Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media, Author at Big Sioux Media Sports Network

Dell Rapids Oral Interp Team Performs Well at State

December 7, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Oral Interp team performed well at the 2015 State Oral Interp Festival held in Sturgis on Friday, December 4th, and Saturday December 5th.

Kendra Drew earned three superior ratings over the weekend. Drew received superiors on her drama and humorous pieces. She was also a member of the Dell Rapids Reader’s Theater group that earned a straight superior rating. Other members of the Reader’s Theater group along with Drew were Morgan Nemmers, Isabelal Tesnow, Trey Randel, Maggie Moore, and Brooke Hawthorne. Dell Rapids was one of only three schools to earn a straight superior rating in Reader’s Theater.

Drew’s three superior ratings at a state event are the best that a participant can do at the state festival.

John Weber

December 5, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

John Weber, age 72, of Sioux Falls, passed away Tuesday November 24, 2015 in Parker, CO. Family will greet friends from 5:00-7:00 pm with a scripture service at 7:00 pm Friday December 4, at Miller Funeral Home, 507 S. Main Ave. Mass of Christian burial will be said at 9:00 am Saturday at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, with burial at St. Michael Cemetery. Condolences may be left at Miller Funeral Home.

John Henry Weber, son of Clarence and Mathilda (Jellesma) Weber, was born July 14, 1943 in Sioux Falls, SD. He grew up in the north end of Sioux Falls, graduating from Cathedral High in 1961. John then served in the United States Marine Corps until 1964. After returning to Sioux Falls, he began his career with the United States Postal Service.

On December 27, 1966 he was united in marriage to Sharon Jerentowski of Sioux Falls. The couple made their home in Dell Rapids, SD, later returning to Sioux Falls; the family moved to Vermillion, SD in 1982 when John became Postmaster, a position he held until his retirement in 1999.

From the time he began his career, John was an active member of the AFL-CIO Postal Union, then the National League of Postmasters where he served in leadership roles. He was always active in the communities and parishes in which he lived, and was proud to join the ranks of the Fourth Degree with the Knights of Columbus. John enjoyed spending his time with his grandsons, traveling with Sharon, making music compilations, woodworking, collecting rocks, and being outdoors with his flowers.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Sharon; his children, John (Phyllis) Weber, Price, UT, Laurie Weber, Sioux Falls, Jennifer (Lawrence) Chavers, Centennial, CO; 6 grandchildren; his siblings, Phyllis Miller, Sioux Falls, Mary Ann (Jerry) Meert, Overland Park, KS, Tom (Joan) Weber, Highlands Ranch, CO, and Suzi (Jim) Sieverding, Spencer, SD.

He was proceeded in death by his parents and his brother Richard. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the local Alzheimer’s Association.

Ardith Forbes

December 3, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Ardith (Olson) Forbes, 97, of Dell Rapids passed away on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at the Dells Area Health Center. Her funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 7, 2015 in the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids Chapel. Interment will be in the Dell Rapids Cemetery. Visitation with the family present on Sunday, December 6, 2015 will be from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Kahler Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at Kahler Funeral Home.

Ardith Olson was born on May 17, 1918 at Dell Rapids, SD, the daughter of Aaron and Affa (Burlingame) Olson. She grew up in Huron and graduated from Huron High School. She was baptized and confirmed in the American Lutheran Church of Huron. She attended and graduated from Northwest College of Commerce in Huron. She worked for Standard Oil in Huron from 1940 to 1957. Ardith married Verne Forbes on August 5, 1959 at Idaho Falls, ID. The couple moved to Minneapolis after being transferred there for work. She worked at the Standard Oil in Minneapolis until 1967 when she transferred to the Kansas City office. She retired in 1975 and moved to Dell Rapids in 1977.

After Verne’s death in 1993, Ardith remained active in the church and traveled to numerous destinations. She loved to quilt and donated over 1000’s quilts to different people. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids, Women of the ELCA, the Hospital Auxiliary, the Dell Rapids Lutheran Ladies Quilters and the Senior Citizen Center.

Ardith was preceded in death by her parents, one sister and her husband.

She is survived by a cousin, Belva Lantz of Columbus, OH; her extended family, Gary and Kathy Ageton of Battle Creek, NE, Larry adn Janice Ageton of Watertown, Amy (Brian) Kniffen of Madrid, IA, Chris Ageton of Fort Collins, CO, Brian Ageton of Windsor, CO, and Colton and Wyatt Kniffen of Madrid, IA; special friends, Milton Munk, Raymond Schmidt, and Frank and Joyce Farinelli all of Dell Rapids and her numerous cousins and friends.

