Obituaries

Funeral services for Inez Kenzy, of Iona, SD, were held on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Prairie View Gospel Barn in Gregory, SD, with Revered Thaniel Certa-Werner officiating.

Funeral services for Deanna Brooks were held on Friday, December 1, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the St.

Mass of Christian burial was held on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Burial was in the Winner City Cemetery. Mason Funeral Home of Winner, SD, was in charge of arrangements. Jim was born on September 17, 1925, the oldest of four boys, to Elmer and Sophia (Laur) Harder, in Tyler, MN. His family moved to Burke, SD for several years, and then to Gregory, SD, when he was about five years old. Jim’s father passed away when he was nine years old and he began helping support his family at an early age, by cleaning the bank, starting the furnace there, delivering newspapers, and lifeguarding and managing the Gregory City Pool while in high school.

Rondal Lee Vaughn was born to Vivian Vaughn (Shaffer) and Bill Vaughn in Atkinson, NE, on September 20, 1961. He passed away on November 26, 2023, in Boise, ID, where he lived for many years. Hal Shaffer and Vivian got together in 1966, and raised Ron, Loni, Kevin, and later Monica, in the Gregory area for many years. Ron enjoyed outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, and being out in the mountains, and watching his Boise State Bronco football team. Ron was never married or had any children but enjoyed calling, and getting pictures of, his nieces and nephews, and then their children. Ron is survived by his mother Vivian Shaffer of Yankton, SD; two sisters Loni Shaffer (Jilek) of Beaumont, TX, and Monica Shaffer (Dennis) of Menomonie, WI; two nieces Jessica Siebert of Tomah, WI, and Rachel Blick of Rice Lake, WI; two nephews Ryan Burrell of Tyndall, SD, and Braden Burrell of Menomonie, WI; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins in the Gregory, SD, Atkinson and Fremont, NE areas.

Funeral services for Raymond Bokker, of Dixon, SD, were held on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Marcus Ring officiating. Music was provided by the congregation, accompanied by Lisa Odenbach. Gerrie Soper, Machelle Seeley, Blair Sedlacek, and Cheryl Sperl were in charge of registration. Bernice Klein, Mary Wilson and Mary Kay Drees were flower attendants. Casket bearers were John Bokker, Wayne Kingsbury, Al Fast, Marshall Springer, Dan Hiles, Rock Reman, Barry Routh, and Dillon Springer. Honorary casket bearer were Tim Walker, Terry Springer, Wayne Springer, Bill Sinkular, Roger Steffen, Craig Audiss, Cal Messick, Don Soper, Dale Soper, and Dennis Knittel.

Mark was born on August 21, 1955 in Gregory, SD, to Harris and Dolores (Nelson) Johnson. He received his education at South Dakota School for the Deaf and graduated in 1974. He went to Gallaudet College in Washington, DC. He worked at Communication Service for the Deaf as a sign language instructor, historian, and many other roles. He also worked at Augustana College in the ASL Lab. He was an ASL Instructor at Southeast Technical Institute where many of his students worked under him and became his longtime friends. He worked as a mentor for the students who studied to become ASL interpreters Mark enjoyed quilting, embroidery, crocheting afghans and toys.

Funeral services for Dean Chasing Hawk were held on Monday, November 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bonesteel City Hall in Bonesteel, SD with Pastor Ken James officiating. Music was provided by Todd Bearshield. Casket bearers were Brandon Andrews, Barron Andrews, Byron Andrews, Jr., Wade Andrews, Jr., Todd Charging Hawk, Caden Andrews, Payton Chasing Hawk, and Jonah Chasing Hawk. Honorary casket bearers were Byron Andrews, Sr., Xavier Andrews, Brock Bearshield, Jesse Felix, Levi Chasing Hawk, Lonnie Fernau, Jeffery Felix, David Primeaux, Tino Roubideaux, Armando Iron Elk, Larry Charging Hawk, and Jason Stone Arrow and all of his friends, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Barb Small were held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, SD, which was also in charge of arrangements. Barbara Jean Small was born July 18, 1958 in Gregory, SD to Edwin and Dorothy (Smith) Esterling. She joined her other siblings as the fifth child. After Barb was born, two more children would follow. She passed away on November 9, 2023 somewhat unexpectedly, but is no longer in pain, and is at peace. As a child, Barb loved animals and spending time with her cats. She enjoyed playing with Barbie dolls when she wasn’t helping the other kids on the farm with chores. She enjoyed riding horses with the other kids as well.

Funeral services for Roger Miller were held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in colome, SD, with Pastor Don Windsperger officiating. Music was provided by the congregation, accompanied by Roxie Summerville, pianist. Deb Steinke was in charge of registration and flower attendants were Tammy Richey and Teresa Lincoln. Dan Wranek was usher. Casket bearers were Ray Worden, Brett Womeldorf, Steve Richey, R.J. Petersek, Gene Bertram, and Roger Slouka. Honorary casket bearers were the Class of ‘57, Merle Holden, and Duane Holden. Interment was in the Colome City Cemetery in Colome, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Rodger Rueb were held on November 17, 2023, at Goglin Funeral Home in Yankton, SD, with Lorney Van Gerpen officiating. Interment was in the Tyndall Cemetery with military honors. Goglin Funeral Home in Yankton, SD, was in charge of arrangements. Rodger Harven Rueb was born July 27, 1945 in Avon, SD to Harven and Florance (Radack) Rueb. He grew up on a farm near Tyndall, SD and attended school in Tyndall. He enlisted in the Navy in November of 1963 and was stationed in San Diego, CA, for his basic training. He was on board the USS Cimmaron for two years and three months and went through three tours in Vietnam. Before embarking on his tours of duties overseas, he married Carol Ann Hejna on December 26, 1963. They have four children: Teresa, Todd, Troy, and Terry.