Big Sioux Media Sports Network

Your first stop for southeast South Dakota sports!

  • Journey Painting
    Dells Electric Top Banner Advertisement
    Ace Hardware Top Banner Advertisement
    New Hope Chiropractic Advertisement
    Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce Banner Advertisement
    GoldenWest Top Banner Advertisement
    L.G. Everist Advertisement
    Absolute Business Promotions
    County Fair Foods Advertisement

Melva Dybedahl

by

Melva Dybedahl, 73, of rural Dell Rapids died unexpectedly Friday, August 3, 2012 in Dell Rapids.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at Willow Creek Lutheran Church, rural Dell Rapids. Visitation with the family present from 4-8:00 PM Monday, August 6, 2012 at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Dell Rapids. Burial will be in the Willow Creek Lutheran Cemetery.

Melva was born on the farm southwest of Hartford, SD on April 30, 1939 to Clark & Bernadine Gregg. At the age of 6 her family moved to a farm on the west edge of Baltic along the Big Sioux River. Melva graduated from Baltic High School in 1957 where she was the Homecoming Queen.

Melva married Navis Dybedahl in Baltic on March 22, 1958 and have resided on their farm all 54 years of their marriage. Melva was a member of Willow Creek Lutheran Church & WELCA. Melva served the residents of the Odd Fellows Home and later Terrace Manor in the activities area for many years until God called her home.

Melva was well known for her compassionate care and loving heart and had a reputation for putting others first. Melva’s kitchen table was frequently a meeting place for friends and family where great conversations happened, and they had the opportunity to enjoy her home-cooked meals. Some of her favorites were homemade pizza, carrot cake, Swedish meatballs, and ice cream jello.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Navis Dybedahl, Dell Rapids; children, Craig (Bonnie) Dybedahl, Colton, Kevin (Pam) Dybedahl, Dell Rapids, Todd (Kim) Dybedahl, Sioux Falls and Sandy (Rick) Zwart, Dell Rapids; thirteen grandchildren; Matt, Paul & Mary Dybedahl; Jessica Evans, Jake Dybedahl, Tarah Burggraff, & Tye Dybedahl; Zach & Seth Dybedahl, Chelsie Huska, & Dylan Dybedahl; Gregg & Brad Zwart; five great-grandchildren; brother, Charles Gregg, Dell Rapids; sisters, Audrey (Elden) Hilmoe, Dell Rapids and LaVonne Leitheiser, Sioux Falls. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Don Gregg, and her step father, Cliff Ottum.

Memorials may be directed to the Willow Creek Cemetery.   http://www.minnehahafuneralhome.com

William “Bill” Pierson

by

William “Bill” Martin Pierson, 77, Mitchell, died Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. Funeral services will be Friday, August 3, 2012, 10:00AM, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Ethan. Visitation will be from 6-8PM, Thursday evening with a Scripture Service at 7:00PM at the Bittner Funeral Chapel.

William “Bill” Martin Pierson was born Dec. 17, 1934 in Mitchell to Alex and Stella (Westwood) Pierson. He graduated from Ethan High School in 1952. On Nov. 24, 1952, he married Margaret Sibson at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell.

Bill grew up farming the land and raising cattle with his father and eventually assumed the family farm. He and Margaret raised seven children in the same home where he grew up. He retired from farming in 2000. He and Margaret enjoyed winters in Arizona and traveled much of the year, exploring places such as France, Germany, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii. They continued to spend their summers east of Ethan until five years ago, when they purchased a townhome in Mitchell. Bill enjoyed camping, fishing and lawn games and always was up for a good game of “Pinochle” or “Bridge.” The sight of Bill gliding across the dance floor while ballroom or square dancing with his bride in his arms was a beauty to all.

“Daddy” was a hardworking, Christian man who always delighted in visits from his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His love for his family was obvious by the gleam in his eyes and his wide, bright smile, which always lead to a hearty chuckle and a “yeah, yeah!”

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, of Mitchell; seven children, Rich (Kris) Pierson of Washington, Iowa; Deb (Al) Jennings of Spearfish; Dan (Mary) Pierson of Merrill, Iowa; Dean (Nancy) Pierson of Brandon; Denise (Mike) Royston of Ethan; Rod (Lisa) Pierson of Dell Rapids; and Ray (Ann) Pierson of Sioux Falls; 23 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Catherine Kurtenbach of Colorado; Violet Koutz of Minnesota; Georgia (Herb) Sibson of Ft. Pierre and Alice Friedel of Gettysburg; his wife’s siblings: David (Joyce) Sibson of Mitchell; Jean Danielson of Rapid City and a sister-in-law, Dolores Sibson of Mitchell.