Cynthia (Kriz) Johnson

December 2, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Cindy K. Johnson, 61, Valley Springs, died Saturday, November 21, 2015, at home, surrounded by her family. Family Visitation will be 5-7pm, Tuesday, November 24, 2015, at Heartland Funeral Home, with a short Prayer Service at 7pm. Funeral Services will be 10:30am, Wednesday, November 25, at Blessed Redeemer Lutheran Church, Brandon. Interment will follow at Hills of Rest Memorial Park, Sioux Falls. Condolences may be left at Heartland Funeral Home.

Cynthia Kay Kriz was born on May 15, 1954 in Tyndall, SD, to Roy Harvey Kriz and Helen Luella (Hahn) Kriz. She entered the Kingdom of God through Holy Baptism on May 30, 1954, at St John’s Lutheran Church in Tyndall, SD. She was confirmed at Memorial Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD, on June 9, 1968. Her Confirmation Bible verse was 1 John 2:17, “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”

Cindy attended both Bumbas Elementary and Vellek Elementary in rural Bon Homme County in South Dakota. She attended Edison Middle School in Sioux Falls, SD and graduated from Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, SD, in 1972. She graduated from Nettleton College, in Sioux Falls, SD.

On April 12, 1980, Cindy was united in marriage to Rick Eugene Johnson at Memorial Lutheran Church, in Sioux Falls, SD. This union was blessed with 4 children; Cody Jerome, Sarah Kay, Tyler Jerome and Alex Jerome.

She worked for over 30 years at Thurman, Comes, Foley & Co. LLP as a book keeper. During her career, she also worked at the Holiday Inn City Centre, an Answering Service, Pollard International and Crystal Ice Concessions.

In her spare time, Cindy enjoyed working with ceramics, bowling, riding horses and fishing. She participated in the Bridles N Britches 4-H club. Cindy joined Blessed Redeemer Lutheran Church in Brandon, SD in November, 1997.

Cindy will be deeply missed by her husband, Rick; three children, Sarah (Jake Wheeler) Johnson, Valley Springs, Tyler and Alex Johnson, Valley Springs; granddaughter, Lexie; parents, Roy and Helen Kriz ,Sioux Falls; two siblings, Roger (Leanne) Kriz, Sioux Falls and Karen (Michael) Beyer, Valley Springs; mother-in-law, Jan Johnson, Garretson; sisters-in-law, Darcia (Dan) Hansen, Jasper, MN, Laurie (Glen) Johnson-Newell, Lincoln, NE, Jodie (Mark Dorn) Ahlers, Luverne, MN, Jennifer (Ron) Rouse, Lincoln, NE, Amie (Randy) Hemmer, Dell Rapids, SD, and many extended family.

She was preceded by her son, Cody Johnson; father-in-law, Donald Johnson; grandparents, Helen and Henry Hahn and Emma and Albert Kriz; aunt and uncle, Ruby and Donald Kriz; and great nephew, Tayden Grohs.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests memorials be made to any breast cancer research association.

Alvin Pederson

December 2, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Alvin Pederson, age 101, of Viborg, SD; formerly of Chester, SD; died Saturday, November 28, 2015, at Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home, Viborg. Funeral Services will be 1:00 PM Wednesday at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Wentworth with burial at Pleasant HIll Cemetery, Chester. The family will be present for visitation 5-7 PM Tuesday at Ellsworth Funeral Home and continues one hour prior to the service at the church. Condolences may be left at Ellsworth Funeral Home.

Alvin Pederson was born October 1, 1914, at rural Colman to Nels and Pauline (Sorenson) Pederson. He attended rural school near Colman and married Ruby Jones on May 21, 1938, at Sioux Falls. They farmed near Chester for many years and he later worked for the ASCS office in Flandreau. After retirement, they moved into Chester. Alvin was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Chester until it closed and was a current member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Wentworth. Alvin enjoyed playing cards, gardening and woodworking. He was proud of being King of Danish Days in Viborg when he was 100 years old.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, his wife in 2014, one son Robert, three brothers, Herman, Thorval and Leonard, and one sister, Viola Hoyme.

Survivors include two sons, Ted (Sue) Pederson of Rapid City and Tom (Gwen) Pederson of Sioux Falls; one daughter, Diane (Duane) Nelson of Mesa, AZ; one daughter-in-law, Barb Pederson of Chancellor, SD; nine grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and one sister, Luella Buskerud of Dell Rapids, SD.

