Voters in the Colome Consolidated School District approved a district
reorganization plan that will see the communities ofWood and Witten split from
the district.
Voters approved the plan 188 to 178 with a 39.2 percent voter turnout. A
simple majority was needed to pass the ballot measure which was combined with
the school board election.
This is the second time the school district has voted on this issue with
the measure failing 52.2 percent to 47.8 percent in June 2023.
The plan is to split off the Wood and Witten areas between Mellette County
and Tripp County to the White River and Winner school districts.
Voters in Witten and Wood strongly supported the reorganization plan with
Witten voters approving it 38 to 5 and Wood voters 111-4.
Colome voters leaned the opposite way with 169 against the plan and 39 for
it.
With approval of the plan, Colome district is expected to loose about half
of its geographic size and about 33 percent of its assessed taxable value.
Betsy Rohde, CEO of the Colome Consolidated School District, said there
were many factors going into the vote. Enrollment dropped at Wood enough that
the district was financially unable to keep it open. The Witten school had
closed years earlier.
Rohde said she will be working with S.D. Department of Education to make
sure everything is switched over. Before they can do that, Colome has to wait
for the official canvass of the vote which was at the April 15 school board
meeting.
Until the time the switch is made the district will remain called the
Colome Consolidated School District. Rohde did not know how long the process
will take.
Wood and Witten joined the Colome district in 2010. At that time, Wood and
Witten had schools that were open.
Sara O’Bryan Bradford, 22, of Colome, SD passed away on Tuesday, April 9,
2024.
Funeral service was held on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 10 a.m. at the
Colome Vets Hall in Colome, SD. Burial
followed in the Colome City Cemetery. A
visitation was held on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at the Colome Vets Hall from 6-7
p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m.
Sara Marie O’Bryan Bradford was born at 1lb 12 oz on Sept. 15, 2001 in
Sioux Falls, SD. She passed away at her home on April 9, 2024. She was baptized
and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Colome. Sara continued to love the
Lord and read her bible and devotions faithfully.
Growing up, Sara spent time on the farm with her Uncle Ferman and Aunt
Sally Harter. Those were special times for her. Sara received a horse from
Julie Ann Farley which she named Star. They developed a very special
relationship as she nursed Star to health and broke him to ride. During her
high school years she developed physical limitations so she took an interest in
photography. Sara especially loved taking pictures of rodeos, landscapes, and
sunsets. When relaxing at home Sara
enjoyed reading books and writing poems.
Some of Sara’s fondest memories were working with Lisa Forgey at the Feed
Mill. During high school she also worked at the family business, Dan’s Last
Shot. She graduated from Colome High School in 2020. After graduating she went
to farrier school in Nebraska. She later worked in Mitchell, SD cleaning
apartments, detailing cars, and helping operate a clothing and candy store.
Sara left Mitchell, moving to Gettysburg, SD where she lived when she met the
love of her life, Dylan.
Dylan and Sara were married in Colome on Sept. 2, 2023. They lived for a
time in New Evarts as Dylan worked for Bradford Construction with his dad.
Later they moved to Colome where they both worked at Dan’s Last Shot. Dylan
started Diamond B Construction in Colome, while Sara was employed at the Winner
Stockman’s Café at the time of her death. They enjoyed watching movies
together, going on drives through the countryside to the river, going to
rodeos, grabbing ice cream treats and fishing at the river.
Sara battled mental health for many years but was loved and surrounded
faithfully by her family and God.
She is survived by her husband Dylan Bradford, her parents Dan and Heidi
O’Bryan (Colome SD), brother Kelly O’Bryan (Ellendale ND), parents-in-law
Clayton and Roxana Bradford (Selby SD),
brothers-in-law Nathan Bradford and Cooper Bradford (Selby SD),
sister-in-law Tomi and Thomas (Bridger and Peyton) Dryer (Selby SD),
grandmothers Marty Bliese (Gettysburg, SD) and Eileen Tobin (Parkston SD),
grandparents-in-law Donald and Kathleen Hauck (Mobridge SD), Robert and Betsy
Bradford (Belen, NM), Yvonne Kohn (Selby SD), special aunt and uncle Sally and
Ferman Harter (Colome SD) along with many aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by grandparents Ralph Tobin, Mick Bliese, Dick
and Mavis O’Bryan, and grandfather-in-law William Kohn.