He is preceded in death by his parents and six brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.

Shirley Brekke

by

Shirley I. Brekke, 85, of Dell Rapids formerly of Renner died Saturday, July 28, 2012 at the Dells Area Health Center.  Memorial services will be held at 1:30 PM Saturday, August 4, 2012 at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Baltic.

Shirley was born October 7, 1926 in Sioux Falls to parents Halvor and Alma (Nustad) Brekke. She grew up in the Renner area. She graduated from Washington High School. After graduation she went to visit her sister, Muriel in New York and spent the next 50 years there. While in New York she worked as the executive secretary for Special Metals Company in Utica, New York. She returned to South Dakota in 2000. She has been a resident of the Dells Nursing and Rehab Center in Dell Rapids.

Shirley loved spending time at the ocean and her Norwegian heritage.

Grateful for having shared her life are her sister, Marvel (Herman) Brende, Sioux Falls; nieces and nephews, Vance Valerio, Stuart Brende, Amber McKenney, April Endahl, Toni Valerio and Ryne Brende.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two infant sisters, a sister, Muriel Valerio and a brother in law, Tony Valerio.

Pauline “Pat” Ernesti Lambert

by

Pauline “Pat” Ernesti Lambert, 87, died Saturday, July 28, 2012 at her home in Sioux Falls. She was born February 1, 1925 at Harrisburg, SD to Benhardt and Elvida (Boyson) Barnes. She went to grade school in Tea and high school in Lennox, Harrisburg and Yankton. She waitressed and also worked at John Morrell’s during WWII. Pat married James F. Ernesti on October 21, 1944 in New Orleans, LA. She spent several years raising her 12 children and maintaining a busy household. She also assisted her husband with sewing for Ernesti Mattress Co. When her children were older, she worked as a data processing assistant at McKennan Hospital and Ingalls Insurance Company until her retirement. Jim preceded her in death from cancer on March 18, 1981. During her retirement years, Pat enjoyed living at her Colman farm, her dog Precious, gardening, cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting, reading, dancing, writing her memoirs/family tree and communicating with her children and grandchildren on the computer. Pat married Bill Lambert on February 8, 1985 in Sioux Falls and spent 15 loving, memorable years with him until his death on November 14, 2001. She will be remembered as a loving, devoted and concerned parent, grandparent and great-grandparent. Pat thoroughly enjoyed visits, phone calls, cards and gifts from them over the years, as well as from her many other family members and friends. They were always on display. Pat was a member of Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of America, American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary.

Pat is survived by 11 children, Donna (Dennis) Rolfson, Dennis Ernesti, James V. Ernesti, Joan (Jeff) Dow, Deborah (Jon) Heisel, Thomas Ernesti, all of Sioux Falls, Pamela (Daniel) Rustvang, Grand Forks, ND, Mary (Michael) Schave, Gillette, WY, Theresa (Kent) Headrick, Flandreau, Daniel (Teresa) Ernesti, Dell Rapids, Lauri (Thomas) Starr, George, IA; 31 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren; a brother Carroll (Corinne) Barnes, Sioux Falls and a sister Myrtle (Dale) Olson, Flandreau. Pat was preceded in death by her two husbands, daughter Kathryn Becker, two granddaughters, Michelle Schave and Angela Rustvang, one grandson David Ernesti, her parents, and four siblings, Duane, Betty, Leona and Roger.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am Thursday, August 2, 2012 at Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, Flandreau, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-7 pm Wednesday at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau, with a 7:00 pm prayer service followed by a Catholic Daughter Rosary.   www.skrochfc.com

Jean Paul

by

Jean Paul, 64, of Dell Rapids passed away on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at her home. Her funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in the United Methodist Church, Dell Rapids. Visitation will begin at noon on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at Kahler Funeral Home. The family will be present at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a time of sharing at 7:00 p.m.

