Category Archives: News

Greg Allen Genzlinger, 73

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Greg Allen Genzlinger, 73, was born on Sept. 2, 1947 in Canova, SD to Gordon and Geraldine Genzlinger. 

Greg passed away on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD from a short battle with stage 4 lung cancer that spread to the brain.   Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, at Eidsness Funeral Chapel in Elkton.  Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept.11, 2021, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Brookings with burial to follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Howard, SD. The funeral will be able to be viewed at www.mountcalvary1.org and on Mount Calvary’s Facebook page.

Greg grew up with his siblings, Winston, Mona, and Janeen, on the family farm southeast of Howard, SD.  He was active in cultivating the land and gained a great appreciation for the outdoors.  While living at home on the family farm, Greg attended St. John Lutheran Church, where he was both baptized and confirmed.

Greg and Pat (Hegdahl) were married on Aug. 10, 1968.  The following year, Greg graduated from Dakota State University.  They decided to take their adventure westward and Greg started teaching math courses in the Winner School District from 1969 to 2003.  They were active members of Christ Lutheran Church in Winner.  Two daughters were born into the family, Dawn, in April of 1971 and Robin, in October of 1977.  Greg spent many hours with the girls trying to instill his love of nature.

Through the years, Greg gained two amazing sons-in-law, Jim Reedy and Luke Hemmen.  A lot of time was spent with these guys…teaching both of them how to catch a mighty musky.  Greg and Pat gained six grandchildren from these marriages and his grandkids were Greg’s pride and joy.  He attended countless football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, track, cross-country, concerts, band, and theater events.  He would always show up supporting the kids and their team colors.  It was easy to see how much he loved and adored his grandkids…you just had to look at his face.  His life revolved around his grandkids.

We all know he had a great love for fishing and hunting.  Spring and summer were spent on ponds, lakes, rivers, and trips to Canada.  Fall and winter were reserved for pheasant and deer hunting with family and friends.  He enjoyed these activities, but he enjoyed the company of his people even more.  Winner, SD was their home for 47 years before they decided to move to Elkton, SD in 2016 to be closer to family.

Greg is survived by his wife of 53 years, Pat.  His children:  Dawn (Jim) Reedy of Norfolk, NE and Robin (Luke) Hemmen of Elkton, SD.  His six grandchildren:  Taylor (Sydney Graver) Reedy, Sydney (Andrew) Meuret, and Grace Reedy;  Jack, Malayna and Berkley Hemmen.  His sister, Mona Dickhaut and brothers-in-law Mike (Dawn) and Garry (Connie) Hegdahl; and sister-in-law Carolyn Genzlinger.  As well as a host of extended family and friends.

Greg is preceded in death by his parents Gordon and Geraldine;  Father and Mother-in-Law, Harold and Evelyn Hegdahl;  brother Winston, sister Janeen, and brother-in-law Leonard Dickhaut.  He will be greatly missed and remembered always.

Build Dakota success leads to more industry participation and student support, helping address South Dakota workforce challenges

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The seventh cohort of Build Dakota Scholarship Fund students will begin classes this month, helping to fill the gap of essential workforce needs for South Dakota.

Area students who are Build Dakota Scholarship winners at Mitchell Tech are: Bailey Brown, Winner,  medical laboratory technology; Evan Farner, Winner,  ECM; Nathaniel Hansen, Colome, welding; Casey Taylor, Colome, LPN.

 In January 2021, Governor Kristi Noem announced an additional $20 million in continued support of the Build Dakota Scholarship Fund, securing funding for the program for another five years.

“The state’s commitment to the Build Dakota Scholarship is one of the best examples of how government can partner with private business to make real change in our state,” said Governor Noem. “As more and more businesses look to South Dakota to escape overregulation and high taxes, the Build Dakota Scholarship will allow our workforce the chance to train and meet the needs of our growing economy.”

Over 70% of scholars are backed by an industry partner, meaning these students are guaranteed a job upon completing their degree. Industry partners provide a match with scholarship dollars. In return, students commit to working for the industry partner for three years following graduation. With workforce recruitment challenges facing businesses across the state and nation, Build Dakota offers security and stability for businesses who invest in their workforce through the industry partner program.

“As we enter our seventh year of offering Build Dakota Scholarships to young people, I think we have even more momentum than we did when we announced the program,” said Build Dakota Chairman Dana Dykhouse. “This scholarship is moving the needle for South Dakota employers and helping create successful careers for our state’s workforce.”

