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

Traffic Increases with New Library Renovations

July 10, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

“Business has picked up at the library, and we’re loving it,” said Library Director Brittany Moeller Monday, July 6th, during the regular Dell Rapids City Council meeting. Moeller presented the council with an update at the library since re-opening at the renovated building on Monday, March 23rd.

66 new library cards have been handed out since the beginning of 2015, and 58 of the new cards have been acquired since moving back into the building. The 66 cards are servicing a total of 193 people. Moeller mentioned that in all of 2014, only 68 new cards were acquired. “We’re only halfway through the year, and we’re almost there,” said Moeller. The cost for a library card is free if you live inside the Dell Rapids city limits.

The library is currently in the middle of their summer reading program, “Every Story has a Hero”. So far 392 people from birth through adults have signed up for the program. Last year the summer reading program had 242 people.

The average number of check-ins and check-outs has also increased since the renovation. Moeller said, “The amount of items that we check-in and check-out every day has more than doubled from the past two years.” Right now the library staff is averaging over 600 total check-ins and check-outs Monday-Friday.

Dell Rapids Ace Open in New Location

July 7, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dell Rapids Ace has opened the doors at their new location at 1108 N Hwy 77. The new 15,000-square foot facility is twice as big as their previous location.

Dell Rapids Ace Manager Alan Nedved said, “The inside of the store is ready to go.” Nedved also mentioned that the outside still needs some work as the weather has not been kind in allowing everything to be finished. He said that they hope to get more concrete soon, and that the awning also gets finished.

Owner John Niederauer mentioned in December that the larger, $1-million store will allow Dell Rapids Ace to stock a wider selection of merchandise. Niederauer bought the Dell Rapids store in 1998, when it was still True Value, and also operates Aces in Miller, Tea, and Redfield.

Slide the City Vote Taken off Agenda

July 7, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Photo: www.slidethecity.com

Slide the City submitted an application for an outdoor permit which was to be heard by the Dell Rapids City Council during their regular meeting on Monday, July 7th.

The event permit was being requested for Saturday, August 22nd, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The 1,000 ft water slide was asked to be set up on Iowa Ave from 9th St to 5th St. The event would have also had live music and food for all ages.

However, during the city council meeting, City Administrator Justin Weiland noted that the event permit was pulled from the city earlier in the day. The Dell Rapids City Council did not have the opportunity to vote on the permit.

According to Slide the City organizers, they pulled the application to try to get the event set up in Sioux Falls in 2016.

Dell Rapids was the third location that Slide the City had explored in the area for this summer. Sioux Falls and Brandon had also been explored as possible locations prior to Dell Rapids.

College Student Spends Month at Animal Clinic

July 7, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Brittney Schlaikjer, Dell Rapids, has spent the month of June working at the Animal Clinic in Winner.

She will be a senior at South Dakota State University majoring in animal science and pre-vet.

Schlaikjer is the daughter of Alan and Sheba Schlaikjer, formerly of Winner. Grandparents are Patsy Schlaikjer of Winner and the late Art Schlaikjer and Bonnie Robinson and Kence Robinson, both of Winner.

Schlaikjer said she has been shadowing the veterinarians at the Winner clinic. She has had a chance to work in the clinic and also make farm visits.

“I have really enjoyed it and it has been a great experience,” she said.

Friday, June 26, was her last day of work at the clinic for the summer.

Schlaikjer says she is in the process of applying for veterinary school. Her goal is to be a large animal veterinarian.

The 2012 graduate of Dell Rapids High School grew up with horses which sparked her interest in veterinary medicine.

Constance “Connie” Koepsell

July 1, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Constance “Connie” Koepsell, 78, of Canova, South Dakota, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Golden Living Center, Salem, South Dakota.

Constance Elizabeth Hanten was born January 14, 1937 on a farmstead near White Lake, Aurora County, South Dakota to Otto and Ida (Meier) Hanten. As a young child the family moved to Mitchell, South Dakota, where she attended grade school. Later Connie moved during her High School years to Canova, where she graduated from the Canova High School. Connie was united in marriage to the love of her life Lloyd Koepsell on July 10, 1955 at Mitchell, SD. The couple moved to and lived near Canova, where they farmed and raised six children. Connie worked for the Howard Café, Countryside Café and Canova Bar, while helping her husband Lloyd farm. Some of Connie’s enjoyments include fishing, family reunions, trips to the badlands, doing crafts, coffee time with the local ladies and grilling. She enjoyed her visits with her children and especially with her grandchildren. Connie was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, ladies aid group, Canova Legion Auxiliary, and Homemaker’s Club. Condolences may be left at www.willoughbyfh.com.

