Category Archives: News

Douglas R Simkins was born October 25, 1952 to Ervin “Hun” Eli Simkins and Arvis Echo Nyberg Simkins. The family lived near Mission in Doug’s early years. He was baptized in the Mission Lutheran Church.

Doug enjoyed observing and learning new things. He always loved nature and felt most at home in the country.

Doug was voted class president his junior year of high school in Witten, SD. He had hoped to graduate from Witten but the high school closed in the spring of 1969. Doug graduated from Winner High School in 1970.

His two best friends were Scott Bridgman and Duane Adel. He spent a lot of time at the home of Harold and Margaret Bridgman.

Doug attended Mitchell Vo Tech, then enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. One of his ocean deployments was Display Determination. Among others, he was on the ship U.S. Inchon. Doug was a head cook who organized many cooks under him.
When he spoke of his travels, he told of the beautiful colored water off the Island of Cyprus, and of visiting Valencia, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain.

He attained the rank of sgt. E-5. He was awarded several medals: National Defense Service Medal, two Good Conduct Medals, and Letter of Appreciation.

Doug married Cheryl Ulmer. He adopted her son Brent, and they had two more children, Barry and Billy Jo. He loved being a dad, and enjoyed taking his sons hunting. During this time, Doug built and designed his barn and built the home, all while working full time. In the mid 1980’s Doug and Cheryl divorced.

Doug was always a hard worker. He worked as a mechanic and welder on large farm equipment. Those who knew Doug well, knew how responsible, intelligent, organized and capable Doug was. He designed and built many trailers, fixed up antique tractors and was well known for his ability to fix up the old square-bale balers.

He was an avid reader, and especially enjoyed learning about the Civil War and WWII.

In 1995, Doug married Lynne Lenker Hallberg. They were married in Roger and Dawn Bridgman’s back yard in Utah. Doug chose for their special song, “Keeper of the Stars.” He believed, as the lyrics say, that it was no accident they found each other.

Doug celebrated sixteen years of sobriety on November 25, 2016.

Doug was a member of the Witten Baptist Church and was on the deacon board. The last year and a half he hardly missed a church service or Bible study. Doug was a lifetime member of the Winner American Legion.

When COPD became a part of his life, it complicated things, but Doug paced himself. Even tethered to an oxygen bottle, he resided the south side of the barn this summer and replaced the barn windows.

Doug passed away peacefully with family present on the evening of December 27, 2016 at the Avera McKennan ICU in Sioux Falls, SD.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and infant brother, Alfred.

Robert (Bob) Kalenda was born in Tripp County, South Dakota, on Feb. 8, 1932, the third child of Joe Kalenda Sr. and Alice (Vrbsky) Kalenda. Bob attended the Vobr School through 8th grade and then stayed at home to help his mom and dad on the family farm.

Bob enlisted in the United States Army on April 14, 1953. He spent most of his enlisted time in Germany as a truck driver in the motor pool that rebuilt and inspected roads across the country. Bob spoke frequently about how beautiful the countryside was and talked about returning someday to visit. However, he could never talk Doris into it, as she had no desire to cross the ocean and always told him that “she hadn’t lost anything there that she wanted to go back to find!” He also told vivid stories of how he, amongst others, taught the “city” boys how to play baseball. He believed that everyone who received the chance to play any sport was “a winner” because so often people never receive the opportunity, and he often relayed that message to his grandchildren Chase and Taylor.

Bob was honorably discharged from the Armed Services on March 24, 1955 and he returned to South Dakota and the family farm.

On April 7, 1964, Bob was united in marriage to Doris Schulte. To this union two daughters were born: Kathy (Ken) Hrabanek and Lori Kalenda. Bob and Doris resided on Doris’s parents’ home place south of Colome. They farmed, milked and raised cattle, along with a hay grinding business that Bob ran with his brother Alvin. Bob continued to have cattle and was proud of his old “mortgage lifters” until the day he passed from this world.

Bob was also very proud of the 57 years he spent employed at the Winner Livestock Auction. It didn’t take much of a mention to make him smile or talk about his many memories or friends he had made over the years that he had spent “chasing those old gummers out in the sorting barn.”

In addition to his farm and his Friday WLA job, Bob also worked as a butcher and a postal clerk and spent many, many years as a bartender at the Thayer Water Legion Post in Colome. One of Bob’s favorite things to do was to put on wild game feeds for the community, as he loved to see people coming together for good food and an even better visit. The next best thing was a good game of pitch or fishing, (with Lori, Chase & Taylor) at a local stock dam or Dog Ear Lake. There was never a pitch hand he wouldn’t bid or a fish too small to keep! And if he hadn’t shared his pitch advice or fishing philosophy with those around him, he more than likely had shared his gift of song or rhyme. Bob had a niche for making up his own lyrics and/or songs, and he wouldn’t think twice about sharing his own renditions of “Pistol Packing Mama” or the “Wabash Cannonball,” and he loved teaching them to his children, grandchildren, or neighbor children.

Orrin “Spencer” Fish, 90 of Winner, SD passed away on Nov. 29, 2016 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 9th, 2017, at 2 pm at the First Christian Church, 326 Madison St., Winner.

Thomas Dale Eliason was born on July 29, 1941 in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He was the youngest of three children born to Arthur and Vivian (Nelson) Eliason. He began elementary school at the Catron Country School and graduated from Gettysburg High School. Tom attended the Brigham Young University in Utah. He married JoAnn Martin in 1963. To this union, eight children were born. The family moved to Gregory in 1977. Tom had a special place in his heart for Gregory. He enjoyed being active in the community and was never hesitant to lend a hand to a neighbor. Tom supported organizations such as Gregory athletics, the commercial club, and 4-H. He also served as a State Farm agent for 39 years.

Tom’s first passion was a good horse. Tom learned most of his horsemanship skill from his father. He always said his dad was the best horseman he ever knew. Through this mentorship, Tom grew into one of the most successful horse trainers in South Dakota history. He judged many prestigious horse shows in the US and Canada, including the Cow Palace and Congress. One of his most memorable accomplishments was winning the AQHA World Championship in 1977. Tom trained and rode Mr. Flintrock to the world title in the Heeling competition and was top 10 in the Working Cow Horse.

Tom had a knack for discovering talented horses. He was especially proud of Wilywood, who he acquired in the late 80s. Tom and three of his children competed on Wilywood and his colts. Their success led to another important phase of his career. Tom was responsible for breeding numerous horses that were outstanding on many levels. He was a mentor to many aspiring horsemen.

Those who knew Tom knew of his strong faith. He was devoted to serving his church and took on many leadership positions. He loved studying, discussing, and teaching scripture with his family and friends.