Category Archives: News

Graveside services for Joan Zimbelmann, 84, Hamill, were held on Oct. 20 at the IOOF Cemetery, Gregory.

Joan Arlene Fischer Zimbelmann of Hamill, South Dakota, passed away Oct. 14, 2020 at Avera Gregory Hospital.   

Joan was born Aug. 14, 1936, in Colome, South Dakota, to Ben and Sarah (Iler) Fischer. She grew up west of Dallas, South Dakota, and graduated from Gregory High School. She attended USDS in Springfield, South Dakota, and received her teaching certificate.   

Joan met the love of her life Art Zimbelmann at a dance and they were married June 28, 1958. To this union three boys were born: Arvis, Arden and Gary. She remained at the ranch that she loved up to three weeks prior to her passing.

Ranch life and work was important to Joan but so was time spent with family.    Joan taught at the Hamill country school and worked in the office of the Winner Sale Barn for 38 years on sale days. She was a 4-H leader for many years and was a member of the Colome American Legion Auxiliary, the Winner VFW Auxiliary, and the Hamill Horseman Club.   

Joan continued her interest in all the kids, watching them grow into adults.    Cooking was one of her passions. She loved to see that everyone was satisfied and the more the better. You never got away without having a piece of pie, cookie, cake or coffee.     

She loved all the farm animals and wildlife. When they added onto the original ranch house, she made sure they put a window above the kitchen sink so she could watch them while she was doing the dishes or whatever was going on outside.   

Joan is survived by her two sons Arvis (Tammera) Zimblemann of Tea, South Dakota and Gary (Della Boyd) Zimbelmann of Hamill, South Dakota; grandchildren Arthur “Aazie” (Neala) Zimbelmann and Travis (Nicole) Zimbelmann; step grandchildren Bobbi (Randy Faaborg) and Martin (Jennifer) Kenaston; great granddaughters Elizabeth and Emma Zimbelmann and Davina Aazie Zimbelmann; step great granddaughters Shelbi Allison, Lindsay Kaitlin Brianna; great grandsons Shelden (Emily) and Stetsen; great great grandson Kaesin; and many nieces and nephews.

Special friends Jed and Lori Sealey and all the children that she raised and considered her own.   

She was preceded in death by husband Art Zimbelmann, her parents, son Arden, sister Zelda Dummer (Marlin), and brother Marvin (Norma) Fischer.

Joan will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

Neil Schroeder, 69, of Winner, SD passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020 at the Sanford USD Med Center in Sioux Falls, SD.    

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Winner, SD. Burial    followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Neil Eugene Schroeder entered his heavenly home on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020 from Sanford USD Medical Center after a hard fought battle with Covid.    

Neil was born on March 5, 1951 in Winner, SD.    He was the second of nine children born to Ralph and Betty (Pederson) Schroeder.  He was a wonderful big brother who helped take care of his siblings.  Since his mother didn’t drive, he often drove his siblings where they needed to go. Neil lived in or near Winner his entire life. He attended Winner High School where he enjoyed playing football, basketball, and baseball in the summer.    He graduated from Winner High School in 1969.   

After graduation, he attended Northern State College for two years.     On April 22, 1972, he married his high school sweetheart, Linda (Burtz) Schroeder .Together they built a strong Christian family raising four children; Bradley, Kimberly, Jeremy, and Bruce.    

When Neil and Linda were first married, Neil worked for Sioux Dairy Supply.    They also purchased a ranch 30 miles from Winner and began ranching.    Neil loved the hard work and open spaces.   

In 1985 Neil started working at the South Dakota Department of Transportation in Winner which prompted him to move his family into Winner.    He continued to drive to the ranch to work every evening.   

When he started at the DOT, it was an entry-level job, but because of his intelligence and work ethic, Neil worked his way up to Survey Crew Chief.    He enjoyed his time at the DOT and made many lifelong friends.   His work inspired his youngest son to become an engineer. He retired in 2010 to enjoy his family, especially his grandchildren.

After Neil retired, he worked part time for Schramm Furniture and then Kucera Electric. He continued his passion for ranching by helping his sons and son-in-law.    He enjoyed fishing, yard work, riding his bike, and driving his 4 wheeler to work.   His favorite pastime was watching his grandchildren in their various activities.   

He drove hundreds of miles to cheer, encourage, and congratulate them.    Throughout his lifetime, Neil was active in the community.    He served on the Winner Baptist Hospital Board and coached Witten basketball and Clearfield baseball.   

He was a member of the Winner Baptist Church where he was a trustee for many years and was instrumental in building the Winner Baptist Church. He dedicated many hours to helping young lives at AWANA on Wednesday nights. Neil loved people.   

Anywhere he went, he met friends and always stopped to visit.    He was very active his entire life and always wanted to be busy.     Above all, Neil was a man of God, grateful for his Savior Jesus Christ.    He set

a strong example to the very end, even witnessing to hospital staff.    He appreciated everything God gave him. We were blessed to have 69 years with Neil.   

