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Rawland Floyd Taplett, was born in Tyndall, SD June 28, 1921, to Frank S. Taplett and Dorothy Schultz Taplett. He passed away July 29, 2008, with congestive heart failure. He and his twin brother were the youngest of ten children. He moved with his family to Wenatchee (Washington) in 1930, when the twins were in fourth grade. At nine years old, they sold apples from a wagon to the neighborhood and hawked Wenatchee Daily World newspapers on the street corners. As a teenager, Rawland delivered telegrams for Postal Telegraph. In 1942, he married Mary Louise Vaughn. Prior to serving in the Army in WWII, he worked for Safeway. He spent two years in the Philippines during the War and was discharged in 1946.
When he returned from the War, he bought his first apple orchard. Working seven days a week, from sun-up to sun-down, he was always known for his strong work ethic and endless energy. He soon began to pack and sell his own fruit from his garage on Fifth Street. For fun, he played checkers in Memorial Park and went on to win the Washington State Checker Championship in 1949 and 1952. (This week he took time to play a game of checkers with his grandson.) He was one of the few, cash fruit buyers in the Valley. In 1972, Rawley was the first shipper to open the apple markets in Hong Kong and Taiwan to "Washington Apples". Twenty-seven years after beginning his fruit business on "nine acres," he had grown to be one of the largest independent fruit growers in the State. He owned and operated orchards between Royal City and Oroville, WA. He packed his own, as well as other's fruit, in his modern packing warehouse, cold storage and CA storage on the Chelan Highway.
Rawley was a born entrepreneur. Following his success in the apple business, he entered into many business ventures. He developed several subdivisions throughout the Wenatchee area, also one in Kent, WA and another in Covington, in King County. He became interested in developing safe storage and disposal of toxic nuclear waste. He founded Chem Nuclear Inc. and became President and Chairman of the Board. He founded AirSensors, Inc. and has been Chairman of the Board, later named Imco. This company developed equipment for utilizing alternate fuel systems for the automotive industry. This company is known today as Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. He also founded Accor Technologies, Inc. and has served as Chairman of the Board of this company. Accor Technology, Inc. has developed a push-on plumbing valve for use in the construction industry. It is being manufactured locally at the Port District near Pangborn Airport. Rawley was always open to new ideas and had a positive outlook on life and its opportunities. He had the original pioneer spirit, eager to demonstrate how a country boy, with lots of determination, hard work and energy, and only a high school education, could fulfill the American Dream. He loved his family so very much. He was always there for each of them. He quietly provided for special needs as he became aware of them, but encouraged us to become self productive people.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary; his three daughters, Norene Gibbs (recently deceased husband, Don) of East Wenatchee, Mandy Jo and husband, John Savoia of Mesa, AZ and Debbie and husband, David Jongeward of Vancouver, WA; son, Dean Taplett and wife, Roxanne of Ocean Shores, WA. He had 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He will be missed by all of us, more than words can express. The Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, August 4, 2008, at Telford's Chapel of the Valley, officiated by Rev. Hilton Jarvis and Dean Taplett. Interment will be at the Wenatchee Cemetery.
Marian Helen Travnicek was born on Saturday, February 1, 1913 in Tyndall, South Dakota to Frank E. and Mary M. (Mraz) Soukup. She graduated from Tyndall High School in 1932. She did domestic work in Omaha and worked at the Chatska Brothers General Merchandise Store in Tyndall.
Marian was united in marriage to Emil J. Travnicek on October 10, 1939 at Tabor, South Dakota. They owned and operated a dairy farm near Tabor. Marian worked hard on the dairy farm and also tended to her chickens and ducks. Her other enjoyments in life included quilting, embroidery and her flower garden. Marian was a member of the Tyndall Presbyterian Church and Presbyterian Women, the ZCBJ Czech Heritage Preservation Society, Tyndall Hospital Auxiliary, and the Circle Two Club. She moved to the Springfield Assisted Living Center in the spring of 1998 and became a resident of the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center in the fall of 1998. It was there that she passed away on Friday, March 30, 2007 at the age of 94 years, 1 month and 29 days.
Marian is survived by three children: Carol (Jonas) Hauck of Tyndall, Willard Travnicek and fiancé Virginia Skinner of Salida, Colorado, and Alice (Dale) Kozak of Tyndall; eight grandchildren: Lori Pietz, Jeffrey Gall, Terry Gall, Gregory Gall, Stacy Travnicek, Kevin Travnicek, Brian Kozak, and Sherri Kanzenbach; eighteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
Marian was preceded in death by her husband, Emil J. Travnicek in 1977, a son-in-law, Arnold Gall, a daughter-in-law, Beverly Travnicek, two grandsons and one granddaughter, her parents, Frank and Mary Soukup, a brother, Frank Soukup, and a sister, Anna Rada.
Bertha Timmens, 100, of Avon died Monday, May 28, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall.
Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 1, 2012 at Zion Lutheran Church in Avon. Burial is in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Avon. Visitation is at the church on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. Prayer Service. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel in Avon is in charge of arrangements.
Bertha Louise Helene Timmens was born July 9, 1911 at Avon, South Dakota, the daughter of David and Caroline (Bredehoft) Brandt. She died Monday, May 28, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall. Bertha attained the age of 100 years, 10 months and 19 days.
Bertha attended school through the eighth grade in Avon. She then worked as a maid in Sioux City, IA.
Bertha married Homer Timmens on June 6, 1945 at Avon. They lived in Montfort, WI until moving to Avon in 1946. Together they farmed until they retired. Homer died on June 19, 1986. Bertha entered the Good Samaritan Society in July of 2010.
Bertha was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where she served as an organist, LWML member and a Sunday School teacher for many years. She was also a 4H leader for several years.
Bertha will be remembered for her love of telling stories and talking on the phone.
Thankful for having shared her life are her sister-in-law, Dorothy Brandt of Avon; nieces and nephews: Kenneth and wife Florence Powers of Avon; Dale and wife Nancy Powers of Campbell, NY; Diane (Brandt) and husband John Boheman of Sioux Falls; Jean Marie (Powers) and husband Russell Borchers of Beaver Creek, MN; Arlen and wife Sharon Brandt of Emery; Betty Sherer of Sioux Falls; and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews and cousins.
Bertha was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Homer; sister, Rosella Powers; brother, Alvin Brandt; brother-in-law, Lester Powers and nephew, Ronald Brandt.
Funeral services for Gladys Thum are at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 22, 2006 at United Church of Christ, Scotland, South Dakota. Clergy is Pastor Del Neumeister and Pastor Dennis Thum. Organist is Lois Hehn and soloist is Linda Kronaizl. Casketbearers are Bob Wittmeier, Gene Schneider, Dennis Thum, Dennis Bietz, Ray Pavlish and Marvin Thum. Interment is in Rosehill Cemetery, Scotland, South Dakota.
Gladys Alta Thum was born on Friday, March 24, 1922 near Utica, South Dakota in Yankton County. Her parents were William and Elsie (Raub) Ganske. She was baptized on May 7, 1922 in the Odessa Church by Rev. George Zink and was confirmed on June 21, 1936 in Zion Lutheran Church in Scotland by Rev. Zink. She attended grade school at the Hillcrest School and graduated from Scotland High School in 1940. Gladys was united in marriage to Ruben "Bob" Thum on December 7, 1943 in the Odessa Church in Yankton County. They farmed in the Blaha area south of Scotland for many years until they retired and moved into Scotland in 1982.
Gladys took an active role in her church and community. She belonged to the United Church of Christ in Scotland and the Women's Fellowship Group, and had been a Sunday school teacher for many years. She belonged to the Scotland Civic Club, the Historical Society, the Hospital Auxiliary and the Senior Citizens. Being a volunteer driver for Life Enrichment for the Elderly (L.E.E.) was just one of the ways that Gladys was always available to help her friends and neighbors. Her pastimes included flowers and gardening, embroidery, reading and doing word puzzles, and playing cards with her friends.
She had lived in the West Winds Apartments in Scotland for six years before failing health made it necessary for her to move to Gregory, South Dakota this fall. She entered the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory on October 23 following a lengthy hospital stay.
Gladys died on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at the age of 84 years, 8 months and 25 days.
Gladys is survived by her two daughters: Joan Bloom and husband Neil of Gregory, South Dakota and Lynette Thum and special friend Mike Shrader of Spearfish, South Dakota; four grandchildren: Eric Bloom and wife Jenn, Laura Petersen and husband Roger, Rachelle Daniel, and Amanda Determan and husband Jeff, nine great-grandchildren: Sara, Rebecca, Katie, and Courtney Petersen; Tr and Tyler Daniel; and Tommy, Coy and Mya Determan; one sister, Alice Kreber of New Hope, Minnesota; one sister-in-law, Charlotte Thum of Scotland; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob on December 19, 1996; her parents, William and Elsie Ganske; two brothers: Edwin Ganske and Ronald Ganske; and a sister, Gertrude Weltz.
Funeral services for Aileen Treick of Scotland will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 28 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Scotland with Rev. David W. Ellis officiating. Organist will be Harriet Schaeffer. Interment will follow in Rosehill Cemetery, Scotland. Pallbearers will be James Cisar, Douglas Mehlhaff, Robert O’Connor, Jay Pidcock, Lambert Pravecek and Mark Turgeon. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Goglin Funeral Home in Scotland, followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Goglin Funeral Home of Scotland and online expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.goglinfh.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established by the family.
Aileen Elizabeth Treick was born Saturday, October 5, 1907 to Edward and Clara (Simantel) Kepplinger on the family farm near Dwight, Illinois. In 1911, the family moved to a farm southeast of Scotland, South Dakota. She attended country school through the eighth grade and then graduated from Scotland High School in 1926. After earning her teacher’s certificate, she taught country school for several years. Aileen was united in marriage to Erwin Treick on May 23, 1931 at Harbine, Nebraska. A son, Roger, was born to this union in 1935. They farmed west of Scotland until 1973, when they retired to Scotland. She enjoyed reading, crocheting and knitting. Her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, will remember her for the delicious cookies she baked for them. She lived in her own home well past her 100th birthday, and became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society of Scotland in June of 2009. Aileen passed away on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, having attained the age of 103 years, 4 months, and 17 days.
She is survived by a son, Roger (June) Treick of Scotland; a granddaughter, Janelle (Jay) Pidcock and great-granddaughters Katelyn and Alissa Pidcock, all of St. Louis, Missouri; three step-granddaughters and their families: Debra Bertrand of Council Bluffs, Iowa, great-grandson Joshua Bertrand of Vermillion, great-granddaughter Nicole (Corey) Pechous and their son Weston, all of Sioux Falls, and great-granddaughter Traci (Cody) VandeWeerd and their son Griffin, all of Eudora, Kansas; Karla (Robert) O’Connor and great-granddaughter Tierney, all of Sioux Falls; and Sheila Turgeon and husband Mark of Sioux Falls.
In addition to her parents, Edward and Clara Kepplinger, Aileen was preceded in death by her husband, Erwin Treick in 1982, daughter-in-law, Marlene I. Treick, two brothers, Edwin and Frank Kepplinger, and sister, Elnora (Kepplinger) Nelles.
Elizabeth Toczek, 72, Jackson, Miss., formerly of Scotland, South Dakota died suddenly on Sunday (March 4, 2001) at the Hawarden Community Hospital, Hawarden, Iowa.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the First Reformed Church, Ireton, Iowa, with the Rev. Doug Van Aartsen officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Ireton. Visitation begins at 2 p.m. today (Tuesday), with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the Porter Funeral Home, Ireton.
She was born March 4, 1929, in Scotland to Ube and Grace (Huisman) Goeken. She received her degree from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, where she also did graduate work. She married Roy Toczek Aug. 28, 1949, in Scotland. They owned and operated a grocery store in Scotland and a meat locker in Lesterville while she taught in rural schools. Roy died in 1958. She moved to Ireton, Iowa, in 1962, where she began teaching fifth grade. She retired from teaching in the spring of 1991. She moved to Houston, Texas, and later to Jackson, Miss.
She was a member of the First Reformed Church, Ireton, and a past member of the ladies aid. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Ireton and the West Sioux Teachers Association.
Survivors include two sons: Ken (Marty) Toczek, Henderson, Nev., and Keith (Cathy) Toczek, Jackson, Miss.; a daughter: Kathy (Dan) Blankenship, Jackson, Miss.; a brother: Bob Goeken, Scotland; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a brother and an infant grandson.
Memorials may be directed to the West Sioux Elementary School, Ireton Center.
Terry Norman Turner, age 64, of Yankton, South Dakota, died on Sunday, August 3, 2014 as a result of an ATV accident.
Memorial services are 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 7, 2014 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with Reverend Dani Jo Ninke officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791 and SDARNG. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton.
Terry was born November 30, 1949 in Parkston, South Dakota to Norman and Delores (Wittenhagen) Turner. He attended Scotland High School in Scotland, South Dakota and then enlisted in the United States Army where he served in the Vietnam War. Terry was a professional truck driver for nearly 30 years. He also worked for Sapa and was a deputy sheriff’s officer in South Dakota. He married Judy Babel on January 25, 1986 and their son TJ was born soon after. Terry loved riding motorcycles and was a member of Shgualrof Motorcycle Club. He was an excellent welder and handyman who enjoyed rebuilding and working on his cars. Terry also enjoyed the outdoors where he loved hunting, fishing and riding horses.
Terry is survived by his two children, Kathy Wright and her husband, Anthony of Hernando, MS, and Travis “TJ” Turner and his wife, Katie Divine Turner of Omaha, NE; and four grandchildren: Taylor, Victoria, Amanda and Samuel Wright.
Terry was preceded in death by his father.________________________________________
Man Killed in 4-Wheeler Accident
A Yankton County man died Sunday from injuries sustained in a four-wheeler accident.
Terry Norman Turner, 64, of 30654 Southwest Jim River Road suffered fatal injuries when his four-wheeler landed on top of him for a prolonged period of time, according to Lt. Clint Clites with the Yankton County sheriff’s office.
Turner’s roommates said he left for a four-wheeler ride as they were going to bed late Saturday night. The roommates woke up Sunday morning to find Turner wasn’t home.
The roommates followed Turner’s four-wheeler tracks, which indicated he was riding east of their residence. He was traveling along the edge of a bean field adjacent to the James River, northeast of Yankton.
Turner’s roommates found the missing man early Sunday afternoon with the four-wheeler on top of him, Clites said. Turner was apparently traveling at night when he went into a washout. The four-wheeler fell on top of him, trapping him underneath.
The roommates lifted the four-wheeler off Turner, placed him in a pick-up and contacted the Yankton County EMS, Clites said. The roommates said they would meet the ambulance on the east side of Yankton. Yankton County Coroner Aricka Nickles responded to the same location, where Turner was pronounced dead at the scene.
Source: Yankton (South Dakota) Press & Dakotan ~ August 3, 2014
Esther Teply, 96, of Elk Point passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at the Prairie Estates Care Center in Elk Point, SD.
Esther was born on December 17, 1914 in Detroit Lakes, MN to Joseph and Emily (Bren) Bartunek. She married Frank C. Teply on June 22, 1938. Esther and Frank moved to the Elk Point community in 1947 where they opened Gambles Hardware and raised their family. They owned and operated the hardware store for 25 years until they retired. Esther and Frank enjoyed many happy years together until Frank passed away on June 22, 1990.
Esther was always very active, whether it was going to church, volunteering for Meals on Wheels or participating in the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries. Esther always put her family first, and had a strong faith in God. She was always willing to help others, and it was this selflessness that endeared her to everyone who knew her.
Esther is survived by her daughters Margaret (Mark) Jones and Georgine Libby of Elk Point, SD; sons Frank J. Teply of Denver, CO, Carl (Janelle) Teply and Dan (Cathy) Teply of Elk Point, SD; 20 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; sisters Evelyn (Blaze) Savage of Arizona City, AZ and Harriet Sherrik of Portland, OR; brother Harry (Emma Dean) Bartunek of Portland, OR; and sister-in-law Mary Hovorka of Tyndall, SD.
She is preceded in death by parents Joseph and Emily Bartunek; husband Frank C. Teply; daughter Dorothy "Dott" Cody; son and daughter-in-law Bill and Dina Teply; daughter-in-law Ardie Teply; grandson Daniel Libby Jr.; 3 brothers and 2 sisters.
Visitation with video tribute will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2011 from 5:00-7:00 PM at United Parish in Elk Point with a prayer service to begin at 7:00 PM. United Parish 603 South Pearl Street Elk Point, South Dakota 57025. Funeral service will be on Friday, March 18, 2011 at 10:30 AM at United Parish in Elk Point with Rev. David Bambas officiating. United Parish 603 South Pearl Street Elk Point, South Dakota 57025. Burial will be in Elk Point Cemetery following the service.
Jacqueline Kay (Meiers) Tlamka was born March 3, 1954 in Wagner, South Dakota, the daughter of Lauren Claire and Sylvia Elsie (Kocmick) Meiers and passed away on June 16, 2011 at her home near Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 57 years, 3 months, 13 days.
Jacque was a 1972 graduate of Avon High School in Avon, SD. She was a graduate of cosmetology school at Sioux Falls, SD. Jacque was Miss University of South Dakota at Springfield. She was a beautiful person both inside and out and had a smile that lit up the room. She celebrated life everyday and loved to paint, sing and relax in her garden with her flowers. Jacque was united in marriage to Robert Joseph Tlamka on September 27, 2003 at Conestoga Lake. Jacque worked as a hairdresser for 39 years and had many loyal friends and customers. She currently worked at the HairPort Salon at 47th and Huntington in Lincoln. Jacque attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
Jacque is preceded in death by her brother, Ronnie Meiers and her brother-in-law, Larry Tlamka.
Jacque is survived by her husband, Bob Tlamka, Lincoln; sons and daughters-in-law, Bryan and Jen Tlamka, Lincoln, Jeff and Sarah Tlamka, Lincoln, Matt and Shannon Rhoades, Denver, CO; grandchildren, Brynn and Wyatt Tlamka, Hannah and Abby Tlamka; her parents, Lauren and Sylvia Meiers, Avon, SD; sisters and brother-in-law, Pat Pier, Carbondale, CO and Carla and Gary Sternhagen, Douglas, WY; brothers and sister-in-law, Keith Meiers, Tyndall, SD and Scott and Bonnie Meiers, Avon, SD; mother-in-law, Lillian Tlamka, David City; brother-in-law, Jerry Tlamka, Lincoln; uncle and aunts; nieces and nephews and many friends. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers, and memories of life shared with Jacque.
Mrs. Wm. Hitchcock received word Sunday of the death of her sister, Mrs. Wm. Thomas, which occurred that day at her home at Springfield, S. D., following a stroke which she suffered a week earlier. Mrs. Thomas had visited in the home of her sister in Hawarden on frequent occasions and had numerous friends here who are grieved at her death. This was the third death in Mrs. Hitchcock's family within the past few months. Besides Mrs. Hitchcock there is one other sister living, Mrs. W. E. Simons of Marcus, Iowa, and two brothers, John Chenhall of Ireton and Ray Chenhall, who until last spring was a resident of California. The funeral was held at Springfield Tuesday but owing to the condition of her health Mrs. Hitchcock was unable to attend.
Source: Hawarden (Iowa) Independent ~ September 8, 1938
The Mass of Christian Burial for Philip L. Theisen, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Wadena, with Father Aaron Kuhn as celebrant. Friends may call on Tuesday at St. Ann's Parish Center in Wadena from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with Prayers at 6:00. Visitation will resume at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. Philip passed away on April 2, 2014, at the New York Mills Elders Home in New York Mills, MN. He was 85 years old.
Philip was born to William N. and Elizabeth V. (Anderson) Theisen on February 7, 1929, at the family farm in Compton Township, Otter Tail County, MN. After graduating from Wadena High School in 1947, he pursued a career as an electrician and in masonry construction until his retirement in 1991. He was united in marriage with LaVonne Olson on November 4, 1950, in Tyndall, SD. He filled his time away from work collecting coins, raising over 1000 pheasants in four years, meeting friends for coffee, playing Chinese cribbage, farming with his beloved Minneapolis Moline tractor, and tinkering with anything mechanical. He was a member of the 700 Bowling Club, a life-member of the International Union of Bricklayers, Elks Lodge #2386 and Ringnecks Forevermore. He will fondly be remembered for always “being there” for his family.
Philip was preceded in death by his parents William and Elizabeth; brothers Ralph, Leo, Kenneth and William N. Theisen III; sisters Loraine Larson and Elizabeth Cullen; son-in-law Dr. George M.A. Fortier III.
He is survived by his wife LaVonne of Wadena; son Philip J. (Cheryl) Theisen of Denver, CO; daughters Joan M. (Gary) Westergren of Plymouth and Patricia K. Fortier of Little Falls; four grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; brothers Lloyd (Millie) of Sauk Rapids, Arnold of Wadena and Paul (Carol) of Little Canada; sisters Ruth Baron of Staples, Delores (Gene) Guthmueller of Shoreview and Veronica (Gerald) Mathison of Inver Grove Heights.
Pallbearers will be Michelle Westergren, Michael Westergren, Gary Westergren, Brett Fortier, Zach Fortier and Don Hoffmann. Burial will be in Wadena Cemetery in Wadena, MN.
The Mass of Christian Burial for LaVonne Theisen, age 82, and her husband, Philip Theisen, age 85,of Wadena will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Wadena, with Father Aaron Kuhn as celebrant. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. LaVonne passed away at her home in rural Wadena on Tuesday, April 8, 2014.
Philip was born to William N. and Elizabeth V. (Anderson) Theisen on February 7, 1929, at the family farm in Compton Township, Otter Tail County, MN.
LaVonne was born to William L. and Helen (Kleinsasser) Olson on February 26, 1932, in Freeman, SD.
They were united in marriage on November 4, 1950, in Tyndall, SD. He worked as an electrician and in masonry construction retiring in 1991. She was an administrative secretary at Wadena High School until retiring in 1999. Philip raised pheasants, enjoyed coffee with friends, played cribbage, farmed with his beloved Minneapolis Moline tractor, and tinkered with anything mechanical. LaVonne was an avid gardener, and was an excellent seamstress & pie baker. She loved her cats! They will fondly be remembered for always “being there” for their family.
