Category Archives: News

Lesley “Les” Todd Old Lodge Sr., 49, of Bonesteel, SD passed away on April 5, 2023 at 4:15 p.m. at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD with his love of his life Beverly Chasing Hawk, sister Delphine Andrews, and sister-in-law Brenda Andrews by his side.

Funeral services were held on Friday, April 14, 2023   at the Winner Community Hall in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. Wake services were held on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 7 p.m. at the Winner Community Hall in Winner.

Lesley Todd Old Lodge Sr. was born Jan. 19, 1974 in Winner, SD to Nancy Old Lodge and Lester Peneaux.

Les and his mother moved to Sacramento, Calif., in the late 70’s when Les was a baby. Les attended elementary school in Sacramento and went to high school in Stockton, Calif. Later Les got his GED and attended Mendocino Community College in Ukiah, Calif. He then came to South Dakota and attended Southeast Tech where he received a certificate for welding, plumbing, and electrician.

In October of 1992 Les became a very proud father to Lesley Jr. Les Jr was his dad’s pride and joy.

Les spent most of his adult life traveling between California and South Dakota. Majority of his time in South Dakota was spent working on cars with his brothers Verlin in Sioux Falls. Les also had family and friends that he enjoyed spending time with playing horse shoes or just visiting, laughing, and sharing his love with. Les had a loving and caring heart and was always willing to help anyone.

In October of 2020 Les came back to SD to be with Beverly Chasing Hawk whom he loved very much. They had gotten engaged and had a wedding planned for this year.

Les is survived by his fiancé Beverly Chasing Hawk and boys, mother and stepfather Nancy and Gary Covert, his son Les Jr., his brothers Donovan Old Lodge, Jason & Marcus Old Lodge/Bryant all of Sacramento, Calif. Steven (Sandra) Roubideaux, Verlin (Trista) Janesse of Sioux Falls, SD. His sisters Delphine (Quentin) Andrews of Winner, SD, Christina Janesse of Sioux Falls, SD. Aunts, Lorelie Old Lodge of Nevada, Alma (George) Small of Winner, SD, Melda Peneaux of Pierre, SD. His uncles, Donnie (Alberta) Old Lodge of Corn Creek, SD, Lee “Bud” (Kathy) Peneaux Sr of Winner, SD. Grandmother Joyce Peneaux and stepfather Michael Bryant.

He is preceded in death by his father Lester Peneaux, maternal grandparents Howard and Irene (Felix) Old Lodge. Paternal grandparents Veryl and Elsie (Fast Horse) Peneaux. Aunts Trudy Old Lodge, Beryl Antoine (Peneaux) Fern, Velda and Mavis Peneaux. Uncles Frank Old Lodge Sr. Wilbur Dean Peneaux.

Joan (Jo-an) Maxine Haukaas was born to Lowell and Dorothy (Wales) Haukaas on April 20, 1933, in Colome, Tripp Co., South Dakota, the second of seven children. She grew up on a farm south of Colome where she learned to work hard and was very active.

Joan attended a rural one-room school through the 8th grade located south of the farm on the other side of a high butte. The walk wasn’t bad except during the winter. One year her Grandma Della Haukaas had to send the hired hand over to shovel snow away from their second story window so they could get out. When Joan began high school she had to move into town due to the distance from home and the weather. She enjoyed her high school years, especially athletics. As a result, Joan played softball until she was in her mid-fifties. Joan graduated from Colome High School in 1951.

Joan met Les while he was visiting family in Colome. Les was the son of William and Elizabeth (Apley) Kirsch. They were married on June 24, 1951, at Calvary Chapel, south of Colome. Joan left with Les to Alameda, CA so he could finish his service obligations. After his discharge, Joan and Les returned to the Great Plains where they lived briefly in Lynch, Neb., and then in the Colome area. This was the beginning of numerous moves to California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and South Dakota following construction and well past their retirements.

On April 8, 2012, Joan lost Les to cancer.