Survivors include his wife of 48 ½ years, Linda. His children: Bradley (Susie) Schroeder of Canistota, SD, Kimberly (Ross) DeMers of Winner, SD, Jeremy (Rhonda) Schroeder of Winner, SD, and Bruce (Kira) Schroeder of Aberdeen, SD. His 12 precious grandchildren: Anna, Josiah, Levi, Caleb, and Sam Schroeder; Maggie, Lena, and Bianca DeMers; Rylee and Rustin Schroeder; Ruth and Eve Schroeder. Step-grandchildren: Jessica Jensen and Josh Jensen. Step Great-granchildren: Payton, Kingsley, and Maxton.Siblings: Leo Schroeder, Beverly Parezo, Gayle Hamilton, Diane Neyens, and Curt Schroeder. As well as a host of relatives and friends.     

Neil was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Betty; Father and Mother-in-Law, Earl and Marian Burtz; 3 brothers, Gary, Kenny, and Jim; and sister-in-law, Pam Burtz. Neil was a Godly man who will be missed here on earth.    We are thankful for the Christian heritage he gave us.

William “Willie” Moeller, 98, of Winner, SD passed away on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020 at the Winner Regional Health Care Center in Winner, SD.     Funeral services were held on Monday, Oct. 19, 2020 at 10 a.m. at the Winner United Methodist Church in Winner, SD.

Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. A visitation was held one hour prior to the services.   

Willie Moeller was born to Frank and Elsie (Maier) on May 30 1922 at their home in Carter, SD. Willie had 2 sisters and 4 brothers.   

Babe with her 2 sons Patrick and Bill moved to Winner, SD. This was where she would meet the love of her life Willie. They met on Main Street in Winner and were married in 1956 in Pierre after two short weeks.

After marrying, Willie and Babe purchased the Five Spot in 1960 on Main Street in Winner, owning it for three years before moving to Newport, Neb. They bought the Bar 20, which was along Highway 20, and owned and operated it for another three years. Willie had always wanted to move to a large city and work for a big company. A friend referred them to a big plant in Grand Island where they made bombs.

Willie phoned the company that very next day, and both got jobs at the bomb plant. Babe worked making trinkets and mini mites, which was very fitting considering her small stature and powerful personality, while Willie was in charge of measuring the powder. They both worked together until the plant closed four years later. After the closing of the plant, Willie and Babe wanted to settle down and move from the city. They purchased an 80-acre farm near St. Libory, Neb., where he still resided till January 2020 when he fell and broke his hip. He was hospitalized in Grand Island and Winner till he was well enough to live with Tim and Deb. Willie’s quaint farm house is nestled amongst many fields of corn and trees, alongside his barns and guest house cottage.

They always had a big garden, and took great pride in riding their lawn mowers to make their yard look special. They always had many cats to welcome their guests. Willie enjoyed a good game of cards in which Willie was proud of the fact he never lost a game of cards (he didn’t very often) but when he did, he would say, have to loss sometimes or nobody will play anymore.

Willie enjoyed playing checkers with Roy each winning a game, then quit so neither one would be mad.   

Willie went to be with Babe on Oct. 12, 2020. He was very well liked in the hospital, never complaining and always having something to say or talk to the nurses and doctors about. Willie and Babe were always together wherever they went and now together again.   

Willie is preceded in death by his parents, wife Babe, infant daughter, and sons, Bill and Patrick. 2 sisters and brother-in-law’s: Betty (Jerome) Flisram and Amelia (Johnny) Combs. 4 brothers and sister-in-law’s: Ray (June), Frantz (Esther, son Bobby and infant daughter), Roy (Estella, daughter Marcella), and Dick. And 1 sister-in-law, Linda Bicek.   

Willie is survived by nieces and nephews: Elizabeth (Alvin) Focken, children, Justin and Tyler; Joyce Flisram; Dennis Flisram; Louise Flisram; Connie Rae (Doug) Frantz; LaVonne (Brett) Brickman, children, Carter and Coy; Kenneth (Twila) Combs, children: Brent, Dawn, Heather, and Joshua; Linda Moeller; Brenda Moeller; Dough (Allison) Moeller, child, Lacey; Sharon Harbolt, child, Stefanie; Bobby, children, Russ, Sherrie, Tim, Renee, and Meridie; Kyle, children, Trent, Paul, and Sierra; Kathy (Steve) Mach, children, Roy and Lexy; Tim (Deb) Moeller, children, Tanner and Loren; Todd (Amy) Moeller, child, Morgan. Daughter-in-law’s: Joyce McHenry and Connie McHenry. Grandson Martin (Becky), great grandchildren, Abbie, Heaton, Thomas, andLillie. Brother-in-law Marlo Bicek, children, Kay (Dan), children, Kelly and Samantha; Amy (Dwayne), children, Emily, Jesse, and Ethan; Todd (Angie), children, Brandon and Austin; Carol (Justin), children, Hanna and Elijah.

