Obituaries

A funeral service for Myrna Verona Pechota, age 81, of Colome, South Dakota, was held at 10 a.m., Monday, September 7, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church in Colome. Pastor Don Windsperger officiated the service.

A funeral service for John “Jack” Fernau was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, South Dakota, with Selma Serr as organist and Bill Serr as the officiant. Interment was held at Butte Cemetery in Butte, Nebraska. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Casket bearers were John Fernau, Jeff Fernau, JJ Wolf, Josh Rave, Levi Rave, Dusty Seachris, and Kerry Fink. Heidi Mattson, Melanie Gacke, Chelsi Den Herder, Christina Deacon, and Jenelle Rave were honorary casket bearers.

A celebration of life was held for Gary Fredrick Feyereisen at 2 p.m., Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Prairie View Gospel Barn with Pastor Gary Jacobsen officiating. JD Steffen and Duane Wetzel were in charge of registrations. Gary was born April 27, 1949, to Vance Sr. and Lucille (Tagtow) Feyereisen. He was welcomed to the family farm northeast of Iona, South Dakota, by older siblings Vance Jr. (Sonny), Verlynn (Pat), Carolynne (Cookie), Denise, and Ruth. The family was later completed with Robin, Beth, and Bradley. Gary attended the Star School in Iona until the family moved to Gregory, where Gary graduated from Gregory High School in 1968. Gary had several jobs over the years, including working for Opperman Sand & Gravel, working on the family farm, driving milk truck for D & T Transport, and, finally, raising his beloved cows.

A memorial service for Guy Stanley Marts, age 94, formerly of Colome, South Dakota, was held at 2 p.m., August 22, 2026, at Prairie View Gospel Barn with Pastor Keith Moody officiating. Urn bearers were Scott Pike, Kally Wilson, Zack Hlavka, Amy Luse, Lou Zimbelman, Wyatt Meyer, Danielle Kalenda, Kore Cares, Avera Hospice, and Guy’s friends and family Lou Zimbelman was in charge of registrations. Interment will take place at a later date at the Rosebud Cemetery in Bonesteel, South Dakota. Military honors were conferred by the Gregory American Legion and the National Honors Team GuyStanleyMartswasbornonMay1,1932,inHarrison, Nebraska,to Dwight and Eva (Burkhart) Marts. He worked on the family farm until he was drafted to the US Army on February 3, 1955. Guy was stationed in Chaffee, Arkansas, and Fort Still, Oklahoma. While enlisted he was a truck mechanic and sighted in 155 howitzers and cannons. He helped on the gun range and was an MP transporting prisoners. Guy also boxed and was undefeated. He earned a Good Conduct Medal for Marksman (Carbine) and was honorably discharged on February 1, 1957.

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.