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

Margaret (Johnson) Larson

August 17, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Margaret Larson, 99, of Dell Rapids, formerly of Sherman, died on August 15, 2015, at her home. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, August 19, 2015, at the Norway Cemetery, rural Garretson. Condolences may be left at www.minnehahafuneralhome.com.

Margaret was born on May 28, 1916 to John and Julia (Tvedt) Johnson. She married Earl Larson on January 27, 1947. After their marriage they farmed in the Sherman area. Margaret also served as the Sherman Postmaster for many years. The couple retired into Sherman and then finally to Dell Rapids. Margaret was a member of The Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids and the Garretson American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews; and was preceded in death by her husband, Earl, and her siblings.

Randy Nelson

August 15, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Randy Eugene Nelson, 64, of Trent, SD passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at his home.

Funeral services will be at a later date. Condolences may be left at www.minnehahafuneralhome.com.

Randy was born June 28, 1951 in Dell Rapids to parents Richard and June (Swanson) Nelson. He received his education in Trent and Dell Rapids. He worked for area farmers for many years. Grateful for having shared his life are his brothers, Dicky (Kathy), Steve and Phil Nelson; nine nieces and nephews as well as many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and uncles, Willie and Bernard.

Dell Rapids 15s Participate in State VFW Tournament

August 11, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dell Rapids 15s ended their season in Humboldt August 7th and 8th after losing both of their games in the State A VFW Varsity Teener Tournament.

They lost their first game 8-2 against Canova-Salem on Friday, August 7th. Dell Rapids kept things close through four innings despite four errors. However, already leading 3-2, Canova-Salem would go on to score three runs in the fifth inning and close the book on the Dell Rapids starting pitcher Austin Ellingson. Ellingson took the loss for Dell Rapids allowing six runs, five earned, while striking out six. Eddie Price would enter the game in relief, but allow two more runs in the seventh inning. Price picked up the lone Dell Rapids hit.

Dell Rapids then faced Milbank on Saturday, August 8th, in an elimination game. Milbank jumped out early scoring two runs in the top of the top of the first inning, but Dell Rapids would answer in the bottom half of the inning. Seth Spielmann reached on a walk and advanced to second on a Carter Gullickson single. Keegan Miller drove in both base runners with a double to the right field gap. Miller then stole third and advanced home on a throwing error from the Milbank catcher.

Those three runs would be all the offense for Dell Rapids. Milbank picked up another run in the second inning to tie the game at 3-3. That’s where the score remained until the final inning when Milbank added two more runs on two Dell Rapids errors, sealing a 5-3 victory.

Gullickson would go the distance for Dell Rapids, but took the loss allowing five runs, but only three earned.

Dakota Valley won the state championship defeating West Central 6-5 Sunday evening.

Evelyn Feit

August 11, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Evelyn Feit, age 97, died Monday, August 10, 2015 at the Sanford Luverne Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday at 10:30 AM at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Wilmont, MN. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 – 7:30 PM, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM, at the church. Condolences may be left at www.hartquistfuneral.com.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, Ronald (Kathy) Feit, of Pine City, MN, Larry (Bernadette) Feit of Winter Haven, FL, Lowell (Rhonda) Feit of Luverne, David (Crystal) Feit of Rushmore, MN, Bradley (Debra) Feit of Dell Rapids, SD, Barbara (Robert) Verhey of Luverne, and Brian (Linda) Feit of Sioux Falls; and other family.

Ronald Tokheim

August 10, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Funeral services will be held at First Lutheran Church, Colton at 10:30 AM Saturday, August 15, 2015. Burial will be in the Minnehaha Cemetery, rural Colton. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Friday at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Colton. Condolences may be left at

Ronald was born to parents Joseph and Agnes (Peterson) Tokheim at home on the family homestead on October 19, 1936. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Lyons High School. After graduation he joined the South Dakota National Guard and worked five years in bridge construction, he then worked as an electronic technician in the communicators-navigation shop for 30 years, retiring December 31, 1991. At the time of his retirement, he had 37 years, 4 months and 18 days as a member, retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant. While in the Guard he was fortunate to take part in many deployments overseas, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, and 8 trips to the Panama Canal Zone, the last trip being when Manuel Noriega was captured. Also very exciting was when he in was Aviano, Italy a very serious earthquake hit. As a life member of NGNCOA, he took part in many parades and military functions. In 1976, the Bi-Centennial Year, as Color Guard, led the Monroe High School Band in Philadelphia on July 3rd and in Washington, DC on July 4th.

He was a life member of First Lutheran Church, a sexton of Minnehaha Cemetery, member of the Colton Lions Club, Colton American Legion, and Siouxland Collectors-Minneapolis Moline Antique Tractor Club.

