LaVera (Kolbeck) Gustaf-Casjens

May 26, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

LaVera (Kolbeck) Gustaf-Casjens, age 74 of Rock Rapids, IA died Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at Kindred Hospital in Westminster, CA. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Friday, May 29th at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Father Bruce Lawler as Celebrant. Inurnment will follow at Holy Name Cemetery in Rock Rapids, IA. Visitation will be Thursday, May 28th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids. There will be a Rosary and Vigil Service at 6:45PM Thursday evening at the church.

LaVera Mae was born November 22, 1940 at Humboldt, South Dakota, the daughter of Anton and Mary (Harpenau) Kolbeck. She attended St. Ann’s Grade School and Humboldt High School. She continued her education at cosmetology school.

LaVera was married to Terry Gustaf on June 9, 1960 in Humboldt, SD. The couple moved to Rock Rapids, IA. Three sons were born to this union, Jim, Dave and Rick.

On December 17, 2008 LaVera married Floyd “Hermie” Casjens in Rock Rapids. LaVera was characterized most by her snorting laugh and always added a spark to the conversations she was involved in. She loved her family and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her sisters and brothers, children, grandchildren and great grandchild. Lavera loved to golf, fish, cross-stitch, and play Mahjong. The last 6 and half years of her life she loved spending time in California with Hermie sitting by the beach, visiting family, friends and road trips between California, Texas, and Iowa.

She is survived by her husband Floyd (Hermie) Casjens of Rock Rapids, IA; three sons, Jim (Karla) Gustaf, Dave (Tami) Gustaf, both of Ft. Worth, TX and Rick (Dena) Gustaf of Bigelow, MN; seven grandchildren, Eric (Amie), Alex(Tori), Brendon, Tyler, Chelsea, Hannah Gustaf, Alyssa (Dan) Clausen and Nate Gustaf; one great-grandchild (Harrison); one brother, Gene (Donalda) Kolbeck of Dell Rapids, SD; four sisters, Millie Heiberger of Salem, SD, LaVonne Munce of Harford, SD, Janette (Fran) Krier of Sioux Falls, SD and Rozanne (Joe) Hanisch of Hartford, SD; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Mary Kolbeck; husband of 41 years, Terry Gustaf; a granddaughter, Karlee Gustaf; three brothers, Donald, Sylvester and Bob Kolbeck; two sisters, Delores Stevens and Marian Velder (Heisinger); three brothers-in-law, Cy Heiberger, Russ Stevens and Gene Munce.

Dell Rapids Baseball Finishes Regular Season 13-2

May 26, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dell Rapids beat Flandreau 4-1 and Redfield 5-4 to win its last two regular season games Wednesday, May 20 in Flandreau, to improve their overall record to 13-2 on the year. Dell Rapids finished 10-2 in the region and earned the number one seed in the south division of Region 2B for the postseason playoffs. The first round of playoffs pits #4 Tri-Valley against #5 Flandreau at 5:30 PM in Dell Rapids on Wednesday, May 27. The winner of this game will play Dell Rapids at 7:30 PM on May 27. Both games are at Rickeman Field. The winner of the May 27 games will advance to the next round on Monday, June 1.

Region 2 Final Standings
North
#1 Milbank 11-0
#2 Deuel 5-6
#3 Redfield 3-8
#4 Oldham/Ramona/Rutland 0-11

South
#1 Dell Rapids 10-2
#2 Madison 10-2
#3 Sioux Valley 6-6
#4 Tri-Valley 4-8
#5 Flandreau 3-9

Remembering Those Who Served

May 25, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Thank You

James Haberger

May 25, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

James Habeger, age 67, died unexpectedly of natural causes at his residence in Rozet, WY on May 23, 2015.

He was born on November 10, 1947 at Ventura, CA to Bernard and Colletta (Cunningham) Habeger. He grew up in Ramona, graduating from Ramona High School. He was a Marine and served in Vietnam where he received two Purple Hearts. In 1983, he moved to Gillette, WY where he worked on the oil rigs and as a coal miner. He enjoyed motor cycles, hunting and fishing.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, June 1, 2015 at Weiland Funeral Chapel with Rev DeWayne Kayser officiating. Burial with military honors will be in St Ann Cemetery, Badus Township.

He is survived by four brothers – John (Polly) of Madison, Bill (Alice) of San Diego, CA, Bob (Vickie) of Carnelian Bay, CA and Ray (Suzanne) of Dell Rapids. Two sisters – Mary (Clint) Tolley of Ramona and Peggy (Bill) Allen of Gillette.

He was preceded in death by his father and a brother- Jerry. There will be a parish scripture service at 7:00 PM on Sunday at Weiland Funeral Chapel, Madison, SD which is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.weilandfuneralchapel.com.