Loretta Diez, 60, of Apple Valley MN, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 14,
2024 in St. Paul MN.
Graveside service will be held on Saturday April 20, 2024 at 2 p.m. at the
Winner City Cemetery. A luncheon will
follow at St. Mary’s Hall.
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved
sister, aunt and friend, Loretta Diez.
Loretta was born in Winner, South Dakota on April 8, 1963 to Rose and
Carl Diez. She was the youngest of six
children. She grew up on the family farm
near Clearfield, SD and spent her first years of school attending Star Prairie
country school one mile from their home.
She graduated from Winner High School in 1981. She then attended the University of South
Dakota where she made lifelong friends.
She enjoyed participating in pageants and was crowned Miss Winner, Miss
USD and Miss State Fair. Sadly, she was
paralyzed in a car accident in May of 1985.
Even after her accident she went on to crown the next Miss State Fair.
In 1985, at the age of 22, Loretta furthered her education pursing a
master’s degree in counseling psychology.
She had a successful career, culminating in building her own leadership
coaching business. She made such a
positive impact on the many who had the honor of knowing her and she leaves
behind a meaningful legacy.
She enjoyed spending time with her family and many friends. She enjoyed the Diez family reunions in the
Black Hills and loved to spoil her nieces and nephews and cuddle with her great
nieces and nephews.
Plays and concerts were among her favorite experiences. Her trips to Rome, Barcelona, Paris, London,
Venice and Florence were special highlights for her.
She left this world appropriately on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2024 in the
loving home and in the loving arms of her sister Margo in Saint Paul,
Minn. Even while her body succumbed to
the cancer that ravaged her physically, she remained mentally strong and fought
hard to stay with us.
Loretta is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Rose Diez, and her
brother Michael.
She is survived by sister Monica (Bob) Muth, sister-in-law June Diez,
sister Margo (Dan) Osadchuk, brother Jack (Starla) Diez, sister Merna (Randy)
Greer and 14 nieces and nephews, 27 great nieces and nephews and her many
friends.
Courtney Paige Brozik,
45, of Winner, SD, returned home to her Heavenly Father on April 14, 2024 after
a courageous battle with cancer.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday,
April 20, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner, SD. Burial will follow in the Winner City
Cemetery. A visitation will be held on
Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner, SD from 6-7
p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m.
As with life, her
family was by her side endlessly until she began her eternal life. As much as
we mourn the loss of her physical presence, we find comfort in knowing that her
fight is over and she is now in Heaven watching over us, until we meet again.
Courtney was the first
child born on July 29, 1978, to the union of Ron and Judy McCready. Joining her as siblings in this family were
Tyler in 1980 and Zach in 1984. Courtney
was born and raised in Winner, and ultimately returned to Winner to raise her
family. She graduated from Winner High
School in 1996 and pursued her secondary education at South Dakota State
University, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in 2000. Courtney later
attended the University of South Dakota and obtained her graduate certificate
in Child & Adult Advocacy Studies in December of 2022.
On Aug. 17, 2002,
Courtney entered into her Godly marriage and lifelong commitment with Jon
Weston Brozik. This loyal and joyful
partnership was blessed with two children, Ellie and Maxton. They lived their entire lives and raised
their family in Winner, South Dakota.
After completing her
schooling, Courtney began a career of service of helping others. Her first opportunity began at the
Chamberlain Academy in Chamberlain, South Dakota. Next, Courtney worked for the South Dakota
Department of Social Services in the Child Protection division. In 2004, she began her career with Southern
Plains Behavioral Health Services in Winner, South Dakota, and was employed in
that capacity until the time of her passing.
Throughout her lifetime and employment, she has positively impacted
countless lives, often times going without notice or recognition.