Ron also farmed from 1968 until 2007 and raised cattle from 1973 to 2007. After his retirement he bought an Airstream Trailer and went down to Apache Junction, Arizona to visit a cousin, he liked it so well, that he started spending his winters there. Life really changed in 2005, that’s when he met his wonderful wife Ruth. She was a city girl, raised in Texas and spent 37 years in Alaska. He asked to visit his farm in South Dakota and they were married October 8, 2005 and continued to live on the Tokheim Homestead in the summer and Apache Junction in the winter. They then enjoyed traveling to Rollag, Minnesota to the WMSTR annual reunion.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Ruth, sisters, Marilyn (Gene) Graber, Freeman; Mildred Jorgenson, Dell Rapids; Verla (Ron) Thompson, Colton; a brother Alton (Delores) Tokheim, Dell Rapids and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother in law, Norman Jorgenson and many aunts and uncles.

James Larsen

August 10, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

James N. Larsen, age 89, of Brandt, SD died Thursday, August 6, 2015 in the Sanford Clear Lake Medical Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 11th, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, SD. Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery, Brandt, SD. Visitation will be Monday, August 10th from 5 – 7:30 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. Prayer Service at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake. The Houseman Funeral Home in Clear Lake, SD is entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.housemanfuneralhome.com.

James N. Larsen was born at Dell Rapids, SD on October 19, 1925 to Neils and Ettie (Boniface) Larsen. Jim attended grade school through the 8^th grade at the Hart School District 27 east of Dell Rapids. Following his education he began working on the family farm. He enlisted in the United States Army on June 25, 1945 and served as a Military Policeman during WWII until his honorable discharge on November 9, 1946.

Jim moved back to the family farm until his marriage to Kitty Lee Boelens on June 28, 1950 in Elkton, SD. Jim and Kitty farmed east of Dell Rapids until 1974 when they purchased a farm near Brandt, SD where they continued to run their dairy farm. He retired at the age of 80 after they sold the farm and machinery and then moved into Clear Lake. Later he became a resident at the Deuel County Good Samaritan Center in Clear Lake, SD. Jim passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2015 in the Sanford Clear Lake Medical Center at the age of 89 years, 9 months and 18 days.

Jim was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake; farmers union and a former member of the NFO. He was also a member of Post 65 of the American Legion at Dell Rapids and the Charles Curry American Legion Post 49 of Clear Lake. He also served on the Deuel County Weed Board as well as the Norden Township Board. Jim’s passion was the farm where he and Kitty raised their five children.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Kitty Lee Larsen; five children: Terry (Kathy) Larsen, Huron, SD, Jean (Bob) Blankenship, Redding, CA, James (Sandie) Larsen, Lakewood, WA, Kay (Paul) Giesel, Clear Lake, SD and Lisa Glasgow, Pleasanton, CA; 10 grandchildren: Jason, Todd, Brent, Lindsey, Heidi, Matt, Meghan, Seth, Billie Jo and Arlen and 12 great grandchildren: Gracie, Madisen, Sylvan, Wyatt, Daniel, Samantha, John, Trenton, Byron, Brooklyn, Charlie and Kaeli Madisen.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother William.

Dell Rapids Ace Grand Re-Opening

August 9, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dell Rapids Ace Hardware celebrated their Grand Re-Opening on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, August 7-9th. Ace Hardware opened their doors to their new 15,000 square-foot building on July 7th, but the weekend celebration officially welcomed customers to their new store.

The weekend was full of events. On Friday Ace had their ribbon cutting ceremony with the the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Saturday was full of entertainment including wood sculpting demonstrations, grilling demonstrations, jumpy castles and blood mobile. Sunday continued with their three-day sale inside the store.

Charlotte Heidelberger

August 6, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Charlotte A. Heidelberger, age 73, of Hurley, formerly of Ramona, died Monday, August 3, 2015, at Primrose Retirement Communities, Sioux Falls.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 AM Thursday, August 6, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church, Hurley with burial at 2:00 PM at Rose Hill Cemetery, Wentworth. Visitation begins noon Wednesday with the family present 5-7 PM at Ellsworth Funeral Home. Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church, Hurley. Condolences may be left at www.ellsworthfh.com.

Charlotte Ann Drew was born January 1, 1942, at Sioux Falls, to Milo and Erna (Oberheu) Drew. She was raised and educated at Madison and married Walter Heidelberger on June 17, 1962, at Madison. Charlotte worked as an activity director in nursing homes and assisted living centers. They retired in 1999 and moved to Ramona, SD.