At age 85, Philip passed away on April 2, 2014, at the Elders Home in New York Mills, MN. At age 82, LaVonne passed away at their home in rural Wadena, on April 8, 2014.
They were preceded in death by Philip’s parents William & Elizabeth; his 4 brothers & 2 sisters; LaVonne’s parents William & Helen; her 4 brothers & 2 sisters; and their son-in-law.
They are survived by son Philip J. (Cheryl) Theisen of Denver, CO; daughters Joan M. (Gary) Westergren of Plymouth and Patricia K. Fortier of Little Falls; four grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Miss Nellie Torrence, photographer, died at Tabor Sunday. During a recent wind storm an outbuilding was blown over on to her, causing complete paralysis of the bowels.
Source: Dakota Farmers' Leader (Canton, SD) ~ May 9, 1902
His funeral service for Charles W. Thomas, 70, of Springfield will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 2, 2005 at the United Church of Christ in Springfield. Burial will be at the Springfield Cemetery, rural Springfield, with military honors. Visitation will be at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel in Springfield Thursday, from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6 to 8.
Charles William Thomas, son of William C. and Mary Frances (Adams) Thomas, was born December 11, 1934, on a farm near Springfield, SD. He died Monday, August 29, 2005 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. Charles attained the age of 70 years, eight months and 18 days.
Charles attended Equal Rights Country School and graduated from Springfield High School in 1953. He then received his BS in Agriculture at SDSU in Brookings.
Charles served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1961. He was last stationed in Wisconsin, where he met his wife, Betty Wiebe. They were married July 29, 1961 at Madison, WI.
After their marriage, Charles and Betty returned to Springfield. They moved to the family farm in 1965, which was homesteaded by his grandfather, William C. "Billy" Thomas. Charles continued to farm until his death.
Charles was a faithful member of the United Church of Christ in Springfield, where he served on various church boards. He was a former Equal Rights School board member and former member of the Springfield Development Corporation. Charles served on the Coop Board for many years and was a long time 4-H leader.
Charles will be remembered for his love of his family and attending his grandchildren's school events. He also enjoyed planes, flying, traveling and farming.
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Betty of rural Springfield; his children: Keith and wife, Debra of Vermillion; Jonathan and wife, Melodie of San Antonio, TX; Eric and wife, Michelle of Phoenix, AZ; and Kathleen Caba and husband, Jason of Tabor; five grandchildren; one brother, George and wife, Mary of Oshkosh, WI; one sister, Phyllis Boese and husband, Glen of Springfield; and many relatives and friends.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents.
Gorgeous George, age 72 of Tabor, SD passed away on December 17, 2005 at St. Michael's Hospital in Tyndall, SD after a courageous battle with cancer.
George was born and raised in New York City, then joined a monastery in Georgia for 10 years, finally moving to SD in 1971. He owned and operated Montessori Preschool in Yankton for several years. In 1981, he started at the Human Services Center in Yankton, SD and then, before retiring, at Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health in Yankton. He was a great teacher and mentor to many and will be remembered by all the people that enjoyed his company. The most important things in his life were his family and the farm, his home in SD.
He leaves behind his wife Candyce (Echelberger) Torsney of Tabor, SD; two sons: Dr. Michael (LeAnn) Torsney of Davenport, IA and Dr. James (Jennifer) Torsney of Tyndall, SD; two daughters: Dana (Corey) Enfield of Columbus, NE and Sarah (Shannon) Goeden of Volin, SD; eight grandchildren: Dakota, Darrien and Hunter Torsney of Davenport, IA; Elyse Torsney of Tyndall, SD; Julianna and Carson Enfield of Columbus, NE, and Sawyer and Greeley Goeden of Volin, SD; his mother-in-law, Marie Echelberger of Tyndall, SD; his sister, Rose Schmidt of NY; his many nieces and nephews; and the many people he has touched throughout his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and two sisters.
Elizabeth "Tootie" Talsma, 88, Springfield, died Monday (Nov. 17, 2003) at the Good Samaritan Center, Tyndall.
Her funeral is at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home, Springfield, with burial in the Pioneer Cemetery, rural Avon. Visitation is 11 a.m.-6 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home, Springfield.
Elizabeth was born July 5, 1915, in rural Springfield to Cliff and Annie (Ferwerda) Warrington. She attended the Lincoln and Hornstra rural schools. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1934 and attended Southern State Teachers College. She married Cliff Talsma at Hyannis, Neb., June 12, 1939. Together they purchased the Trails End Ranch west of Springfield, where they raised Hereford cattle. Cliff died Dec. 9, 1993. Elizabeth stayed on the farm until May 2003.
She loved music, singing, dancing, cooking, sewing, traveling and spending time with her grandkids and great grandkids.
Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Annetta Talsma, Springfield; grandkids: Jerry Talsma and Tracy Jonas, both of Avon; and Corrie Talsma, Mitchell; and four great-grandkids.
She was preceded in death by her husband, a son, three infant children and her parents.
Columbus, Feb. 21 - Funeral services were held Thursday for Uriah Teeters, a dry land farmer of this district, who died in Iowa early in the week. Mr. Teeters contracted acute pneumonia on the way home for a visit and died three hours after reaching his destination. He was 30 years old and had been a resident of the county for 10 years. He married a Columbus girl last year, she dying of ptomaine poisoning last summer.
Source: The Billings (Montana) Gazette ~ February 22, 1920
Billings Woman Dies at Home
Mrs. Bessie Teeters Resided Here 3 years
Mrs. Bessie Teeters, 83, of 518 Wyoming avenue, died at her home at 6:30 p.m. Sunday after a long illness, Death was attributed to the infirmities of age.
Mrs. Teeters was a long-time South Dakota resident. She came to Billings with her husband, Frank G. Teeters three years ago. Mr. Teeters died in May.
Mrs. Teeters was born July 11, 1864 in Wommels, Holland, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. U. J. Wynia. She came with her family to the United States in 1870. The family first resided in Iowa and later moved to Springfield, S.D.
She married Mr. Teeters in Springfield, in 1886.
She is survived by three sons, Frank Teeters of Billings, and Walter and Mark Teeters of Laurel; three daughters, Mrs. Margaret De Long of Billings, Mrs. Bert Cole of Los Angeles and Mrs. Emma Bauch of Rapid City, S.D.; a sister, Mrs. Lew Palsma of Springfield, 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was a member of the Congregational church of Springfield, the American Legion auxiliary and the Women's Relief corps, both of Springfield.
The body is at Settergren's funeral home.
Source: The Billings (Montana) Gazette ~ 28 July 1947
Happy Trails to Jon (Jack) Peter Thesenga (May 21, 1936 - April 19, 2013) who rode away on his beautiful white horse to the skies above. He grew up in South Minneapolis and enjoyed spending time at the family's Circle T Ranch in Avon, S.D. He was a 1954 graduate of Minneapolis Roosevelt High School and attended the University of Minnesota where he was on the football and wrestling teams. Everyone knew that Jack bled maroon and gold. He was a Korean War veteran who later became a successful salesman, entrepreneur, and founder, president and CEO of Nasco, a wholesale welding and safety supply company, and Avon Enterprises. He was an avid sports enthusiast, rancher, horseman, cowboy, dancer, singer (well, he thought so), hunter, and fisherman. Jack enjoyed raising horses and llamas, and boating at their summer home, Carefree Farms in Balsam Lake, Wis. More than these things, Jack was a loving, generous and supportive husband, a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a deeply respected employer and mentor, and a loyal friend to many. Jack could melt your heart with his contagious signature smile and you were reminded of his strength with his firm handshake. Everyone around him gleaned something from his character. Jack was a proud member of the 54 Sportsmen's Club and also a member of the Caballeros Del Norte, Verde Vaqueros and Carefree Rancheros riding clubs. He was a founding member of the Minneapolis Heart Institute, a member of the Minneapolis Lions Club and the U of M's Presidents Club as well as many other organizations.
Jack is preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Louise (Hornstra) Thesenga and, in-laws, Aggie and Roy Scarcliff. He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Mary, and four children, Susan Thesenga Gonsior, Sally Thesenga (Rick), Missy Myers (Randy) and Scott; five grandchildren, Dennis Powers (April), Michelle Powers (Ryan Olson), Nicholas and Bryce, and Lindsey; three great-grandchildren, Clifford, Reese and Randall; and, brother, Bruce Thesenga and family. Jack also leaves behind his cherished, curly-haired "Princess Sophie."
Tommy Lynn Troxel, age 70, of Springfield, South Dakota died Sunday, February 23, 2014 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota.
Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at St. Vincent Catholic Church in Springfield, South Dakota with Father Joe Forcelle officiating. Burial will be in the St. Vincent Catholic Cemetery in Springfield with military honors provided by the Dwight Wood American Legion Post No. 132. Visitation is from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26 at St. Vincent Catholic Church with a wake service at 7:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton. Pallbearers are Casey, Thomas, Ryan, Theron and Megan Troxel and Jeremy Dudley.
Tommy “Trox” Troxel was born August 28, 1943 in San Diego, California to Theron Otis and Donna Lee (McGehee) Troxel. He grew up in Pittsburgh, Kansas and graduated from Pittsburg High School at the age of 16. The following year, Trox entered the US Air Force and worked in the weather division. He was stationed at Paris, France and Adana, Turkey and then in 1967, he served at Sac Air Force Base in Omaha, NE. There he met Edith Gleason and asked her to marry him two weeks later. They were engaged for six months and married on June 21, 1968 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Coleridge, NE. They enjoyed 45 wonderful years of marriage. In 1973, the family moved to California and Trox began his career in the restaurant business, first as a waiter, then as a manager, and finally as the lead person opening restaurants in California, Florida and South Carolina. In 1988, they moved back to Coleridge, NE and Trox worked for Mid-America Cheese Plant in Hartington, NE until his retirement due to health problems. He went back to school in 1999, graduating with a degree in fine arts from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. In 2002, they moved to their beloved Springfield, SD where he restored their 100 year old home. Trox was a member of St. Vincent Catholic Church and served on the parish board and cared for the flowers. He was an artist who loved painting, knitting, crocheting, needle point and sewing quilts. Trox also enjoyed cooking, camping in tents, going to the beach, gardening and planting flowers. He was a history buff, especially Egyptian history and WWII. He knew more about Hitler than Hitler knew about himself. Trox loved finding the best possible deals on eBay and watching The Weather Channel. For the past six years, he finished quilts with Edith in their quilting business in Springfield.
He is survived by his wife Edith Troxel of Springfield; four children: Casey Troxel of Ladson, SC, Thomas (Danell) Troxel of Logan, IA, Ryan (Laurie) Troxel of Omaha, NE and Theron (Stacey) Troxel of Adams, NE; 13 grandchildren: Jonathan, Jeremy, Megan, Emily, Molly, Shannon, Ellyanna, Kattie, Brady, Samuel, Erica, Tyler and one due in July; his mother, Donna Marchbanks of Moreno Valley, CA; mother-in-law, Pat Gleason of Coleridge; sister, Sulyn Jones of Moreno Valley, CA; two brothers: Jerry (Carolyn) Troxel of Springfield, OR and Howard (Tina) Marchbanks of Santa Ana, CA; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Trox was preceded in death by his father, Theron Troxel and grandparents, Lionel and Amzel McGehee and Miles and Myrtle Troxel.
Oscar W. Tjeerdsma, 82, of Platte, SD passed away Saturday, February 12, 2011 at the Platte Health Center. Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at the Christian Reformed Church in Platte. A Private Family Committal Service will take place at LaRoche Cemetery rural Academy, SD. Visitation will be held from 5:00 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at Mount Funeral Home in Platte with 7:00 P.M. Prayer Service.
Oscar Wilmer Tjeerdsma was born on February 16, 1928 to Peter and Annie (Odens) Tjeerdsma in Perkins, South Dakota near Springfield. He received his education at Kirkwood School and Springfield High School, graduating in 1945. On February 25, 1949 he united in marriage to Leila Burr at Bijou Hills Community Church in Bijou Hills, South Dakota. From this union four children were born. Oscar continued his career as a farmer near Bijou Hills for forty years, spending his retirement in Platte, South Dakota for the next twenty years. On June 15, 1989 he united in marriage to Ilena Jongsma at the home of Bill and MaryAnn Vanden Bos in Newton, Iowa.
Oscar served on the boards of: LaRoche Township, Production Credit Association, Farmers Elevator of Platte and the Platte Health Center. He was the Bijou Hills Community Church Treasurer and a member of the Platte Christian Reformed Church and Charles Mix County Farm Bureau. Oscar had a passion for collecting toy tractors and farm implements and enjoyed restoring stationary gas engines. He became a resident of the Platte Care Center in March 2008.
Grateful for having shared in Oscars life: his wife, Ilena Tjeerdsma of Platte, SD; his four children: Leanne Olivier (Allen) of Chamberlain, SD, Lynn Tjeersdma (Mary) of Alexandria, VA, Cathy Folsland (Brad) of Oldham, SD and Doreen Fahlberg (Peter) of Beresford, SD; four step children: Barb DeVries (Del) of Corsica, SD, Geneva Olson of Canistota, SD, Doreen Person (Steve) of Walworth, WI and Karen Viet (Dave) of Marion, SD; 15 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren; a brother, Gerald Tjeerdsma (Betty) of Springfield, SD; two sisters: Arlene Bierema (Sidney) of Springfield, SD and Bernice Tolsma (Elmer) of Avon, SD; a sister-in-law, Dorris Wynia (Howard) of Springfield, SD; along with several nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Oscar was preceded in death by: his wife, Leila (1988) and his parents, Peter and Annie.
Funeral services for Mrs. William (Dorothy) Tichy, 56, Yankton, were Dec. 15 at the First United Methodist Church in Yankton. Burial was in St. Leo's Cemetery at Tyndall. She died Dec. 12, 1970 at a Yankton hospital after a brief illness.
She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and Women of the Moose.
Survivors include her widower, Omaha; Robert (Bud) Wysuph, Waubun, Minn., and Donald Wysuph, Tyndall; three daughters, Mrs. Keith (Eleanor) Shore, Sioux Falls; Mrs. Herbert (Nadine) Frye, Springfield; and Mrs. Vladie (Virginia) Kuchta, Bishop, Calif. Two brothers, Albert Bitterman, Rapid City, and Edward Bitterman, Glendale, Calif.; five sisters, Mrs. John Schoon, Scotland; Mrs. Morton Phinney, Mitchell; Mrs. Kathryn Foley, North Hollywood, Calif., and Mrs. Clarence Hansen, Ojai, Calif., and 20 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, William Wysuph, two sisters and a brother.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Donald J. Teply is at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 1, 2005, at St. Leo Catholic Church, Tyndall, South Dakota. Celebrant is Rev. Fr. Gerald Thury. Music is by organist Marcene Kniffen and the St. Leo Choir Casketbearers are Joel Arntsen, Tony Caylor, Joel Humpal, Brad Jones, Jamie Muller and Dale Ranek. Interment is in St. Leo Catholic Cemetery. Tyndall, South Dakota. The Goglin Funeral Home, Tyndall, is in charge of arrangements.
Donald James Teply was born on September 27, 1938 in Tyndall, South Dakota, to Joseph and Mary (Getzfred) Teply. He attended Roosevelt Country School and graduated from Tyndall High School in 1956. Following high school, he farmed on the family farm for a time. Don served in the South Dakota National Guard with the 137th Engineering Battalion out of Springfield, South Dakota, from 1957 through 1963. Don married Verneil Reichelt on August 22, 1964 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Tea, South Dakota. He was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church and served as an usher for 15 years. Don worked as a mechanic for the Ford dealership in Tyndall for forty-four years, from 1961 at Bud Janssen Ford, through 1975 when it became Tyndall Ford & Mercury, through 2000 when it became Country Ford, and finally until his recent illness. He enjoyed his work, and put in long hours, many times returning to the shop after supper. Work always came second when Don's grandchildren were around, however, and his love for them was quite apparent by the gleam in his eyes as he spent time with them.
Don died on Thursday, July 28, 2005, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota, at the age of 66 years.
Don's memory will be cherished by his wife, Verneil Teply of Tyndall; three children: Greg (Amy) Teply of Aberdeen, South Dakota, Ann (Corey) Fischer of Hartington, Nebraska, and Tom (Geraldine) Teply of Yankton, South Dakota; five grandchildren: Meagan, Cole, Katelyn, Justin and Carter; two brothers: Joe (Joan) Teply and Dave (Wanda) Teply, all of Minneapolis, Minnesota; one sister, Alice (Jack) Hansel of Sioux City, Iowa; and mother-in-law, Ann Reichelt of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary Teply, and his father-in-law, Velmar Reichelt.
Don & Marjorie Tjeerdsma
Funeral services for Donald Tjeerdsma of Springfield will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield. Burial is in the church cemetery, rural Springfield. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday with family present from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. Prayer Service. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of arrangements.
Donald Gerrit Tjeerdsma was born on August 4, 1930 in rural Springfield, SD to Gerrit and Hattie (DeRoos) Tjeerdsma. He died at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on November 30, 2014. He attained the age of 84 years and three months.
Don was baptized at the Emmanuel Reformed Church of rural Springfield. He attended grade school at Lincoln Country School and graduated from Springfield High School and Southern State Teacher College. He married Marjorie Bierema on May 14, 1954 at Emmanuel Reformed Church and five children were born the their union.
Don was an active member of Emmanuel Reformed Church of Springfield where he served as a Deacon, Elder, Catechism teacher and sang in the church choir. He taught at Fairview Country School for two years. Don had a passion for farming and enjoyed raising livestock, selling seed corn for Asgrow/DeKalb and growing crops for over 50 years. He also served as a 4-H leader while his kids were growing up. He was an avid sports follower who loved to watch sports with his children and grandchildren. Don also loved to attend family sporting events.
Don is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marjorie of Springfield; children: Virgil (Susan) Tjeerdsma of Tyndall, Douglas (Danae) Tjeerdsma of Aplington, IA, Percy (Connie) Tjeerdsma of Springfield, Marcia (Terry) Winegar of Marion, SD, Bonnie (Chris) Blankenship of Lafayette, IN; nine grandchildren: Adam Tjeerdsma, Scott Tjeerdsma, Kendra Kruger, Nicholas Tjeerdsma, Heather Adkins, Mary Hunsaker, Cody Tjeerdsma, Heidi Tjeerdsma and Marcus Tjeerdsma; 10 great grandchildren and baby Adkins on the way. Don is also survived by his siblings: Carol Jurrens of Avon, Duane (Linda) Tjeerdsma of Springfield, Melvin (Carol) Tjeerdsma of Maryville, MO and Cheryl (Don) DeJong of Forney, TX.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, brother Frank Tjeerdsma; sisters-in-law: Margie Tjeerdsma and Norene Tjeerdsma; brother-in-law Eldon Jurrens and one great grandson Tate Krueger.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent to the Gideons or any other nonprofit organization.
TREVILLYAN, JACQUES FARUS - passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at his home in Knoxville, Tennessee, surrounded by family.
Jacques was born April 28, 1927 in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin to John T. and Olga Farus Trevillyan and grew up in Tyndall, South Dakota where he became an Eagle Scout and was Salutatorian of his high school class. After graduation, Jacques was an enlisted man in the Navy for one year as WWII was coming to a close. He then received a congressional appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy graduating with the class of 1950. Jacques became a decorated veteran of the Korean War having served first on the USS Rochester, a heavy cruiser where he received a commendation for meritorious service during the amphibious assault against Inchon as part of the shore bombardment team which delivered sustained support for ground forces. He then served as CIC Officer and Operations Officer on the USS Brinkley Bass, a destroyer. After completion of his naval service Jacques attended the Harvard Business School, receiving his MBA in 1956. His business career began at North American Rockwell in Canoga Park, California. Later he would become an executive vice president of the Allis Chalmers Corporation in West Allis, Wisconsin, heading up the Hydro-Turbine Sector. While remaining in this position, Jacques also served, in turn as president of the subsidiary companies, Simplicity Manufacturing Company, Fort Washington, Wisconsin and American Air Filter Company, Louisville, Kentucky. At this time, he sat on several boards, including Fiat/Italy, AC/Mexico and Siemens-Allis. He is included in Who's Who in America 1986/87. After retiring to Knoxville, Jacques and his wife continued to enjoy traveling. He has always greatly appreciated life and enjoyed nothing more than to laugh and to see others laugh. He also found his volunteer work with SCORE to be especially meaningful.
Jacques is survived by his best friend and wife of 38 years, Marian; brother, Dr. Terry Trevillyan and wife, Alice, Lincoln City, Oregon; brother-in-law, Cecil Tanner and wife, Yvonne, Gadsden, Alabama; children: Dr. Jeanine Trevillyan, Texarkana, Arkansas, Jeff Trevillyan, Chatsworth, California, Jonathan Trevillyan and wife, Jean, Acton, California, Judd Trevillyan, Northridge, California, Sheila Ball and husband, Bill, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Don Bowen and wife, Kim, Madison, Alabama, Lynne Jenkins and husband, J.D., Knoxville, Tennessee; beloved grandchildren, Brittany Cox, Denver, Colorado, Will and Matt Bowen, Madison, Alabama; Lauren and Jacques LeCren, Knoxville, Tennessee; and Christian Trevillyan, Acton, California.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 1, 2014 at 4:00pm at the Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Dr. Holton Siegling officiating. A reception will follow. Jacques' ashes are to be inurned in the columbarium on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Academy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) P. O. Box 3310, Knoxville, TN 37927 or to the charity of your choice . Arrangements by Cremation Options, Inc. (865)6WE-CARE (693-2273).
Memorial services for Betty Thompson, 83 of Avon will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 16, 2013 at the First Presbyterian Church in Avon. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel of Avon is in charge of the arrangements.
Betty Mae Thompson, daughter of Orlando and Stella (Kellogg) Potter, was born at Perkins, SD on June 22, 1930. She died Tuesday, November 12, 2013, after a valiant fight with cancer, at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall. Betty attained the age of 83 years, four months and 21 days.
Betty attended Perkins Country School and Springfield High School. She married Russell Frank Thompson on October 20, 1947 at Springfield. Five children were born to their union.
