Patrick “Pat” O’Donnell

March 17, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Patrick John “Pat” O’Donnell, 73, of Baltic died Thursday, March 13, 2014 at his home. Memorial visitation will be held Friday, March 21, 2014 from 4-7:00 PM at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Baltic.

Patrick John was born June 29, 1940 at Graceville, Minnesota to parents John and Marjorie (Cota) O’Donnell. He grew up in Graceville and graduated from Holy Rosary Academy. After his education he moved to California and worked as a carpenter. He moved to the Dell Rapids area in 1971 and continued his carpentry work. He married Beverly Johnson March 29, 1980 at Baltic. They continued to live in the Baltic area. After his retirement he worked part time at the Eastern Farmer Elevator in Baltic.

Pat enjoyed work with guys at the elevator, hunting, fishing and playing cards with his friends and family.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Bev O’Donnell, Baltic; his children, Chad (Cindy) O’Donnell, Sioux Falls; Niki (Gregg) Beldin, Larchwood, Iowa; Michael Johnson, Baltic; James (Angela) Mitzel) Johnson, Baltic; eight grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; his sibling, Phyllis Jones, Brainerd, MN; Bill O’Donnell, Lake City, MN; Mike O’Donnell, Graceville, MN; and Mary Rodahl, Benson, MN; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded by his parents, two brothers and a sister.

Memorial may be directed to the Avera Cancer Institute.

All-Dells Championship at St Mary Tournament

March 17, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal 5th-grade boys basketball team hosted a tournament on Saturday, March 15th. Six teams participated in the tournament including Dell Rapids St Mary, Dell Rapids, Sioux Falls Christian, West Central, Harrisburg and Howard. The six teams were broken into two pools of three teams each. After six “pool-play” games, two players from each team participated in a “hot shot” contest, and then the final three games were played to determine placings. All nine of the games and the “hot-shot” contest were streamed live on Big Sioux Media, and all the games are available to watch as an archived video under the webcasts page.

The championship game of the tournament was between Dell Rapids St Mary and Dell Rapids, with the St Mary Cardinal team winning 53-27.

Back Row L to R: Noah D, Austin G, Colin W, Sam
P, Max H, & Thomas E. Front Row L to R: Connor
L, Clay W, Connar K, Nick W, Hunter G, and Jon
B.

Back Row L to R: Asher L, Brady L, Coby M, Jakob L, Carter N. Front Row L to R: Dayton A, Connar R, Colin R, Mitchell G

Back Row L to R: Asher L, Brady L, Coby M, Jakob L, Carter N. Front Row L to R: Dayton A, Connor R, Colin R, Mitchell G

Game Results:

Game 1: DR St Mary 43, SF Christian 16
Game 2: Harrisburg 32, Howard 15
Game 3: West Central 41, SF Christian 16
Game 4: Dell Rapids 39, Howard 24
Game 5: DR St Mary 44, West Central 24
Game 6: Dell Rapids 37, Harrisburg 34
5th/6th Place Game: Howard 27, SF Christian 18
3rd/4th Place Game: Harrisburg 31, West Central 20
1st/2nd Place Game: DR St Mary 53, Dell Rapids 27

Jerome Posey

March 17, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Jerome W. Posey, 94, of Dell Rapids passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at the Dells Nursing and Rehab Center. His funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. Interment with military rites will be in the Bethania Cemetery, rural Trent. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at Kahler Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.kahlerfh.com

Jerome William Posey was born on August 21, 1919 at rural Alpena, SD, the son of Jesse and Flora Posey. He grew up and attended school in Alpena. He farmed with his parents for a while and then moved to Sherman, SD and worked as a farm hand until March of 1941 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in the Hawaiian Islands and the Philippine Islands serving with the 160th infantry 40th Division Company E. His service of four years ended when wounded in battle and he was honorably discharged in July of 1945. He received the Purple Heart. In 1985, he received the Bronze Star Medal for Achievement in ground combat in the Asiatic – Pacific Theater of Operations.

