Obituaries

Funeral services for Warren Hammerbeck were held on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Prairie View Gospel Barn in Gregory, SD, with Emmett Kotrba officiating. Music was provided by the congregation, accompanied by Bette Fogel, pianist. Mandi Sinclair and Jennifer Diekmann were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Justin Hammerbeck, Morgan Hammerbeck, Kilian Hammerbeck, DJ Steffen, Bryan Bunker, and Les Cogswell. Interment was in the 40 Bar Ranch Cemetery in Iona, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. On August 1, 1939, George and Evelyn (Korzan) Hammerbeck welcomed their first-born son, Warren Leigh. They raised Warren and his three siblings on the 40 Bar Ranch in Iona, SD. He attended Bull Creek Country School until his sophomore year, when he transferred to Chamberlain High School. Warren graduated from high school in 1957, and at the urging of his mother, went to South Dakota State University the following fall. He graduated with a BS in Animal Husbandry in 1961. While at SDSU, Warren joined the rodeo team as an antidote to homesickness, as well as for the scholarship it offered.

Funeral services for Darrel Jones were held on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Union Congregational Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor John Granchie officiating.

Funeral services for Frances Gould are scheduled for Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke, SD, with Father Jonathan Dillon officiating. Liz Cihak was lector, Theresa Waterbury and Amber Wilhelmsen presented the gifts, and Weston and Wrenn Wilhelmsen were servers.

Funeral services for Neil Shochenmaier were held on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre, SD. Burial was in Rosebud Cemetery at Bonesteel, SD.

Leo Joseph Koenig, 76 yrs., October 16, 2023, Fairfax, SD. John Dwight Parsons, 73 yrs., October 25, 2023, Fairfax, SD.

Funeral services for John Parsons were held on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Fairfax City Hall in Fairfax, SD. Burial was in the Highland Cemetery in Fairfax, SD. Clausen Funeral Home, of Burke, SD, was in charge of arrangements. John was born on March 8, 1950, to James and Betty Parsons, in Schenectady, NY. The family relocated to Scottsdale, AZ, when he was a young boy, and he remained there until he enlisted in the Navy. John served in Vietnam, and was proud to be an American, and to have served his country.

Funeral services for Marie Baldwin are scheduled for Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Bonesteel, SD, with Reverend Samuel Crass officiating.

A memorial service for Robert Dykeman was held on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, with Reverend Thanael Certa-Werner officiating. Music was provided by Steve and Lisa Mayer, and Robert’s grandchildren, vocalists. Karen Martin was in charge of registration. Honorary urn bearers were Benjamin Smith, Nicholas Smith, Nathan Smith, Emily (Smith) Vitek, Elly (Smith) Daisy, and Curt Jorgenson. Inurnment was in the Colome City Cemetery in Colome, SD with military honors by the Colome Legion and the National Honors team. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Stanley Tuton were held on Monday, October 23, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at the Mills Community Church in Mills, NE, with Pastor Kenley Udd, officiating. Larry Shepperd gave the Eulogy, and Jordan German read the obituary. Music was provided by Steve Swanson, pianist, Sara Frederick was in charge of registration, and Janet Ferguson and Mindi Megown Loyd were flower attendants. Honored guests were Ann (Tuton) Megown, and Larry Shepperd. Casket bearers were Jed German, Casey Carr, Jordan German, Jesse Carr, Eli Carr, Justin German, Jayden German, Jake German, Jack German, Jenny (German), and Ellie (Carr) Dickerson. Honorary casket bearers were Jeff Cook John Frederick, and Russell Schrantz.

Funeral services for Jeannine Johnson were held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Methodist Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Royal Archer officiating.