Category Archives: News

Leo L. Laber, age 91 of Sac City, IA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, at Park View Rehabilitation Center in Sac City, IA.

Mass of the Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston, SD, with Father David Stevens officiating. Burial took place at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Parkston under the direction of Koehn Bros. Funeral Home of Parkston, SD.

Leo Lawrence Laber was born on May 24, 1928, to parents, George F. and Mary E. (Hafner) Laber, in Parkston, SD. He was baptized and confirmed in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston. Leo attended school in Parkston and after graduating from high school served in the United States Army from 1950-1952 during the Korean War. He served in the 45th Division as a Sgt. Forward Observer and received a Korean Service Medal of Honor.

Leo was a member of the Knights of Columbus and remained a lifelong member of the VFW.

On Aug. 25, 1953, Leo married the love of his life, Jeanne Maxwell, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston. This union was blessed with four children: Leslie, Richard, Ann and James. Leo and Jeanne raised their family in Parkston and Winner, SD, where he worked for Parkston Produce and then as an animal nutritionist and western territory sales manager for Zip Feeds out of Sioux Falls.

Leo and Jeanne later moved to Sioux Falls where he extended his sales territory to include northern Nebraska. Retirement in 1994 found them living in Bella Vista, Arkansas, and Yankton, South Dakota. Their love of travel took them to Hawaii, Canada, New Zealand, Alaska, and throughout most of the United States, including winters in South Padre Island.

They moved to Sac City, IA, to be closer to family in 2010. This past year they celebrated their 66th Wedding Anniversary.

In his spare time, Leo liked to be out on the course golfing. He was also an avid hunter, mostly hunting pheasants and geese. While he enjoyed doing many different things in his spare time, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He was so very proud of each and every one of them. Leo loved to visit with people, and he ‘never met a stranger’. As Leo would say “shake the hand that shook the world.” His kind heart, sense of humor and warm smile will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Leo is survived by his wife, Jeanne Laber of Sac City, IA; children: Leslie (Jerry) Hartford of San Diego, CA, Richard (Tamara) Laber of Winner, SD, Ann (Gary) Colvin of Sac City, IA, James Laber of Clear Lake, IA; 10 grandchildren: Ian (Kelly) Laber of Spearfish, SD, Ike (Alysia) Laber of Hernando, FL, Luke (Meghan) Laber of Cleburne, TX, Karlee Laber of Onida, SD, Amanda (Brian) Colvin Dunn of Arlington, VA, Justin Colvin of Craig, AK, Elana Laber of Early, IA, Haley Laber of Titonka, IA, Amy (Joel) Hartford Suggitt of Topeka, KS, Alex Hartford of Los Angeles, CA; 3 great-grandchildren: Anabel Adams, Everlee and Emersen Laber, all of Hernando, FL. Brother Joe (Lois) Laber of Bonesteel, SD; brothers-in-law and sisters-in law: Donald (Teresa) Maxwell of Mountain View, CA, Edna Sprecher Laber of Springfield, VA, JoEllen (Dr. Robert) Maxwell Neumayr of Yankton, SD.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents, George F. and Mary E. Laber; brother Francis G. “Fran” Laber; sister-in-law Helen (Charles “Chuck”) Maxwell Bechtold.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made in Leo’s memory to the
Alzheimer’s Association –Iowa Chapter at:
alz.org/iowa

Dale Aeschbacher, 89, of Billings, MT passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the auditorium in Wood, SD. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Burial will follow the services at the Evergreen Cemetery in Wood, SD.

Dale was born on his family homestead on Aug. 5, 1930 north of Mosher, SD in Mellette County to Ernest and Catherine (Dimond) Aeschbacher. Around 1940 the family moved to Wood SD. Dale had two older brothers Ray and Herbert.

Dale was most proud of his track career and his relay team. Dale went to the Basset NE track meet his senior year where he won the 100meter dash. He would often times refer to the medal he had won which had a milk cow and a water tank on it. Dale graduated from Winner High School on May 27, 1949.

When Dale was just 21 years old, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on the 29 of Jan 1952. Dale served in the Korean War as a result of action against enemy forces on the Oct. 26, 1952 Dale was injured in Western Korea.

Dale earned multiple medals including: Korean Service Medal W/1, Purple Heart Medal, United Nations Services Medal, National Defense Services Medal. Dale received Honorable Discharge on the 30th of September 1953. Later in 2016 Dale received the Korean Ambassador Peace Medal.

