Category Archives: News

Bowar Received ESA Award

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Gary Bowar received the ESA distinguished service award on April 12.

ESA (Epsilon Sigma Alpha) held its awards ceremony where they honored Bowar, presented high school scholarships and honored members of the two Winner chapter for their work in ESA.

Bowar was born and raised in Mitchell. He graduated from Notre Dame High School and went on to attend Carroll College in Helena, Mont, graduating with a B.A. degree in history. He returned to South Dakota in 1964 and enlisted in the Army National Guard for six years. Upon his discharge from active duty, he went to work for the South Dakota Department of Social Services, working in Lake Andes, Yankton and Sioux Falls.

He marred Jan Dotzauer in 1966 and they moved from Sioux Falls to Champaign-Urbana, Ill., where he completed his master’s degree in social work. Upon completion of his degree, they moved to Winner in 1971.

He worked in Winner, Lake Andes, Chamberlain, Martin, Pine Ridge and Mobridge as the district supervisor and Winner office manager of the Department of Social Services. During his employment, he was the on the Winner regional hospital board for 14 years, a social worker designee consultant for the Winner Long Term Care Center and Bennett County Nursing Home. He was a member of the S.D. state employees organization board for 9 years and president of the Winner Chapter of SDSEO for 17 years.

Then Gov. Michael Rounds declared Aug. 9, 2004, as Gary Bowar Day in South Dakota for services he provided to the state and Winner area. Bowar retired in December of 2004 having worked 40 years for the Department of Social Services.

He is currently a member of the Winner DSS permanency planning review team for children in DSS custody as the community representative. He is treasurer of the Tripp County Historical Society and has written two local histories—The history of Winner baseball and Catholic Churches of the past in Tripp County.

Bowar is a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Winner Quarterback Club and the Winner Community Playhouse. He is a regular blood donor and has donated 135 times since 1971.

He has been a member of the Winner American Legion for 45 years. As a Legion member is the the post historian, involved in the funeral honor guard for veterans, delivers the military newspapers every two weeks, involved in Labor Day activities and is in charge of the Monday Night football fundraiser.

The Bowars are the parent of two children—Chad of Charlotte, N.C. and Amy of Denver, Colo.

Winner Woman Wins “Miss Amazing” Title

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Crystal Hebbring of Winner won the Miss Amazing senior miss division at the Miss Amazing pageant in Sioux Falls.

Hebbring will participate in the national Miss Amazing pageant to be held in Chicago in August.

Also competing at the South Dakota pageant was Megan Kinzer.

Josi Meek, Community Connections support coordinator, said the day was busy and fun. The ladies started their day with registration and then met their buddies for the day. The buddies were college students who walked with the contestants through the day. They assured schedules were kept.

The ladies participated in an interview session with five different judges. They were questioned on areas that the ladies submitted in the registration form such as their goals, employment and where they see themselves in the future.

“Both Hebbring and Kinzer nailed it (the interview),” said Meek. “They were both so poised and confident in their answers. We could not have been more proud of them,” added Meek.

The ladies had time to practice for the talent show. The women proceeded to get their hair and makeup done before getting ready for the evening gown event.

Meek said when the judges were ready to announce the winners, everyone was nervous and very excited to hear the results.

Meek noted for Crystal to be announced the winner was an incredible moment in her life.

Miss Amazing began in 2007. It is dedicated to providing opportunities for girls and women with disabilities to reach their fullest potential.

With an expansive network of supporters, Miss Amazing has become so much more than a pageant.

Miss Amazing is a movement created by a collective desire to acknowledge the beauty and value within all people.

Miss Amazing is now in over 30 states.

South Dakota Miss Amazing became a state chapter of the national organization in 2014.

In April of 2015, South Dakota hosted its first annual program with six girls and women. Through each annual program, South Dakota has continued to gain participants, volunteers, sponsors and audience members.

This year there were 38 participants.

Persons who would like to donate to help Crystal get to Chicago can visit the website: https://donate.missamazing.org/fundraiser/1400205.

Husher Candidate for DWU Honor

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Sara Husher of Winner is one of the candidates for Miss Wesleyan at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell.

The titles of Scotchman and Miss Wesleyan are given to honor two seniors based on campus leadership, service, community leadership, academics and character.

Husher is a biology major and a member of the CHAOS (science club), Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Zeta honor societies and the DWU volleyball team. She has volunteered for new student orientation, the regional science fair and Mitchell animal rescue. Husher was an international health care intern at the Gap Medic program in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and volunteered for a medial portion of the DWU Uganda service learning trip.

She has worked as a research assistant at DWU and as a certified nursing assistant at Firesteel Healthcare for two years. She received the Hughes grant in aid award for educational experiences, the St. Joseph Hospital endowed scholarship award and the S.D. Opportunity grant award.

Husher is the daughter of Linda and Phil Husher of Winner.

After graduation, Husher will work as a post baccalaureate research fellow at the National Cancer Institute in Frederick, Md, while working on a master in public health degree.