Betty and Russell farmed north of Avon. Besides being a farm wife and mother, Betty worked at several jobs through the years. She was a CNA at the Good Samaritan Center in Wagner, a cook at the Avon School District, an aide at Wagner Memorial Hospital, and worked for CR Industries in Springfield and Mensch Greenhouse in Avon. In 1991, Betty and Russell moved to rural Springfield. In 1993, they moved into Avon, due to Russell’s failing health. He died October 13, 2000. Betty fought three rounds of battle with cancer. On July 11, 2013, she entered the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall, where she was blessed and was a blessing.
Betty was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Avon.
Betty will be remembered for her enjoyment of gardening, mowing lawns, sewing, doing crafts and scrap books.
Thankful for having shared her life are her daughter, Norma Riggs and husband Jess of Spearfish; two sons: Jeff and wife Debbie of Avon and Donnie and wife Krystal of Lewisberry, PA; 11 grandchildren: Chad, Todd, Wade, Brad, Sarah, Kristina, Frank, Shianna, Minta, Riley and Jerry; 12 great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; one nephew, Greg Chaney; two great nephews: Terry and Tony Chaney; and many friends.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband; two daughters: Patsy Ridgway and Tamma Thompson, who died in infancy; parents; brother Gene Chaney and wife Gladys; grandson, Michael Ridgway, who died in infancy; great granddaughter, Ashley Ridgway, who died in infancy; two nephews: Gary and Gerry Chaney; and one niece, Gail Chaney.
Don Tomlinson, 77, Aberdeen died Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen. A private family burial will be held on a later date at Rose Hill Cemetery, Scotland SD. Arrangements by Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main Street, Aberdeen.
Don Rex Tomlinson was born in Scotland SD to Rex Bailey & Annette (Schumacher) Tomlinson on April 28, 1935. Don graduated from Northern State Teachers College in 1957 and served in the US Army from 1957 to 1961 stationed at Ft. Riley KS and was honorably discharged.
Don retired in 1993 as a Sr. Bond Underwriter in charge of 1 of 4 regions in the United States, after 30 years with St Paul Companies (Travelers Insurance Co.).Don resided in Aberdeen in retirement and passed away at the Bethesda Nursing Home in Aberdeen.
Don and his family are grateful to Hospice in Marshall, MN & Aberdeen as well as the Bethesda Nursing Hone staff for his superior care.
Don is survived by his nephew Tom ( Mary) and Grandnephew Jim Haynes of Marshall, MN.
Don was preceded in death by his sister Grace Haynes and his parents.
Blessed be his memory, having stayed, forever young.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 27, 2013 in the Chapel of Assumption Nursing Home, Cold Spring, MN for Grace Taplett, age 103, who died Thursday at the Assumption Home. Entombment will be in the St. Boniface Parish Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon in the Chapel at Assumption Home, Cold Spring. Funeral arrangements were entrusted with the Wenner Funeral Home, Cold Spring.
Grace was born in Flandreau, SD to Albert and Louisa (Fahnle) Deklotz. She married John “Jack” Taplett on August 5, 1946 in Tyndall, SD. Grace attended the University of South Dakota where she earned her teaching degree. She taught in Estellina, Tyndall and Vermillion, SD, and in Biwabik, MN before retiring from John Clark Elementary School in Rockville, MN after 34 years of teaching 5th grade students. Grace loved the outdoors and could often be found sunning herself by the front entrance of Assumption Nursing Home. Grace also loved to walk the halls and visit with staff, residents and tenants.
Survivors include many nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack (2009).
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2009 in the Chapel of Assumption Nursing Home, Cold Spring, MN for John H. “Jack” Taplett, age 96, who died Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at the Assumption Home. Entombment will be in the St. Boniface Parish Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Saturday morning in the Chapel at Assumption Home, Cold Spring. Funeral arrangements were entrusted with the Wenner Funeral Home, Cold Spring.
Jack was born on August 8, 1912 in Tyndall, SD to John J. and Barbara (Oliva) Taplett. He married Grace Deklotz on August 5, 1946 in Tyndall, SD. Jack served in the United States Navy during WWII from April 7, 1942 to November 25, 1945. He worked at Cold Spring Granite Company as manager of the Mausoleum Division. He retired on October 31, 1977. Jack loved golfing, baseball, bowling and traveling with his wife, Grace. He was a member of St. Boniface Parish, Knights of Columbus, Cold Spring American Legion and Rich Spring Golf Club.
Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years, Grace; nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters.
Funeral Mass for Charles L. Tycz, Sr. of Tyndall, South Dakota, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 6, at St. Leo Catholic Church in Tyndall, South Dakota. Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Gerald Thury. Organist will be Marcene Kniffen and vocal music will be provided by the St. Leo Choir and soloist, Pam Novak.
Charlie passed away on Sunday, September 2, 2007 at St. Michael's Hospital and Nursing Home in Tyndall at the age of 100 years, 9 months and 14 days.
Honorary casketbearers are all of Charlie's grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Active casketbearers will be grandsons: Eric Tycz, Jeff Humpal, Kevin Tycz, Jerome Humpal, Tim Frank and Terry Frank. Interment will follow in St. Leo Catholic Cemetery, Tyndall. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Goglin Funeral Home in Tyndall. There will be a wake service at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the church.
Charles L. Tycz, Sr. was born on Sunday, November 18, 1906, in Drlolec, Czechoslovakia. He was one of ten children born to Jacob and Agnes (Sramek) Tycz. Charlie and his family arrived in the United States when he was a young boy and they settled in East Bernard, Texas. Charlie worked in Chicago for several years, then came to South Dakota and worked on farms in the Tabor area. He was united in marriage to Anna Novotny on August 27, 1929, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor and they began farming on their own place. Charlie was also a Stekly Seed Corn dealer for many years. He married Laura Fuchs on May 20, 1994, at St. Leo Catholic Church in Tyndall.
Charlie enjoyed fishing and listening to Czech music. He was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church, the Sokol Club and Catholic Workmen.
Charlie is survived by daughters: Mildred Humpal and Dorothy (Fred) Frank; son, Robert (Hilda) Tycz; and daughter-in-law, Darlene Tycz, all of Tyndall; 16 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by both wives; his son, Charles Tycz, Jr.; a granddaughter; a son-in-law; his parents; five brothers; and four sisters.
Funeral Mass for Robert Tycz of Tyndall will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 28 at St. Leo Catholic Church in Tyndall with Fr. Gerald Thury as Celebrant. Organist will be Marcene Kniffen, accompanying the St. Leo Choir and congregation. Interment will follow in St. Leo Catholic Cemetery, Tyndall. Honorary casketbearers are all of Bob's many nieces and nephews and members of the Tyndall Volunteer Fire Department, Elliot Hose Company #1. Active casketbearers will be Jacque Humpal, Rick Jongwaard, Bernard Pletka, Mark Nelson, Gerald Schoenfelder and Jimmy Humpal. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Goglin Funeral Home in Tyndall. There will be a scriptural wake service on Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the church.
Robert Jerome Tycz was born Saturday, December 18, 1937 at Tyndall to Charles, Sr., and Anna (Novotny) Tycz. He graduated from Tyndall High School in 1956 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After completing his military service in 1958, he returned to the area and began farming. Bob was united in marriage to Hilda Winckler on May 16, 1959 at St. Leo Catholic Church in Tyndall. They farmed until 1965, when they moved in to Tyndall and Bob began working for the City of Tyndall and later as a dispatcher for the Bon Homme County Sheriff’s office. He also worked as a realtor and auctioneer. From 1986 to 1996, he owned and operated Sokota Battery, Inc. in Tyndall. He was a crop insurance adjuster for The Hartford and a reviewer for Farmer’s Mutual Hail Insurance Company. Bob was a member of the Tyndall Volunteer Fire Department for 21 years and also a member of the Tyndall Rotary. Bob enjoyed making jewelry and woodworking, and made many handcrafted dulcimers. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman. Bob passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at St. Michael’s Hospital in Tyndall, having attained the age of 72 years and 4 days.
Bob’s memory will be cherished by his wife, Hilda Tycz, and son, Eric Tycz, both of Tyndall. He is also survived by two sisters: Mildred Humpal and Dorothy (Fred) Frank, both of Tyndall; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Tycz, Jr.
Funeral services for Mrs. John (Emma) Travnicek, 76, will be Monday at Tyndall Presbyterian Church, Rev. H. C. Ivens officiating. Body will lie in state Sunday at Petrik Funeral Home, burial in Country Presbyterian cemetery. She died of apparent heart attack while visiting neighbors. She and husband John farmed in Scotland area until moving to Tyndall 1947. Her husband died in 1965. Survivors include 2 sons, 1 daughter, 11 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and brothers Joseph and Adolph Vavruska.
Funeral services for Margaret E. “Marge” Turner of Scotland will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 16 at the United Methodist Church in Scotland with Rev. Tom Petersen officiating. Organist will be Glee Deutscher. Interment will follow in Rosehill Cemetery, Scotland with flagline and escort by the Patriot Guard Riders. Honorary casketbearers are members of the Scotland Red Hat Society and active casketbearers are Mark Grambihler, Ray Grambihler, Edward Johnson, Steve Maruska, Douglas Weaver and Michael Weaver. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 3 p.m. until a 7 p.m. prayer service at the Goglin Funeral Home in Scotland.
Margaret Eunelle “Marge” Turner was born Thursday, November 10, 1932 to Edward and Ida (Dummer) Maruska at home in Scotland, South Dakota. She attended Scotland schools from the 1st through 12th grade. She enlisted in the US Air Force after graduating from Scotland High School in May of 1950. After completing a stenographer’s course in Stillwater, Oklahoma, she was stationed at Andrews AFB in Washington, D.C. While attending school in Oklahoma, she met her future husband, Jack Turner, who was home on leave from the US Navy. Their love for each other progressed to marriage at Andrews AFB in 1953 and lasted until his death in 1992. To this union three children were born: Vicki, Bruce and JoAnn “Jody.”
Marge and her husband loved to travel and took several trips abroad following his retirement after a total of 26 years in the US Navy and US Air Force. They lived all over the USA and also in Okinawa, where she always looked for the silver lining in the places they moved to. They loved to camp in rustic places with their tent until their final move back to Scotland in 1991. She helped care for her sister, Arlene, who passed away from cancer in 1997. After Jack died, Marge assumed the care of her sister-in-law, Dorothy Maruska, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, until her death in 2010. Marge was a member of the United Methodist Church of Scotland and also belonged to the Red Hat Society of Scotland for several years, was president of the Scotland Senior Citizens, and active in Senior Meals in Scotland for many years. She had the distinct honor of having her grandson, Michael, graduate from Scotland High School on the 50th anniversary of her own graduation, in addition to being members of the same church. Marge was very proud of being part of an all-military family with a history of military service that totaled over 93 continuous years. Suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, she moved in with her daughter, Vicki, and son-in-law, Ron, when she was no longer able to live independently. Marge passed away on Thursday, May 9, 2013 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton at the age of 80 years, 5 months and 30 days.
Grateful for having shared Marge’s life are her three children: Vicki (Ron) Galvan of Yankton, Bruce Turner of Kaylor and JoAnn “Jody” Turner of Enid, Oklahoma; two grandsons: Douglas Weaver and Michael (Nichole) Weaver; three great-grandsons: Cayden, Devon and Leyton; a great-granddaughter, Lexi Ann; one sister: Carol (Ray) Grambihler of Tripp; two brothers: Norman (Nellie) Maruska of Scotland and Gerald Maruska of Texas; and many nieces and nephews and their families.
In addition to her parents, Edward and Ida Maruska, she is preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Jack Turner, a sister and brother-in-law, Arlene (Don) Kizer, a brother, Francis “Blubber” (Dorothy) Maruska, and a sister-in-law, Deanne Maruska.
Isaiah Ryan and Mason Keegan Thaler, infant identical twin sons of Zachary and Jennifer (Roth) Thaler of Avon, were born and later died Saturday, November 12, 2005 at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.
Private family services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2005 at Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner, with burial in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, rural Dante.
Also surviving the twins are Paternal Grandparents: Diane Thaler and Rick and Cheryl Thaler, all of Wagner; Maternal Grandparents: Tim Roth of Mitchell and Scott and Julie Alderink of Wagner; great-grandparents: Vivian Thaler of Wagner; Joan Roth of Parkston; Paul and Deveta Thury of Parkston; and Rev. Paul and Doris Alderink of Holland, MI; great-great-grandmother, Mary Ann Thury of Parkston; and aunts, uncles and other relatives.
Joseph Gene Thaler, 83, died on March 4, 2013 at Select Specialty Hospital in Omaha, NE.
Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 8, 2013 at First Lutheran Church in Lake Andes, SD with burial following in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Armour, SD. A luncheon will be served at First Lutheran Church in Lake Andes following the burial. Visitation will be Thursday, March 7, 2013 from 7-9 p.m. at Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Lake Andes.
Joseph Gene Thaler from Omaha, Nebraska, passed away peacefully after a long illness on March 4th 2013. Gene was born on a farm near Tyndall, South Dakota on October 10, 1929 to Joseph and Mary (Slopak) Thaler. He enlisted into the army in 1948 and then was drafted back into the Army to serve in combat in the Korean War. Gene graduated from Southern State Teacher’s College with a degree in elementary education. He taught elementary school for 41 years. Seventeen of those years he taught in Lake Andes, South Dakota and eleven years in Morse Bluff, Nebraska. He also taught in Wagner, South Dakota, Montrose, South Dakota, and Osmond, Nebraska. He served in the South Dakota National Guard for over twenty years. He was united in marriage to Alice Heims in 1955. To this union were born Patrick, (Kathy) West Fork Arkansas, Daniel, (Becky) Pickstown, South Dakota, Susan, Lincoln, Nebraska, Paul, (Karen) Pasadena, California, and Steve, (Lorraine), Los Angeles, California.
He had 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Alice Thaler passed away in 1980. In 1986 he was married to Barbara Chandler Simpson and inherited 2 step daughters. Jeannie Simpson (Jim), Fremont, Nebraska, and Marcy Simpson Houseman, (Jimmy), Lake Andes, South Dakota. His step-daughters couldn’t have loved him more were he their own Father. Gene retired from Morse Bluff Elementary school in 2000. He loved riding his motorcycle, traveling, taking care of his yard, his cats, and was an avid reader. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Alice Thaler. He is survived by his sister Caroline, Scotland, South Dakota, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his wife of 27 years, Barbara Chandler Thaler.
Elmer J. Thum, age 81, of Scotland, died Wednesday, January 26, 2005, at Landmann-Jungman Memorial Hospital in Scotland.
Funeral Service is 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 29, 2005, at Zion Lutheran Church, Scotland, South Dakota, with Pastor Del Neumeister officiating. Music will be provided by organist Lois Hehn and the Men's Quartet: Del Neumeister, Jay Weidenbach, Darryl Orth and Jeff Erickson. Casketbearers are Randy Thum, Roger Dvoracek, Doug Bierle, David Kost, Steve Paulson, Wilfred Schaeffer. Interment is in Rosehill Cemetery, Scotland, South Dakota.
Elmer John Thum was born on March 18, 1923, in Bon Homme County near Scotland, South Dakota to Gotthilf and Bertha (Pfaff) Thum. He was baptized on May 20, 1923, at Newburg Congregational Church by Rev. Hugo Baumann and confirmed on June 6, 1937, in Scotland by Rev. Carl Green. He attended Blaha Country School through the eighth grade, and then worked full-time on the farm. Elmer was united in marriage to Frieda Barbara Kost on December 16, 1945, at the Petersburg Congregational Church near Lesterville, South Dakota. They farmed near Scotland until 1969, when they moved to Mitchell, South Dakota and he was employed in the Randall's Store. In 1985, he retired and they moved back to Scotland in 1986. Elmer was a member of the Congregational UCC Church in Scotland, where he had served as an usher and also sang in the choir. He enjoyed reading and visiting, but Elmer especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Grateful for having shared Elmer's life are his wife, Frieda, of Scotland; one daughter, Carol (Robert) Reimann of Olivet, South Dakota; one son, LeRoy Thum of Rapid City, South Dakota; six grandchildren: Alisa (Doug) Bierle of Ethan, South Dakota, Theresia (Joel) Neuman of Blissfield, Michigan, Bobbi Jo (Lonny) Schlim of Carthage, South Dakota, Greg (Athena) Thum and Candice (Mike) Orban, all of Benson, Arizona, and Daniel Thum of San Diego, California; five great-grandchildren: Colton and Courtney Bierle, Steve and Cory Thum, and Jeremy Orban; one step-great-grandson, Cody Hoflich; one brother, Ray (Violet) Thum of Scotland; two nieces: Sandy (Roger) Dvoracek and Brenda Olson; one nephew, Randy (Amy) Thum; and two great-nieces, Melissa Olson and Jessica Thum.
Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, Gotthilf and Bertha Thum; and one grandson, Benjamin Gordon Thum.
Memorial services for Donia Talsma, 99, of Springfield will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at the Friedensberg Bible Church in rural Avon. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of arrangements. The family requests in lieu of flowers, that friends and family donate to Samaritans Purse, Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.
Donia Elva Talsma, daughter of Peter and Amalia (Dirks) Unruh, was born September 10, 1911 at her parents’ home in rural Avon, SD in Bon Homme County. She died peacefully at her home in rural Springfield on January 1, 2011. Donia attained the age of 99 years, three months and 22 days.
Donia was privileged to have graduated from Springfield High School. She married Ray Talsma at her parents’ home in rural Avon on September 1, 1931. Nine children were blessed to their union. Donia was a hard working, loving wife, mother and farm/ranch helper. Her husband died September 20, 1974.
Donia had been a member of Friedensberg Bible Church and Grace Bible Church.
Donia loved gardening and reading her Bible. She will be remembered for gathering her children together and reading Bible stories and encouraging her children and grandchildren in their Christian faith. Donia spent time every day in prayer and meditation on the Word of God, praying specifically for her family, our nation and the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She was a true prayer warrior.
Thankful for having shared her life are her children: Joyce Lukkes of Springfield; Merle and wife Sharon of Iona, SD; Mollie Nichols and husband Wayne of Wray, CO; Rose Adema of Winthrop, MN; John and wife Gladys; Pete and wife Tommie; Larry and wife Georgia, all of Springfield; Robert and wife Mary of Norfolk, NE; and Lyla Brandt and husband Dennis of Avon; 26 grandchildren; 42 great grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren; sister Alda (Unruh) Ferwerda and husband Bill of Springfield; and sister-in-law, Grace (Unruh) Hemeyer of Spearfish.
Donia was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother Wally Unruh; sister Delphia at age four; granddaughters: Tanya Talsma and Kay Brandt; great grandson JD Corfield; and daughter-in-law Shirley Talsma.
Hattie Helen Tschetter, age 81, of Yankton, died Friday evening (Sept. 28, 2001) at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. today (Monday), October 1, 2001, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, with Rev. Mark Axtmann officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitations were 1-9 p.m. Sunday at the Kostel Funeral Home, Yankton, with a rosary followed by a scripture service at 7 p.m. Pallbearers will be Sr. Joelle Bauer, Sr. Kathryn Easley, Jerry Byrkeland, Russ Tschetter, Mark Logue and Steve Vellek.
Hattie was born at Tabor, S.D., to Anton and Rose (Rada) Vellek on Oct. 4, 1919. She married Verdi Tschetter Sept. 14, 1942. in Verdigre, Neb. She worked at Sacred Heart Hospital for 27 years working as assistant Director of Patient Accounts before retiring.
Her greatest joy was her family and she especially enjoyed visits from her grandchildren. Her other loves were reading and BINGO. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Grateful to have shared her life are her daughters, Sr. Margo Tschetter of Sacred Heart Monastery of Yankton, S.D., and Pam Buchholz of Yankton, S.D.; daughter-in-law Connie Tschetter of Yankton; four grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, adult son, one brother, two sisters and eight infant children.
Memorials can be directed to the Sacred Heart School Building Fund.
Alice B. Tupper, age 90, died Monday, July 26, 2010 at the Canton Good Samaritan Society. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 29, 2010 at Canton United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the Tyndall Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home.
Alice was born May 16, 1920 in Springfield, SD to Josephine and Charles Fryda. She completed the 8th grade at Equal Rights Grade School and four years of high school at Springfield, SD. She married Robert Tupper at the base chapel in Tucson, AZ on July 9, 1944. Robert went overseas and Alice returned to Springfield, SD to live with her folks. In 1945, the couple moved to Canton, SD where Robert was employed as a teacher at Canton High School. Alice was a homemaker until her children entered college. She then worked at Del Martin's Variety and then spent several years as the supervisor of the EOL Elementary School lunch room and playground.
Grateful for having shared Alice's life are her daughter, Kathy Straw, Madison, SD; son, Donald (Jean) Tupper, Madison, WI; two grandchildren, Tayna Tupper and her husband, David Leiberman, and Matthew Tupper; one great-granddaughter, Hannah; sister, Ruth Zapletal, Tabor, SD, brother, Charles Fryda, Armour, SD; along with several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Canton Student Loan Fund.
The funeral service for Sunshyne Thaler, 88, of Mitchell and formerly of Avon, will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 5, 2007, at the First Presbyterian Church in Avon, with burial at 3:45 p.m. at the Tyndall Cemetery, rural Tyndall, SD. Visitation will be at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel in Avon from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Memorials will be directed to the "Sunshyne Benevolent Fund," S.D. Dental Association, 3813 Kiawanis Circle, Sioux Falls, SD 57105.
Sunshyne Thaler, daughter of Neil and Myrtle (Vandevanter) Berry, was born on the family farm south of Dante on October 29, 1919. She died Friday, November 2, 2007, at the Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. Sunshyne attained the age of 88 years and five days.
Sunshyne attended rural schools in Charles Mix County through the eighth grade and graduated from Avon High School in 1937. She attended Grand Island Business College in Nebraska and also attended Southern State College in Springfield and the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.
Sunshyne married Frank Thaler on September 4, 1938. They lived in Wagner, Scotland and then moved to Avon in 1943, where they lived in the house her great grandparents had built. Frank and Sunshyne moved to Prairie Crossings Assisted Living Center in Mitchell in 2001.
