Obituaries

Funeral services for William Baker were held on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Elmo Herman officiating. Music was provided by Lynn Ellefson and Jean Maiorella. Kira Ellefson was in charge of registration. Rick Baker was urn bearer. Honorary urn bearers were Brian Maiorella, Kirk Ellefson, James Potter, Alexander Maiorella, Clay Evans, Wyatt Evans, Arthur Maiorella, and Anthony Maiorella. Inurnment was in the Spotted Tail Cemetery in Jamison, NE, with military honors by the Gregory American Legion. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Dennis Masteller passed away after a battle with liver cancer on Sunday, August 28, 2022, at Legacy Hospice in Gillette, WY. Dennis was a former resident of Gregory, SD, working at Karl’s TV and Appliance store. Dennis had been working with his brother Terry for a number of years. Dennis is survived by his wife Julie Masteller of Rozet, WY; sons: Dennis Wayne, Daryl, and Donald; brothers: Terry and Jerry; sisters: Sheila, Judi, and Brenda; and numerous relatives and friends.

Memorial services for Jeannette Hogg was held on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, in Burke, SD, with Pastor Sarah Herman officiating. Lori Kaupp and Robin Haney were in charge of registration. Music was provided by Charlene Juran, organist. Urn bearers were all of Jeannette’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Honorary urn bearers were the staff at Fairway View Senior Communities. Inurnment was in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Jeannette Ruth Hogg was born September 12, 1934, in Brookings, SD, to Stanley and Grace (Brownson) Soule. Jeannette passed away at the Fairway View Senior Communities in Ortonville, MN, at the age of 87.

Mass of Christian burial is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery. Gladys Marie Harder was the last of four children born to Thomas and Neta (Stoltenburg) Graesser. She was born on May 15, 1929, in Gregory, SD. Gladys attended eight years of country grade school, walking one and a quarter miles to and from school. She graduated Gregory High School in 1946. After graduating she attended one year of college at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD. Upon returning home, she accepted employment at Farmers State Bank in 1948, and worked there until retiring in 1991.

Funeral services for Patricia Wetzler were held on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Allen Bouslaugh officiating. Music was provided by Bette Fogel, pianist. Lavonne Story and Donna Wittmeier were in charge of registration, and Garry and Sandy Wetzler were flower attendants. Casket bearers were Pat’s grandsons: Holden Wetzler, Cole Wetzler, Andrew Ringling, Jett Wetzler, Jace Wetzler, Jamison Alexander, and Trevor Peagler. Honorary casket bearers were Pat’s granddaughters: Samantha Alexander, Bailey Wetzler, Joelle Peagler, and Caitlin Ringling.

Funeral Mass for James Larkin was held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ottumwa, IA, with Father Patrick Hilgendorf presiding. Burial was in the Calvary Cemetery. Reece Funeral Home of Ottumwa, IA, was in charge of arrangements. James was born on March 20, 1950, in Ottumwa, IA, to Joseph and Gertrude Rowland Larkin. Jim was a 1968 graduate of Blakesburg High School, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University. He taught high school math and chemistry in Gregory, SD. He was a very active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory, SD, and was a member of Council #1532 Knights of Columbus in Gregory, SD. Jim enjoyed drawing and arts and crafts.

Funeral mass for Evelyn Garry was held in Bridgewater, SD, at St. Stephen Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 19, 2022. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Salem. Salem Kinzley Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Evelyn Helen (Hoffman) Garry was born March 1, 1927, in Bridgewater SD, to Ed and Caroline (Determan) Hoffman, the third of eight children. Raised in the Dirty Thirties on the family farm, she learned the skill of sewing, which she used to clothe children and make quilts for so many in her later years.

Funeral services for Lila Gossard were held on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Allan Bouslaugh officiating.

Funeral services for Roberta Vosika were held on Monday, August 15, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Kotrba- Smith Funeral Home with Pastor Russ Grim officiating. Janelle Choal was in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Steve Esterling, Michael Esterling, Daniel Soesbe, Troy Horton, and Scott Davis. Honorary casket bearers were all her nieces and nephews and the CNAs from Avera Rosebud Country Care Center. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Roberta Ann was born July 1, 1953, in Gregory, SD, to Edwin and Dorothy (Smith) Esterling. She joined the world with her twin brother Robert. She was the second oldest girl of seven kids.