Category Archives: News

Henry (Hienie) Carl Schnabel, 95

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Henry (Hienie) Carl Schnabel was born Aug. 15, 1922 in southern Tripp County on the farm home of his parents, Arthur and Anna Schnabel. He was the youngest of six children.

He was baptized and confirmed in St. Paul Lutheran Church (Wisconsin synod) in rural Colome. Henry attended Progressive elementary school and Winner High School.

On July 24, 1942 Henry married Lucille Arlene Davenport at the Lutheran parsonage in Valentine, Neb. They lived on the farm near his parents until 2005 when they moved to Gregory, SD.

Henry was always a busy person. Even after retiring and still living on the farm, he was busy fixing fences or spraying weeds. Usually he was singing, whistling, or yodeling while he worked. Henry loved to dance—that is where he met Lucille. He loved playing cards and visiting with friends and family. He farmed for many years and then went into the Black Angus cattle business. Henry really liked to fish and took many trips to the Black Hills to fish with family. He was very involved in the American Ag Movement. Henry traveled to Washington DC (not on his tractor, even though he wanted to) to help protest low farm prices. He and Lucille took several trips to California, Washington, and the Black Hills to visit family and to fish.

Henry attended St. Paul Lutheran Church for years and was very involved as a council member. He attended church conventions locally and in Michigan.

Henry passed away Jan. 20, 2018 at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center at the age of 95.

He is preceded in death by his parents, infant son Reginald, brother Herbert Schnabel, sisters Marie Ducheneaux, Alice Dill, Lula Springer, and Lydia Nagel, and son-in-law Edward Mansheim,

Henry is survived by his wife Lucille, three children Sherry of Billings, MT, Lucie Jean of Gregory, SD, and Randy (Lenda) of Dallas, SD; grandsons Jeff Wagner (Teri, Alec, and Brandon), Reggie, Jody Wagner (Mason and Ty), Dustin (Amber); granddaughter Kirsten Metcalf (Zach, Adelynn, Izach, and Ella); step granddaughter JoLynn Herman (Michael, Kaleb, McKayla, and Sophia); step grandson Joe Mansheim (Jean, Matthew, and Madison); great grandchildren listed above; special sister-in-law Darlene Haskell; and several nieces and nephews.

 

Loren Walter Reetz, 80

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Loren was born on April 28, 1937, in Burke, South Dakota; he was the youngest child of Walter and Eva (Rockholm) Reetz. He grew up on his family’s farm north of Gregory and graduated from Gregory High School in 1954. In 1955, he enlisted in the Army: he was stationed in Japan for the majority of his service, and he served our country with honor until his discharge 1957. His service in the Army was a source pride for Loren, and he actively promoted respect for all local veterans.

Loren came home to Gregory after his honorable discharge. He labored with love on his family farm for the rest of his days. He sustained a fruitful farm/ranch operation and earned the respect of all who did business with him.

On June 30, 1959, Loren married his first love, Marilee Pusl in Winner, South Dakota. The marriage of these two incredibly hard-working people was a successful one in every way. They were blessed with two daughters, Susan Reetz and Brenda (Reetz) Svatos, and Loren and Marilee were very proud that daughters became excellent nurses. His three granddaughters were a source of pure delight. Loren also enjoyed sharing his farming labor, experience and insight with his son-in-law Chad Svatos.

In the winter of 1960, Loren added “fuel truck driver” to his resume of accomplishments and responsibilities. He began this career, which he somehow balanced with his farm work, working for Fred Schlaht. He continued hauling fuel for the rest of his life, ultimately driving for Cenex. Loren’s priority was always to see that his customers were well-served. He was especially grateful that his co-workers at Cenex knew this. They made it possible for him to continue to participate in his life’s work in a meaningful way even as his physical capacities faded away from him. By choice, Loren wore his red Cenex shirt with pride until his very last day.