Due to illness in 1957, Frank was unable to work and Sunshyne became a teacher, beginning her career at James School near Avon. Her next schools were the Steckman School in Charles Mix County, Wagner Junior High, and then finished her career at Avon High School. After her retirement she tutored adults, teens and elementary students in Wagner and in her home in Avon for five years. Sunshyne also worked for the Avon Clarion for many years and compiled the column "Remembering...."
Sunshyne was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Avon, the Monday Reading Club, SDEA and NBA.
Shyne had many loves: her family, friends, horses, teaching, students, reading and traveling to visit her children and other relatives.
Thankful for having shared her life are her children: Nick and wife, Bev of South San Francisco, CA, Marge Engel and husband, Gary of Mitchell, and Dr. Mel and wife, Loo of Sioux Falls; five grandchildren: Angie (Nathan) Putnam, Scott (Colleen) Engel, Mark Thaler, Neil (Paula) Thaler and Robert (Sandi) Thaler; three great-grandchildren; and a host of friends, fellow teachers and students who loved and respected her.
Sunshyne was preceded in death by her husband on August 18, 2006; and brother, Robert N. Berry.
Funeral services for Frank L. Thaler, 95 of Mitchell and formerly of Avon will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at the First Presbyterian Church in Avon. Burial will be 4:00 p.m. at the Tyndall Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel in Avon from 12 noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be given to the "Sunshyne Benevolent Fund" at the SD Dental Association, which provides dental care for needy children.
Frank Lawrence Thaler, son of Lawrence and Barbara (Mikuska) Thaler, was born February 28, 1911 in Hutchinson County, South Dakota. He died Friday, August 18, 2006 at the Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. Frank attained the age of 95 years, five months and 21 days.
Frank moved with his family to Charles Mix County where he attended rural school south of Wagner. He also attended high school in Wagner, after his father's death made it necessary for his mother to move into Wagner. The necessity to be the provider caused Frank to quit school in his third year of high school and work at a variety of jobs. The depression of the 1930's did away with the jobs, so he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and was stationed in the Black Hills. A bout with rheumatic fever sent him home with an honorable discharge.
On September 4, 1938, Frank married Sunshyne Berry, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Neil Berry of Dante. Three children were born to their union. They lived in Wagner and Scotland, where Frank worked as a grocery clerk for W. J. Wolfe in Wagner and Rivins in Scotland. They later moved to Avon, where he worked for Emma Weidenbach and Stub McLane. From 1951 to 1956, Frank and his wife ran Frank's Grocery in Avon. The family lived in Illinois the summer of 1957, where Frank and son, Nick worked for Green Giant, canning peas and corn. A serious illness sent them all back to their home in Avon. From 1958 to his retirement in 1976, Frank worked for the Bon Homme County Highway Department, grading roads and pushing snow. Frank and Shyne made their home in Avon for 59 years before moving into the Prairie Crossings Assisted Living Center in Mitchell in 2001.
Frank was a volunteer fireman in Avon for many years. When he wasn't selling groceries, he did small engine repair. His hobbies included fishing and hunting. As he got older, his pastime was sitting on the back porch smoking one of his many pipes.
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Sunshyne of Mitchell; children: Nick and wife, Bev of South San Francisco, CA., Marge Engel and husband, Gary of Mitchell and Dr. Mel and wife, Loo of Sioux Falls; five grandchildren: Angie (Nathan ) Putnam, Scott (Colleen) Engel, Mark Thaler, Neil (Paula) Thaler, and Robert (Sandi) Thaler; and three great grandchildren.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Albert and Joseph; and five sisters: Treasia Hill, Mary Mathis, Rose Olson, Anna Wyland and Kathryn Demmon.
Annette LaVern Turner, 66, of Vermillion, died Tuesday, April 28, 2009, at Sanford Vermillion Hospital.
She was born June 1, 1942, in Twin Valley, MN, to Lloyd and Luella (Armstrong) Lampton. She attended Twin Valley County School in rural Twin Valley, MN. She was a nurse’s aid at Dakota Hospital and Dakota Nursing Home, Vermillion, for 14 years, and retired in 1992.
She married Arthur Dean Turner on August 28, 1960. He died August 2, 1995. They came to Vermillion in 1965. She enjoyed fishing, gardening and crafts. She especially enjoyed the visits from Trinity Lutheran Church Ladies and Pastor Shelley Aakre.
She is survived by her daughters, Naomi Lindstrom of Centerville, S.D., and Lois (Tim) Steffen of Wakonda, S.D.; sons, Bryon (Terrie) Turner of Tyndall, S.D., Glen (Cassy) Turner of Sioux Falls, and Dean Turner of Knob Noster, MO; brother, Roland (Jackie) Lampton of Lake Park, MN; special cousins, Dale (Renee) Armstrong of Twin Valley, MN, and David (Deb) Armstrong of Erskin, MN; sister-in-law Phyliss Turner of Springfield, S.D.; three half-brothers; two step-sisters; one step-brother; nieces, nephews, cousins and 11 grandchildren.
Services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 2, 2009, at Iverson-Siecke-Kober Funeral Home, Vermillion, with Pastor Shelley Aakre officiating. Lunch will be served at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church, Vermillion, S.D. Burial will be at Springfield Cemetery, Springfield, S.D., at 3 p.m. Saturday. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, 2009, at Iverson-Siecke-Kober Funeral Home, Vermillion, with family present from 6 to 7 p.m., and Video Tribute at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Arthur Turner.
Iverson-Siecke-Kober Funeral Home, Vermillion, is in charge of arrangements.
Clark S. Thomas, 94, of Springfield died Monday, December 3, 2012 at Avera St. Michael’s Hospital in Tyndall.
Funeral services are 2 p.m. Saturday, December 8, 2012 at the United Church of Christ in Springfield. Burial is in the Springfield Cemetery, rural Springfield, with military honors. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield.
Clark Sampson Thomas was born December 8, 1917 at the farm 4 miles west of Springfield. He was the second son born to Sampson C. and Ladie (Boyd) Thomas. He attended Nile country school and Springfield High School, and South Dakota College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts in Brookings, SD. He graduated in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture.
He enlisted as a cadet in the Army Air Corps in September 1941. He trained to be an aerial navigator at Kelly Field, Texas. On the day of his graduation and commissioning as a 2nd Lt., he married Neva Guptill at Travis Park Methodist Church in San Antonio, Texas. Clark’s first assignment was to Guatemala where he navigated B-17 airplanes on patrol duty around the Panama Canal.
In July 1943 Clark’s squadron was returned to the U.S. and trained with the new B-29’s. In the spring of 1944 the 20th Bomber Command was moved to bases in India. From there and advanced bases in China, the B-29s conducted raids on Japanese held installations. In March of 1945 Clark was returned to California to help train new B-29 crews. In September 1945 Clark was discharged from the Air Corps with the rank of Major. He returned to his hometown.
Clark had always wanted to be a farmer. In October 1945 he and Neva bought the Ira Smith farm 4 miles north and 1 mile west of Springfield. This was their home for 36 years and “Cedar Farm” prospered under his care and attention during those years Clark was a proponent of life long learning and took courses in home construction at the college in Springfield. He built a new ranch style house on Cedar Farm in 1971. In 1980 Clark retired from farming and they moved to the Armstrong School House which he had renovated to create their retirement home. Clark made all the woodwork in that home, dubbed “Hobby House” from walnut and oak he harvested himself from local trees. In 1991 they moved to a new home they had constructed in Springfield at 512 W. 8th St.
Clark was active in many civic organizations including secretary for Armstrong School Board, director of Yankton Production Credit Association, Curator of the Springfield Historical Society Museum, and various offices in Farm Bureau, American Legion, and 4-H Club. He loved his home town and it showed in his many volunteer hours constructing the “old time town” and horse drawn farm machinery exhibits in Springfield museum. He received an award from the State Historical Society in recognition of his work.
On July 21, 1918 Clark was baptized in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Springfield. When that church disbanded, he joined the Springfield Congregational (now United Church of Christ). He held many offices in this church including Sunday School Superintendent for 15 year, chairman of the building committee when the Educational wing was built and chief repairman for the Stained Glass windows.
Clark’s hobbies included woodworking, stained glass, clock repair, and other crafts. He made 18 grandfather clocks and at least 30 cedar chests for various relatives and customers. He owned a sawmill and often processed the wood from cutting the tree to the finished furniture.
Clark was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, David. He leaves to celebrate his life, his wife, Neva; three children Marilyn (Nelson) Stone, of Springfield; Donald (Willene) Thomas of Friendswood, TX; and Carol Teal (David Joyce) of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada; brother Neil (Doris) Thomas, and sister, Eleanor (Merle) Toyne both of Springfield, and sister, Alicia Thomas (Judy O’Donough) of Mesa, Arizona; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial for Dorothy LaVern Taplett is at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at St. Leo Catholic Church, Tyndall, South Dakota. Celebrant is Rev. Fr. Gerald Thury. Organist is Marcene Kniffen, soloist is Linda Haar accompanied by Gwen VanGerpen. Interment is in St. Leo Catholic Cemetery, Tyndall, South Dakota. Honorary Casketbearers are Dorothy's P.E.O. Sisters and Members of the Simek-Ptak V.F.W. Auxiliary. Casketbearers are John Taplett, Lindsay Hagg, Bryan Hagg, Erin Hagg, Patrick Taplett, Jeffrey Taplett. Visitation is from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 26, 2007 at Goglin Funeral Chapel, Tyndall, South Dakota. A wake service is at 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 26, 2007 at St. Leo Catholic Church, Tyndall, South Dakota.
Dorothy LaVern Taplett was born on Friday, February 23, 1923 to Kenneth P. and LaVern (Kloster) Cotton in Sioux City, Iowa. She graduated from Sioux City Central High School and attended the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, South Dakota, where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She met her husband to be for the next 49+ years and married Howard F. Taplett on January 6, 1944 in Sioux City. Together they raised five children and Dorothy later worked as a secretary for the S.D. Highway Department and St. Leo's Catholic Church. After the children had graduated, Dort was active in the community and served on the boards for Bon Homme County elections, low income housing and the library. She took pleasure in cooking, crafts and entertaining, especially for large family gatherings. Dort also enjoyed playing bridge and pinochle with her friends. Following her retirement, she traveled extensively with Howard and her family. Dort was especially proud of her grandchildren and attended graduations and weddings. She was a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church, St. Leo's Altar Society, the P.E.O., and the V.F.W. Auxiliary. She passed away on Thursday, March 22, 2007 at the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center from complications of a stroke at the age of 84 years and 29 days.
Dorothy is survived by five children: Barbara Taplett of Redfield, South Dakota; Kenneth (Joan) Taplett of Lake Jackson, Texas; Catherine (Arthur) Hagg of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; James (Kathryn) Taplett of Falls Church, Virginia; and Michael (Susan) Taplett of Huron, South Dakota; ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: John (Nora) Taplett and son, Jack; Matt (Tracy) Taplett and sons John and William; Anne (Alex) Roberts, Paul Taplett, Lynett Taplett, Lindsay Hagg, Bryan Hagg, Erin Hagg, Patrick Taplett and Jeffrey Taplett; two sisters, Ruth Lester of Lincoln, Nebraska and Jana (Bob) Cowan of Clive, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Taplett on September 29, 1993, her parents, Kenneth and LaVern Cotton, and a brother, Richard Cotton.
Phyllis J. Trantina, age 76, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota passed away on Thursday, December 23, 2010, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.
Memorial service is 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 27, 2010, at Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota with Reverend Dani Jo Ninke-Greaver officiating. Inurnment will be at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Scotland, South Dakota at a later date.
Phyllis was born on March 19, 1934 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota to Clarence and Wilma (Huennekens) Schmidt. She graduated from Irene High School. She worked at Gurney Seed and Nursery for many years. Phyllis’ greatest joy was spending time with her family. She enjoyed crafts, painting and playing cards.
She is survived by four children: Laure Williams of Yankton, Kay Lynn Slocum of Norfolk, NE, Danny Trantina of Yankton, Scott (Gail) Trantina of Sioux Falls; four grandchildren: Alicia (Andy), Philip, Lindsay and Drexton; three siblings: Kay (George) Wilcox of Keystone, FL, Robert (Pat) Schmidt of Irene, SD, and Sherry (Bob) Slowey of Yankton; along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Wilma Schmidt; an infant sister; two sons, Jay and Kelly Trantina; and granddaughter, Brooke Williams.
JoEllen Tipton, 81, of Vermillion, SD passed away peacefully at her home Friday, August 3, 2012.
Mary JoEllen Pillar was born March 19, 1931 in Scotland, SD to Edward and Mary Josephine (Bradley) Pillar. She attended grade school in Scotland and graduated from Scotland High School. She received her Master's Degree from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.
JoEllen married Merlin Tipton on August 25, 1954 in Vermillion.
She was a beloved teacher of sometimes generations starting in Scotland and then in Meckling during the 50's. She taught nursery school in Vermillion and then second grade, retiring in 1993. Second graders were treated to special sessions on Hawaii and Alaska. Parents and students were treated to Hawaiian Luaus or Baked Alaska. She also had an extensive teddy bear collection which got to attend second grade as well.
She was a 50 year plus member of PEO starting in her mother's chapter in Scotland and later transferring to Vermillion. Over the years, she held all offices and was a favorite on the social committee.
She loved to entertain and she co-hosted a dinner group for over ten years that met at many different households. Culinary experimentation led to some interesting and exotic evenings.
JoEllen's favorite hobby was growing and enjoying roses which accompanied her to every house she lived in. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, attending all sporting events she could get to including football, basketball and stock car racing.
She is survived by her husband Merlin of Vermillion, two sons; Mark (Lynette) Tipton of Vermillion, John Tipton of Sioux Falls, SD a daughter Mary (Calvin) Hanson of Meckling, SD, three grandchildren; Doug (Mandy) Hanson, Dave Hanson and Mike (Jenny) Hanson and three great grandchildren; Kasey, Alexis and Karter Hanson. She was also survived by her beloved dog and constant companion Happy.
Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 7 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Vermillion with burial in the Cemetery in Scotland, SD. Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Monday, August 6 at the Hansen Funeral Home in Vermillion.
Funeral service for Violet L. Thum will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 27, 2006 at United Church of Christ, Scotland, South Dakota. Rev. Paul Opsahl will officiate. Organist will be Marlene Frey and soloist will be Lennis Mehlhaff. Casketbearers will be Glenn Beall, Tim Frey, Bob Reimann, Quentin Thompson, Bill Wenzel and Mark Zirpel. Interment will be in Rosehill Cemetery, Scotland, South Dakota.
Violet Leontina Thum was born on March 7, 1931 in Hutchinson County near Delmont, South Dakota to Otto and Hukla (Weisser) Frey. She was baptized and confirmed at Frieden's Reformed Church in Tripp, South Dakota. She attended Pearly Mound Country School through eighth grade. On November 15, 1949, she married Raymond Thum and they farmed near Scotland for 55 years. In 2003, they moved to Scotland.
She was a life member of V.F.W. Post #2966 Ladies Auxiliary and served as chaplain for several years. She taught Sunday School and Bible School for a number of years. Violet was well known for her delicious kuchen; she loved baking, cooking and taking care of her family.
Violet passed away peacefully at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota on Monday, April 24, 2006, with her family by her side. She died from complications of ALS, having attained the age of 75 years.
Violet is survived by her husband, Raymond of Scotland; three children: Sandra and husband, Roger Dvoracek of Tabor, South Dakota, Brenda Olson of Mitchell, South Dakota, and Randy and wife, Amy of Scotland; two grandchildren: Melissa Olson and Jessica Thum; two sisters: Elaine and husband, Norbert Zirpel of Parkston, South Dakota and Darlene and husband, Marvin Holec of Tabor; one brother, Elmer Frey and wife, Marlene of West Bend, Wisconsin; sister-in-law Frieda Thum of Scotland; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Ernest Frey; sister-in-law, Marlene Frey; brothers-in-law, William Wenzel, Sr. and Elmer Thum; and a nephew, Greg Frey.
Isaac N. Thompson, age 4, of Freeman, SD, son of Aaron and Jennifer Thompson, passed away Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Amplatz Children’s Hospital on the University of Minnesota Campus, Minneapolis, MN after a valiant battle with JMML (Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia).
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at Calvary Baptist Church, Yankton, with Rev. Jon Cooke and Rev. Aaron Kilbourn officiating. A live webcast will be available at www.cbchurch.com. Burial will be in the Rosehill Cemetery, Scotland, SD. There will be a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the First Baptist Church, Parker, SD with Rev. Aaron Kilbourn officiating. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at Calvary Baptist Church, Yankton. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, is assisting with service details. Pallbearers will be Justin Meyer, Nathan Meyer, Mark Miller, Brian Karstens, Stan Plucker, and Chris Richards.
Isaac Nathaniel Thompson was born on March 11, 2007 in Yankton, SD and went home to be with Jesus after a courageous battle with JMML. He was diagnosed on December 23, 2011 and was hospitalized for the past 10 weeks starting at Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD and was then airlifted to Amplatz Children’s Hospital at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN. He received a bone marrow transplant, receiving his sister Emily’s bone marrow, on February 22, 2012 and had begun engrafting new healthy white cells. Our sweet boy died 9 days before his 5th birthday when the disease was too difficult for him to fight any longer.
There never was a more loved nor lovable little boy than our precious Isaac. His smile could lighten up any room. He had a dry wit that brought laughter to his entire family. He loved Jesus and enjoyed hearing stories about Him from his family, at Sunday School and at AWANA. He so enjoyed praising Jesus through his singing.
Isaac is survived by a very loving mother and father, his sister Emily and brother Sam, all of Freeman, SD; Grandparents Rick and Diane Meyer of Scotland, SD, Brenda (Kirk) McFadden of Eudora, KS, and Jeff (Terri) Thompson of Pomona, KS; Aunt and Uncles Justin and Virginia Meyer of St. Helena, CA, Nathan and Sarah Meyer of Scotland, SD, and Amy Thompson of Olathe, KS; Cousins David, Andruw, Jadon, Moriah, Micah and Elijah; Great-grandparents N. Leland and Laverna Koth of Parkston, SD, Bill Thompson of Pomona, KS and Helen Lawrence of Ottawa, KS.
He is preceded in death by his paternal Great-grandmother and Great-grandfather and his maternal Great-grandmother and Great-grandfather.
Glenn Talsma, age 85, of Yankton, South Dakota, died Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Center in Tyndall, South Dakota.
Funeral services are 11 a.m., on Friday, October 5, 2012, at the First United Methodist Church in Yankton with Reverend Ron Johnson officiating. Burial will be at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton at a later date. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., on Thursday, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a prayer service, time of sharing and video tribute at 7 p.m. Visitation continues one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Pallbearers are Corey and Dana Enfield, Tracy and Nick Kisch, Scott Enfield and Ryan Evans. Honorary pallbearers are his great grandchildren.
Glenn Edward Talsma was born May 1, 1927, in Orange City, Iowa to Julius and Frances (Vanderstoep) Talsma. He grew up in Sioux City, Iowa where he attended school. Glenn spent his entire career working at Bomgaars in Sioux City and Yankton, retiring after 55 years. On November 12, 1949, he married Janice Mills in Sioux City. He was a member of many service clubs including the Masonic Lodge, Elks Club, Moose Lodge, Lions Club and the El Riad Shriners. Glenn loved golfing, boating and waterskiing. He always enjoyed visiting with people and everyone he met became his friend.
Glenn is survived by his two daughters, Deb (Greg) Enfield of Yankton and Laurie (Doug) Evans of Grapevine, TX; four grandchildren: Corey (Dana) Enfield of Yankton, Tracy (Nick) Kisch of Yankton, Scott Enfield of Yankton and Ryan Evans of Euless, TX; six great grandchildren: Julianna, Carson and Melania Enfield and Caleb, Parker and Beckett Kisch; four sisters: Mary (Clark) Godfrey of Sioux City, Kay (Jim) Godfrey of Sioux City, Judy (Everett) Verdoorn of Lone Tree, CO and Arta (Cordell) Hull of Walnut Creek, CA; and many nieces and nephews.
Glenn was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janice on July 22, 2003; brother, Bob Talsma and two sisters, Janice Fraser and Karilyn Merchant.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to everyone at the Tyndall Good Samaritan Society for their love and tender care for Glenn.
Viola Thum, 87, Scotland, died Monday (Nov. 5, 2001) at the Good Samaritan Center, Scotland.
Funeral services are at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at United Church of Christ, Scotland, with Rev. Paul Opsahl officiating. Burial is in the Rosehill Cemetery, Scotland. Petrik-Kelley Funeral Home, Scotland, is in charge of arrangements.
She was born Aug. 14, 1914, in rural Tyndall, to Peter J. and Eva (Hieb) Winckler. She was baptized on Nov. 1, 1914, at Tyndall. She was confirmed June 30, 1929, by at Tripp. She married Arthur J. Thum Nov. 28, 1937, near Tyndall. They farmed southwest of Scotland for many years prior to retiring to Scotland in 1969.
She was a resident of the Menno-Olivet Care Center from January of 1992 until October of 2001.
Although they never had any children of their own, they displayed a great deal of love, attention and interest in their nieces and nephews. She was a fabulous cook and a terrific gardener and had a beautiful flower garden.
She is survived by three sisters: Alvina Schneider, Tyndall; Martha Thum, Yankton; Rebecca Hoff, Tripp; one brother, Ben Winckler, Tyndall; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three brothers and two sisters.
Kenneth Thompson, 61, Avon, died Wednesday (March 26, 2003) at the Good Samaritan Center, Tyndall.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Zion Lutheran Church, Avon. Burial is in the Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, rural Avon. Visitation is from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. today (Friday) at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel, Avon.
He was born May 12, 1941, on a farm near Springfield, to Albert B. and Edna (Luke) Thompson. He was baptized July 6, 1941, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Perkins and also confirmed there. He later transferred his membership to Zion Lutheran Church, Avon. He attended rural schools in the Springfield area and graduated from Springfield High School in 1959. He married Arlys Johnson June 26, 1964, at the First Presbyterian Church, Avon. He owned and operated Kenny's Bar in Avon for 20 years.
