Brookings County, SD Obituaries

Easton, Elizabeth

Mitchell, Charles

Rude, Anna Marie Hatlestad

Rude, Hans

Shea, Morris
Volz, Everett Ray

Brookings: Elizabeth K. Easton of Brookings died Tuesday morning, Jan. 11, 2011, at Golden Living Center in Arlington, S.D., at the age of 94 years, seven months and 25 days.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, at First United Methodist Church in Brookings, with interment at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Wessington Springs, S.D. Visitations will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.

Elizabeth Way Kieser Easton was born May 16, 1916, to H. Ward and Lulu Irene (Way) Kieser in their farm house in Viola Township, Jerauld County, Wessington Springs, S.D. She was the first grandchild of Henry H. and Martha E. Kieser and John Way. She was baptized in the Viola Methodist Episcopal Church. She started school at the age of seven at Way School in Bristol Township in Aurora County. She was a fast learner, and by her third year she was in the fifth grade. She latter attended Hillside school in Viola Township.

Her mother told that she started talking at an early age - and never stopped! She graduated from Wessington Springs High School in 1933. In the fall of 1933, she enrolled in the Wessington Springs Junior College to earn her teaching certificate. In the fall of 1934, she began teaching at Spring Valley school just northeast of Wessington Springs and stayed with the nearby Shryock family. She taught there two terms, earning $35 a month, out of which she had to pay room and board ($12) and also for her college education.

Beth also taught two terms near New Underwood, S.D. From 1937 through 1940, she went to summer school at Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, S.D., so she could teach in a town school. She then taught in Sturgis from 1941 through 1944.

In 1943, she married Charles Easton, who she met while attending Wessington Springs Junior College. At the time, Charles was in the Navy and stationed in Cuba. They were married in Sioux Falls by the same preacher who had married her parents in 1914. She returned to Sturgis to teach, and he went back to Cuba.

In war time, 1944, she decided to go to school to be a weather observer for the military. She received her training in Minneapolis and Cincinnati, Ohio, and was later stationed on Catawba Island in Lake Erie, near Port Clinton, Ohio. Beth and Chuck were divorced in 1947.

She came back to South Dakota to teach in Watertown. In 1950, she enrolled in the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, where she earned her bachelor's degree in home economics. In 1953, she took the position as home economist in Britton, S.D., until 1964, when she resigned and went back to college to earn her master's degree at Iowa State in Ames. In 1965, she accepted the position on the staff of SDSU in Brookings as head Extension clothing specialist. She kept that position until she retired in 1979, after 26 years in extension work.

In March 1980, Beth and Chuck were again united in marriage and made their home in Brookings. During their 14 years of marriage, they traveled to Europe, New Zealand, Australia and Hawaii, and were planning their next trip to Alaska when Chuck's health failed. He passed away in July 1994.

Beth continued to travel some, including a trip to Alaska. Besides traveling, Beth loved to garden and especially enjoyed raising beautiful flowers and often furnished flowers for her church, First United Methodist. She served in various positions in the church and remained active until her health failed.

She was a member and held local and state offices in the following organizations: BPW, Zonta International, AAUW, NARFE, AHEA, United Methodist Women and the care group of First United Methodist.

Because she had no children, Beth took great interest in other people's children by working with youth organizations, especially 4-H. She enjoyed entertaining these students when they attended college at SDSU.

In June 2000, she moved into assisted living in Brookings, and in September 2001, she entered Beverly Health Care Center in Arlington, which later became Golden Living Center.

Survivors include her brother, Kenneth (Gladys) Kieser of Wessington Springs, S.D.; two nephews, Randy (Linda) Kieser of Torrington, Wyo., and Jeff (Laura) Kieser of Wessington Springs; one niece, Debra (Dale) Kunkel of Deadwood, S.D.; grandnephews, Paul (Danielle) Kunkel of Laramie, Wyo., and Reid Kunkel of Troutdale, Ore.; two grandnieces, Kayla (Trevor) Madler of Hampton, Minn., and Andrea (Brian) Feist of Jordan, Minn.; one great-grandniece, Irene Madler; two great-grandnephews, Bryce Kunkel and Weston Feist; and many cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and brother, Ivan Kieser, who was killed in World War II.

Morris Shea
Feb. 8th 1913
Passes Away Saturday Evening After a Long Illness Aged 68
VETERAN OF CIVIL WAR

A long and honored career both as a soldier and citizen After suffering for some time with arteriosclerosis, Morris Shea breathed his last at six o'clock Saturday evening. The funeral was held at the home on Monday afternoon. Rev. H.W. Tilden, pastor of the Baptist church and chaplain of the G.A.R. Post, officiating. The three patriotic orders, the G.A.R. the W.R.C. and the Sons of Veterans, were represented and contributed several of the more beautiful floral emblems, which, with the flag of his country, covered the coffined for, The home was filled with friends, neighbors and comrades. Interment was made in Greenwood cemetery.