Courtney is a lifelong
member of the Trinity Lutheran church in Winner, South Dakota. She also served as a board member for the
Tripp County Library and was a member of the Winner Rotary Club and Winner
Quarterback Club.
She was an avid sports
fan of the children in Winner, especially her Lady Warriors and Warriors. She could always be found following and
supporting her children, Ellie and Maxton, in all of their activities. If there happened to be two of the kids’
activities at the same time, she would follow one, while still following the
other through livestream. They were her pride and joy!
When Courtney wasn’t
giving herself to the area children, organizations, agencies, or following her
children, she found joy in her own activities.
She loved to scrapbook, collect antiques and refurbish them, and spend
countless hours on the phone with her closest friends. She was a concert enthusiast, always ready to
go, no matter the performer or location.
She cherished her time spent with her closest friends.
Courtney is lovingly
remembered by her husband Jon and their two children Ellie and Maxton
Brozik, parents Ron and Judy McCready
(Winner), Jim and Linda Brozik (Winner), and Marcy Fifield (Pierre). Also surviving are siblings Tyler (Jennifer)
McCready of Sioux Falls, Zach (Kelli) McCready and family of Chamberlain,
brother-in-law Bruce Drapeaux and family of Spearfish, brother-in-law Jody
(Sally) Brozik and family of Winner, and brother-in-law Paul (Courtney) Brozik
and family of Lawrence, Kansas. She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles
and cousins. She will be missed by her
countless number of friends and acquaintances.
Courtney was preceded
in death by grandparents: Orvin and Mary
McCready, Harold and June Ringstmeyer, Stan and Rose Brozik, Maxine Audiss, and
Velda Kindt. Additionally, preceding in
death was her father-in-Law, Jack Fifield.
Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo Winner High School will present the all-school play “Junie B. Jones Is Not A Crook” April 11, 12 and 13 at the Winner Community Playhouse. The play will start at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m. Cast members in front from left are Amanda Edwards, Addi Heenan, Kierra Bainter, Shannon Rank and Suchi Chaudhari. In back from left are Paige Sachtjen, Cassie Shutt, Hayden McMurtrey, Noah Manke, Jacob Manke, Sierra Wise and Bailey Fisher. Not pictured are Roper Moore, Wyatt Winfield and Evan Littau. The play is directed by Molly Knutelski. For reservations call 605 842-8125.
Colome FFA floriculture team placed fifth at a CDE in Scotland and is the
second place team in the district. This team is state bound.
The team and their individual placings are: Raelynn KIingsley, 3rd; Gracie
Rohde, 30th; Raylynn Dehning, 36th and Joseph Laprath, 40th.
Seth Heath and Jack Anderson are also state bound in milk quality and
productions. Heath placed 39th and Anderson, 42nd.
The team took 15th place. Also on the team is Klayton Heath, 29th.
The veterinary science team placed 15th. individually, Tyson Wetzel was
28th and is state bound and Emme Nelsen is 36th and state bound. Also on the
team is Kesha Kartak, 77th.
Submitted photo Winner Girls Scout Troop 42110 donated cookies to the Winner Law Enforcement Center. Pictured from left are Kathy Mach, Erin Brill, Marc Dvorak, John Rehak and Ethan Vobr.
The Colome High School prom will be held April 12.
Casino Nights and Vegas Lights is the theme of the prom. Decorations will
feature playing cards and large dice.
The grand march will start at 8:30 p.m. in the Colome gym.
Pictures will start at 7:20 p.m.
There will be a dance following the grand march and the king and queen
will be crowned after the grand march.
To start off the evening, there will be a meal at the Colome Legion
starting at 5:30 p.m. The meal will include steak or shrimp with salad bar and
baked potato.
“We are looking forward to having a good time,” said Westlie Cahoy, junior
class president. “The juniors have worked hard on the decorations and we hope
to have a fun evening.”
The after prom party will be at the Gregory Lanes. Students will be bussed
there and afterwards returned to Colome.
Students will receive t-shirts made by Computers N More.
There will be pizza, bowling, pool table, darts and card games.
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