LEONA BEST
WINNER - Leona Best, 94, died Wednesday, May 2, 2001, at the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center. Leona Burtz was born Feb. 24, 1907, in Fremont, Neb., to Charles and Julia (Hansen) Burtz. She moved with her family to Tripp County in 1909. She attended grade school at North Greenwood School and graduated from Witten High School in 1925. She attended Spearfish Normal School, and taught four years in rural schools in Tripp and Mellette County. She married Elmer Best on Feb. 8,1929. They farmed in northern Tripp County for several years. In 1941, they moved to Millboro, where they farmed until 1970, when they retired and moved to Winner. She is preceded in death by her husband. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Winner. Survivors include a sister, Marcella Sterling of Winner two brothers: Earl and William, both of Winner two sons: Roger of Brandon and Eugene of Temecula, Calif, a daughter, Audrey Hajek of Tyndall 10 grandchildren 20 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Services begin at 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Winner. Visitation will be before services at the church. Mason Funeral Home of Winner is handling arrangements.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) - May 3, 2001

ROGER PAUL CAHOY
Roger Paul Cahoy, 71, a resident of Overland Park, KS, since 1960, passed away Friday, November 20, 1998, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 24, at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 71st & Metcalf, Overland Park; burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, KS. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Monday, November 23, at McGilley & Hoge Chapel, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, SD, or Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, Overland Park, KS. Roger was born February 19, 1927, in Colome, Tripp County, SD. On November 25, 1950, he married Blanche Lang in Mitchell, SD. Roger graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1950, and received his master's degree from the University of South Dakota in 1952. In 1956, he was awarded a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry & Chemical Engineering from the University of Nebraska. Roger served as Sergeant of the 43rd Army Band of the Nebraska National Guard and as a reserve of the Army. In the Kansas City area, he was employed as a senior research chemist with Gulf Oil for 22 years and PBI Gordon for 15 years. He was the recipient of over 50 U.S. patents in agricultural chemicals and was a member of the American Chemical Society. Roger was a member of the Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church for over 30 years. He is survived by his wife, Blanche; his sons, Michael Cahoy of Kansas City, MO, Daniel Cahoy of Raleigh, NC, Scott Cahoy and his wife, Marilyn, of Lenexa, KS; his daughter, Cheryl Cahoy of Mission, KS; his granddaughter, Laura Cahoy of Pinehurst, NC; and his brother, Harold Cahoy, Sun Lakes, AZ. Roger was devoted to his family and enjoyed hunting, gardening, doing crossword puzzles and bird watching. Roger is loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. (Arrangements: McGilley & Hoge Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Dr., Overland Park, KS 66204)
Contributed by Rita - Kansas City Star, The (MO) - November 22, 1998

RITA L. GRAHAM-COLEMAN (1932-1007)
Rita L. Coleman died June 8, 2007
Born: March 24, 1932 in Winner, South Dakota
Parents: Cyrus Gordon & Estella (Mack) Graham
Survived by: 3 children, companion, 7 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild
"The Oregonian", Portland, OR on September 16, 2007.
Un-edited obituary available from The Oregonian, Portland, OR.
[subitted by lisamail@verizon.net]

RONALD CROSTONR
COLOME - Ronald Roy Croston, 63, of Colome, died Thursday, April 19, 2001, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls. He was born April 10, 1938, to Irvy and Hermina (Hespe) Croston near Hamill. He attended rural schools in Tripp County and graduated from Colome High School in 1956. He received his teachers certificate, and later his degree, from Southern State Teachers College at Springfield. He taught rural schools in Tripp County for several years and at Belvidere for two years. After his teaching career, he worked on construction. When his health failed, he lived on the farm south of Colome his last few years. His survivors include five brothers: Orval of Myrtle, Irvin of Colome, Elroy and Allen of Winner, and Myron of Cheyenne, Wyo. two aunts and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday at First Christian Church in Winner. Burial will be in the Colome Cemetery. A prayer service begins at 7 p.m. Sunday at Mason Funeral Home in Winner.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl- Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) - April 22, 2001

ALICE L. DOZIER
Nov. 26,1906 - June 9,1999 Alice L. Dozier, 92, of Modesto died Wednesday at Modesto Convalescent Hospital. Mrs. Dozier was a native of Tripp County, S.D. She lived in Modesto 50 years. She was an elementary school teacher in Montana for 10 years. Private services. Lakewood Funeral Home, Hughson, in charge of arrangements.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - Modesto Bee, The (CA) - June 12,1999

