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

Jeff Park

November 12, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Jeffrey Park, 61, of Sioux Falls passed away Tuesday, November 10, 2015. Memorial services will begin at 3:00 PM Sunday, November 15, 2015 at Minnehaha Funeral Home Chapel in Dell Rapids. Inurnment will be in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Dell Rapids. Memorial visitation with the family present will begin at 1:00 PM Sunday, November 15, 2015 at Minnehaha Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.minnehahafuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be directed to The Banquet or Union Gospel Mission in Sioux Falls, SD.

Jeffrey Frank Park was born to Kenneth and Theresa (Krier) Park on September 12, 1954 in Dell Rapids. He received his education in Dell Rapids, graduating from St. Mary High School in 1972.

Jeff married Kathy Mersch in 1976. Through eight years of marriage they were blessed with three children, Amy, Christopher and step-son Chad. Jeff worked for many construction companies through the years including M.A. Mortenson Construction and Heeren Construction. He moved back to Dell Rapids to care for his parents until their passing.

Jeff enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and going to the lake. Jeff had a great way of conversing with people and an overwhelming kindness, endless smile and a soft heart that was felt by all he met. He was affectionately known to many as “Gordy”, “Parley” and “Smokey”.

Jeff is survived by his daughter, Amy (Kelly) Lahr, Dell Rapids; son, Christopher “CJ” (Jackie) Park, Dell Rapids; step-son, Chad (Karen) Gerdes, Madison; grandchildren, Dylan, Aydan, Mia, Lilly, Cali, Hudson and Lucy; brothers, Bruce Park, Flandreau, Paul (Deann) Park, Brandon, Greg (Dianne) Park, Shell Lake, WI and David (Jasmine) Park, Lacy, WA; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and special friends.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parent, Kenneth and Theresa Park.

Midwest Fresh Logistics Holds Ground-Breaking Ceremonies

November 11, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Midwest Fresh Logistics held a ground-breaking ceremony in Dell Rapids at the Council Chambers on Wednesday, November 11th. Midwest Fresh Logistics President Ben Bricko, Dell Rapids Mayor Scott Fiegen, Dell Rapids Economic Development Corporation President Doug Hainje, Minnehaha County Commissioner Cindy Heiberger, and South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard spoke during the ceremony.

Midwest Fresh Logistics has already begun dirt work on their 20,000 square-foot facility that will cost around $2.5 million. Bricko mentioned they hope to begin foundation work within the next week or two. Plans are to have the facility operational somewhere between the end of March to the middle of April in 2016.

Bricko said, “The vision of the company is to improve the delivery of fresh produce to the upper Midwest region. The primary function of the employees of the facility is going to be to unload the trucks, re-sort the product according to the region that it’s going to end up at, and put it back on the truck for final delivery. The majority of the jobs initially will be material handling, supervisors for material handling, and of course an operations manager for the facility. Initial thought is eight to 10 employees.”

Heiberger mentioned, “How wonderful for you to pick Minnehaha County to put your company in and join us in a great team. We have wonderful people here in Minnehaha County. We are happy to have you as part of our county, obviously, because our county runs on property taxes. Any new economic growth in the county is a plus for all the residents of Minnehaha County.”

Not only was the ground-breaking ceremony to celebrate Midwest Fresh Logistics, but the ceremony also celebrated the establishment of the new industrial Fiegen Development Park within the city limits of Dell Rapids.

“This will be officially our first industrial park within the city limits of Dell Rapids. I greatly appreciate everybody’s efforts,” noted Fiegen.

Heiberger also said, “Congratulations to Dell Rapids for putting together the Fiegen Development out there. It’s wonderful that you guys got a park going on in your own town. Thank you for what you’ve done.”

The city of Dell Rapids will be constructing a $1.3 million road from highway 115 to the new development park. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development and South Dakota Department of Transportation will provide grant assistance.

Governer Daugaard said, “It’s really a double-celebration. We’re here of course to celebrate Ben and his company, Midwest Fresh Logistics, and his decision to come to Dell Rapids. That’s a great thing for the property tax-base for the city. It’s a great thing for those who are looking for jobs closer to home that might be commuting to Sioux Falls now or elsewhere and find good jobs right here in the community. That’s a good thing to celebrate in itself. But what’s great about it is it comes at a time when it provides an opportunity to open up a development park in the city.”

Every speaker thanked the Fiegen family for the land that is being used for the development park.

“I would like to thank the Fiegen family. The development corporation was able to purchase some land from them. Without that this project would never have taken place,” said Hainje.

