Government offices in Winner will be closed on Monday, Oct. 9, in
observance of Native American Day.
The Tripp County Courthouse will be closed as well as the county library.
The Winner city office will be closed.
All state and federal offices will be closed on Oct. 9.
The Winner Post Office will be closed for the holiday and there will be no
mail service.
Financial institutions will not be open for business on Oct. 9. First
Fidelity Banks of Winner and Colome, BankWest and Sentinel Federal Credit Union
will all not be open for business on Oct. 9.
There will be no meal served at the senior citizens center on Monday.
Southern Plains Behavioral Health Services will be closed on Oct. 9.
The Winner Advocate newspaper office will be closed on Oct. 9.
Barry M. Jensen, age 78, of White River, South Dakota, died on Sunday,
Sept. 17, 2023 in Rapid City.
Barry Marlin Jensen was born Aug. 13, 1945, in Kadoka, South Dakota on the
son of William and Agnes (Stromer) Jensen of White River. Barry lived his
entire life at the Jensen ranch north west of White River with the exception of
a few years while he attended college. Barry attended all 12 years of school at
White River Public school graduating with his high school class of 1963. He
attended college at SDSU for two years before transferring to Kansas State
University where he graduated with a degree in science and agriculture.
Barry married his high school classmate and sweetheart Katie (Kathryn
Mickel) in 1965 and they lived in Manhattan, Kansas for the next three years
while earning their college degrees. Their oldest daughter Wendy was born in
Kansas.
Following graduation, they moved back to South Dakota to go into the
ranching business with his parents. That next fall the White River School found
themselves without a science teacher and so that following year Barry was asked
to teach all science classes until a science teacher could be located.
Ironically, it took four years. Many of his former students were his good
friends. It was during these years that their second daughter Katie Kristine
(Krisi) was born in 1970 and their youngest daughter Paige LeAnn was born in 1975.
Barry retired from teaching and returned to ranching full time when his
parents began to spend their winters in Arizona. He has continued to run the
Jensen Cattle Corporation ranch up to the present day.
Barry was a role model alumnus of White River High School. He served on
the Board of Education for a number of years. His name appears on the bronze
plaque in the foyer declaring the dedication of this very gymnasium. He
organized the first Tiger Booster Club. In 2000 he was instrumental in
organizing the school alumni association which is still very active today. He
served as its first chairman and in that position, he organized four all school
reunions. In 2013 he enjoyed his 50th class reunion when his 1963 classmates
were recognized at the spring Commencement.
While Barry and Katie were raising their family, their children were very
involved in school and community activities. During those days, Barry
volunteered as a church youth group leader, he was Associate Guardian for
Bethel 33 of White River Job’s Daughters, judged many rodeo queen contests and
announced at the local 4-H rodeos for several years. Back in the day these
rodeos lasted from sun up to sun down even utilizing two arenas. He rarely
missed a basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, rodeo, track or music event that
his daughters participated in.
Barry was very civic minded. He served as a Mellette County Commissioner.
He was elected as a legislator representing District 26 to the South Dakota
House of Representatives in 2001 and again in 2005 where he served on the
Judiciary committee among others.
Barry also enjoyed board work. He felt that a well-organized board, with
good managerial leadership, could effectively run a successful company. Barry
served on the Board of Directors with the following corporations: Country Pride
Coop of Winner, SD, Farmland Industries and the Cooperative Finance Association
both of Kansas City, Missouri, Southern Plains Behavioral Health of Winner, SD,
Missouri Valley Insurance Company of Burke, SD, and South Dakota organizations
of Cooperatives when in 2010 he was inducted into the SD Cooperative Hall of
Fame.
Additionally. Barry was appointed by Governor Daugaard to the South Dakota
Game, Fish, & Parks and served as commissioner until his commission
expired. Barry left footprints all across South Dakota.
Barry is a member of the White River Masonic Lodge #181 of White River,
The Order of Eastern Star #126 of White River and the White River United
Methodist Church. Barry’s church was very important to him. He served in many
different capacities from Ad Council chairman to trustee to singing in the
choir. He attended regularly and when he fell ill his church family stepped up
to help him celebrate his 78th birthday with cards, pictures and a singing
video. He loved his church.
Throughout the years, Barry enjoyed his children and grandchildren’s
activities, NASCAR racing, traveling, cruising, motorcycles, flying his
airplane, sports, especially Kansas State University sports, and being outdoors
on the ranch. Fall was his favorite time of year. Barry and Katie traveled
across the pond on three occasions. Once to visit granddaughter Angel who was
going to school in London, another time with K-State college friends on a
Mediterranean cruise. And in 2017 Barry, Katie and their entire family traveled
to Denmark. Arriving in Copenhagen and traveling across Denmark to the
ancestral home of his great-grandfather Morten Jensen in Olgod, Denmark.
