Category Archives: News

Ruth Elaine Menke daughter of Fred and LaVern (Ziegler) Menke was born December 12, 1928 in Gregory, South Dakota. She received her early education at a rural school near Clearfield, SD and graduated high school in Mission, SD. She then attended Chadron State College graduating with a Bachelor of Science –Education.

Ruth Married Raymond Leo Schaefer on September 27, 1952 in Valentine, Neb.. They made their home in Valentine and were blessed with two daughters Sandra and Terri. Ruth taught 1st grade for 40 years. She was a member of American Legion Auxiliary, Nebraska Education Association, Sandhills Area Foundation, St. Nicholas Catholic Church and Tuesday Morning Bible Study. Ruth was a very caring person and always ready to help anyone in need.

She passed away Oct. 26, 2016 at Cherry County Hospital at age 87.

Milda was born December 6, 1913 to William and Mary (Petera) Hoppe near Wausa, Neb. She was baptized January 4, 1914 at Golgatha Lutheran Church near Wausa. She moved with her family to Fairfax in 1928. She attended Star Valley School through the eighth grade and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfax on April 29, 1928.

On August 3, 1935 Milda married Perry Mulford. They were blessed with four children – Donald, Keith, James and Sharyl. They began their marriage living in Bonesteel where Perry worked for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Work related moves were made to Norfolk, NE, Spencer, NE, Winner, SD and back to Norfolk, NE. Upon retirement, they returned to Bonesteel.

After Perry’s death in 1991, Milda continued to maintain her home until 2006 when she moved to the Haisch Haus. In 2011, health issues caused her to move to the Lake Andes Health Care Center, where she lived until the time of her death.

Milda was a lifelong homemaker who enjoyed cooking, baking and quilting. She enjoyed taking care of her children and babysitting other children. She was an active member of the Over 50 Club in Bonesteel.

Joseph Frank Nesladek was born in Chamberlain, SD on Feb. 3, 1940 to Frank and Julia (Macha) Nesladek of Pukwana. He spent the first six years of his life on the farm south of Pukwana in Richland Township. He faithfully served as an altar boy at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Pukwana. In 1946, the family moved into Pukwana. Joe attended school at Pukwana graduating from Pukwana High School in 1960. He was homecoming king in 1959. Following high school, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in Germany from 1960 until 1963 where he learned the trade of mechanics. In July 1966, he received his Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army.

On May 21, 1966, Joe was united in marriage to Colleen Johnson at St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain. To this union, five children were born Mark, Tina, Jonathan, James, and Jolene.

Joe worked on the Big Bend Dam Project and also on the Interstate Project. He was employed at the Chamberlain Ford Garage as a mechanic and later at United Auto Parts in Chamberlain until 1986 when he opened his own shop known as Joe’s Automotive Machine Shop. In 2014, Joe retired from the shop.

Joe built motors for his nephew’s race car. He enjoyed watching lawn mower races and high school boys basketball. He loved when his grandchildren would come visit. He enjoyed doing yard and garden work and was very proud of his yard. Joe liked listening to polka music and watching Polka Party on TV. He also liked going to Czech Days in Tabor each year.

He served as chairman of the Chamberlain City Planning Commission and was an honorary member of the Chamberlain Knights of Columbus Council. Joe was a member of St. James Catholic Church and served as an usher for several years.

Joe passed away on October 25, 2016 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls at the age of 76 years.

Robert (Bob) Lee Herman was born Oct. 12, 1933 at the family homestead in Mellette County South Dakota. Bob was born one of ten children to Otto and Margaret (Woehl) Herman. Bob worked as a hired hand in his younger years for many of the areas ranchers until he entered the United States Navy on Oct. 10, 1951. He was honorably discharged after 3 years of service and a Korean War Veteran. As continued service he was a member of the American Legion.

Bob met his wife Joyce Biggins in 1958, and they were married in 1959. To this union four children were born Danny, Tony, Marty, and Penny. He worked for Max Derry during which time he went to Auto Body School in Omaha, Nebraska, which settled him and Max into Midwest Auto for 30 years. During this time he enjoyed restoring old cars and sparked his love of racing cars. He spent countless hours volunteering his time to run wrecker service at demolition derbies and races at Winner Speedway. Enjoying his sons and grandchildren race. Bob and Dan started the family business B&D Auto Salvage in 1981, Bob worked happily at the auto salvage until his illness prevented him from doing so.

Mardell Eliason was born to Roy and Amanda (Brynjulson) Eliason on April 6, 1927 at rural Canton, SD. She attended rural grade school and graduated from Canton High School in 1945.

She worked at Iowa Public Service and later was a bookkeeper at Farmers Coop in Canton.

She married Harlan Hanson on Nov. 6, 1948. They farmed in the Canton area and had one son, Mark Hanson.

Mardell married Frank Antes on Dec. 20, 1975. They made their home in Winner where they were farmer/ranchers. While living in Winner, Mardell was active in The Arts Society and PEO.

In 1994, Frank and Mardell retired and moved to Yankton. While living in Yankton, Mardell was active in PEO Chapter BT, Questers, Sons of Norway and Christ the King Lutheran Church.

Mardell will be remembered for her ever gentle spirit by her sister, Lois Reade of Yankton, sister-in-law, Mary Eliason of Canton and several nieces and nephews as well as a step son-in-law, Jerry Goddard of Sioux Falls, her step granddaughter, Jodi Ferrini and her children, Diana, Cari and Vinnie Ferrini of Ohio.

Andy was born May 25, 1923 to Bernard & Betsy (Halvardsgaard) Dice. He was the oldest of four children. He was raised in Lyman County and graduated from Presho High School in 1941. He married Donna (Larsh) on April 2, 1950 and raised their four children on the family farm northwest of Winner. He was a hard working farmer who ate many meals, that Donna packed, in the field with his family by his side. His love for the land and livestock filled his life abundantly.

Andy served on many boards in the community over the years, including rural school board, township board, rural fire department and was one of the original members of the Tripp County Sheriff’s Posse. He was also proud to be a blood donor and would drop everything to make a flying trip into town to donate whenever there was an emergency. Andy loved to play cards, always had a joke to tell and spent many Saturday nights dancing with Donna!