Grateful for having shared in her life include her husband of 60 years: Lloyd Koepsell of Canova, SD; her children: Dawn (Dave) Mason of Sioux City, IA; LaVoy (Buck) Amundson of Dell Rapids, SD; Roxie (David) Frey of Mount Vernon, SD; Wanda (John) Laible of Howard, SD; Chad (Kelly) Koepsell of Canova, SD; Heath (Ronda) Koepsell of Canova, SD; 21 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; 3 brothers: Harold (Louise) Hanten of Omaha, NE; Floyd (Jan) Hanten of Mitchell, SD; Gene Hanten of Mitchell, SD; 3 sisters: Marcella Thompson of White Lake, SD; Dorothy Graves of Ethan, SD; Carol (Verle) Everson of White Lake, SD; other relatives and friends.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents Otto and Ida, 2 brothers: Donald, Russell, 2 sisters: Sally, Cecelia, a son-in-law: Dave Neises, a granddaughter: Shannon Kidd, a sister-in-law: Marilyn Hanten, 2 brother-in-laws: Bud Thompson and Eddie Graves.

Blaine Bacon Named 9B Assistant Coach of the Year

July 1, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The South Dakota Football Coaches Association named the 2015 Assistant Coach of the Year winners for all classes. Blaine Bacon of Dell Rapids St Mary was named the 9B Assistant Coach of the Year. The award will be presented during halftime of the All-Star Football game on Wednesday, July 15th in Aberdeen. The SDFBCA also announced other award winners. The fill list of winners is listed below:

2015 Assistant Coach of the Year Winners:

9B – Blaine Bacon, Dell Rapids St Mary
9A – Derek Hoellein, Warner
9AA – Dustin Hourigan, Deuel
11B – Gary Kortan, Bon Homme
11A – Dan DeVries, Lennox
11AA – Chris Koletzky, Sturgis
11AAA – James Stubkjaer, SF Roosevelt

State Friend of Football Award Winners:

Joe Salem, Sioux Falls
Dale McElhany, Watertown

30 Years of Coaching Football Service:

Tom Culver, Avon HS
David Dolan, RC Central HS
Dan Evans, Centerville HS
Chris Jacobson, Watertown HS
Kent Mueller, West Central HS
Tom Price, SF O’Gorman HS
Dan Thelen, Huron HS
Robert Tiff, Redfield-Doland HS
Bill Weber, Watertown HS

40 Years of Coaching Awards (will be presented at state football championships):

Ron Estacion, RC Stevens
Frank Podraza, Hitchcock-Tulare
Virg Polak, Watertown

Velda Schnellbach

June 30, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Velda M. Schnellbach, 77, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at the Dells Area Health Center. Her funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2015 in the Kahler Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be two hours prior to the start of the service. Interment will be in the St. Mary Cemetery. Condolences may be left at www.kahlerfh.com.

Velda Marie Schnellbach was born on May 11, 1938 in Mitchell, SD to Raymond and Hazel (Baughman) Songer. She married Edward Schnellbach on November 18, 1957 in McClusky, ND. They had seven children. Edward passed away in 1982.

Velda worked and resided in Sioux Falls, SD and retired in 1998 due to health. She resided in Dell Rapids, SD the past two years.

Velda is survived by her four sons, Curtis Leroy Schnellbach, Carl James Henry Schnellbach, Kraig Joseph Schnellbach and Jamie Michael (Hiedi) Schnellbach; his two daughters, Catherine Lea (John) Radziwon and Karene Kay Schnellbach; her three sisters, Iola Hamilton, Geneva (Duke) Leetch and Leota Story; her three brothers, Keith (Rose) Songer, Wayne (Barb) Songer and Larry Songer and her ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Hazel Songer; her husband, Edward Schnellbach, her son, Kevin Schnellbach; her seven brothers, Kenneth, Dale, Leonard, Lester, Melvin, Donald, Calvin, and her sister, Charlette.

She was loved very much and will be missed by all.

