Obituaries

A graveside service for Sheila Ann Christiansen, age 66, of Dallas, SD, will be held at 11 a.m., April 11, 2026, in the Hillview Cemetery in Dallas, SD. Following the service, lunch will be provided at Frank Day’s at noon, followed by a band performing from 2-6 p.m. to celebrate Sheila’s life. Sheila Ann Christiansen was born on April 10, 1959, to Arthur and Claris (Hight) Christiansen. They lived south of Dallas, SD. Sheila graduated from Gregory High School in 1977. She went to college in Minnesota for four years to be a lab tech. She later worked in San Diego, CA, for several years. After her father’s death, Sheila moved back to be with her mother in Gregory. At this time she met her significant other Roger Steffen and they were together for over forty years.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Gary Halva, age 79, of Gregory, SD, was held at 2 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory, SD, with Fr. Ron Garry as celebrant. Carol Anderson and Lloyd Hansen were in charge of registrations and were also honorary casket bearers. Bob Shaffer, Doug Lindquist, Dave Chocholousek, Dennis Hansen, and Greg Lundberg were casket bearers. Interment was at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Gary Raymond Halva was born October 5, 1946, to Ruby Hageman Halva and Neil Halva. The family lived by Neil’s parents, Frank and Mary Halva, near Dixon, SD. In 1962 a tornado took their farm and they moved to Neil’s parents’ place.

A funeral service for Julia June Watts, age 37, of Vermillion, SD, was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Winner/Ideal Community Hall in Winner, SD, with Pastor Russ Grim officiating. Music was provided by Todd Bearshield.

Vicki Joan Grubbs was born on April 24, 1949, to George and Mary Grubbs. She grew up in Gregory, South Dakota, surrounded by her siblings Terry, Dan, George, Linda, and Starla (Dooley). Her early years in Gregory were filled with family, community, and the experiences that shaped the person she would become. After graduating from high school, Vicki attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Following her time in college, she moved to San Diego, CA, where she built her life and made lasting friendships. From the early 1970s until her retirement, Vicki was employed as a computer technician, working on both hardware and software solutions.

Barbara Ann Rotter-Ryan was born in Gregory, South Dakota, on February 24, 1947, to Jerome Vincent and Mae Belle Rotter. Jerome and Mae Belle would later welcome Barbara’s brothers, Jerry and Kevin, in 1948 and 1957, respectively. When Barbara was 5 years old, her family moved to California, where she lived the rest of her life. However, she remained very proud of her South Dakotan heritage and would often visit and call her extended family there. She graduated from St. Michael’s Girls High School in 1965. Barbara and Dan Ryan were married in 1969; that same year she graduated from Harbor Junior College as an R.N. They welcomed children Cyndi, Marty, Jeffrey, and Kenny in 1970, 1972, 1978, and 1982, respectively. Her kids meant everything to her, and she tirelessly dedicated herself to them. After her divorce, Barbara met her decades-long partner, Jess Paez. She and Jess made many special and loving memories together, one of which was a yearly trip to Pismo Beach to spend time with Jess’ family, a trip that she always looked forward to.

A funeral service for Krista Lynne Cerny, age 59, of Rapid City, SD, was held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Rapid City, SD, with Rev. Dr. Joshua Jones officiating. Interment was at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD. Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Krista was born in Gregory, SD on August 7, 1966 to Naven and Opal Boes. The fifth of seven children, Krista came into this world knowing nothing but love. Growing up on a farm meant everyone had a job to do. One of her jobs was to clean the milk tanks. Life on the farm taught her the importance of hard work, which she passed on to her children later in life. Krista attended Burke High School. After high school, she attended Mitchell Vocational Technical College where she majored in secretarial studies. While attending school, she met the love of her life, Steven Cerny.

A celebration of life visitation for Brett David Oliver, age 53, of Gregory, SD, was held at the Gregory Memorial Auditorium, Monday, March 16, 2026, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. A private interment was held at Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Casket bearers were Rhett Oliver, Ridge Oliver, Rhoss Oliver, Roy Stevicks, Ray Stevicks, Ted Stevicks, Lee Stevicks, and Josh Oliver. Honorary casket bearers were Wade Juracek, Mike Pereboom, Craig Soesbe, Don Soesbe, Don Petersen, Donnie Petersen, Ray Stevicks II, Hudson Wheeldryer, and Allen Steffen.

A funeral service for Lawrence Reuben Neuharth, age 94, of Gregory, SD, was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Philip Henning officiating. Music for the service was provided by accompanist Randy Sachtjen.

A funeral service for Darel Wendell Boerner, age 87, of Winner, SD, was held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the Winner Methodist Church. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. Mason Funeral Home of Winner was in charge of arrangements. Darel Wendell Boerner was born August 15, 1938, in Winner, SD, to Wendell and Elsie (Wolf) Boerner. He was later joined by a sister, Marian, in 1939 and a brother, Boyd, in 1941. Darel grew up on the family farm and attended Pleasant Valley school through the 8th grade. Beginning in 9th grade he attended Winner High School, boarding with Mrs. Alice Olson during the week. After that year, he was able to drive himself and his younger siblings back and forth. His sophomore year he worked after school at the JC Penney store while his sister Marian sat in the shoe department doing homework until he was off and they could drive home. Darel graduated from Winner High School in 1956. He then attended South Dakota State University, earning a Bachelor of Science (with High Honor) Degree in Agriculture. During his time at SDSU he joined the ROTC program on campus. After graduating from college in 1960, he was drafted into the army and served the required two years at Fort Lewis in Washington. While stationed there, he specialized in artillery training.

Sharon Anne Houston, born Sharon Anne Pense, on July 26, 1941, to Marie Maude Hannahs and Charles Abraham Pense in Kadoka, SD. She had eight siblings. Sharon married Grover Marion McSweeney in 1958, and the couple had three children: Tony McSweeney, Susan Castaway, and Pamela Larson. Sharon and Grover divorced in 1972. She married Jim Houston in 1989, and the two remained married until he passed in August 2015. Sharon leaves behind a legacy of family and lives touched—from her three children to 12 grandchildren to too many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren to list. Even with all of these family members she always remembered to send a card for birthdays. With the help of her little book she managed to keep up with them all. Her heart was full of love and she always did her best to help any and all of her family. She became everyone’s grandma, including friends and spouses; for Sharon it was nothing to have three generations visiting and all of them calling her grandma. She will be remembered for her love of family and love of music.