Obituaries

The funeral service for Vlesta Schmidt was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 15, 2025, at First Southern Baptist Church in Gregory, SD, with Russ Grim officiating. Colleen Murray accompanied the congregation on piano for several hymns.

Graveside services for Martin Michael Turney were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Lucas Cemetery in Burke, SD. Isburg Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Martin was born March 20, 1945 in Burke, SD, to Dello Halsted and Marie (Reetz) Turney. He attended a one-room country school where his mother was his teacher for several years, and graduated from Colome High School. For a number of years Martin farmed and ranched with his father and brother. Later he became a long-haul truck driver, a career he enjoyed until just a few years before his death. Martin first married Juli Ann Johnson in Winner, SD, and together they welcomed three children into the world: Wesley, Troy, and Tanya. He later married Sonja Ponca, and they had five children: Deanna, Samuel, Anna Marie, Kimberly, and Morgan. Martin also embraced the role of step-dad to Bernice and Jenny, rounding out a large, vibrant family that was the cornerstone of his existence.

A memorial service for Billy Roy Wilson will be held at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, AR, at 1 p.m., on November 8, 2025, under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. Billy Roy was born in December of 1939 at the old St.

A funeral service for Barbara Jean Timber was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Bonesteel City Hall in Bonesteel, SD, with Rev. Ken James and Rev.

Jay Edgar Henninger was born to Edgar and Mary Jane Henninger on April 4, 1941, in Richfield, MN. He graduated from Richfield Senior High School in 1959 and pursued many interests throughout his early years to include cross country, track, and wrestling. After high school, Jay furthered his education at Vernon County Teachers College, receiving a diploma. He then attended the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse where he received an undergraduate degree in elementary education. Jay then earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Northern Iowa. In 1971, while living in Wisconsin, Jay attended a workshop in Covington, KY, where he met a beautiful young woman from Cleveland, OH. A long-distance love story ensued, and on May 26, 1973, Jay married Annie. Jay spent the next 52 years deeply devoted to his “beautiful bride,” and together they raised six children.

A memorial service for Judy Ann Staples, age 76, was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Jay Mitchell officiating. Inurnment was at the Herrick Cemetery in Herrick, SD. Judy Story was born on February 8, 1949, to Earnest and Viola (Brandenburg) Story, in Gregory, SD, a fraction later than her twin sister, Trudy. Judy attended three different high schools— Gregory, Burke, and Colome, SD—graduating from Colome in 1967. After high school she was employed at the Winner Regional Hospital in Winner, SD, for eighteen months.

A memorial service for Gene Grossenburg, age 95, of Winner, SD, was held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at the Winner Methodist Church. Mason Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Gene was born on May 25, 1930, to C.J. and Jessie Blanche Grossenburg in Winner, SD. After he graduated from Winner High School in 1949, Gene began a career which would ultimately span five decades, working with the family John Deere business at Grossenburg Implement. In 1949, Gene met LaWayna Swaney during high school in Winner, SD, and they were married in September 1951. Gene and LaWayna had four children—Brad, Barry, Jolenne, and Janelle. In 1951, Gene was drafted into the Korean War and returned home as an American hero and a new father to Brad. He received a purple heart and a bronze star while serving in the Korean War. In 1951, after he returned home, he grew the John Deere business until retirement. In May 1988 he married Patricia Scholz. Gene’s family unit expanded, and he pursued his passions in life. Gene enjoyed spending time at the family cabin in the Black Hills where he enjoyed his horses and the outdoors. He also enjoyed spending time with his family. Gene had a zest for life which created a ripple effect on so many people. His storytelling ability and bear hugs will never be forgotten.

Funeral services for Deanna Darlene (Lingenfelter) Kahler, age 86, were held on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 2 p.m., at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD, with Pastor Bill Serr officiating. Taylor Preslicka and Kate Kahler were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Brandon Kahler, Michael Preslicka, Colt Sutton, Jon Beckman, Luke Surprenant, Kurtis Atteberry, Branden Zimmerman, and Brandon Wigginton. Honorary casket bearers were Jesse Harmer II, Kyle Kahler, Dustin Kahler, Rebecca Kolthoff, Beth Beckman, Kari Surprenant, Kelli Zimmerman, Ashley Blakey, Vonna Coker, Amanda Hyde, Brandi Kahler, Brittany Atteberry, Megan Wigginton, Ryan Kahler, Robbie Kahler, and Kaylon Kahler.

A memorial service for Jeffrey George Johnson, age 73, was held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at United Methodist Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Royal Archer officiating. Recorded music was played as well as congregational hymns accompanied by Bette Fogel on piano. Alice Vereen was in charge of registration, and flower attendants were his Sunday morning coffee group. Urn bearers were Scott Phillps, Dennis Lang, Dave DeVos, Rick Schneider, Mike Peterson, Ray Gosmire, Ron Rankin, Gregg Drees, and Rod Graesser. George Johnson, Gavin Pochop, David Kotrba, and Hank Wonnenberg were honorary urn bearers.

A celebration of life for David Hutchison was held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., at the VFW in Burke, SD. Clausen Funeral Home of Burke, SD, was in charge of arrangements. David was born on August 27, 1969, in Burke, SD, to Jerry and Donna Hutchison. Throughout his childhood and adulthood he was well known throughout the Burke community and always enjoyed visiting. He graduated from Burke High School in 1987 and continued on to the University of South Dakota. He eventually transferred to Northern State University and received a business degree. He quickly realized being in the business world was not his passion and was influenced by his father-in-law, Randy Lyon, to pursue education at Black Hills State University. He student taught in Deubrook, SD, and later took his first teaching job. He married Carmen, on July 1, 1995, and had two daughters, Tayler and Gabby.