Category Archives: News

Erma Taylor, 80, of Winner, SD passed away on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility.
Funeral service was held on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Winner. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Erma was born Dec. 5, 1936 to Fred and Bernice (Schafer) Taylor in Hot Springs, SD. She lived at home until both parents were deceased then with her brother until the home was sold.

They moved to Winner where she lived at Presidential Square apartments for 23 years in the care of Community Connections and Southern Plains.

Erma moved to Elder Inn in 2005 because of health conditions and to Winner Long Term Care in August of 2013. Erma loved holidays and decorations. She loved her Lord and was a member of the First Christian Church. She will always be remembered for her Sweet smile.

She is survived by her by her brother Gene Taylor and Rose of Sioux Falls, many nieces and nephews and all her friends at Winner Long Term, Southern Plains and a very special friend Evelyn Mahoney.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 sisters: Myrtle Stuen, Lola Carpenter, Faye Hager and 2 brothers: Lloyd and Glen Taylor.

Judy Audiss, 67, of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.
Funeral service were held on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017 at 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Winner. Burial will follow in the Hamill Cemetery.

Judy was born Feb 03, 1950 to Marvin and Lela (Kubik) Swanson in Winner. Judy grew up with her sister, Marva, and three brothers, Vance, Mark, and Cal on the family ranch near Hamill.

She graduated from Augustana Academy High School in Canton. She then attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. While in college, she was involved with the choir and took trips abroad, performing in different concerts and competitions, which were some of her best memories. She took her first job as a 6th grade teacher at South Elementary in Todd County, and then Hamill. She then married Randy Audiss, and did not teach for several years while she took care of her three children and helped on the family farm. She then returned to the classroom and taught 6th grade at Winner Middle School. Later, she was asked to be the special education director. As she then went into the role of an administrator, Judy pursued her master’s in education, obtaining her degree from South Dakota State University and then later went on to receive her specialist degree in education from University of South Dakota. Her passion for education, making sure all children had the ability to learn and thrive in school, and the relationships she built within the Winner school family is something she was proud of and held close to her heart.

Judy also was involved with church, being the Sunday school superintendent and playing the organ, as her faith and music were dear to her. There were a number of children around the Hamill community that she taught piano lessons to, also. Above all, though, was her love for her grandchildren. She was especially fond of them, always having a smile on her face when she was able to spend time with them, spoiling them, and being a part of their lives.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Lela, and her sister, Marva Lemene.

Cherishing her memory are her husband, Randy of 43 years, son, Chris (Brooks) Audiss of Belle Fourche, SD, Sarah (Ron) Hagenlock of Sioux Falls, SD, and Corey(Mandy)Audiss of Hamill, SD, grandchildren, Ryker, Rexton, and Reven Audiss, Mikah Hagenlock, Jackson Hansen, and Livia and Harper Audiss, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.
The Family of Judy Audiss will be directing memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association in her memory.

Lois Heller, age 85, of Winner, passed away on Sept. 28, 2017 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility. Funeral Service were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 2, 2017 at Christ Lutheran Church in Winner. Burial followed at the Winner City Cemetery.

Lois was born Jan. 12, 1932 to George and Helen (Frohberg) Blomstrom at her parent’s home outside of Winner. She was the youngest of six brothers and sisters. After losing her father at a very young age, the family moved to Winner where her mother worked hard to support her family.

Lois attended Winner High School and after graduation worked at the cleaners and as a bookkeeper at the Co-op in Winner. She married Wayne Heller on April 17, 1966. To this union two daughters were born: Lisa Ann and Carla Marie. Wayne and Lois lived on the Heller family farm, north of Ideal, for their first few years of marriage then moved to Winner when Lisa started school. Her house was open to everyone and she loved to spoil her nieces and nephews. She hosted many family dinners and always had a sweet treat to offer anyone that stopped by to visit.

Lois was active in her daughter’s many school activities and later babysat and attended her grandchildren’s activities. Many days she drove to Gregory to pick up her grandkids from school. She spent many hours playing Monopoly, Uno and Gin Rummy with them. In her more recent years Lois found enjoyment spoiling two new grandchildren with sherbet and thrilling them with rides on her power wheelchair.

Lois enjoyed playing Bridge with her friends, hosting couples pitch parties and challenging Wayne to a game or two of cribbage. She was very active at Christ Lutheran Church, participated in bowling leagues, and she and her sister, Joann, hosted card parties at the VFW. She was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and finally was able to relish in their World Series win in 2016.

After Wayne died in 2012, Lois moved to the Elder Inn. You could find her there enjoying her sherbet and chocolate and working on her crossword puzzles and word searches. With her declining health she recently moved to Winner Long Term Care. She passed away peacefully on September 28th at the age of 85 years old.

Grateful for sharing her life are Lisa (Randy) Odenbach of Dallas, SD, Carla of Pierre, SD, her grandchildren, Gaige Odenbach, Mackenzie (Derek) Stukel, Reece Odenbach and Grandyn Heller. And one great granddaughter, Averie Stukel. She is also survived by one brother, Bob (Elinor) Blomstrom of Gregory and one sister-in-law, Vivian Heller, of Laramie. She’s also survived many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Going on before her were her parents, husband Wayne, her brothers Marvin and Lyle, and her sisters Joann Beckers and Doris Bennett.

We love you Mom and Grandma Lois. So happy that you have finally found peace in the loving arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Funeral services for Geraldine (Geri) Bartling was held Sept. 29 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Burke with Pastor David Schmidt officiating.

Geraldine Bartling (Geri) age 70, of Burke South Dakota passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017 at Avera Gregory Hospital after a valiant and courageous battle with cancer.

Geri was wife to Gary Bartling, and beloved mother to Gary, Amanda, and Daniel Bartling. Geri is preceded in death by her Father Robert Bohannon, and younger brother Robert Bohannon Jr.

Geri was born to Robert and Bessie Bohannon on Jan. 5, 1947 in Springfield Ill. She was a passionate and devoted mother and grandmother. Geri’s pride and joy in her final years were her seven grandchildren; she loved to dye Easter Eggs with them even when it wasn’t Easter.