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

Paula Lautt

June 19, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Paula Lautt, 50, of Sioux Falls, completed her journey to heaven on June 17th, 2015 after a courageous and faithful battle with cancer surrounded by her loving family.

Celebration of life services will be 10:30 am Saturday, June 20, at Celebrate Community Church, 1000 S. Sycamore Ave. with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD. Condolences may be left at www.millerfh.com.

Paula Jo Lautt was born May 13th, 1965 in Brookings, SD to Hiene and Lavonne (Anderson) Junge. Paula grew up in Watertown, SD and graduated from Watertown High School in 1983. There she met the love of her life, Jeff Lautt, and they were united in marriage on January 12, 1991. Jeff and Paula relocated to Dell Rapids, SD where they would make their home, and raise their children for the next twenty years. Upon becoming ’empty nesters’ they moved to Sioux Falls two years ago.

Paula spent most of her adult life working in the restaurant business, a hair salon, and most important of all being an incredible wife and mom. She would describe herself as ‘simple’ and those who knew her well would wholeheartedly agree. She’ll be remembered by the never ending outpouring of love from her heart to others. God gave her the gift of giving freely of herself to others regardless of who or what.

Paula had a free spirit. She loved the natural things God created for her fun and serenity. She cherished most just spending time with family and friends. She also had a passion for lakes and oceans. The sunshine and smell of nature’s air put a smile on her face no one could take away. This passion carried her into learning how to ride a motorcycle. She loved getting her own Harley Davidson to ride with Jeff and friends. Another of Paula’s favorites was driving down the highway in her convertible, with the top down of course. She loved to laugh, have fun and spend quality time with those she loved the most. She’ll be remembered for her golden personality, rainbow smile and unwavering faith.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband of 24 years, Jeff Lautt, Sioux Falls, SD; four children, Erik (Beth) Kludt, Dell Rapids, SD; Miranda Kludt, Harrisburg, SD; Taylor Lautt, Harrisburg, SD; and Dylan Lautt, Sioux Falls, SD; four grandchildren, Jade Kludt, Auhbree Kludt, Bryce Kludt and Ashtyn Lautt; her parents, Hiene and Lavonne Junge, Watertown, SD; two brothers, Mike (Laurie) Junge, Phoenix, AZ, Don Junge, Des Moines, IA; father and mother-in-law, LeRoy and Carol Lautt, Sioux Falls, SD; three brother and sister in-laws, Jan (Tammy) Clary, Sioux Falls, SD; LeRoy (Rhonda) Lautt, Plankinton, SD; Bryan (Tina) Lautt, Huron, SD. She was preceded in death by a premature infant child; and her grandparents.

Two PBR Players Going to Hall of Fame

June 16, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Two members of the Dell Rapids PBR amateur baseball team will soon be members of the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association Hall of Fame. Dale Solberg and Bruce Mogen will be two of the five 2015 SDABA Hall of Fame inductees later this year. The other inductees are Tom Kessinger (Renner), Rod Merriam (Huron), and Daryl Deneke (Rapid City).

The new inductees will be recognized during the state amateur baseball tournament August 3rd – 14th in Mitchell. The SDABA Hall of Fame Banquet will take place in September.

Rickeman Field Grandstand Replacement Reconsidered

June 16, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

After no action was taken on the Rickeman Field grandstand replacement project during the June 1st meeting, the Dell Rapids City Council voted to submit the project for bidding after hearing from Dell Rapids Baseball Association board members during their regular meeting on Monday, June 15th.

Several members of the DRBA spoke in favor of replacing the grandstand in hopes of having the council change their mind on the project. DRBA board member Bruce Mogen mentioned that the grandstand has been in place since the early 1960s, and the north side addition has been in place since the late 1960s.

Mogan said, “Two questions I kept hearing about…’Does Rickeman Field get used?’ I know between two amateur teams, a legion team…four teener teams…we have somewhere between 50 t0 60 baseball games during the summer. We also host many tournaments. Second question is, ‘Is there value?’ I think the value is again for the fans. All those people that come to town, they spend their money at our businesses.”