Loren was guided in all things by his deep faith. He was a dedicated member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church throughout his life, and was a loyal member of the Knights of Columbus. Though Loren faced many hardships including the painful loss of Marilee to cancer, he was a person who had no quit in him. Until his death, Loren continued to be a touchstone in his daughters’ lives, and will always be a beloved example of common sense, determination and love for his granddaughters. He courted and shared an abiding love with Francie Johnson. His wide circle of friends all knew him as an entirely reliable, progressive gentleman. He enjoyed a good story and he positively beamed with a charming smile, especially when his granddaughters’ accomplishments were mentioned. He was an integral part of a celebrated pool league where his wry sense of humor was as prized as much as his skill for the game, and he taught many lessons about life and about cards from his side of his cribbage board.

On March 17, 2017, despite being the picture of health and vitality, Loren was diagnosed with brain cancer. He approached this daunting diagnosis with his usual optimism, and he engaged in a dignified, courageous battle to hold onto the life that he so treasured. He tried to fully participate in every aspect of his life that he enjoyed for as long as he possibly could, even when that meant that he had to accept help to accomplish basic things – a difficult process for this self-made, independent person.

Never one to be idle, Loren made good use of his remaining time. He continued to have hope about the future as he prepared himself to meet his Lord. Thus Loren Walter Reetz died peacefully just as he lived: a strong and principled gentleman surrounded in his last earthly moments by people who returned every ounce of the love that he had given them.

Honored to celebrate his life and to cherish his memory are: his daughter Susan Reetz and her partner Bryant Smith of Jackson, Tennessee; his daughter Brenda Svatos, her husband Chad Svatos and their three daughters Lauren Lee, Sydney Ann and Jordan Jo of Gregory; his second love Francie Johnson of Gregory; and countless relatives and dear friends.

Loren was preceded in death by his wife Marilee Reetz; his parents Walter and Eva Reetz; his sister Inez and her husband Bob Clayton; and his mother and father-in-law Loree and Martin Pusl.

Stock Growers Call for Enactment of Prime Act

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The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is calling on South Dakota’s Congressional delegation to pass the Prime Act, or similar policies. In a letter to Senators Thune, and Rounds, and Representative Noem, the Stockgrowers asked for their support of The Prime Act, or similar legislation to allow sales of meat products at the retail level, using a state health and safety inspection, versus having to wait for federal inspection on those products.

“The current federal law already states that all state meat inspections, must be at least equal to federal requirements, so demanding a federal inspection in order to market our products seems redundant, and ridiculous,” says Stockgrowers Trade Committee Chairman, Ty Littau of Carter, SD.

The Stockgrowers have long been supportive of being able to differentiate their products, and feel the consumers, especially South Dakotans, would prefer their products, over those of unknown origins. They also feel The Prime Act will help the consumers identify, a locally raised product, generating more demand for their members products. SD Stockgrowers Association believes The Prime Act will lead to more options, and give producers more opportunities to market their cattle and beef.

The Stockgrowers also feel it can lead to ways local ranchers can help their communities. “Many times we have members who wish to donate beef to local schools or places in need, but due to the lack of finding federally inspected locker plants they run into a road block, and are unable to do so. The Prime Act will not only benefit producers, but will also benefit their local communities,” says SDSGA President Gary Deering.

The Prime Act is not a new idea. It has been tossed around on the Hill many times, but unfortunately has never gained much traction by the industry, or by those in Congress. With the increasing demand by consumers for knowing where food comes from, and as people seek less government control, the Stockgrowers believe that the Prime Act should be revisited and passed. They feel that this is common sense legislation that will provide support for livestock producers, will give the consumers a chance to buy locally, and helps local locker plants, all of which will lead to an economic boost throughout many small communities .

“The Prime Act is a win for many throughout our country, helping so many, hurting none. But, as important, it will not cost anything, and in fact, would even save our government money. That is the type of conservative legislation that should be passed by Congress,” adds Littau.

The Stockgrowers urges ranchers, consumers, locker plants, and communities across the nation to get behind The Prime Act, and get their congressional delegation to support the Prime Act.

Deering stresses, “It is not that often with legislation that we have an opportunity to do so much, to benefit so many people, and the Prime Act is an opportunity to do just that. Get in touch with the Stockgrowers office for more information on what can be done to help with this.”

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association can be reached at 605-342-0429 or by emailing office@southdakotastockgrowers.org.

