Obituaries

A memorial service for Gerrie Soper, age 92, of Gregory, South Dakota, was held at 1 p.m., Monday, May 4, 2026, at Prairie View Gospel Barn in Gregory with Jan Voelzke officiating. Inurnment will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory at a later date. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Gerrie was born Geraldine May Lanciloti in Santa Monica, California, to Peter Lanciloti and Phyllis Thornton on November 3, 1933. She grew up in Santa Monica where she attended grade school and high school and worked as a waitress to contribute to her family’s income.

A memorial service for Joan Bloom, age 81, of Gregory, South Dakota, was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Union Congregational Church in Gregory with Pastor Alex Bendig officiating. Amanda Determan gave the eulogy, and Sara Anderson accompanied the congregation on piano for several hymns.

A graveside funeral service for Dominic John Baldwin was held Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 1 p.m., at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Bonesteel, SD, with Father Ron Garry officiating. He was laid to rest at the foot of his great-great-grandmother Frieda Baldwin, who was known for her gentle way of comforting babies.

A funeral service for Connie Lou Sue, age 79, of Allegany, NY, was held at 1 p.m., March 13, 206, at Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home in Olean, NY. Burial followed in Allegany Cemetery. Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Connie Lou was born May 10, 1947, in Burke, SD, to the late Carl and Minnie (Vasika) Stucker. She was married to Donald E. Sue. Connie retired from Conap after 35 years of employment. After retirement, Connie continued to work for the Town of Allegany for ten years and for the Allegany Limestone School District for three years.

A burial service for Frances Korb will be held in the Highland Cemetery in Fairfax, SD, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 3 p.m. She will be interred in the Highland Cemetery in Bonesteel, SD, with her parents, Gottlieb and Frieda Korb, and her infant brother Eugene Born in South Dakota in 1930, Frances moved to Washington, D.C., in 1952 to begin a long and dedicated career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. She served as a facilities management analyst for over four decades, retiring in 1994. Known for her quiet diligence and strong work ethic, Frances was respected by colleagues and friends alike.

A celebration of life for Judy Lewis of Butte, NE, has been scheduled for July 26, 2026, at the Constitution Bar and Grill in Fairfax, SD, from 5-8 p.m. The main food items will be provided, and anyone wishing to may bring an appetizer, salad, or dessert. Judy Lewis of Butte, NE, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2026. Judy will be remembered for her gentle presence, compassion, patience, and the meaningful impact she had on the lives around her—including the many students she had the opportunity to teach. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, sisters, and neighbors.

A graveside service and interment for Donna Lou Lindgren Swift, age 93, of Fairfax, SD, will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, April 17, 2026, at Highland Cemetery in Fairfax, SD. Pastor Mike Lewis and Todd Baker will be officiating. Clausen Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Funeral services for Kay Ann (Labahn) Grim, age 83, formerly of Burke, SD, will be held on April 25, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD, with burial at Graceland Cemetery. Clausen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Kay Ann (Labahn) Grim was born on September 22, 1942, at Burke Hospital in Burke, South Dakota, to Vernon Romain Labahn and Iola Mae Labahn. Kay grew up in the Gregory and Burke, South Dakota area. In 1948, she began attending the School for the Deaf in Sioux Falls, where she remained until 1967. During her years there, she participated in baton twirling and cheerleading, and learned to tap dance. Kay especially loved dancing by feeling the vibrations of the music.

A Celebration of Life Service for Scott Mc Clellen, age 68, of Valentine, NE, will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Valentine Berean Bible Church. The burial and graveside service is at 11 a.m., Friday, April 10, 2026, at the Plainview Cemetery, near Maxwell, NE. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine oversaw service arrangements. Scott Eugene McClellen was born on January 13, 1958, in North Platte, NE, to Donald and Yvonne (Larson) McClellen. He grew up in Maxwell, NE, and attended school there, graduating from Maxwell High School in 1976. After high school, Scott was hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad in North Platte. He was a pipe fitter, switchman, brakeman, conductor, engineer, and yardmaster. He continued his employment with the Railroad for 26 years until he felt the Lord calling him to the ministry.

A funeral service for Wanda Engel, age 101, of Winner, SD, was held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Christ Lutheran Church, in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. Mason Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.