Dr. Imogene Lorraine Marie DeSmet 92 of Sioux City, IA passed away on Oct. 11, 2020 at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City, IA.     Funeral services were held 10:30 am Monday, Oct. 19, at the St. Isidore Catholic Church in Colome, South Dakota with Father Kevin Achbach officiating. Burial will be in Dallas Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City.   

Imogene was born Aug. 24, 1928 to Charles and Ida (VanOverschelde) DeSmet in Colome, South Dakota.    She graduated from Colome High School and earned her BA degree from St. Mary’s of the Vasatch, in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Imogene went on to earn her MA from Creighton University in Omaha, NE and her doctoral degree from the University of Toronto in Toronto, Canada.   

Imogene taught English for many years at several places including Armour High School in Armour, SD, the College of Saint Catherine, in St. Paul, MN, and the University of Wisconsin in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. She also taught abroad for a semester in Denmark and in Malaysia. After retiring from teaching she moved to Sioux City, IA. to be closer to her family.   

She loved to travel and spend time with her family and collecting dolls.    She volunteered at each of the Catholic churches that she was a member at in many ways including being a lector, Eucharistic minister and helping educate others about the faith.  She was also very active in several academic organizations.    

Imogene is survived by her brother, Claire and his wife Modeanna of California, sisters-in-law, Valda DeSmet of South Dakota and Margo DeSmet of Massachusetts, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families who will always remember the stories she would tell them of her travels.   

She is preceded in death by her parents, four brothers; Julius (Alona) DeSmet, Charles DeSmet Jr., Louie DeSmet Joe (Marilyn) DeSmet, her three sisters; Madeline (Charles) Watzel, Sadie (Miles) Krizan, Leona (Rex) Barcus, infant sister, Marie DeSmet, and a nephew, Jerry Barcus.

James Gregg, 86, of Carter, SD was called home to be with the Lord Oct. 12, 2020, surrounded by all of his children.    

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 326 Madison Street in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. Jim was born June 7, 1934, the second of four children born to Herbert and Florence Gregg. Jim was born on the second level on the old hotel in Carter, South Dakota. Jim attended school through eighth grade in Carter, then went to work on the farm until 1954-1956 when he joined the United States Army. Jim served two years during the Korean Conflict and was medically discharged due to service-related injuries.    

On Oct. 14, 1961, Jim married the love of his life, Marian Lucille Earll. To this union, three sons and two daughters were born.   

Jim absolutely loved to farm and ranch, although about the only time you ever saw him get mad, and maybe cuss just a little, was when moving cattle. In December, 1983, Jim was injured in a farming accident, and then again two years later when he slipped on the ice and broke his previously injured leg. But that didn’t stop him from doing what he loved. Jim continued farming until about 2014 when he retired and spent most of his time delivering coffee, soda, and Little Debbie snacks to folks working in the field or working cattle in the neighborhood. Jim understood, firsthand, what amazing, caring neighbors there are in the Carter area… and the valueof “neighboring.” Jim also loved a good card game, but most of all he loved his family and demonstrated that love until the day he died.     

Jim is survived by his children Jeff Gregg(Sayna), Carter, SD; Julie Gregg-Bubac (Duane) Mammoth, WY; Jill Christensen (Joe), Arlington, SD; Jerred Gregg (Kara), Jason Gregg (Renee DeNoyer), and Pedro Cintron, all of Carter, SD; grandchildren that Jim was so proud of and loved very much: Jamin Hartland (Sarah), Rapid City, SD; Jessa Ellendorf (Gabriel), White River, SD; Jadyn Gregg (Wyatt McMillen), Rapid City, SD; Mark Bubac (Timmi), Rapid City, SD; Christi Bubac, Mammoth, WY; Dustin Christensen (Samantha), Colome, SD; Gary Christensen (Kayla), Sioux Falls, SD; Sara Wollen (Bryce), Sioux Falls, SD; JaceySmith (Conner), Faith, SD; James, Jacob, Josey, and Jenna; Justus (Liz Duffy), Jaynee, Jentry, Jude, and Jett, all of Carter, SD; great grandchildren Zylais Ellendorf, White River, SD, Sage Bubac, Rapid City, SD, Claire and Chloe Christensen and Brody Wollen, Sioux Falls, SD, Desirae Christensen, Colome, SD, and Paisley Smith and baby brother or sister due in March, Faith, SD; brothers and sisters Josephine Klein, Hidden Timer, SD; John Gregg (Jeanne Carpenter Thelen), Evansville, WY; Dennis Gregg (Kay), Martin, SD; and sister-in-law Lorraine Dohmen, Winner, SD; and many, many special nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors.   

He was preceded in death by his wife Marian, his parents, Florence and Herbert Gregg, mother and father-in-law Lloyd and Geraldine Earll, brothers-in-law Lawrence Klein and James Dohmen, and sister-in-law Loyce Gregg.

Jim touched many lives… everyone that knew him will remember his contagious giggle, that he worked hard but loved what he did, that he was a quiet soul (unless moving cattle), and that he loved spending time with his kids and grandkids. He will be missed dearly but he and Toots are together again… just in time for their 59th Anniversary (October 14). We will love you always, Triple J.