Jean Marie Fey was born Oct. 29, 1947 in Aberdeen, SD to the late Bessie and Earl Fey. Jean and John met on a hot summer day in Cresbard, SD in 1963. John and his buddies had heard about the new girl in town whose parents had bought the hotel and they went in to enjoy a coke and see what the buzz was about. It was love at first sight for John, but Jean played hard to get. Eventually Jean gave in to John’s courting and they married on November 1, 1965. 46 years later they have a lifetime of memories to show for the wonderful life they had together.

Jean loved watching her kids and grandkids in all the activities they did; basketball, football, track, karate, dancing or whatever it was, she just couldn’t get enough. She was at her happiest when she was watching these events. She also couldn’t get enough of her Twins and Vikings. She got to know them all by name and let them know it when they weren’t doing well. Jean loved to garden and had nurtured her home into a beautiful landscape that was fit for weddings. Her career at the Sioux Falls ambulance service was some of the happiest years of her life. She loved that job; saving lives and working with great people made her happy and she was the best at what she did.

Jean had a wonderful heart and a beautiful soul. She would help anyone, at any time and lived that way her whole life. She was a loving Wife, an amazing Mother, a fantastic Grandmother and a wonderful friend. She will be deeply missed by everyone left behind, but we are comforted by the fact that she was welcomed into heaven with a party in her honor by her Father, her Mother, her sister Nancy, her favorite dog Sadie and all the family and friends that have passed before her; all wearing white with red carnations. She is in God’s kingdom with Christ, her savior and we will all see her again.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 46 years, John Paul of Dell Rapids; her daughter, Lori (Cory) Hollowood of Dell Rapids; her two sons, Shane (Janet) Paul of Elgin, IL and Cory (Stacie) Paul of Dell Rapids; her six grandchildren, Ashley (Kelly) Pfeifer of Mitchell, Michael Mailey of Dell Rapids, Meghan Paul of Dell Rapids, Shyanne Paul of Elgin, IL, Emma Paul of Dell Rapids, and Sierra Paul of Elgin, IL; her great-grandson, Carver; and her two brothers, Steve (Donna) Fey of Aberdeen and Bob (Ann) Fey of Aurora, and her two sisters, Shirley (the late Richard) Little of Aberdeen and Laurietta (the late Michael) Matheny of Dell Rapids, and countless other friends and family.   www.kahlerfh.com

Irene Soldatke

by

Irene A. Soldatke, age 80, passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30AM on Saturday, July 21 at St. Lambert Catholic Church in Sioux Falls with interment to follow at St. Michael Cemetery. The family will be present to greet friends for visitation from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday at St. Lambert Catholic Church with Liturgical Wake Service beginning at 7:00 PM.

Irene Agnes Scholten was born on August 22, 1931 in Alvord, Iowa to John and Alieda (Lens) Scholten. She grew up on the family farm near Larchwood, Iowa where she graduated from St. Mary’s School. After graduation, Irene moved to Sioux Falls where she met Joseph Soldatke. The two were married on May 20, 1961 and together made their home in Sioux Falls where Irene worked for Sheehan Equipment and Sales for over 30 years.

Irene was a long-time member of St. Lambert Catholic Church and the Independent Order of Foresters. During retirement, Irene volunteered at Avera McKennan Hospital. She enjoyed bowling (competing in many tournaments), dancing, and playing cards. She loved to bake and was known for her delicious angel food cake and cinnamon rolls with a fruit surprise in the center. Irene’s most important treasure, however, was her family, especially her beloved grandchildren. She always stayed busy with her grandchildren’s activities.

Grateful for having shared her life are her sons, Scott (Kim) Soldatke of Sioux Falls, Chad (Dawn) Soldatke of Oregon, WI, and Troy Soldatke of Sioux Falls; three grandchildren, Tyler, Alexis, and Katelyn; four sisters, Ann (Ray) Burkard of Larchwood, IA, Mary Kearney of Sioux City, IA, Veronica (Dick) Tuschen of Salem, SD, and Rose (Dale) Carmen of Sioux Falls; three brothers, George (Donna) Scholten of Luverne, MN, John (Dorothy) Scholten of Dell Rapids, SD, and Cletus (Shirley) Scholten of Sioux Falls; many dear relatives and friends.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband Joe, on June 21, 2011; four infant sons, James, Jeffrey, Todd, and Cory; parents, John and Alieda Scholten; three sisters, Betty Wall, Theresa Schettler, and Dorothy Schettler; four brothers, Raymond Scholten, Joe Scholten, Paul Scholten ,and Larry Scholten.

