Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

City of Dell Rapids Makes Updates to City-Owned Facilities

May 22, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The City of Dell Rapids recently announced changes to city-owned facilities related to the Covid-19 virus on their Facebook page.

City Hall will open to the public starting on Monday, June 1st at 7:00 a.m. There will also be updated hours of operations to allow for more public access in the morning outside of normal business hours. The new hours will be Monday – Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fridays will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Only two patrons will be allowed within City Hall at any one time and visitor areas will be restricted. Masks are encouraged to be worn, but will not be required. City staff still encourages the public to continue to work with them through appointments, phone calls, emails, or online services to help continue slow the spread of the virus. For any City of Dell Rapids service please call (605) 428-3595 or email cityadmin@cityofdellrapids.com.

The comfort stations at Rickeman Field and City Park are also now open as of Friday, May 22nd. The comfort stations will be supplied with soap, and the public is encouraged to continue to practice good hygiene and hand washing when using the parks, amenities, and facilities. There is also an ask to continue to practice good social distances while using the parks, trails, facilities throughout the summer months.

The city campground will not open until June 29th. Reservations are now available for that opening date. The campground, however, will be restricted. Only the north part of the campground site (the old portion) will be available for camping. The south portion of the campground (the new portion) are not completed yet due to the flooding from the fall of 2019. The comfort station and shower facility will be open and available for camper use.

The Dell Rapids Carnegie Library will be working on a phased approach to opening. Starting on Monday, June 1st, curbside pick-up of library materials will be available. The library will also host the summer reading program online through the summer months. The phased plan to opening could see a limited public opening of the building starting in early August.

The Dell Rapids City Council made the decision to keep the pool closed for the 2020 season. The decision was made due to CDC guidelines for pool operations as well as staffing and budget considerations. The pool closure will mean no swimming lessons this year, but the city is hopeful that they will be able to fully operate the pool in 2021.

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2020 American Legion Post 65 Memorial Day Activities

May 19, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The George A. Fitzgerald American Legion Post 65 in Dell Rapids has altered its traditional Memorial Day Activities scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Post 65 has announced the following schedule for Memorial Day:

Memorial Day Ceremonies at the outlying cemeteries, the parade, and the brat feed are all cancelled.

The American Legion Post 65 Firing Squad will only fire at Veterans Memorial Park in Dell Rapids @ 10:00 am Monday, May 25, 2020.

Automobile Parking for the Memorial Service listed above will be available at the following locations:

At the Dells Auto Lot across the road (or west) from the Dairy Queen;
On the west side of Old Hwy 77 near the Subway strip mall;
On the north side of SD Hwy 115 across from the fire station.

For social distancing purposes, all attendees are asked to remain in their vehicle or alongside it.

Legion Post 65 cordially welcomes all citizens in the local area to attend and appreciates everyone’s cooperation in this event.

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Dell Rapids St Mary Carnival Making Changes for 2020

May 18, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The committee for the Dell Rapids St Mary annual carnival is making some changes for the carnival this year.

A big change this year due to the Covid-19 virus is that the carnival games will be cancelled for this year. The committee determined there was no way to maintain social distancing practices and sanitizing game objects between use.

The current plan is to still hold the auction portion of the carnival on June 7th at 11:00 a.m., however that plan is still subject to change as more information becomes available in the coming days.

The committee is also selling approximately 10 silent auction items on their Facebook page. There a couple of reasons for doing this. First, it will reduce some of the silent auction inventory to allow that part of the carnival to be spread out more. Also, it’s a way to test the feasibility of a virtual/online auction system.

To participate in the silent auction items on Facebook, join their page found here, https://www.facebook.com/St-Mary-Catholic-School-Carnival-Auction-177605032271194/

Everyone who plans to bid must have an auction number. Please contact Amada Geraets (605-940-4637) for that number. Bidders can comment on the items to increase the bid, similar to the silent auction in the gym. Bids must increase by $1.00. The deadline for the bids is Wednesday, May 20th, at 4:00 p.m. If you do not wish to have your bid public in a comment, you can message the page or a Carnival Committee member with your Auction number and bid amount, and they will comment it for you.

