Obituaries

Funeral services for Norman Watson were held on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., at the First Christian Church in Winner, SD. Burial was in the Czech Bohemian Cemetery south of Gregory, SD. Mason Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Norman Everett Watson was born on February 14, 1934, in Omaha, NE, to Lily (Miller) and Joseph Watson. He had three siblings, Delores, Marvin, and Skip. Norman lived a full and vibrant life, serving his country as a signalman in the US Navy upon the USS Grapple and the USS Lipan during the years of 1952 to 1956. Norman had been deployed to Hawaii and Guam. After leaving the Navy, Norman moved to Evergreen, CO, where he served as a volunteer firefighter, and was co-owner of Evergreen Appliance and Electric. After relocating to Omaha, Norman committed the rest of his professional career to working as an electrician and was a member of the I.B.E.W. He spent a significant portion of this time as an electrician at Offutt Air Force Base and the Strategic Air Command in Bellevue, NE.

A memorial service for Iola Frank was held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Union Baptist Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Mark Tuttle officiating.

A memorial service for Judith Anderson of Norfolk, NE, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 21, 2024, at the Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk, NE, which is in charge of arrangements. Burial will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Norfolk at a later date.

Funeral services for Karen Geaghan were held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at the St. Joeph Catholic Church in Gregory, SD, with Father Ron Garry officiating. Bryan Geaghan read scripture, and music was provided by Mary Beth Gergen, pianist. Rachael Keuhne and Margie Capperelli were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Eric Veskrna, Kristy Klinetobe, Vanessa Klinetobe, Lee Graesser, Bryan Combs, and Shelli Spellman. Interment was in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Ernest Hofeldt were held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Colome, SD, with Pastor Philip Henning officiating. Music was provided by Janet Cerv, organist, and Mende Supik was in charge of registration. Flower attendants were Terri Lee Cahoy and Korey Bertram. Casket bearers were Troy Dufek, John Supik, Ricky Patterson, Robbie Patterson, Russ Patterson, and Dan O’Bryan. Honorary casket bearers were Jerald Fetzer, Larry Bertram, Chan Shippy, Ron Miller, Mike Whitrock, Todd Hofeldt, Larry Hofeldt, and Jim Hofeldt. Interment was in the Colome City Cemetery in Colome, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Olive Jean Schenefeld were held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. John Lutheran Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Marcus Ring officiating. Music was provided by Melanie Hannahs, organist. Kathy Svoboda and Kathy Assman were in charge of registration, and flower attendants were Emily Paris and Jennifer Palsma. Casket bearers were Chris Schenefeld, Burner Schenefeld Oakley Schenefeld, Jacob Fiebelkorn, Daniel Fiebelkorn, Michael Fiebelkorn, Mitchell Hyde, and William Hamilton. Honorary casket bearers were the residents and staff at Silver Threads. Interment was in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

A memorial service for Larry Raymond Frank will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Union Baptist Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Mark Tuttle officiating. Music was provided by The Kingsmen, accompanied by Jane Tuttle, pianist.

Celebration of Life services for Donald Paul Cahoy will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at The Hamilton Club in Omaha, NE. Donald was born on March 22, 1935, in Omaha, NE, the son of Arthur Paul and Esther Ann Cahoy. Donald spent his early years growing up in Gregory, SD, moving to Omaha when he was 17. Donald graduated with a bachelors degree in accounting from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, served four years in the United States Marine Corp, and was a Korean War Veteran. He was married to Ann Rosalie Surette on May 19, 1978, in Denver, CO, and after a forty year career as an accountant, retired in Kingman, AZ in 1997 to enjoy the sunshine, relaxed living, and playing golf, his lifetime passion. Donald cherished his full life, family and many friends. He always said, “he did not miss much.”

A memorial service for Vera Hauf was held on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Don Windsperger officiating. Inurnment will be in the Colome City Cemetery in Colome, SD, at a later date. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Vera Mae (Condon) Hauf was born in Winner, SD, on January 10, 1937, to Harold and Emma (Goodman) Condon. She was joined by two brothers, Donald and Monte. Vera went to country school through the eighth grade and was a graduate of Colome High School Class of 1955. A woman of immense strength and character, Vera was known for her hard work, her love of family, and her cooking. She worked for many years as the cook for the Colome School District, where her homemade meals became a local legend. Students and faculty alike looked forward to the comfort of Vera’s kitchen, knowing they were in for a treat every time they saw “soup” on the menu.

A funeral mass for Mary Donovan was held on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Isidore Catholic Church in Colome, SD, with Father Zane Pekron, celebrant. Lector was Todd Shippy, altar server was Aiden Schroeder, and Carol King was in charge of registration. Music was provided by Cindy Sealey, organist. Casket bearers were Glenn Sealey, Ferman Harter, Casey Harter, Ray Neyens, Craig Stenson, and Dave Duffy. Interment was in the Colome City Cemetery in Colome, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.