And another story: Barry’s parents bought him a car when he was near
graduation from college at K-State University. Not just any car, but a Pontiac
GTO. He got involved with drag racing that GTO and never told his parents. Many
years later he fessed up and showed his parents his trophies after it was all
said and done.
Barry is survived by his wife Katie of 58 years, three daughters Wendy
(Dan) Conrad of Rapid City, Katie (Doug) Bates of Rapid City, and Paige (Bill)
Kelly of Milton, Georgia; eight grandchildren; Angel Spreen, Molly (Bruce)
Miller, Taylor (Ashley) Bates, Luke (Morgan) Bates, Samantha Bates, Berkeley
Bates, William Kelly Jr., Jensen Kelly; other family include Kip Jensen,
Beverly Jensen, Mike Dimond and family, Janel Krogman (Robert) and family, Todd
Krogman (Amy) and family, Dana Krogman, the extended Lester Stromer family, Bud
Stromer, and Kenny Kingsbury families, several cousins and many friends.
Barry was preceded in death by his parents, brother Clifford and sister
Janet; niece Lindy Krogman; and nephews Mark, Troy, Bill Jensen.
A Celebration of Life Service was held 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the
Community Events Center in White River.
Interment followed at the White River Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to Mellette County Community Foundation and the
American Cancer Society.
He was a South Dakota boy, grew up strong and fast
Dreamed of being a cowboy but dreams, they never last.
He felt free on a horses back, learned to rope and ride,
But he wanted a life all his own, built off love, strength and pride.
He built homes in Wyoming, learned trades as a way of life.
Built bridges in Dallas, and found the love of his life.
Work sent them to LA, they scrapped and scrimped and saved,
Soon three little ones joined the club and a whole new road was paved.
In big sky country they raised their pack,
Things got easy, things got hard, but he always had their backs
The kids grew and along the way they were taught right and wrong,
But all parents will tell you it just doesn’t last that long.
“Make me a promise”, he would say, “It’s the only one I
ask,
Promise me you’ll never grow up, you think you’re up to the task?”
Walking, running, driving, love found and lost,
Fishing, laughing, playing, baseballs caught and tossed.
He watched them make their own lives, on their own terms just like him;
Pride seeped from every pore, his cup full to the brim.
He watched them travel, learn, and grow, build families of they’re own,
Experience things he never had, and my, what these three had shown.
Through their lives he lived again, each triumph and each defeat,
The stories they regaled him with he never missed a beat.
He would say, “If I die tomorrow, I wouldn’t regret a bit.
Wrong right or in between, there’s no reason to throw a fit”
“I’ve done a lot, I’ve seen a ton, I’ve lived my life, and had my
fun.
But the greatest achievement I ever had, was raising you three and being
your dad”.
We never realized till he was gone, too soon, as it always goes
That we three kids were his most prized possession, and through us that
love grows.
I’ll think about him everyday, and the lessons that I learned.
About love, life and happiness; respect that’s only earned.
Take pride once more, for when we came up to the end
You weren’t only my Dad, you were also my best friend
I love you Dad, one day we’ll be reunited
To bask once again in the love you provided.
Sleep well now, in peace and without pain
But you won’t leave wholly, no; cause in my heart you will remain.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
Funeral services for Ray Bigelow age 79 of Colome, SD were held on Monday, September 25th at 11:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, Colome, SD. Burial followed in the Colome City Cemetery, Colome, SD. There was a prayer service Sunday night at 6pm at the church.
Ray Robert Bigelow was born to Robert and Dorothy (Bertram) Bigelow on August 11, 1944, in Winner, South Dakota.
Ray was an only child. Other than the short time Ray lived on the west coast when his dad was in the Navy, he lived all his life within a quarter mile on the same South Dakota road.
He attended Pleasant View Country School in Colome, South Dakota and graduated from Colome High School. Ray had a desire to go on with school, but the farm called him home to work.
Growing up Ray enjoyed playing cribbage with his grandfather. In his later years he still enjoyed playing games and cards, cribbage and pitch were among his favorites.
On March 15, 1969, Ray married Sharon (Worden) during a snowstorm. The love they had for each other grew and they were blessed with three children Kenneth Ray, Beverly Ann, and Barbara Marie. Ray and Sharon enjoyed 54 years of marriage together.
Ray was a farmer and a rancher. He loved working hard and really loved the farming side of his work. Ray was not as fond of the cows as he was the farming.
Ray enjoyed music, especially country and western music. He enjoyed listening to the music as he was not much of a dancer. Ray also loved hunting with family and his close friends.