Mr. Shea was born at Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois on July 12, 1845. His opportunities for acquiring an education were limited, owing to the outbreak of the Civil War when he was about sixteen years of age, but he attended country school from the age of nine years until, one day early in 1862, he enlisted in Company F. 37th Illinois Volunteers. which was recruited near his home. He was therefore one of the youngest soldiers in the army. A patriotic family, his father and brother later entered the service, but no two of them were in the same regiment. Mr. Shea re-enlisted at the end of his firth three year term in the same company and regiment and was mustered out at Houston, Texas, May 1866.

Comrade Shea received his baptism of fire at Brownsville, Mo. in a scrimmage brought on by a southern editor and a union soldier. Later he participated in some of the greatest battles of the war. Mission Ridge, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Pea Ridge and others. At the siege of Vicksburg with General Grant his witnessed the surrender of three thousand five hundred Confederate soldiers as prisoners of war. That his service was noted for courage, faithfulness and attention to duty is attested to the fact that he made corporal and then sergeant in his company.
Soon after being mustered out Mr. Shea returned to his farm home in Brookings South Dakota
[Submitted by Barb Ziegenmeyer]

Brookings -- Charles A. (Art) Mitchell, publisher of the Brookings Register, died here Friday afternoon.

Mitchell, 56, had been hospitalized since he suffered on Christmas Eve the second heart attack in the past 20 months. He was the second of his name in a newspaper family going back many years in South Dakota. Mitchell and late father, C. H. J. Mitchell, who died in 1961, had been owners of The Register sincd 1936. Before that the elder Mitchell held an interest in the old Sioux Falls Press. The Rapid City Journal and The Daily Huronite, predecessor to the Huron Daily Plainsman.

The younger Mitchell was generally known as "Art" in his father's lifetime to distinguish between the two.

Funeral services will be Monday at 2 p.m. at the St. Paul Episcopal Church here, with burial at the Greenwood Cemetery.

Charles A. Mitchell was born Dec. 31, 1909 at Storm Lake, Iowa. He was graduated in 1932 from the University of Nebraska. He was editor of The Daily Nebraskan, a student publication. On graduation, he moved to Brookings by way of The Press & Dakotan at Yankton and The Huronite at Huron. He interrupted his service at The Register only to serve in the Air Force from 1942 to 1946. He was instrumental in promoting commercial air line service to Brookings. He served on the airport board and was, for years, its chairman. At the time of his death, he was a member of the board of the Greater South Dakota Association and a board member of the State Printers Association. He was past president of the South Dakota Press Association. He also was past president of South Dakota's chapter of Sigma Delta Chi, professional journalism society. He was a member of Brookings Masonic Lodge and of El Riad Shrine at Sioux Falls. He is survived by his wife, Ada.

Mrs. Mitchell will continue publishing The Register in association with her nephew, Thomas G. Reynolds, who has been a member of the staff. [The Daily Plainsman, Huron, Sunday, January 16, 1966 - Submitted by Karen Seeman]

Transcribed and contributed by Pamela Hamilton (phamilton(at)new.rr.com)
from the Arlington (South Dakota) Sun
July 10, 1914

SUDDEN DEATH OF MRS. H.G. RUDE--A Mother Called to answer Final summons--Extremely Sad Death.
Mrs. H.G. Rude died at the family home in Arlington at three o'clock this morning. The sad news of the sudden death of this good woman was told about the city during the forenoon and was shocking to all. Death came from heart failure. Mrs. Rude took sick Wednesday with stomach trouble but was up yesterday and apparently recovering her usual health. Mr. Rude called to his wife in the night and got no response where upon he found her dead. The husband and children are left to mourn her death and have the sympathy of all. Mrs. Rude was active in a social way in this city and will be greatly missed there as well as in the home.

Obituary:
Mrs. H.G. Rude who died at the family home in Arlington Friday, July 10, 1914 was 52 years of age, being born in Minnesota. The funeral at 1:30 o'clock Monday at the Baptist church (this is questionable) was conducted by Rev. Hindracker, pastor of the Lutheran church assisted by Rev. Tarleton. Preaching in the Scandinavian and English languages. Beautiful flowers in abundance were given by the Lutheran Aid and the Lutheran Sunday School, the W.C.T.U. and a host of friends.
There was singing by a quartet composed of Mesdames C.C. Maxwell and B.E. Lloyd and Messrs. Shaw and Stead: "Safe in the Arms of Jesus". A duet was sung by Misses Lettie Sabo and Gertrude Angle: "Tell Mother I'll be There".

