Obituaries

Funeral services for Richard Nelson, age 79, of Bonesteel, SD, were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfax, SD, with Pastor Clark Gies officiating. Music was provided by Judy Gies, accompanist. Lois Laber and Sara Grim were in charge of registration, and Joann Bentz and Amy Bailey were flower attendants. Casket bearers were Dan Herrmann, Bill Sutton, Joel Jons, Darrell Pepper, Jon Zeisler, Luke Zeisler, Darrin Liewer, Chris Brewster, and Nicolaus Nelson. Honorary casket bearers were Joe Laber, Don Lhotak, Jim Guerrant, Ed Peppel, Bill Peppel, Dick Ellwanger, Jim Carlson, Leo Schulte, Ronnie Bentson, Kerry Jons, Don Cahoy, Jim Hiatt, Larry Hiatt, Chris Neumiller, Jessie Vogt, and in memory of Kermit & Patricia Folsland.

Mass Of Christian Burial for Arlene Agnes Larson will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 12, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke, SD, with Father Ron Garry officiating. Jim Eastlund will be lector, and Trystan and Kirsten Johnson will be the altar servers.

Funeral services for Kenneth Leroy Combs, of Dallas, SD, were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 6, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church with Pastor Marcus Ring and Pastor Bill Serr officiating.

Funeral services for Wayne Schoenefeld were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Philip Henning officiating. Music was provided by Randy Sachten, accompanist. Corrina Raasch and Amanda Goodwin were in charge of arrangements, and Danielle Beck, Abbie Schoenefeld, and Arhea Schoenefeld were flower attendants. Casket bearers were Weston Schoeneld, Clayton Schoenefeld, Bruce Schoenefeld, Jason Schoenefeld, Noah Beck, and Jon Schoenefeld. Interment was at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Naper, NE. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Wayne LeRoy Schoenefeld was born August 9, 1939, to Alvin and Vera (Sieh) Schoenefeld at the Burke Hospital in Burke, SD.

Funeral services for Joseph “Joe” W. Counselor were held at 11 a.m., Monday, December 8, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Philip Henning officiating. Music for the service was provided by Randy Sachtjen Interment was at the Herrick Cemetery in Herrick, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Joe was born December 27, 1944, in Guymon, OK, to Arthur and Velma (Reno) Counselor. The family moved to Dubois, WY, in 1946. They later moved to Shoshoni, WY, where he graduated high school in 1962. Joe married Christina (Williams) July 25, 1965. He graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1972 and began his career with the United States Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) that year. He held positions as county executive director in Gillette, WY, and Harrison and Chadron, NE. After becoming district director, he moved to Ogallala and Hastings, NE. He retired in June 2005.

Funeral service for Kathleen Jo McMillan were held at 11 a.m., Monday, December 1, 2025, at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD, with Pastor Mark Tuttle officiating. Music for the service was The Old Rugged Cross by Elvis Presley.

Funeral services for Wayne Schoenefeld were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Philip Henning officiating. Music was provided by Randy Sachten, accompanist. Corrina Raasch and Amanda Goodwin were in charge of arrangements, and Danielle Beck, Abbie Schoenefeld, and Arhea Schoenefeld were flower attendants. Casket bearers were Clayton Schoenefeld, Bruce Schoenefeld, Jason Schoenefeld, Noah Beck, and Jon Schoenefeld. Interment was at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Naper, NE. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Ruth Gessner were held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Mills Community Church in Mills, NE, with Pastor Kenley Udd officiating. Music was congregational hymns accompanied by Steve Swanson on piano. Mary Swanson and Crystal Cook were in charge of registrations, and Julie Udd and Sierra Udd were flower attendants. Casket bearers were John Beck, Ben Wenger, Jeff Cook, Brandon Udd, Drayton Cronk, and Brent Rowan. Ruth’s friends and family were honorary casket bearers. Interment was at Olive Branch Cemetery in Mills, NE. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Brian Kenneth Giedd were held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at St. Isadore Church in Colome, SD with Fr.

Funeral services for Robert “Bob” Sangster were held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD, with Pastor Russ Grim officiating. Music was provided by vocalists Kay Don Jons and Jace Jons, accompanied by Charlene Juran on organ.