Obituaries

A private family funeral service was held for Betty Vosika on Saturday July 13, 2024, Casket bearers were John Bruntz, Jeff Bruntz, Joe Bruntz, Jordan Bruntz, Chad Bruntz, Joshua Bruntz, and Justin Bruntz. Interment was in the Czech Bohemian National Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Betty Lou Vosika was born on November 30, 1929, the youngest of seven children, to Rose Nemec Vosika and Edward Vosika. Her father promptly nicknamed her Dolly. Betty enjoyed school and was an avid reader from an early age. She told us that she read six books a week as a girl. Betty stayed on the family farm until she married John Wiley of Burton, NE. Two children were born to this marriage, Joni Lynn and John Edward. Sadly, her husband John passed away from cancer in December 1956. Betty and her two children moved back to her parents’ farm. Later, Betty purchased a home in Gregory. Betty’s father introduced Betty to a farmer named Jonas Bruntz and they were married on April 25, 1959. The family grew with four more children, Jeffrey Alan, Joseph Todd, Jordan Scott, and Jane Elizabeth. Jonas and Betty lived and worked hard on their farm. Jonas passed away on October 21, 2016. Betty spent one year alone on the farm, then moved to her new house in Mitchell, SD. Betty reluctantly moved to Edgewood Assisted Living in March of 2023.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Fairfax City Hall, in Fairfax, SD, with Jeff Hart officiating. Music was provided by Cheryl Jons, pianist. Lynn Bentz and Michelle Bentz were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Virg Warnke, Todd Warnke, Tim Warnke, Vic Warnke, Glen Vilhauer, and Kyle Pacha. Honorary casket bearers were Lucas Walloch, Riley Walloch, Alex Walloch, Natalie Walloch, McKenzie Brewster, Macy Brewster, and Carter Brewster. Interment was in the Highland Cemetery in Fairfax, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Anna Mae Brown were held on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the St.

Funeral services for Leslie Cline will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Church of Christ, in Naper, NE, with Alex Bendig officiating. Honorary casket bearers are all his friends and family. Interment will be in the Knollcrest Cemetery in Naper, NE. Leslie Frank Cline was born on June 29, 1968, to Dennis and Linda (Grooms) Cline in Martin, SD. As a small child Leslie was active and mischievous, always wanting to know how things worked and occasionally getting into minor trouble for taking things apart and trying to put them back together. Dad gave him a tool kit once and he proceeded to take the vents off the floor registers.

Funeral services for Katherine Hannahs were held on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory, SD, with Father Jonathan Dillon celebrant. Lector was Ronda Graber, and Cantor was Patty Willuweit.

A Celebration of Life service was held on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Fairfax City Hall in Fairfax, SD. Burial will follow at a later date. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Dale Hanna were held on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. at the Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD.

Funeral services for Joshua Ellwanger were held on June 14, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Prairie View Gospel Barn in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Joel Davis officiating.

Funeral services for Arnold Songer, Sr., were held on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Winner Ideal Community Hall in Winner, SD, with Pastor Tonweya Sherman officiating. Casket bearers were Dominic Parshall, Nick Songer, Steve Kautz, Raven Songer, Josh Abdo, Aaron Black Thunder, Patrick Songer, and Zach Eaglehawk. Alternate casket bearers were Leonard Boyer, Jose Aguirre, and Darius Black Thunder. Honorary casket bearers were Janet Parshall, Melvin Songer, Ronnie Songer, Myron Songer, James Songer, Harold Songer, and Donald Songer.

A Celebration of Life service was held at First Southern Baptist Church in Gregory, SD, on Friday May 31, 2024, where friends and family gathered together to honor Mary Ann’s memory. She was born on August 7, 1930 in Gregory, SD, to Louis and Josie Pochop.