Joan married George E. France on February 8, 2016. They knew each other from church and had attended events at Farragut State Park with their spouses. They enjoyed life together until George had a serious injury that required him to live in an assisted living facility. Joan provided a lot of care including pushing his wheelchair. George passed away on Nov. 4, 2021. Joan’s health and memory issues worsened and she moved into Orchard Ridge. Eventually, Hospice of North Idaho aided in Joan’s care. Joan passed away peacefully on March 31, 2023, at 3:20 P.M.

Joan is survived by her son Richard and wife Sandra; daughters – Cheryl Munoz and husband John, Teresa Lindenburg –Kathryn Isbell and husband Ronald – Stepdaughter Joanne and husband Jon; grandchildren – Tammy Sue Holzer – Steven Duane Kirsch – Shaun Christopher Munoz – Summer Dawn Gross – Brandee Kaye Shively –Lindsay Suzanne Marie Hornby –Nathan Paul Isbell and granddaughter-in-law Kathleen Kirsch; eight great-grandchildren; and siblings Carol and Marlin.

Joan was preceded in death by grandson Michael Dennis Kirsch and siblings Gary, Don, Kay, and Diane.

There was a funeral service held at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 10 at English Funeral Chapel in Post Falls. Burial followed at Evergreen Cemetery in Post Falls, Idaho.

To see Joan’s online Memorial a video of the funeral and to leave a message for the family please visit www.englishfuneralchapel.com

Gregory (Pete) Gayle Petersen, 73, of Burke, South Dakota, passed away on March 28, 2023, after a hard-fought 2 ½ year battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held April 1 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Burke. Burial was in Graceland Cemetery.

Greg was born on March 29, 1949 in Burke, South Dakota, to Orris and Ruth (Evans) Petersen. Many don’t know this, but Greg was baptized in the Burke hospital on April 2, 1949 due to being premature. Fourteen years later on June 9, 1963, Greg was confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke where he recited Psalm 103:1-2 as his confirmation verse—”Bless the Lord, oh my soul.”

Greg spent his younger years helping his family own and operate the feed mill in Burke – Petersen Produce. His summers were filled playing baseball with his pals. Baseball wasn’t the only sport Greg had a knack for; He picked up his first golf club at the age of 10 and was a natural. He would go on to excel at golf, winning many tournaments throughout his younger days while enjoying numerous 4-men scrambles as he grew older.

 A proud Bulldog, Greg graduated from BHS in 1967. From there he went on to major in political science and minor in music at South Dakota State University.  From a young age Greg was an accomplished pianist; a talent that earned him the honor of accompanying SDSU’s men’s choir The Statesmen for several years during college.  After four years of driving his Olds Cutlass back and forth to Brookings, Greg graduated from SDSU in 1971 and has remained a lifelong Jackrabbit fan ever since.

After graduation, Greg returned to Burke and began working for Doc McKenzie at the Burke Vet Clinic. Little did he know that he would meet his wife, Kathy, while working there. Kathy was attending North Carolina State for animal science and her college friend, Betsy Senter, convinced Kathy to visit Burke in January 1980. She ended up taking a job at the same vet clinic where Greg worked, and the rest was history.

On Sept. 20, 1980, Greg and Kathy were united in marriage at Grace Lutheran Church. Greg soon transitioned to work alongside his dad on the family farm just south of Burke. While farming was the work, Greg’s proudest achievement in life was being “dad” to James and Courtney. They both would grow up sharing a passion for two of Greg’s favorite hobbies, golf and piano. He never missed an opportunity to share about his kids with anyone who would listen.

While Greg would argue that he never really quit farming, it soon became his ‘part time’ job as he took the last load of Petersen Charolais cattle to town in the early 2000’s. It didn’t take long for Greg to fill his time with his third favorite hobby, any kind of game that involved a friendly wager. Known as ‘Pete’ to his beloved wagering friends, he loved a good game of Hold’em and he never missed the chance to participate in a sports league bracket. Even after being diagnosed with cancer, playing cards with his friends was the highlight of his week.

