstanding performance as a clerk and the assistance he rendered in training new personnel significantly contributed to the successful accomplishment of the unit’s mission.

June 1, 1964 he was hired by the City of Winner to work in the water department. In 1985 he was appointed head of the Water Department; in 1987 he was appointed maintenance supervisor; and in 2006 he was appointed Public Works Director.

 Dennis was certified in water distribution, water treatment, and waste/water collection. Through years of service and dedication Dennis worked maintaining the city’s streets, parks, and cemetery. Dennis was a dedicated self-motivating employee who never lost his enthusiasm for his job or for the betterment of the city and community. Dennis retired June 1, 2014, after 50 years of service to the City of Winner.

Dennis was definitely a creature of habit. He could be found almost every day between the hours of 5 and 7 pm at the Pheasant sipping on a whisky water and playing a few hands of cards or rolling dice with his friends.  Dennis enjoyed gardening and keeping his yard in pristine condition.  In his younger years, Dennis bowled on a league for Dick’s Bar, played softball, hunted pheasants, and enjoyed fishing. He had the biggest heart and would do anything for anyone. He had a positive impact on all whose lives he touched over the years. Dennis loved the City of Winner and was very involved in the community. He participated in Rotary Club, Shriners, and was involved in turning on the Christmas lights every year.

“Schroed” will be greatly missed by all who knew him, along with his big goofy grin.

Dennis is survived by his daughters, Nicole (Deb) Schroeder, Sioux Falls, SD and Melanie Peterson and Danielle Bredenberg of Casper, WY; Grandson, Jacob Schroeder, Sioux Falls, SD; Granddaughter, Dani Peterson of Casper, WY; his brothers Roger (Monica) Schroeder, Valley Springs, SD and Clifford (Lisa) Schroeder, Winner, SD, along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and numerous friends.

Dennis was preceded in death by his father and mother, John and Clara Schroeder, and his sister, Barb Simkins.

Kari DeMers, 28

Kari DeMers, 28, of Winner, SD passed away on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 in Winner, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021 at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery. Visitation was held on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 from 6-7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. Rosary at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD.

Kari was born in Winner on Aug. 2nd, 1993, to Keith and Lynn DeMers (Van Patten), she was the younger sister of Courtney DeMers.

Kari spent her childhood on a farm west of Colome and enjoyed spending time at her grandparents’ house. She attended Winner High School and graduated with the class of 2011. Upon graduation, Kari worked as a CNA at Winner Regional Long Term Care, and also held part-time work at Winner Country Club.

Kari is remembered for the compassion she showed to others, her ability to care was unmatched and she had a heart of gold. Kari especially loved all animals, particularly cats. Regardless of whether they were people or animals Kari always took time to be kind to every soul she met.

In her free time Kari loved to golf and spend time with her family playing board games and watching movies. She also enjoyed spending time outdoors and joining her sister on adventures.

Grateful for sharing her life and missing her in death are Kari’s parents, Lynn and Keith DeMers of Winner, SD, her sister Courtney DeMers and her husband Collin Strong of Denver, CO, and Kari’s grandmother Louise DeMers also of Winner, SD. Additionally Kari had many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends that all love and will miss her.

Kari was preceded in death by her grandparents William “Bill” and Reva Van Patten of Winner, SD, grandfather Lawrence DeMers of Winner, SD and aunt Patricia Van Patten of Rapid City, SD.

Helen Cameron, 91

Helen Cameron, 91, of Presho, SD passed away on Saturday, Nov. 13th, 2021 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Center in Winner, SD.

  Funeral services will be held on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 at 11 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Presho, SD. Burial will follow in the Presho City Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services.

Helen Marie Cameron was born June 10, 1930 in Onida, South Dakota to Siegfried and Marie Schieckoff. Helen had two sisters and one brother. She was baptized and a member of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. She attended Pleasant and Buffalo Township schools in Sully County. She and her sister, Eva, boarded in homes in Onida while attending high school. She graduated from Onida High School. She received her teaching certificate and taught country school. She later went on to work for Dr. Sutley, dentist, in Ft Pierre and in the motor vehicle department in the Capital building.

She was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” C. Cameron on Sept. 18, 1954. To this union three daughters were born, Deborah, Leigh Ann, and Lisa.

Bob and Helen purchased the Lyman County Herald in Presho in 1954 a newspaper and commercial printing business which they ran together until they sold the paper in 2000.

Helen taught Sunday school for several years at Zion Lutheran, was a member of the Young Matrons Extension Club, and the American Legion Auxiliary.

She was the editor of the Lyman County Herald for many years.

