Obituaries

A memorial funeral mass for Rodger Adams was held on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Papillion, NE, with a celebration of life following at the Adams’ residence.

Memorial services for Dean Frank were held on Monday, June 12, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Gregory, SD, with Michael Voss officiating. Dawn Davis was in charge of registration. Urn bearers were Heidi Dreeszen, Kurt Frank, and Kory Frank. Interment was in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Dean Frank was born on January 22, 1936, in Burke, SD, to Alfred and Frieda (Stahlecker) Frank. Dean and twin Don were the second and third oldest of 11 children.

Funeral services for Lucille Koenig were held on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bonesteel, SD, with Father Jonathan Dillon officiating. Sara DeBeaumont and Wes Pfaff were lectors, Sarah and Christina Spann were servers, and the great-grandchildren presented gifts.

Funeral services for Kenneth Kahler were held on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD, with Pastor Bill Serr officiating. Taylor Ashdown was in charge of registration. Casketbearers were Brandon Kahler, Michael Preslicka, Kaylon Kahler, Kurtis Atteberry, Dale Pounds, Byrain Boes, Robbie Kahler, and Rick MacDonald. Honorary casket bearers were Jesse Harmer II, Kyle Kahler, Dustin Kahler, Colt Sutton, Rebecca Kolthoff, Beth Beckman, Kari Surpranant, Kelli Zimmerman, Ashley Blakey, Vonna Coker, Amanda Hyde, Brandi Kahler, Brittany Atteberry, Megan Preslicka, and Ryan Kahler.

Funeral services for Doler Hansen were held on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD, with Pastor Royal Archer officiating. Casket bearers were Jeremy Hanson, Meagan Schlecht, Samantha Pfingsten, Lucas Hanson, Klint Hanson, and Kinsie Kruger. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Doler Dean Hanson was born in Burke, SD, on June 19, 1934, to Helmer and Alice Hanson. He was born the youngest of three children and was raised on the family farm east of Burke. He attended country school and graduated from Burke High School in 1953. After graduating from high school, he continued the family farm and worked for various construction companies. He married Yvonne (Bonnie) Fredericksen on October 3, 1954. To this union, three sons were born.

Funeral services for Alvin Konop were held on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Kotrba Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD. Casket bearers were RJ Simonson, Kenneth Horse Looking, Brad Kerner, Wade Noble, Delane Arcoren, and Konor Arcoren. Interment was in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD, with military honors conferred by the Gregory American Legion and the National Honors Team. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Alvin Darrell Konop was born January 1, 1933, to John and Mary (Preslicka) Konop at home north of Dixon, SD. Alvin attended Washington Country School with his siblings. Darrell served his country during the Korean War from April 1953 to March 1955. He received an honorable discharge and was proud of his service.

Funeral services for Wanda Miner were held on Friday, May 26, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Bonesteel City Hall in Bonesteel, SD, with Pastor Ken James officiating and Reverend Jacqueline Hickox, morgan. Casket bearers were Todd Charging Hawk, Larry Charging Hawk, Donovan Charging Hawk, Jerald Miner, Jon Collins, and Kaleb Cournoyer. Honorary casket bearers were all of Wanda’s family and friends. Interment was in the Ponca Creek UCC Cemetery in St. Charles, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Wanda Jean Miner was born September 23, 1949, at Watertown, SD, to Pierre LaPointe, Sr. and Josephine Andrews LaPointe. She attended St. Charles Public School. She lived most of her life in the St. Charles and Bonesteel area. Later in her life, she met Gerald Charging Hawk, and from this marriage, five boys were born: Myron Charging Hawk (deceased), Todd Charging Hawk, Jerald Charging Hawk Miner, Jr., Larry Charging Hawk, and Donovon Charging Hawk.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am. on Saturday, June 3, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Armour, SD. Bittner Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements. Kay Ronspies was born February 14, 1950, to Earl and Hilda (Fuerst) Mills in Parkston, SD. Kay went to three different country schools before attending Armour High School, graduating in 1968. She had many farm pets from a pet hen, Rosa, to a ewe sheep, Susie, and her pet cats. She helped her mom with chores after school. Kay married Paul Ronspies on November 23, 1968. The couple made their home near Armour, SD. Kay worked at Colonial Manor Nursing Home for several years, and had many part-time jobs before moving in 1985 to Dallas, SD, where she managed Rainbow Ranch until 1996. They then moved to Hawarden where Kay worked at a couple of different factories. She later attended Bio Chi Institute to become a licensed massage therapist.

Funeral services for Lillian Middlesworth were held on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Winner, SD, with Mother Annie Henninger officiating. Music was provided by Ronald Highrock, pianist. Marla Liggett and Ann Marts were in charge of registration. Kathy Svoboda, Carrie Howard and Suzanne Kahler were flower attendants. Casket bearers were Anthony Middlesworth, Bill Marshall, Greg Olsen, Jeff Howard, Jim Kahler, and Zeke Parvin. Lillian Ruth (White Pipe) Middlesworth was born on June 3, 1943, in Okreek, SD, on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation. She was the oldest of six children born to Charles, Sr. and Lorraine (Prue) White Pipe, Lillian lived in Okreek with her family until she was 12 years old and only spoke Lakota. When the family decided to move to Gregory, Lillian’s grandma and cousins helped her learn English before she started seventh grade in Gregory schools, where she graduated from high school in 1961.

A private family memorial service for Don Moerike was held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Mark Tuttle officiating.