The winners will be announced at an honors convocation on April 27.

Hiemstra Named “Legionette of the Year”

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Sharon Hiemstra of the Winner American Legion Auxiliary has been named the District 3 Legionette of the year.

The announcement was made at the regional meeting in Chamberlain.

Hiemstra has been a member of the Winner Legion Auxiliary for 10 years and currently is the chaplain and VA&R chairman.

The honoree has prepared food for Memorial Day honor guard luncheon, assisted with the float for Labor Day parade, put crosses on veterans graves at the Winner Cemetery. In addition, she has helped the American Legion the entire day of the demolition derby during the Labor Day festivities, set up the American Legion post home for the Veterans Day dinner and cleanup.

She has helped the unit with the yearly fundraiser, has donated food at just about every event the American Legion and auxiliary hold, helped prepare food for the car show held at the historical society grounds.

Hiemstra is on the funeral committee of her church, a member of the local Centennial Quilt Guild, works part-time at the Elder Inn and also part-time at MEMS.

She has assisted the Legion with prepping, serving and cleanup of a meal for high school students and government officials for Government Day.

She has helped prepare and deliver treat bags to show the auxiliary’s appreciation for the teachers of our local schools.

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Girls Golf Team Opens Season Thursday

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There are 26 girls this season on the Winner Area golf team.

The returning letterwinners are Ronae Klein, Addy Root, Cheyenne Dougherty, Sam Marts, Lauren Norrid and Kiersten Durrin.

The four seniors on the team are Klein, Marts, Norrid and Macy Olson.

The only senior who graduated was Liz Jankauskas.

Last season the Lady Warriors won the region tournament and placed 6th at the state meet in Hartford.

Last year, Klein led the team as she took 12th place.

Due to the weather, the girls have not had a lot of time to practice outdoors. Coach Kristin Livermont said with the cold weather the girls have been practicing indoors in the middle school gym.

The first tournament for the girls will be the Big Dakota on Thursday in Pierre and on Friday the team will travel to Parkston.

Livermont says the goals for the team is to win the regional and place in the top five at state.

Kaitlyn Steffen is the assistant golf coach.

The golf schedule includes:

April 19—Big Dakota in Pierre

April 20—Parkston Invitational

April 23—Chamberlain Invitational

April 27—Winner JV/JH tournament

May 1—Dell Rapids Invitational

May 4—Stanley County Invitational

May 10—Stanley County JH/JV tournament

May 11—Winner Invitational

May 14—Vermillion Invitational

May 22—Pre regional in Mitchell

May 29—Regional in Mitchell

June 4-5—State golf in Dell Rapids

WHS Competes at Wagner Relays

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Two Winner track athletes qualified for the state meet at the Wagner Relays on April 10.

Brady Fritz qualified in the triple jump and Ellie Brozik qualified in the 100.

The Winner girls team placed fourth and the boys took fifth.

Results of the Winner girls include:

Long jump—Tedra Vrbka, 5th, 15-6

High jump—Kelsey Sachtjen, 4th, 4-8

3200 relay—4th, 10:49.40, Alexis Richey, Meagan Blare, Saige Schuyler and Sidda Schuyler

100 hurdles—Skyler Hansen, 4th, :17.86

100—Ellie Brozik,3rd :12.76

800 relay—4th, 1:54.01, Richey, Sachtjen, Morgan Hammerbeck and Ellie Brozik

1600—Sidda Schuyler, 2nd, 5:45.31

300 hurdles– Hansen, 4th, :52.3; Katherine Jankausask, 4th, :52.92

3200 run—Sidda Schuyler, 1st, 12:22.16

1600 relay—2nd, 4:22.1, Richey, Brozik, Sachtjen and Hammerbeck

Results of the Winner boys include:

Shot put—Levi McClanahan, 4th, 42-9

Triple jump—Fritz, 2nd, 41-1.5; Riley Cahoon, 3rd, 39 -5.25; Joren Bruun, 6th, 37-5.25

Discus—McClanahan, 2nd, 120-10

Long jump—Calhoon, 4th, 19-9; Fritz, 5th, 19-7

800 relay—1st, 1:35.36, Riley Calhoon, Joren Bruun, Nolan Sachtjen and Brady Fritz

3200 run—Kade Watson, 2nd, 11:13.12

1600 run –Watson, 4th, 5:09.37

Baseball Team Defeats Chamberlain

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Winner/Colome club baseball team was able to get in a game before the blizzard hit on Friday.

Thursday night, the Royals defeated Chamberlain 7-2 at Leahy Bowl.

Jackson Kinzer started on the mound pitching five innings and giving up one unearned run on one hit, 2 walks and 8 strikeouts.

Riley Calhoon pitched the last two innings giving up one run on 3 hits, 3 walks and 3 strikeouts.

At the plate, Kinzer had a triple, single and 2 RBIs. Carter Brickman had 2 singles and scored 2 runs and Calhoon had a single and scored 2 runs.

