Obituaries

Funeral services for Loren Sengelmann were held on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. at the Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD. Reading of the obituary and prayer was given by Heidi Moser. Burial will be in the Vivian Cemetery in Vivian, SD, at a later date. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, was in charge of arrangements. Loren Duane Sengelmann was born on August 20, 1949, in Pierre, SD, to Hans and Esther Sengelmann. Loren and his family spent his years growing up in Gregory and Vivian, SD. Loren attended school through the eighth grade and was proud to have been taught by his mom, Esther. Loren grew up creating treasured memories with his family and friends that he shared with anyone he met.

Funeral services for Dennis Flisram were held on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Methodist Church in Winner, SD, with Pastor Royal Archer officiating. Music was provided by Jim Halverson, soloist, accompanied by Renee Holzer, pianist. Sandy VanKekerix and Marlyce Smith were in charge of the guest book. Flower attendants were Lennette Toman and Sherry Best. Pallbearers were Justin Focken, Tyler Focken, Carter Brickman, Coy Brickman, Kyle Moeller, and Cary Long. Interment was in the Winner City Cemetery in Winner, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Dennis Lee Flisram was born August 26, 1954, in Winner, SD, to Jerome and Betty (Moeller) Flisram. He joined two sisters at home; later, he would become big brother to four more sisters. He was the first and only son born into the family. He passed away on August 1, 2023, at his home in Witten, SD.

Herman Walter Woepel, Jr., 75, a veteran of the Navy and a 50-year member of the VFW, passed away of kidney disease on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell, SD. The son of Herman and Nettie (Monroe) Woerpel, Herman grew up in Fairfax, SD. He was born on December 18, 1947, in Mitchell, SD, and attended school in Fairfax, where he was active in sports. He excelled in hurdles and, to this day, still holds the school record for the Broncs. During his junior year in high school, Herman joined the National Guard. He graduated in 1966, and enlisted in the United States Air Force. He spent four years in the Air Force, one of which he spent at PHU CAT Air Force Base in Vietnam. He joined the United States Navy in 1971 and served until being honorably discharged on July 31, 1988. He had many adventures while serving in the Philippines, Spain, Japan, and, finally, in Homestead, Florida. Upon retiring, he moved back to Fairfax. He attended Mitchell Vo-Tech where he got a degree in accounting. He held a variety of jobs including working at Fort Randall Casino and finally working for Cenex in Fairfax.

Funeral services for Gerald Charging Hawk were held on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the Bonesteel City Hall in Bonesteel, SD, with Pastor Ken James officiating. Urn bearers were Bryan Wright, Jr. and Brandon Wright. Honorary casket bearers were all of his family and friends. Interment was in the Ponca Creek UCC Cemetery in St. Charles, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Gerald Rames Charging Hawk was born July 12, 1946, at Burke, SD, to Bernard and Sylvia (Rainwater) Charging Hawk. Gerald grew up around the Bonesteel/St. Charles area. He attended and graduated Bonesteel-Fairfax High School. Gerald was very athletic and was known for being an amazing basketball player. He then met Wanda LaPointe. They got married and together had five sons: Myron, Todd, Larry, Jerald Jr., and Donovan.

Funeral services for Toni Blaire Totton were held on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Prairie View Gospel Barn in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Aric Hamilton and Pastor Royal Archer officiating.

A celebration of life service for Doug Gossard was held on Monday, July 31, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Colome American Legion in Colome, SD. Burial will be held at a later date. Mason Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Doug was born in Winner, SD, on May 27, 1955, to Kenneth and Lila Gossard. He was later joined by two siblings, Wes and Kena. Doug grew up on the family farm south of Colome. He attended and graduated from Colome High School in 1974. Doug often spoke fondly of his memories of playing football in those days. Upon graduating, he hauled many loads of gravel while also working alongside his dad on the farm. Doug had a sharp mind when it came to livestock and spent much of his time watching rodeos or attending sales when he could.

Wilma Jean (Hanson) Sachtjen was born on July 29, 1943, to William and Agnes Hanson. Born premature, and not expected to live long, she defied the odds for nearly 80 years with a “life well lived.” Wilma’s father William passed away when she was six. She and her mother Agnes were a solo pair for many years, most of which they lived in Burke, SD. She also told many stories of living with Agnes’ mother, fondly called Nam, and spending time with her uncle Robert and many cousins. Wilma graduated from Burke High School in 1961 and married Robert Gnirk Sr. on June 13, 1961. To this union, five children were born: Robert Jr. (Bobby), Bart Douglas, Barbi Jo, Rebecca Danielle (Becky) and Beau James. Bob and Wilma raised the kids on the family farm notheast of Burke, SD. Bart died at the age of 22 in 1986, and Beau died at the tender age of one in 1980, both from unexpected and tragic farm accidents.

Funeral services for Marlene Kerner, age 71, of Burke, SD, were held on Friday, July 28, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke, SD. Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. She was born on April 27, 1952, to John and Darline (Powers) Gerdes in Mitchell, SD. Growing up, Marlene’s family moved around a lot because of her dad’s work as a truck driver for a construction company. The family would set up camp at each new road construction site and Marlene and her siblings would attend the local schools near the construction camps. Marlene often talked about how she didn’t mind the moving, except for when they attended a small school where she and her little brother (only 13 months younger than her) were in the same class.

A funeral service for Barb Doty will be held August 12, 2023, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Hudson, WI. Cremation Society of Wisconsin in Altoona, WI, is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Gayle Bartling were held on Friday, July 21, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Philip Henning officiating. Music was provided by the Grace Lutheran Church Choir and Brecken Bartling and Shannon Weller, accompanied by Randy Sachtjen, organist. Brenda Lindwurm and Stacey Larson were in charge of registration. Urn bearers were Benjamin Bartling, Brecken Bartling, and Bryce Bartling. Honorary urn bearers were the Class of 1979. Inurnment was in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.