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Frances “Fran” Donaldson

August 13, 2012 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Frances “Fran” Donaldson, 62, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Saturday, August 11, 2012 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Her funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at the First Baptist Church, Dell Rapids. Interment will be in the Dell Rapids Cemetery. Visitation will begin at noon on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 with the family present at 6:00 p.m. and the prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Kahler Funeral Home.

Fran was born on July 7, 1950 in Sparta, VA, the third of eight children born to Ethel (Young) Heesch. In 1953 Fran moved with her family to Dell Rapids, SD where she attended school. She was married in 1969, and to that union she bore her son, Jamie, who was the love of her life.

Fran worked for the Dell Rapids School System for twelve years, sharing her warmth and compassion to the children she inspired. She then worked at Citibank where she received various awards for being an outstanding employee. She most recently worked in the business office for Krueger Excavating in Sioux Falls. Fran was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church in Dell Rapids. She had a strong faith in God and her courage and strength was a great inspiration to her church family.

Her favorite past times included gardening and canning vegetables, baking, quilting, and spending time with her grandchildren, who brought so much joy to her life. Fran will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her love of family and friends, her faith in Jesus Christ, and her ability to provide nurture and support to those around her.

Grateful for having shared her life are her son, Jamie Donaldson; her grandchildren, Haley and Orion Donaldson all of Dell Rapids; her sisters, Alma (Harvey) Shumaker of Humboldt, Jane (Jerry) Hogan of Dell Rapids, Mary (Dennis) Gannon of Dell Rapids, Grace (Larry) Wellman of Sioux Falls, Susan Rae of MN; her numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Ethel Mae Heesch and her nephew, David Lee Shumaker.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Frances Donaldson Memorial Fund. www.kahlerfh.com

Audrey Elhoff

August 8, 2012 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Audrey C. Elhoff, 93, died Monday, August 6, 2012 at the Avera Dells Area Hospital. She was born May 7, 1919 in rural Colman, SD to Fred and Jessie (Dunlap) Elhoff. She graduated from Colman High School in 1937 and then cared for her parents. They moved into Colman the fall of 1951 and Audrey went to work at the Colman Post Office where she was a clerk for 34 years, retiring in 1988. Audrey was a member of Colman United Methodist Church, UMW and was a Sunday school teacher for many years. She was a member of the American Postal Workers Union, NARFE and enjoyed cooking, baking, and gardening.

Audrey is survived by a brother Charles, Sioux Falls, a sister Harriet (Jerome) Kleinsasser, Brookings, a sister-in-law Elaine Elhoff, Colman and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother Benjamin and two sisters, Elaine Rudd and Betty Stearns.

Funeral services will be 1:30 pm Friday, August 10, 2012 at Dell Rapids United Methodist Church with burial in the Colman Cemetery. Visitation is from 5:00-7:00 pm Thursday at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Colman with a 6:30 pm prayer service. www.skrochfc.com/fh

Margaret Horak

August 5, 2012 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Margaret Louise was born March 13, 1921 at Sibley, Iowa to parents Andrew and Johanna (Bouwer) Luxen. She graduated from Worthington High School.

Margaret married James Horak, Jr. August 9, 1941 at Worthington, MN. She moved with him to various Air Force bases while he served as an Army Air Corps pilot in World War II After his discharge they lived in Austin, MN, Rapid City, SD and Brookings, SD where she worked as a bookkeeper for Northwestern Public Service Company.Margaret and James traveled extensively with their Winnebago motorhomes. She served as president of the state Ringneck Winnies Travel Club.

After their retirement they moved to Mims, FL where they followed the NASA program, witnessing over 70 launches and landings. Fishing was always a big part of her life and they enjoyed almost 30 years of surf fishing on the shores near Kennedy Space Center. Margaret loved to bake and there was never a day in their house without cookies, cakes or her special apple pies. Her husband and son where avid hunters and fisherman so she learned how to cook all they brought home. She taught her family to appreciate nature with her extensive flower and vegetable gardens. Her kind nature, great sense of humor and positive attitude was a powerful influence in her family’s lives. Margaret woke smiling every morning and sang or hummed her favorite songs.

Margaret passed away in Dell Rapids Saturday, August 4, 2012 from complications of pneumonia at the age of 91.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Ronda (Dave) Reimers, Gilford, NH, James (Claudia) Horak III, Ellijay, GA and Carol (Mick Boyles) Horak, Dell Rapids; three grandchildren, Kimberly (Richard) Sola, Kristel (Michael) Acre and Thomas Horak; five great-grandchildren, Kelly Sola, Christopher Sola, Ryan Sola, Gillian Horak and Sonia Horak; Mick’s daughter, Brooklyn Boyles; three sisters, Anne Roskam, Titusville, FL, Edna Lowery, Pacific Grove, CA and Sharlene Hohensee, Worthington, MN. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, James in 2007.

www.minnehahafuneralhome.com

Melva Dybedahl

August 5, 2012 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

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

August 2, 2012 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

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

August 2, 2012 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

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

July 31, 2012 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

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

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