Councilman Mike Geraets thought another project should be done first before replacing the grandstand. “There are some repairs that need to be done (to the grandstand). But it’s still useable to me. It looks like we need to update our comfort station, and we have the ability to do that now that we have the sewer across the river.”

Councilman David Sommerfeld agreed that a comfort station is needed, but felt the grandstand should come first. “I agree with Mike that we need a comfort station, but I think right now we need to take care of the bleachers. One thing is our insurance company doesn’t like it. This has been talked about with our insurance company for the last three to four years.”

City Administrator Justin Weiland mentioned to the council that the grandstand has been brought up to the city by the insurance company for the last nine to ten years. Recommendations were made to do a structural report on the grandstand dating back to 2006.

Seating capacity for the new grandstand would be estimated at around 175 with four handicap accessible spots in the front. The current grandstand currently is estimated to hold 250 people including the north stand.

“We are talking about replacing just the main section of the grandstand, not the north/south piece. That can go away until we have a future need, and I don’t think we will see that for a while,” said Clarence Fjellanger.

DRBA board member LeAnn Kerzman added, “One little thing to consider too, we used to take a stipend for the DRBA, and we quit doing that a few years ago. And that’s when we started doing the improvements in the rest of the parks…We did give up our annual request in order to see budget improvements to the park capital assets.”

Sommerfeld motioned to put the Rickeman Field grandstand project out for bid. Mary Klockman seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 6-1.

James Kirkeby

June 14, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

James A. Kirkeby, 72, of Brandon, died Fri., June 12, 2015. His funeral service will be 11 AM Wed., June 17 at Brandon Lutheran Church. Visitation begins at 5 PM Tue., June 16 at George Boom Funeral Chapel in Brandon, where the family will greet friends from 5-7 PM. Condolences may be left at www.georgeboom.com.

Survivors include his wife, Marlene; 3 children, Kari (Ron) Heller and Michael (Wendy) Kirkeby, both of Brandon, Kristin (Joshua) Oliver, Sioux Falls; 6 grandchildren, Ella and Brielynn Heller, Joseph and Maxwell Kirkeby, Kambri and Kinsley Oliver; and a brother, Leland (Doris) Kirkeby, Dell Rapids.

Morris Smedsrud

June 14, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Morris Smedsrud, 88, died Fri., June 12, 2015. His funeral service will be 1 PM Tue., June 16 at Faith Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls. Visitation begins at 3 PM Mon., June 15 at George Boom Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Sioux Falls, where the family will greet friends from 6-8 PM. Condolences may be left at www.georgeboom.com.

Survivors include his children, Edward Smedsrud, Owatonna, MN, Chloye Smedsrud-Stelzer, Dell Rapids, Todd (Josette) Christenson, Boynton Beach, FL, Paul (JoAnn) Christenson, Sioux Falls, Allen Christenson, of Nevada; a daughter-in-law, Shelly Smedsrud, Sioux Falls; 8 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Gilbert (Pat) Smedsrud, Valley Springs.

Vivian Holter

June 10, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Vivian Emma Agnes (Berg) Holter, daughter of August and Olga (Stuerman) Berg, was born April 6, 1917 at Alvord, Iowa. She was baptized and attended the Lutheran Church in Alvord and was later confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Estelline. The family left Iowa in 1925 in a Columbia car with side curtains and moved to a farm near Estelline in the Hidewood Hills. Their furniture and livestock came by train. She attended grade school in Grange Township District #28.

She met her husband, Norman Holter at Toronto in 1937, at which time she was working at a store in Salem, SD, and after meeting Norman she left Salem and didn’t go back. They were married on April 5, 1938 and they lived with Adolph and Cece Holter for five months until they got a house of their own. A short time later they moved to a farm northeast of Bruce where they lived until they retired and moved into Estelline in 1981. Norman passed away on March 21, 1996 and she stayed in her home in Estelline until her health required her to move into an assisted living, first in Castlewood for the winters and later full-time at Edgewood Vista in Brookings. After a fall she was transferred to Brookview Manor, The Neighborhoods nursing home where she passed away on Friday, June 5, 2015 at the age of 98 years.