He will be remembered for his enjoyment of reading mystery and western books and listening to CNN and the radio. He especially will be remembered for his love his granddaughters.
He is survived by his wife, Arlys, Avon; his children: Nanette, St. Paul, Minn.; Eric (Dana), Brandon; Jason, Rapid City; and Gayle, Sugar Land, Texas; two granddaughters; one sister, Ellyn Satter, Madison, Wis.; his mother-in-law, Anna Siewert, Avon; and many relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his fathers-in-law and one brother-in-law.
Funeral services for Jason Thompson, 34, of Avon will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 20, 2011 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Avon. Burial is in the Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, rural Avon. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from noon until 7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. Prayer Service. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Avon is in charge of arrangements.
Jason John Thompson was born November 12, 1976 at Yankton, South Dakota, the son of Kenneth and Arlys (Johnson) Thompson. He died unexpectedly at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton on Monday, May 16, 2011. Jason attained the age of 34 years, six months and four days.
Jason graduated from Avon High School in 1995 and attended the SD School of Mines and Technology. He had worked as a manager at Sam’s Club in Rapid City, Idaho Falls, ID and Casper, WY. He worked as an assistant manager at Walmart in Mitchell for the past three years.
Jason will be remembered for his big smile. He enjoyed sports TV, especially baseball, history and keeping up with current events. He loved working with his co-workers.
Thankful for having shared his life are his mother, Arlys Thompson of Avon; siblings: Nanette (Brian) Renstrom, Wyoming, MN; Eric (Dana) Thompson, Brandon; and Gayle (Bryan) Cushenberry, Missouri City, TX; and his nieces and nephews: Emily, Morgan, Ethan and Brady Thompson; Katie Renstrom; and Carley Cushenberry; and many relatives and friends.
Jason was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Thompson and grandparents: Albert and Edna Thompson, John Johnson and Anna Johnson Siewert.
Henry & Rose Teply
Rose Mary Teply was born on Monday, November 3, 1919 on the family farm near Tyndall, South Dakota to Vaclav and Anastasia (Blaha) Plavec. She attended the Steckley Country School through the 8th grade. Rose was united in marriage to Henry F. Teply on November 25, 1941 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor, South Dakota. They farmed three miles southwest of Tabor for nearly 40 years. Rose kept a garden, raised chickens and helped with the chores for all the livestock on the farm. She was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church and the St. Leo Altar Society. Rose was president of her chapter of the National Catholic Society of Foresters for thirty-one years and was chosen National Fraternalist of the Year in 1987. She was also a member of the Tabor Senior Citizens. Rose was proud of her Czech ancestry and was a longtime member of the Czech Heritage Preservation Society. She spoke fluent Czech and often taught the language to others as well as translating letters and other documents. For many years, Palm Sunday would find Rose acting as “prompter” for the annual Czech play. Among their many memorable trips together, she and Henry traveled to Czechoslovakia with Joe and Lillian Varilek. During their years together, Rose and Henry enjoyed square dancing going to polka dances and belonged to the Yankton Antique Auto Club in which they had a lifetime membership. She will be remembered for her beautifully decorated cakes, which each grandchild received each year through their 16th birthday, and for the sewing and embroidery that she did for her family. Rose was a hard-working wife, mother and grandmother who was selfless in her devotion to her faith and her family. She passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall at the age of 89 years, 5 months and 15 days.
Grateful to have shared Rose’s life are her two daughters: Cathy (Dan) Lucas and Marilyn (Gary) Sestak, all of Tabor; six grandchildren: Alan (Kathy) Travnicek, Wade (Ashley) Lucas, Joe Lucas, Ryan (Hilary) Sestak, Corey Sestak and Kristin Sestak; five great-grandchildren: Josh Cacetka, Hannah Hovorka, Tony Lucas, Jake Adamson and Josh McDonald; a sister, Tillie Varilek; two sisters-in-law, Mary Hovorka and Esther Teply; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Teply in August of 1998, an infant son, Francis Henry Teply, a brother, Frank Plavec, and two sisters, Lillian Varilek and Helen Bower.
Memorial services for Jerry J. Tucker, 57, of Springfield will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 28, 2004, at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield, with inurnment a the Emanuel Cemetery, rural Springfield. In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship has been established. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home, Springfield, is in charge of arrangements.
Jerry Joe Tucker, son of James and Vera (Babcock) Tucker, was born November 26, 1946, at Yankton, SD. After an 18-month battle with cancer, he lost the fight on Saturday, September 25, 2004, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, surrounded by the love of his entire family. Jerry attained the age of 57 years, nine months and 29 days.
Jerry attended Pleasant Ridge Grade School for eight years and then graduated from Springfield High School in May of 1965. After graduation, he went to National Guard training and served in the Army National Guard from 1964-1970. In 1966, Jerry worked for Bon Homme County for one year.
Jerry married Joann Adema on September 5, 1970, at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield. Three children were brought into this union. Farming was the work Jerry loved to do. He started farming with his Dad in 1967 and continued to farm until his death.
Jerry was a member of the Springfield Golf Course, Rural Fire Department and the Coop Inc. He faithfully attended Emmanuel Reformed Church.
Jerry was the kind of person everyone loved to be with and around. He had a heart of gold and would do without, just to give something to someone else. The Bon Homme Cavaliers had a special place in his heart. Jerry and Greg McCann started the AAU wrestling program in Springfield. He also was a volunteer Bon Homme Cavalier Wrestling coach for two years. During the football season, Jerry could be found in the crow's nest spotting the defense. Golfing was another activity Jerry loved to do. It was something the entire family could do together and he loved his family. When the boys were in swimming and baseball, Jerry was in the stands cheering them on. He never missed anything the boys were in. Jerry will also be remembered for his morning coffee breaks at Coop.
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife of 34 years, Joann; sons Clint and Brock, all of Springfield; his mother, Vera of Springfield; two brothers, Roger and wife, Doris of Wausa, NE; and Wayne and wife, Sandy of Sioux City, IA; one sister, Karen Johnson and husband, Doug of Colona, IL; mother- and father-in-law, Henry and Hilda Adema of Springfield; brothers-in-law, Jim and wife Clarice of Mitchell; Mel and wife Norma of Sioux City, IA; Don and wife Jan of Winthrop, MN; sister-in-law, Joyce Diede and husband Gary of Utica; and a host of relatives and friends who will mourn his passing.
Jerry was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Erica; father, James; and infant sister; and brothers-in-law, Harold and Wilbur Adema and Butch Florey.
Clarence & Evelyn Tjeerdsma
Funeral services for Evelyn Tjeerdsma, 80, of Springfield, will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, 2006, at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield, with burial in the Emanuel Cemetery, rural Springfield. Visitation will be at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, with the family present from 7 to 8 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
Evelyn Stella Tjeerdsma, daughter of Peter and Mary (TenDolle) Hubregtse, was born on the family farm west of Springfield on October 4, 1925. She died Wednesday, May 3, 2006, at her apartment in the Springfield Assisted Living Center. Evelyn attained the age of 80 years, six months and 29 days.
Evelyn attended country school in the Springfield area and graduated from Avon High School.
Evelyn married Clarence "Speed" Tjeerdsma on June 21, 1945, at her parents' home. Six children were born to their union. Together they farmed and Evelyn served in the roles of wife, mother and homemaker. She and Clarence became residents of the Springfield Assisted Living Center on July 20, 2004.
Evelyn was a member of the Emmanuel Reformed Church, where she had served as a Sunday School teacher to three year olds and belonged to God's Garden Circle. She also was a member of the Dwight Wood American Legion Auxiliary.
Evelyn was well known for her poems and sayings that she included in the cards and letters she sent to friends and family. She loved her family and her grandchildren will lovingly remember their "Bingo trips to Avon" with Grandma. Evelyn and Clarence enjoyed attending Avon High School sports activities.
Thankful for having shared her life are her husband of 60 years, Clarence of Springfield; children: Norma Sue Adema and husband, Mel of Sioux City, IA, Dwight and wife, Sue of Springfield, Wendell and wife, Marsha of Salem, and Lowell and wife, Lois of Springfield; son-in-law, George Heisinger of Springfield; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one brother, Duane and wife, Minnie Rose Hubregtse of Springfield; two sisters: Agnes Eckert and husband, Ed of Pennsylvania, and Joyce Bowen and husband, Bobby of Macon, GA; and a host of relatives and friends.
Evelyn was preceded in death by two daughters: Rita Sue and Clarice Joan Heisinger; her parents; and a brother, Clarence.
Anita Marcia (Eringa) Tjeerdsma was born March 3, 1943. She passed away on December 17, 2010, at the Hospice Unit of Arizona, in Sun City West, AZ.
She was the daughter of Pierre and Lillian (Walking) Eringa. Her childhood days were spent living with her parents on a farm southwest of Springfield, SD. Anita’s elementary education was attending several rural schools followed by graduation from Springfield High School in 1961. Her spiritual life began with baptism on July 7, 1943, in the Emmanuel Reformed Church of Springfield, SD, attended catechism and made confession of faith on November 18, 1959. The Emmanuel Reformed Church was also the setting for her wedding to Robert J. Tjeerdsma of Avon, SD, on July 18, 1961. Anita participated in the various programs of the Church; was a longtime member of Willing Workers Circle and Guild; and was organist in the Church for many years.
Anita also enjoyed doing community activities and was a member of the Contemporary Civic Club; was instrumental in helping with work connected with formation and charter member of the Springfield Golf Club; and was an active member of the Springfield Historical Musuem. One of Anita’s priority’s was helping her husband, Robert, with the many activities on the farm, esp. during harvest time. She was employed a number of years doing restaurant work, working at the USD/Springfield Vocational College, and managing the Club House at the Golf Course. For relaxation, Anita took time out for bowling, golfing, fishing and watching NE football games. Many of her friends and relatives appreciated the talent she had in writing poetry for them. The past 10 years, Anita and Robert have enjoyed their retirement wintering in Sun City West, AZ.
Thankful for having shared her life are her husband, Robert, of Springfield; children: Natalie (Tom) Vollmer, Yankton, SD, Ross (Jodi) Tjeerdsma, Sioux Falls, SD, and Paul Tjeerdsma, Arizona; grandchildren: Trevor Tjeerdsma, Sioux Falls, SD, John Vollmer, Yankton, SD; one great grandchild; and many relatives and friends.
Anita was preceded in death by an infant son, Mark Allen; brother, Urwin Eringa; and her father and mother, Pierre and Lillian Eringa.
A memorial service will be held in the Desert Palms Presbyterian Church on Thursday, December 30, 2010, 10:00 a.m., with Rev. Linda J. Bailey, officiating.
Gravesite rites will be held later in the Spring back in Springfield, SD.
Cards and memorials may be sent to: The Robert Tjeerdsma Family, 14421 Gunsight Dr., Sun City West, AZ 85375.
Clarence & Evelyn Tjeerdsma
Funeral services for Clarence Tjeerdsma, 90 of Springfield will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield. Burial will be in the church cemetery, rural Springfield, with military honors. Visitation will be at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield Monday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., with the family present from 6 to 7.
Clarence “Speed” Tjeerdsma, son of Oscar and Susie (DeVries) Tjeerdsma, was born on a farm near Springfield on September 21, 1919. He died Saturday, October 31, 2009 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall. Clarence attained the age of 90 years, one month and 11 days.
Clarence was a lifetime resident of Bon Homme County. He attended Hitt Country School through the eighth grade. Clarence served in the US Navy during World War II and was a member of the Dwight Wood American Legion Post #132.
Clarence married Evelyn S. Hubregtse on June 21, 1945 at her parents’ home. Six children were born to their union. Together they farmed and raised livestock on a farm near Perkins. They became residents of the Springfield Assisted Living Center on July 20, 2004. Evelyn died May 3, 2006. Clarence became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall on October 30, 2009.
Clarence made confession of faith on November 18, 1940 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield and remained a faithful member all of his life. He served two terms as deacon and also served as Sunday School Superintendent.
Clarence served as a Bon Homme County Commissioner from 1978 to 1986. He also served as secretary for Farm Bureau, was a member of Farm Mutual of Bon Homme County, and a member of Resource, Conservation and Development.
Clarence enjoyed bowling, wood working, gas engines of all types, restoring old tractors and being in the Friday Night Domino Club.
Thankful for having shared his life are his children: Norma and husband Mel Adema of Sioux City, IA; Dwight and wife Sue of Springfield; the late Clarice and husband George Heisinger of Springfield; Wendell and wife Marsha of Salem; and Lowell and wife Lois of Springfield; 13 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; special friend Lorraine DeJong of Springfield; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Clarence was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years; two daughters: Rita Sue in infancy and Clarice Joan Heisinger on January 31, 2003; parents; and seven brothers: George, who died as an infant, Peter, Gerrit, Jess, George, John and Oscar.
Services were held for James Edwin Tjeerdsma, 69, of Avon June 11 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield with Pastor Dave Reck officiating. Pallbearers were Randy Tjeerdsma, Gary Romkema, Ivan Jelsma, Greg Svanda, Ryan Tjeerdsma, Gary Boltjes and Grant Boltjes. Honorary pallbearers were Jim's grandchildren and past and present drivers of Randel Tjeerdsma Trucking. Burial was in the Emanuel Cemetery, Springfield.
James Edwin Tjeerdsma, son of Jess and Johanna (Odens) Tjeerdsma, was born October 23, 1935, on a farm south of Kingsburg, SD. Jim's parents moved to various farms in the Springfield and Avon areas. He attended Hitt and Drake Country Schools through the eighth grade. Jim farmed with his Dad until 1952, then continued to farm with his brothers, Orvan and Les. Jim joined the U.S. Army in June of 1955, serving for two years in Ft. Chaffee, AR and Ft. Sill, OK. After his honorable discharge in June of 1957, he returned to farming. In the fall of 1957, Jim worked at Academy where he helped build an elevator on the Pete Olson farm. Jim married Cornelia Boltjes March 14, 1958 at Platte. They made their home and farmed southeast of Avon. Four children were born to their union. Along with his love for farming, Jim also was a truck driver for Tjeerdsma Trucking for many years. Jim joined the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield March 1, 1953. He served as an Elder, Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent and remained a faithful member all of his life. He died June 8, 2005 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls from complications from aspergillus and pneumonia.
Survivors are his wife, Cornelia of Avon; children, Kevin (Charlene) of Avon, Susan (Randy) Cahoy and Shelly (Alan) Miller, all of Mitchell and Joel (Deb) of Rogers, Minn.; ten grandchildren; one brother, Cal (Vicki) of Tyndall; three sisters, Phyllis Romkema and Shirley Jelsma, both of Springfield and Joyce (Larry) Svanda of Tyndall; two sisters-in-law, Gertrude Tjeerdsma of Springfield and Jerralynne Tjeerdsma of Sioux Falls and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Orvan and Leslie and two brothers-in-law, Ray Romkema and Don Jelsma.
Orvan & Gertrude Tjeerdsma
Orvan V. Tjeerdsma, 76, of Springfield, died from complications of pneumonia Thursday, February 3, 2005, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD. Orvan attained the age of 76 years, five months and four days. His funeral service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 7, 2005, at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield, with burial in the Emanuel Cemetery, rural Springfield. Visitation will be at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday followed by a prayer service.
Orvan Verle Tjeerdsma, son of Jess and Johanna (Odens) Tjeerdsma, was born August 30, 1928, on a farm near Springfield, SD. Orvan received his education at the Drake, Kingsburg and Hitt Country Schools. Orvan made his Confession of Faith on September 24, 1946, at the Emmanuel Reformed Church of Springfield and remained a faithful member, where he served as a deacon and elder.
Orvan married Gertrude Boersma on March 22, 1949, at the rural Emmanuel Reformed Church. Seven children were born to their union.
Orvan farmed south of Avon all of his working years. He also had a trucking business for 34 years, hauling livestock, grain and feed. Orvan sold the trucking business to his son, Randel in 1988. He and Gertrude moved to Springfield on December 7, 1996.
Orvan will be remembered as a hard worker and as someone who was always on time. He enjoyed restoring antique tractors.
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Gertrude of Springfield; children Randal and wife, Barb of Yankton, Jean Brown and husband, Wayne of Akron, IA, Keith and wife, Jill of Sergeant Bluff, IA, Marilyn Feekes and husband, Duane of Orange City, IA, Wayne and wife, Shari of Avon, Larry and wife, Dwan of Avon, and Lois Siewert and husband, Greg of Sioux Falls; 18 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; two brothers: Jim and wife, Cornelia of Avon and Cal and wife, Vicki of Tyndall; three sisters: Phyllis Romkema and Shirley Jelsma, both of Springfield and Joyce Svanda and husband, Larry of Tyndall; and many relatives and friends.
Orvan was preceded in death by a grandson, Nathan Tjeerdsma; his parents, one brother, Leslie; and two brothers-in-law: Donald Jelsma and Ray Romkema.
Orvan & Gertrude Tjeerdsma
Funeral services for Gertrude Tjeerdsma, 86, of Springfield, are 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield. Burial is in the Emanuel Cemetery, rural Springfield. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m., with the family present from 6 to 7, followed by a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of arrangements.
Gertrude Tjeerdsma was born January 7, 1925 in rural Springfield, the daughter of Bakke and Tryntje (Westra) Boersma. She died Saturday, October 8, 2011 at the Sanford Vermillion Hospital in Vermillion. Gertrude attained the age of 86 years, nine months and a day.
She received her education at the rural Perkins School.
Gertrude made confession of faith on October 9, 1943 in the Emmanuel Reformed Church. Her favorite scripture was Chapter 55 of Isaiah.
Before her marriage, Gertrude worked at the rural Perkins Store.
She married Orvan Tjeerdsma on March 22, 1949 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in the country. Together they farmed south of Avon until December of 1996, when they moved into Springfield.
She is survived by her four sons: Randel (Barb) of Yankton; Keith (Jill) of Sergeant Bluff, IA; Wayne (Shari) of Avon; and Larry (Dwan) of Elkton; three daughters: Jean Brown of Vermillion; Marilyn (Duane) Feekes of Orange City, IA; and Lois (Greg) Siewert of Sioux Falls; 19 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; one sister, Jessie (Glenn) Heusinkveld of Springfield; sister-in-law Jessie Boersma of Springfield; and sister-in-law Luree Boersma of Yankton.
Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband; son-in-law, Wayne Brown; one grandson, Nathan Tjeerdsma; and two brothers: Case and Renze Boersma.
Robert D. Taplett, 86, a heavily decorated Marine Colonel who led his 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, in the grueling strategic retreat at Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, died December 17, 2004, of congestive heart failure at the Powhatan Nursing Home in Falls Church, Virginia.
A running battle during the winter months of 1950, in temperatures falling to 40 degrees below zero at night, the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir lasted three weeks, as U.S. and allied forces fought their way back to the sea in the face of relentless assaults from Chinese forces, who outnumbered them by more than 5 to 1. About 15,000 Marines and 3,000 Army troops took part in the battle.
"From November 27 to December 10, we were in almost constant combat," Colonel Taplett told USA Today in 2000. "I don't think I slept two hours the whole time. You had to keep moving, or you'd freeze. I left Yudami-ni with roughly 1,300 men and got into Hagaru-ni (at the south end of the reservoir) with 326 effective Marines. Better than half our casualties were caused by weather."
The severe frostbite he suffered caused Colonel Taplett to have difficulties walking for the rest of his life.
A longtime Arlington resident, Robert Donald Taplett was born in Tyndall, South Dakota. He graduated with honors from the University of South Dakota in 1940. He was a member of the Army ROTC in college, but in 1940, the Marine Corps corralled Colonel Taplett and a number of honor graduates across the country. He resigned his Army commission and became a Marine Second Lieutenant in 1940. He went through basic training at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
He loved being a Marine, his wife, Patricia Taplett, recalled. Dark-haired, 6 feet 2 inches tall, in his dress blues he seemed made for the Corps. "Some people called him a poor man's Gregory Peck," Mrs. Taplett said. "I always said he was a cross between Tyrone Power and Robert Taylor."
On December 7, 1941, he was serving aboard the USS Salt Lake City at Pearl Harbor. The cruiser was escorting the carrier Enterprise, which had engine trouble and was just outside the harbor when the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor began. Unscathed, the Salt Lake City headed off in pursuit of the Japanese fleet.
He was aboard the Salt Lake City for three years and participated in the major battles of the Pacific, including a decisive engagement in the Aleutian Islands in 1943, a battle that naval historian Samuel Eliot Morison called "the last heavy gunfire daylight action, with no interference by air power, submarines or torpedoes." In October 1944, the Salt Lake City provided fire support at Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
After the war, Colonel Taplett served as commanding officer of the Navy supply barracks at Clearview, Utah, at Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay and at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, Calif. He also served with the Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, at Camp Pendleton, California. He was dispatched to Korea in 1950.
"From the time he came in with the brigade, from Pusan, up through Seoul, all the way to the Chosin Reservoir, just about every dirty job the 5th Marines had, he led the way," said fellow Marine Frank Metersky, a member of the Chosin Few, an organization of Marines who survived the Chosin retreat.
"He, to me, is one of the finest officers in the history of the Marine Corps," said Metersky, co-chairman of the Korean War POW-MIA committee.
Colonel Taplett was awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit and a Bronze Star.
After the Korean War, Colonel Taplett spent several months traveling the country lecturing to military audiences on the importance of close-air support, a Marine concept perfected during World War II, and then became academic director of the Basic School at Quantico in 1951 and 1952. He was at Marine Corps headquarters from 1953 to 1956. From 1957 to 1959, he was based in Hawaii, although he spent most of his time training troops in Okinawa and the Philippines.
He was sent back to Quantico in 1959, a member of the landing force development center. Unhappy that he wasn't working directly with troops, he retired in 1960 after 20 years of service.
In retirement, Colonel Taplett and his family moved to Arlington, where he worked for several professional associations and then for the U.S. Postal Service, where his duties included teaching management techniques to supervisors. He retired in 1993.
He made two trips back to South Korea, the last in 1985, and while there expressed sympathy for the North Korean people. He remembered how they sheltered Marines during that unimaginably hard winter years earlier and how they shared whatever food they could spare.