MAYSIE ENGEL
WINNER - Maysie E. Engel, 63, died Monday, Nov. 20, 2000, at the Winner Regional Healthcare Center in Winner. Maysie Emma Brown was born April 4, 1937, in Winner. She grew up in the Wood area, and attended rural school. She graduated from White River High School in 1954. She attended college in Spearfish and Springfield, then worked as a teacher in Kemnitz School at Bad Nation. She also taught at rural schools in Tripp and Mellette Counties. She retired from teaching in 1975. She married Darrell Engel on Dec. 24, 1956, in Pierre. The couple moved to the Winner area in 1962, where they started farming. They worked together on the farm, and operated a trucking and hog operation. She later worked as a bookkeeper and dispatcher for Edwards Oil Company, and also worked for the family business for many years. She was a member of the Winner Baptist Church, and volunteered at the Winner American Legion. Survivors include her husband, Darrell a daughter, Earla Klein of Winner a son-in-law, Brent Janak of Winner four grandchildren a great-granddaughter her mother, Esther Brown of Winner five brothers: Veldon of White River, Victor of Estherville, Iowa, Pat of Winner, Robert of Spearfish, and Dale of Millboro three sisters: Iva Hight of White River, Irene Borden of Thompson Falls, Mont., and Cora Lookabill of Wood and a sister-in-law, Nelda Brown of Whitewood. Services begin at 3 p.m. Friday at the United Methodist Church in Winner with burial in Winner Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner with a prayer service at 7 p.m.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) - November 23, 2000

RUTH ELIZABETH FJETLAND
Ruth Elizabeth Fjetland, 93 years old, died peacefully on Jury 2, 2004. Born Ruth Elizabeth Camins in Tripp County, South Dakota, on June 7, 1911, Ruth Was the middle of three children. Ruth grew up in Iron River, Michigan. She attended the University of Wisconsin where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1933. Her academic achievements are recognized by her lifelong membership in Phi Beta Kappa. Ruth married Olaf Knute Fjetland on her birthday in 1937. After raising her family. Ruth taught school in Pentwater, Michigan. Always an optimist, Ruth knew how to make the best out of any situation. She is preceded in death by her husband and two sisters, Margaret and Jane. Ruth is survived by four children, Gerald, Conrad, Christine, and Patti. Ruth is also survived by ten grandchildren; Donna, Susan, Carl, Kristin, Conrad, Laura, Elizabeth, Joseph, Michelle, and Christopher; and fourteen great grandchildren, Shannon, Jacqueline, Christopher, Derek, Ann, Jessica, Emily, Tyler, Conrad, Cotton, John, Meghan, Chase, and Lane. In her later years Ruth enjoyed her favorite soap operas, crossword puzzles, and the Arizona Diamondbacks. After cremation, her ashes will join her husband in the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A memorial service will be be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 10, 2004, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Glendale, Arizona.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - Arizona Republic, The (Phoenix, AZ) - July 7, 2004

KENNETH HEDLUND
WINNER - Kenneth Louis Hedlund, 76, died Monday, March 26, 2001, at Sioux Valley Hospital & University of South Dakota Medical Center in Sioux Falls. He was born March 30,1924, in Gregory to Oscar and Effie Johnson Hedlund. He moved with his family to Tripp County, where he attended school. He worked as a farm hand, then joined the U.S. Army in 1944. He served during Work) War II, then returned to Tripp County after his discharge in 1946. He married Vivian Lorraine Kindt on Feb. 11, 1943, in Valentine, Neb. After his discharge, he worked as a truck driver for 31 years, and also drove a maintainer for Tripp County. He also worked for farmers and ranchers in the area including Roger Root. Survivors include his wife, Vivian, four sons: Myron of Carthage, Texas, Dean of O'Neill, Neb., and Brad and John, both of Winner; three daughters: Rae Juel of Harrisburg, Kay VanderWoude of Sioux Falls, and Vola Granger of Mitchell; 19 grandchildren 23 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Millie Larsh of Winner. Services begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at the United Methodist Church in Winner with burial in the Winner Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) - March 28, 2001

