Obituaries

Funeral services for Linda Louise Schmitz were held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bonesteel, SD, with Father Ron Garry officiating. Music was provided by the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Choir with Roberta Witt as accompanist.

A private family funeral service was held for Bryer Layne Beck at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD, with Pastor Russ Grim officiating. Casket bearers were Michaella Smith, Jonah Beck, Landon Schoenefeld, and Jeremiah Beck. Interment was at Olive Branch Cemetery in Mills, NE. Bryer Layne Beck was welcomed into this world by his parents Noah and Danielle (Schoenefeld) Beck on March 3, 2025, at 10:45 a.m. He weighed 1 lb. 15.7 oz. and was 13.5 inches long. His strength and loving personality were shown through his eyebrow raises, squirms, and smirks. Our hearts were introduced to a love we never knew over the four days we were blessed with Bryer’s company. He was able to meet his grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and uncles. He shares a birthday with his cousin Scottie Be Beck.

A funeral service for Jay Rollan Bartling was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 14, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Philip Henning officiating. Music was provided by the Grace Lutheran Church Choir with Randy Sachtjen as accompanist. Tracy Buthe was in charge of registration, and flower attendants were Sharon Neuharth and Cathy Bartling. Brent Bartling, Ed Bartling, Rich Bartling, Blaine Bartling, Richard Hyronimus, and Brian Hardy were casket bearers. Interment was at Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Leona E. Littau were held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 13, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner, SD.

A funeral service for Norma Jean (Meyer) Springer, 95, was held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, March 10, 2025, at United Methodist Church in Gregory, SD, with Reverend Thanael Certa-Werner officiating. In addition to recorded music, several selections featured pianist Bette Fogel and soloist Trenton Seegers. Marcy Barber and Melanie Fast were in charge of registrations, and flower attendants were Margaret Heymeyer, Jolene Eichman, and Renee Hedrick. Casket bearers were Kim Kenzy Ulmer, Chris Kenzy, James Sargent, Travis Sargent, Ashley Sargent Bernard, Lindsey Springer Fiebelkorn, Dillon Springer, and Karley Springer Arizmendis.

Anne Kinzer, 104, passed away March 3, 2025 at Davis Hospice Center, Cheyenne, WY. She was in good health until the last ten days of her life. She had attended daily exercise classes, read, and crocheted afghans. Her afghans are treasured remembrances. Anne Kinzer, the youngest of 12 children of Tony and Martha Skolasky, was born October 11, 1920 on the family homestead near Dog Ear Lake, Tripp County, SD. Her parents were among the first homesteaders who established Tripp County. Anne graduated from Colome High School in 1939 and completed a year of college at Notre Dame College, Mitchell, SD, in 1940. Anne taught 13 years in southern Tripp County one-room schools before and after marriage.

A graveside service was held for Ronald Johnson, Sr., 82, at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Burial with military honors were conferred by the Gregory American Legion and the Marines National Honors Team. Micah Chvatal played Taps. Ronald Harland Johnson, Sr. was born February 20, 1943, in Gregory, SD. He was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Ron married Louella M. Mohl in 1961, and shortly after entered the Marine Corp, First Battalion Regimental Honor Platoon 104. He trained in San Diego for four months then transferred to El Toro, California for three years. After this time, he went to Okinawa, Japan for 13 months. Ron frequently said, “Arigato.” He was assigned to transfer a US enlisted prisoner back to the states, and this time he stayed in the US and returned to San Diego, having been discharged in December 1965.

A funeral service for Anna Marie Cahoy, 93, was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fairfax, SD, with Fr. Ron Garry officiating. Music was provided by Roberta Witt, pianist, and the St. Anthony choir. Lector was Joann Bentz. Charlie Adams and Barrett Koenig were altar servers. Monica Jons was in charge of registrations. Gift bearers were Talon Bentz and Leila Bentz. Darrell Bentz, Wade Bentz, Talon Bentz, Jonathan Cahoy, Monte Cahoy, and Mike Burke were casket bearers. Anna Marie was born December 25, 1931 in Spencer, NE, to Fred and Katie (Wuest) Schochenmaier. Anna Marie attended country school not far from her home. On February 20, 1952, she was married to Elmer Cahoy at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Fairfax. To this union four children were born: Darrel in 1953, Joann in 1954, Ronnie in 1957, and Lonnie in 1963.

Funeral services for Harry E. Voelzke, 84, of Yankton, SD, will be held at 1:00 p.m., March 8, 2025, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, with his wife, Pastor Jan Voelzke, officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791 and SD Army National Guard Funeral Honors. Honorary pallbearers are Alex Voelzke, Landon Voelzke, Justin Eaton, Jason Eaton, Carter Noie, and Jameson Noie. Harry was born September 12, 1940, in Dallas, SD, to Paul and Marie (Janssen) Voelzke. He grew up in Dallas and graduated from Gregory High School in 1958. After high school, Harry farmed with his family until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1963. Harry was stationed in Fort Hood, TX, and received a hardship discharge in August of 1965 so he could continue the family farm operation in Dallas.

Gary Lyle Stinton, 86, was born March 21, 1938, in Winner, SD, to Lyle and June Stinton. Gary spent his youth in Burke, graduating in 1956. He continued his education at South Dakota State University, graduating in 1960 with a degree in animal husbandry. Gary married Jan Schlaht in 1960. They had three children: Kim, Karrie and Shawn. They lived in Iowa for 25 years, and in 2001 moved to Belle Fourche, SD. Gary worked as a state sales manager for Moorman Feeds for many years. In 1978 he and his wife bought the sale barn in Gregory, SD, and operated it for 11 years. He also worked as a building manager at the Rec Center in Belle Fourche for 17 years.