Category Archives: News

Benjamin “Ben” Sherwood, 94, of Wood, South Dakota passed away on Saturday, March 31, 2018 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Center in Winner.

Funeral service were held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 1 p.m. at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. Benjamin James “Ben” Sherwood was born on May 14th, 1923, to John and Nellie (Weeda) Sherwood on their homestead in Mellette County, north of Wood, South Dakota. He went to be with the Lord on March 31st, 2018 at the age of 94 years 10 ½ months in Winner.

Ben was raised on the family’s homestead, the youngest of seven children. There were four older brothers, Edwin, Irvin, Evertt and Howard and two sisters, Margaret and Arlene. Ben attended Springview, a rural school near the homestead, and there he graduated from the eighth grade. Ben had many fond memories of country life. He told stories of breaking horses, feeding cattle, and using horses to work the land while he was growing up.

Ben married Adelyne Maria Jackson on March 17, 1950 in Pierre, South Dakota. To this union, six children were born, two sons Cleveland James (Jim) and Benjamin Bradley and four daughters Joyce Marie, Jayne Ellen, Mona Lynn, and Sandra Lee.

He continued ranching as they raised their children in the Wood area. Through his life he also had various other jobs which included working construction when Highway 44 was being built, building dams, and worked with Donovan Construction when they built the Wood Community Hall. In addition, he was a policeman for the city of Wood. He always had a deep passion for raising cattle, and in later years, he raised bulls as a hobby in which he took great pride. He also enjoyed a good game of cards. He had spent many good times playing cribbage with local men at Piper’s Station. Ben wouldn’t turn down a good game of poker.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Nellie, Brothers; Edwin, Irvin, Evertt, and Howard, sisters, Margaret Johnson and Arlene Vesley, sons Cleveland James and Benjamin Bradley, grandson Ben Almand, son-in-law Ralph Longcor, and two great-grandchildren.

Ben is survived by his daughters Joyce Colombe of Rapid City, SD, Jayne Longcor of Valentine, NE, Mona (John) Massingale of Wood, SD, and Sandye(Dave) Goad of Ralston, OK, seventeen grandchildren and thirty one great-grandchildren.

He will be missed by many family and friends.

Constance “Connie” Peterson, 72, of Pierre, died Saturday, April 7 at Pierre Care and Rehab.

Memorial Service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, April 21 at Isburg Funeral Chapel with inurnment at Black Hills National Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Isburg Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.isburgfuneralchapels.com

Constance Louise Peterson was born June 17, 1944 in Deadwood, SD, to William and Grace (Haugland) Baumgart. She grew up mostly in Spearfish, SD. While her father was teaching, she spent 3 years in Morelia, Michoaca’n, Mexico, and several years in Mountain Home, Idaho, before returning to the Black Hills. She continued in school until 1962, when on Sept. 19 of that year, she married Ralph Dietrich Peterson.

After selling the Skelly service station around 1967, they moved to Tripp County, living between Colome and Winner, raising their family. Connie worked at JC Penney in Winner and then in the food service industry until relocating to Pierre in 1992. Connie worked in hospitality at two local motels until her health forced her retirement.

Connie loved collecting bells, and had some from travels around the states, and Ralph’s to Germany. She loved country dancing and spending time with family and friends. She will be deeply missed.

Those left to mourn her passing include her daughter, Shelli (Melvin) Jones, Pierre; granddaughters, Rita (Frank) Jacobs, Jessica Jones, Barbara Jones and Paige (Vernon) Jones; great granddaughters, Chloe, Alasen and Miranda Jacobs, Danika Wise and Autumn Sellon; sisters-in-law, Ruth (Doug) Jones, Caroline Peterson and Alice Slade; brothers-in-law, Jack Lunne and Blaine Lunne; daughter-in-law, Mary Owens and many nieces and nephews.

Constance was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; her husband, Ralph; son, Bradly Eugene Peterson; a daughter Ellen Marie; her mother and father-in-law; sisters-in-law, Barbara (Dennis) Grenoble and Loretta (Curt) Weidman; brothers-in-law, Dale (Caroline) Peterson, Robert (Alice) Slade and niece, Emily Weidman.

Neil Thomas Kramer Sr., died April 2 at his home in Rosebud surrounded by his family.

A wake service was held April 5 at the Sinte Gleska University multipurpose building in Mission.

Funeral services were held April 6 at 11 a.m. at the SGU multipurpose building in Mission with Rev. Annie Henninger officiating.

Kramer was born Oct. 28, 1959.

His family includes his wife, Michelle Andrews Kramer; children, Neal Kramer Jr., Jesse James Andrews, Kelcey Marie Andrews; his mother, Lois Antoine; brothers, William Fielder, Jeffery L. Fielder and Paul W. Hardy; sister Brenda J. Antoine.

