Category Archives: News

Betty Darlene Parlet was born on Jan. 11, 1946, in Winner, South Dakota and died on Aug. 7, 2023, in San Luis Obispo, California after a lengthy battle with lymphoma. 

Betty’s early years were spent on a farm near Millboro, South Dakota until her parents bought their farm southwest of Winner when Betty was 12. 

Betty graduated from Winner High School in 1964.  She attended Black Hills State University for a year before returning to Winner and beginning a job at Ranchers National Bank.  She married John Parlet in 1966.  They moved to California and raised two daughters, Darci (Parlet) Turner and Joy (Parlet) Underwood.  John and Betty were in the restaurant business for more than 30 years.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Mildred (Bertram) Kaiser and her brother, Gary Kaiser, all of Winner. She is survived by her daughters, Darci Turner and her husband, Jeff Turner, of Ridgecrest, California, Joy Underwood and her husband, Lane Underwood, of Freeburg, Illinois, six grandchildren, Madison (Turner) Cleveland and husband, Cory Cleveland, of Oak Hills, California, Jacob Turner of Ridgecrest, California, and  JD Underwood, Matt Underwood, Moriah Underwood, and Bethany Underwood of Freeburg, Illinois.  In addition, Betty leaves one great grandchild, Auroara Cleveland of Oak Hills, California.  She is also survived by her former husband, John Parlet of Orange County, California.  Betty’s sister, Norma Keiser and husband, Chuck Keiser, of Winner are left to mourn her loss.  Betty will also be missed by many brothers and sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.  Those include Jacque Kaiser of Winner, Jack and Ellen Storms of Winner, Harold and Veda Parlet of Sioux Falls, Tom Parlet and Mona Garcia of Banning, California, Don and Eileen Shibley of Ridgecrest, California, Kevin and Jaime Keiser and family, Nicole Keiser, of Winner, Jennifer (Kaiser) and Daron Uthe and family of Sioux Falls, Crystal Parlet of Banning, California,  Brian Parlet of Banning, California, Tyler Storms of Orange County, California, as well as Judd and Shawna Kaiser and family, Jeff and Marit Kaiser and family, Blake and Emily Tideman and family, and Grady and Sarah Myers and family, all of Winner. 

In every place that Betty lived, she left a mark.  In the over 25 years Betty lived in Ridgecrest, Calif., she was a contributor to the community in so many ways.  She shared the values of her South Dakota upbringing with a whole generation growing up in an isolated desert town.  Betty and John employed so many young people through John’s Pizza. One of the reasons these people loved working at John’s Pizza was because John and Betty cared so much about their employees.  Betty would host staff parties at their home, and she was the glue that held everything together.  She was a woman of faith, a wife, a mom, a businesswoman, a volunteer, and a contributor to all local causes.  She served for years on the Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Board of Directors and was responsible for planting many of the trees and gardens in Ridgecrest.  Betty lived in San Luis Obispo, Calif., the last 20 years of her life.  She loved San Luis Obispo and made so many warm memories and lasting friendships.   Her home was always open, and she was happiest when it was full.  Her bible study groups, PEO sisters, bridge clubs, and family – always family – had a home in her home.  She gave real meaning to the word “gracious.”  The lives of so many family members and friends have been forever altered by her loss, yet they have all been blessed to have had such a beautiful bond with our sweet Betty. 

A celebration of life service will be held for Betty Parlet on Sunday, Aug. 20, from 1 to 3 pm at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner.   The family hopes that you can stop by to visit and celebrate a life well lived. 

Funeral services for Claudia Vaughn, 78, were held Aug. 10 a First Reformed Church, Mitchell. Burial was in Graceland Cemetery, Mitchell.

Claudia Kay Sparks was born on July 17, 1945 in Homer, Neb.,  to  Lenora (Serr) & Orville B. Sparks. 

She passed away Aug. 5, 2023, at the Dougherty Hospice House. She grew up in South Dakota/Nebraska. She met Merle Vaughn at the young age of 16 and knew instantly she was going to marry him.  They were married on Sept. 3, 1961, and were thrilled when their daughter Cathy Kaye was born on Christmas Day in 1967 in Nürnberg, Germany, where Merle was stationed in the Army. She cared for Merle during his cancer journey and he died March 5, 2009, just a few months short of their 48th anniversary. 

She worked as a waitress, cook, and owner of the meat locker with Merle. Her most beloved job was daycare provider and she loved on those kids like they were her own.