From L to R: City Administrator Justin Weiland, Midwest Fresh Logistics President Ben Bricko, Minnehaha County Commissioner Cindy Heiberger, Dell Rapids Economic Development Corporation President Doug Hainje, South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard, Dell Rapids Mayor Scott Fiegen

Dell Rapids Students Celebrate Veteran’s Day

November 11, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Students from Dell Rapids Public and Dell Rapids St Mary schools spent the day celebrating Veteran’s Day.

Dell Rapids Middle and High School held their program at 9:00 a.m. at the high school gym. Veteran’s Day poems were read by 5th grade students Sam Schmitt, Zach Heinemann, and Callista Xavier. The Dell Rapids High School band and choir performed during the ceremony, and Morgan Kistler presented a service project to the veterans.

The Dell Rapids St Mary program was held at 10:00 a.m. at the Dell Rapids St Mary High School gym. The St Mary program included a slide show of all the relatives of St Mary students with their branch of service and where they served.

The Dell Rapids Elementary School program was held at 1:45 p.m. at the elementary school gym. All the elementary students participated by singing songs throughout the program.

Ty Hoglund Signs Letter of Intent with DWU

November 11, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dell Rapids senior Ty Hoglund signed a letter of intent with Dakota Wesleyan University on National Signing Day Wednesday, November 11th. Head Coach of the DWU Tigers Matt Wilber joined Hoglund at Dell Rapids High School for the ceremony.

Hoglund is a three-year starter and letter winner for the Quarriers. He was named to the Second Team Class A All-State and First Team Dak-12 All-Conference in 2014. Hoglund then earned First Team Class A All-State, Dak-12 Conference First Team, Dak-12 Conference MVP, State A All-Tournament Team, and Entringer Claissic MVP honors in 2015.

For his high school career, Hoglund is a 45% (286-636) shooter from the field, 34% (96-281) from three-point range, and 80% (193-242) shooter from the free-throw line. He has a total of 237 rebounds, 141 assists, and 104 steals. Hoglund is also just four points away from 1,000 career points with 996 points.

The Dell Rapids Quarriers open up their season on Friday, December 11th, in Hartford against the West Central Trojans.

Six Cardinal Football Players Honored by DVC

November 11, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Six Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal football players were honored by the Dakota Valley Conference. Seniors Josh Brown, Christian Schnieders, Jacob Frost, and Noah Fiegen were named All-Conference Players. Seniors Casey Hansen and Jacob Glazier were Honorable Mention players.

The Cardinals finished the regular season with a 6-2 record and finished 6-3 overall. St Mary was 6-1 in Dakota Valley Conference games and finished as C0-Champions with De Smet.

The full list of Dakota Valley Conference award winners can be found by clicking here (Dakota Valley Conference site).

Doris Larson

November 10, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Doris M. Larson, 94 of Crooks died Monday, November 9, 2015 at Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 PM Sunday, November 15, 2015 at Benton Lutheran Church, rural Crooks. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Condolences may be left at www.minnehahafuneralhome.com.

Doris M. Larson was born May 7, 1921 near Valley Springs to parents Roy and Amanda (Thorvaldson) Thulin. She grew up in the Valley Springs area and graduated from Valley Springs High School.

Doris married Clarence “Shorty” Larson September 26, 1945. They farmed in the Crooks area until moving into Sioux Falls in 1995. Doris became a resident of Good Samaritan Village in September of 2011.

Doris was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Valley Springs and was an active member of Benton Lutheran Church, WELCA and couples club. Doris enjoyed bingo and bowling and attending grandchildren’s school activities.

Doris is survived by a daughter, Arlene Fersdahl, Dell Rapids; a son, Darryll (Jan) Larson, Crooks; five grandchildren; Tammy Fockler, Cathy (Jerry) Muston, Jason(Erica) Fersdahl, Sue (Pat) Moore, Brad (Heather) Larson; ten great grandchildren, Haley, Joe, Sam, Matt, Braden, Lincoln, Ellie, Riley, Cole and Alex; a brother in law, Newell (Jean) Larson, Hartford; nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence (Shorty) Larson in 2002; her parents; sister, Louise Benson; and brothers, Donald and Raymond Thulin.

Marcella Hembd

November 10, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Marcella Hembd, age 89, of Dell Rapids, SD, formerly of Ocheyedan, IA, died Friday at her home in Dell Rapids. Funeral Services will be Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Ocheyedan, Iowa. Rev. Neil Wehmas officiating. Burial to follow at Ocheyedan Township Cemetery in Ocheyedan, Iowa. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 11, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. with the family present at the Andringa Funeral Chapel in Ocheyedan.

