Obituaries

Darol G. Kinzer was born on November 5, 1935, to Joseph “Vern” and Ernestine (Delfs) Kinzer whose farmhouse was just south of Colome, SD. While growing up, he enjoyed eating wild cherries that grew near their home, and fishing and deer hunting at the Buttes with his dad and brothers and later with his son, Gene. Darol spent much of his free time at the local pool hall while boarding with his grandparents in Colome, where he attended high school. He also played high school basketball.

Funeral services for Mary Dappen were held on July 28, 2025, in Mitchell, followed by a graveside service at Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Mary was born on June 16, 1936, the first child of Louie Henry and Sophie Pauline (Svoboda) Matucha at their farm near Burke, SD. Czech was the native language spoken in her home, so Mary didn’t learn English until she started first grade at Rambrandt Country School. She later attended Burke High School. Mary discovered the family bible on a closet shelf at age 12 and began reading. Through listening to “Back to the Bible” children’s programs and later through her relationship with her mother-in-law, Rosetta, she came to faith in Jesus.

A funeral service for Cherish Elaine Rose Flood was held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday August 7, 2025, in the Gregory Community Room, Gregory, South Dakota, with Reverends Charles and Diane Wonnenberg officiating. Music was provided by Todd Bearshield. Casket bearers were Ted Eagle Star, Ed Eagle Star, Sidney Eagle Star, Chris Richards, Sage Eagle Star, Maverick Eagle Star, Raynen Eagle Star, Heyden Westfall, Robert Yellow Bird, and Desmond Hermendez. Honorary casket bearers were Marcus Eagle Star, Marsolow Eagle Star, Kaydence Eagle Star, Skye Eagle Star, Kenyon and Kelly Kolbe, Gionna Parkis, Donald White, Jayden Joseph, Wambli Shangreaux, Deja Marshall, Jasmine Williams, Gena Hefner, Annie Gunhammer, Josie Garcia, Chloi Johnston, Daylena Lambert, all friends, family, and relatives.

A memorial service for Mary L. Noelle of Burke, SD, was held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 1, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Philip Henning officiating.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the White River Community Events Center in White River. A meal and fellowship will follow the service.

A funeral service for Stanley Sedlmajer was held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, with Father Ron Garry officiating. Interment was at the Czech National Cemetery, Gregory, SD, with military honors conferred by the Gregory American Legion and the National Honors Team. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Stanley Sedlmajer was born on December 6, 1924, to Joseph and Rose (Zemina) Sedlmajer in Tabor, SD. As a young boy he moved with his family to a farm south of Mission, SD. Stanley served his country in the Army, entering into the service at Rapid City, SD, on October 22, 1948, and served until December 28, 1949, when he received an honorable discharge at Ft. Lewis, WA.

A funeral service for Clyde Vogt was held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 24, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Naper, NE, with Reverend Philip Henning officiating. Lisa Reiman, organist, provided the music. Casket bearers were Cody Vogt, Cole Vogt, Carl Vogt, Clayton Schoenefeld, Doug Schulz, and Elliot Vogt. Interment was at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Naper, NE. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Clyde Philip Vogt was born to Carl and Margaret (Carlsen) Vogt on September 21, 1947, in Gregory, SD.

Romona Jean (Haushild) Jaros was born in Platte, SD, to Fred “Fritz” and Laura (Bolander) Haushild on February 19, 1954. Romona grew up in Platte and graduated from Platte High School in 1973. Romona married David Jaros on May 31, 1974. Mona and David lived in Burke, SD, for many years. She worked at the Gregory or Burke Hospital and he worked for the county. Then they moved to Gillette, WY, and that is where their three children were born: baby girl Jaros, little Davie, and Jennifer. Mona worked various jobs in Wyoming before starting to work for the BNSF Railroad for many years. After living out there for many years and making many friends, she and David decided to move back to SD. They lived in Winner for awhile before making their home in Gregory.

A Celebration of Life for JoAnn Jelinek Adams was held July 19, 2025, at the Burke Civic Center in Burke, SD, at 2:00 p.m. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of local arrangements. JoAnn was born December 29, 1940, in Gregory, SD, to Joseph and Martha Jelinek. JoAnn was a student at St. Joseph’s Catholic Parochial School, graduated from Gregory High School in 1960, and attended Stewart School of Hairstyling in Sioux Falls, SD. She was employed by Orvella Drey of Gregory as a beautician and then went to Denver, CO, to work as a stylist specializing in synthetic wigs and hair pieces. JoAnn was a people person, regarding customer service as one of her strong suits and her favorite way to care for others, which helped her excel in a variety of jobs. JoAnn’s work history included cosmetology, counselor for asthmatic children, and Colorado youth correctional counselor.

A funeral service for Virgil Charging Hawk, Jr. was held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Milk’s Camp Community Hall in Bonesteel, SD, with Allen Hare officiating and Rising Hale drum group performing.