He worked on the railroad and in 1947, he began working with his brother Elton as a farm laborer, carpenter and other jobs. He met Lorraine Holien in February of 1949 and they were married on July 12, 1949 in the Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jasper, MN. To this union was born four children, Jolene, Burdette, Olin and Mark. The family lived near Alpena, Canton, and Jasper before moving into Dell Rapids in 1963.

Jerome worked at Conoco Gas station and later owned and operated Champlin Gas Station. He worked with the Minnehaha CO-OP Oil until his retirement in 1981. He then helped his brother Elton in various carpentry jobs. He then drove school bus for the Dell Rapids school district, driving handicapped children to the Crippled Children’s School in Sioux Falls.

He was a member of the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids, a life time member of the American Legion Post #65 serving in many offices, a life time member of the VFW and member of 40 and 8, the Senior Citizens Center where he was instrumental in getting the pool tables installed and served on the Veterans Memorial Park Committee. He and Lorraine were editors of the American Legion Newsletter for 16 years. He enjoyed his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, jigsaw puzzles and the Minnesota Twins.

His dedication to his family, his community, and his country was always on his mind. He encouraged respect and honor for the flag and our country. He and Lorraine hosted two company and army reunions in the early 1990’s and thoroughly enjoyed seeing his army buddies again.

Jerome became a resident of the Dells Nursing and Rehab on October 19, 2012.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lorraine of Dell Rapids, a daughter, Jolene (Gaylon) Wehde of Crooks, SD; three sons, Burdette “Boone” (Cathleen) Posey of Bruce, Olin (Lynette) Posey of Dell Rapids and Mark (Karen) Posey of Titonka, IA; seven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, Irma, Vinnie, Elsie and Nellie and his brother, Elton.

City Council Meeting: 3/17/14

March 17, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids City Council will meet in regular session on Monday, March 17th, at 7:30 p.m. at the City Chambers. Some of the items on the agenda include request for an outdoor permit, library expansion/renovation project update, second reading of ordinance 791, and the administrative report. The full agenda can be found by clicking here.

The meeting will be streamed live on Big Sioux Media Channel 2.

JoAnn VanDam

March 16, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

JoAnn VanDam, 59, of Chester passed away unexpectedly Thursday, March 13, 2014.

Funeral services will begin at 2:00 PM Monday, March 17, 2014 at Chester Area School, Chester, SD. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Chester.

Visitation with the family present will be Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM with a Prayer service at 4:00 PM at First Lutheran Church in Colton, SD.

JoAnn was born May 15, 1954 in Sioux Falls to parents Marvin and Esther (Rehfeldt) Aldrich. She grew up on a farm near Franklin, SD and graduated from Chester High School in 1972. From there she attended beauty school.

Following beauty school, JoAnn married David VanDam on November 10, 1973 in Humboldt, SD. They made their home in Chester where they raised their three children.

JoAnn began working at Chester Area School in 2000. She thought of them as her second family. She made pies for the teachers on their birthdays and some sort of treats for the athletes before a game.

JoAnn was an active member of St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church, Chester Booster Club and an avid blood donor, recently receiving her eight gallon pin.

JoAnn enjoyed sharing her love with everyone around her, whether it was baking, having a cup of coffee, or just conversing while cutting your hair.

JoAnn was a devoted wife, daughter, mother, aunt and friend. Left to cherish her memory are her husband of forty years, David VanDam, Chester; three children, William “B.J.” VanDam, Madison, Heidi VanDam, Sioux Falls and Holli VanDam, Chester; father, Marvin Aldrich, Madison; mother-in-law, Muriel VanDam, Dell Rapids; two sisters, Renae (Doug) Feucht, Baltic and Marlys (Virgil) Schaefer, Colton; two brothers, Rick (Kris) Aldrich, Madison and Randy (Judy) Aldrich, Sioux Falls; as well as several nieces; nephews; relatives and friends.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her mother, Esther Aldrich; father-in-law, William (Bill) VanDam; brother-in-law, Dale Huntimer and several aunts and uncles.

