Obituaries

Funeral services were held at 9:30 a.m., on July 29, 2024, at the Prairie View Gospel Barn in Gregory, SD. Todd Lee Schrader was born in Burke, SD to Harlin and Doris (Freeman) Schrader on August 15, 1966. Todd lost his battle with cancer on July 8, 2024, while residing with his mother in Harlan, IA. Todd graduated from Poudre High School in 1984 in Ft. Collins, CO. He graduated from Larimer County Community College in Cheyenne, WY, with a degree in auto body repair. Todd’s talent and love for bull riding led him on many adventures throughout the country. He started riding bulls at a young age riding in Little Britches Rodeos, high school, college, and then Pro Bull Riding. While living in Nebraska and working at a power plant, Todd became interested in electricity. He then moved to Colorado and worked as an apprentice electrician for several years getting his journeyman electrical license. He was a natural at electrical work, he could talk to someone on the phone and get a problem solved.

A memorial service for Elsie Berg was held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday July 18, 2024 at Stoddard Funeral Home in Greeley, CO. Burial was on Friday July 19, 2024, in the Olinger Chapel Hill Cemetery in Centennial, CO. Stoddard Funeral & Cremation & Sunset Memorial Gardens were in charge of arrangements. Elsie was born on May 31, 1920 in Carter, SD, and was the fourth oldest of ten children born to John and Lydia Burr. She was born to an immigrant father who came to America from Russia. Elsie grew up on a farm in Burke, SD, and lived in a sod house. Being raised on a farm, before the invention of sliced bread (invented 1928), Elsie learned to be a hard worker. Summers were spent in the fields weeding, and the falls were spent harvesting. Elsie was always found helping the family out. When Elsie wasn’t working in the fields she was working in the kitchen, or taking care of her siblings. Additional duties included ironing clothes, fixing meals, and cleaning the house.

Funeral service were held on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Mason Funeral Home in Winner, SD. Burial was in the Colome City Cemetery, in Colome, SD. Mason funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Vernon was born on November 9, 1933, to John and Lydia (Miller) Herrmann in Dallas, SD. Vern met his wife in Millboro, SD after he asked her to dance. They were married on August 6, 1957, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, south of Colome. They were married for over 66 years. They lived on a ranch in Millboro, SD where they raised cattle and other livestock throughout the years until they retired. Vern loved playing music and could play a variety of instruments and was a championship winning fiddle player. He would keep a list of hundreds of song titles in his wallet that he would play at random. Vern was a member of the Bob Kenaston and The Country Tones band. He loved attending dances with Marilyn at the Carlock and other dance halls, playing cards and tending to his ranch near Millboro, SD.

Memorial services for Mary (Jody) Pavlis were held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Gary Jacobsen officiating.

A remembrance gathering of friends and family will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at 911 College St. in Springfield, SD. Peters Funeral Chapel of Springfield, SD, is in charge of arrangements. Wilma Lavena (Krieger) Halsey was born on October 31, 1932 to Adam and Katherine Krieger, the fourth of five children. Wilma grew up on the family farm outside of Burke, SD, speaking German at home and attending the Lucas Baptist Church. Wilma graduated from Burke High School in 1950, then earned her two-year degree in elementary education from Southern State Teachers College in 1952. That summer, she married Harold (Tuffy) Halsey and taught country school while he completed his Army assignment out east. Eventually she returned to college and completed her BSE in Business in 1972.

Funeral services for Milo Klein, Jr. were held on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Burke Civic Center in Burke, SD, with Pastor Mark Tuttle officiating. Janice and Dennis Grenoble and Darlene and Ron Shattuck were in charge of registration. Flower attendants were Sharon’s sisters. Casket bearers were Simon Klein, Matt Dorsey, Braden Hutchison, Kurt Frank, Kory Frank, Breven Bolander, Brennen Bolander, and James Klein. Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Melissa Brunmeier were held on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Burke Civic Center in Burke, SD, with Ferris Fedde officiating.

A private family funeral service was held for Betty Vosika on Saturday July 13, 2024, Casket bearers were John Bruntz, Jeff Bruntz, Joe Bruntz, Jordan Bruntz, Chad Bruntz, Joshua Bruntz, and Justin Bruntz. Interment was in the Czech Bohemian National Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Betty Lou Vosika was born on November 30, 1929, the youngest of seven children, to Rose Nemec Vosika and Edward Vosika. Her father promptly nicknamed her Dolly. Betty enjoyed school and was an avid reader from an early age. She told us that she read six books a week as a girl. Betty stayed on the family farm until she married John Wiley of Burton, NE. Two children were born to this marriage, Joni Lynn and John Edward. Sadly, her husband John passed away from cancer in December 1956. Betty and her two children moved back to her parents’ farm. Later, Betty purchased a home in Gregory. Betty’s father introduced Betty to a farmer named Jonas Bruntz and they were married on April 25, 1959. The family grew with four more children, Jeffrey Alan, Joseph Todd, Jordan Scott, and Jane Elizabeth. Jonas and Betty lived and worked hard on their farm. Jonas passed away on October 21, 2016. Betty spent one year alone on the farm, then moved to her new house in Mitchell, SD. Betty reluctantly moved to Edgewood Assisted Living in March of 2023.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Fairfax City Hall, in Fairfax, SD, with Jeff Hart officiating. Music was provided by Cheryl Jons, pianist. Lynn Bentz and Michelle Bentz were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Virg Warnke, Todd Warnke, Tim Warnke, Vic Warnke, Glen Vilhauer, and Kyle Pacha. Honorary casket bearers were Lucas Walloch, Riley Walloch, Alex Walloch, Natalie Walloch, McKenzie Brewster, Macy Brewster, and Carter Brewster. Interment was in the Highland Cemetery in Fairfax, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Anna Mae Brown were held on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the St.