South Dakota State Parks Remain Popular Getaways

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PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) officials say state parks saw high numbers of visitors in 2017. The state park campgrounds hosted more than 342,000 nights of camping last year, up 3.8 percent and continuing an upward trend that has been steadily growing for over a decade.

But the real highlight of 2017 according to Katie Ceroll, South Dakota State Parks director, is the opportunities created by several new and expanded services in the parks.

“Camping is widely popular in the state parks,” she said. “But we offer so much more. Whether you’re staying overnight or stopping in for the day, parks feature visitor centers, special events and other recreational opportunities to enhance your visit.”

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Food Plot Program Offers Free Seed

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The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) food plot program was developed nearly 50 years ago to assist landowners in providing winter food sources for wildlife. Landowners can receive free corn or sorghum seed to plant each spring, plus a payment to help offset planting costs. The program took a step forward in 2015, offering landowners a third seed option, called the brood mix.

The brood mix is an annual mixture of cover crop species (i.e. canola, flax, millet, radish, sunflower), designed to flower from spring through fall and produce seed for wildlife to forage on during winter. By flowering, the brood mix provides pollinator habitat that traditional corn and sorghum food plots lack. Pollinating insects (i.e. bees and butterflies) thrive in areas with flowering plants. Insects comprise nearly 100% of a pheasant chick’s diet, therefore making habitats with high insect numbers for pheasant chicks to forage a key component of pheasant production.

Landowners enrolled in the program still retain and may regulate all hunting access privileges; however they cannot charge anyone a fee in exchange for hunting access.

Schmidt to be Inducted into Hall of Fame

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Teri Schmidt will be inducted into the Winner School Hall of Fame on Feb. 3.

Her ceremony will be held at the halftime of the girls game with CEB. Winner is hosting CEB in a boys and girl double header.
Schmidt graduated from Winner High School in 1971 and is the daughter of the late Dick and Virginia Nicholson.
She was active in Warriorettes, marching band and plays.

Schmidt graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1975 with her teaching degree. While in college, she enjoyed the challenge of being the baton twirler for the USD marching band.

After graduation, she taught one year in Ainsworth, Neb. and then taught in the Brandon Valley School System for nine and a half years.

She now serves as the executive director of the Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau where she has been employed since leaving education. For the past 34 years, Schmidt has been in charge of the visitor industry in Sioux Falls, including all conventions, meetings, events and tourism-related business brought to the city. She is also responsible for the management of the Falls Park visitor information center.

The Winner High School graduate has earned several honors: teacher of the year for two consecutive years by the Brandon Valley School District, listed in “Who’s Who in Female Executivies” as well as “Who’s Who registry of global leaders.”
Schmidt was the first woman in Sioux Falls to be selected business leader of the year. She was featured on the cover of Sioux Falls magazine “Sioux Falls Woman” and selected as career profession of the year by YWCA leader luncheon.
Schmidt and her husband Jim, have two daughters: Brittany and Brianna.

Calhoon Receives Superior

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The Winner High School contest one act play took fourth place at the regional competition in Pierre on Jan. 24.

Mary Calhoon received a superior for her acting.

The WHS entry in the regional contest was “Pals.”

The cast includes: Cam Irick, Ronae Klein, Matt Hartley and Mary Calhoon.

The play is directed by Kara Connot and Kelly Assman with Dan Patmore as the technical director.

The technical crew included Elijah Blare, Ronae Klein, Lauren Norrid and Kiersten Durrin.

The stage crew was Jack Ducheneaux and Heather Rowe.

The play deals frankly with one of today’s most sensitive and compelling issues.

Steve tells his friend Jack that he no longer wants to go on living. Suicide would make him just another statistic. So the two banter about the alternatives—until in an awful moment of horseplay and confrontation, the playwright brings the audience to a stunning climax of shock and introspection.

The play was presented in Winner during a night of one act plays on Jan. 18-20 at the Winner Community Playhouse.

Dean’s List

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Area students have been named to the fall dean’s list at Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell.

Named to the list are: Reed Harter, Zach Harter, Callie Heath and Holden Thieman, all of Colome; Drew DeMers, Tyrel Haley, Sara Husher and Sam Naasz, all of Winner.

Two Winner students have been named to the president’s list at Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown.

Adam Farner and Michael Massa have been named to the list.

