Obituaries

A funeral service for Kenneth Dwayne Hickey, 71, of Gregory, South Dakota, was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 14, 2026, at the Berean Church in Gregory with Jason Nebola officiating. Casey Harrison read a poem during the service. Janeen Hlavka accompanied congregational hymns on piano, and some recorded selections were also played. Flower attendants were Angelique Hickey and Christina Hickey. Tracy Vomacka and Lily Vomacka were in charge of registration. Casket Bearers were Chase Hickey, Dillon Hickey, Stephanie Hickey, Marlin Rodriquez, Mark Hickey, Alix Hickey, Skylur Vomacka, Eric Hickey, Ian Hickey, and Kris Hickey.

Denise Wayne Mulford, 84 years, May 11, 2022, Bellevue, WA. Leona Catherine Umberger, 90 years, August 9, 2026, Gregory, SD..

A funeral service for Leona Catherine (Cummings) Umberger, better known as Kate, age 90, of Fairfax, South Dakota, will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke with Pastor Russ Grim officiating. Casketbearers are Scott Umberger, Marcus Schmitz, Jared Schmitz, Joel Schmitz, CJ Umberger, and Del Einsar. Music for the service will be provided by Lillith Umberger and Katie and Leana. Kate was born October 14, 1935, in Waymansville, Indiana, the fifth child of Otto and Lena (Weaver) Cummings’ nine children. She was married to Ivan Joseph Umberger for nearly 56 years and to this union five children were born — Ivan E, Gary, Mark, Larry, and Leana Schmitz. Ivan passed in January of 2008.

A graveside memorial service for Linda Lou (Martin) Foster will be held on August 22, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Graceland Cemetery in Burke, South Dakota. Linda Lou Foster was born January 18, 1959, the fifth child of Robert and Betty (Tech) Martin in Burke. Linda attended school at Neuharth Country School. After the school closed, she attended the Burke School District, graduating in 1977. She went to National College of Business in Rapid City for one year then worked for a year. Her son Christopher James was born on September 13, 1979, in Rapid City. She and Chris moved to Springfield. There she attended USDS/Springfield, graduating in 1983. They then moved to Pierre, where Linda worked at the State Health Lab for 38 years, retiring in 2018. She also worked various parttime jobs. After retiring from the lab, she worked at Walmart full-time until 2020.

A funeral service for Lavera Pearl Bull Bear, age 94, was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Bonesteel City Hall in Bonesteel, South Dakota, with Richard Broken Nose leading the prayers. Casket bearers were Tim Marshall, Luke Marshall, Mitch Bull Bear, Nate Bull Bear, Michael Bull Bear, Bryson Edwards, and Vince Janis. Burial will take place at the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory at a later date. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Lavera Pearl Bull Bear, Wakpamni Wi, was born January 24, 1932, at the hospital in Rosebud, South Dakota, to Charles Marshall and Martha Blanche (Roubideaux) Marshall. She was raised in Old Ring Thunder. Her grandparents were Joseph Marshall and Elizabeth Morrison on her father’s side, and Louis Roubideaux and Adelia Blunt Arrow on her mother’s side. Her great-grandparents were Blunt Arrow and Comes Out. Her great-great grandparents were Two Heart and Making Blaze, and Scares The Wind and Good Face Woman.

Marcia June Bachmann, age 73, died Thursday, July 23, 2026 while being taken care of at her daughter’s home outside of Fairfax, SD. Marcia was born in Lynch, Nebraska, on October 3, 1952, to Elmer and Dorothy (Wilson) Bachmann. They lived outside of Fairfax, SD at their family farm. At the age of 9, Marcia and her three siblings moved with their parents to California. They made their home in Covina, where all of them were raised and attended school. Marcia waitressed in her younger years and then went into customer service. She was a customer service representative for many years. During these years, she had her only child, Sherry, in 1981. Eventually, Marcia and Sherry moved and made their life in Azusa, California.

Elmer L. Karl passed away peacefully on July 15, 2026, at the age of 94 in Gregory, South Dakota.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Patricia Parvecek, age 77, of Winner, South Dakota, was held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner. Burial followed at the Winner City Cemetery. Mason Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Marion Joan Kelly passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026, at the Lake Andes Senior Center at the age of 88. Marion was born to Irwin and Alice Kortmeyer on September 12, 1937, in Burke, South Dakota, and was a proud graduate of Burke High School class of 1955.

Beloved brother, uncle, teacher of all things fishing, camping, and life, Neil Thomas Soper, age 74, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2026, in Gregory, South Dakota. Neil Soper was born December 13, 1951, in Burke to Howard and Darlene (Kortmeyer) Soper. He attended school in Burke and graduated with the class of 1970. After high school, Neil went to work for the South Dakota Department of Highways, working at the State Shop in Burke until he retired at the age of 55. He spent winters in Arizona soaking up the sunshine. He would then return to Gregory where you would often find him at the Gregory Bowling Alley. Neil was compassionate and caring and loved to spend time with friends at the local bowling alley.