Phyllis Ptak

December 2, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Phyllis Erma “Honey” Ptak was born on Jan. 7, 1926, on the Belk farm north of Henry to Vern and Eva Belk. She was baptized and confirmed at Henry Methodist Church. Phyllis attended all 12 years and graduated from Henry Public School. After graduation, she worked as office manager at Marquardt’s Firestone garage. In 1945, she worked at Base Headquarters, Watertown Air Force Base until closing. Phyllis then moved to Huron to attend Northwest College of Commerce while continuing her government career at the Bureau of Reclamation in Huron. In 1956, Phyllis transferred to Bureau of Reclamation in Watertown. Phyllis was the first female employee. In 1977, the Bureau had a name change to Western Area Power Administration, where Phyllis continued to work until her retirement in 1989, after 42 years of service.

On July 1, 1967, Phyllis married William “Bill” Ptak. They lived in Watertown, spending summers at Lake Kampeska. Bill and Phyllis were instrumental in sponsoring the Karger family from Afghanistan — Hosain, Rahima, Nooshen, Farzad and Omid. The Kargers reside in California.

Phyllis loved music and performed in the Henry and Florence Pep Band for many years while Bill was the band director. A private burial service was held at Lorinda Cemetery in Henry. Memorials may be designated to Henry Methodist Church, Henry Lorinda Cemetery or another organization of your choice.

Phyllis is survived by her brother, Lyle V. “Bud” Belk and sister-in-law, Cleo Belk, both of Watertown; sister-in-law, Donna (Ron) Wolf of Dell Rapids; nieces and nephews, Jeanne (Bill) Snyder of Rapid City, Kevin Wolf of Gillette, Wyo., Sister Maris Clemems of Hampton, Va., Allen (Dawn) Wolf of Worthing, Mickey (Karen) Wolf of Gillette, Carol (Bill) Schutt of Watertown, Lynn (Bob) Reiter of Redlands, Calif., Mary Beth (Neal) Bassett of Scottsdale, Ariz., Brad (Carolyn) Belk of Coon Rapids, Minn., and John (Joni) Belk of Fargo, N.D.; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” Ptak, her parents, Vern and Eva Belk and her brother, Harold Belk.

Richard Gebhart

December 2, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Richard M. Gebhart, 82, passed away Monday, November 30, 2015 at his rural Elkton home. Richard Mathias Gebhart was born December 24, 1932 at Elkton, SD to George Sr. and Margaret (Lanners) Gebhart. He attended country school at rural Elkton through the 8th grade. Richard attended Dell Rapids St. Mary’s all four years of high school. He was a starter for a successful Dells St. Mary’s basketball team. After high school, Richard was drafted during the Korean War. After returning home, Richard continued farming on the family farm where he remained until his death. Richard was very involved in his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews activities. Richard was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Elkton and the Elkton Knights of Columbus. He loved reading, dancing, sports, horseshoes, pinochle, and had a love for John Deere Tractors. Richard’s biggest joy was children. He was known as the fun uncle.

Richard is survived by his sister Isabelle Short, brother George (Anastasia) Gebhart, brother-in-law Francis VanSambeek, 36 nieces and nephews and many great and great-great-nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, Joe, John, Felix, Leo, Ed, three sisters, Mary, Margaret, Theresa, and two nieces.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 4, 2015 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Elkton, with burial in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation is 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday at the church with a 7 p.m. scripture service. Condolences may be left at Skroch Funeral Home.

Wreaths Across America Program Set

December 1, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Funeral Directors Association will again participate in Wreaths Across America, a national program which pays tribute to fallen veterans of all wars during the Christmas season. A formal wreath presentation will be held at the Flaming Fountain Veterans Memorial on Capitol Lake in Pierre at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 7, 2015.

The Wreaths Across America story began in 1992 when Worcester Wreath Company (a non-profit organization from Harrington, Maine) began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nation’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays. The national wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 12:00 Noon EST. This will be the Wreaths Across America organization’s 24th year of laying wreaths at our Nation’s cemetery (www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org). This year also marks the 151^st anniversary of Arlington National Cemetery (www.arlingtoncemetery.mil).

In 2014, Wreaths Across America and our national network of volunteers laid over 700,000 memorial wreaths at 1,000 locations in the United States and beyond. They were able to include ceremonies at the Pearl Harbor Memorial, as well as Bunker Hill, Valley Forge and the sites if the September 11 tragedies. Wreaths Across America accomplished this with help from 2,047 fundraising groups, corporate contributions, and donations of trucking, shipping, and thousands of helping hands. Our goal of covering Arlington National Cemetery was accomplished in 2014 with the placement of 226,525 wreaths.