He was preceded in death by Evie Kramer, Sage Hope Kramer and Baby Kramer; his father, Leonard W. Kramer and brother, Keith Fielder.

Jeffrey Allen Hespe passed away in his home on Friday March 30, 2018 at the àge of 56.

He is survived by his mother Arlene, father Richard, siblings, Teresa, Leonard, Pam, and Michelle, his seven children Ray, Trisha, Ricky, Ryan, Russell, J.C., and James and his nine grandchildren.

He loved his family and friends, hunting, fishing, and exploring the outdoors. He is much loved and missed by us all.

His service was held on April 4, 2018 at 4 p.m. in Rising Star, Texas.

Robert (Bob) Norman Gnirk Sr. was born to Fred Paul and Adeline Sylvia (Graven) Gnirk on May 13, 1940 in Burke, SD and died on April 1, 2018 at his home on the Gnirk farm/ranch (Sully Flats Homestead).

He was raised on the Gnirk family homestead northeast of Burke. He attended Hornbeck Elementary School. He attended and graduated from Burke High School in 1958. He is an alumnus of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1963. After college he explored the option of joining the United States Air Force, ultimately deciding to move back to Burke to farm and ranch.

Bob married Wilma Jean Hansen on June 13, 1961. They raised five children together on the Gnirk family farm/ranch.

Bob spent his adult years working as a farmer and rancher. He used his degree in mechanical engineering to do much of his own farm repairs and custom designed several pieces of farm equipment. He proudly worked long days from sun up to past sun down. He was elected county commissioner and enjoyed participating in managing the business affairs of Gregory County. He also served on the school board.

Bob had a fabulous sense of humor, he loved to pull a fast one and joke with anyone that would engage him. He was known for his clever, charming and witty mannerisms. He told jokes, laughed and worked hard to enjoy life. He proudly celebrated his AA birthday on Jan. 13, 1988, for him this day was more important than his regular birthday. He was a skilled card player with a brilliant mind and spent his free time at Pump N Stuff, Bernie’s, Dallas and the Gregory Bowling Alley. If there was a card game in the county, he was usually there.

Bob loved and cherished his children, grandchildren and great granddaughter. He provided a place for Garth to hunt deer. He looked forward to raising steers, so Maranda and Codi could train, show and sell them in 4-H Achievement days. He even ventured out of his comfort zone of small town living, to attend Lacee’s high school graduation in San Antonio, TX.

Bob was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, a brother, Donald and two of his sons, Bart Douglas and Beau James.

He is survived by his brothers; Paul Gnirk, New Underwood, SD, David Gnirk, his wife Elaine, Burke, SD, and Sister-in-Law Karla Gnirk, Brookings, SD. His children; Bobby Gnirk Jr, his wife JaNell, Herrick SD, Bart Gnirk, his special friend Jessie Shook, Bismarck, ND, Garth Gnirk, his wife Kayla and daughter Heidi, Sterling, ND, Chance Gnirk, his special friend Katie Windhorst, Fargo, ND. Sister (Barbi) Law, her husband Jon, and daughters Lacee and Sareena, Schertz, TX. Little Girl (Becky) Mitchell, and her daughters Maranda and Codi, Douglass, KS. He also leaves behind a host of other friends and relatives.

Gary DeJong, age 74, Wickenburg, Ariz. , died on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at the Palm Valley Care Center in Goodyear, Ariz.

Gary R. DeJong was born Feb. 26, 1944, in Dupree, South Dakota, the third of four children born to Leo and Thelma (Parkin) DeJong. While Gary was a young boy, the family moved to a ranch south of Kennebec, South Dakota. This is where he grew up and graduated from Kennebec High School in 1962.

He was united in marriage to Betty Manger on February 22, 1963. To this union were born two sons: Lou and Travis.

Gary spent a good portion of his life breaking, training, and showing horses for numerous people. Many years were spent in the saddle and in the arena. Raising, training, and competing with good horses was the focus for most of his life.

Gary always enjoyed singing or playing music and the fellowship of good friends.

He moved from South Dakota to Arizona in the later years of his life where he lived until Jesus called him home.

Gary is survived by his two sons: Lou (Barb) DeJong of Kennebec, South Dakota and their children Dillon and Bailey; Travis (Pamela) DeJong of Philip, South Dakota and their children Tawnie, Trey, Tate, Peyton and Trew; sisters: Luella DeJong of Winner, South Dakota, and Andella Leavitt of Wickenburg, Arizona; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother Claire.

There will be a private family burial at a later date in the Winner Cemetery in Winner, South Dakota.

Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.