Obituaries

Anne Kinzer, 104, passed away March 3, 2025 at Davis Hospice Center, Cheyenne, WY. She was in good health until the last ten days of her life. She had attended daily exercise classes, read, and crocheted afghans. Her afghans are treasured remembrances. Anne Kinzer, the youngest of 12 children of Tony and Martha Skolasky, was born October 11, 1920 on the family homestead near Dog Ear Lake, Tripp County, SD. Her parents were among the first homesteaders who established Tripp County. Anne graduated from Colome High School in 1939 and completed a year of college at Notre Dame College, Mitchell, SD, in 1940. Anne taught 13 years in southern Tripp County one-room schools before and after marriage.

A graveside service was held for Ronald Johnson, Sr., 82, at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Burial with military honors were conferred by the Gregory American Legion and the Marines National Honors Team. Micah Chvatal played Taps. Ronald Harland Johnson, Sr. was born February 20, 1943, in Gregory, SD. He was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Ron married Louella M. Mohl in 1961, and shortly after entered the Marine Corp, First Battalion Regimental Honor Platoon 104. He trained in San Diego for four months then transferred to El Toro, California for three years. After this time, he went to Okinawa, Japan for 13 months. Ron frequently said, “Arigato.” He was assigned to transfer a US enlisted prisoner back to the states, and this time he stayed in the US and returned to San Diego, having been discharged in December 1965.

A funeral service for Anna Marie Cahoy, 93, was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fairfax, SD, with Fr. Ron Garry officiating. Music was provided by Roberta Witt, pianist, and the St. Anthony choir. Lector was Joann Bentz. Charlie Adams and Barrett Koenig were altar servers. Monica Jons was in charge of registrations. Gift bearers were Talon Bentz and Leila Bentz. Darrell Bentz, Wade Bentz, Talon Bentz, Jonathan Cahoy, Monte Cahoy, and Mike Burke were casket bearers. Anna Marie was born December 25, 1931 in Spencer, NE, to Fred and Katie (Wuest) Schochenmaier. Anna Marie attended country school not far from her home. On February 20, 1952, she was married to Elmer Cahoy at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Fairfax. To this union four children were born: Darrel in 1953, Joann in 1954, Ronnie in 1957, and Lonnie in 1963.

Funeral services for Harry E. Voelzke, 84, of Yankton, SD, will be held at 1:00 p.m., March 8, 2025, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, with his wife, Pastor Jan Voelzke, officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791 and SD Army National Guard Funeral Honors. Honorary pallbearers are Alex Voelzke, Landon Voelzke, Justin Eaton, Jason Eaton, Carter Noie, and Jameson Noie. Harry was born September 12, 1940, in Dallas, SD, to Paul and Marie (Janssen) Voelzke. He grew up in Dallas and graduated from Gregory High School in 1958. After high school, Harry farmed with his family until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1963. Harry was stationed in Fort Hood, TX, and received a hardship discharge in August of 1965 so he could continue the family farm operation in Dallas.

Gary Lyle Stinton, 86, was born March 21, 1938, in Winner, SD, to Lyle and June Stinton. Gary spent his youth in Burke, graduating in 1956. He continued his education at South Dakota State University, graduating in 1960 with a degree in animal husbandry. Gary married Jan Schlaht in 1960. They had three children: Kim, Karrie and Shawn. They lived in Iowa for 25 years, and in 2001 moved to Belle Fourche, SD. Gary worked as a state sales manager for Moorman Feeds for many years. In 1978 he and his wife bought the sale barn in Gregory, SD, and operated it for 11 years. He also worked as a building manager at the Rec Center in Belle Fourche for 17 years.

A funeral service for Robert Scheinost, 84, was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 3, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Colome, SD, with Pastor Benjamin Tomczak officiating. Music was provided by Roxie Summerville. Pallbearers were James Willard, Connor Knecht, Will Allen, Justin Rosebrock, Kelsey Knecht, Katelyn Allen, and Jordyn Sterud. Bob was born on April 18, 1940, in O’Neill, NE, to James and Ruth Scheinost. He grew up in Winner, SD, and graduated from Winner High School in 1958. He attended the University of South Dakota and graduated with a business degree in 1962. On June 30, 1962, he was united in marriage to Karen Hossle. They made their first home in Winner where Bob was employed by Hewett Motor Company. In 1963, he began employment at the Citizens Bank of Colome. Bob and Karen then moved to Colome where they raised their family and remained residents for over 50 years.

A funeral service for Ronnie Lee Songer, Sr. was held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Dallas American Legion in Dallas SD, with Pastor Tonweya Sherman officiating. Pastor Gary Jacobsen and Rudy Escamilla assisted. Music was provided by Judy Sherman, pianist. Chelsea Medrano and Toby Weber were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Aaron Blackthunder, Dakota Songer, Lakota Songer, Jon Parshall, Blake Friedricks, and Darius Blackthunder. Honorary casket bearers were Janet Parshall, Melvin Songer, Myron Songer, James Songer, Harold Songer, Brett Klinger, Maria Songer, Dawn Songer, Stacey Foote, Leonard Boyer, Kelly Boyer, RJ Boyer, Kaden Boyer, and Donald Songer.

Tiera Lynne Hurlbert was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 15, 1960. She was the daughter of Harold and Joan (Fulwider) Hurlbert. Tiera attended elementary school in Idaho Falls, ID, middle school in Salt Lake City, UT, and graduated from high school in Winner, SD, in 1978. Later she would graduate from Black Hills State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism.

Mass of Christian Burial for Florence (Coash) (Fischer) Kirkpatrick, 93, was held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD, with Fr. Zane Pekron officiating. Tom Stevens was lector, and Valerie Stevens served as the extraordinary minister of the Holy Eucharist. Music was provided by Mary Elder, pianist with cantors Janette Shippy and Randy Donovan. Khloe Briggs and Jackson Grossenburg were altar servers. Guestbook attendants were Addison Hemingway and Karlie Gehm. Heather Wagner and Breanna Westland were flower attendants.

A funeral service for Betty Jean Bentz was held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the United Church of Christ in Fairfax, South Dakota, with Emmet Kotrba officiating. Music was provided by Cheryl Jons, accompanist.