CECIL LEROY HEFT
Cecil Leroy Heft, 73, of Denver died Oct. 22 in the Hospice of St. John in Lakewood. Services were Oct. 25 in Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Burial was in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Mr. Heft was born in Tripp County, S.D. He moved to Denver in 1935. He worked at the Brown Palace Hotel as a bellman for more than 20 years. He was a member of Knights of Columbus. Survivors include his wife, Mary of Denver; daughter, Carmen Mikdajcik of Charleston, S.C.; and three grandchildren. Contributions: Hospice of St. John, 1320 Everett Court, Lakewood. 80215.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - Rocky Mountain News (CO) - October 27, 1991

MILO HENNEBOLD
WINNER - Milo Dwight "Butch" Hennebold, 78, died Wednesday, June 23, 1999, at the Winner Regional Nursing Home. He was born Aug. 29, 1920, in Winner. He farmed his entire life in Tripp County. Survivors include three sisters: Goldie Bird well of California, Carol Hennebold of Winner and Arlene Huber of Creighton, Neb. and several nieces and nephews. Services begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Mason Funeral Home in Winner, with burial in Winner Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) - June 24, 1999

GLADYS JORGENSEN
WINNER - Gladys Jorgensen, 99, died Thursday, Oct. 14, 1999, at the Winner Regional Healthcare Center. She was born March 2, 1990 (1890?), near Spencer, Neb. She came to the Rosebud area in 1920 as a school teacher and married A.L. Tony Jorgensen. Her husband died Oct. 21, 1981. She was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church, the Tripp County Historical Society, Daughters of the American Revolution and many other organizations. She is survived by five children: Jack Jorgensen of Plainview, III., Harry V. Jorgensen of Winner, Richard Jorgensen of Albuquerque, N.M., Lee Jorgensen of Witten and Leah Benson of Roseville, Calif ; 21 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Funeral services begin at 2 p.m. Monday at the Trinity Episcopal Church, with interment at the Winner Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Mason Funeral home in Winner, with a 7 p.m. prayer service.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) - October 16, 1999

LEE M. JORGENSEN
Winner - Lee M. Jorgensen, long-time journalist and Tripp County, South Dakota rancher, died unexpectedly at the age of 71 on Sunday, May 1, 2005, at the Heart Hospital of South Dakota, from a pulmonary blood clot following heart bypass surgery in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Mr. Jorgensen was born May 6, 1933 west of Winner, SD. He began his journalism career as the advertising manager for the Winner Advocate after being discharged from the army in 1956. He attended South Dakota State University on the Gl Bill and graduated in 1960, lettering in wrestling and making the dean's list every semester. Upon graduation, he became the News Director and later Managing Editor of the Winner Advocate. In 1963, he became a Sunday Features Writer for the Sioux City Journal, and in 1966, he became half owner and Editor of the Vermillion Plain Talk. In 1967, he became the Assistant Agricultural Editor and later the Ag News and Features Editor for South Dakota State University, serving on the Academic Senate, completing his master's degree in journalism in 1972, and teaching a course in interpretive journalism and serving as a guest lecturer in investigative journalism. In 1978, he became the Associate Extension News Editor at Kansas State University, achieving the status of associate professor and ultimately serving as Agricultural News Coordinator. In 1996, he retired from journalism and returned to Winner, SD, where he and his wife, Darlene (Smith) Jorgensen, assumed management of her parents' cattle and buffalo ranch near Witten, SD.
Mr. Jorgensen received numerous professional and community awards, including the South Dakota Press Association's first place award for news and features, the Iowa Press Association's award for dairy newspaper feature writing, induction into the Rosebud Sioux Tribe as an honorary member for his reporting on and promotion of tribal events, for which he was given the Lakota name "Lone Wolf", and being the first recipient of the national Oscar in Agriculture Award for university journalism. He was also the recipient of the Golden Arc Award for human-interest news from Kansas State University and the Press Award of Excellence from the Agricultural Communicators in Education. He also worked extensively in the Master Farmer/Master Homemaker program conducted through KSU Cooperative Extension Service. Mr. Jorgensen's work was published in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, Reader's Digest, National Geographic, True West and many other national, regional and local publications. He was elected president of the SD chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees in 2003. In 1998 and 2000, he ran as the Democratic nominee for the SD State House of Representatives in Western South Dakota's 26th District. He was also Senior Warden of both St. Paul Episcopal Church in Brookings, SD and Trinity Episcopal Church of Winner, SD. Mr. Jorgensen, his wife, Darlene, and their four sons built many of the houses in which they lived, often salvaging lumber from old homes and recycling the lumber. He recently completed construction of the home he shared with his wife on the family ranch near Witten, SD, using lumber salvaged from the three story Hamill, SD school house. Mr. Jorgensen was an avid sailor, having sailed with his sons in the British Virgin Islands, all of the SD Great Lakes of the Missouri River, and many of the lakes of Eastern SD. Mr. Jorgensen married Darlene D. Smith of Witten, SD on April 2,1956. He was a devoted husband for 49 years. He is survived by Darlene and their four sons: Langdon, 48, his wife, B.J., and their two daughters of Denver, CO; Brian, 46, his wife, Edna, and their three children of Witten, SD; Stuart, 44, his wife, Amy, and their two daughters of Denver, CO; and Blake, 41, his wife, Kelly, and their three daughters of Ottawa. KS; and two brothers, Jack of Denver, CO and Richard of Albuquerque, NM. He is also survived by his twin sister, Leah of San Francisco, CA, and by his father-in-law, Orville Smith of Witten, SD, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, A.L. "Tony" and Gladys Jorgensen, his brother, Harry V. Jorgenson, and his mother-in-law, Luevern Smith. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 5, 2005 at 2:00 PM at Trinity Episcopal Church in Winner. Burial will be in the Winner Cemetery. Visitation will begin Wednesday, May 4, 2005 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Mason Funeral Home in Winner. A prayer service will begin at 7:00 PM at the funeral home.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) - May 4, 2005

