Obituaries

Marvilla Fern Williams, 93 years, December 15, 2025, Topeka, Kansas. Cody Dean Vogt, 35 years, December 8, 2025, Herrick, SD.

Memorial services for Chance J. Becker, age 32, of Utica, Nebraska were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the VFW Post 1644, in Norfolk, NE. Chaplain Gordon Braun officiated. Home for Funerals in Norfolk was in charge of arrangements. Chance James Becker was born in Norfolk on December 16, 1993, to Serena (Carstens) Clarkson and Donald Henry Sand. He was adopted at a young age, but reconnected with his birth mother in 2011. He would call her daily and text as often as he could. Upon turning 18, Chance joined the Marines and was proud of his time in the service. He was a jack of all trades, successfully running CJ’s Handyman Service in Utica, Nebraska.

A family visitation and celebration of life for Barbara Tilton, age 71, of Winner, SD, was held on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 4-7 p.m., at Kotrba Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Barbara Ann Tilton was born December 10, 1954, at Camp Chaffee, AR, to Sylvester and Lila Ann (Miller) Heying while her father was stationed there. In her early years, they lived on her grandparents’ farm. As she grew, she enjoyed helping her grandpa with chores and some fieldwork, learning to drive his tractor and pickup. She also learned how to care for and ride her horse.

A graveside service for Mary Margaret “Peggy” Powell, age 89, of Gregory, SD, was held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at My Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette, WY, with Pastor Alex Bendig officiating.

A celebration of life for William Henry “Hodge” Bartling, age 75, of Gregory, SD, was held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Prairie View Gospel Barn in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Hodge was born on September 15, 1950, in Burke, SD. A true son of the Plains, he was a man who appreciated the simple, honest pleasures of life and carried the steady, hardworking spirit of his South Dakota roots in everything he did. Hodge was baptized and confirmed in the Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, SD, beginning a life grounded in faith and community.

A funeral service for Joan Marie Erickson, age 78, of Bonesteel, SD, was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD, with Brian Williams officiating. Casket bearers were Hunter Falk, Tristen Falk, Gavriil Falk, Kristoffer Erickson, Thjorsven Erickson, Gjorde Erickson, Colby Erickson, and Christopher Smith.

Mass of Christian Burial for Ed Reiman, age 83, of Butte, NE, was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Butte, NE, with Father Bernard Starman officiating. Laura Reiman was lector for the Mass, and Kenny Reiman served as the extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. John Reiman and Brooklyn Reiman presented the gifts, and Tanner and Jagger Reiser were the altar servers. Cassidy and Mckenna Reiman were in charge of registration. Pat Thiry provided the music for the Mass. Mitchell Hedlund, Tanner Johnson, Carson Reiman, John Reiman, Kevin Carlson, Austin Rohrs, Houston Hawkins, and Garrett Maser were casket bearers. All of Ed’s granddaughters and great-grandchildren were honorary casket bearers.

A memorial service for Myrna Lynn Bleeker, age 73, of Lincoln, NE, was held at 11 a.m., Monday, December 29, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Julius Buelow officiating. Music for the service was provided by a vocal group of Myrna’s grandchildren, son-in-law, and brother, accompanied by Randy Sachtjen and a clarinet solo by Kaleah Petersen.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Rita Leibel, age 98, of Burke, SD, was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke with Fr. Ron Garry officiating.

Mass of Christian Burial for Thelma Rose Schmitz, age 92, of Naper, NE, was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 27, 2025, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Butte, NE, with Father Bernard Starman officiating.