He received his master's degree in human resource development from George Washington University, attending class at night, and wrote a combat memoir, "Dark Horse Six" (2003), the title alluding to his battalion's radio call, "Dark Horse." In Iraq today, the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines use the same call sign in his honor. He also collected donations for the Arlington charity SOME (So Others Might Eat), volunteered with the Women's National Symphony Decorators' Show House and was a monitor at the Kennedy Center Young People's Concerts.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, of Arlington; six children, Claire Taplett and Marty K. Taplett, both of Arlington, Christine McCarty of Charlottesville, Robert Howard Taplett of Purchase, New York, Martin Ross Taplett of Pinehurst, North Carolina, and Margo Barbara Taplett of Park City, Utah; a brother; and nine grandchildren.
Emil J. Travnicek, age 92 of Yankton, SD passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD.
Memorial Service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 21, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, with Msgr. Carlton Hermann officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, SD. Visitations will be Friday evening with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel.
Emil was born on September 15, 1922 in rural Tyndall, SD to Frank and Rose (Merkwan) Travnicek. On May 16, 1944, Emil was united in marriage to Gloria Gruis at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, SD. They farmed west of Tabor until 1977 before moving into Yankton. He enjoyed watching his son, Larry participating in pickup pulls, an occasional beer and listening to polka music.
Emil is survived by his grandson, Alan (Kathy) Travnicek of Omaha, NE; great grandson, Joshua Cecetka of Portland, OR; granddaughter, Jill Travnicek of Sioux Falls, SD; great granddaughter, Makayla Travnicek of Sioux Falls, SD; daughter-in-law, Sandy Travnicek of Yankton, SD; nieces and nephews: Pat Garner of Ames, IA, Gary (Marilyn) Sestak of Tabor, SD, Karen (Martin) Luebke of Garretson, SD, and Terry (Eileen) Sestak of Tabor, SD.
Emil was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria; his son, Larry Travnicek; great grandson, Jacob Adamson; brother, Joseph Travnicek; sister, Lillian Sestak and nephew, Tom Sestak.
Joseph E. Travnicek, age 88 of Yankton and formerly of Tabor, died on Friday, October 13, 2006 at the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton with Rev. Ken Bain officiating and Msgr. Carlton Hermann concelebrating. Burial will be approximately at 1:00 p.m. in the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, Tabor with military graveside rites by the Hatwan-Kortan American Legion Post # 183. Visitations will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday, October 16, 2006 at the Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton with a 7:00 p.m. rosary followed by a 7:30 p.m. Scripture service. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Alan Travnicek, Gary Sestak, Terry Sestak, Tom Sestak, Ken Travnicek, and Ernie Merkwan.
Joseph was born December 20, 1917 to Frank and Rose (Merkwan) Travnicek in Tyndall, SD. He attended Dunwoody Rural School, following school he farmed with his father. In 1942 Joseph was drafted into the Army and served for four years of which three was spent overseas. On October 23, 1948 he married Lola Uken and together they farmed on the family farm. Lola died on December 14, 1973. On May 1, 1976 he married Beatrice Pravecek-Cox. Joe retired in 1976 from the farm and moved into Yankton where he was member of St. Benedict's Catholic Church. Beatrice died September 6, 1998.
Thankful for having shared in his life are his brother, Emil Travnicek of Yankton; sister, Lillian Sestak of Tabor; and many nieces and nephews.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents; two wives and one nephew.
Gloria M. Travnicek, 77, Yankton, died Tuesday (March 13, 2001) at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton.
Memorial services are at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, with Msgr. Carlton Hermann officiating. Burial of the cremated remains will take place at a later date.
She was born April 14, 1923, at Ravinia, to Herman and Alma (Gashbaur) Gruis. She grew up in the Ravinia area and graduated from Ravinia area and graduated from Ravinia High School. She married Emil Travnicek May 16, 1944, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor. Together they farmed west of Tabor until 1979, when they moved to Yankton. While they lived near Tabor she taught school at Bon Homme and the Tabor Colony. After moving to Yankton she drove school bus for the Yankton School System for several years.
She is survived by her husband, Emil, Yankton; two grandchildren; three brothers: Larry, Elgin and Calvin, all of Sioux City, Iowa; and one sister, Joan, Sioux City, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one son and two brothers.
Beverly J. Travnicek, 62, longtime Salida resident, died July 26, 2005, at her home in Salida, Colo.
Mrs. Travnicek was born June 8, 1943, in Pueblo, Colo., to Ralph and Ila (Jaycox) Grisham.
Mrs. Travnicek was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution. She was active in the Saddle Club and an active member in 4-H, where she was a leader many times. She was a member of several Bible schools and loved horses, knitting and quilting.
She married Willie Travnicek June 13, 1964, in Tyndall, S.D.
She was preceded in death by her parents and father-in-law, Emil J. Travnicek.
Survivors are her husband, Willie Travnicek of Salida; children: Kevin Travnicek of Salida and Stacy Cribari of Salida; sisters: Nancy (Albert) Jamnik of Avondale, Colo., Margaret (Jack) Williams of Hobbs, N.M., Jackie (Larry) Minkler of Pueblo and Sue Turner of Pueblo.
More survivors are her sisters-in-law: Carol (Jonas) Hauck of Tyndall and Alice (Dale) Kozak of Tyndall; and mother-in-law, Marian Travnicek of Tyndall; grandchildren: Sean and Selbie Cribari of Salida; dearest friends, Merlyn and Donna Noe; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held July 30, 2005, in John Held Auditorium at Salida High School. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery.
Funeral services for Joseph Tupa, 75, of Dallas, S. D., were held at 2:00 p.m., on Friday, May 10, at the Mills Community church at Mills, with Rev. Stanley Sundberg officiating. Interment was made in the Mills, Nebraska cemetery. Active pallbearers were Norman Wenger, Gustave Hespe, Charles Adkinson, James Cook, G.A. Rowan, and Ervin Neiman. Honorary pallbearers were Alex Donason, Axel Peterson, Burr Willcuts, Herman Woolhiser, Gene Whiting, and Oscar Nilson.
Mr. Tupa died at the Rosebud Nursing Home on Tuesday, May 7, 1968 following a lingering illness.
He was born Oct. 6, 1892, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Tupa, Sr., at Tabor, S. D. He attended rural schools in the area and grew to manhood in that vicinity. He was married to Belle Musilek at Lake Andes, S. D., on Jan. 25, 1917. They resided on a farm in the area for several years, then moved to Martin, S. D. where they farmed, and in 1936 moved to Keya Paha county, where they lived and farmed for 30 years near Mills. They retired in 1967 and have since lived in Dallas.
Survivors include his widow; two sons, Lumir Tupa of Valentine and William Joseph Tupa of Newcastle, Wyo.; one daughter, Mrs. Gerald (Lenora) Cook of Mills; one brother, Frank Tupa of Tabor, S.D.; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Walters of Tabor and Mrs. Julie Pechan of Minnesota; 16 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and other relatives.
Relatives and friends from a distance attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Lumir Tupa of Valentine; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. J. Tupa of Newcastle, Wyo.; Mrs. Joseph Pechan of Marshall, Minn.; Mrs. Mary Walters, Frank Tupa, Theodore Petrik and Emil Hladky of Tabor, S.D.; Ladimir Ptak, Thomas Ptak, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ptak and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Musilek of Tyndall, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Vratislav Musilek of Wagner, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Tony Musilek of Ravinia, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Dvorak, Mrs. Sam Mead and Mrs. Julia Jasper of Lake Andes, S.D.; Tony Chytka of Yankton, S.D.; Bob Musillek and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Musilek of Colome, S.D.
Kelly J. Trantina, 44, Crofton, Nebraska died Sept. 22, 1999.
Memorial services were Sept. 26 at Petrik Kelly Funeral Home, Scotland, S.D. with Rev. William Osborn officiating. Ashes were interred at the Rosehill Cemetery, Scotland.
Kelly was born Feb. 19, 1955, to James Dale and Phyllis Jo (Schmidt) Trantina, Yankton, S.D. He graduated from Yankton High School in 1973.
Survivors include his mother, Phyllis, Yankton, S.D.; father, Jim Trantina, Sanborn, Iowa; two sisters, Laurie and Zane Williams, Irene, S.D., and Kay and Mark Slocum, Randolph; three brothers, Jay Trantina, Yankton, S.D.; Scott Trantina, Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Dan Trantina, Yankton, S.D., three nieces and two nephews.
Jay J. Trantina, age 49, of Yankton, died Saturday, May 31, 2008 at his home after a lengthy illness.
Memorial service will be at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel in Yankton with family visitation from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Inurnment to follow at the Rosehill Cemetery in Scotland.
Jay graduated from Yankton High School in 1976. He worked several different jobs throughout his lifetime. He will be remembered for his uncomplaining nature, quick wit and kind heart.
He is survived by his: mother, Phyllis of Sioux Falls, SD; father, James (Jeri) of Sanborn, IA; sisters, Laure Williams of Tea, SD and Kay Slocum of Norfolk, NE; brothers, Scott (Gail) of Sioux Falls, SD and Dan of Yankton, SD; special friend, Nancy Bogh of Yankton, SD; 3 nieces; 2 nephews; aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents and brother, Kelly.
Funeral services for Robert Travnicek were held Friday, May 8, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, SD with Pastor David Schmidt officiating. A prayer service was held Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home. Music was provided by Barbara Schoenefeld, organist. Congregational hymns were "Amazing Grace," "The Old Rugged Cross," "I Know That My Redeemer Lives," "In Christ Alone," and "Beautiful Savior." Janice Schweigert and Bev Rubel were in charge of registration. Casket Bearers were Kenneth Rotter, Jerry King, Vernor Kerner, Doug Bender, Curtis Kerner, Rich Rubel, Bob Wetzler, and Mark Ober. Honorary Casket Bearers were his grandchildren Chad Travnicek, Kay Weller, and Troy Travnicek, and the great-grandchildren Desiree, Shannon, Wyatt, Logan, Emilee, Lexi, Landen, and Colton. Burial was in the Hillview Cemetery, Dallas, SD.
Robert Charles Travnicek was born September 10, 1928 to Joseph and Frances (Rubin) Travnicek in a rock house near Tyndall, SD. He was raised on a farm and enjoyed high school football. He graduated from Tyndall High School in 1946.
Robert continued his education at Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, SD and played football for the college team. He taught school in the Tyndall area during which time he married Betty Ruth Addy on August 22, 1948. They purchased a farm south of Dallas, SD where Bob continued to teach country school while farming. He enjoyed teaching the country school kids and made many fond memories of recess, field trips, and fishing trips with them. Off school hours he was a 4-H Leader. Their only child, Gary Lee, was born on September 4, 1952. After 13 years of teaching Bob began to farm and dairy full time.
Many years were spent hosting pheasant hunters for Meadow Brook Pheasant Acres, a business that they owned and operated during a time which they acquired many special friends. During the 1960's, 1970's, and early 1980's they operated Meadow Brook Kennels, shipping puppies all over the United States. Bob worked at Cenex installing irrigation systems and with the agronomy department. He was a Tripp County Weed Supervisor, a Gregory County ASCS field man, and Federal Crop Adjuster. In his later years, Bob sold seed corn.
Bob enjoyed music and dancing very much. He spent many years singing in the church choir and played his harmonica and accordion for dances and social events in the community.
Bob was the happiest around his family. His son, Gary, his three grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren were the highlight of his life. A family holiday was never complete without duck, potato dumplings, sauerkraut, and apple pie!
In 2012, Bob began to decline in health and entered into Avera Rosebud Country Care Center in January 2013. After frequent relapses in health, the Lord called him home May 3, 2015 at the age of 86.
A genuine warm, loving man will be missed by all…especially his Big Loving Smile….
Robert is survived by his wife, Betty Ruth of TLC, Burke, SD; his son Gary and daughter-in-law Janice of Dallas, SD; three grandchildren Chad (Mikki) Travnicek of Granite City, IL, Kay (Rich) Weller of Gregory, SD, and Troy (Suzy) Travnicek of Singapore; eight great-grandchildren: Desiree, Shannon, Wyatt, Logan, Emilee, Lexi, Landen, and Colton; one sister Betty (Bob) Gray of Rapid City, SD; brother-in-law Alva (Sandra) Addy of Spearfish, SD; one nephew Mark (Lorraine) Ober of Wagner, SD; and one niece Lisa Hansen of Evanston, WY; one uncle John Rubin of Galesburg, IL; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Frances (Rubin) Travnicek and his in-laws Alva and Nellie (Brumbaugh) Addy.
Dale C. Tallmage, 60, Lead, SD died Monday, August 10, 2015 at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Dale was born August 23, 1954 to Richard and Judith (Wormdahl) Tallmage at Wagner, SD. At a young age, his family moved to Pierre and then onto Chamberlain, where he attended school through the 8th grade. He then moved to Yankton and went to work for Morgan’s. While working in Yankton, he married Debbie Wildermuth in her father’s backyard. He then started his own business with a bobcat, he also cut and sold firewood during the winter to support his family. He later moved to Rapid City, where he became a heavy equipment operator at Rapid City Construction. After Debbie passed away, he moved to Lead with his son, Clayton. He continued working as an equipment operator. On January 18, 2015 he married Melody Middleton at Spearfish, SD.
Dale enjoyed hunting, fishing, photography and driving. He was a volunteer fireman and EMT in Tabor and later in Lead for a time. He had a special recipe for stinkbait, guaranteed to catch fish, although no one ever saw him catch fish with it. Dale was also a jokester, especially with his great nieces and nephews, who knew him as “Uncle Buger.” Dale was always willing to lend a helping hand.
Survivors include his wife, Melody of Lead; son, Clayton of Lead; mother, Judith; sisters, Fran (Ricky) Allen, Lead, Jan (Jim) Dower, Worland, WY and Anita Goodrich, Lead. He was preceded in death by his father; wife, Debbie and brother, Michael.
Memorial bar-b-que will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at the Spearfish Park Center Picnic Shelter.
Funeral services for Raymond D. Thum of Scotland will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, December 14 at the United Church of Christ in Scotland with Rev. Gordon Harris officiating. Organist will be Marlene Frey, and soloist will be Lennis Mehlhaff. Interment will follow in Rosehill Cemetery, Scotland, with military graveside rites by Paul Grossheusch VFW Post #2966 and Joseph Verm American Legion Post #155 of Scotland. Honorary casketbearers will be all members of the Scotland VFW Post and active casketbearers will be Bob Reimann, Glen Beall, Bill Wenzel, Mark Zirpel, Quentin Thompson and Doug Fickhoff. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Arrangements are under the direction of Goglin Funeral Home of Scotland.
Raymond Daniel Thum was born on Monday, December 17, 1928 in Bon Homme County near Scotland, South Dakota to Gotthilf and Bertha (Pfaff) Thum. He was baptized on April 7, 1929 and confirmed June 11, 1944 at the Congregational Church. His confirmation class of 1944 was the last class in the Congregational Church to be confirmed in the German language. He attended Blaha Country School through the eighth grade. On November 15, 1949, he married Violet Frey and they farmed near Scotland for fifty-five years. In 2003, they moved to Scotland and Violet passed away in 2006. In 2008, he moved to West Winds in Scotland. He served in the Army during the Korean War, achieving the rank of Corporal. He was a life member of the Paul Grossheusch VFW Post # 2966 of Scotland, where he held many offices including Quartermaster and Commander. He was a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ where he was a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school assistant superintendent, and a trustee. He was a past member of the Livestock Feeder’s Association, South Dakota Pork Producers, and the Elks. His greatest pleasures were farming, collecting toy tractors, attending his granddaughters’ activities, and spending time with friends and family. He enjoyed playing games and socializing with his West Winds family. He will always be remembered by his family for his sense of humor and the smile that was always upon his face. Ray passed away peacefully at his home on December 11, 2009, six days before his 81st birthday.
Ray’s memory will be cherished by his three children: Sandra (Roger) Dvoracek of Tabor, Brenda Olson of Mitchell and Randy (Amy) Thum of Scotland; two grandchildren: Melissa Olson of Mitchell and Jessica Thum of Scotland; a sister-in-law, Frieda Thum of Scotland; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Violet in April of 2006, his parents, Gotthilf and Bertha Thum, and a brother, Elmer Thum.
John W. Tolsma, son of William and Mary (Mesman) Tolsma, was born on a farm west of Springfield on August 3, 1921. He died Thursday, September 3, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall. John attained the age of 94 years and one month.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 6 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield, with Pastor Cody Raak officiating. Burial will be in the Emmanuel Reformed Cemetery, rural Springfield, with military honors by the Dwight Wood American Legion Post. Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Saturday at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield, followed by a 7 p.m. prayer service.
John attended rural schools west of Springfield. He entered the U.S. Air Force on August 10, 1942 and served until February of 1946. While serving his country, his sweetheart, Miriam R. Jurrens of Avon made a trip to Dyersbury, TN. They were married there on June 16, 1943. Two children were born to their union.
After returning to Avon, John worked for Crosby Gas Company in Avon for 12 years. In November of 1959, the family moved to the Jurrens family farm. John retired in 1988. Miriam died February 11, 2000. Due to failing health, John entered the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall on June 5, 2015.
John was a member of the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield, where he served on the consistory as a deacon. He also was a member of the Dwight Wood American Legion in Springfield. John served on the board of directors of the Farmers’ Elevator in Avon as a director and chairman of the board.
John was a gentle and kind man. He looked forward to his “coffee drinkers” coming over every morning. He will be remembered for his enjoyment of playing cards, especially Pinochle.
Thankful for having shared his life are his children: Donna (Jerome) Odens of Springfield and Dennis (Diane) of Wessington Springs; six grandchildren: Steve Odens, Kyle (Becky) Odens, Eric (Kim) Odens, Trent (Amber) Odens, Dawn (Blake) Tolsma Hansen and Dustin (Stacey) Tolsma; eight great grandchildren: Katie Odens, Bridgette and Courtney Odens, Brynlee Odens, Brett and Drew Hansen, and Gabriella and Georgia Tolsma; two step great grandchildren: Kenzie and Tanner Walker; one brother, Elmer (Bernice) of Avon; three sisters-in-law: Ruth Tolsma of Springfield; Berniece Heusinkveld of Sioux City, IA and Leola Jurrens of Tulsa, OK; and nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
John was preceded in death by his wife Miriam; parents; brother Jim; infant great grandchild, Emily Odens; and two brothers-in-law: Delbert Heusinkveld and Lawrence Jurrens.
Tillie Tucek, 100, of Tripp, South Dakota passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at Avera St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston. Visitation will be held on Monday, November 9, from 3:00 p.m. until a 7:00 p.m. wake service at Goglin Funeral Home in Tripp. Funeral Mass for Tillie will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 10 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston. Burial will follow at Saints Cyril & Methodius (Vodnany) Cemetery at rural Tyndall. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Goglin Funeral Home of Tripp.
Tillie Marie Tucek was born on Sunday, August 8, 1915 to Anton and Frances (Jambor) Plihal on the homestead farm two miles north of Tyndall, South Dakota. Following her graduation from Tyndall High School, Tillie went on to earn her teaching certificate from Southern State Teacher’s College in Springfield in 1934. She taught at a one-room schoolhouse, Schmoll country school, where she had nine students and was paid $35 per month. On September 30, 1935, Tillie was united in marriage to Frank W. Tucek at Vodnany Catholic Church. Together they made their home on Frank’s family land two miles southeast of Tripp where they farmed and raised livestock and several different varieties of poultry. Though the farm kept them busy, Tillie and Frank still made time to enjoy their shared love of dancing by attending the local dances nearly every weekend. Tillie also spent many hours cooking, baking kolaches, and helping at the Good Samaritan Society of Tripp. She was also very active in Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Vodnany by volunteering to care for all the sewing needs of the church and serving on the Altar Society.
In 1977, Frank and Tillie retired from farming. Following Frank’s passing on February 22, 1987, Tillie moved into the apartments in Tripp. In June 1998, Tillie suffered a major stroke and later two mini strokes. On September 22, 1999, she decided it was time to make her new home at the Good Samaritan Society of Tripp. The home brought new opportunities and joys for Tillie. She kept active with daily workouts on the stationery bike, exercising her hands by embroidering dishtowels and baby blankets, as well as keeping her mind sharp with crossword puzzles, word finds, and Rummikub.
Tillie passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at St. Benedict’s Hospital in Parkston having attained the age of 100 years, 2 months, and 28 days.
She is survived and remembered by her four children: James (Marilyn) Tucek of Mitchell, Sylvia (Lars) Jezek of Kaylor, Lillian (Paul) Schlechter of Scotland, and Eileen (Steve) Hardesty of Reno, NV; twelve grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband Frank, parents, and siblings: Frank, Amelia, Joseph, Ladislav, Annie, Elsie, Frances, Emil, Jerry, and Rudolph.
Vivian Thaler, 81, of Wagner died Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Wagner. Vivian attained the age of 81 years and one month.
Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 21 at the United Methodist Church in Wagner. Burial is in the ZCBJ Cemetery, rural Wagner. Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. with the family present from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner.
Vivian Gertrude Thaler was born at Springfield, SD on October 18, 1934, the daughter of Peter and Frances (Van Haitsma) Poelstra. She attended school through the eighth grade in rural Springfield. She married Norman Thaler on August 15, 1949 at Hiawatha, KS. Three sons were born to their union. Together they farmed east of Wagner. She later worked at the Good Samaritan Center in Wagner for two years and for the City of Wagner for over 20 years.
Vivian was a member of the United Methodist Church and was baptized on February 23, 1958 in Wagner.
Vivian will be remembered for her love of gardening, flowers, crafts, refinishing furniture, playing cards and cribbage.
Thankful for having shared her life are her three sons: Richard and wife Cheryl Thaler of Pickstown, Thomas and wife Vicki Thaler of Wagner and Kenneth Thaler of Wagner; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Thelma Kasulka of Macon, GA; sister-in-law, Joyce O’Neal of Mitchell; several nieces and nephews; and her beloved cat, Harry Garfield.
Vivian was preceded in death by her husband Norman, parents and sister, Melba Williams.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed the Wagner Good Samaritan Society or the Wagner Area Foundation.
