Category Archives: News

On Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, John F. (Jack) Callaway, loving husband and father of three, passed away at the age of 79, at Brown County Hospital in Ainsworth, Neb.

John (Jack) was born Aug. 18, 1943 in Bassett, NE to Connie and Margaret (Bruns) Callaway.

After high school he worked for Nebraska Department of Roads, mostly the western part of the interstate, where he met and married Lynda Wright from Chappell, NE. They had two children, James and Melissa. While working for the state of Texas, they divorced.

In 1978 he married Alyce (Sue Foote) in Curtis, NE. They have one son, Travis.

Jack was truly a “Jack-of-All Trades”, he was a milk salesman, tire and parts salesman, mechanic, ranch hand, horse trader, self-taught saddle maker, he prided himself on doing the best possible job. He owned and operated Jack’s Boot and Shoe Repair then worked until retirement as a feed truck driver for Miles Feed Yard. Jack’s hobbies included love of guns, cars especially the older ones, visiting with friends, family reunions (grilling for them), his sharp wit and knowledge was appreciated by all.

Jack was preceded in death by his father, Connie (Con); his mother, Margaret; and oldest brother, Lowell.

Survivors include, wife, Sue of Ainsworth; children, James (Monique) Callaway of Canada, Melissa (Callaway) Castor of New York and Travis (Jolene Thayer) Callaway of Winner, SD; five grandchildren; brother, Con (Bette) of Phoenix, AZ; sisters, Jean Calkins of Louisiana, Joan Jackson of Colorado and Jody Denny of Wood, SD; several cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022 at The Connection in Ainsworth from 1- 4:00 p.m. Bring your memories and appetite. A luncheon will be served.

In lieu of flowers, cards or memorials to the family will suffice. A Private Inurnment will follow at a later date. Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth is assisting with arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.hochfuneralhome.com.

Gary Melville Elder, 69, of Carter, SD passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 at the Sanford Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022 at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Burial will follow in the St. John Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Witten, SD. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner from 6-7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. Rosary.

Gary was born Jan. 25, 1953 to Jack and Gladys (Hansen) Elder. Gary grew up on the family farm near Carter working with his father and grandfather.  He enjoyed showing beef calves in 4-H and also purple ribbons for his various baking abilities.

Gary attended the Red Hills elementary schools and then attended his freshman and sophomore years at the Witten High School.  As a junior and senior he attended the Wood High School where he played football and helped as manager in other sports.  After graduation he attended Mitchell Technical School where be become a welding technician.

Gary married his high school sweetheart, Mary Siegmund, in 1972.  They settled on the Siegmund farm in Wood, SD where Gary farmed and ranched.  In 1982 they moved back to Carter and continued to farm and raise their family of four very active boys.

Gary and Mary were married for 49 years and 11 months to the day.

Gary participated in many activities and hobbies in his lifetime.  He was an avid hunter and also taught hunter safety classes to local youth.  He served a term as the Wood Fire Chief and was an active member in the Knights of Columbus for many years.

He enjoyed ringing the bells during the Tootsie Roll drives, helping with the BB hoop contests, and going to the local and district meetings. He also attended may state conventions.

Gary become a talented wood carver and carved many canes, walking sticks, spoons, animals and novelty items which he often gave to family and friends.

His favorite activity was riding his Harley Davidson.  He and Mary made many trips to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, SD as well as longer ventures to Texas, the west coast and many points in between.

Gary was preceded in death by his grandparents John Melville Elder and Elizabeth M. (Dougherty) Elder, Chauncey William Hansen and Alice (Adkins) Hansen and his father John (Jack) Charles Elder.

He is survived by his mother, Gladys L. (Hansen) Elder, his wife Mary (Siegmund) Elder, children Zachary Melville and Jennifer (Thomas) Elder, Jeremy Scott Elder, Abram Joseph and Randi (Spaid) Elder, Joshua James Elder and his grandchildren Ryler Joseph Elder and Emily Thomas, his sisters, Tammie M. Elder and Lori L. (Doug) Kartak as well as nieces, nephews and other family members.

Harry A. Jones, 90, of Brookings, SD passed away Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022 at the Neighborhoods at Brookview, Brookings, SD.

 Funeral Services were set for 11 am, Tuesday, Sept. 27 at the First Lutheran Church in Brookings.  Graveside services were held at the Lutheran cemetery with military honors. In Lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Brookings American Legion Post 74, the Brookings County Veteran’s Memorial, or First Lutheran Church of Brookings.  Rude’s funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Harry Austin Jones was born June 19, 1932, to Austin Jones and Marie (Wilcox) Jones in Winner, SD, and baptized in the Winner Methodist church. At the age of 4, his father passed away and his grandmother’s house became home until he left for college in 1950.

