Category Archives: News

Richard L. Curtis, 68, of Winner, SD passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at his home in Sioux Falls, SD.  Funeral service were held on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Winner.  Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Richard (Rick) L. Curtis was born February 10, 1947 in Winner to Robert L. and Arlene (Claussen) Curtis. He graduated from Winner High School in 1965 prior to attending Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, MN to pursue his interest in the culinary arts. Soon after finishing his education he was drafted and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict. Following his honorable discharge, Rick returned to Winner and joined the family trucking business in which he remained devoted to until his retirement in 2013.

In his younger years, Rick enjoyed several hobbies during his spare time that included: bowling, golfing, fast and slow pitch softball, and coaching Winner baseball at all levels. However, his fondest hobby was cooking and baking where he enjoyed the challenge of tweaking various recipes to create exquisite dishes and baked goods.

Rick was also proud of his years of service on the Winner City Council and later as the Mayor where he was instrumental toward the construction of the bike path, current fire hall and city jail, as well as the improvements to the City’s cemetery.

Best known as loving and devoted by his family, Rick will be forever loved, greatly missed, and always remembered.

Alfred Koos, age 97, of Winner, SD passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at the Bethany Home in Brandon, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 10:00am at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner. Burial  followed at the Winner City Cemetery.

Alfred Nicholas Koos was born May 22, 1917 at Hamill, SD to Nick and Magdalena (Konen) Koos. He was baptized at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hamill, SD and went to school at North Fairview No. 56, Lyman County, SD, graduating 8th grade. Alfred helped on the farm during the Depression (1930’s). He joined the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1935 at Chamberlain, SD. After his discharge in 1936 he returned to farming on the family farm.

Alfred was inducted into the Army on March 17, 1942 at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. His basic training was taken in Camp Roberts, CA. In July of 1942 he departed for the Asian Pacific Theater, arriving in the Aleutian Islands August 6, 1942 and returned to the USA May 1, 1944, to Ft. Bragg, NC. He was called up again for duty in the Asian Pacific Theater, Luzon, Philippines August 12, 1945 and returned to the USA December 12, 1945. His final discharge was December 19, 1945 from Leavenworth, KS with a rank of Private First Class. He spent 2 years, 1 month, 6 days overseas and 1 year, 7 months, 27 days in the USA (total service time for his country).

Alfred returned to farming with his brother Raymond. He continued farming until 1989 when he retired. He married Margaret Murphy on May 5, 1984 in Winner, SD. He and Margaret lived in Winner while being retired.

Alfred was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, Knights of Columbus, a life member of the VFW in Winner, a member of the Colome Legion over 56 years, and an Elks member for over 50 years. He was also an usher and bookkeeper at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Hamill.

Mary Ellen Davis, age 84, of Winner, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility. Funeral services were held at 10  a.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at Mason Funeral Home in Winner. Burial followed at the Winner City Cemetery.

Rosetta Boerner, 66, of Winner, SD passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.  Funeral service were held on Saturday, March 7  at 10 a.m.  at the United Methodist Church in Winner.  Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Rosetta Marie (Fiala) Boerner was born on February 14th, 1949 to Frank and Anna (Svoboda) Fiala.  She grew up on the family farm near Iona, SD during which time she attended school in Gregory, SD.  She graduated from Gregory High School in 1968.  In 1971, she married Boyd Boerner, the love of her life.  The couple made their home on a farm northeast of Winner where she worked hard as a farm wife.  Boyd and Rose were blessed with 5 children: Audra, Russell, Kenneth, Dale and Carrie.

Rose enjoyed gardening, reading and caring for the farm.  She especially loved growing her flowers and watching wildlife in the evenings.