Burial was at the Nordland Cemetery four miles southwest of town. Deceased leaves a husband and seven children. The Children are J.G., Rudolph, Otis, Joe and Norman Rude residing in Arlington, Mrs. Agnes Osbon, Hayti; Edward of Harlowton, Montana. The following relatives and friends came here to attend the funeral: From Volga: Mrs. Snyder and daughter, Mr. & Mrs. Dr. Scanlan, Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Mortenson, Mr. & Mrs. Julius Mortenson, Mrs. Lars Magstad, Mrs. Stockstad, Mrs. Bergenthal, Mrs. Ed Lee, Mrs. Blum, Mrs. Anderson, Mr. & Mrs. Larson, Mr. & Mrs.. C.T. Knutson and family. Mr. & Mrs. K. Lewis of Lake Preston, Mr. & Mrs. John Borsvold, Mrs. N. Borsvold of Lake Sinai. Mr. A. Rude and Mr. Sandvick of Canton. Mr. & Mrs. Edward Rude Harlowton, Montana, Mr.& Mrs. Don Osbon Hayti. An obituary and account of the life of the deceased will be published next week.

Mrs. H.G. Rude died Friday morning July 10th at her home in Arlington of heart trouble. The death came as a great shock to both relatives and friends as Mrs. Rude had always enjoyed the best of health, particularly during the year. The funeral was held Monday July 13, from the Norwegian Lutheran Church with Rev. Hinderaker and Rev. Taleton officiating. The church was beautifully decorated with house plants and cut flowers and the sermons delivered were very impressive. A large number of sorrowing relatives and friends present were very touching evidence of the high esteem in which Mrs. Rude was held. Interment was in the Nordland cemetery west of Arlington.

Anna Marie Hatlestad was born in Filmore County, Minnesota, January 10, 1862. In March 1879 she was united in marriage to H.G. Rude and very soon after that the young couple came to Volga where Mr. Rude filed on a claim. During the hard struggle for existence in the early days, Mrs. Rude stood side by side with her husband making light of every hardship, helping those around her with words of cheer and comfort. In 1892 they sold the farm at Volga and purchased a farm near Arlington which has been their home until three years ago when they moved to Arlington to enjoy the fruits of their many years of toil--well earned rest and comfort for years to come. Like a tired child she closed her eyes and went to meet her maker, serene in the confidence of life well spent--a rest well earned. Besides her husband, seven children are left to mourn the loss of mother: James, Edmund, Joe, Agnes, Rudolph, Otis and Norman. Two other children have preceded her in death, a son Norman and a daughter Esther. She also leaves a father, four brothers and a sister. Mrs. Rude was a member of the W.C.T.U. and active in its good work. She was also a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and a teacher in the Sunday school. She was a Christian in the true sense of the word. Active in suppressing vice and helping others leading a good moral Christian life. Death must come to all. It is the climax of every life. And we know of no other method of departing from this world then quietly stepping from time into eternity as Mrs. Rude did. God in his infinite mercy had called her Home and the sorrowing relatives we can but say that Mrs. Rude is home in Heaven patiently waiting for her Christian teachings to bear fruit and unite her with her many friends and loved ones in one large family.

Card of Thanks:
We desire to express our heartfelt gratitude to the many kind friends and neighbors for their help and sympathy during our recent bereavement.

Transcribed and Contributed by Pamela Hamilton (phamilton(at)new.rr.com)
from The Rhinelander
08 April 1935

Funeral services for the late Hans G. Rude, who died Saturday night at the home of his son, James Rude will be held Tuesday at 1:30 pm at the Carlson Chapel. The Rev. Olaf L. Olsen will conduct the service. Mr. Rude was born at Hurdal, Norway, March 20, 1853 and migrated to Filmore county, Minn in 1876. Three years later he took a homestead near Volga, S. D. and continued farming on a large scale in the state for many years. He came to Rhinelander in 1919.

He married Miss Anna Hatlestad in the year 1879. They were parents to 9 children of whom the following survive: Mrs Don Osborn of Canton, S.D.; Edmond Rude of Long Beach, Calif; James, Rudolph, Otis, and Norman Rude of Rhinelander. He also leaves 21 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of this city. Interment will take place Thursday in Arlington, S.D.

H.G. Rude Buried From Lutheran Church Today
The body of H. G. Rude, former resident here, reached Arlington from Rhinlander, Wisconsin last evening for attention at the Maxwell Funeral Home. Mr. Rude having passed away at the home of his son at that place Saturday night. Burial is taking place this afternoon in the Nordland cemetery, west of town.
Mr. Rude lived here previous to about 15 years ago, first on a farm southwest of town, and later in the city. His wife died here quite suddenly, and being buried in the Nordland cemetery, the husband is now being placed by her side. A son also is buried in the cemetery.
Following the loss of his wife, Mr. Rude lived with his son.