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More Dell Rapids Summer Events Change Due to Virus

May 15, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Image from CDC website

Weeks after the announcement that the annual Dell Rapids Relay for Life is cancelled due to the Covid-19 virus, two more summertime events in Dell Rapids are being altered because of the virus.

The Dell Rapids Legion Post 65 made an announcement on Facebook the night of Wednesday, May 14th. After a meeting via teleconference, a decision was made to cancel the 2020 Legion Cootie Days. As posted on their Facebook page, “It was a tough decision to cancel cootie days and was not taken lightly. Safety of the community has to take precedence, although disappointing, we could not have the carnival.” The Legion is planning on working with Thomas Carnivals for the 2021 event.

The Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce is also making changes to their annual Quarry Days celebration, which was to be held on June 26th through 28th. The chamber is postponing the annual Quarry Days celebration to August 8th and 9th.

Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce President Dan Ahlers said, “The chamber believes moving Quarry Days is a responsible step in promoting public safety. We hope having it in August will provide a safer, more acceptable date and bring a sense of normalcy back to our summer.”

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Margaret Jorgensen

May 12, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Margaret Mary Jorgensen died on May 10, 2020 at her home in Dell Rapids, SD. A private family Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 in St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids. Interment will be in the St. Mary Cemetery, Dell Rapids. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Kahler-Brende Funeral Home. www.kahlerfh.com

Margaret was born on January 5, 1927 to Nicholas and Margaret (Schwebach) Zeig in Flandreau, SD. At an early age she moved to Dell Rapids. She attended St. Mary’s School and graduated in 1945. She worked at a cafe and bakery. She married Wendell Jorgensen on April 3, 1950. In 1969, the couple owned and operated the Park Service for nine years. She then worked at Avera Mckennan Hospital as a housekeeper until retiring in 1989. Her husband died on June 11, 1989.

Margaret was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and altar society.

She loved music, playing piano and keyboard and playing cards with family and friends, but mostly her grandchildren.

She is survived by her sons, Ron of Madison, SD, Tom (Crystal) of Madison, NE, Dan and Dennis both of Dell Rapids; her daughters, Joanne Weelborg of Dell Rapids, Janet (Bill) Weber and Karen (Steve) Tramp of Sioux Falls, SD; her 22 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, 6 step great-grandchildren, her two great-great-grandchildren, her 6 step great-great-grandchildren and her extended family.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, her daughter, Connie Lindholm, her parents, her four brothers, five sisters, her daughter-in-law, Barb Jorgensen and step great-granddaughter, Maggie.

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Arlys Hill

May 11, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Arlys Hill, 81, of Dell Rapids, SD went home to be with Jesus on May 10, 2020. A private funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 in the River Community Church, Dell Rapids. Interment will be in the Apostolic Lutheran Cemetery, Lake Norden. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Kahler-Brende Funeral Home. www.kahlerfh.com

Arlys Elaine Drovdal was born on May 4, 1939 to Arthur and Evelyn (Mitchell) Drovdal in Summit, SD. On July 6, 1961 she married Silas M. Hill. They lived in Chicago, IL, Watertown, SD, Albertville, MN and Monticello, MN. In 1972 they moved to Howard, SD. Arlys worked various jobs including waitressing, nursing assistant and her most enjoyable job of being a Senior Companion. In 1993 Arlys and Si moved to Elbow Lake, MN to retire. Arlys moved to Madison, SD in 2005 after Si passed away to be closer to family.

Arlys enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Some of her fondest memories were summers spent at Pelican Lake in Ashby, MN. She also loved crafting and working with the elderly.

Grateful for having shared her life are her three daughters, Vicki Everett of Duluth, MN, Kathy (Bart) Blake of Dell Rapids, SD and Heidi Hill of Rapid City, SD; her grandchildren, Chris (Sandy) Drovdal, Jenny Everett of Duluth, MN, Zach (Laura) Hill of Green Bay, WI, Kayla (Jarrod) Brower, Kendall (Jesse) Olson and Nick (Merry) Hill of Sioux Falls, SD, Aaron (Kelsy) Blake of Harrisburg, SD, Brittani (Kylie) Walters of Fleetwood, PA, Eric Asbury of Feasterville, PA and Elizabeth Asbury of Rapid City, SD; her great-grandchildren, Emma, Addyson, Jordan, Baylee, Calvin and Baby Girl Olson to be born in September 2020, Mackenzie, Kylie, Brooke, Kane and Jonathon and her brother, Ken (Irene) Drovdal of Mandan, ND.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Si, her son, Rick, her daughter, Trudy, her brother, Gene and an infant sister, Karen Faye.