The Wreaths Across America’s mission is to Remember, Honor, and Teach. Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve including their families who sacrifice, and Teach our children the cost of the freedoms we enjoy each day. It is our shared belief that…

‘The nation which forgets its defenders will soon be forgotten.’ – Calvin Coolidge

This year will be our 9^th annual wreath laying ceremony. Participants in the South Dakota ceremony are the Board of Directors and members of the South Dakota Funeral Directors Association (SDFDA), Pierre Post 8 American Legion, Pierre VFW Post 2038, Oahe Marine Corps League, Vietnam Era Veterans Association and the Disabled American Veterans. Featured speakers confirmed at this time will be Governor Dennis Daugaard; Major General Tim Reisch, Adjutant General of the South Dakota National Guard; and Doug Nohava, President of the South Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The T.F. Riggs High School Chamber Choir under the direction of Rodd Bauck will perform our national anthem. The public is encouraged to attend to help pay tribute to fallen soldiers during the Christmas season.

The South Dakota Funeral Directors Association is a professional association that represents the funeral service professionals and the funeral home establishments in the state. The Association provides education, legislative representation and public relations statewide.

Water Deposit Increase Proposed by Council

November 30, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids City Council passed the first reading of Ordinance 825, Water Utility Deposit Increase, at their last regular meeting held on Monday, November 16th. The ordinance proposed will raise the deposit required for water utility from $50.00 to $125.00 for renters.

City Administrator Justin Weiland said, “The council had discussion at the previous meeting regarding this issue, and it was the vocal consensus that the council was to raise it to that rate. This was spurred when council member (Lee) Burggraff brought up the issue between owners of the property and their renters, and leaving them with past due water bills.”

The $50.00 deposit rate has been in place since 1999. If the council passes the second reading of the ordinance, the new rate will go into effect on January 4th, 2016.

Marvin Mueller

November 26, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

On November 23, 2015, Marvin Reuben Mueller was welcomed into the presence of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Marvin was born on January 31, 1925 on a rural farm near Parkston, SD to Fred and Anna (Doering) Mueller, baptized at Kulm Lutheran Church in rural Parkston. He was confirmed at First American Lutheran Church in Tripp, SD, and graduated from Tripp High School in 1943. After serving in the military for the next 3 years during WWII, he earned the Purple Heart Honor which he humbly declined. Marv attended South Dakota State University in 1946-47, returning to Tripp in 1947 and marrying Helen Nolz on September 7, 1947 at Salem Lutheran Church in Parkston, SD. They resided in Tripp for their entire married life of 58 years.

Marvin worked alongside his father at Mueller’s Hatchery in Tripp, SD and became the sole owner in 1963. He served as the President of the South Dakota Poultry Improvement Association and was on the board of Directors for a total of 24 years. Marv was active at First American Lutheran Church serving as Sunday School Superintendent for 28 years.

Marvin was credited with “a willingness to work and the ability to lead” which can be seen throughout the community. He proudly served as Mayor of Tripp, SD for approximately 10 years and was instrumental in development of the Tripp swimming pool, beautification project of the Tripp cemetery, the town’s first tree farm, and the Tripp Good Samaritan Home. He served as past president of the Tripp Commercial Club and a longtime member of the Tripp American Legion since 1946 where many could find him selling raffle tickets at the front gate during the Tripp Sports Day Celebration. He was a committed servant to his town and his projects but he would strongly state “we couldn’t have accomplished this without the help and support of local members and coworkers.”

Marv‘s love of music and golf carried him throughout his life. He was active in the Men’s Choir at First American Church, barbershop quartet and the Dakota Chorale. His passion became a part of his profession as he developed a business of building and repairing clubs.

Grateful for sharing his life are his 7 children: Sandy (Chris) Fischer, Sioux Falls, SD; Connie (Timothy) Jackson, Houston, TX; Karyl (Bob) Shultz, Phoenix, AZ; Karin (Roger) Schneider, Schleswig, IA; Marc Mueller, Oklahoma City, OK; Lynn (Jerry) Kerns, Dell Rapids, SD; Jennifer (Layne) Nelson, Sioux Falls, SD; 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. His 3 sisters: Audrey Keller, Honolulu, HI; Doris Kampfe, Phillipsburg, KS; Helen Rae (David) Bracklein, Saline, MI. Lilian Graber and Margo Bowling shared a special part of his life for the past 8 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Anna Mueller and his wife Helen.

The family has requested no flowers please. Donations may be made to the Lutheran Outdoors in South Dakota. Marvin was a committed, faithful believer and supporter of outdoor ministry. Condolences may be left at Goglin Funeral Home.

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