“It was nice to get out and play again with the way the weather has been,” said coach Drew Weber. “Jackson did a great job of throwing strikes and attacking their hitters early in the count. Our defense had some chances to make some plays in the field and they responded well, which is something I had been concerned about coming in with our limited field time so far this spring.”

The coach added: “We did not crush the ball around the park but we had some timely hits and put the pressure on the other team by putting the ball in play.”

Ruth Marie Kahler, 98

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Ruth Marie Kahler, 98, of Colome, South Dakota passed away on Monday, April 9, 2018 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Center in Winner, South Dakota.

Funeral service were held on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner. Burial was at 1 p.m. at the Winner City Cemetery on Monday April 16.

Ruth Marie Kahler of Colome, South Dakota was born Dec. 26, 1919 daughter of Martin and Johanna (Hansen) Rajewich of Gregory, South Dakota. She attended the Lapour School north of Gregory South Dakota till March of 1929. The Rajewich’s moved from Gregory to northwest of Witten South Dakota. Marie went to South Curlew School and worked for different people. She was united in marriage to Fred Kahler on May 6th 1941. They worked out the first year of their marriage, and then moved south of Winner, South Dakota. They worked for neighbors. They had two children, Verna Marie Mayer and Richard James Kahler.

Marie Kahler liked to crochet, embroidery, and make quilts. She always had a big garden and raised lots of chickens and helped milk cows. She also helped work in the fields. She loved to play cards and other games with her grandchildren and friends.
Marie Kahler was baptized and confirmed at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, south of Colome.

Marie Kahler was preceded in death by her husband Fred Kahler and her son Richard James Kahler, Dell Mayer son in law, and one sister Ruby Miller and brothers Mervin and Clarence, Martin and Walter, Don and Donald Rajewich. She leaves to mourn her daughter Verna Marie Mayer and 3 grandchildren; Valerie Jo Benko, John and children, Luke and Patrick, Vicki and Chad Moser and children, Mark and Michael O’Rear, and Tina Espinoza Miller and John Allan, Austin and Jill Moser, Aspen and Jon, and Layne. Many Great Great Grandchildren and one Grandson Alan Deutsch and Susan and Stephanie Simmons.

Janie Malm

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A brave three-year-old girl was surrounded by a herd of half wild horses in the neighbors pasture. Her terrified mother screamed for her father to rescue her. Rafe told Jane not to worry because she would soon run out of carrots. Sure enough the horses ran off. Janie came back crying because they left. Rafe picked her up and promised her he would get her more carrots and her horses would come back.

The Lord gave Janie many carrots of talent to use in her life.

Listening and loving all of us. Singing and inspiring every chance she could. Cooking and welcoming us every day. Celebrating with each birthday and holiday year round. She loved the water, swimming and teaching the kids to swim and to water ski. She love the wilderness, camping, boating fishing and hunting.

She had to slow down the past 15 years, but found the fullness of life enriched with her two granddaughters and her dozen grandsons, more card games, more conversations with her friends and family and performing with Java Jives, her vocal group. She loved being a mom and raising all her daughters and their friends. The multi family trips to games was a treasured time for celebrating community and finding lifetime friendships. She delighted in the snow ski caravan trips and giving out the foolish skiing awards to the kids. Every kid got one, every time.

Janie grew up in the Rouge River Valley between pear orchards and horse pastures near Jacksonville, Oregon. She was a tomboy trying to hang with her older brother Rafe. Her mother Jane taught her to sing, cook, ride horses and to act like a lady. It helps that she developed a world-class soprano voice and spectacular mane of thick long strawberry blonde hair, both good for a lifetime. She took nursing classes at Southern Oregon College and met a tall Nebraska farm boy named John Malm. We fell in love and married in 1970. Laura was born in 1970, Janie found being a mother was her true calling in life. Four years in Portland, Oregon followed for John’s medical school. Jenny was born in 1973. We moved to Sioux Falls in 1975 to train for three years with Dr. Lou Hogrefe in family practice residency. Christi was born in 1976. We moved to Gregory, South Dakota, in 1978 to start doctoring and raising our family.
Janie loved all her friends and the community welcoming her with open arms. Katie was born in 1980. Janie relished singing at church, weddings, and funerals. In 1982 she starred as Calamity Jane, along side Nels Miller as Wild Bill Hickock in the community musical Calamity Jane. She enjoyed every day on stage, practicing, singing and enjoying her friends. She got very sick two weeks later, with kidney failure, progressing to dialysis in 1983. Her brother Rafe donated one of his kidneys to her in 1984, bonding us all into an even tighter family.

The Lord blessed her with the next 34 years of a full and happy life, raising her family in Gregory. She tried to cheer and encourage all of us to enjoy our lives. She wouldn’t let her daily struggles with her kidney disease get her down. God blessed us with her presence until last Thursday… I guess she ran out of carrots.