She played a special role in the lives of her three grandsons, Nick, Nathan and Noah. She spoiled them with hugs, fresh cookies, warm bath towels, and most importantly, unconditional love.  This special bond was very present throughout her life, but especially during her cancer journey as they each visited and called daily.  She was blessed to add another grandson, Sam and granddaughter, Sophia when Emery joined the family marrying Cathy in 2014.

She loved coffee time and visiting with everyone she met.  She talked to her sisters daily/weekly & loved keeping in touch; always ending the conversation with “I love you & take of care   yourself”. She loved having donuts with great granddaughter Hayley,   making noodle soup for her twinkies-Jade & Jace, listening to Oliver ask “are you doing ok?’ & having Everly crawling up onto her bed. 

She spent the last seven months living with Cathy and Emery after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and breaking her hip. She loved finding new recipes and watching TV. She spent her last 3 1/2 weeks at the Dougherty Hospice House being taken care of by wonderful nurses and care assistants. 

She is survived by her daughter, Cathy and husband, Emery;  grandchildren- Nick, Nathan, Noah & wife Brittany, Sam, & Sophia; great grandchildren Hayley, Jade, Jace, Oliver, & Everly, sisters: Marsha Fyler, Mary (Gary) Schmidt, Machele (Eldon) Vogt,  and Julee Miller.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle, brother, Steve Sparks and her parents.

Mary Lou (Noble) Peklo, age 82, of Pembroke, Mass. , formerly of Omaha, Neb., passed away on July 26, 2023.

She was born in Winner, South Dakota to the late Elias and Mildred (Konop) Noble. She worked for the telephone company for 30 years both in Winner and in Omaha. Mary Lou enjoyed gardening, reading, traveling, and sewing. She was famous for telling jokes.

Mary Lou was the loving wife of the late Robert J. Peklo for 58 years.

She is survived by their children Kathleen (Rick) English of Omaha, Neb., Karen Peklo of Pembroke, brothers Elias “Chuck” (Trudy) Noble, and Wayne (Sharon)  Noble, sister Marsha (Bill) Gresham, grandchildren Ryan English of Omaha, Katrina (Adam) McKeagney of Pembroke, four great grandchildren Elias “Eli”, Xavier, Emersyn and Gabriella McKeagney, and many nieces and nephews.

Despite retinitis pigmentosa gradually stealing her vision and eventually causing complete blindness, Mary Lou maintained a positive attitude and her sense of humor until the end of her life.  Mary Lou and her husband Robert will be buried at the New Hampshire National Cemetery, honoring Robert’s service in the United States Navy. Date to be determined.

Joyce E Kauer, 75 died Aug. 2, 2023 at Monument Health – Rapid City Hospital.

Joyce Elaine (Legge) Kauer was born June 25, 1947 at Winner, SD to George and Berniece (Storms) Legge.

In July of 1948 the family moved to Clearfield, SD, where her parents owned and operated Legge Garage. Joyce attended grade school at Clearfield School 1st through 8th grade. She graduated from Winner High School in 1967. Joyce worked at DECA at Grossenburg Implement during high school and continued to work their until May 1969. She married James L. Kauer on Oct. 5, 1968, in Winner SD.

In May 1969 she and Jim moved to Rapid City SD. Daughter Jennifer Jill was born on Aug. 1, 1974. Joyce was devoted to her family and friends. She enjoyed the outdoors, her numerous cats over the years and her garden. One of her favorite activities was her neighborhood birthday club where they enjoyed food and birthday sweets. She enjoyed collecting and selling her antiques and collectibles at her booth at Black Hills Antique Mall on 6th Street. She was an excellent cook and shared many recipes over the years and made the best Christmas Bread that was always a favorite at the holidays. Joyce was always up for a game of pitch, snatch or Mexican Train dominoes. Joyce loved to paint and shared her talent with the gifts of original oil painting as gifts to family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, James, daughter, Jennifer (Jason) Totten, grandchildren, Wyatt Totten, Kaitlyn Totten (Grady Martin), Cooper Totten. One great-grandson, Brooks Martin. Brothers, Kelly (Robin) Legge, Loren (Deb) Legge, niece Halley Legge and nephew Lander (Hannah) Legge as well as many extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Carol Geldert, brother-in-law, Robert Geldert, grandparents, George C. and Amelia Legge, Joseph and Cresenthia Storms.

A Christian Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Therese the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rapid City.  She was laid to rest following the Mass at Mt. Calvary Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.

Please visit the online memorial for Joyce at: www.OsheimSchmidt.com.