Obituaries

A Celebration of Life for Andrew Craig Johnson was held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD. Interment followed at the Colome City Cemetery in Colome, SD, with Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. Andrew (AJ) Craig Johnson was born to Steven Craig Johnson and Linda Sue Reed Johnson on October 20, 1992, joining the family with siblings Emily Jeannine and Michael Walter. Andrew started life as a true fighter with a gentle spirit. His fighting started at 18 months old when he fought a nasty infection in his hip. He was in the hospital for many weeks, and his tenacity and strength pulled him through. He was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of eight.

A memorial service for Michael Donald Gunvordahl was held at the Union Baptist Church in Burke, SD, at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, with Pastor Mark Tuttle officiating. Joe Fahrenbacher was in charge of registration, and music was provided by the Mayer family, vocalists, accompanied by Jane Tuttle, pianist. Urn bearers were Anthony Mayer, Mitchel Klundt, Max Klundt, Carson Klundt, Cruz Klundt, and Harley Klaudt. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

A funeral service for Robert Boes was held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Fairfax City Hall in Fairfax, SD, with Pastor Russ Grim, Pastor Mark Lewis, and Allen Faatz officiating. Tammy Boes was in charge of registrations.

Funeral services for Sandra Marie Determan, age 74, were held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at St. Edward Catholic Church, Racine, WI, with Rev. Allen Bratkowski officiating. Sandy was born October 2, 1950, in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, the daughter of the late George and Patricia (Nobles) Schuetz. On August 21, 1971, Sandy married Thomas R. Determan, formerly of Gregory, SD, in Madison, WI. Together, they settled in Racine, where they built a life rooted in love, family, and faith. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Carthage College and later received her master’s from Cardinal Stritch University. Sandy dedicated over 30 years to SC Johnson, retiring in 2015.

Funeral services for Richard Allen Cushing were held Thursday, June 12, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Marcus Ring officiating.

A funeral mass was held in Prescott, AZ, but graveside services will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at the Herrick Cemetery, in Herrick, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of local arrangements. The second of five children, Don was born on November 19, 1938, in Burke, SD, to Harold and Edna Sieh. Donald Harold Sieh grew up on a farm East of Herrick, SD, with his parents, three sisters, and a brother. His first seventeen years formed the basis for the rest of his life. His parents believed in hard work, respect for others, and love of country and religion. Upon completion of Burke High School at the age of seventeen, he attended Southern State College in Springfield, SD, graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in English and in Industrial Arts.

Funeral services for Earl Ray Tech, age 86, were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 13, 2025, at Prairie View Gospel Barn in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Keith Cline officiating. Deb Bartling and Diane Boska were in charge of registration.

- Correction A graveside service for Gaile Shaffer, age 81, is scheduled to be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at the I00F Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Gaile Reed Shaffer was born August 27, 1943, in Winner, SD, to Harold Shaffer Sr.

A graveside service is scheduled to be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Jamison, NE. Interment was at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Jamison, NE. Clausen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. He was born August 22, 1941, to Robert Willuweit and Anna Stahlecker Willuweit. He spent his formative years in Jamison, a place he called home his entire life. After serving his country for two years in Vietnam, he worked for the county as a maintainer for several decades. Beyond his professional life, Marlo’s passion for music shone brightly. He delighted audiences for years, playing guitar in various country bands that filled dance halls across the region.

A graveside service for Gaile Shaffer, age 81, is scheduled to be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Gaile Reed Shaffer was born August 27, 1943, in Winner, SD, to Harold Shaffer Sr. and Doris (Bailey) Shaffer. Because of Harold’s poor eyesight, the family moved from the farm to Gregory, where Harold ran a Standard station at the north end of Main Street. After moving a few more times, they moved back to Gregory, where Gaile enjoyed baseball as a left handed first baseman. He graduated high school in 1961, and shortly after, he and his wife moved to Omaha, NE. They adopted two girls, Michelle and Robin. Then they had their son Timothy. Later, Gaile moved into an apartment and began attending church. There he met Kathy, and spent the remainder of his years. Gaile worked in the construction field, where he met his golf buddies. He also enjoyed traveling with his nephew Eric, exploring golf courses.