www.minnehahafuneralhome.com

New Band Uniforms for Dell Rapids

March 15, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids School Board made the decision to purchase new uniforms for the Dell Rapids High School marching band at its regular meeting held on Monday, March 10th. Band Director Brian Smith requested the purchase of new band uniforms in November. The request was to purchase 80 uniforms for a total cost of just under $25,000, and the estimated time of order fulfillment is between 120 and 150 days. Edie Hinricher, Music Booster President, was on hand during the school board meeting and said that the Music Boosters would donate $5,000 towards the purchase of the new uniforms.

During the discussion, school board members Steve Stofferahn and Matt Weiland asked if the decision to purchase the new band uniforms should wait another month since the financial budget for FY2015 is still in the early stages of finalization. But Tom Morris, school board President, said, “I just think because of the time constraint, I would hate to wait another month, knowing that we need these uniforms, and then not have them available for next year.”

Morris then made the motion to approve the request of the purchase of new band uniforms for FY2015, with a $5,000 donation toward the purchase to come from the Music Boosters. The motion was seconded by Stofferahn. The motion passed with all member voting yes.

The full discussion can be seen on the archived video. The band uniform discussion starts at the 15:26 mark and ends at the 31:50 mark of the video “DRHS School Board 3-10-14” on the webcasts page.

Dell Rapids School Board Considering Start Date Change

March 14, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

During the regular school board meeting held on Monday, March 10th, Superintendent Summer Schultz presented the board with results of a parent, staff, and student survey on school start date. The survey was made available between February 27th and March 9th. 315 responses were received from survey takers logged in as Dell Rapids Public and 65 logged in as Dell Rapids St Mary. About 80% of total survey takers were parents.

The results of the survey that Schultz handed out showed parents were in favor of a later start date, and the high school students showed a preference for the first semester to end before Christmas break. However, ending the first semester before Christmas break would not be possible with the first day of school starting later in the fall. The entire discussion about the school calendar can be seen on the archived video located on the Webcasts page. The discussion starts at the 31:50 mark and ends at the 1:04:39 mark on the video titled DRHS School Board 3-10-14.

The survey results were were also presented to the Superintendent’s cabinet. Schultz has put together three draft versions of the FY2015 school calendar that will be considered by the school board during a special meeting that will be held on Monday, March 17th, at 7:00 p.m. in the HS/MS DDN Room. The three versions of the proposed calendar can be viewed by clicking the links.

3rd Week of August Start Date

4th Week of August Start Date

After Labor Day Start Date

Girls Basketball All-Conference Selections

March 13, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Three girls basketball players were selected to their respective all-conference teams recently.

Sophomore Mikaela Stofferahn from Dell Rapids was selected to the Dakota XII Conference Second Team for the 2013-2014 season.

Senior Kelly Michel from Dell Rapids St Mary was selected to the Dakota Valley Conference First Team, and junior Ally Mullaney was selected to the DVC Second Team this year.

Head coach Josh LeBrun from Dell Rapids St Mary was selected the Dakota Valley Conference Coach of the Year leading the Cardinals to a second place finish in the DVC Tournament, 13-7 regular season record, and a 14-8 overall record.

Dakota XII Conference Selections:

FIRST TEAM

Keely Bertram – Elk Point-Jefferson (MVP)
Josie Huber-Vermillion
Sammy Kasowski – Tri-Valley
Madison Kuehl-West Central
Tara Kuper-Lennox
Kristin Twedt – Canton

SECOND TEAM

Jayde Bergman – Dakota Valley
Emma Johnson – Tri-Valley
Mackenzie Mennenga – Elk Point-Jefferson
Mikaela Stofferahn – Dell Rapids
McKenzie Stone – West Central
Roz Vanden Bosh – Madison

