Obituaries

Funeral services for Michael Syfie, Jr. were held on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at the Prairie View Gospel Barn in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Scott McClellen officiating. Music was provided by Todd Mundhenke, soloist, accompanied by Janeeen Hlavka, pianist. Registration and flower attendants were Bev Beck and Caitlin Moody. Casket bearers were Bob Serr, Curtis Kerner, Ted Braun, Bob Diekmann, Eugene Brumbaugh, and Brian Syfie. Honorary casket bearers were Mike’s friends and neighbors. Interment was in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD, with military honors conferred by the Gregory and Dallas American Legions and the National Honors team. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Carmon Dee Thompson was born on February 14, 1955, to Willis and Dora (Doan) Thompson in Welch, OK. Carmon was a twin and had sixteen brothers and sisters.

A memorial service will be held, Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at Best Point Park, on Best Point Drive at Lake Madison, SD. A luncheon will follow at the Hillside Restaurant in Wentworth, SD. National Cremation of Phoenix, AZ, is in charge of arrangements. Dave was born in Burke, SD, on June 20, 1950, to Raymond and Ila (Whiting) Pastian. The family lived in Dallas, SD, and Dave graduated from Gregory High School in 1968. Dave excelled in athletics and played football, basketball, and track and field all through high school. He held the Gregory High School 100M dash record until 2021. He went on to play football for Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD, as a running back. He made life-long friends while playing for the Gorillas and the Wolves. He achieved many football accomplishments, including being inducted into the South Dakota Football Hall of Fame in 1995. He even had a tryout with the Cleveland Browns in 1972. Dave said athletics instilled in him his work ethic and the competitive edge needed to be successful. He often said, “Teamwork is just as important in achieving success in business as it is in athletics.” His lifelong philosophy was, “There is no substitute for hard work.”

Funeral services for Diane Rolf were held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD, with Pastor Russ Grim officiating. Taylar Pasch and Nevaeh Cressy were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Jason Lutt, Chuck Kaupp, Brock Kaupp, Gene Brumbaugh, Kevin Will, and Jaymes Kaupp. Interment was in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Diane Marie Rolf was born July 19, 1956, in Gregory, SD, to Oswald and Ellen (Gomke) Kaupp. Diane was baptized at the Union Congregational Church in Gregory, SD, as an infant. Diane attended Gregory Public School and graduated from Gregory High School in 1974. On October 13, 1979, Diane married Herman (“Butch”) Rolf Jr. at the United Congregational Church in Gregory, SD. To this marriage three children were born: Darla, Darwin and Darcy. Butch and Diane resided and farmed south of Herrick, SD, many years before moving to Gregory in 1996.

Funeral services for Corine Thomas were held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory, SD with Father Jonathan Dillon celebrant. Lector was Kimberly Veskrna, altar servers were Luke Stukel, Pierce Stukel, and Dawson Stukel. Gift bearers were Sydney Thomas, Emma Thomas and Elliott Mae Thomas. Music was provided by the St. Joseph choir, accompanied by Katie Opp, pianist, and Jared Opp was cantor. Pat Mattson, Jean Drummond, Kay Shouse, Linda Stukel-Boles, and Sandy Murrell were in charge of registration. Flower attendants were Kristan Witham, Karrie Alberts, Danielle Johnson, Anna Thomas, Haley Thomas, and Erin Thomas.

Funeral services for Mary Vogt were held on Friday, March 22, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Bonesteel, SD, with Pastor Samuel Crass officiating Music was provided by Benita Mahoney, organist. Sharon Neuharth was in charge of registration and flower attendants were Jordan Sieh, TiAnna Smith, and Tori Thaler.

Funeral services for Avis Wilhelmsen were held on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Thanael Certa-Werner officiating. Music was provided by Kelly Frank, soloist, and Fran Eide, organist. Deb Leibel and Pat Cerny were in charge of registration, and Twylah Ward and Linda Purvis were flower attendants. Honorary casket bearers were Vance Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Spencer Johnson, Tucker Johnson, Melvin Vosika, and Joe Kellen. Interment will be at a later date. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Avis Marilyn Papke was born on April 15, 1936, in Stuart, NE, at a private residence, the youngest child of Katherine Kierstead Papke and Thomas Papke. They lived on a ranch along the Niobrara River where Avis was a self-proclaimed tomboy who rode her horse Dolly Dimples and helped with all the chores. Her father died when Avis was eleven years old. Avis and her mother then moved to Stuart, NE.

Funeral services for Deanna Viktora will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke, SD, with Father Jonathan Dillon officiating. Lisa Basso will be lector and Elle Johnson and Kristen Johnson will be servers.

Funeral services for Patricia Bailey were held on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bonesteel, SD, with Father Jonathan Dillon officiating. Donna Schmitz was lector. Music was provided by the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church choir, accompanied by Roberta Witt, organist. Amy Bailey was in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Matthew Bailey, Keri Bailey, Caitlin Powell, Saylor Benson, Jackson Dobesh, Jared Dobesh, Ria Bailey, Shelby Schoffelman, Krystal Sehr, and Kassi Janousek. Interment was in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Bonesteel, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Sherri Bolander were held on Thursday, March 7, 2024, 11:00 a.m., at the St. John Lutheran Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Marcus Ring officiating. Music was provided by Geoff Smith, soloist, accompanied by Melanie Hannahs, organist. Judy Bartels, Maureen Shutt, and Judy Novotny were in charge of registration, and Rita Neyens was flower attendant. Casket bearers were Casey Osborn, Kirby Kartak, Mark Alden, John Driscoll, Ryan Brozik, Randy Brown Interment was in the Winner City Cemetery in Winner, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.