Mudcats Defeat PBR Behind Donahue’s 17 Ks

June 30, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Jared Donahue pitched 7 2/3 innings of two-hit baseball for the Dell Rapids Mudcats as they defeated Dell Rapids PBR 6-2 on Friday, June 26th, during “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” night as part of the Quarry Days celebration. Donahue gave up two runs on two hits while striking out 17 batters.

PBR jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Blake Harms drove in a Zane Schumacher with an RBI single. Harms came around to score on a Tanner Solberg RBI double. The Mudcats got one of the runs back as Jimmy Bauer scored on an error to make the score 2-1 PBR after the first inning.

The Mudcats tied the game in the bottom of the 3rd after Tom Pischke scored on an RBI single by Nate Henry. Bauer scored the go-ahead run in the fifth inning after scoring on an error. The Mudcats led 3-2 after the fifth inning and went on to add three more runs in the eighth inning. Bauer scored for the third time in the game on an RBI sacrifice-fly by Henry. Kris King scored on an RBI singled by Mark Hauck. Aaron Johnson drove in Travis Peters for the third run of the inning.

The story of the game was the pitching by Donahue. Donahue faced seven batters in the first inning giving up two earned runs on two hits while walking two batters. He then hit Sheldon Davis with a pitch to lead off the second inning. However, Donahue did not allow another PBR base runner in his next 6 2/3 innings while striking out 15 batters in that stretch to earn the win. Colin Karst pitched 1 1/3 innings giving up no runs on no hits and struck out one.

Nate Alfson pitched a strong game for PBR giving up three runs, but only one earned, on four hits while walking one and striking out two over five innings. Dale Solberg pitched three innings giving up three runs, all earned, on five hits while walking one and striking out one.

Quarry Days Excitement in Dell Rapids

June 30, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The 28th Annual Dell Rapids Quarry Days sponsored by the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce was held Friday, June 26th through Sunday, June 28th.

Events kicked off on Friday with the Quarry Days Golf Tournament. This year Great Plains Brokerage won the tournament with Team Welbig finishing second. “Take Me out to the Ballgame” once again featured Dell Rapids PBR vs Dell Rapids Mudcats this year. The Mudcats won the game 6-2.

Saturday was full of fun. The 5K Run/Walk started the weekend. The annual parade was held at 10:30 a.m. and again featured the Shriners among many other entrants. A 3-on-3 basketball tournament was held in the park as well as vendors all day long. The day concluded with a street dance featuring the Judd Hoos. Over 1,200 people filled downtown Dell Rapids for the street dance.

Sunday was also full of events all day long. An 8-and-under baseball tournament was held all day long along with the “Blast from the Past” car show. Vendors filled the park for another day. There was also a kids fishing derby, Little Miss Quarry Days Pageant, and Hip-Hop Shop Talent Show. L.G. Everest also held quarry train rides throughout the day. The Quarry Days celebration finished up with a fireworks show Sunday night.

Alison Rae Sharp

June 29, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Alison Rae Sharp, 10, of Sioux Falls passed away Monday, June 29, 2015 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services will begin at 7:00 PM Thursday, July 2, 2015 at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids. Visitation with the family present will begin at 4:00 PM Thursday, July 2, 2015 at the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.minnehahafuneralhome.com.

Alison was born November 10, 2004 in Sioux Falls to parents Brian Sharp and Amy Peters. She loved school and would have been a fifth grade at Terry Redlin. She will be missing her lifelong dream of cheerleading and dance as she was scheduled to start at Dakota Spirit July 6th. Alison enjoyed hanging out with her friends. Her special friends Kathy Thomas, Taylor and Kylie Boyles, Lucy and Kyla will miss her dearly. Alison’s smile lit up a room.

Grateful for having shared her life are her parents, Brian Sharp, Sioux Falls and Amy Peters, Sioux Falls; four siblings, Kayla, Matthew and Jessica Sharp, Sioux Falls and half-sister Randi Sharp; grandparents, Roger and Carol Peters, Sioux Falls, Marvin and Barbara Sharp, Watertown and Cleo and Raymond Damm, Sioux Falls; aunts, Barb (Hank) Neiman, Rapid City and Karen (Mike) Weeg, Harrisburg; uncles, Brad Sharp, Dell Rapids and Steve (Stacey) Peters, Garretson; ten cousins and niece, Aliviya.

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