Obituaries

Elmer L. Karl passed away peacefully on July 15, 2026, at the age of 94 in Gregory, South Dakota.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Patricia Parvecek, age 77, of Winner, South Dakota, was held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner. Burial followed at the Winner City Cemetery. Mason Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Marion Joan Kelly passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026, at the Lake Andes Senior Center at the age of 88. Marion was born to Irwin and Alice Kortmeyer on September 12, 1937, in Burke, South Dakota, and was a proud graduate of Burke High School class of 1955.

Beloved brother, uncle, teacher of all things fishing, camping, and life, Neil Thomas Soper, age 74, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2026, in Gregory, South Dakota. Neil Soper was born December 13, 1951, in Burke to Howard and Darlene (Kortmeyer) Soper. He attended school in Burke and graduated with the class of 1970. After high school, Neil went to work for the South Dakota Department of Highways, working at the State Shop in Burke until he retired at the age of 55. He spent winters in Arizona soaking up the sunshine. He would then return to Gregory where you would often find him at the Gregory Bowling Alley. Neil was compassionate and caring and loved to spend time with friends at the local bowling alley.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Dona Deffenbaugh, age 91, of Burke, South Dakota, was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke with Father Ron Garry officiating. Brenda Deffenbaugh was lector, Jack, Jhett, and Owen Schulte were altar servers, and Dona’s great-grandchildren presented the gifts at the offertory. Dick Deffenbaugh, Dan Deffenbaugh, Douglas Deffenbaugh, Dudley Deffenbaugh, Dale Deffenbaugh, Richard Beuttell, and Blue Indahl were casket bearers. All of Dona’s grandchildren were honorary casket bearers.

The funeral service for Gerald Smith, age 83, of Gregory, South Dakota was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Prairie View Gospel Barn with Pastor Keith Cline officiating and Gregory and Kelsey Smith delivering the eulogy. Music was two congregational hymns with special music provided by Kelsey, Dana, Julia, Miranda, and Holden. Janet Knight and Emily Beck were in charge of registration, and flower attendants were Amy Rominger, Teresa Reimers, and Denise Smith. Casket bearers were Joshua Smith, Jacob Smith, Levi Smith, Lucas Smith, Holden Smith, Garrett Hernandez, Blake Wockenfuss, and Matt Fritz. Honorary casket bearers were, Jim Smith, Tom Smith, Frank Beck, Charlie Knight, Jim Osnes, Christine May, Robbie Hlavka, Brett Hlavka, Kelly Hlavka, Merrill McFayden, Harold Winter, Ronnie Sinclair, and Tom Prouty.

A celebration of life service for Leo H. Schulte, age 80, of Butte, Nebraska, was held at 10 a.m., Friday, July 10, 2026, at the Butte Community Bible Church in Butte with Pastor Gary Binder officiating. Military Honors by the Butte American Legion Post #51 followed the service at the church. Private inurnment will be held at a later date. Biglin’s Mortuary in Spencer handled the arrangements. Leo Henry Schulte was born to Joseph Bonaventure and Catherine Marie Schulte on April 12, 1946, at the Lynch Hospital in Lynch, Nebraska. He grew up on the family farm northwest of Spencer. Leo attended Fairfax (South Dakota) Public School and graduated from Fairfax High School in 1965. After graduation, he worked for neighboring farmers until he was drafted that fall. He served his country in the United States Army from December 1965 to December 1967. One year of his enlistment was spent in Germany. After being honorably discharged, Leo worked for two years at the Ordinance Depot in Grand Island, where they manufactured bombs. He then worked two more years in Grand Island at Swift Meat Packing Plant.

A funeral service for Trena Mae Vandenbark, 90, of Winner, South Dakota, was held Friday, July 3, 2026, at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory with Keven Vandenbark officiating. Music was provided by Kallie Farley, accompanied by Cindy Sealey on piano. Honorary casket bearers were all of Trena’s grandchildren. Inurnment will take place September 5, 2026, at Paul Cemetery in Paul, Idaho. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home of Gregory, South Dakota, is in charge of arrangements. Trena was born on December 1, 1935, and spent her early years in the Cache Valley area of Utah. As a teenager, she moved with her family to a farm in Heyburn, Idaho. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University, graduating from BYU with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Germain “Gerry” Joseph Leber, age 87, of Colome, South Dakota, was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 6, 2026, at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Colome with Fr. Zane Pekron as celebrant.

A funeral service for Amy Jo Moeller, age 55, of Witten, South Dakota, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 2, at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, with Ali Stangle officiating. Casket bearers will be Sam Lee, Gomer Hay, Nathan Hay, Hayden Hay, Blake Hay, Tanner Moeller, and Loren Moeller. Lexi Mach will be in charge of registration, and Ron Highrock will provide the music on organ. Interment will take place at Herrick Cemetery in Herrick. Clausen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. She was born on June 15, 1971, in Gregory, South Dakota, and lived a life filled with compassion, strength, and devotion to family and friends. She will be remembered for a kind heart, unwavering love by the many lives she touched through generosity and grace.