Memorials may be directed to River Community Church, Dell Rapids or West Central Baptist Church in Madison, SD.

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Jeannette Torgusen

May 10, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Jeannette Juanita Torgusen age 88, of Mankato, passed away on May 8, 2020, at Cottagewood Senior Living in Mankato, MN, where she had been a resident since July of 2019, following a massive stroke in August of 2018. Due to Covid 19, the Visitation will be private. The funeral will be held live from Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home Friday May, 15th 2020 at 11am officiated by Pastor Mary Iverson of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wells, MN. Viewing of the service can be done at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home’s Facebook Page live at 11:00am. Please see www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is in charge of arrangements.

Jeannette was born in Minnesota Lake, MN, on September 19, 1931 to William and Martha (Werner) Beyer. She graduated from Minnesota Lake High School in 1949, and worked at the local bank. She met Lawrence Torgusen in High School and they were married in November 1953. Lawrence joined the Army and they were in Chicago for a short while and then came back to Minnesota Lake in 1955 where they had 6 children and lived until 1970. Jeannette was a homemaker and worked for Nordaas American Homes. In 1970 they moved their family of 8 to Dell Rapids, SD where she worked for the Singer Sewing Company in Sioux Falls, and the local bank in Dell Rapids, until 1975, when they moved to the Mankato area. From 1975 to 2009 she was a bank teller and teller supervisor at 3 Mankato Banks, and then retired at age 78. Her years of banking brought her close to so many in the community. Customer service was very important to her and getting to know her customers through kindness was how she achieved it.

Jeannette had an inspiring passion for gardening and the Minnesota Twins. She loved family reunions and a chance to get in the boat and do some fishing. She loved bowling for many many years, was an active member and spent several years in leadership at the Morson Ario Strand VFW Auxiliary in Mankato for over 30 years and the American Legion Auxiliary in Minnesota Lake for Decades more. She was an avid reader until her stroke. Above all, Jeannette’s kids, grandkids, and great grandkids were the light of her life. Not to mention her siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her grand puppies Autumn, Bogart and Sophie loved when she was in the house to spoil them.

Jeannette leaves behind 4 of her 6 children, son Peter (Nancy) Torgusen of Dell Rapids, SD, son Mark Torgusen of Jackson Hole, WY, daughter Mary Torgusen of Mankato, daughter Debra (Carl) Clark of Sioux Falls, SD and daughter in law Diane Torgusen of New Ulm. She leaves behind 11 Grandchildren, Trista, Peter III, Ashley, John, Jessica, Alise, Eric, Simone, Olivia, Courtney and Caitlin and 10 Great Grandchildren, Tyson, Lexi, Evelyn, Mason, Bryce, Genevieve, Cameron, Weston, Jordan, and Lucy. She is also survived by her sisters Joyce (Marlin) Krohnberg, Judy (Jim) Purdie, and Linda (Glen) Purdie and her brothers Bill (Sue) Beyer and John Beyer.

Jeannette is now reunited in heaven with her Parents, her husband Lawrence (1992), her 18-year old son John (1978), and her 54-year old son Paul (2012)

If you are in the Mankato area, and want to give a gift of flowers, please stop by and plant an annual in one of the flower pots, or just leave them in the flowerbed, and drop a note in the watering can at Mary’s house in honor of Jeannette. Mom would be overjoyed to watch love grow in her flowerbed. 106 N Plainview Avenue, Mankato.

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Less Restrictions on Businesses in Dell Rapids

May 10, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

As of Monday, May 4th, businesses in Dell Rapids have been able to operate with less restrictions. The Dell Rapids City Council passed the second reading of Ordinance 878, which loosens the restrictions placed on businesses by Ordinance 876.

