New Weather Record

The calendar says it is December but the temperature outside on Dec. 6  felt more like a spring day.

The temperature in Winner on Dec. 6 was 68 degrees. This is a new record for this date. The previous record was 60 in 1963.

December 7 was on track to set a new record and possibly be warmer than last Wednesday.

The temperature on Thursday, Dec. 7 was 72 degrees which  shattered the previous record for this date. The old record was 65 set in 1984.

Harvey Naasz, 84

Harvey Naasz, 84, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family. 

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 at 10 a.m. at the Winner High School Armory.  A visitation will be held on Friday, Dec. 15, at the Winner High School Armory from 6-7 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a later date.

The community of Winner and the athletic arena of South Dakota lost a wonderful man when Harvey F. Naasz passed away.

Jacob and Martha Naasz of Java, South Dakota welcomed Harvey Fred Naasz on March 24, 1939.  He joined older brothers Harold and Howard, with younger brother, Harry, soon to follow.  The family moved from Java to Mobridge where Harvey graduated from Mobridge High School in 1958 (where he was an all-state football player).

Harvey then attended and played football at the University of Nebraska in the fall of 1958.  He transferred to the University of South Dakota where he played football (offensive guard) for three more seasons.

He coached 17 years in Winner, where he guided the Warriors to three state titles (1981,1987, and 1989) and one runner-up finish (1986).  Naasz’s Warriors were unbeaten in 1980, 1981, and in 1987.  He was a longtime teacher and athletic director at the Winner High School.  He also coached at Gettysburg (two years), Custer (one year), and Gregory (four years).

Even during his retirement years, you could find Harvey coaching middle school football, opening the weightroom for any Winner School District student who wanted to better themselves, and taxiing kids from the elementary school to where they wanted to go (maybe a detour or two for a few driving lessons).  In the late spring, summer and fall you could find Harvey riding on a Grossenburg Implement John Deere mower taking care of Warrior Field.  It took him back to his youth in the hay field of Walworth County.

Harvey’s most important missions in life were being a husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa as witnessed by his wife of 61 years, Karen, and their children: Bart and Tricia Naasz, Brian and Sharon Naasz, and Brad and Lori Naasz.  The sight of a grandchild and great-grandchild never failed to bring a smile to his face.  Trey and Hannah Naasz (Ruby and Bennett), Trevor and Bailie Naasz, Trent Naasz, Jacob and Ellie Naasz (Conrad), Nathan and Lorrin Naasz (Jensyn), Samuel Naasz and fiancé Jenni, Isaac Naasz, Faith and Manasseh Vincent, and Leah Naasz and boyfriend, Brandon.

The family has requested that you dress casually, preferably in your favorite sporting team’s apparel.  In lieu of flowers the family will be directing memorial funds to the Winner Warrior Athletic Department.

James Dale Pahlke, 50

James Dale Pahlke was called home to be with his Lord on Dec. 5, 2023, from his home in Boynton Beach, Florida.

He was born May 12, 1973 in Winner, South Dakota to Dale and Linda Pahlke.

He lived the first nine years of his life in Winner, South Dakota where he started school. During that short time in grade school, he learned how to wrestle which he really enjoyed doing. He lost his very first match and the sadness on his face was so cute, he wanted to cry…but he didn’t, and after that match the determination of that young man was set for anything he wanted to accomplish.

In 1983, he moved with his family to Hebron, North Dakota. At age 12, he was already a young entrepreneur with a lawn-mowing business and a small weekly paper route that kept him very busy. Next came his fascination with car stereos.  Jim even swapped a good one out of his dad’s vehicle to make a deal with a customer.

As an eighth grader he started playing sports, football and basketball. His biggest interest was in track which he excelled at. As a freshman junior varsity member, he ran a 3200 meter race in 12.40.55, setting a new record for Hebron junior varsity. He also competed in 1600 meter runs. He always put in many extra miles after practice which made him a good distance runner.

Following high school and up until the time of his death, he had a business of buying used cars, refurbishing them and then selling them.  Jim had the ability to negotiate a good deal that would benefit him the most.  Jim had the biggest heart, he will be deeply missed and loved forever.

