Category Archives: News

Bonnelle Jewell, 93

  By | |
Leave a comment

spreckels obit

Bonnelle Jewell was born 15 January 1923 to Charles Cyrus and Myrtle Florence (Bloodhart) Jewell, on the farm in Carlock Twp. Gregory, SD. Bonnelle was the last of eleven children born to the family. She passed away of natural causes on June 4 at the age of 93.

Funeral services were held on June 8 at the Grace Lutheran Church of Burke, followed by burial at the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory.

Bonnelle became a member of the Fairmont Methodist Church on 13 September 1936, a country church south of Gregory (after marriage she joined the Luthran Church in Colome, SD.)

She attended Dowling school District #34 grades 1-8. She graduated Gregory High School in 1940 and went one year of college at Wayne Sate College, Wayne, NE. After leaving school she moved to Deadwood, SD to live with her next older sister, Neva. Bonnelle was employed with Bell Telephone in Deadwood as a telephone operator.

In 1943, she met and married the love of her life, Harry P. Spreckels, on Oct. 31, 1943, the son of Charles Fred and Anna Karoline (Stenslid) Spreckels.

Bonnelle belonged to the Sunshine Sisters Extension Club in the 1940’s while living on the Hamill farm. After moving to Gregory, SD in 1990 she attended the Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, SD. Bonnelle was a beautiful seamstress making hers and her three daughters clothing until they went to high school. She made many beautiful square dance outfits as Harry was a square dance caller for many years. She also loved to garden, raise chickens and had beautiful flowers. Bonnelle loved to entertain, no one ever stopped that she didn’t serve a lovely lunch, especially her homemade pies, pastry rolls and buns.

Bonnelle was a wonderful wife and mother, her children and family loved her dearly and will miss her forever.

Libbie Hecht, 93

  By | |
Leave a comment

libbie hecht

Libbie Hecht, 93, of Winner, South Dakota entered into peace on June 4, 2016 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Funeral services were held on June 10 at Mason Funeral Home with burial in the Winner City Cemetery.

Libbie was born March 30, 1923 on the family farm in the Hamill, South Dakota area to Fred and Mary (Klima) Beranek. She attended country school in the Hamill area through the 8th grade. She was married to Arthur Hecht on June 12, 1946. To this union, two daughters were born, Lea Ann and Marcy. They lived in the rural Winner area early in their life together, eventually moving to Winner, where they spent the rest of their lives. After Arthur’s death in 1985, Libbie remained in their home and then moved to an apartment in 1995. The Elder Inn became her home in 2000 where she resided until moving to Winner Long Term Care in February of 2015.

She was a member of the American Legion and Western Bohemian Fraternal Association. Libbie enjoyed taking care of others, as a housekeeper, an aide at the Winner Nursing Home, and an in-home caretaker for the elderly. Mostly, she loved taking care of her family, especially her mother-in-law, Lizzie (Adolph) Hecht.

Francis Kramer, 96

  By | |
Leave a comment

kramer obit photo

Francis Kramer, 96, Winner, passed away on June 8 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on June 13 at the United Methodist Church in Winner. Burial was held at the Bassett Memorial Park in Bassett, Neb.

Francis was born at his parents’ ranch east of Bassett, Nebraska, February 12, 1920. After first working with his parents, Francis continued to expand his holdings and build a successful ranching business. He enjoyed employing young people to assist with haying, and many of them remained friends throughout his life time. In 1984, his ranch was honored with a Pioneer Farm Award. In 1986, Francis moved to Bassett to be able to better care for his mother. Francis was a strong and generous supporter of Rock County and the community of Bassett.

In his retirement, Francis enjoyed dancing, playing cards and traveling.
In 2004, Francis met his dancing partner, and they married in 2005. He became a loving husband and filled their home with a wise, gentle, kind, and fun loving nature, quickly embraced by his new family.

Francis peacefully passed away on June 8, 2016.

Governor Names Mike Jaspers Secretary Of Agriculture

  By | |
Leave a comment

Mike Jaspers

Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced June 7 that he has appointed Mike Jaspers of rural Minnehaha County to serve as South Dakota’s Secretary of Agriculture. Jaspers will begin July 5.

“I am very excited to have Mike serve as ag secretary,” Gov. Daugaard said. “His background in agriculture production, policy and administration makes him a great fit to lead the department.”

“I am honored that Gov. Daugaard has given me this opportunity,” Jaspers said. “I look forward to working with the men and women who make agriculture our state’s No. 1 industry.”

A native of northeast South Dakota, Jaspers operates a diversified crop and livestock farm in McCook, Hutchinson and Marshall counties. He received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanized Agriculture from South Dakota State University in 1993.

In addition to operating his farm and holding management positions in several agricultural businesses, Jaspers served in the South Dakota State Legislature from 1997-2005. In 2007, President George W. Bush appointed him state director of USDA-Rural Development, where he served until June 2008.

Jaspers currently serves as vice chairman of the board for Sioux Falls Catholic Schools and is a graduate of the South Dakota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (SDARL) program. He and his wife, Robin, have two children.

Scavenger Journey

  By | |
Leave a comment

scavenger fourney

What has 8 city wide rummage sales, 8 flea markets, gun show, car show, street dance, lawnmower races, and one leg of the Great American Car Race?   It is South Dakota’s annual Scavenger’s Journey.  Now in its 5th year, the Scavenger’s Journey covers almost 100 miles along US Hi Way 16 and I-90 from Friday June 24th to Sunday June 26th.  It runs from Presho, east to Plankinton, and also includes the towns of Reliance, Oacoma, Chamberlain, Pukwana, Kimball, and White Lake.

Looking for that one special item.  You can find almost anything at one of the flea markets, rummage sales or specialty shops.  If you’re not sure what you are looking for you can find that also!  Take a minute to admire the corn and sunflower fields of eastern South Dakota to the Missouri River the rolling hills of central South Dakota, and the flat plains and unique scenery of western South Dakota.

Scavenger’s Journey was started 5 years ago to promote commerce along old HiWay 16 in central South Dakota.  It has succeeded by bringing thousands of people to buy antiques, collectibles, crafts, coins, guns, signs, farm primitives, furniture to use or repurpose, yard art, books,  and all types of food items available in the 8 cities along the trail.

Come and experience the thrill of finding that “one” unique item that has been hiding in someone’s attic, garage, shelterbelt, or basement.  You can download the 24 page map over the computer with Paypal or buy a map for $2.00 in any of the 8 towns.  Hours vary at each sales location with many starting at 9 a.m. or before on Friday running through Sunday.

Peters Receives Scholarship

  By | |
Leave a comment

sydnie peters

Sydnie Peters, a graduate of Winner High School, took part in the distinguished scholars weekend at South Dakota State University.

Following an interview, Peters received the Michael and Nancy Roberts Foundation scholarship. This is a $3,000 scholarship renewable every four years for a total of $12,000.

She also received a scholars weekend scholarship for $3,000 which is renewable every four years.

Peters was one of 40 students in the scholars weekend who had interviews for scholarships.

SDSU Dean’s List

  By | |
Leave a comment

Area students have been named to the spring semester dean’s list at South Dakota State University.
Students on the list are: Nick Hossle, Hamill; Trevor Larson, Hamill, 4.0 GPA; Zach Hortsman, 4.0; Jack Kerner, 4.0; Trace Meyer, Rebecca Moorhead, 4.0; Corey Wackel, 4.0, all of Winner; Allie Kingsbury, Brittney Piper and Haley Sherwood, all of Wood; Chance Littau, Carter, 4.0.