During her life, she was active in St. Petri Lutheran and later Grace Lutheran of Bruce, attending Circle, Bible Study, Ladies Aid and other church related activities. She also was a member of the Sons of Norway (even though she was German) and TOPS Club. She enjoyed the numerous activities in the Assisted Living and Nursing Home, especially the various church activities, bingo and musical programs. Vivian did beautiful Rosemaling, embroidery and made quilts. She was an excellent baker especially made good homemade buns and even lefse and rosettes (even if she was German). She embroidered many sets of dish towels for kids and grandkids. Vivian was always willing to help out when needed whether babysitting grandkids or just helping out. She loved flowers, gardening, Dairy Queen ice cream and chocolate.

She is survived by her children, Darvin (Terri) Holter and Bonnie (John) Top, all of Lake Poinsett, Wallace (Carla) Holter of Billings, MT; seven grandchildren, Richard Holter of Sioux Falls, LeaAnne Thompson of Sioux Falls, Laura (Gregg) Huewe of Dell Rapids, Steven (Ronnell) Top of Brookings, Sandra (Wally) Amundson of Harrisburg, Ryan Holter of Billings, MT and Tonya (Ben) Simpson of Erie, CO; 10 great grandchildren; two step great grandchildren; and one great great granddaughter.

Vivian was preceded in death by her husband Norman; sisters and their husbands, Eleanor and Herman Mauer, Almyra and Lee Goddard; two brothers, Vincent and Esther Berg and Waldo Berg; and a grandson-in-law Roger Thompson.

Her funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at Grace Free Lutheran Church in Bruce. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Tuesday at Geise Funeral Home in Estelline. Condolences may be left at www.geisefuneralhome.com.

Cecelia Meyers

June 10, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Cecelia “Sis” M. Meyers, 83, died on Tuesday, June 9, 2015.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 9:30 AM on Monday, June 15 at The Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls. A Liturgical Wake Service and Holy Rosary will begin at 5 PM on Sunday at George Boom Funeral Home, Sioux Falls with the family present for visitation to follow until 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider having a memorial mass to be offered in Cecelia’s name.

Grateful for having shared her life are her son, Robert Meyers, Sioux Falls; granddaughter, Shanna Davis; grandson, Derek (Samantha) Davis, Dell Rapids, SD; step-grandchild, Jada (Noah) Pyper, Sioux Falls; great-grandchildren: Riley and Caleb Van Orman; step great-grandchildren: Brayden, Westyn & Jaxon; 3 brothers: John (Kathleen) Petri, Humboldt, SD, Gerald (Carol) Petri, Madison, SD, and Thomas (Sue) Petri, Faribault, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents: Edward & Josephine Petri; 3 brothers: Edward (Geraldine) Petri, Ronald Petri and Robert Petri. Condolences may be left at www.georgeboom.com.

PBR – Mudcat Rivalry Returns to Dell Rapids with Wild Finish

June 10, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids PBR and Dell Rapids Mudcat rivalry returned to Dell Rapids with the return of the Dell Rapids Mudcats amateur baseball team this season. The two teams met for the first time this year on Tuesday, June 9th, for the PBR home game between these two ball clubs. The game was another classic PBR-Mudcat game Dell Rapids has grown to love.

The first eight innings were a breeze as Nate Alfson for PBR and Matt Wilbur for the Mudcats put on a great pitching dual for the fans. PBR got to Wilbur in the fourth inning for a run as Blake Harms hit an RBI double driving home Sheldon Davis for a 1-0 lead. Alfson had a no-hitter going through 6 2/3 innings, but Nate Henry broke up the no-hitter and shut out with an RBI single knocking home Kris King to tie the game at 1-1 in the seventh inning.

The score remained tied at 1-1 until the ninth inning, and that’s when things got interesting.

The first two batters for the Mudcats singled off of Alfson, and Travis Peters followed with a one-out RBI single to give the Mudcats a 2-1 lead and chase Alfson from the game. Dale Solberg came in to pitch in relief of Alfson, and Henry hit a fly ball to left center that was dropped scoring King on the error. Mark Hauck followed with an RBI single, and then Aaron Johnson hit an RBI sacrifice fly to left to score the fourth Mudcat run of the ninth inning.