Online Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to www.andringafuneralhome.com.

Glen Anderegg

November 7, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Glen E. Anderegg, 77, of Brookings, died Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, at Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Memorial services were held on October 14 at First United Methodist Church in Brookings. Interment of cremated remains is at Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Optimist’s International Foundation or First United Methodist Church Youth Confirmation. Condolences may be left at www.eidsnessfuneralhome.com.

Glen E. Anderegg was born July 4, 1938, at Moneta, Iowa, to Raymond and Leona Grace (Yale) Anderegg. He was raised on the family farm near Moneta, where he was active in 4H and church youth group.

He served in the Iowa and Nebraska National Guard from 1956 until 1965. Glen began working for Northwestern National Bank in Brookings in July 1968. He worked at First National Bank from May 1982 until his retirement Dec. 30, 2003.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon, of Brookings; three sons: Steven of Dell Rapids, Barry (Tammy) of Elkton, and David (Kathryn) of Orchard, Neb.; a daughter, Susan Stubbe of Big Lake, Minn.; 11grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters: Marlys Johnson of Nevada, Iowa, and Mary (James) Rons of Hartley, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by three brothers: Donald Cochran, Dale Cochran, and Harlan Anderegg.

Sister Helen Nemmers

November 7, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Sister Helen Nemmers, 93, a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, died November 3, 2015 at Presentation Convent, Aberdeen, SD. Mass of Resurrection will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 9, 2015 at Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Presentation Convent, Aberdeen, SD. Reverend Joseph Sheehan, celebrant and homilist. Visitation from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Sunday, with a liturgical wake at 7:00 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S Main Street, Aberdeen is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Condolences may be left at www.spitzerfuneralhome.com.

Helen Catherine was born May 20, 1922 to Magdelene (Roeder) and Joseph Nemmers in Granville, IA. She attended St. Mary’s elementary and high school in Dell Rapids, graduating in 1940. Helen Catherine entered Presentation Convent September 1, 1941 and made her first profession of vows August 10, 1944.

Sister Helen (once known as Sister Urban) earned a Bachelor of Music Education and History degree at Alverno College, Milwaukee, WI in 1963 and a Master of Music Education degree at Catholic University of America, Washington, DC in 1970. She taught music and choir at schools in Humboldt, Aberdeen, Madison, Sioux Falls and Dell Rapids, SD plus Willmar and Anoka, MN from 1945 until 1977. She was director of Religious Education at Guadalupe Parish, St. Paul MN (1979-1980). In 1980 Sister Helen went to Guerrero, Mexico where she served as a catechetical missionary for 17 years. In 2002-2007 Sister Helen became part of the team working at Caminando Juntos, the Hispanic ministry in Sioux Falls. She retired to the motherhouse in Aberdeen in 2009. Sister Helen co-authored two books “17 Years in Mexico” and “17 Years in Mexico: A History in Pictures”.

Sister Helen is survived by her community family of Presentation Sisters, one sister Charlotte Nemmers Hinricher, one brother, Quintin, Dell Rapids, SD and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents Magdelene and Joseph Nemmers, three sisters, Mary Page, Florence Ginsbach, Sister Gertrude Nemmers, PBVM, and seven brothers, Reverend Leonard, Reverend Charles, Urban, Aloysious, Arnold, Roman, and John Nemmers.

Bernette Westhoff

November 6, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Bernette M. Westhoff, 89, of Salem, passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at Golden Living in Salem. Funeral mass will begin at 10:30am on Monday, November 8 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Salem. Visitation will begin on Sunday at 2pm with a 3pm rosary and a 7pm rosary and wake service all at Kinzley Funeral Home in Salem. Condolences may be left at www.kinzleyfh.com.

Bernette is survived by her children: David Westhoff of St. Paul, MN, Connie (Dwane Wylie) Westhoff of Manhattan, NY, Mary Lee (Mike) McHugh of Aberdeen, SD, Rachelle (Bob) Barrett of Peoria, AZ, Denise (Joe) O’Neill of Summerfield, FL, Dan Westhoff of Salem, SD, Karen (Dan) Westhoff-Rogers of Oklahoma City, OK, Ken (Paige) Westhoff of Garretson, SD, and Kristi (Chris) Waechter of Grand Forks, ND; 18 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; one brother, Steve (Connie) Weber of Salem, SD; four sisters, Sr. Rosemary Weber of Yankton, SD, Joyce (Duane) Kappenman of Montrose, SD, Theresa Weber of Scottsdale, AZ, and Phyllis Zwart of Dell Rapids, SD; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

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