Ray was always willing to help out a friend, neighbor, his many family members, and his three children. Ray cared deeply for his family, especially his grandkids. He cherished every moment with them while they were growing up. Ray will be so missed by Liv, Red, and Bella, as they had a special bond with their Papa Ray. They always knew how to get a smile out of him no matter what. Ray had a special relationship to all of his grandchildren whether near or far.
Due to some health issues, Ray and Sharon moved Golden Prairie Manor in July of 2022.
Ray passed away at Golden Prairie Manor on September 22, 2023, at the age of 79 years.
Ray is survived by his wife Sharon; son Kenny (Rebecca) Bigelow, daughter Bev Beck (special friend Bruce Clark), and daughter Barb (Shay) Littau; grandchildren: Rebekah Bigelow, Joe (Erin) Beck, Bailey Beck, Olivia Littau, Keegan Littau, and Bella Littau; step grandchildren: Chelsea Blickenstaff, Garret Kruback, Kord Littau, and Lane Littau; great grandchildren Jace and Layke Beck; and step great grandchildren James, Izebella, and Paislee Blickenstaff.
He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Dorothy Bigelow and grandson Kolby Beck.
Mildred Kathyrn
(Kathy) Engel, 85, of Winner, SD passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 at the
Winner Regional Hospital in Winner, SD.
A memorial service was
held on Friday, Sept. 22, at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Winner,
SD. Burial was held at 2:15 p.m. at the Evergreen Cemetery in Wood, SD.
Kathy was born on Dec.
11th, 1937 in Presho, SD to William (Slim) and Mildred Bennett. Kathy grew up
on a ranch outside of Wood, South Dakota and was also a proud graduate of Wood
High School.
Following high school,
she attended Southern State College in Springfield, South Dakota. Kathy married
Al Meister in 1957. This marriage produced two daughters, Tammy and Misty
Meister. Al and Kathy were proud owners of Al’s Body Shop. Al preceded her in
death in 1970.
Kathy reconnected with
fellow Wood High School graduate, Dale Engel. Kathy and Dale married and
enjoyed a long and productive marriage. They partnered with Dale’s son Dean to
create Engel Trucking. Dale sadly passed away in 2006.
Kathy wore many hats throughout
her life. She was a bookkeeper, educator, caretaker, and librarian. Kathy
always had a story to share and some of them were even true!
Kathy was preceded in
death by her parents Slim and Mildred, husbands Al Meister and Dale Engel,
brothers Bill, Paul, Bob, John, and infant twin sisters June and Jane. She was
also preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Barbara Meister.
She is survived by her
three siblings Virginia Ensminger of Valentine, NE; Jim Bennett and his wife
Marlene, of Gregory, SD; and Ed Bennett and his wife Judy, of Valentine, NE.
Kathy is also survived by her daughter and son-in-law Tammy and Jim Trego, of
Monument, CO; and daughter Misty Osborn, of Burlingame, KS. Kathy is also
survived by her three grandchildren, Jesse Osborn and fiancé Kathy Steck and
her daughter Neveah of Topeka, KS; Bayley and Michael Greenberg, of Plano, TX,
and Tyler Trego of Boulder, CO. In addition, she is survived by a host of
nieces and nephews.
Marilyn Brown left this world to join here heavenly family on Sept. 23
surrounded by her family.
Funeral services will be held at Fremont Alliance Church on Sept. 29 at 10
a.m. Viewing will be from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the church. Lunch will be served
following the service.
Viewing will be held at Mason Funeral Home in Winner on Sept 29 from
7-8:30 p.m. with burial service at the Colome Cemetery on Sept. 30 at 10:30
p.m. Lunch will be served at the Colome Legion after the graveside service. In
lieu of flowers donations can be sent to Fremont Alliance Church or Fremont Friendship Center.
Marilyn was born Nov. 6, 1956 in Gregory to Bill and Margaret (Stewart)
Brown. She lived on a farm in Colome and was the seventh child born to this
union. Marilyn was baptized in Colome Methodist Church.
She began school in 1964 where she attended special education classes in
Winner. Marilyn moved to Mitchell in 1975 working at various restaurants as a
dishwasher and enjoyed vacations with friends.
She moved to Fremont to live with her sister Willie and brother in law Bob
Jamison. Marilyn was then able to fully enjoy vacations and holidays with
Willie’s family and was able to spend time with her other siblings.
Marilyn attended Fremont Alliance Church and she helped with bible school
working in the kitchen. She also loved to bowl with friends and going out to
eat. She enjoyed all the phone calls that she got and loved to color pictures
for folks. She spent a lot of her time at the friendship center and enjoyed
dancing, playing bingo and having coffee with friends there.