Amy Marie (Somers) Flemmer

May 24, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Services for Amy Marie Somers Flemmer, of Andover will be held Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Andover with burial following in the Andover Cemetery. Visitation will take place Monday, May 25, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Paetznick-Garness Funeral Home in Groton, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Condolences may be left at www.paetznick-garness.com.

Amy Marie Somers Flemmer died May 21, 2015, at Rosewood Court, Groton, SD, having lived one month longer than her mother who had also died at age 88. The fourth child of Harold A. (H.A.) and Amy (Amsden) Somers, she was born in her parents’ home in Verdon, S.D., on December 16, 1926. At age nine months she moved to Andover, riding in a horse-drawn wagon driven by her mother. Her mother, a former teacher, taught her to read before she began elementary school so in her first year she combined two grades, graduating from Andover High School in 1943. During her secondary years she served as a cheerleader, played basketball, excelled as a trumpet player in the band, and finished as the salutatorian of her class. She then entered Northern State in Aberdeen, graduating in 1945 as an elementary teacher. For the next two years she taught in Mobridge and while attending a dance there met Gordon Flemmer of Selby whom she married on July 6, 1947.

After the marriage she and Gordon settled in Andover where she taught at the school while Gordon farmed and worked with her father at the business which eventually became Somers and Flemmer Service. Amy and Gordon had three children during the early 1950’s – Candace, Kim, and Jon; then the day after turning 48 years old in 1974 she gave birth to their son Ross who she later taught as a fourth grade student.

Friends and social connections were vital to Amy’s happiness; many of her teaching colleagues became her lifelong friends. Earlier in her life she was a member of Eventide Study Club, Wednesday Club, a couples whist club, and a square-dancing group. Additionally she participated in bowling leagues and a golf league in Webster. She was an avid fan of both the Minnesota Twins and Vikings as well as her son’s Dell Rapids St. Mary’s football team. Before Gordon’s death in 1993, they served on the Andover All-School Reunion Committee and participated in couples bridge clubs and a dinner club.

Her faith centered her life. She was confirmed at the Andover Methodist Church where she was also married, but with Gordon she joined Zion Lutheran and remained a member there until her death. During that time she was an active member of the Zion Ladies Aid and related groups.

Amy is survived by her children: Candace (Daniel) Kauffman, Winona, MN; Judge Jon (Jill) Flemmer, Webster, SD; Ross (Cristy) Flemmer, Dell Rapids, SD; her grandchildren: Christopher Kauffman, Amy (Robert Kinyua) Kauffman, Beth (Kevin) DeRonne, Seth Flemmer, Lucas Flemmer, and Jacob Flemmer; her sister Lucille Pett, Whitewater, WI. She was preceded in death by her husband Gordon, her son Kim, her parents, and her brothers Eugene and Richard.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Storybook Land in Aberdeen, SD, Groton Transit in Groton, SD, or Zion Lutheran in Andover.

Pamela “Pam” (Ottoson) (Hansen) Dobyns

May 20, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Memorial services were held on Mon., May 18, for Pamela Ann “Pam” Dobyns, 60, Cookeville, Tenn., who died on May 8, 2015, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. The services will be held in the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Chatman officiating.

Pamela Ottoson was born on April 3, 1955, at Dell Rapids to Edwin “Bud” and Anne (Fairhurst) Ottoson. She moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1985. She married Frank Dobyns on Nov. 24, 1990, and they lived in Anchorage before moving to Cookeville in 2010.

Survivors include her husband, Frank of Cookeville; a daughter, Monica Erickson of Cookeville; three grandchildren; two sisters, Janice (Leo) Dusterhoft of Madison, and Carol (Dick) Hoskinson of Longview, Wash.; two brothers, Larry (Linda) Ottoson of Brandon, and Darrel (Nancy) Ottoson of Arizona; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Larry Hansen; a son, Matthew Hansen; and a son-in-law, Johnny Erickson.

Memorials may be directed to Heart of the Cumberland, P.O. Box 2474, Cookeville, Tenn., 38503; or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 332 North Lauderdale, Memphis, Tenn., 38105. Condolences may be sent to www.hhhfunerals.com.

Haak and Greenhoff Finish Year at State A Tournament

May 19, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Sarah Haak and Kaitlyn Greenhoff finished their 2015 golf year at the Girls State A Golf Tournament in Madison on Monday, May 18th, and Tuesday, May 19th.

Greenhoff finished the first day of the tournament with a round of 100, which left her tied for 17th place. She finished the second day eight strokes better with a 92. The two-day total of 192 placed Greenhoff 15th overall in the tournament. Haak finished her first day with a 122, which put her tied for 69th. Haak was 16 strokes better Tuesday with a round of 106. The two-day total of 228 placed Haak 59th overall at the state tournament.

