Category Archives: News

Devota Hutchinson, 93 of Kearney, NE formerly of White River, SD passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 at the Mount Carmel Nursing Home in Kearney, NE. 

Funeral service was held on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the White River Methodist Church in White River, SD.  Burial followed in the White River Cemetery. 

Devota Majel Bechtold Hutchinson was born on Oct. 27, 1929 in Murdo, South Dakota to Julius and (Elsie) Grace Peterson Bechtold. She passed away on Sept. 12, 2023 in Kearney, Nebraska. She grew up in and near White River, SD and lived there all her life until moving to Kearney, NE to be near her daughter Rhonda.

Devota was an avid reader and student and graduated as valedictorian of her class from White River High School in 1947. Shortly after becoming 18 years of age, she married Glen (Buddy) Hutchinson, a loving relationship that lasted for 53 years until his death in 2000.

She loved her community and was a passionate public servant in whatever role arose. This led her to serve the Music Parents and PTA when her children were in school, the White River City Council and White River School Board, as adult advisor for Job’s Daughters, on the White River High School Alumni board and whatever else needed to be done in and for the community. She was especially active in Eastern Star, serving several times as Worthy Matron for her chapter and filling several stations in the state organization.

Devota and Buddy raised four children, all of whom graduated from White River High School. Devota sat through and enjoyed many band concerts, plays, track meets, football and basketball games, rodeos and horse shows in support of her children and other White River School students.

Preceding her in death are her parents, her brothers Dwight and Clellan (Buzzy), her husband Buddy, her son Keith Hutchinson, a grandson Rev. Daniel Ofstehage, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

She is survived by daughters Glenda (Bernard) Ofstehage, Rhonda (Rodney) Week, and Barb (Keith) Bailey; grandsons Steven (Stacey), James (Heather), Peter (Dawna) and Dr. Andrew (Amanda Johnson) Ofstehage, and Quincy (Darcy) Week; granddaughter-in-law Sarah Ofstehage; granddaughters Dallas (Jade) Lain, Hannah (Jeff) Baker, and Ellen Ofstehage; great-grandsons Rison, Nolan, Augustin, and Bishopp Lain, Hayden and Zane Baker, and Arlo and Henry Ofstehage; great-granddaughters Payton, Keira, Emma and Chloe Ofstehage and Riley and Ansley Week; and brother-in-law Roger Hutchinson. Also mourning her death are many nieces, nephews and friends.

Ty Scott Dimond was born on Nov. 29, 1990, in Winner, SD and was welcomed into this world by his parents Scott and Julie (Hall) Dimond and big sister, Ashley. He lived on a ranch north of Wood, SD. He would help with feeding bottle calves and lambs and started riding horses at a very young age. He would be joined by brother Tate in 1996 and would grow up in Wood, SD. Ty and his siblings enjoyed the freedom of small-town life, playing in the Wood park and would play cops and robbers with the Larson, Ryno and Tucker kids.

Ty and his siblings loved riding horse and would help their dad with raising cattle. Ty loved riding dirt bikes and enjoyed many adventures riding with his friends. Ty loved his coon dogs and enjoyed hunting with them along with all of his friends and his siblings.

Ty attended Wood Grade School and then attended White River Middle School where he would start playing football. He loved playing football in high school and although he only weighed about 140 lbs., he was one of the hardest hitting players on the team. Ty was very close with all his teammates. Ty graduated from White River High School in 2009 and he had a close circle of friends, many of them being his classmates. They would hunt and fish together and often grill up some of their catch in his mother’s shop. He and his friends were also part of a branding crew during their high school years helping all the local ranchers. Ty was a very hard worker and spent his high school summer months working for Harvey Bierema and Dan Valburg.

Ty attended Western Dakota Tech in Rapid City to become an electrician. He received his Associates of Applied Science degree in 2011 and began his career with Kucera Electric in Winner, SD. Ty worked the required hours; studied, tested for, and passed the exam to obtain his South Dakota Electrical Contractors license. One of Ty’s dreams was owning his own business and after working diligently to achieve it he would start Dimond Electric, in Wood SD. Ty also held a North Dakota Master’s Electrical license and worked for Muth Electric in ND. Ty was currently working for H&O Electric in Winner, SD under the supervision of Red Osborne, whom he admired greatly.

Ty was married to Valerie (Vandermay) Dimond and together they welcomed three daughters into the world. The greatest loves and joys of his life were his three girls Jentry, born November of 2013, Paisley, born May of 2015, and Tierney, born on February of 2018. He loved to fish and taught his girls to fish at a young age. Ty also enjoyed playing guitar and bought Jentry a guitar for them to begin playing together. He also bought Jentry and Paisley BB guns and was teaching them to shoot and took them rabbit hunting in the winter. He was also teaching his girls to ride horses. Ty was an incredible uncle and would often be joined by Tate and his kids on these adventures.

Ty met the love of his life, Nichole Lee in June of 2020. Although the time they had together was brief, it was filled with love, laughter, pranks, and slow dancing in the kitchen while they cooked together. Ty cherished his time with not only Nichole but with his three daughters, Jentry, Paisley, and Tierney; and Nichole’s children Braxtyn and Miah. He spent countless hours pitching baseballs, bike riding, and playing with the kids in his pool. Ty proposed to Nichole on Dec. 15 2022, and was so excited about wedding planning often sending Nichole ideas for their ceremony and was looking forward to spending their lives together.