THIRD TEAM

Kensi Brands – Sioux Falls Christian
Jenna Kittler – Dakota Valley
Ali Lacey – West Central
Karlee McKinney – Tea
Haleigh Melstad – Vermillion
Jen Swanstrom – Beresford

Dakota Valley Conference Selections:

FIRST TEAM

Rylie Osthus – DeSmet
Grayson Gruenhagen – DeSmet
Sami Boeck – Arlington
Brooklyn Judstra – Arlington
Kelly Michel – Dell Rapids St Mary
Tori Nelson – Colman/Egan

SECOND TEAM

Kelsey Poppen – DeSmet
Kelli Aughenbaugh – DeSmet
Ally Mullaney – Dell Rapids St Mary
Joie Spier – Oldham-Ramona/Rutland
Kristen Longville – Lake Preston

MVP: Shelby Reed – Estelline

Standoff South of Dell Rapids

March 12, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

UPDATE: Law enforcement took 20-year-old Tahlen Bourassa into custody after a standoff that lasted around four hours. The suspect was wanted in Minnehaha County on a felony drug warrant. The standoff took place on Quarry Road just south of Dell Rapids. Negotiators were on the scene and were able to convince Bourassa to come out of his vehicle. He was taken into custody without incident. Law enforcement had placed road spikes in the area in case the standoff turned into a pursuit, but they were never used. A Highway Patrol airplane was also brought into the area and circled the community as a precautionary measure.

Bourassa was listed on the Minnehaha County Most Wanted list for felony ingesting a controlled substance.

Law enforcement are engaged in a stand-off just south of Dell Rapids with 20-year-old Tahlen Bourassa, who is wanted in Minnehaha County on a felony drug warrant. The standoff is taking place near the east-side quarry entrance. According to Twitter updates from Kelo News, negotiators are working on Bourassa to end the situation peacefully. Bourassa is reported to have a pipe and a knife, but no gun.

SWAT and other law enforcement have Bourassa surrounded while negotiations continue. Road spikes have been placed in the road in the case of the standoff turns into a pursuit situation. A Highway Patrol airplane has been circling the area as a precaution.

Madison Wins Region 3A in Final Seconds

March 11, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Preston Nordling hit three free throws with :01.9 after a controversial foul, and lifted the Madison Bulldogs to a 55-54 win over the Dell Rapids Quarriers in the Region 3A Championship game at the Elmen Center on Tuesday, March 11th. Dell Rapids scored the first two points of the game, but Madison went on a 16-1 run to take a 16-3 lead late in the first quarter. Dell Rapids was able to pull within 11 by the end of the quarter at 17-6. Madison again went ahead by 13 points in the second quarter at 28-15, but again Dell Rapids closed out the half on a little run to pull within 10 at 28-18 by halftime. After another 13 point lead at 33-20 with 6:15 to go in the third quarter, Dell Rapids found their offensive groove and went on a 6-0 run in the next minute to close the game to 33-26. Dell Rapids finished the third quarter down just four points at 43-39. The fourth quarter was back and forth, and Dell Rapids captured their first lead since the opening seconds of the game at 54-52 with :12 left in the game. After a Madison time-out, Nordling took a three-point shot from the right wing that missed, however, the controversial foul on Zach White was called, giving Nordling three free throws with :01.9 left. Nordling knocked down all three. Riley Schmidt heaved the inbound pass three-quarters down the court to Cody Nielsen, but Nielsen’s scoop shot at the buzzer was too strong off the backboard.

Schmidt finished the game with 13 points after a strong second half to help the Quarriers fight their way back into the game in the second half. Zane Schumaker added 12 points for Dell Rapids, and Cody Nielsen finished with eight points. Jacob Leighton led the Bulldogs with 18 points in the game.

Dell Rapids has their season come to an end with a record of 14-8 on the year. Madison advances to the State A Tournament in Sioux Falls on March 20th-22nd.

	1	2	3	4	F
Dell Rapids	6	12	21	15	54
Madison	17	11	15	12	55

Highlights:

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