HELENA MAHLENDORF
WINNER - Helena Mahlendorf, 86, of Winner died Saturday, Oct. 9, 1999, at the Skilled Nursing Facility in Standish, Mich. Helena Spreckels was born Oct. 30, 1912, in Lyman County near Oacoma. She moved with her family to Winner, and she graduated from Winner High School in 1931. She received her elementary school certificate from Southern State Normal in 1932 and taught in Tripp County until 1939. She married Clarence Mahlendorf on May 28, 1939. They farmed for 53 years east of Winner and moved to Midland, Mich., in 1993. She was a member of the Evangelical Zion Lutheran Church in Colome. Survivors include one daughter, Donnelle Lucia of Midland one son, Dick of Rapid City four grandchildren five great-grandchildren and two brothers: Harry and Norman. Funeral services begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Evangelical Zion Lutheran Church in Colome with burial in Winner Cemetery. Visitation is from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner and from 9:30 a.m. Wednesday until the time of the service at the church.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) - October 11, 1999

LYLE NELSON
MITCHELL - Lyle Conrad Nelsen, 91, of Mitchell died of a heart attack Sunday, Oct. 10, 1999, at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. He was born Jury 29, 1908, in Fremont, Neb. He moved with his family to Tripp County, where his father acquired a homestead. He graduated from Ideal High School. He worked part time at Montgomery Ward in Yankton while he attended Yankton College. In 1935 he became store manager at Montgomery Ward in Madison. He married Candace Skow on Aug. 9, 1936, in Madison. They moved to Mitchell in 1938, and he owned and managed the John Deere Mitchell Implement Co. for 25 years. He later worked for Mitchell Realty Co. until he retired. He was a member of First Lutheran Church where he held various offices, including past president of the South Dakota Implement Dealers Association. He was chairman of the Mitchell Housing Commission. Survivors include his wife of Mitchell one daughter, Carol Miedema of Sioux Falls two sons: David Nelsen of Lancaster, Calif., and Mark Nelsen of Valencia, Calif, three grandchildren four great-grandchildren and one sister, Velma Anderson of Winner. Funeral services begin at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at First Lutheran Church with burial in Graceland Cemetery, both in Mitchell. Visitation is 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell

Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) - October 13, 1999

ALBERT FRANCIS "BUTCH" NOVOTN
Winner - Butch Novotny, age 63, of Winner, SD, died on Thursday, November 30, 2006, in rural Tripp County. He is survived by his wife, Judy; his three sons, Glen (Ruth) of rural Winner, SD and Dean (Becky) and Randy (Darnell) of rural Colome, SD; ten grandchildren, Nick of Rapid City, SD, Zachary of Rincon, GA, Spencer of Mitchell, SD, Brady of the USAF stationed in Guam, and Kasey, Cody, Kory, Taylor, Allison and Tate, all of rural Colome, SD; one brother; seven sisters; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 4th, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner. Burial will be in the Winner Cemetery.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) - December 4, 2006