The biggest change with the new ordinance is the number of patrons the businesses can have. With Ordinance 876 businesses could only allow up to 10 patrons at a time, but Ordinance 878 will allow up to 50% of the maximum occupancy as determined by the City of Dell Rapids building or fie codes, whichever is greater. Businesses should also attempt to establish a minimum six-foot distance between any tables, chairs, or booths. That distance does not need to be followed by members of the same household.

City-owned property still remains closed until further notice by the Mayor. Those properties include City Hall, Dell Rapids Carnegie Library, the swimming pool, public bathrooms, and ball fields to organized groups or teams. The Mayor did open up the playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, and ball fields to non organized groups and teams on Friday, May 1st.

Dell Rapids Mayor Tom Earley did state the churches were not tied to this city ordinance and could operate as they wished.

Mayor Earley also said during the council meeting, “My concern and my worry is as things start to loosen up somewhat and less restrictions that people don’t interpret that to mean the virus not as deadly as it used to be. No matter what we do, it doesn’t change anything about this virus. The virus is still the same. I think most people by now will realize that. The purpose here is to work with our businesses and as long as we maintain communication with them, what we expect, etc, I’m sure all of them are willing. Besides their businesses being at stake, they want to do the right thing. They don’t want to do anything that’s gonna screw up their businesses.”

Full Text of Ordinance 878

Dell Rapids Ordinance 878

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Virgil Gannon

May 7, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Virgil T. Gannon, 76, of Dell Rapids passed away on Monday, May 4, 2020 at the Dougherty Hospice House. In honoring Virgil’s wishes, there will be no service at this time. An Irish send-off is planned for a later date. Funeral arrangements were under the care of Kahler-Brende Funeral Home. www.kahlerfh.com.

Virgil Thomas Gannon was born on January 11, 1944 at Dell Rapids, SD, the son of Liguori and Doris (Johnson) Gannon. He attended school in Dell Rapids graduating from Dell Rapids High School in 1962. He attended College at Dakota State. During college, he worked for John Morrell’s. He married Carol Maseman, the couple later divorced. He married Carol Carlson on June 22, 1975 and moved to the Gannon family farm. They opened Gannon Bookkeeping and Tax Service in 1975. In 2016, they sold the business and retired in 2017.

He enjoyed his tax clients, flying and going to auctions. He was very proud of his Irish Heritage.

Virgil is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, William Gannon.

He is survived by his wife, Carol of Dell Rapids; his children, Virgil Scott Gannon of Sioux Falls, Shawn Gannon of Sioux Falls, Rob (Eileen) Gannon of Sioux Falls, Wendy Walker (Gary Hall) of Sioux Falls, Brett (Denise) Gannon of Cherokee, IA and his step-son, Todd (Jodi) Carlson of Wells, MN; his 13 grandchildren and his 10 great-grandchildren and his siblings, James (Renelle) Gannon of Washington D.C., Sharon Kay Gannon of Sioux Falls, John (Mary) Gannon of Mesa, AZ, Denny (Mary) Gannon of Dell Rapids and Mark (Gail) Gannon of Bozeman, MT and sister-in-law, Shirley Gannon of Sioux Falls.

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Dell Rapids Free Rubble Site Days Announced for Spring Season

April 30, 2020 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids City Council approved three “Free Rubble Site Days” this spring. The three days will be May 2nd (Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM), May 8th (Thursday, 1 PM to 6 PM), and May 9th (Saturday 9AM to 4PM).

There is still a $10.00 fee for appliances.

As a reminder the rubble site is licensed by the State of South Dakota and is restricted to trees, branches, untreated wood, construction and demolition debris, sheet rock, plaster, concrete, carpet, furniture, mattresses, grass, yard and garden waste and leaves, and large household appliances. Fees are enforced by volume and type of material. Dell Rapids residents only.

Unaccepted items include household waste, cardboard, plastic (of any kind), small electric appliances (TVs, stereo equipment, microwaves), toys, bikes with tires, shingles, asbestos, tires, hazardous materials, and fiberglass.

Please visit the Rubble Site page for a list of accepted materials.

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