Kenton Welbig entered the game as a relief pitcher in the eighth inning and went back to work in the ninth with a four-run 5-1 lead. Welbig was able to get the first two PBR batters out, and the Mudcats looked to be in control to win the first meeting between these two Dell Rapids teams. Davis drew a walk. Harms drew a walk. Drew Eldeen hit a soft line-drive to right field to load the bases. All three runners advanced on a wild pitch, making the score 5-2. Luke Holt also drew a walk to re-load the bases for PBR. Tanner Solberg followed with his fourth hit of the game, this time a two-run single to score Harms and Eldeen. PBR all the sudden pulled within a run at 5-4 with two outs and had Holt and Solberg on base. The Mudcats made a pitching change and brought in Hauck to face the veteran Bruce Mogen. After fouling off a couple of pitches, Mogen laced a line drive to right center that Jimmy Bauer could not quite reach on a diving attempt. The double drove in both Holt and T. Solberg for the win….all on two outs.

D. Solberg earned the win pitching 2/3 of an inning giving up an unearned run. Welbig took the loss pitching 1 2/3 innings giving up five runs, all earned, on three hits while walking three and striking out one. Alfson pitched 8 1/3 innings in the no-decision giving up four earned runs on five hits while striking out six and walking two. Wilbur pitched seven innings in his no-decision giving up one earned run on nine hits while striking out four.

Peters, Henry, Hauck, and Johnson all had RBIs for the Mudcats. PBR was led by T. Solberg who went 4-4 with two RBI. Mogen was 3-3 with a double and two RBI.

Russ Walberg

June 3, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Russ C. Walberg, age 69, of Brookings, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2015 at the Golden Living Center in Arlington, SD.

Russ Carlisle Walberg was born on April 19, 1946 in Flandreau, SD the son of Carlyle and Emma Jeanne (Hoisington) Walberg. He grew up in the Flandreau area and graduated from Flandreau High School in 1964. He attended the University of South Dakota. He enlisted into the United States Army in 1965 and attended OCS Training and was commissioned into an Officer on April 11, 1967. He served as an Infantry Platoon Leader in Vietnam from October 1967 to October 1968. During his combat tour he earned his combat Infantryman Badge and a Bronze Star. He was united in marriage to Marjorie L. Mashek on January 12, 1969 in Fort Hood. TX. The couple moved to Moody County in 1970. He received his bachelor’s degree, worked different jobs and served in the Army Reserve for several years where he earned the rank of Major.

Russ enjoyed hunting and fishing with his kids and grandkids. He also was a car enthusiast, tinkering on cars and trucks on a regular basis. He was a member of the VFW, a lifetime member of the DAV and the U.S. Judo association.

He is survived by his wife: Marjorie of Brookings; seven children: Jessica (Andy) Jacobs of Hill City, Jennifer Austin of Brookings, Aaron (Mandy) Walberg of Aberdeen, Adam Hagemann of Sioux Falls, Amanda Taylor and Brianna Walberg both of Flandreau and Jordon Hagemann of Rutland; 17 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; two brothers: Danny Walberg of Nisswa, MN and Ricky (Sharon) Walberg of West Jasper, SD; two sisters: Judy (Mike) VandeVorde, of Sioux Falls and Carla (Terry) Schmidt of Dell Rapids and numerous nieces and nephews.

Russ is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and one brother Dale.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 6, 2015 at Peace Lutheran Church in Brookings. Graveside services will be held Thursday, June 4 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Condolences may left at www.rudesfuneralhome.com.

Dorothy Ellen (Olson) Becket

June 3, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dorothy Ellen Olson Beckett passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on June 2, 2015. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Delmar; eight children, Stanley (Jane) Olson of Canon, Patricia Koepp, Ole (Betty) Olson, Jean Trusty (Jim Pusl), Leland Olson, Jr. (Margy), all of Sioux Falls, Paul (Jody) Olson of Highland, IN, Joan (Ron) Hegge of Dell Rapids, Susan (Jim) Clark of Spirit Lake, IA; Many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and numerous extended family and friends.

Celebration of Life will be 2pm on June 5 at Eastside Lutheran Church. Condolences may be left at www.chapelhillfuneralhome.com.

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