obituary Archives - Page 30 of 94 - Big Sioux Media Sports Network

Ruth Hansen

January 29, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Ruth Hansen, 100, of Mountain Lake, MN, formerly of Dell Rapids, SD, passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. Her funeral service was held on Saturday, January 28, 2017. On-line condolences may be left at the Kahler Funeral Home website.

Ruth Louise Pfefferle was born to William and Louise (Kessler) Pfefferle on their farm near Rock Valley, Iowa, on September 5, 1916. The family moved to a farm near Lyons, South Dakota in the early 1930’s and Ruth graduated from high school in Lyons.

She married Vernon S. Peterson in October of 1942 in Luverne, Minnesota. The following two years were spent in Detroit, Michigan while Vernon served as a Captain in the military. During that time they had two sons and then moved back to Colman, South Dakota for Vernon to begin his Veterinary practice in 1945. During the next twelve years, the couple had two more sons. After Vernon passed away suddenly in December of 1957, Ruth moved with her four sons to Dell Rapids to raise them closer to her family. She was a wonderful, loving mother as her sons finished school and started their own families.

In July of 1980, Ruth married Harold Hansen. The two of them enjoyed each other’s families and going to old time dances sometimes two to three times a week. Ruth loved to cook and bake, and especially loved growing tomatoes and canning them in the summer. Ruth loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; telling stories of her youth and recalling memories of her life on the farm.

She was a long time member of the Legion Auxiliary and the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids.

Celebrating her life are her sons, William Peterson of Lead, SD, Vernon (Cheryl) Peterson of Mt. Lake, MN, Raymond Peterson of Mankato, MN and James Peterson of Mt. Lake, MN; step-children, Judy(Reed) Grace of Sioux Falls, Mary (Allen) Buller of Sioux Falls and Harold (Pat) Hansen of Garland, TX, Diane (Lyndon) Oleson of Sioux Falls, Cheryl (Wayne) Leister of Garretson, SD and Bill (Lori) Hansen of Sioux Falls, SD; her 23 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Vernon S. Peterson, husband, Harold G. Hansen, sister, Vera Munk and brother, Nathan Pfefferle.

Memorials may be directed to the Dell Rapids Lutheran Church Chapel Restoration Fund.

Don Ljunggren

January 24, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Donald I. Ljunggren, 92, of Dell Rapids passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the Dells Nursing and Rehab Center. His funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 in the United Methodist Church, Dell Rapids. Visitation will be one hour prior to the start of the service. On-line condolences may be left at the Kahler Funeral Home website.

Donald “Don” I. Ljunggren was born on June 23, 1924, the son of Rudolph and Ida (Bieck) Ljunggren at Harvard, NE. He grew up on a farm near Harvard. He attended school at Giltner, NE and graduated from Giltner High School in 1942. After high school he farmed with his family near Giltner. He married Shirley Smith on May 20, 1947. The couple moved to South Dakota in 1956 when Don accepted a job as a livestock inspector. He retired in 1975. He then worked for his son’s mink farm retiring in 1989.

Don loved farming, bowling, going to coffee and was a “fix it” man in his retirement. He enjoyed going to his grandchildren’s sporting events.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, his son, Danny, one sister, Lucille, a brother, Lloyd, his daughter-in-law, Marcie, three grandchildren and a great granddaughter.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Shirley of Dell Rapids; his sons, Gary (Chris) Ljunggren of Billings, MT, Alan (Linda) Ljunggren of Dell Rapids and Gale Ljunggren of Dell Rapids; his daughters, Shirlette Ljunggren of Dell Rapids and Sherrie (Jay) Linneman of Dell Rapids; his 10 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren and his brother, Lester Ljunggren of Harvard, NE and his sister-in-law, Bertha and his nieces and nephews.

Everett Donaldson

January 24, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Everett Donaldson, 91, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. His funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 in the First Baptist Church, Dell Rapids. Visitation will begin at noon on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 with the family present from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Kahler Funeral Home. On-line condolences may be left at the Kahler Funeral Home website.

Everett Donaldson was born on December 6, 1925 at Chelsea, OK, the son of William and Lucille (Harell) Donaldson. He grew up in Chelsea and attended school. He went to work in the oil fields until he married Lorita Hughes on February 19, 1945 at Claremore, OK. The couple moved Sioux Falls in 1947 and to Dell Rapids in 1965. He worked at John Morrell in Sioux Falls until he retired in 1987. Lorita passed away on May 26, 1992. Everett married Susie Uecker in July of 1995. Susie passed away on May 26, 2012.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dell Rapids.

He is preceded in death by his parents, both wives, his son, Darrell, a grandson, his two brothers and a sister.

Everett is survived by his sons, Kenneth (Susan) Donaldson of Sioux Falls and Bill Donaldson of Dell Rapids; his daughters, Rita (Doug) Van Daalen of Mandan, ND and Tammy (David) Christensen of San Antonio, TX; his nine grandchildren and his 10 great grandchildren and his sister, Betty Jones of Tulsa, OK.

Alton Quam

January 22, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Alton Quam, 88 of the Sinai area died Saturday, January 7, 2017 at the Brookings Hospital in Brookings, SD. Funeral services were held on January 12. On-line condolences may be left at the Johnson-Henry Funeral Home website.

Alton Raymond Henry Quam was born on July 27, 1928 to Henry & Bernice (Thoreson) Quam. He was educated in the Sinai school system thru the 8th grade. He met Marjorie Jorenby in 1949 and they were married at the Sinai Lutheran Parsonage on February 24, 1950. They were married for 64 years. To this union 3 children were born- Arden, Marilyn & Marlys. The couple farmed and ranched for a few years before moving back to the Sinai community where he worked for Brookings County for 34 years running a road grader. Failing health had him living at Dakota Sun Assisted Living in Volga and then due to esophagus & swallowing problems he was moved to the Neighbors at Brookview Manor. His passions in life were: Marjorie, family & community, horses, trees, getting rid of weeds, doing anything outdoors, tractors, chain saws or anything with a 2 cycle engine and maintaining the Sinai cemetery. He loved hard work and only sat down to eat, visit, watch the weather or get a cat nap. He had many stories to tell about the history of the Sinai community. He took care of Margie 24-7 for almost 3 years after her brain surgery. He will be greatly missed by many family & friends. He was the last of his kind and they don’t make them like that anymore.

Preceding him in death are his parents, his loving wife Marjorie, one infant daughter and son Arden Quam, brother Laverne Quam. He is now finally at home with Margie.

Surviving members are: daughter-Marlys (Kermit) Micheel, Worland, WY, brother, Charles (Barb) Quam, Baltic, sisters Delores Shefte, Dell Rapids, Barb Hillestad, Sioux Falls, two granddaughters Jessica (Corey) Kremer, Sioux Falls, Danielle (Brian) Rossi, Lakewood, Co & grandson Nick Micheel, Boise, ID. Also two great granddaughters-Kalee Kremer and Valenciana Rossi. He also left behind a sister in law, Garnet Jorenby, brother in law Cliff (Deloris) Jorenby and brother in law Jim Watt and also many nieces and nephews and special friends who came to visit him these last few years.

Arletta Dunker

January 22, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Arletta M. Dunker, 98, of Redfield, SD, passed away on Tuesday, January 10, at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield, SD with funeral services held on January 14. On-line condolences may be left at the Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home website.

Arletta Mae Roberdeau was born at Loyalton, SD on August 26, 1918 to Ernest and Mary (Tauscher) Roberdeau. Her family moved to Northville, SD where she attended school. Arletta worked helping her older sisters and their families.

Arletta met A.L. “Peter” Dunker at a dance in Northville. They were united in marriage at the First United Methodist Church in Aberdeen on February 24, 1937. They sold Wearever cookware and ran the Bus Stop Café in Westport, SD. They moved to Aberdeen and then to the Dunker family farm. Later, they moved back to Aberdeen and then to Webster, SD when Pete retired. Pete passed away in May of 2003. In 2005, Arletta moved to Eastern Star Home in Redfield, SD.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children: Betty (Ben) Jung, Aberdeen, William (Ruth) Dunker, Wausau, WI, and Byron (Ellen) Dunker, Tiffin, IA; her step-children: Cheri (Alan) Drake, Sun City, AZ, Bruce (Nancy) Johnson, Dell Rapids, SD, Carmine (Randy) Sinclair, Gillette, WY, Connie Jung, Scott Jung, Mike Jung, all of Aberdeen, and Mary Jung, Black Hawk, SD; many grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, step-great-great-grandchildren; and her sister-in-law, Matilda Roberdeau, Watertown, SD. Arletta was preceded in death by her husband Pete, parents, and nine siblings.

Helen Raker

January 21, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Helen Raker, Sioux Falls, SD, died January 9, 2017, at Sanford USD Medical Center. She was 95. Funeral Services were held on Monday, January 16. On-line condolences may be left at the Miller Funeral Home website.

Helen J. Raker was born October 29, 1921, to Emma and Joe Haverberg in Centerville, SD. She was second oldest of their six daughters. Helen attended Centerville Public Schools and graduated from Centerville High School in 1939. Active in the Scandia Lutheran Church youth programs and choir, she also played the piano and bassoon. After high school, she served an apprenticeship in a local beauty salon where she satisfied all requirements to become a licensed beautician. At this time, Helen met, fell in love with, and married Donald B. Raker of Brookings, SD. He was serving a one-year pharmacy internship in a Centerville pharmacy. Helen married Don on June 6, 1943 and they made their home in Brookings, SD where Don finished his pharmacy education and began his career.

Two years later, Helen became a mother to Bob. In 1947 Don took a pharmacist’s job at Schirmer’s Pharmacy in Mitchell, S.D. While living in Mitchell, Helen gave birth to her second son Jim. In the opinion of friends, family, her sons and husband, Helen became an outstanding homemaker and a fantastic cook. In 1952 Helen and her family moved to Sioux Falls, SD when Don became a traveling pharmaceutical salesman. They joined and became involved in First Lutheran Church. She was deeply involved in mothering her two boys, by volunteering at school and by making sure the boys finished their homework and refereeing the boy’s squabbles.

Helen worked in various capacities for Norwest Bank from the late 60’s retiring in the mid 80’s. As they got closer to retirement, she and Don began making trips to Arizona to escape winters in SD. The trips began with a two-week stay in Sun City and finishing in 1999 as a 3-month trip. She took up golf and continued golfing not only in Arizona, but was active in ladies’ golf leagues in Sioux Falls well into her 80s. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Don, in 2000. She is survived by her sister, Margaret Godsk; sons, Robert (and his wife, Karen) and James; grandchildren, Andrea Raker, Gretchen Black and Joel Raker; and great-grandsons, Drew, Colton and Greyson Black, and Mason and Axel Raker.

Dolores Docken

January 18, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

We are sad to report that the mother of Pastor Mark (Lois) Docken, the former Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids pastor, has passed away. A private family service for Dolores Docken will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to Pastor Mark Docken c/o Chatfield Lutheran Church, 304 Fillmore St. SE, Chatfield, MN 55923

Melvin George

January 18, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Melvin R. George, 86, of Fairmont, MN passed away on Friday, January 13, 2017 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center in Blue Earth. Burial will be Fri. morning, Jan. 20, at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Mpls. On-line condolences may be left at the Lakeview Funeral Home website.

Melvin Raymond George was born on March 16, 1930 in Dell Rapids, SD, the son of William and Clara (Mergen) George. Melvin attended the Chester School in South Dakota. On September 9, 1952 he entered the U.S. Army and served in the Infantry 2nd Division during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on June 30, 1954 and returned to Dell Rapids. Melvin was united in marriage to Yvonne Mary Elsinger on April 4, 1956 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dell Rapids. They started out in Dell Rapids and then moved to Coleman, SD, Franklin, SD before moving to Marshall, MN in 1965. They settled in Fairmont in 1997. Melvin was a carpenter for 39 years.

Dolores McDonnell

January 16, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dolores Rita McDonnell, 86, of Dell Rapids passed away Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Golden Living Center in Madison, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM Thursday, January 19, 2017 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Dell Rapids. Burial will be in the Trent Cemetery, Trent, SD. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 to7:00 PM with a Wake Service at 6:00 PM and praying of the Rosary at 7:00 PM Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids. On-line condolences may be left at the Minnehaha Funeral Home website.

Dolores was born on March 3, 1930, the oldest of seven children to Emil and Mary “Opal” (Davenport) Eisenbeis in Montrose, South Dakota. She grew up in Madison, SD and attended General Beadle Teacher College. It was at this time that Dee met the love of her life, Gerald McDonnell and married him on November 13, 1950. They were married 64 years. Dee took on the role of homemaker and mother as their family grew to include seven children. She and Jerry resided in several Midwestern towns as they raised their family: Madison, Rapid City, Denver, Fon du Lac, Hales Corners, Milwaukee, Huron, DeSmet and Dell Rapids. After moving to Dell Rapids in 1972, Dee began working outside the home. In retirement, she enjoyed volunteer work. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Kathleen Matthew of Spearfish, Gary (Susie) McDonnell of Algonquin, IL, Patricia Park of Wentworth, Karen (Ken) Rahn of Madison, Colleen (Mark) Jensen of Dell Rapids and Janine (Reed) Hoffmann of Dell Rapids; 22 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; sisters, Lola (Henry) Zwart and Joy Dixon and brother, John (Kathi) Eisenbeis.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son, Michael McDonnell; sons-in-law, Rodney Park and Randy Tiesen; grandson, Kurtis Lee Matthew and three brothers, Hartzel, Lyle and David Eisenbeis.

As matriarch of a large family, Dee strived to include everyone fairly. It is in this spirit that her grandchildren will have the honor of being named as casketbearers at her funeral; Bill Matthew, Jon DeBoer, Ben DeBoer, Jerry McDonnell, Danny McDonnell, Katie McDonnell, Jimmy McDonnell, Aaron Park, Mandy Park, Scott Park, Rose Park, Kenny Rahn, Sarah Rahn, Cheri Westendorf, Lori Baum, Dawn Lowman, Bridget McDonnell, Jeremy Hoffmann, Shannon DenOuden, Desirae Lovik, Erich Hoffmann and Elias Hoffmann.

Kristine (Kris) Heeren

January 16, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Kristine Lynn Heeren went to her heavenly home on January 13, 2017 at the age of 54. In November of 2013, Kris was diagnosed with colon cancer. She valiantly lived the following three years through multiple treatment and surgeries. In December 2016 she moved into the Avera Dougherty Hospice House.

In 1983, she spent a year traveling throughout the US and Canada with the NAB New Day Ministry. She served on the Discipleship team where she led seminars on outreach and evangelism. This is also where she met her future husband, Clayton, who was on the music team. This led her to South Dakota where she taught for two years as a 6th grade teacher at Dell Rapids Elementary School.

Kris and Clayton were married on August 20, 1988 at Trinity Baptist in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 1989 they welcomed their first child, Chelsea, followed by Micah in 1991 and their “bonus” child, Savannah in 2000.

Kris was preceded in death by her mother, Judith in 1969 and her father, Herbert in 2016. She is survived by her husband Clayton, daughter Chelsea Redinger (Michael), son Micah (Anna Bartscher) and daughter Savannah; one granddaughter Ellis; brother Jeff Berndt and sister Julie Berndt; several extended family members, friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 7:00 PM at Central Baptist Church in Sioux Falls on Tuesday, January 17. Visitation will begin at 3:00 PM and dinner will be served from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. A time of fellowship and dessert will follow the Celebration of Life Service. A private interment will be held at Chancellor Baptist Cemetery. On-line condolences may be left at the Heritage Funeral Home website.

Memorials may be directed to the Good News Church Journey Scholarship Fund.

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