He leaves to mourn his father, Dale Pahlke (Cindy) of Bismarck; his mother Linda Pahlke of Mandan;  two sisters, Shelley Martin (Todd) of Pueblo, CO and Courtney Pahlke of Minneapolis, MN, and his brother, Jay Pahlke (Stacey Thomas, fiancé) of Bismarck. Along with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Erney and Lorraine Pahlke, Rose and Richard Sullivan, and Edward Weihe; uncle William Weihe, and his aunt Mary Hoy.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18 at Legacy United Methodist Church, 4600 Durango Dr., Bismarck.  A luncheon will follow at the church.

Please go to weigelfuneral.com to share condolences with his family.

Tripp County Community Foundation 2024 scholarships

The Tripp County Community Foundation would like to announce that application information for the 2024 scholarships administered by the Tripp County Community Foundation is now available. The applications can be found on the Counselor’s Corner tab of the Winner School Districts website, or you can contact the Guidance Office at Winner High School  There are a few that are also available to students in Colome.  Students can obtain information by contacting their guidance office.

These are the scholarships currently available:

Donald & Fern Jorgensen Scholarship – $750

Antes Family Memorial Scholarship – $500

Winner Rotary/Bailey Scholarship – $500

James & Lawrence Neyens Scholarship (Winner & Colome students) – two $1,000

Ray & Grace Neyens Family Scholarship  (Winner & Colome students) – $1,000

Charles Hellman Memorial Scholarship for Future Educators – $1,000

Harold E. Smith Scholarship – $1,000

Tripp Co. Water User District – Martin & Mary Jorgensen Scholarship – $1,000 and  Tripp Co. Water User District – Lawrence Wagner Scholarship – $1,000 (Applicant must be a child of a member of Tripp County Water User District or a resident in one of TCWUD participating communities.)

Gordon Horgen Memorial Science Scholarship – $1,000

Benson Family Scholarship – $1,000

Dr. Tony & Kay Berg Scholarship – $1,000

Mary Still Memorial Scholarship – two – $1,000

 Currently, the Tripp County Community Foundation Administers 15 scholarship funds that give $13,750 annually to students in our area wishing to continue their education beyond high school. All these scholarships have come from private donors.  These scholarships demonstrate the sincere interest and investment the families and community members are willing to make in the future of our community.

Students and parents in our community can reach out to their school guidance counselors or board members of the Tripp County Community Foundation for additional information on how to apply for these scholarships.

Tripp County Community Foundation current board members include:

Lynnelle Anderson   605-840-0642

Charles Axtell           605-842-3107

Judy Benson             605-842-2240

Dawn Covey             605-840-1334

Gary Fenenga          605-840-1630

Barry Grossenburg  605-840-1305

Chuck Keiser            605-840-2048

Rita Neyens              605-840-0165

Jeff Pinter                  605-842-0119

Eric Pollard               605-321-0339

Jeff Schramm            605-840-1343

Kim Vanneman         605-840-2751

Kara Zeigler              605-530-7406

Winner Regional recognized with leadership award

Winner Regional Hospital has been recognized by the Chartis Center for Rural Health as a 2023 Quality 2023 performance leadership award for being in the 75th percentile or above among rural hospitals of America in quality.

The performance leadership awards are based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance Index, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessments of rural hospital performance.

INDEX data is relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations and state offices of rural health around the country to measure and monitor performance across areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

Brian Williams, CEO of Winner Regional, says this has been awarded to Winner Regional Hospital is a recognition to all members of the Winner Regional team in every department. 

“WRH has some of the best people in healthcare working here in our community and this award recognizes the hard work and dedication of WRH staff have for our community,” said Williams.

“I want to thank each one of them for everything they do every day and for the support we receive from our community to allow us to provide healthcare services to them. As WRH would have never been recognized for this award without such a supporting community, “ said Williams.

Hey Barbie, come shop Winner

Winner Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting Ladies Night Out on Dec. 6 from 5-8 p.m.

Hometown Barbie is the theme and the ladies are urged to dress up in their best Barbie outfit. There will be a prize for the best dressed Barbie.

There will be a photo booth set up at Winner True Value for women to have their picture taken with Santa.

Women can stop at the Chamber office starting at 1 p.m. on Dec. 6 to get a free cup and sign up for a drawing that will be held at the Chamber office.

It will be a fun time to shop for Christmas gifts as many stores will have specials that night.

Holiday festival set for Dec. 2

Winter Wonderland will be the theme of the Winner Regional Foundation holiday festival. The event will be  held at St. Mary’s Hall on Dec. 2.

The social hour will start at 5 p.m., program starting at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Funds raised will be allocated to renovate and revitalize Winner Regional’s long term care center.

There will be a silent auction, raffle and a live auction following the dinner.

The dinner will be catered by Tarrel Bauld with Winner High School FFA as servers. Coni Halverson will be the hostess.

“This event would not happen without without a number of community volunteers planning this event. We are so grateful for their help,” said Brian Williams, CEO of Winner Regional.

There will be a band playing from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. featuring musicians who grew up in Winner—Jamie Halverson and Lance Engel.

Persons can bring their silent or live auction items to St. Mary’s Hall on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Individual tickets are $50. A table reservation is $350 with reserved seating for eight people.

Tickets can be purchased at First Fidelity Bank of Winner, BankWest, Winner Area Chamber of Commerce and Winner Regional Health.

Serving on the board of directors of Winner Regional Foundation are: Michael DiGrazia, president; Dan Bechtold, Justin Nelson, Donna Kubik, Randy VandenHoek and Brian Williams, CEO.

“We appreciate everything the community has done for Winner Regional Health and invite them to spend a wonderful evening with us,” said Williams.

Offices closed for Thanksgiving holiday

Government offices in Winner will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Tripp County Courthouse will be closed on Thanksgiving day and on Friday. The county library will be closed the same two days.

The Winner city office will closed on Thanksgiving and on Friday.

All state offices in Winner will be closed Thursday and Friday.

Financial institutions will be closed on Thanksgiving but will be open on Friday, Nov. 24.

The Winner Post Office will be closed on Thanksgiving and there will be no mail delivery. The post office will be be open on Friday.

Winner Advocate office will be closed Thanksgiving and on Friday.

There will be no noon meal served at the senior citizens center on Thursday and Friday.

Southern Plains Behavioral Health Services will be closed Thursday and Friday.

11 Local Youth Attend Western Jr Livestock Show

On Oct. 3 –7, 11 4-H youth attended the 86th annual Western Jr Livestock Show in Rapid City.  Those attending were Avery Antelope, Bianca DeMers, Kade Fenenga, Madison Graber, Allie Littau, Evan Littau, Rustin Schroeder, Rylee Schroeder, Roper Moore, Rider Moore and Kylie VanZanbergen.  They brought home 34 Purple Ribbons, 4 Grand Champion awards and 5 Reserve Champion awards in the cattle show.  The following are the top awards brought home:

Bianca DeMers = Reserve Champion Foundation Simmental Bull & 5th Overall Beginner Livestock Judge

Kade Fenenga = Grand Champion Shorthorn Breeding Heifer & 3rd Overall Beginner in the Skill-a-Thon

Madison Graber = 5th & 8th overall Futurity Steers

Evan Littau = Grand Champion Angus Bull

Rustin Schroeder = 14th overall Futurity Steer, Grand Champion Shorthorn Plus Breeding Heifer

Rylee Schroeder = 6th overall Futurity Steer, Reserve Champion Red Angus Steer, Reserve Champion Shorthorn Steer, 7th overall Senior Livestock Judging.  Awarded a $1,000 WJLS Rasmussen Trust Scholarship and a $500 Olson Memorial Scholarship.

Kylie VanZandbergen = Grand Champion Main Steer & Overall 5th place Feeder Steer.

Kelli VanZandbergen = Reserve Champion Angus Bull (shown by Kylie)

Roper Moore = Reserve Champion Chi Steer & Overall 3rd place Feeder Steer

      Tripp County also won 4th place in the Feeder Calf Pen of 3.  Team members included Rustin, Rylee, Roper, Bianca & Kylie. 

The Beginner Livestock Judging Team of Kade Fenenga, Echo Fenenga, Bianca DeMers & Rider Moore placed 2rd overall and also (with the addition of Kylie VanZandbergen) placed 2nd overall in the Beginner Skill-a-Thon.