MARY LAURA PIDDOCK Mary Laura Piddock, 83, of Denver died June 2. Mrs. Piddock was born in Tripp County, S.D., on March 29, 1916. She was an executive secretary for a geological research company. She was a volunteer for the Colorado Symphony. Survivors include son Mark of Boulder; daughters Carol Klutch of Illinois, Lynne Sowder of Alaska; sisters Caroline Bell of South Dakota, Marge Giles of Michigan; a grandchild.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl- Rocky Mountain News (CO) - June 8, 1999

DANIEL FRANCIS "JERRY" POLLOCK
A funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, 1999, in Molalla Funeral Chapel for Daniel Francis "Jerry" Pollock, who died Jan. 19 in Molalla at age 75. Mrs. Pollock was born Jury 23, 1923, in Tripp County, S.D. Her maiden name was Cornelius. A resident of the Molalla area since 1968, she was a homemaker and former waitress at the Starlite Restaurant. She was a member of the Molalla United Methodist Church. Survivors include her daughter, Cherie Andersen of Beavercreek; sons, Jay Papke of Molalla and Jack "Duke" Papke of Canby; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. A son, Monty Papke, and a great-grandson died earlier. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday in Lincoln Memorial Park. The family suggests remembrances to Willamette Falls Hospice.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl- Oregonian, The (Portland, OR) - January 21, 1999

GUS RING
GREGORY - Gus Ring, 89, died Sunday, March 14,1999, at Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory. He was born May 27, 1909, in Naper, Neb. He married Erlene Bertram on Feb. 14, 1943. They farmed in Tripp County. In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons: Donald and Merle both of Colome three daughters: Margaret Rupert of Lennox, Carol Lilly of Colome and Joann Snyder of Springview, Neb. 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner, with burial in the Colome Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Mason Funeral Home in Winner, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) - March 17, 1999

MARGARET SCHLAHT
WINNER - Margaret E. Schlaht, 75, died of cancer Saturday, April 17, 1999, at the Winner Regional Healthcare Center. Margaret Eileen Schlaht was born Aug. 28, 1923, in Fairfax. She attended Fairfax Consolidated School and graduated from high school in 1941. She moved to Winner with her family and worked in various Tripp County offices. She took a year of post graduate work in the Winner high School. From March of 1942 until May 1947, she worked in the Selective Service System until the offices closed. She then went to Des Moines and worked for Warner Brothers Film Corporation and State Finance Company. She returned to Winner and again worked for the Selective Service from October 1950 until the time of its closure in Febuary1976. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, VFW Auxiliary, National Association of Retired Federal Employees and AARP. Survivors include two sisters: LaVerne Cox of Des Moines and Mary Lou Steinke of Colome and 11 nieces and nephews. Memorials have been established to Hospice of the Plains and the United Methodist Church. Services begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in Winner, with burial and graveside rites at 1:30 p.m. in Highland Cemetery in Fairfax. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) - April 18, 1999

"RED" SHOEMAKER -- (Former Tripp County Sheriff) Bob Connot of Winner grew up with stories of "when Grandpa was sheriff."
Connors grandfather, "Red" Shoemaker, served 14 years as sheriff of Tripp County between 1946 and 1963.
"He was very, very devoted to his job and took things real seriously when it came to law enforcement," says Connot, 27, who is now a deputy sheriff in the same county his grandfather once patrolled. James F. "Red" Shoemaker, 85, died Friday, Sept. 24, 1999, at the Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory of heart disease. Shoemaker was elected Tripp County sheriff in 1946 and worked by himself for several years covering not only Tripp, but Todd County, which was unincorporated at that time. Shoemaker, a big man who stood about 6-feet, balanced life between family and the police radio that was always within earshot. The family lived in the sheriffs residence, which was connected to the jail at the courthouse. His children recall many times when their father would lead prisoners through the living room to get to the jail. In his younger days, Shoemaker played center on the Winner Warrior football team of 1933, which defeated a highly touted Milbank team 6-0 to cap an undefeated season, Connot says. "It’s almost a storybook thing where my grandpa was the center, and then I was the center for the team in 1989," Connot says of his team that 56 years later beat Milbank for the state football championship. "He was very proud of that, and so was I." Shoemaker was there when his grandson was sworn in as a law officer, Connot says. "He was very proud of his family and their accomplishments," Connot says. Shoemaker was born Aug. 22, 1914, on the family farm south of Winner. He graduated from Winner High School in 1935 and attended college in Brookings, then returned home and worked at a cold-storage facility and as a truck driver before enlisting in the Army in April 1941. He served as a medic and ambulance driver on the European and Northern African fronts. He was seriously injured in 1943 after a jeep he was driving detonated a land mine, leaving him with a slight limp that would stay with him for the rest of his life. He was discharged in September 1945 and returned to Winner. Shoemaker also farmed west of Winner until his retirement. Shoemaker married Helen Shea of Colome on June 26,1947. They had six children. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner. He was active in the Winner Volunteer Fire Department for many years and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, the Winner Elks and the Winner Quarterback Club. Shoemaker is survived by his wife, Helen of Winner four daughters: Rosemary Connot of Winner, Patricia Eade of Phoenix, Jeanne Shoemaker of Winner and Judith Eicher of Mesa, Ariz, one son: James Jr. of Winner one brother, Gerald of Winner five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, with burial in the Winner Cemetery. Visitation is from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at Mason Funeral Home in Winner. The rosary begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Immaculate
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - By Joyce Terveen at the Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) - September 26, 1999