Schumaker to Play at USF

May 19, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Zane Schumker has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Sioux Falls Cougars next year. Schumaker averaged 12.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 4.2 assists per game during the 2014-2015 season.

Schumaker also earned Dak-12 All-Conference First Team honors and was selected to the 2015 State A All-Tournament Team.

Melvin Erickson

May 18, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Melvin L. Erickson, 81, of Brandon, formerly of Trent, SD, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2015 at the Royal C. Johnson Veterans Hospital in Sioux Falls. His funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2015 in the Kahler Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be two hours prior to the start of the service. Condolences may be left at www.kahlerfh.com.

Melvin Lewis Erickson was born on July 2, 1933, the son of Harry and Francis Erickson in Sioux Falls, SD. He grew up in Sioux Falls and attended Washington High School. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1956 and served in Vietnam. Melvin married Sharleen Jenson on March 2, 1956 at Willow Creek Lutheran Church. They made their home in North Carolina while Melvin served in the military. After his discharge in 1968, they moved back to Dell Rapids. He graduated from Nettleton College in 1972. The couple made their home on an acreage and he worked at Lakeside Dairy, Campbell Supply, and Bowman Distributing in Sioux Falls. In 1987, Sharleen passed away. He moved to Redfield and went to work for the state hospital. He retired in 1999. In 2000, he moved back to the Trent area. In 2010, he moved to Helping Hands in Brandon.

He was a member of the Dell Rapids American Legion Post, and a longtime member of Willow Creek Lutheran Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his infant daughter and an infant sister.

Melvin is survived by his son, Dwane (Lori) of Trent; his daughters, Denise (Terry) Anderson of Trent, Darla (Duane) Halvorson of Trent and Dawn Erickson of Santa Fe, NM; his brothers, Edward (Kay) Erickson of Sioux Falls and Louis Erickson of Andallisia, AL; his sister, Harriet Parmely of Chancellor; his eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Dell Rapids Cemetery Board Starting Fund Raising Effort

May 18, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Cemetery is a non-profit organization. It is governed by a nine member board of directors. The Board function is to manage the upkeep of the cemetery and monitor the finances of the perpetual care trust. The fees associated with the cemetery are set based on the expected yearly expenses. Any projects the board pursues need to be financed independently.

After much discussion at the annual meeting, the board has decided to start fundraising with the intent to surface all the roads in the cemetery. The cost of pouring each concrete section is approximately $5500. There are 28 road sections in the cemetery, so the total cost of surfacing all of the roadways is just over $150,000. The board understands that this project will need to be completed in phases and will depend on the generosity of the families whose loved ones are interred in the cemetery with regard to how long this major project for the Dell Rapids Cemetery will take.

To make it easy for those inclined to make donations, Mark Kahler and Ross Brende will volunteer to accept and coordinate the donations. Donations may be sent to Kahler Funeral Home, 107 W 4th St., Dell Rapids, SD 57022. Please indicate that the donation is meant for the cemetery concrete surface project.

The Dell Rapids Cemetery originally platted on August 6, 1881. One of the first wagon trains to come to the Dell Rapids area was 1872. Some of the first interments in the Dell Rapids Cemetery were John Thorne in 1874 and Rhoda Dutcher in 1894. In 1906 the price of a cemetery lot was $25. Prior to 1906 the Dell Rapids Cemetery was owned and maintained by the City of Dell Rapids. The Dell Rapids Cemetery Association was incorporated April 7, 1905 at which time the association took over full control of the cemetery. The pillars were erected by Chris Paulson for $351 in 1911. The original pillars still stand today. In 1913 the board members of the association voted to officially name the cemetery. The name they voted on was The Grand View Cemetery, today it’s known as the Dell Rapids Cemetery. In 1918 the cemetery expanded the cemetery and bought the north five acres from Nels Jensen those acres are still being farmed by the Jensen family. Today the cemetery contains twelve blocks with over 3300 burials with close to 600 veterans, and over 90 Odd Fellow burials and 3 Daughters of the American Revolution burials.

Notable Burials:
Susanna Hunt is the niece of Morman Founder, Joseph Smith
William McFarland, locked away South Dakota’s first inmate, known as South Dakota’s first turn key.
John January, was a prisoner at Andersonville during the Civil War, due to malnutrution and disease he had to amputate his own legs to save himself.
Thomas Lyons: ran the trolly to cross the big sioux river before bridges, his wife, Maria Lyons was the first known Rebekkah in the state of South Dakota.
Abigail Ervin, her father was part of the original colonist that broke away from England, he was even present when Cornwallis surrendered.

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