Each technical college manages their own industry partner program, working with local businesses and economic development organizations to find future employment opportunities for Build Dakota scholars in high-need workforce areas. This cohort is supported by over $2.6 million in funding from industry partners like Sanford Health, Fiegen Construction, CHS, and many more.

“Our industry partner program has allowed more scholars to be awarded these scholarships, through a match program,” said Deni Amundson, program manager for Build Dakota. “Scholars with an industry partner are guaranteed a job after graduation, and the industry partner has a steady stream of highly trained employees.”

“Year after year, we have a very high level of interest from both students and industry partners wanting to utilize the Build Dakota Scholarship at Southeast Technical College,” said Southeast Technical College President Robert Griggs. “This program has changed the narrative about technical education in our state, and I’m excited to see continued growth and partnerships.”

Sioux Falls Little League Pitcher, has ties to Winner

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Submitted Photo
Gavin Weir, left, the outstanding pitcher for the Sioux Falls Little League is pictured with his uncle Devin Koskan, Sioux Falls, a former Winner area resident. Weir’s mother, Shannon and Devin are brother and sister. Gavin’s grandparents are Rob and Lisa Koskan of the Winner area. Sioux Falls is playing in the Little League world series. Weir has pitched two no hitter games and against Torrance, Calif., had 14 strikeouts.

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Submitted Photo
John DeMers, financial service manager for Winner area, is pictured with Madison Thieman who was awarded a FCSAmerica scholarship.

Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica), a customer-owned financial cooperative, today announced that Madison Thieman of Winner, SD will receive a $2,500 scholarship to continue studying Animal Science at South Dakota State University (SDSU).


Madison, whose parents are Craig and Karey Thieman, is one of eight SDSU students to receive an FCSAmerica scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year. Madison is a senior majoring in Animal Science.


This is the 25th year that FCSAmerica has awarded land grant scholarships. Each year, juniors and seniors studying at land grant universities in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming who plan to pursue a career in agriculture are invited to compete for the FSCAmerica scholarships.


“Agriculture is a complex, high-risk industry that needs the best and brightest working to solve challenges and advance the field. FCSAmerica’s scholarship program is here to help young people become those difference makers,” said John DeMers, Financial Services officer for FCSAmerica’s Pierre, South Dakota office.


Scholarship recipients must be enrolled in the College of Agriculture with course work emphasis in agribusiness or economics, or enrolled in the College of Business Administration with course work emphasis in agribusiness, finance, accounting or economics at Iowa State University, South Dakota State University, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, or University of Wyoming. Other scholarship criteria include: good academic standing, with a preferred GPA of at least 3.0; a written essay; a background check or work experience in agriculture; preference for residency in FCSAmerica’s four states.


The scholarship program is part of FCSAmerica’s community involvement program. FCSAmerica employees have contributed nearly 8,500 volunteer hours to programs and projects in their communities and the cooperative has donated more than $3.5 million in support to organizations in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.


About Farm Credit Services of America:


Farm Credit Services of America is a customer-owned financial cooperative proud to finance the growth of rural America, including the special needs of young and beginning producers. With $34 billion in assets and $6.5 billion in members’ equity, FCSAmerica is one of the region’s leading providers of credit and insurance services to farmers, ranchers, agribusiness and rural residents in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Learn more at www.fcsamerica.com.

Parade marshal nominations

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Winner High School student council is looking for nominations for the homecoming parade marshal.

Persons can send the nominations to Haley Barfuss at Winner High School with a detailed description of why they feel this person would be a good candidate for parade marshal.

Persons can mail the nominations to 431 East 7th St, Winner or e mail Barfuss at haley. barfuss@k12.sd.us.

The deadline for nominations is Sept. 15.

Labor day closings

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Government offices in Winner will be closed on Monday, Sept. 6 in observance of Labor Day.

Offices in the Tripp County Courthouse will be closed. All state and federal offices in Winner will be closed.

The city office will be closed and the city council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

The Winner Post Office will be closed on Labor Day and there will be no mail delivery.

Financial institutions in Winner and Colome will not be open for business on Labor Day.

There will be no noon meal at the Winner Senior Citizens Center.

Southern Plains Behavioral Health Services will be closed Labor Day as well as Main Gate Counseling.