Greg kicked off his last full-time job, being a grandpa, in 2012. He absolutely adored his grandchildren Hattie (10), Nora (7), and Walter (3). He never made a visit without bringing treats, and he was notorious for offering ice cream before Grandma could get food on the table. He always grinned when Nora would say, “well grandpa said we could!” Some of their best memories with grandpa were being taught how to light a firecracker (and run) and learning how to drive his “Jackrabbit” golf cart.

Greg will be missed and remembered by many for his big heart, his pranks, his quick wit, his love of the Jackrabbits, his amazing piano talent, his clutch putter when money was on the line, and his passion for lighting up the neighborhood with fireworks on the 4th of July. And while his journey here on earth was shorter than we would like, we can’t help but think he is already teeing off on heaven’s best course.

Greg is survived by wife Kathy, son James of Vancouver, WA, daughter Courtney (Mike) of Mount Vernon, SD, and his beloved grandchildren Hattie, Nora, and Walter. He was preceded in death by his parents, Orris and Ruth Petersen.

Donald Moosmeier, 89, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls, Dakota State Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls at a later date.  A visitation was  held on Wednesday, March, 29, 2023 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church from 6-7 p.m.  with a rosary beginning at 7 p.m.

Donald Wayne Moosmeier was born in Vermillion, South Dakota on April 1, 1933 to John and Katie (Langle) Moosmeier. He was raised on a farm near Dixon, SD and graduated from high school in Winner in 1951, having been a part of the boxing team, Future Farmers of America, and the National Honor Society. He then went to college at South Dakota State University studying agriculture.

In 1953, he was drafted into the Army, spending time in Texas and New Jersey. After his time in the Army, he came back to the farm to help his father.

In 1956, he met Donna Earll in downtown Winner. After dating for one and a half years, they married on Nov. 23, 1957. To this union, four children were born – Deb, Dan, DeEtte, and Darla.

Don enjoyed being active in his community, starting with 4-H as a child. He became a 4-H leader, and also served on the Co-Op board, the Sully Township board, Winner School Board and the REA board. His 20 years in the REA afforded him the opportunity to take annual trips around the country, enriching his American experience, and broadening his appreciation for and commitment to his local community, Don was also a member of the Elks, the American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus.

He loved bowling and all of the social interaction that came with playing in league bowling. At the height of this activity, Don enjoyed bowling in 5 different shifts a week, including a mixed shift with Donna. Many of the friendships formed went well beyond just bowling and you could find Don and Donna playing cards with their friends, as well as spending weekends going camping and fishing at the Missouri River. Don created many memories going camping and fishing with his children and grandchildren too.

Don was a huge fan of the Minnesota Twins, and would often have their games playing on the radio as he maintained and repaired his farm machinery. As much as he loved following Twins baseball and the Vikings football, Don had a unique appreciation for local sports, both men and women sports, and he was an even bigger fan of his grandchildren in all of their sports activities.  He and Donna would travel the state to watch their games.

Don was a “here and now” kind of guy, a genuine man with his own mind, not overly influenced by media narratives and noise, and not needing to impose his thoughts on others. He lived by the Golden Rule, accepted others as they were, and had a knack for enjoying whomever he was with at the time. His smile and laughter made friendships easy to have with him and he was always open to playing a game with you, especially card games – especially Cribbage.

Don is survived by his wife, Donna, and four children – Deb Piper, Dan Moosmeier, DeEtte (Randy) Bell, and Darla (Duane) Bachmann; eight grandchildren – Emily Piper, Sara (Shawn) Renshaw, Heidi Moosmeier, Preston Bell, Nick Bell, Brandon (Sadie) Bell, Jacob (Myra) Bachmann, Luke (Liz) Bachmann; and ten great-grandchildren – Payton, Landon, Ethan, Hannah, Benjamin, Briggs, Brinkley, Julie, Ben, Darla Erin, and a girl on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Katie, and his sister Elaine.

SD.  A memorial service was held on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 10 a.m.  at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD.