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Mae Gunderson

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Mae GundersonMae Lorraine (Thompson) Gunderson, 90, of Baltic, died on December 10, 2013 at her home with her family by her side, after a brief battle with cancer, which she faced in a straightforward manner and with much grace. Visitation will be held at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Baltic on Friday, December 13, 2013 from 4-7:00 P.M. with the family present from 5-7:00 P.M. Burial will be held at East Nidaros Cemetery, rural Baltic, on Saturday, December 14 at 9:30 A.M. Funeral Services will be Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 10:30 A.M. at the Baltic Lutheran Church.

Mae was born to Ole and Rachel Thompson in Renner, SD on September 26, 1923 and was raised on the family farm. Following her marriage to Orill Gunderson on June 23, 1945 they lived in Avon and returned to the farm where she was born in 1950, and lived there until moving to Baltic in 1992 after their retirement.

Mae attended grade school at the Thompson Country School and graduated from Baltic High School, then continued her education at Nettleton Commercial College in Sioux Falls. She worked at the Central Electric & Gas Company, in Sioux Falls and Secretary at the Baltic School. She was an active member of the Baltic Lutheran Church and Baltic American Legion Auxiliary.

She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, great grandmother and a good friend. Her grandchildren always knew that there would be fresh cookies, and friends always knew that Christmas season meant homemade divinity and lefse.

Grateful for sharing her life are her children, daughter Joan (Paul) Lerdal, Minneapolis; son Steve (Deb) Gunderson, Baltic; foster son, Gary Thompson, Dell Rapids; special friend and neighbor, Rita Berg, Baltic; 11 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Orill, 5 brothers and 1 granddaughter.

Her family expresses gratitude for her life and for your thoughts and prayers. We were all blessed to have her in our lives.

Maxine (Gillen) Martinson

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Maxine MartinsonMaxine “Mickey” Martinson, 81, died Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at the Brookings hospital.  Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Volga Christian Reformed Church. Visitation is from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.

Maxine Helen (Gillen) Martinson was born Nov. 7, 1932, at Sioux Falls to Raymond and Mary (Haight) Gillen. She was raised at the Presentation Children’s Home in Sioux Falls. She attended school there and also at St. Mary’s in Dell Rapids. On June 1, 1950, she married Aaron Martinson at Flandreau. Mickey worked at various jobs, most recently at First Bank and Trust in Brookings for 18 years. Aaron “Marty” died April 28, 2004.

Mickey enjoyed crocheting, cross stitch, working jigsaw and word puzzles, bowling and going to flea markets.

Survivors include four children, Steve Martinson of Brookings, Larry (Lisa) Martinson of Canton, Okla., Lori Jagger of Brookings, and Mark (Lori) Martinson of Volga; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and three sisters: Marilyn Baker of Arlington Texas, Betty Lagina of Torrance, Calif., and Beverly Fritts of Chatsworth, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her husband; a daughter, Lynette; four brothers, and a sister.

Herman Opp

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Herman OppHerman George Opp, 87, of Dell Rapids formerly of Isabel passed away Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at Dells Nursing and Rehab Center in Dell Rapids.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 AM MST Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at the United Church Of Christ In Isabel. Visitation will be from 6-7:00 PM Tuesday at the church.

Grateful for having shared his life are sons, Terry and Barb Opp, Baltic, Don and Rob Opp, Las Vegas, Nevada; grandchildren, Stephanie, Tracie, Heather, and Dillion and numerous great grandchildren, a brother, Ed Opp, St Paul, MN; sisters, Martha Scholl, Isabel; Elsie Mhyer, Tampa, FL; Alice Lutz, Coeur d’ Alene, ID; Gladys Gay, Bettendorf, IA and Lorraine Griffis, Council Bluffs, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Alvin and Albert and sisters, Hilda, Alma, Leona, and Esther.

minnehahafuneralhome.com

Charles Mahaffey

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Charles MahaffeyCharles Clifford Mahaffey, 92, of Ellensburg, Wash., formerly of Chester, SD, passed away on Dec 2, 2013. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at Kahler Funeral Home. A graveside service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Chester. To leave condolences please visit www.kahlerfh.com.

Charles, also known as Charlie or Clifford, was born in Casper Wyo. on April 17th, 1921, to Charles Clifford Mahaffey Sr. and Lillian Savage Mahaffey. He lived in Casper through his early school years, until moving to Marlow, Okla. to attend high school. After graduating from Marlow High School in 1939, he found work in Seattle, Wash.  He joined the Merchant Marines and before shipping off to Asia, met his future wife, Doris Anita Peterson (Dorie). After their first date he missed Dorie terribly and kept up the romance with frequent letters. In Charlie’s absence, Dorie moved back to her childhood home in Chester, So. Dak. When Charlie landed in port again, he proposed.  They married in Los Angeles, Calif. in 1942. Charlie went back to sea and Dorie moved to Seattle, to be near her mother Ingaborg Peterson and sister Eva Peterson Schmidt. Their first son, Michael C. Mahaffey, was born in 1944 in Kirkland, Wash. Charlie’s daughter, Molly Mahaffey Morrow, was born in 1952.

At the end of World War II, Charlie and Dorie moved to Kirlkland, Wa., with their son Mike. Charlie began his lifelong career at the Boeing Airplane Company in 1946. His first job involved drilling holes to install the top turret of the B17 heavy bomber. Charlie worked at Boeing for 31 years, working on significant airplanes including the B29, B47, B52, Dash 80 (707 prototype), 727 and ending with the 747. He progressed from mechanic to supervisor and finished as an instructor on the 747. In 1953 he received the prestigious Man of the Month Award from the Boeing Aircraft Company.

Outside of work and family, Charlie was an avid hunter and fisherman. Charlie’s passion for the outdoors led him to spend much time in Ellensburg, Wash., and the Kittitas Valley – a very special place for the family.

In 1971, a young boy in the family needed a home and loving family. Robert David Mahaffey came in to their lives and after being his guardians they adopted him. They returned to Chester and raised Robert in the Midwest farming community. Charlie began a farming adventure raising Black Angus cattle and Hampshire pigs at age 62.

After Robert graduated from high school and started out on his own, Charlie and Dorie became snowbirds, wintering in Yuma AZ. Charlie returned to Ellensburg in 2009, to be near his daughter Molly and husband Joe.

Dorie preceded Charlie in death in 2000. He is survived by his three children, Mike, Molly (Joe), and Robert (Julie); eight grandchildren, Sean, Jami, Annie, Molly, Charlie, Abigail, Andrew, Claire Doris; and six great-grandchildren.

Helen (Anderson, Nelson) Woodhouse

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Helen WoodhouseHelen I. Woodhouse, 98, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Dell Rapids passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at the Sanford Foundation Hospice Cottage. Her memorial service will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids Chapel. A private family interment service will be held prior to the start of the memorial service.  To leave condolences please visit www.kahlerfh.com.

Helen Irene Anderson was born to parents, Ole M. and Emma (Nelson) Anderson in Trent, SD on November 17, 1915. Helen grew up and attended school in the Trent area graduating from Trent High School in 1933. She married Foster Nelson on September 22, 1937 in Dell Rapids. They farmed in the Dell Rapids area until 1945 at which time they moved to Dell Rapids where she resided until 2011. Foster died in 1958. In 1960, she married William Woodhouse who died in 1974.

Helen was a member of the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids, the Women of the ELCA and a past member of the Hospital Auxiliary.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Merle, Warren, and Byron, an infant son and a step-daughter, Janet.

Grateful for having shared her life are her son, Neil (Mary) Nelson of Eau Claire, WI; her three daughters, Diane (George) Gannon of Sioux Falls, Cheryl (Vern) Peterson of Mountain Lake, MN and Valerie Nelson of Sioux Falls; her two brothers, Donald (Dorothy) Anderson of Yankton and Gordon (Verlynn) Anderson of Dell Rapids; her two sisters, Dorcas Youel of Dell Rapids and Rhoda (John) Otten of Sioux Falls; her 11 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews; two step-daughters and several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren and special family friends, Ardith Forbes, Faye Wright and the Sanford Foundation Cottage family.

Eugene “Gene” Palli

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Eugene PalliFuneral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. Tues., Dec. 10, for Eugene “Gene” Palli, 91, Ramona, who died on Dec. 1, 2013, at Bethel Lutheran Home in Madison. The Rev. Paul Josten will officiate in St. William Catholic Church at Ramona, and burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Badus Township.

A parish scripture service will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9, followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary, at the Weiland Funeral Chapel.

Palli was born on Aug. 2, 1922, at Ramona to Jacob and Rose (Manthey) Palli. He grew up on a farm near Lake Badus and graduated from Ramona High School. He moved to Los Angeles, where he received training as an electrician. He married Shirley Kyle on Nov. 16, 1957. They returned to Ramona in 1967 and he continued to work as an electrician as a member of I.B.E.W. Local 11. He retired from ICAP in 1987.

He was a member of the St. William Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Ramona; two sons, Dan of Madison, and David (Deb) of Dell Rapids; three daughters, Kathleen (Tim) Riedel of Ramona, and Karen Schwartz and Karol Palli, both of Chester; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Marilyn Blegen and Rosemary Palli, both of Bloomington, Minn., and Eileen Sorghan of Los Angeles, Calif.

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

To send a message of sympathy, visit www.weilandfuneralchapel.com

 

James Jarchow

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James JarchowJames Jarchow, age 79, of Luverne, died Saturday, November 30, 2013, at the Sanford Hospital in Luverne.

Jim is survived by his seven children, Jane (Vince) Huwe, Dell Rapids, SD; John (Kathy) Jarchow, Luverne; Dan (Katie) Jarchow, Chandler, AZ; Mike (Wanda) Jarchow, Luverne; Ellen (J.C.) Moritz, Vail, CO; Gina (Rob) Newman, Wilmont; and Tim (Kayla) Jarchow, Luverne; twenty four grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and a sister, Dorothy DeSchepper.

Visitation will be from 4-8 pm Monday, with parish prayers at 7:30 pm, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. Visitation also one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Funeral will be 2 pm Tuesday at St. Catherine Catholic Church, officiated by Fr. Thomas Jennings. Burial will be in the St. Catherine Cemetery in Luverne.

Dingmann Funeral Home, in Luverne, is in charge of arrangements.

To view an online obituary, sign a virtual register book, or order flowers, please visit www.dingmannandsons.com

Linda Green

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Linda GreenLinda Green, 50, of Crooks, SD died unexpectedly, Friday, November 15, 2013 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. She was born July 8, 1963 in Charleston, South Carolina, the daughter of Richard and Florence (O’Keefe) Godschalk. She was united in marriage to Leslie “Gene” Green on June 6, 1999. She was a woman who loved her children, grandchildren, and her dog and her faith. She enjoyed helping people at DakotaAbilities, where she was employed for many years.

She is survived by her children, Ryan (Sara) Grochow of Dell Rapids and their children, Zachary and Zooey; Aaron (Tiya) Prince and their children, Kaden and Kash of Kellyville, OK; Shauna Green (DJ Hof) of Sioux Falls, SD; her parents, Richard and Florence Godschalk of Sioux Falls; her siblings, Sheila (Daryl) Hoebel of Castle Pines, CO, Donna Elledge of Crooks, SD, Richard Godschalk, David Godschalk, and Ed (Jolene) Godschalk all of Sioux Falls, SD, and several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and many special friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Gene, grandparents, her sister Brenda, and brother in-law Burl Elledge.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November19, 2013 at the Church at the Gate in Sioux Falls with burial in Benton Lutheran Cemetery, rural Crooks. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. Monday at Heritage Funeral Home with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. www.heritagesfsd.com.

Melvin Fiegen

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Melvin FiegenMelvin J. Fiegen, 83, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2013 at Dells Nursing and Rehab Center.  Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 AM Friday, November 15, 2013, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids, with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-4:00 PM Thursday, at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Dell Rapids, and will resume at the church at 5:00 PM with the family present and with a Wake Service and Rosary beginning at 6:30 PM.  Memorials may be directed to the Dell Rapids St. Mary Catholic School. 

Melvin was born November 11, 1929 in Dell Rapids to John A. and Jennie (Anderson) Fiegen.  He lived at Colman, Ward, and Dell Rapids.  He started 1st grade at Ward, then went to DeVaney Country School through the 8th grade and being the only one is his grade, he was always the top of his class.  Melvin started High School at Trent for one semester.  He drove the school bus (good old Model A Fords) and then graduated from St. Mary High School in 1947.  He helped his father farm until Uncle Sam said, “I have a job for you”.   The day he got out of school, he started blading roads for the Dell Rapids Township and worked for neighbors doing odd jobs.  In the winter, he would work for his uncle at Howard, SD setting up new machinery.  In August 1951 he was drafted into the Army.  Mel spent the next 8 weeks in infantry training and another 8 weeks in engineer heavy equipment training. He was then shipped to Japan and on to Korea.  Melvin got to the 11th Engineer Combat Battalion about the first of March 1952.  Upon arrival, he drove truck, blade, and bull dozer paving roads across rice patties while working with bridge crews and continued this work until he was sent home.  He left Korea and arrived home the first part of June 1953.   He spent 21 months, 6 days in the service. 

Melvin married the love of his life, Dolores Heinemann on August 27, 1953and they began farming.  They were happily married for 60 years and were blessed with nine children (2 deceased), 29 grandchildren (1 deceased), 2 step grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 1 step great grandchild.  They retired and moved into town in December of 1991.  He was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters; was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the VFW in Dell Rapids; was on the Dell Rapids Township Board for 25 years; was also a lifetime member of the National Farmers organization; and was a member of the St. Mary School Board for many years. Melvin had a great love of family, farming, and was always up for a game of cards.

Mel and De were always together.  They liked to dance and frequented the Arkota Ballroom.  While in California visiting his brother,Virg, and his wife, Shirley, they went to the Hollywood Paladium, where De danced with Lawrence Welk while Mel directed the band.

Melvin is survived by his wife Dolores of Dell Rapids, his 7 children:Nancy Geraets (Doug) of Dell Rapids,  John (Betty) of Dell Rapids, Roger (Judy) of Dell Rapids, Susan Ahlers (Steve) of Pierre, SD, Marvin (Karen) of Dell Rapids, Bonnie Nelson (Mark) of Sioux Falls, SD, and Brian (Kristine) of Dell Rapids; 28 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, a step great grandchild, his sister Joyce Richter of Sioux Falls, SD; his sister Dorothy Baumberger of Colton, SD; his sister Helen Liester (James) of Garretson, SD and his brother Virgil Fiegen (Shirley).

He is preceded in death by his parents, two infant sons (Greg and Tommy), and one granddaughter (Adrianna).

www.minnehahafuneralhome.com

Carol Olson Rindfleisch

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Carol RindfleischCarol Lucille Olson Rindfleisch, 81, of Southbury, CT, passed away on November 3, 2013, at peace following a decade-long journey with Parkinson’s Disease.

She is survived by her husband Norval W. Rindfleisch and children Mary Rindfleisch (Joe Keneally) of Sherman, CT, Julie Granville (Kevin Granville) of Sussex, NJ, Kate McGrath (Tom McGrath) of Drexel Hill, PA and Joe Rindfleisch of Cambridge, MA.

“Muzzy” was very proud of her grandchildren Nora, Jane and Peter Granville and Hannah and Sarah McGrath. She is also survived by her siblings Janice Torbert of Sioux Falls, SD, Judy Ahlers of Dell Rapids, SD and Charles Olson of Arlington, SD and their families.

Carol was born in 1932 in Arlington, SD, oldest daughter of Edwin and Frances Karlstad Olson and was raised on the family farm. In her early twenties she embarked on an adventure, traveling with a few school friends to live and work in California, where she soon met and married Norval in 1954. Their travels together continued for nearly 60 years.

Connecticut and New Hampshire were their principal homes, but Norval’s career as a student, teacher and writer also offered them the opportunity to sample life in California, Chicago, Florida, New Orleans, Virginia and numerous winter destinations on southern beaches.

Carol served for many years as a dedicated faculty wife, dorm mother and member of the school community, first at Pomfret School and then at Phillips Exeter Academy. She was a muse and helpmate to Norval in his writing career.

After her children were all in school, Carol returned to the classroom herself, earning an associate’s degree in Library Science and a BA in History (Phi Beta Kappa) from the University of New Hampshire. Her subsequent professional career included several positions at the University of New Hampshire and at Phillips Exeter Academy, most notably in the history department at UNH and as executive assistant to the Library Director at PEA.

Following retirement, Carol and Norv returned to the Midwest to spend time with Carol’s family, settling in Brookings, SD, where Carol operated the Bangor Hills Bed and Breakfast for several years.

Carol was a whiz at Scrabble and other word games and an avid reader and lover of music. Her quiet exterior was belied by an incredible inner strength and determination, and she continually surprised and delighted acquaintances with her dry Norwegian wit.

For online condolences, visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com

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