Ty is survived by his loving family including his three daughters, Jentry, Paisley and Tierney. His fiancée, Nichole Lee & her children, Braxtyn and Miah. His mother, Julie Hall. His sister Ashley Dimond & Courtney Krogman, his brother Tate Dimond & Tierra Axdahl and their children, Braedynn and Scott Dimond. His grandparents, Twila Edwards, Scott & Mary Hall and Mark & Delores Edwards. His aunts and uncles: Kim & Sandy Hall, Clayton, Lori, Duane & Karey Hall, Laurie McCabe & Rodger Drake, Vava Dimond & John Vesco. His cousins: Scott, Lane, Chandra, Sheena, Thomas, Peyton, Brandon, and Traye. And the mother of his children Valerie (Vandermay) Dimond.

Ty was preceded in death by his father, Scott Dimond, his grandparents Larry Dimond and Joyce Hall and his uncle Kevin McCabe.

Visitation was held on Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Wood Community Hall.

Funeral services were held 3 p.m. Friday, Sept.  8, at the Wood Community Hall.

Burial followed at the Evergreen Cemetery in Wood.

Memorial moneys received will go to a college fund for Ty’s daughters. Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 383 Wood, SD 57585.

Robert Ahlman, 94, of Colome, South Dakota, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility in Winner, South Dakota. 

Funeral service was  held on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023 at 10 a.m. at the Winner Methodist Church in Winner, SD.  Burial followed in the Colome City Cemetery. 

Robert (Bob) Eldon Ahlman, born on Sept. 8, 1928, to Albert and Roberta (Wygal) Ahlman and surrounded by the love of his family entered his eternal heavenly home on Sept. 3, 2023. He was reunited in glory with his parents, Albert and Roberta Ahlman, his brother, Eugene (Gene) Ahlman, and his beloved wife, JoAnn (Harter) Ahlman, alongside numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who had gone before him.

Bob’s life was one marked by gentleness, love, and unwavering commitment to his family and community. He spent his formative years on the family ranch, alongside his older brother, Gene. He received his education at Clairmont Country School and graduated from Colome High School in 1948. Following graduation, Bob answered the call to serve his country and joined the National Guard, actively contributing for several years.

In March of 1950, Bob married the love of his life, JoAnn Harter, and together they embarked on a 72-year journey filled with love and togetherness. To this beautiful union, they were blessed with four daughters: Peggy Ann, Glenda Lee, Susan Jean, and Lori Jane.

Bob was not just a model family man; he was also a brilliant fabricator. There was no piece of machinery that he couldn’t fix, earning him the trust and respect of countless farmers and ranchers throughout south-central South Dakota. In 1973, he and JoAnn decided to start a new chapter in their lives, selling their acreage to open Bob’s Machine Shop in Colome. However, even with their move to town, Bob never strayed too far from his roots, traveling each weekend back to the family farm to help his brother, Gene.

Bob was a dedicated member of the South Dakota Welders Association, demonstrating his commitment to his craft. He served his community as the mayor of Colome, contributed as a volunteer firefighter, and faithfully attended and served at the United Methodist Church. His life was a testament to the values of faith, hard work, humility, and family.

In his spare time, Bob found joy in reading, hunting, solving puzzles, and teaching his grandkids to play checkers. He relished Sunday drives on dirt roads and the simple pleasure of a hearty meal, with meat and potatoes, followed by sweet tea and dessert. Bob had a passion for sharing his knowledge of machines and interests in history and geography with those around him. He lovingly shared in the joys and sorrows of his family, making his days truly rich in love and work.

Bob leaves behind a legacy of love and dedication that will forever be cherished by his family. While he will be greatly missed, his gentleness, his loving eyes, his mischievous raised eyebrow, and his endearing wink will live on in our memories.

Those fortunate enough to have shared their lives with Bob are his daughters: Peggy Soper, Glenda Simer, Susan (Rob) Saunders, and Lori Haukaas. Thirteen grandchildren including:  Eric Brown, Danta (Barry) Simonson, Crystal Allen, Allissa (Alex) Gurnsey, Chris (Michelle) Sachtjen, Connor (Cassie) Sachtjen, Beth Larsen, Bonnie (Ken Harkins) Saunders, Erica (Ivan) Beck, Jacque Haukaas, Lacey Brubaker, Paige Haukaas and Peter (Cheyenne) Haukaas.  Twenty-six great-grandchildren including:  Taylor (Cody) Ratz, Devon Simonsen, Ciara Allen, Jordyne Hoffman, Lacy Sachtjen, Layton Sachtjen, Laila Sachtjen, Boyd Sachtjen, Bo Sachtjen, Harley Hall, David Hall, Frankie Harkins, Grace Harkins, Ethan (Angela) Beck, Aidan Beck, Ayla Beck, Amir Hariri, Javon Haukaas, Korbin Miller, Mila Johnson, Isabelle Brubaker, Landon Brubaker, Ace Brubaker, Paxtyn Miller, Whitlee Haukaas, Bodee Haukaas.  Three great-great grandchildren, including:  Cash Wheeler, Reagan Kahler and Nora Beck.               

In celebrating the life of Robert Eldon Ahlman, we remember a man who lived with purpose, integrity, and an abundance of love. The significance of his life will continue to shine brightly through the lives of those he touched. Rest in peace, Papa Bob, until we meet again.