Obituaries

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.

Funeral services for Marvin Frasch were held on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfax, SD, with Pastor Bill Heermann officiating.

Funeral services for Claudia Sangster were held on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD, with Pastor Russ Grim officiating.

Funeral services for Margaret “Peggy” Schwartz were held on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the St.

Marie Joyce (Lebert) Spurling was born on February 17, 1937, in Tripp County, SD, and grew up on the family farm in South Dakota with her parents Leroy “Roy” and Dema (Christianson) Lebert and seven siblings. After graduating Gregory High School, she married Edwin M. Spurling on April 9, 1955. They moved together to Anchorage, AK. They later moved to southern California where they made their home for the rest of their lives, first living in Reseda and then in Newhall.

A memorial service for David Wonnenberg was held on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Congregational Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor John Granchie, officiating. Music was provided by Renee Holzer and Jeanie Kotrba pianists. Kenneth, Charles, Steve, and Roger Wonnenberg sang “Victory In Jesus” Eulogies were given by Kenneth Wonnenberg and Jim Lipp. Jim and Chandra Day were in charge of registration. Inurnment was in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD, with military honors conferred by the Colome and Gregory Legion and the National Honors Team David John Wonnenberg was born May 31, 1944, the first of the five sons of William and Alvina (nee Lindwurm) Wonnenberg in Burke, SD.

Graveside services for Calvin Vosika were held on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD, with Pastor Mark Tuttle officiating.