Obituaries

A funeral service for Stanley Sedlmajer was held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, with Father Ron Garry officiating. Interment was at the Czech National Cemetery, Gregory, SD, with military honors conferred by the Gregory American Legion and the National Honors Team. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Stanley Sedlmajer was born on December 6, 1924, to Joseph and Rose (Zemina) Sedlmajer in Tabor, SD. As a young boy he moved with his family to a farm south of Mission, SD. Stanley served his country in the Army, entering into the service at Rapid City, SD, on October 22, 1948, and served until December 28, 1949, when he received an honorable discharge at Ft. Lewis, WA.

A funeral service for Clyde Vogt was held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 24, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Naper, NE, with Reverend Philip Henning officiating. Lisa Reiman, organist, provided the music. Casket bearers were Cody Vogt, Cole Vogt, Carl Vogt, Clayton Schoenefeld, Doug Schulz, and Elliot Vogt. Interment was at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Naper, NE. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Clyde Philip Vogt was born to Carl and Margaret (Carlsen) Vogt on September 21, 1947, in Gregory, SD.

Romona Jean (Haushild) Jaros was born in Platte, SD, to Fred “Fritz” and Laura (Bolander) Haushild on February 19, 1954. Romona grew up in Platte and graduated from Platte High School in 1973. Romona married David Jaros on May 31, 1974. Mona and David lived in Burke, SD, for many years. She worked at the Gregory or Burke Hospital and he worked for the county. Then they moved to Gillette, WY, and that is where their three children were born: baby girl Jaros, little Davie, and Jennifer. Mona worked various jobs in Wyoming before starting to work for the BNSF Railroad for many years. After living out there for many years and making many friends, she and David decided to move back to SD. They lived in Winner for awhile before making their home in Gregory.

A Celebration of Life for JoAnn Jelinek Adams was held July 19, 2025, at the Burke Civic Center in Burke, SD, at 2:00 p.m. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of local arrangements. JoAnn was born December 29, 1940, in Gregory, SD, to Joseph and Martha Jelinek. JoAnn was a student at St. Joseph’s Catholic Parochial School, graduated from Gregory High School in 1960, and attended Stewart School of Hairstyling in Sioux Falls, SD. She was employed by Orvella Drey of Gregory as a beautician and then went to Denver, CO, to work as a stylist specializing in synthetic wigs and hair pieces. JoAnn was a people person, regarding customer service as one of her strong suits and her favorite way to care for others, which helped her excel in a variety of jobs. JoAnn’s work history included cosmetology, counselor for asthmatic children, and Colorado youth correctional counselor.

A funeral service for Virgil Charging Hawk, Jr. was held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Milk’s Camp Community Hall in Bonesteel, SD, with Allen Hare officiating and Rising Hale drum group performing.

At his request, a private family graveside service for Alvin Jons was held Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Rosebud Cemetery in Bonesteel, SD, with Pastors Roger Wendt and Mike Lewis officiating. Casket bearers were Joel Jons, Billy Jons, Kay Don Jons, Grant Boyer, Macy Mitchell, and Kevin Manthey. Interment was at Rosebud Cemetery in Bonesteel, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Alvin was born to Emil and Lydia (Schroeder) Jons on September 5, 1924, at the family farm near Bonesteel, SD. He attended Pleasant Valley Country School and later Bonesteel High School, graduating in 1942. He loved playing basketball and was an outstanding player on the high school team. He farmed with his father after high school for many years before marrying Verna Nordquist on August 5, 1952. The couple then moved to their own farm property where they farmed and ran a dairy for many years. Later on, his son Joel and wife Patty joined Alvin and Verna in operating the farm and dairy. He was most at home on a tractor and really enjoyed cutting hay.

A private family graveside service and subsequent interment for Gordon Davis was held at Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD, with Joe Harmacek officiating. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangement.

Jerry Michael Simunek was born September 21, 1950, in Gregory, SD, to Jerry Ralph and Clara Marie (Hotz) Simunek. He shared his life in Gregory with his siblings—Larry, Sharon, Shirley, Cathy, and David. As a young boy growing up in Gregory, Mike was always finding things to do—hunting rabbits and pheasant, fishing with his grandpa and uncles, picking pop bottles out of highway ditches for spending money, helping his family and neighbors on their farms and ranches, and participating as an altar server for the local Catholic parish. The boy never sat still, always on the move.

A funeral service for Joyce Elaine Frank was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 11, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Marcus Ring officiating. Music was provided by Melanie Hannahs on organ with Kelly Frank as soloist. Linda Purvis and Jeannette Frank were in charge of registration, and Julie Greer and Peggy Cassidy were flower attendants. Urn Bearers were Tamera Bjerke, Matthew Frank, David Frank, Jonathon Frank, and Nathan Bjerke. Inurnment was at the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Wes was born in Winner, SD, on September 18, 1957, to Lila (Dykeman) and Kenneth Gossard. Wes attended Colorado Aero Tech (now known as Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology) in Broomfield, CO, earning an Airframe/ Powerplant Inspection Authorization License. While in Broomfield, he earned his private pilot’s license. After completing his education he returned to South Dakota to become a rancher and pilot.