Martha M. Tschetter was born March 17, 1920, to Jacob M. and Anna Schartner Boese on their farm near Springfield, S.D. She attended the Mennonite School Dist. 41 for her eight years of elementary education and graduated from Freeman Academy in 1938. After taking a one year teacher training course at Freeman Junior College (FJC), she taught country school north of Avon, S.D. She continued her education and graduated from FJC in 1962, received her Bachelor of Science in 1968 from Southern State College, Springfield, S.D. and her Master of Arts Degree in 1975 from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.
It was in 1932 when her home church had revival meetings with Rev. Fenton, an Evangelist, that she gave her life to Christ. She was baptized by Rev. David Schultz on Dec. 10, 1933 and joined the Friedensburg Church. After her marriage, she transferred her membership to Bethany Mennonite Church in Freeman on Aug. 3, 1941, where she remained a faithful member being especially active in Sunday School and Women in Mission work.
On June 29, 1941, she married Ernest A. Tschetter at the Friedensburg Church near Avon, S.D. and moved to the Tschetter farm just south of Freeman where she and Ernest lived until they retired and moved to Freeman. Three sons were born to this union: Loren, Larry and Ronald. They shared life's joys and sorrows together for 51 years until Ernest died on Oct. 30, 1992.
Martha taught country school 18½ years and 1st grade in the Freeman Public School system for 18 years before retiring. After her retirement she was kept busy volunteering at the Et Cetera Shoppe, MCC Relief Sale, Nursing Home, Freeman Academy Auxiliary, substitute teaching and making nearly 4,000 comforters for relief. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, flowers, reading and cooking. She was dedicated to her children and their families as well as her church. She looked forward to gathering her family together and cooking for them.
Due to health reasons, Mom moved into the Salem Home in March of 2002 where, with the good care she received by the staff, her health improved and she was able to continue making quilts and attending activities. In the summer of 2010, health issues made it necessary for her to move into Oakview Terrace in Freeman where she also received wonderful care. She suffered a brain bleed in October of 2011 which resulted in her being wheelchair bound. Her mental capacity also diminished greatly but she always seemed to recognize the family. She passed away peacefully on December 17.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers Ruben and Noah and brother-in-law Joseph Zikan.
Those cherishing her memory are her sons: Loren (Carol), Larry (Edie) and Ron (Connie), all from Freeman; grandchildren: Gary (Jen), Mark (Bonnie), Brian (Heidi), Matthew, Mike ( Loretta), Maria (Brian) Paff, Stanley, Scott (Joyce)and Steve (Jennifer)Tschetter; 15 great grandchildren; sister: Marie Zikan; sister-in-law: Margaret Boese and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Charlotte Thum, 93, of Scotland, South Dakota, passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society of Scotland.
Visitation will be held at Goglin Funeral Home in Scotland on Sunday, January 24 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 25 at the United Church of Christ in Scotland. Burial will follow at Rosehill Cemetery in Scotland. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Goglin Funeral Home of Scotland.
Charlotte Thum was born on July 22, 1922 to Adam and Johanna (Max) Muehlbeier in rural Scotland, South Dakota. On February 25, 1945, she was united in marriage to Elton Thum at Zion Lutheran Church in Scotland. Following the completion of Elton’s U.S. Navy military service, they made their home on the Thum family farm 6 miles southwest of Scotland. For the 50+ years that Elton farmed, Charlotte was a hardworking farmwife. She would milk their temperamental dairy cows and raise numerous chickens and ducks. Charlotte was able to find joy in the everyday responsibilities and chores she took care of for her family. She was happy in her calling as a wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed cooking, baking, embroidering, and nurturing a flower garden in her yard. Charlotte was also the unofficial family photographer. There wasn’t an occasion or event that she missed taking pictures of. Throughout their lives, Elton and Charlotte loved to entertain guests, oftentimes around the table with coffee, cookies, conversation, and laughter. The couple also shared a love of music. Over the years, they had sung at over 100 funerals together as well as in many church and community choirs and quartets. Charlotte was a good-intentioned, thankful person. She held high ideals and valued kindness. She would regularly send notes, cards, and thank yous expressing her gratitude, sympathy, or greetings.
During her life, Charlotte was a member of numerous local organizations. She was an active member of the United Church of Christ in Scotland, serving in the Women’s Fellowship, as a VBS and Sunday School teacher, and positions in many other church committees. She was a member and officer of the Good Samaritan Society of Scotland Auxiliary. She was also a member of the Landmann-Jungman Memorial Hospital Avera Auxiliary and Paul Grosshuesch VFW POST #2966 Auxiliary.
Charlotte passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society of Scotland having attained the age of 93 years, 5 months, and 29 days.
She is survived and remembered by her children: Dorothy (Dennis) Bietz of Olivet, Rita (Don) Baker of Sioux Falls, and Dennis (Ellen) Thum of Sioux Falls; 7 grandchildren; 7 step-grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 3 step-great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; brother Lester (Shirley) Muehlbeier of Scotland; sister Vi Popma of Scotland; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Elton in 2005.
Elton "Shorty" Thum, 84, of Scotland died Sunday (July 24, 2005) at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton.
Visitation is from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at the Goglin-Kelley Funeral Chapel, Scotland, South Dakota. Visitation will resume on Thursday at noon until time of service at the church. Funeral Service is 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 28, 2005, at the United Church of Christ, Scotland, South Dakota, with the Rev. Paul Opsahl officiating. Music will be provided by organist Shirley Orth, soloist Linda Kronaizl and Men's Quartet members Darrell Orth, Douglas Orth, Jeff Erickson and Duane Mogck. Honorary Casketbearers are Amy Bartlett, Stephanie Bietz, Monica Jerke, Tamera Liesinger and Melissa Thum. Casketbearers are Mike Bietz, Joseph Thum, Jonathan Thum, Tim Bartlett, Daniel Thum and Chad Liesinger. Interment is in Rosehill Cemetery, Scotland, South Dakota, with Military Rites by the Scotland American Legion and V.F.W. Posts.
Elton "Shorty" Thum was born on June 25, 1921, near Scotland, South Dakota to John and Sophia (Bauder) Thum. He was united in marriage to Charlotte Muehlbeier on February 25, 1945, in Scotland. Elton served in the Navy from April of 1945 to April of 1946. After completing his military service, Elton returned to the family farm 6 miles southwest of Scotland and farmed there all his life, until 1995 when he and Charlotte retired and moved to Scotland. Elton had a deep love and appreciation for music and was blessed with a talent for singing. He sang for 48 years in the Scotland Community Choir and for 43 years in church choirs. He was a member of a quartet and they sang for many funerals. Elton often entertained the residents of local nursing homes with his electric keyboard. He was very active in his church, serving as an elder and on many boards and committees. He was a member of the Gideon Society, the American Legion and was also a lifetime member of the V.F.W.
Grateful for having shared Elton's life are his wife, Charlotte of Scotland; three children: Dorothy (Dennis) Bietz of Olivet, South Dakota, Rita (Don) Baker and Dennis Thum, all of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; seven grandchildren and two step-grandchildren; one great-grandson and three step-great-grandchildren.
Elton was preceded in death by his parents, John and Sophia Thum; sisters: Linda Schneider and Elda Wittmeier; and brothers: Art, Oscar and Ruben.
Dr. Richard Wayne Tiahrt passed into eternal life on March 3, 2016 following complications from Parkinson’s Disease. He was surrounded by his wife and Richard’s three siblings, Maurice, Kathy and Denise.
Richard, son of Irene (Hansen) and Arnold Tiahrt was born February 14, 1948 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The third child of six, lived on a small farm in Turner County, he received his early education in a one room country school, Wayside District 11. His inquisitive personality and a keen sense of observation became evident during early years on the farm, and his interest in nature and science lead him to his profession of optometry.
As a young boy, his interest in hunting began with a simple sling shot, with rocks from his pockets with his brothers at his side. He learned his driving skills as a young boy on an Allis Chalmers tractor. He loved the farm, working side by side with his father and brothers. He also gained his construction and woodworking skills while building the family farm home southwest of Marion.
While in high school Richard was very active in sports. As the running back and captain of the Marion Bears football team he was voted most valuable player of the team. He also participated in the light weight class of the wrestling team.
Following his graduation from Marion High school in 1966, he attended college at Brookings, SD. While at college, he met the love of life, Diane Panka, through his roommate, Diane’s brother, Greg Panka. Richard was accepted to the University Of Houston School Of Optometry. Before they moved to Houston, Diane and Richard were married August 24, 1968 in a double wedding ceremony with his sister, Kathy (Tiahrt) Burge at the Bethesda Mennonite Church in Marion, SD.
Diane and Richard spent 4 years in Houston, where Richard received his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry. Upon graduation from optometry school, they spent one year in Sioux Falls working with Dr. Wellenstein.
Richard and Diane moved to Tyndall in 1974, which provided Richard with the opportunity to build his optometric practice. He was also able to continue his love of hunting and fishing, which in turn created his love for hunting dogs. During the course of his lifetime, he had 5 different types of hunting dogs which accompanied him on many of his pheasant hunting trips. Richard was also very skilled with his bow and arrow and rod and reel which afforded him, Diane, and many lucky friends an abundance of venison and fish.
Richard and Diane began their family with the birth of Jeff and Jodi. Over the years, Richard built a home in Tyndall, which included many of the pieces of furniture he built for Diane. He was very active with friends and in the community, including as a member of the Rotary Club. He also received his pilot’s license and spent many hours flying.
In 2002, Richard hired a business partner, Dr. James Torsney. Later he sold his practice and retired in 2007. In 2008, Richard was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Due to his experiences with his disease, he and Diane were committed to finding a way to help others who also suffer from Parkinson. Together they made the decision to donate his brain for clinical research at Harvard Medical School, Brain Science Institute in Boston, MA.
Richard was a kind and generous individual who loved his family, friends, and his hobbies. He is preceded in death by his brother, Ronald Tiahrt, and his father, Arnold Tiahrt. Surviving is his wife Diane of Tyndall, SD; son Jeff (Sarah) of St Cloud, MN; three grandsons: Ethan, Alec, and Mason; daughter Jodi Tiahrt of Las Vegas, NV; mother Irene of Tulsa, OK; brother Jerry (Bonnie) of Waycross, GA; and sisters: Maurice (Melanie) of Sun City West, AZ, Kathy (Ron) Burge of Chambersburg, PA, and Denise (Steve) Landgarten of Tulsa, OK.
Diane and family want to thank all of the friends and family who have been a continued support throughout Richard’s illness. A special thank you to Avera Hospice Services and the care he received at St Michael’s Hospital Avera.
Any gifts of memorial funds given in Richard’s memory may be directed to St. Michael’s Hospital Avera Building Fund.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 9 at the Goglin Funeral Home in Tyndall from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m., with family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 10 at the Presbyterian Church in Tyndall with Lorney Van Gerpen officiating.
Albert E. "Sonny" Thacker Jr., 85, of Milford, Iowa, formerly of South Sioux City, died Wednesday, July 27.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 30, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church in South Sioux City. Burial will be 9 a.m. Saturday in Omaha Valley Cemetery, rural Homer, Neb. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today, with a Masonic prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City.
Albert was born Aug. 22, 1925, in Sioux City, the son of Albert E. Thacker Sr. and Margaret Thacker. He was a graduate of South Sioux City High School and Morningside College in Sioux City.
A veteran, Albert was appointed to the Maritime Academy and served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II.
He married Corrine F. Sterne on June 16, 1946.
During his career he operated several family businesses in South Sioux City, including Soo and State Theatres, the 7T7 Drive-In Theatre, Thacker's Roller Rink and Thacker's Marine Center.
He was active in local civic organizations, including Kiwanis and the Sioux City and South Sioux City chambers of commerce. He was a founding member of Port of Sioux City Rivercade Association.
He served on the South Sioux City School Board for nine years, serving as president for five years.
He was a member of Morningside Masonic Lodge, Sioux City Scottish Rite, Abu Bekr Shrine and Laura Chapter 301 Order of Eastern Star.
During his retirement, he moved to the Lake Okoboji, Iowa, area and worked as pilot of the Village Princess Yacht. He was well known in the Iowa Great Lakes as "Captain Al."
He was active in the Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce. He was honored as a University of Okoboji Winter Games cheerleader.
Survivors include four children, Cynthia Hernandez and Stephanie Stewart, both of Milford, Christine Reed of Green Valley, Ariz., and Brett (Nancy) Thacker of Sioux Falls, S.D.; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a sister, Nancy Bianchini of South Sioux City.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Corrine; and his parents.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Todd Avila, Robby Stewart, MG Stewart, Joshua Stewart, Wade Reed and Albert E. Thacker IV.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Captain Al's name to Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum, 243 W. Broadway St., Arnolds Park, IA 51331.
Corrine F. Thacker, 81, of West Lake Okoboji, Iowa, formerly of South Sioux City, died Thursday, April 13, 2006, at Milford Nursing Center in Milford, Iowa.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church in South Sioux City, with the Rev. Steve Niles officiating. Graveside services will be 9 a.m. Wednesday in Omaha Valley Cemetery at Homer, Neb. Visitation with the family present will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.
Corrine F. Thacker was born Nov. 11, 1924, in Sioux City, the daughter of George M. and Hazel V. (Hart) Sterne. She grew up in Sioux City and graduated from Central High School in 1942. She attended NBT Business School in Sioux City.
She married Albert E. Thacker Jr. on June 16, 1946, in Sioux City. Corrine lived in Sioux City for 21 years, in South Sioux City for 40 years and at the Iowa Great Lakes for the past 20 years. She worked for Swift & Co. from 1943 to 1946. She and her husband owned and operated Thacker Enterprises in South Sioux City from 1946 to 1986. They then operated Thacker Marine Service at West Lake, Spirit Lake, Iowa, from 1988 to 1990.
Corrine served as a deacon of First Presbyterian Church in South Sioux City and as president of PEO. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, a Rainbow Mother Advisor, was active in PTA, River-Cade and numerous other community and business activities.
Survivors include her husband, Albert E. "Al" Thacker Jr. of Milford, Iowa; three daughters, Cynthia A. Hernandez of West Okoboji, Iowa, Stephanie A. Stewart of West Okoboji and Christine A. Reed of South Sioux City; a son, Albert E. "Brett" Thacker III and his wife, Nancy of Sioux Falls, S.D.; a brother, Max Sterne of Chicago, Ill.; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Hazel Vivian Sterne; her father, George Maxamillion Sterne; and a sister, Yvonne Nelson.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Todd Avila, Robby Stewart, Albert E. Thacker IV, M.G. Stewart, Joshua Stewart and Wade Reed.
Memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church in South Sioux City.
Funeral service for Richard D. Turner, 77, of Springfield will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, December 9, 2006, at the United Church of Christ in Springfield, with burial in the Springfield Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield from 12 noon to 6 p.m. Friday, with the family present from 4 to 6, and continue Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
Richard D. Turner, son of Arthur and Minnie (May) Turner, was born on a farm in the Kingsburg area on February 19, 1929. He died Wednesday, December 6, 2006, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton. Dick attained the age of 77 years, nine months and 17 days.
Dick attended rural schools in that area and Tyndall and Springfield High School, graduating from S.H.S. in 1947. After high school, he worked on neighboring farms.
Dick married Phyllis Beecher of Springfield on July 5, 1949, at the Congregational Church (now U.C.C.) in Springfield. They lived in Tyndall until moving to rural Vermillion in 1950, where he worked for a cattle feeder. Two children were born to their union. In 1952, they began farming just north of Springfield, where Dick lived until entering the Good Samaritan Center at Tyndall in 2005, because of Parkinson's Disease. In the 1970s, Dick hired Douglas Jelsma to help with the farm work and he set up an irrigation system on the farm. He was the school bus driver for the Springfield Schools for nine years. Dick also did part-time police work and later did part-time dispatching at the Bon Homme County Sheriff's Office.
Dick retired from farming in 1986 and took a full-time job with the Springfield Correctional Facility, retiring from this in 1992, while he continued to live on the farm.
Dick enjoyed traveling and visiting with family members in different parts of the country and looked forward to taking each of his grandchildren on a trip. This was a special time for him and Phyllis, as attending their school and sports events was special.
Dick will be remembered for his love of family and visiting with friends, making new acquaintances, and his enjoyment of young people; the fun he had fishing, hunting, and trap shooting with family and friends; his interest in farming and tending farm animals and time spent with his dogs. Dick loved nature and the outdoors and life on the farm.
Dick was a member of the United Church of Christ and a longtime member of the Izaak Walton League and the Bon Homme Co. Peace Officers. For a time, he was on the COOP Board of Directors. In 1980, Dick received the District Conservation Award.
Left behind with special memories are his family: wife, Phyllis of Springfield; son, Stanley and wife, Vonda (Bosch) of Bennington, NE and Arlene and husband, Bill Alsmeyer of Scribner, NE; four grandchildren: Shelly Turner of Billings, MT; Shannon Turner and wife, Brandi of Ellinwood, KS; Christine Alsmeyer of Fremont, NE and Tiffany Alsmeyer of Scribner, NE; two great-grandchildren: Drake and Peyton Turner of Ellinwood, KS; sister-in-law, Annette Turner of Vermillion; nieces, nephews and many friends.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents and only brother, Arthur Dean Turner.
Never far from our memories, Always close to our hearts.
Gordon "Gordy" Weiland passed away in his home July 29, 2012, after a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. He was 81 years old.
Gordon was born in Scotland, S.D., on Dec. 28, 1930. He served in the U.S. Army. After the service, he got into a training program for auto mechanics. He became a certified Ford mechanic, and well-versed in most makes/models. His favorite make of car was Subaru; he would say they are "good little cars." Gordon was always willing to provide auto advice or service to those needing help.
At the age of 20, he married Dorothy Bell. Becoming an instant dad, he helped raise her three wonderful daughters, Dawn Tiemann, Donna Gries, and Dee Jones. After 27 years of marriage to Dorothy, they went their separate ways.
Gordon later met Patricia Weiland, moved to Oregon and they were married in 1978. Gordon was given another instant opportunity to help raise Pat's young daughters, Jamasa and Autumn Sattler. He worked a short time for Campbell Motors in Hermiston before Harley Swain Subaru recruited him to work for them. After five years working for Harley Swain Subaru, Gordon led the family to South Dakota, where he went to work for his previous employer Denima Ford in Canton.
His wife, Pat, bought a cafe‚ and Gordon could be found there on weekends and every evening after work. Gordon was a permanent part-time employee of the Wee Kitchen where he supported his wife in the operations of the cafe‚. He could be seen vacuuming, taking out garbage, even serving coffee.
In the early 1990s, the family returned to Oregon, where Gordon retired and took a part-time job as shuttle driver for Kah-Nee-Ta. He worked there for a number of years before being diagnosed with COPD.
Approximately 15 years later, he passed from this earth in the presence of his adoring wife. Everyone who knew Gordy would say he was a devoted husband and father. He was always there for this family, and he was the pillar of strength when times got tough. He knew how to have fun and he also knew the importance of teaching his daughters the value of work. They were raised with a firm hand and a kind heart.
Gordon enjoyed spending time with family and traveling to various places. During his spare time, he was an avid painter; his paintings reflected his love and respect for nature's beauty.
Gordon shared his final days surrounded by his family; he was a man loved by many.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of over 30 years, Pat Weiland; five daughters; one brother; sisters in-law; brothers-in-law; a feisty mother-in-law; eight grandchildren; a handful of great-grandchildren; and many friends.
He joins his mother and father, his sister, and his granddaughter Brandi Tiemann/Grib in heaven where he no longer suffers in pain and can breathe in all the air he needs.
If Gordon could pass along one thing to others, it would be to treat each other with kindness and respect, to let hurt feelings dissolve and try to build on the positives people have to offer.
Clifford Wynia of Dallas, Texas died on Oct. 5, 2001 in Dallas. He was 83.
He was born on Sept. 28, 1918 in Springfield, S.D. to Pierre and Rena DeGroot Wynia.
He lived in Cottonwood, S.D. from 1927 to 1931 when he moved to Colome, S.D. In 1934 he moved to Dallas, S. D. where he worked on various farms. He met and married Kathreen Eva "Kay" Brevik on April 13, 1940 in Butte, Neb.
In 1942 they purchased a country store in Paxton, S. D. which consisted of a gas station, cream and egg station and a grocery story which they operated until 1949. They then purchased a large parcel and farmed the land until 1955.
He decided to try his hand at building homes and discovered he had a knack for construction and they sold the farm and moved to Gregory, S.D. They purchased land in Gregory and built residential homes. They continued to live there working in the construction trade until moving to Dallas in 1967. He continued his residential and commercial construction career in the Dallas area until his retirement in 1990.
He built the Dallas Post Office, Stan Malo building and the Ben Franklin stores in Dallas and Independence, to name a few. He had 35 years experience in the construction business in Gregory and Dallas.
He was well known for his honesty and loyalty. He will be deeply missed by family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Kay.
Survivors include sons, Duwayne of Round Rock, Texas, Marvin of Dallas, LaVerne of Rifle, Col., and Dennis of Salem; daughters, Joyce Duncan of Las Vegas, Nev. and Joanne Dunkin of Salem; sisters, Winnie Beavers of Otis and Dot Cornemann of Gregory; 24 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.
Services were Oct. 10 at Valley Life Center in Dallas. Arrangements were handled by Dallas Mortuary Chapel, Dallas.
Violet E. Waters, age 92, of Yankton, South Dakota, died Sunday, March 8, 2015, at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2015, at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Ron Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Tyndall Cemetery in Tyndall, South Dakota. Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2015, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the funeral on Friday at the church. Pallbearers will be Kevin “Bucky” Laurant, Paul Shortbull, Ron Galvan III, Sam Knoll, Chris Smosna and Steven Boyle.
Violet E. Waters was born May 6, 1922 in Avon, South Dakota to Carl and Bertha (Wouda) Knoll. She grew up on the farm in rural Avon and attended high school in Avon. She went on to graduate from Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Yankton in 1943. She moved to Denver, Colorado where she met Edward Allen Waters, whom she married on November 11, 1944. Edward was deployed a month after their marriage and Violet moved to Texas while Edward was overseas. After Edward returned from the war, they moved to Athens, Georgia where Violet worked in a hospital. They moved to Yankton in 1950, where she lived the rest of her life. Violet began working at the Yankton Medical Clinic in 1957, where she worked as a Registered Nurse for Dr. Clark Johnson and later Dr. Robert Neumayr until her retirement in 1984.