Rachel Pahlke of Winner has been named to the dean’s list at Augustana University in Sioux Falls.

Second Quarter Honor Roll

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Seniors
Honor – Dalton Baker, Meredith Calhoon, Riley Calhoon, Elisabeth Duffy, Madyson Frazier, Hannah Hanson, Madelyn Hanson, Daesha Klein, Ronae Klein, Hanna LaCompte, Nick Lantz, Zach Lapsley, Samantha Marts, Madyson Morehart, Brekkyn Nagel, Lauren Norrid, Charles Novak, Macy Olson, Matthew Smither, Ian Tunnissen
Merit – Carter Brickman, Macie Ferwerda, Justus Gregg, Matt Hartley, Levi McClanahan, Lexie Nedved, Destiny Ruden, Alex Schaeffer, Nathan Smither, Riley Sund, Savannah Vogel

Juniors
Honor – Taylor Audiss, Bayli Beetler, Sierra Hansen, Gabby Kocer, Katy Lantz, Sophie Lewis, Gracie Littau, Abigail Marts, Yvonne Morana, Makenna Petersen, Alexis Richey, Casey Stickland, Andrew Taylor, Madison Thieman, Logan Tunnissen, Wyatt Turnquist, Brandon Volmer, Tedra Vrbka, Tyson Westendorf, Sadie Woods
Merit – Brielle Bachmann, Elijah Blare, Kassie Cox, Jeslyn Felix, Madison Kerner, Tyler Olson, Makayla Petersen, Nolan Sachtjen, Hunter Shopene, Alina Weiler

Sophomores
Honor – Austin Bicek, Jacob Clay, Kiersten Durrin, Kara Ewing, Jaynee Gregg, Morgan Hammerbeck, Emmarie Kaiser, Isabelle Leyden, Zane Mandl, Ryder Mortenson, Ethan Niehus, Jayce Palmer, Trevor Peters, Addy Root, Saige Schuyler, Kenndal Turnquist
Merit – Joren Bruun, Bella Gilpin, Phillip Jorgensen, Loren Moeller, Austin Olson, Heather Rowe, Marlee Schaeffer, Isaac Schramm, Charlotte Shopene, Alicia Stands, Ethan Vesely, Gage Watson, Jayd Whitley

Freshman
Honor – Brennan Bachmann, Meagan Blare, Bailey Brown, Megan Brozik, Shannon Calhoon, Jesse Colson, Evan Farner, Brady Fritz, Jackson Hansen, Hayley Hanson, Taylor Headrick, Katherine Jankauskas, Maggie LaCompte, Mackenzie Levi, Steven Lin, Aryn Meiners, Bosten Morehart, Delanie Nelson, Preston Norrid, Marlie Schuyler, Shelby Scott, Teresa Taylor, Landon Thieman
Merit – Alisha Ammon, Zach Bohnet, Kady Cable, Kaylee Eli, Carly Fischer, Presley Foudray, Dawsyn Kahler, Arista Kaiser, Mercedes Klein, Sam Kruger, Allie Lapsley, Kayla Natoli, Gennefier Schuppan, Austin Wheadon

Eighth Grade
Honor – Finn Bartels, Ellie Brozik, Taralynn Cordier, Katie Dreyer, Jenna Hammerbeck, Hattie Hespe, Emma Jorgensen, Kaden Keiser, Gilon Kraft, Adrienne Lewis, Elvis Linn, Marissa Meiners, Aaron Monk, Alani Old Lodge, Michael Olson, Kolbie Osborn, Kelsey Sachtjen, Sidda Schuyler, Bella Swedlund, Jackson Vesely
Merit – Parker Baker, Shayla Bice, Adam Bohnet, Alex Bohnet, Toree Buus, Joey Cole, Quintanya Eagle Elk, Jenny Guan, Hailey Hollenbeck, Nathan Howland, Ashton Klein, Kylar Meek, Owen Monk, Kaleb Osborn, Elijah Petersen, Charley Pravecek, Ryan Sell, Kayleigh Stands, Trinity Vrbka, Kade Watson, Madaline Watzel, Achilles Willuweit