She was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Margaret Brown, an older
brother, Garry; grandparents Ed and Martha Brown and Ralph and Lillian Stewart
and aunts and uncles.
She is survived by her sibblings Jo Ann Rieff (Bob), Avon; Duane (Charlie)
(Rosie) of Sioux Falls; Marlene (Mark) Wallbaum La Mesa, Calif; Willie (Bob)
Jamison, Fremont, Neb., Douglas (Carol) Brown, Birmingham, AL, sister-in-law
Carol Brown of Winner, 17 nieces and nephews and many grand nieces and nephews
as well as many relatives and friends.
Marion Joyce (Foss)
Potter age 89 of Belle Fourche, died Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023 at Belle Estate
in Belle Fourche.
A celebration of
Marion’s life took place Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 at the Belle Fourche Global
Methodist Church.
Interment took place
Tuesday at Oakridge Cemetery in Seneca SD, followed by a time of
fellowship at the Seneca Community Center.
Marion was born Sept.
2, 1934, the second daughter of Dave and Sylvia (Brozik) Foss. Marion grew up
on the family farm near Hamill, SD. She attended country schools in her
elementary years and then Winner High School where she graduated in 1952. She
later attended Black Hills State Teachers College and graduated in 1954 with
her teaching certificate. After college, she worked in Denver and Albuquerque as
a secretary, and then she taught in rural schools in Tripp County and in Iona,
SD.
In 1954 she first met
Willard Potter, a SDSM&T student, at a Black Hills State track meet. They
were united in marriage on June 25, 1960 in Winner, South Dakota. To this union
were born two sons and three daughters: Lee, Bruce, Joyce, Reva, and Diann.
Following their
marriage, Willard worked as a Civil Engineer and his career took the Potter
family to several towns, including Pierre, Selby, and Aberdeen. From 1979 to
2010, they lived near Warner, and following his retirement, Willard and Marion
moved to their home on Walworth Street in Belle Fourche where Marion resided
until this September.
Marion grew up through
the Depression and WWII years, and these experiences instilled in her the
importance of thrift and creativity, including a love of the finer things in
life such as home-grown and home-canned fruits and vegetables; homemade
fashion; family gatherings with music and card games; traveling between the
pages of countless good books; play, crafts, and songs with children; nurturing
lifelong friendships; and providing a listening, caring ear to others. She was
a hardworking daughter and her father’s helper on the farm, a quiet, kind older
cousin, a devoted niece, a true partner in marriage, and a mother and
grandmother who was forever the teacher and a champion for children.
She was proud of her
family and loved her grandchildren very much. Her quiet strength, quick humor,
and faith will be greatly missed. Marion
is survived by her children, Joyce (Dean) Beck of Glenwood, MN; Lee (Darla) of
Cheyenne WY, Reva (Terry Hoscheid) Potter of Belle Fourche, Diann (Don) Drew of
Volga, SD; Bruce (Laura) of Garretson SD; 13 grandchildren, Gia and David
(Alex) Beck; Logan and Ruth Potter; Spencer (Mackenzie), Nathan (Sentel),
Kendal, and Conrad Schreier, and Nathan Hoscheid; Erin (Jon) Evenson and Rachel
Drew; Eliza and Wyatt Potter; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in
death by her husband Willard, her parents, Dave and Sylvia; and her sister,
Clara Jane.
Kenneth Iron Shooter, 73, of Winner, SD passed away on Friday, Sept. 22,
2023 at the Lake Andes Nursing Home in Lake Andes, SD. Funeral services were
held on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic
Church in Winner, SD. Final view was held from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Winner Ideal
Community Hall. Burial followed at the
St. Mary’s Garden Cemetery in Wood, SD. Wake services were held on Thursday,
Sept. 28, 2023 at 8 p.m. at the Winner Ideal Community Hall in Winner, SD.
Kenneth Charging Iron Shooter was born on Feb. 12, 1950 in Sioux Falls,
SD. He attended school at St. Mary’s Catholic in Winner, SD. Soon after Kenny
and some classmates were on the road to further their education at Job Corps
when a tragic train accident left him the only survivor.
A little later in life he worked at a cheese factory in Mission, SD where
he lived for a short time. This lead him back to Winner, SD where he had his
own apartment, a place to call home. He enjoyed watching football, but most of
all he loved, cared, and cherished all of his nieces, nephews, grandchildren
and great grandchildren.
He was survived by sisters, Gloria “Dolly” Iron Shooter of Mission, SD;
Ruth DuBray of Ideal, SD; brothers, Darrel Iron Shooter of Winner, SD; &
Xavier Iron Shooter, of Winner, SD.
He is preceded in death by brother, Frank Iron Shooter Jr.; & sisters,
Martha Jones & Rosemary Eagle Hawk; along with three infant brothers.