Violet was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and First United Methodist Church, where she was very active in the United Methodist Women. She enjoyed fishing, camping, reading, sewing, her roses and violets, baking, politics, the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, but she especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Violet was the epitome of what a strong woman should be. She was very proud to be a nurse and was commonly referred to as Doc Waters at the medical clinic. Her door was always open to anyone in need and she became the neighborhood doctor for all of the children in her neighborhood.
Survivors include her three children: Vicki Barron of Yankton; Robert “Bob” (JoAnn) Waters of Costa Mesa, California; and Carl “Bud” (Steph) Waters of Yankton; five grandchildren; three great grandchildren; special nephews: Jeffery and Curtis Knoll, and several other nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward on September 29, 1995; son-in-law, Charles Barron; grandson, Jodi Gilbaugh; and two brothers, Peter Knoll and James “Bud” Knoll.
Funeral mass for Kathleen “Kay” Wright, 92, of Sioux Falls and formerly of Tyndall will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at St. Leo Catholic Church in Tyndall. Burial will follow in St. Leo Catholic Cemetery, Tyndall. Visitation will be held on Saturday at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Kay passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at Primrose Estates in Sioux Falls.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Goglin Funeral Home of Tyndall.
Kathleen “Kay” Ann Wright was born on Wednesday, June 7, 1922 to John and Amanda (Taplett) Daub in rural Tyndall, South Dakota. She graduated Tyndall High School in 1940. On November 24, 1947, Kay was united in marriage to Wallace E. Wright in Tyndall. Kay worked in Mitchell, Sioux City, and Tyndall as an abstractor for Halla Abstract Company for 6 years. She then worked for Royal Koch Abstract Company from 1962 to 1984. She loved to cook, crochet, knit, play cards, and to visit the occasional casino.
Kay was a member of St. Michael’s Parish in Sioux Falls and previously of St. Leo Catholic Church in Tyndall. She also served as a member of St. Leo Altar Society for several years.
Kay passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at Primrose Retirement Community in Sioux Falls having attained the age of 92 years, 8 months, and 17 days.
She is survived and remembered by her five children: Gloria (Glenn) Bode, Gayle (Art) Donovan, Glenda (Ron) Balthazor, Gary (LuAnn) Wright, and Glenn (Kay) Wright; grandchildren: John (Heather) Bode, Matt (Darchelle) Bode, Adam Bode, Jason (Kelly) Donovan, Ryan (Stacey) Donovan, Rebecca Wright, Amanda Wright, Sarah Wright, Michael (Brittany) Wright, and Elizabeth Wright; step-grandchildren: Jeremy (Mimi) Balthazor, Andy (Anesa) Balthazor, and TJ Balthazor; great-grandchildren: Parker Bode, Foster Bode, Maggie Donovan, Marin Donovan, Ellery Donovan, and Chandler Wright; step-great-grandchildren: Austin Geldhof, MeKenzie Hans, Zaxton Hans, Gabriel Balthazor, Eli Balthazor, and Jude Balthazor; and sister Geraldine (Judy) Naff.
She was preceded in death by her husband Wallace Wright, parents John and Amanda Daub, and sisters: Maxine Daub and Delores Naff.
Otto Wormsbecker of Avon died Saturday, July 10, 2004, at his daughter's home in Harrisburg, S.D. He had attained the age of 87 years and two days.
His funeral service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 13, 2004, at the Danzig Baptist Church in rural Avon, SD. Burial will be in the church cemetery, with military honors by the Jelkin-Harms American legion Post #142 of Tripp. Visitation will be at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Avon from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, followed by a prayer service.
Otto Wormsbecker, son of Alexander and Amelia (Berndt) Wormsbecker, was born July 8, 1917, on a farm near Avon, SD Otto served in the United States Army during World War II from March 27, 1942, to November 15, 1945.
Otto married Esther Schwaderer on August 31, 1947, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Delmont, SD. Three children were born to their union. Otto farmed the family homestead until his retirement to Florida in 1975, where he and his wife wintered for 25 years. They moved back to Avon in 2000.
Otto was baptized at the Danzig Baptist Church in 1950 and remained a faithful member, serving as an usher and trustee. He was also a member of the Jelkins-Harms American Legion Post 142 of Tripp, SD.
Otto will be remembered for his enjoyment of traveling, wood working and visiting with family and friends.
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Esther; two sons: Llewellyn wife, Janet; and Terry and wife, Donna, all of Avon; daughter, Rhonda Brech and husband, Leon, of Harrisburg; nine grandchildren: Chad Wormsbecker, Christie Wobig, Lisa Wormsbecker, Troy Wormsbecker, Andrea Wormsbecker, Bridget Brech, Tiffany Kolar, Jeremy Brech and Chelsea Brech; three great-grandchildren: Jaedon and Ashtyn Wobig, and Treyten Kolar; one sister, Mabel Kost and husband, John, of Scotland; and many relatives and friends. Otto was preceded in death by his parents and a great-grandson, Coledon Wobig.
Clio Glenn Winckler, 68, died Thursday, Jan. 18, 2001 at St. Michael's Hospital in Tyndall, SD. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Frieden's Reformed United Church of Christ with the Rev. Greg Way officiating. Burial will follow in Immanuel Reformed Cemetery, directed by Petrik-Kelley Funeral Home.
Mr. Winckler was born at rural Tyndall, SD and married Joyce Fideler. He was a retired farmer and had worked as a linotype operator previously.
Survivors are his wife, Joyce Winckler of Tripp; seven children, Rick Winckler of Lawn, TX, Kim Berndt of Tyndall; Pam Lukkes of Tripp;Scott Winckler of Yankton, SD, Jodie Jensen of Lennox, SD; Joe Winckler of Windom, MN, Shelley Slack of Viborg, SD; a sister, Metha Hess of Scotland; a foster brother, Ray Schamber of Aberdeen, WA; and 16 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Martha Winckler; and a foster sister, Verdella Sutera.
Funeral services will be 10 AM, Thursday, March 3, 2011 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield with burial in the Bon Homme Cemetery, rural Springfield, with military honors. Visitation is Wednesday with the family present from 5 pm until 7 pm at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield.
Jack LeRoy Walker died early Thursday, February 24, 2011 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD.
He was born September 18, 1937 to Chester E. Walker and Vera (Hopkins) Walker-Young at Union Center, SD. Jack attended high school in Pierre, SD and graduated in 1956. He served in the US Navy from 1956 to 1960.
Jack met Sharon R. O'Dell and they were wed on September 1, 1960 in Decator, IL. They ranched with his folks on the Cheyenne River in western SD until 1971.
They moved to Chamberlain, SD were they owned and operated Jack's Bait & Tackle and Dakota Excursions. While in Chamberlain, Jack was a volunteer fireman and a member of the JayCees.
He also spent one year as the Brule County Jailor. Jack and Sharon moved to Springfield, SD in 1983.
He was a member of the Emmanuel Reformed Church. He was a long haul truck driver for a number of years and later became a meat inspector for the USDA. When he retired from the USDA, in 2002, he began delivering newspapers for the Yankton Press and Dakotan. He did this until he became to ill to continue in November of 2010.
Jack liked watching the geese fly in the spring and fall of the year and gardening. He enjoyed camping and fishing and doing these activities with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed his trips to Alaska which involved a lot of camping and fishing.
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Sharon: 5 children: Bruce Walker, Canyon Lake, TX, Nancy (Ronald) Wallenstein, Huron, SD, Steven (Angel) Walker, Bonner Dale, AR, Keven Walker, Lennox, SD, and Matthew Walker, Tabor, SD; two brothers: David Walker, Pleasanton, CA and Larry (Judy) Walker, Hill City, SD: a sister Carol (Roy) Morris, Greenfield, CA: 6 grandchildren: Tyler and Julieana Wallenstein, Cassie, Nicole, Megan and Colton Walker: and numerous nephews and nieces.
He was preceeded in death by his parents, Chester and Vera and his youngest sister Linda (James) Geise.
We love you Grandpa and will always remember you for the good times: the fun we had; the cars we fixed; the trips we took; the memories you shared; the stories you told; the many papers I helped you deliver; and the advice you gave. I love you, Grandpa. Tyler
Elmer Wormsbecher, 85 of Avon - His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at the Danzig Baptist Church, rural Avon. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military honors by the Jelkim-Harms American Legion Post 142 of Tripp. Visitation will be at the church from 2 to 7, followed by a 7 p.m. prayer service. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home of Avon is in charge of the arrangements.
Elmer Wormsbecher, son of Emanuel and Amelia (Buchholz) Wormsbecher, was born in rural Bon Homme County on September 17, 1925. He died Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD. Elmer attained the age of 85 years, eight months and 26 days.
Elmer received an eighth grade education at Vesper Country School. He served in the United States Army in Japan from April 17, 1951 to April 2, 1953.
Elmer married JoEllen DeGroot on June 17, 1964 at the Kingsburg Church in Kingsburg. Four sons were blessed to their union. He farmed on the home place all of his life.
Elmer was a member of the Danzig Baptist Church and served on the cemetery board for many years. He also was a member of the Jelkim-Harms American Legion Post 142 in Tripp for 58 years.
Elmer enjoyed restoring antique John Deere tractors and doing puzzles. He played the accordion and enjoyed Polka music. Elmer loved his granddaughters and the time spent with them.
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife JoEllen, rural Avon; four sons: Gary and wife Jaclyn of Yankton, Dale and wife Lori, Lyle and Scott, all of Avon; three granddaughters: Lea and Katey Wormsbecher and Jazmyn Gunderson; brother, Harvey and wife Betty of Tripp; sister, Ella Roth and husband Walter of Tripp; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; one brother Clarence; and six sisters: Lillian Richters, Julia Permann, Lorine Cihak, Ruth Ded, Hulda Wormsbecher and Esther Wudel.
Funeral services for Llewellyn Wormsbecker, 63, of Avon are 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at the Danzig Baptist Church, rural Avon. Buri al is in the church cemetery with military honors. isitation will be at the church on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. Cosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel in Avon is in charge of arrangements.
Llewellyn O. Wormsbecker was born September 23, 1948 in Parkston, SD, the son of Otto and Esther (Schwaderer) Wormsbecker. He died Saturday, December 31, 2011 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton after a courageous battle with cancer. Llewellyn (Lew) attained the age of 63 years, three months and eight days.
Lew graduated from Avon High School in 1967 and then served his country in the Army National Guard for seven years. Shortly after his time serving, Lew was united in marriage to his lifetime love and best friend, Janet Reiff, on June 7, 1975 at the Danzig Baptist Church in Avon. Together, they raised three children: Christie, Chad and Lisa.
Lew loved farming and raising cattle, and became a perfectionist when it came to his farm. He was a member of the Cattleman’s Association, President of Farm Bureau for many years and a lifetime member of the American Legion. Lew was an active member at the Danzig Baptist Church where he held several positions throughout the years. He enjoyed playing cards, especially pinochle, and will be remembered as a good friend, husband, dad, grandpa, brother, son and Christian. The past few years, he fought hard against the disease to remain with his kids and grandchildren who meant everything to him.
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife Janet of Avon; three children: Christie and husband Eddie Wobig of Canova; Chad and wife Erin Hammer of Prior Lake, MN; and Lisa and boyfriend Jesse Hines of St. Paul, M N; three grandchildren: Jaedon, Ashtyn and Brayden Wobig; mother, Esther Wormsbecker of Harrisburg; brother, Terry and wife Donna Wormsbecker of Avon; sister, Rhonda Brech of Harrisburg; and several nieces and nephews.
Llewellyn was preceded in death by his father, Otto, and grandson, Coledon Wobig.
Carl John Waller, 76, Tyndall, died Wednesday (Sept. 17, 2003) at St. Michael's Hospital, Tyndall.
Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John's Lutheran Church, Tyndall, with the Rev. Dean Schroeder officiating. Burial is in the Czech National Cemetery, Tyndall, South Dakota, with military rites by American Legion Pike-Wagner Post 2 and VFW Simek-Ptak Post 6895. Pallbearers are Rich Beringer, Ed Humpal, Jim Kniffen, Lowell Nelson, Alfred Novotny and Wayne Schuurmans. Visitation is 3-9 p.m. today (Friday), at the Goglin-Kelley Funeral Chapel, Tyndall. Visitation resumes one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church.
He was born Dec. 27, 1926 to Joe and Ina (Baxter) Waller at Granite Falls, Minn. He attended grade school in Granite Falls. Minn. At age 14, he moved to Springfield to live with his aunt and uncle. He joined the Army in 1950 and was stationed in Germany working as a pole lineman. He returned to South Dakota and married Elsie Mares on July 18, 1953, at Wagner. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. He continued his education at Nettleton College where he earned his bookkeeping degree. He was a truck driver for 30 years, a job he loved.
He was a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion. He was past commander of the Tyndall American Legion and was currently serving as chaplain of the VFW. He served as a board member to the Heritage Museum and Lidi Apartment Complex and was involved in the planning of the Tyndall Veteran's Memorial. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church where he served as an elder.
Carl is survived by his wife, Elsie, Tyndall; two daughters: Linda (Jerry) Pesek, Tyndall, and Leann (Mark) Gukeisen, Mitchell; two sisters: Eldora Fitzsimmons, Tampa, Fla., and Norma Underwood, Kingsley, Iowa; one brother, Arnold, Brooksville, Fla.; and five grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and three brothers.
Linda J. Wollman, age 48, of Olivet, passed away Friday, January 9, 2004, at the Menno-Olivet Care Center, Menno, SD, from complications of Huntington's disease.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2004, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Menno, with Rev. David Ellis officiating. Burial will be in the Menno Cemetery. Visitations will be from 3-9 p.m. Monday, January 12, 2004, at the Aisenbrey-Kostel Funeral Home, Menno, with the family present at 7 p.m. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Tim Schaeffer, DuWayne Herrboldt, Leland Goehring, Cory Goehring, Earl Maier Jr. and Rev. Terrell Huber.
Linda Jean Wollman was born August 31, 1955, to Elmer and Elaine (Werning) Wollman. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She attended Scotland High School. Linda went on to attend SDSU where she received her RN degree in Nursing. She began her nursing career at St. Benedict's in Parkston. Linda worked for many years at the emergency room at St. Joseph Hospital (Queen of Peace) in Mitchell. This was her second family. Linda was a very caring person and always willing to lend a hand. Huntington's disease forced Linda to resign from St. Joe's. She worked for a short period of time at Landmann-Jungman Memorial Hospital in Scotland and from there at the Human Services Center in Yankton. Linda completed her nursing career at the Menno-Olivet Care Center. Her health forced her retirement. Linda then lived at home where her father cared for her until September 10, 2002, at which time she entered the Menno-Olivet Care Center.
Linda was an active member of the SDNA. She was awarded the Nurse of the Year award, which was a great honor to her. She enjoyed looking at the leaves in the fall and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Linda is survived by her father, Elmer of Olivet, SD; three sisters: Renee (Wollman) Sheehy and Carol Wollman, who reside at the Menno-Olivet Care Center, Menno, SD; and Lois (Jim) Fanning of Olivet, SD; Renee's husband, Earl Sheehy, resides at Wahoo, NE; six nieces and nephews: Erin Sheehy of Brookings, SD; Kevin Sheehy of Chamberlain, SD, Kari Sheehy of Wahoo, NE, Kelsey, Kayla and Cameron Fanning of Olivet, SD.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Elaine, and brother, Raymond.
Raymond E. Wollman, age 53, of Olivet, passed away Thursday, October 30, 2003, at the Menno-Olivet Care Center, Menno, SD from complications of Huntington's disease.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 4, 2003, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Menno, with Rev. David Ellis officiating. Burial will be in the Menno Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Rames-Bender American Legion Post No. 152. Visitations will be 3-9 p.m. Monday at the Aisenbrey- Kostel Funeral Home, Menno, with the family present at 7 p.m. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be DuWayne Herrboldt, Leland Goehring, Lyle Huber, Clyde Mettler, Paul Hoffman and Tim Schaeffer.
Raymond Elmer Wollman was born February 18, 1950, to Elmer and Elaine (Werning) Wollman. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He attended Scotland School. He went on to attend SDSU where he received his degree in horticulture and agronomy. During college Ray was involve in ROTC. He took basic training at Fort Lee Virginia. He was stationed in Okinawa from February 6, 1975, to December 21, 1978. He returned home with an honorable discharge. He then went into farming with his father, Elmer. Ray was a hard worker. He loved planting trees and gardening, and hated weeds.
He was a lifetime member on Immanuel Lutheran Church, Menno, S.D., where he served as an usher of the church. He served on the B-Y Water District board of directors for several terms. He also served on the Sharon Township board. Poor health forced his retirement in 1992. His father cared for him at home until September 9, 2002, at which time he entered the Menno-Olivet Care Center.
He is survived by his father, Elmer, of Menno, S.D.; four sisters: Renee (Wollman) Sheehy, Linda Wollman and Carol Wollman, who reside at the Menno-Olivet Care Center, Menno, S.D.; and Lois (Jim) Fanning of Olivet, S.D.; Renee's husband, Earl Sheehy, resides at Wahoo, Neb.; six nieces and nephews: Erin Sheehy of Brookings, S.D.; Kevin Sheehy of Chamberlain, S.D.; Kari Sheehy of Wahoo, Neb.; Kelsey, Kayla and Cameron Fanning of Olivet, S.D.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Elaine.
Adella Wilhelmina Nickelena (Erps) Wold was born on a farm in Hutchinson County north of Scotland, South Dakota on Sunday, September 24, 1911. She was the youngest of six children born to August and Lena (Dockweiler) Erps. In 1915, the family moved from the farm into Kaylor. Adella attended the Kaylor Public School through the 10th grade. In March of 1928, they moved to Scotland. She worked in various homes in Scotland for several years. Adella was united in marriage to Albert Wold on January 21, 1931 and they raised a family of three children. She worked for Wold’s Grocery Store for nine years. She worked at the Scotland High School for seven years, first in the school lunchroom and later with her husband, “Ep,” as a janitor, retiring in 1964. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Scotland and the Scotland VFW Auxiliary. Adella passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at the Landmann-Jungman Memorial Hospital in Scotland, having achieved the age of 100 years and 10 months.
Adella is survived by her three children: daughter Mina Treick of Ohio, son Gary Wold of South Dakota, and son Gale Wold of Texas; and three grandchildren: grandsons Scott Treick of Ohio and Tim Wold of Montana, and granddaughter Rhiannon (Wold) Gonzalez of Texas.
In addition to her parents, August and Lena Erps, she was preceded in death by her husband, Albert “Ep” Wold in 1993; a grandson, Steven Treick; a son-in-law, Ronald Treick; four brothers: Bill, Emil, Ben and Edward; and a sister, Malinda (Erps) Lerssen.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Good Samaritan Society of Scotland or the Landmann-Jungman Memorial Hospital in Scotland.
Services were held for Larry Witt, 56, of Simsbury, Conn. December 20 at St. Mary's Church in Simsbury. Burial was in the Simsbury Cemetery.
Larry A. Witt was born August 21, 1943 in Tyndall, son of the late Emanuel and Hilda (Link) Witt. He was an electrical engineering graduate of South Dakota State University and received his MBA from the University of Hartford. Witt was a nuclear engineer for many years. He was a member of St. Mary's Church, Simsbury and vice president of the CAPFA operating out of Brainard Airport. His wife of 34 years is Mary Duffy, formerly of Yankton. They lived in Simsbury for the past 21 years. Larry died December 16, 1999 at his home.
Survivors include his wife, Mary; son, Jason Witt of Arlington, Va.; daughter, Kelly Witt of Miami, Fla.; sister, Marcy and her husband Mark Schroeder of Rochester, Minn.; three brothers, Daryl Witt of Sioux Falls, Kenneth Witt of West Lake Village, Calif., Dennis and his wife Carol Witt of Clairton, Penn.; sister-in-law, Laura Witt of Austin, Tex.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Witt.
Mrs. Dan Wandscheer passed away at her home in Sioux Center on Sunday morning Oct. 2, 1949 after a long illness due to cancer.
Born Dina Heusinkveld, on July 25, 1882, at Varsseveld, Holland she come to make her home in America at the age of 2½ yrs. Her parents first settled at Harrison, S. Dak. and later moved to Springfield, S. Dakota.
She was married to Daniel Wandscheer on December 15, 1905 and they lived on a farm near Sioux Center until the year of 1911 when they moved into town.
She is survived by her husband and two children James and Grace (Mrs Harold Boeyink) both of Sioux Center. She is further survived by one brother Dick Heusinkveld of Springfield. S. D., and three sisters Mrs Henry Holleman of Holland, Mich. Mrs Ted Abma and Mrs Ed Wandscheer of Sioux Center.
She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at the Central Reformed church with Rev. Henry G. Eggink of Hospers officiating. Burial took place at the Sioux Center cemetery.
Funeral services will be held at Central Reformed Church here at 1:30 P.M., Thursday, March 28, for Mrs. Evert Wandscheer, 78, a resident of Sioux Center since 1934, who died at the Sioux Center Community Hospital March 25, 1974.
Services will be conducted by the Rev. Wesley Kiel and burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery here under the direction of the Co-operative Funeral Home.
Gertie Heusinkveld, daughter of Gerrit and Grada Heusinkveld, was born at Harrison, S.D., May 15, 1895. She attended school and lived her youth in the Springfield, S.D., area and was married there on February 5, 1914, to Evert Wandscheer. They made their home in the Springfield area until moving to Sioux Center in August, 1934. He was active in Wandscheer Manufacturing Co. here for many years.
Mrs. Wandscheer is survived by her husband, Evert; one son, Harold, of Sioux Center; a granddaughter, Mary Wandscheer; and two sisters, Mrs. Henry Holleman of Michigan and Mrs. Ted Abma of Boyden.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Derk Gerrit, and a sister Mrs. Dan Wandscheer.