Seventh Grade
Honor – Kendyl Bachmann, Mali Beehler, Brindy Bolander, Melanie Brozik, Faith Covey, Maggie DeMers, Justin Hausmann, Ainsley Henderson, Cam Irick, Joselin Kludt, Tessa Mann, Kelbi Meiners, Aleya Miller, Pierce Nelson, Dalton Petersen, Rylee Root, Blake Volmer, Leah Wiechelman
Merit – Ethan Bartels, Luke Boerner, Silas Chasing Hawk, Penelope Chasing Hawk, Illyanna Crabb, Shayne Day, Kiley Felix, Trista Kierstead, Jack Kruger, Tayden Mathis, Rowdy Moore, Riley Orel, Hunter Osborn, Jack Peters, Sutton Schweigert, Clay Sell, Mallory Thayer, Cody Wheadon

Sixth Grade
Honor – Leila Balsiger, Aiden Barfuss, Matthew Boerner, Karlee Brozik, Maxton Brozik, Tyan Buus, Arianna Chasing Hawk, Kendall Dice, Bailey Fairbanks, Payton Fisher, Ellison Kaiser, Alexis Klein, Stratton Morehart, Garrett Phillips, Emily Sachtjen, Jude Sargent, Saylor Schuyler, Cassandra Shutt, Cecilia Watson,
Merit – Noah Best, Caleb Boerner, Sydney Brown, Spencer Calhoon, Conroy Chasing Hawk, Mina Eagle Elk, Miranda Fisher, Arliss Hardy, Browdy Kocer, Daelynn LaPointe, Ashlynn McPhee, Tayla Nagel, Baronn Niehus, Kevin Olson, Cole Rank, Samuel Scholz, Rylee Schroeder, Cassidy Seeking Land, Dustin Sund, Aiden Tunnissen, Jaydon White

Colome Honor Roll

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Superior (All A’s)
Seniors – Kaylee Bolton, Maggie McCarty, Zane Rohde, Jeremiah Yeaman
Juniors – Jaclyn Laprath, Abby Pechota
Sophomores – Eli Kortan, Haley Krumpus
Freshmen – Abby Kortan, Makayla Shippy
Eighth Grade – Riley Shippy, Maya Vandenbark, Elizabeth Yeaman
Seventh Grade – Morgan Gill, Landi Krumpus, Alec Thieman

Excellent (All A’s and B’s – No C’s)
Seniors – Nash Atteberry, Andrew Laprath, Kolton Salonen, Caleb Vandenbark
Juniors – Beau Bertram, Wyatt Cahoy, Grace Campbell, Kaydee Heath, Rayne Hermsen, Jackson Kinzer, Hanna Rowe, Alice Rehnberg, Riggin Shippy, Layton Thieman
Sophomores – James Brumbaugh, Carleen Burger, Megan Charles, Juli Larson
Freshman – Rhet Bertram, Keegan Brumbaugh, Madison Gill, Saydee Heath, Baylie Hoffine
Eighth Grade – AJ Davis, Abby Eliason, Caden Munroe, Drew Musilek, Tanea Potter, Bayden Seegers, Katie Welker
Seventh Grade – Devan Dougherty, Taylor Nelsen, Libbie Petersek
Sixth Grade – Jack Anderson, Jordyn Harter, Shaleena Kingsley, Joseph Laprath, Tianna Larson, Alexis Love, Jordan Musser, Lilly Nelson, Stetson Shelbourn, Emma Vandenbark

“B” Average – No D’s
Seniors – Cody Assman, Becca Marso, Josh Musilek
Juniors – Taylor Chasing Hawk
Sophomores – Jacob Beckers, Matt Bossert, Cheyenne Dougherty, Sara O’Bryan, Jordyn Seegers
Freshmen – Casey Assman, Lanie Bolton, Luke Bolton, Allan McKenzie, Michael Supik
Eighth Grade – Aaron Campbell, Jesse Larson, Kasie Leighton, Dusty Sell, Hayden Thieman
Seventh Grade – Kash Heath, Ashlyn Hoffine, Billy Looking Cloud, Aidan Muller, Paige Paulson, Toree Ringing Shield, Sully Shippy
Sixth Grade – Bromley Heath, Klayton Heath, Kalene Preslicka