Jerry Hammer

by

Jerry Hammer, age 75, of Baltic, died on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, July 21, 2012, at East Nidaros Lutheran Church, rural Baltic, South Dakota. Visitation will begin at 4:00 P.M. Friday, with the family present from 5-7:00 P.M., at East Nidaros Lutheran Church.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Jean, Baltic; children: Greg (Julie) Hammer, Garretson, Paul (Darlene) Hammer, Lakewood, Colorado, Cindi (Dan) Schmidt, Dell Rapids, and Brad Hammer, Baltic; grandchildren: Kyle Hammer, Samantha, Jayme, and Taylor Schmidt, and Izabel Hammer; sister, Lou (Bill) Hall, Moose Lake, Minnesota; brothers: Jim (Peg) Hammer, Des Moines, Iowa, and Don (Gaila) Hammer, Irving, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Terri; parents, Oscar and Mabel; and brothers: Roger and Merlin.Full obituary at www.minnehahafuneralhome.com.

Judith Vortherms

by

Judith M. Vortherms, 68, of Dell Rapids, passed away Saturday, July 14, 2012 at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids, SD with interment to follow at the St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids and will resume at 6:00 p.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church with the family present. A Christian Wake Service will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the church.

Judith Mae Roti was born on October 15, 1943 in Canton, SD, the daughter of Myron and Minnie Roti. She graduated from Canton High School in 1962. She was married to Art Vortherms on August 22, 1964 and they began their life together on a farm west of Dell Rapids. Along with helping out on the farm, Judy worked at First National Bank, Gannon Bookkeeping, Terrace Manor, Lodmell-Schaefer and Denny Gaspar Ford, retiring in 2004.

Judy’s family was everything to her and some of her favorite times were spent hosting family suppers on Sunday nights, with her grandchildren playing baseball in the backyard. She also enjoyed attending all of their many activities and never missed a chance to take pictures.  Judy was an avid Minnesota Twins baseball fan and rarely missed watching a game.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 47 years, Art, daughter Tammy (Robert) Michel, son, John (Laura) Vortherms, and daughter Shelly (Jon) Kubly, all of Dell Rapids; her 10 grandhildren, Jodi (Josh) Spaans, Kari (Jared) Hettinger, Casey, Jason and Kelly Michel; Derrick and KaitlynVortherms; and Danielle, Austin and Brandon Kubly; and one great-grandchild Callie Spaans. She is also survived by 7 siblings; sisters Doris Welsh, Phyllis Donnaud, Betty (Stan) Sawina, Jackie (Floyd) Wold and Susanne (Arlin) Johnson, and brothers Jim (Donna) Roti and David (Carol) Roti. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Donny Roti.   www.minnehahafuneralhome.com

Janice Klein

by

Janice M. Klein, 63, of Dell Rapids passed away on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at the Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids. Interment will be in the St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Kahler Funeral Home and will resume at 6:00 p.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church. A Christian Wake Service will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Church. To leave condolences please visit www.kahlerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary Catholic Church Building Fund.

Janice Marie Klein was born on October 29th, 1948 in Le Mars, Iowa, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Colling. In 1953 her family moved to Howard, South Dakota. She graduated from St. Agatha Catholic School in 1966, and received her Bachelor of Science degree from South Dakota State University in 1970.

Janice began working for Northwestern National Bank (now Wells Fargo) in Sioux Falls in 1970. In 1972 she started working as a personal banker at the branch location in Dell Rapids, where she got to know many people in the community. She retired from Wells Fargo in 2007.

Janice was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dell Rapids, regularly attending daily Mass and participating in St. Mary’s functions. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family, especially her granddaughters. Her other hobbies and interests included quilting, knitting, craft projects, spending time outdoors, traveling, and visiting with friends over coffee at the local grocery store.

Those left to cherish her memory include her three daughters and four granddaughters all of Sioux Falls, Kim (Troy), Sierra, Jaxsyn, and Shayda Swift; Jackie Klein; and Jessica (Mark) and Kenna List. She is also survived by her siblings, Therese Erickson, Fred (Irene) Colling, Gene (Kyle) Colling, and Anita (Mike) Harlan. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy