Category Archives: News

Phyllis Margaret (Stulken) Bolton was born to Fred, Sr. and Fannie (Kreinbuhl) Stulken in Jeruald County  in South Dakota.

Phyllis attended grade school at Schaeffer School and graduated from Wessington Springs High School in 1958. Phyllis attained her LPN degree from St. Mary’s School of Practical Nursing in Pierre, SD in 1959. She went on to gain her RN degree from Sinte Gleska University/USD in 1981.

Phyllis married Donald Wayne Bolton on April 10, 1960 in Wessington Springs and they resided in Presho, SD until moving to Reliance, SD the summer of 1960. Phyllis worked at Chamberlain Hospital from 1961 to 1967 at which time they moved to Winner.  She started work at the Baptist Hospital of Winner (Winner Regional Healthcare Center) from August 1967 thru August, 2007 when she semi-retired. She also worked part-time at Community Connections from 1989 to 2009 at which time she retired from nursing to enjoy time with her family

Phyllis was a member of the Winner United Methodist Church where she enjoyed serving on the Cares Committee, was a member of BPOE Elks and Lifetime Charter member of Winner DOES and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed reading, knitting/crocheting and spending time with family and friends. She was an avid collector of angels and snowmen. Phyllis had her greatest enjoyment spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Rebecca Ann Cooper Elsberry was born on July 22, 1958 at St. Mary’s Hospital to Myron Ralph and Mary Frances Anderson Cooper. She was raised on her grandfather’s ranch southwest of Fort Pierre. She learned her love of horses at an early age and was riding before she could walk. Becky attended Wentde Country School through the 8^th grade. She graduated from Stanley County high School in 1976.

On a dare from her father, she joined the United States Army and received letters of commendation from both Basic Training and Advanced Individualized Training. She served a total of 14 years with the United States Army and the South Dakota National Guard. Becky was a proud, Paid Up For Life member of the Pike-Wagner Post #2 of Tyndall, South Dakota.

In 1984, she graduated from the Pierre School of Practical Nursing with an LPN license after passing her nursing boards. Then in 1998, with encouragement from her family , she returned to the USD School of Nursing and earned her Registered Nurses License. Earlier in 1996, she completed the Basic EMT course and worked for the Winner Ambulance Service. She had worked for ambulance services in Winner, Hot Springs, Sanborn County (Woonsocket), Campbell County (Herreid), and Tyndall. She was serving as the city’s ambulance director at the time of her death.

She began her nursing career at St. Mary’s hospital as an LPN and worked on the surgical/peds floor before transferring to Central Supply. She has worked both as an LPN and an RN at the Winner Regional Healthcare Center, as an RN at the Redfield Community Hospital, as an RN at the Linton Hospital in North Dakota, and finished her nursing career at St. Michael’s Hospital in Tyndall.

In 1989, she met Mike Elsberry and they were married in Fort Pierre on February 18, 1993. Together they have made their home in the South Dakota cities that mirror those of the various ambulance services she served. They have traveled to Korea, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Florida, and several other places of interest as well.

Becky’s hobbies included collecting Breyer horses (over 200 in all), reading, and being with family. Outside the home, she was known for her love of nursing and for working for the ambulance service. Taking care of people and serving the public were her real passions. She wanted to give a special shout out to her friends at the Tyndall Hospital and Tyndall Ambulance. She loved you all.

Becky passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 in her home having attained the age of 56 years, 10 months, and 1 day.

Jim was born to William and Marie (Casey) Dohmen on April 29, 1925 in Colome Township.  He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Colome High School in 1943.  Following graduation, Jim farmed with his father until he entered the service as a member of the U.S. Army.

He was wounded in Korea in April of 1951 and spent several months in military hospitals until his discharge on November 10, 1952.   He received many military commendations including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Jim took great pride in being a veteran; he was a member of the Colome American Legion, the Winner VFW, the Purple Heart Commanders, and the Disabled American Veterans.  He held various leadership positions in those local and state organizations.    He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Jim was a long-time business owner in Winner, first owning and operating Jim’s Liquor from 1955-1962, then starting a career in real estate in 1959.  He owned and operated Dohmen Realty, Inc. for nearly 40 years.  Jim served on the South Dakota Real Estate Commission for eight years.

Jim was united in marriage to Lorraine Earll Ruhkamp on March 4, 1970. There is a saying, “Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.”   Jim became an instant and very special Dad to three daughters on that day.

Jim enjoyed gardening, rooting for the Cardinals, and special times with his family- especially the Thanksgiving “Annual Meetings” when all the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren got together for several days of family fun.   In the early days, he enjoyed local, state and national politics; he was a delegate to the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago.

Joyce was born to Robert and Lillian (Redding) Biggins in Wheeler, SD on March 29, 1940.  In 1949 the family moved to Winner. Joyce graduated from Winner High School in 1959.

Joyce met and married Robert Herman on October 5th 1959.  Four children were born to this union:  Danny, Tony, Marty, and Penny.  “Family is family” was her motto with faith and forgiveness as her core.  Joyce was a natural caregiver her entire life.  Never putting herself before the needs of others.  To say she was a sports fan would be an understatement.  She followed her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews all over the state.  A true lover of NASCAR and her son’s Dan and Marty racing against each other with much anxiety and pride.