Upon returning home from the war and healing from his wounds Dale met and married Verna Forsch on April 27, 1954. They built a house together in 1954 in Winner, SD. From this union they had four sons Allen, Myron, Meldon, and Joel.

Dale worked for the government at the Bureau of Indian Affairs with the Rosebud Agency Land management for 30 years before retiring. Dale was proud of the work he had done and the friendships he had made during his time with the BIA.

After retirement Dale enjoyed spending his time being a grandfather. He enjoyed attending every sporting events his grandsons took part in and held a very special tender place in his heart for his granddaughters. He was also an avid Dodgers baseball fan & Chicago Bears football fan.

Dale took the most pride in teaching and making memories with his grandchildren.

Deer hunting was a hobby Dale loved and a family tradition. He enjoyed spending time and passing on this family tradition with his children and grandchildren where they made many memories from hunting in Mellette County, the Badlands, and along the White River.

Another hobby that Dale enjoyed with Verna was spending Sunday evenings going downtown and playing pitch and thirty-one with friends over a few cups of coffee and great conversation. Dale had a very fast witty mind and had stories for all.

Dale is survived by his wife of 65 years Verna Aeschbacher. He also survived by his children: Allen Aeschbacher Helena MT, Myron Aeschbacher Billings MT, Meldon & Kathy Aeschbacher Ashland WI, Joel & Rhonda Aeschbacher, Wanblee SD, Grandchildren: Domenica VanDyke Sarasota FL, Brooke & Dustin Fisher Winner SD, Sam & Elaine Aeschbacher Ideal SD, Bridget & Younger Kramme, Presho SD, Patrick Aeschbacher Winner SD, Jenie & Nick Borders Thermopolis WY, Jess & Miles Vondra, Zap ND. Great Grandchildren: Payton, Bailey Carley, Jerrod, Evelyn, Elyse, Eloise, Emerie, Mieka, Lincoln, Baylee, & Tayton.

Dale is preceded in death by his parents Earnest and Catherine Aeschbacher, his in-laws Emil and Albina Forsch, his brother Herbert Aeschbacher, his sister in law Shirley Aeschbacher, his brother Ray Aeschbacher.

The family ask that you send sympathy cards to:
30171 SD Hwy 248
Presho, SD 57568

Howard Bechen, 92, of Mitchell formerly of Artesian, died Monday, Jan. 20, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab in Mitchell.

Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial was in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Howard James Bechen was born on May 30, 1927, to Ruben and Elizabeth (Mader) Bechen. He was born in Kadoka, South Dakota and joined the Navy after graduating high school in May of 1945. Howard served in both World War II and the Korean War. After returning from the wars, he met and married Marg Moore. They were married on June 20, 1952.

They were the proud parents of ten children. In January of 1982 the good Lord called Marg home. He then met and married Mary Beaner. They were married on Dec. 23, 1983.

Howard was involved in many things other than ranching and farming. He was a member of the St. Charles Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Artesian Saddle Cub, the Moose Club, the VFW and the Artesian America Legion. He was a 4-H leader and received numerous conservation awards.

He enjoyed riding horses to check his cattle as well as camping and boating for relaxing. He taught his family the value of hard work, tough love and devotion to God.

Howard passed away peacefully on Monday, January 20, 2020 surrounded by his loving wife, Mary and many of his children and grandchildren.
Howard is survived by his wife Mary (Beaner) Bechen; his children and their spouses, Doug (Renee) Bechen of Whitewood, SD , Sandy (Dick) Krantz of Winner, SD, Merl (Diane) Bechen of Mitchell, SD, Larry (Carn) Bechen of Chaska, MN, Joe (Donna) Bechen of Winfred, SD, Brad (Kathleen) Bechen of Huntsville, AL, John (Gayle) Bechen of Letcher, SD, Tom (Marie) Bechen of Mitchell, SD, Barbie (Greg) Becker of Little Elm, TX and Dave (Brenda) Bechen of Mitchell, SD. Howard had 34 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. All who loved him dearly.

Howard is preceded in death by his first wife, Marg (Moore) Bechen; infant grandson, Ian Bechen; parents, Ruben and Elizabeth (Mader) Bechen; brothers, Russell, Donald and Edward Bechen; In-laws, Loraine, Carol, and Joyce Bechen, Melvin, Earl, and Bonnie Moore, and Joe and Bill Beaner; and one niece, Dixie Zoelle.