Charlotte was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hurley; American Legion Auxiliary; and was president of 8 et 40 for several years.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 2001, her sister Karen Cink, and a brother-in-law Gary Heidelberger.

Survivors include three sons, James (Mary Hartlep) of Brewster, MN, Gary (Vancy) of Underwood, ND, and Richard “Rick” (Kay Thomas) of Sioux Falls; eight grandchildren, Michelle, Michael, Joshua (Jackie), Derrick, Tami, Terri, Thomas, and Tony; one great granddaughter Chloe; four brothers-in-law, James (Ruth) of Madison, Leslie (Virginia) of Dell Rapids, Howard (Beverly) of Spencer, SD, Dale (Mary) of Pierre; two sisters-in-law, Rose Mary Duncan of New Mexico and Charlotte J. Heidelberger of Coin, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

Dell Rapids Rickeman Field Grandstand Replacement Bid Approved

August 5, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dell Rapids Rickeman Field will now be getting a new grandstand. The Dell Rapids City Council approved moving forward with the project during their regular meeting on Monday, August 3^rd.

The project was tabled during the council’s last meeting on Monday, July 20^th, to gather more information on the cost of concrete as well as to gather more information on a different plan idea.

City Administrator Justin Weiland said, “We have firmed up those numbers (the concrete). I estimated at around $9,000, and narrowed that down to $5,000 at $5.00 a square which is still estimating a little high.”

With the new estimated costs of concrete, the project went from $76,000 to $72,000. That is still $2,000 over the estimated budget of $70,000 for the project.

Weiland presented the council with three options. One option was to go forward with the project of the new grandstand with press box installed, electrical work, and concrete work for the $72,000. The second option was to replace the grandstand with just bleaches and put a freestanding press box behind with the option of putting a comfort station underneath at a later time. The third option was to build a freestanding press box where the current grandstand is located with the option of putting a comfort station underneath and using the St Mary bleachers for seating.

“Personally what I think is option A, just going ahead and doing it. We’ve got it to $72,000. We’re within $2,000 of budget. That’s the closet project that we’ve had budgeted this year, “ said Councilman Mark Crisp. Crisp then made the motion to approve option one, which was seconded by Councilman David Sommerfeld.

The motion passed unanimously to move forward with the project to replace the grandstand with a new grandstand that has a press box mounted at the top, electrical work, and new concrete pad under the grandstand.

Dell Rapids 15s Headed to 15/16 State Tournament

August 1, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids 15s Teener team qualified for the 15/16 State A VFW Teener Tournament by placing 2nd in the Region 3A tournament which was held in Dell Rapids at Rickeman Field July 27-29.

Dell Rapids 15s started the tournament on Monday, July 27th against West Central. West Central won the game despite outstanding pitching performances by Elijah Story (four innings) and Lealand Randel (two innings). West Central scored four runs on three consecutive Dell Rapids throwing errors in the third inning with two outs. Dell Rapids was only able to muster one run in the game and fell to West Central 4-1. Seth Spielmann and Story each collected two hits in the game.

Now in the loser’s bracket, Dell Rapids came back and won their next game over Dell Rapids 16s 9-0 on Tuesday, July 28th. Dell Rapids 15s turned two double-plays in the first and second innings. Austin Ellingson struck out 11 batters in a complete-game shutout. Story threw out two attempted base stealers at second during the game. Jeffry Schuch led the offense for Dell Rapids 15s going 3-4 with a double and five RBIs. Keegan Miller added two hits, and Ellingosn, Carter Gullickson, and Elijah Story each scored two runs.

Dell Rapids 15s earned a spot in the finals by defeating Tri-Valley 2-0 on Wednesday, July 29th, in an exciting pitching dual. Gullickson carried a perfect game into the sixth inning, which is when Tri-Valley would get their only hit of the game. Gullickson finished the one-hit shutout for the win by striking out six batters. The defense was solid for Dell Rapids as they did not commit an error in the game. Miller was 3-3 offensively with three singles. Spielmann went 2-3 and drove in both runs of the game.

Dell Rapids 15s met up with West Central again, this time in the championship game, on Wednesday, July 29th. After a sluggish start to the game, Dell Rapids was able to tie the game at 6-6 in the sixth inning. However, Dell Rapids would run out of steam and surrender seven runs to West Central in the seventh inning to fall 13-6. Story, Schuch, Spielmann, Cameron Bruhn, and Eddie Price all picked up a hit and scored a run in the game. Logan Ruesink was 2-4 with two RBIs.

Since West Central is hosting the 15/16 State A VFW Teener tournament and was already automatically qualified, the region bid in the state tournament went to Dell Rapids 15s after finishing second in regions.

The state tournament will be held in Humboldt August 7-9.

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