Grateful for sharing her life are her children, Deborah (Jim) McDugald, Leigh Ann (Ed) Farris, and Lisa (Craig) Curtis. One brother Clifford Schieckoff. Five grandchildren, Chanda (Paul) MacNeil, Travis (Jenny) McDugald, Justin (Angel) McDugald, Ashley (Trey) DeHaan, Colby (Kiah Schumacher) Curtis. Six Great Grandchildren, Ethan, Colin, Hope MacNeil, Autumn McDugald, Eliza McDugald, Logyn DeHaan, many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert Cameron, sisters Dorothy Schmitgen and Eva Johnson, infant brother Herbert Schieckoff, sister-in-law Marilyn Schieckoff, brothers-in-law Lewis Schmitgen and Bob Johnson.

Winner repeats as state champs

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Aiden Barfuss carrys the ball for Winner in the Class 11B state championship game in Vermillion.

Character. Determination. Desire. Stout defense. Speed.   All words that be used to describe a very proud Winner football team that won a back to back state championship Friday in Vermillion.

The Warriors defeated Bridgewater/Emery-Ethan 40-8 and finished the season undefeated with a 12-0 record. This is the same team Winner has faced the previous two state championship games. A year ago Winner defeated BEE 18-14. Then, three years ago in Brookings, BEE nipped Winner 21-14.

“We did a great job today,” said Aiden Barfuss who was named the Joe Robbie most valuable player of the game. “Our offense struggled a little bit but I think we could have scored more. I love how we played today.”

Also honored with awards for their hard work in this game were Charley Pravecek who was named the outstanding lineman for the second year in a row. He is proud to follow in the footsteps of his brother, Oscar, who was named the outstanding lineman when he played for Winner.

Kaden Keiser was name the outstanding back.

“I thought we won the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball,” said coach Trent Olson. “We were able to eliminate their run  game.”

The Warriors running game features a senior dominated line and a variety of ball carriers. Winner rushed for 369 yards.

This was the Warriors second convincing victory over BEE this season. Winner won a home matchup 44-0 over the Seahawks on Aug. 27.

The victory for Winner in the Dome on Friday sealed the Warriors ninth state title since 1981. It is interesting  to note that Winner won the very first state championship game in 1981. That year in Class 11A Winner won 31-21 over Vermillion. This year marked the 40th anniversary of the state football championships.

Friday morning Winner went to work forcing a three and out on defense. Kaden Keiser broke loose for a 61 yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.

BEE responded by driving inside the Warrior 40-yard line with two passing connections before the drive was stalled and Charley Pravecek rushed his way to block the Seahawk punt forcing a short field.

Two plays later Aiden Barfuss broke free for a 35 yard TD run to put Winner up by 16.

Winner only had one TD in the second quarter and it was right away. Joey Cole scored on a two yard keeper to go up 24-0.

In the third quarter, Cole scored on a one yard run. BEE responded in the third quarter with a touchdown.

Cole, who had  hand in all three of Winner’s final touchdowns, connected with Ethan Bartels on a 9  yard pass.

“We came out right away and scored on our first three drives,” said Cole, the senior quarterback. “We  slowed down and made our own mistakes.”

Cole said it was exciting to winning back to back state titles. “It is fun to be part of that and it is really exciting,” he said.

Barfuss who was leading rusher, was followed by Keiser with 99 yards, Riley Shippy, 50 and Cole, 44.

On defense, Riley Orel  and Barfuss each had 5 tackles. Tayden Mathis, Jack Peters and Riley Shippy each had 4.

Five athletes had 3 tackles—Cole, Ashton Klein, Achilles Willuweit, Jack Kruger and Pravecek.

Ashton Klein had 1.5 sacks with Jackson Vesely and Keiser each having a sack and Blake Volmer intercepted two passes.

Connot honored as player and coach

As a young coach, Ben Connot has received a lot of honors.

Connot is the assistant coach of the Winner football team.

As a player for the Winner Warriors  Connot was a two time state champion special award winner.

He is a two time state champion as a coach and a one time state runner-up.

Before coaching in Winner, Connot was the head football coach in Colome where he and his team won a nine man football title.

Kludt receives officiating award

Randy Kludt of Winner received a 40 year football officiating award at the state Class 11B  championship game on Friday.

Kludt has been officiating high school football for 40 years and high school basketball for 18 years.

He is a 1977 high school graduate from Wessington Springs. He attended SDSU and received his bachelor’s degree in 1982.

While at SDSU, Kludt had the opportunity to start his officiating career by becoming a high school football official. All under the guidance of Jay Larson.

Kludt is the region director of football and basketball officials. He received the SDHSAA football official of the year in 2004. He has officiated  the all star basketball game in 2006 and the 2006 all star football game.

Kludt has had the privilege of officiating five state basketball tournaments including a championship game.

Kludt has been teaching science at Winner High School since 1983 and continues as a teacher at the school. He was head girls basketball coach for 16 years and head boys and girls golf for six years. He enjoys spending his free time being on the Missouri River fishing or house boating.
Randy and his wife, Diane, have been married for 28 years and have two children.

Kludt and the Winner referee crew worked the Class 9B championship game. The crew includes Eric Pollard, Kelly Meiners, Kludt, Rusty Arthur and Kevin Meiners. The alternate is Randy Bertram of Vermillion.