He began his education at West Banner Country School with his mother as his teacher. Two years later they moved to another county school in Mission, SD. He graduated in 1950 with a membership in the National Honors Society. He attended college at SDSU in Brookings, SD and was a member of the Alpha Zeta honorary agriculture fraternity.

At the end of his third year of college, he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War, and returned after two years, returning to SDSU and graduating in 1956.

During this time, he met the love of his life, Helen Beug. They were married after a year and spent three years farming with his uncle in Winner, SD.  In 1960, they moved to Brookings, SD where they joined his father-in-law in the hardware business. Harry and Helen operated the Coast to Coast hardware store, and over the years added the Gift Gallery and Kitchen and Bath stores to the operation, receiving national recognition for store design.  Harry and Helen retired in 1999 after 40 years in business.  After retirement, they enjoyed raising and showing Carin Terrier dogs with several of their dogs receiving championships and grand championships.

Harry was blessed by and survived by his wife, Helen, his three children Lorna Jones Crawford of Golden, CO, Barb (Marty) Birkholt of Elkorn, NE, and Dave (Stacy) Jones of Brandon, SD – Six grandchildren: Rachel Holland, Deidre Lang, Chloe and Sophie Birkholt and Colby and Karlee Jones as well as five great grandchildren.

Harry was a member of the Brookings Chamber of Commerce, Brookings American Legion post 74, South Dakota Retailers Association, and the Rotary Club of Brookings.

After a visit to the Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor, Harry was inspired to have a memorial in Brookings. After 10 years of effort, the Brookings County veterans memorial was completed and can be seen on the west edge of Brookings.

He was preceded in death by his parents Austin and Marie Jones, his grandparents, and several Aunts/Uncles.

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com

Sharon Marie Foxley, wife, mom, grandmother and great grandmother, 74, of Platte, SD said goodbye to her beloved family and passed peacefully to her Savior on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022 at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral Services were held Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022 at Mount Funeral Home in Platte. A Private Family Committal Service will follow at Platte City Cemetery.

Sharon Marie (Teeslink) Foxley was born on Dec. 1, 1947 to Emil and Esther (Jurczewsky) Teeslink in Platte, SD. She was the fifth of 13 children, this taught her to share and she was really good at it. She graduated from Platte High School in 1966.

Sharon was united in marriage to Randy Foxley on Aug. 31, 1966 in Platte, SD. To this union: three children were born, Jodi, Joel and Steve.

Before establishing their home north of Platte, they had to scoop oats from the living room floor. She turned the abandoned house into a home for her family. 

Although Sharon didn’t have farming experience prior to her marriage, she taught herself and her family good husbandry practices. She was an avid reader and always had articles and pictures cut out to share. 

Sharon took pride in making her home a joyful place for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her most precious memories included family visits, reunions, extended visits from her grandchildren and the frequent visits from her great grandchildren. Her home cooked meals were enjoyed by all. Regardless of what she made, it was probably the best you’d ever tasted. She took the time to make sure it looked as good as it tasted. Presentation was just as important! There was nothing better than being surprised with Sharon’s special gifts or food drop-offs. 

Sharon had an unwavering love and loyalty to her entire family. She was especially protective and watchful of the little ones. 

Sharon is survived by her husband of 56 years, Randy Foxley; daughter, Jodi Payer and her husband, Mark of Yankton, SD, sons: Joel Foxley and his wife, Jodene of Platte, SD and Steve Foxley and his wife, Jeana of Platte, SD. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Blake and Mica Foxley (Mychael and Willa), Maggie Foxley and fiancé, Tyson Dyk (Paxton and Owen), Katie and Hunter Johnson (Blakely, Logan and Louie), Jordan Payer, Payton and Gabi Foxley, Justin Payer, Caden, Joey, Jimmy, Cambree and Caylee Foxley. Her sisters: Margaret (John) Johnson, Charlene DeGroot, Darlene Koopal, Deb (Dave) Fink, Shelley (Doug) Meyerink; and her brother, Don (Kathy) Teeslink. Her sister-in-law, Pat Teeslink; brothers-in-law: Jack Pranger and Tom Gott; sister-in-law, Judy (Jim) Ryan; and nieces and nephews.

Loved ones who preceded her in death include: her father and mother, Emil and Esther Teeslink; her brothers: Dick and Robert Teeslink; her sisters: Beverly Demmon, Donna Pranger, Carol Lucas and Judy Gott; brother-in-law, Bob Demmon; and her father and mother-in-law, Curly and Blanche Foxley. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Sharon’s memory may be directed to: Platte Development Corporation, Garden of Remembrance, PO Box 283, Platte, SD 57369.  Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family through mountfuneralhome.com.