Category Archives: News

Carroll Kenneth Simkins of Surprise, AZ, was born March 29, 1930 to Jesse and Lucille Simkins (nee Sheldon) in rural Burke, South Dakota. He died Nov. 3, 2019, at Surprise Memory Care, Surprise AZ.

Carroll graduated in 1948 from Winner High School, Winner, SD. He joined the National Guard which was activated in 1950 for the Korean War. He spent one year of training in Colorado Springs, CO, and one year of service in Alaska. After his return home to Clearfield, SD, he met Shirley Miller and they married on May 25, 1955, in Winner, SD. They then moved to Indiana, where Carroll received a degree in Electronic Engineering from the Indiana Institute of Technology.

After graduating from IIT, Carroll worked for Douglas Aircraft in Sacramento, CA; Martin in Denver, CO; and American Bosch Arma in Salina, KS. He moved to Santa Maria, CA in 1965 to work for the Boeing Company at Vandenberg Air Force Base and in the field for Boeing in Ogden, UT, and Cheyenne, WY. Carroll retired from Boeing in 1992, after working for them for 27 years.

In 1996, Carroll and Shirley moved to Glendale, AZ and later to Surprise, AZ to be near family. Carroll enjoyed playing golf, and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Carroll also loved to work on his farm, which is near Clearfield, SD.

Carroll is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley; three daughters, Jolene Loving Semtner of Carmel, CA; Vicki Rios and her husband Rafael of Glendale, AZ; Errin Simkins and her husband Brian Kato of Huntington Beach, CA; three granddaughters, Carmen Rios Drury and her husband Adam Drury; Cristina Rios Cotton and her husband Dino Cotton; Cassandra Rios; four grandsons, Rafael Rios, and his fiancé Jessica Ratliff; Dylan, Kelsey, and Sean Kato; seven great granddaughters Rosalie Love; Brookelyn, Piper and Annabelle Cotton; Adrina and Arilyn Drury; Gabriella Bando: and one great grandson, Ronin Cotton. He is also survived by his brother, Vaughn, in Mountain Home, Ark. and his extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Donald and Vernon; and one granddaughter, Deanna Loving Matsuura.

No services are planned at this time. Please join Carroll’s family in sharing memories, pictures or videos on his tribute wall at www.caminodelsol.com.

Eldora Mae Sorber Whiton passed away on Nov. 2, 2019 at the age of 95 surrounded by her loving family.

Visitation was Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 9-10 a.m. with funeral services following at 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church (1224 Lucinda Street, Perry, IA). Burial followed at Violet Cemetery. Memorials will be designated after the service and will include the First Christian Church, American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. Online condolences may be sent at www.carrisfuneralhome.com.

Eldora was born Oct. 14, 1924 in Dallas, South Dakota to Charles Edwin Sorber and Cora Pervilla Alsever Sorber. She was the youngest of eleven children, namely: Marvel Hearth; Edwin Sorber; Orlin Sorber; Cora Lewis; Willard Sorber; Dorothy Bennett; Howard Sorber; Merlin Sorber; and twins, Delbert and Elbert Sorber. She cherished memories growing up with her siblings, nieces and nephews. After attending high school in Dallas, SD, in 1941 she moved to Iowa and graduated from Rippey High School.

She was married on March 31, 1946 to Lloyd Arthur Whiton, and they enjoyed fifty-one wonderful years together. They farmed for 48 years on a family centennial farm northwest of Perry where they raised two daughters, Vickie and Cheryl.

Eldora had a strong faith in God and was an active member of the First Christian Church family having taught Sunday school for ten years, serving as a Trustee, chairman of the Farm Committee and a member of Christian Woman’s Fellowship. In addition, she was a Boone County 4-H Leader for Union Livewires and a member of Cowbells.

She was an avid reader, enjoyed socializing with her many friends and spending time with her family. She will be remembered for her positive outlook, infectious laugh, supportive nature, and wise advice. Family will treasure memories of her special 95th birthday celebration just a few weeks ago. She was very grateful to receive well-wishes from so many family members and friends.

Eldora’s love will live on in her daughter Cheryl Goodall (Charlie) of Waukee, son-in-law Craig Ditsworth of Panora, grandchildren: Kari Ditsworth Hensen (Andy) of Ankeny, Jeff Ditsworth (Heather) of West Des Moines, Charles Goodall (Rachel) of DeSoto, Andy Goodall (Katie) of Clive, Jennifer Goodall Langeness (Cosby) of Waukee, and Michael Goodall of Waukee. She was blessed with eleven great-grandchildren: Kelsey and Drew Hensen, Juliet Warren, Maxwell Ditsworth, Laura, William and Claire Goodall, Charles (CJ) and Skye Goodall and Clayton and Caleb Langeness, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her husband, Lloyd, and her daughter, Vickie.

Eldora was a strong, independent woman who was so proud that she lived independently with the assistance of her many neighbors and friends.

Robert “Bob” Hansen, age 79, passed away on Wednesday Oct. 30, 2019 at the Winner Regional Long-Term Care Center surrounded by his family.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday Nov. 11, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Winner, SD. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the services.

Robert LaVern Hansen was born on May 3, 1940 to Milo (Butch) and Berniece (Eddie) Hansen in Winner, SD.

Robert attended Jordan School in rural Tripp County through the 8th grade, he then attended Winner High School graduating in 1958. Robert attended Humboldt University after high school and then worked for Continental Airlines in Chicago, IL.

While working for Continental Airlines he met Delores Jean Brown. They were united in marriage on Jan. 26, 1962. To this marriage three children were born, Michael Robert, Mary Ann, and Mark Patrick. Robert and Delores resided at the family farm where Robert worked alongside his father, brother, and uncles.

Robert continued to work on the family farm his entire life and was united in marriage to Jeanne Rowe on Oct. 1, 2002. Robert and Jeanne worked side by side on the family farm and loved spending time with family and friends.

Robert especially enjoyed going to farm sales, auctions, and an occasional trip to the casino. Robert continued to work until his health required him to stay in the Winner Regional Long-Term Care.

Robert made many new friends during his stay in the Winner Long Term Care in 2017 until his death. He lived a very upbeat and social life as one of their residents and fulfilled his role as ‘ambassador’ and always was ready for a quick card game.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 17 years, Jeanne and his children, Michael (Dawn) of Phillip, SD and Mary (Brad) Whitley of Winner, SD. 5 grandchildren – Jason, Joshua, Brittney Hansen, and Chelsey Dee and Jayd Whitley. Brother – Virgil (Twila) Hansen of Winner, SD and Sister – Peggy Douglas of Witten, SD and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents Milo and Berniece, infant son Mark, sister Joan Carroll and brother in law Gene Carroll.