MARGERY J. VICKERS 1920 - 1998
Margery J. Vickers, 78, of 4035 E. 7th St., died July 20 at United Medical Center - West. She was born June 3,1920, in Tripp County, S.D. Vickers had retired as a clerk for the Department of Agriculture. She served in the U.S. Navy during Work) War II. She married W.L. Vickers on May 12,1945, in St. Louis, Mo. She was a member of the American Contract Bridge League. Vickers is survived by two sons, Randy Vickers of Laramie and Dennis W. Vickers of Madison, Wis.; one daughter, Kathy Vickers of Cheyenne; one brother, Ralph Brown of Omaha, Neb.; and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, W.L. Vickers; her parents, Jacob C. and Addie (Sharp) Brown; two sisters, Loreta and Thelma; and one brother, Harold. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Schrader Funeral Home. Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Schrader Chapel with the Rev. David Stratton officiating. Friends may contribute to the UMC Children's Hospice, 300 E. 23rd St., Cheyenne, 82001. Arrangements are under the direction of Schrader Funeral Home.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (Cheyenne, WY) - July 23, 1998

CAZ WELCH
WINNER - Caz Larry Welch, 18, died of injuries received in an auto accident Monday, May 22, 2000, on a rural Tripp County road. He was born March 2, 1982, in Gregory. He grew up and attended elementary school in Winner and graduated from Winner High Sunday, May 21, 2000. He was active in football and wrestling. Survivors include his mother, Ronda Vaughn of Aberdeen a sister, Sequoya Welch of Aberdeen a step sister, Melanie Bertram of Colome his grandparents, Larry and Shirley Welch of Winner two aunts two uncles and five nieces and nephews. Services begin at 2 p.m. today at Winner National Guard Armory in Winner with burial in the Winner Cemetery. The Mason Funeral Home in Winner is in charge of arrangements.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) - May 9, 2000

ARLENE L. WILSON
Arlene L. Wilson, 75, of Lyons died Nov. 12 in the Life Care Center in Longmont. Graveside services and burial were Nov. 18 in Fort Logan National Cemetery. Mrs. Wilson, a native of Tripp County, S.D., was a retired ward clerk at Denver General Hospital. Survivors include two sons, Arlen Luth of El Paso, Texas, and Charles Wilson of Denver; a daughter, Karen Hooley of Lyons; three sisters, Beryle Fiala of Denver, Ruth Helmers of Walnut Creek, Calif, and Carol Wilson of Livermore, Calif; 12 grandchildren; and nine great- grandchildren.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - Rocky Mountain News (CO) - November 21, 1991

MARJORIE E. YEGGE
A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 25, 1999, in St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Forest Grove for Marjorie E. Yegge, who died Jan. 21 at age 90. Mrs. Yegge was born Sept. 23, 1908, in Blakesburg, Iowa, and was raised in Tripp County, S.D. Her maiden name was Berry. From 1927 to 1929, she taught in one-room schools in rural South Dakota. She lived in Winner, S.D., until moving to Seattle in 1938. She moved to St. Helens in about 1940, to Gresham in 1942 and to Forest Grove in 1992. She was a homemaker and a member of the church. In 1930, she married Clarence H.; he died in 1989. Survivors include her daughters, Donna Quay of Forest Grove and Linda Yegge-Brannon of Salem; son, Robert of Gresham; sister, Angie Maynard of Columbia City; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Gresham. The family suggests remembrances to Washington County Hospice. Arrangements are by Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral Home.
Contributed by Rita Bergendahl - Oregonian, The (Portland, OR) - January 25, 1999