OBITUARY

Esther Schuettpelz Fillmore

Esther Schuettpelz Fillmore, 98, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2011 at Bickford Cottage, Marion, Iowa. Funeral services were held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Marion on Wednesday, December 21.

Esther was born to William and Betty Greimann at Garner, Iowa. She attended Iowa State College and began her teaching career in a one room schoolhouse in Hancock County, Iowa at the age of 17.

She was married to Earl Schuettpelz on October 21, 1939 in Taylor Falls, MN.

Earl passed away August 30, 1981.

Esther married John Fillmore on January 7, 1987. John passed away January 24, 1995.

Esther is survived by her three children: Donald (Patricia) Schuettpelz, Diane (Terry) Conklin, and Carl (Dawn) Schuettpelz; seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren; one brother, Earl Greimann, and one sister, Gladys Alden.

Esther was the sister-in-law of Barbara Schuettpelz and Velma Kieffer of Wessington Springs.

 Verna Burnison, 88, of Huron, died Friday, November 25, 2011, at the Huron Regional Medical Center after suffering a stroke. Her funeral service will be at 2 PM Wednesday, November 30th at Riverview United Methodist Church with the Rev. Barry Whipkey officiating. Burial will be in the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. 

 Visit www.kuhlerfuneralhome.com.

Verna Lorraine Westgard Burnison was born on November 13, 1923, to Oscar and Mollie Peterson Westgard on her parents’ farm near Astoria, SD. She attended rural school through eighth grade and high school in Astoria. She graduated from General Beadle State Teachers College, Madison, SD. Her first teaching experience was in a rural school. Although teaching was enjoyable, her love for adventure led her to enroll in radio technology school in Minneapolis, MN, followed by additional training in Civil Aeronautics in Seattle, WA. She then worked as an aircraft communicator in Alaska. Later she returned to education and taught seventh and eighth grade in Alpena, SD for three years and four years in Sibley, IA.

On August 6, 1950, she was married to Earl Burnison. They lived in Alpena for five years before moving to Huron. They were blessed with four children and were married for 61 years.

Her life-long love for learning continued through her membership in PEO, GFWC Fortnightly and several bridge clubs. Verna had supported Earl in their family business, Burnison Plumbing and Heating, since 1955. She was a dedicated member and volunteer at Riverview United Methodist Church.

Verna’s passion for the arts was expressed through her paintings, stitchery, and quilting. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, musical and theatrical performances. Verna and Earl took trips to Germany, Spain, Mexico, and Hawaii, but home was her sanctuary where all felt warmth and were greeted regularly with baking aromas.

Grateful for sharing her life are her husband, Earl; one son, Doug (Cindy) Burnison of Huron; three daughters, Mona (Ken) Farnsworth of Duchesne, UT, Margo (Bill) Anderson of Huron, Becky (John) Schroeder of Gillette, WY; thirteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one sister, Audrey Bergjord of White, SD; and three sisters-in-law, Helen (Cecil) Burnison, Rose (LeRoy) Burnison, and Dorothy (Burnison) Berkley.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Oriska Hover and two brothers, Duane and Oscar, Jr. Westgard.

OBITUARY

“Buster” Uphoff

Russell M. “Buster” Uphoff, 81. of Gann Valley, SD, died Monday evening November 28, 2011 at the Royal C. Johnson Veterans Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services were held Saturday December 3, 2011 at 2:00 PM at the Gann Valley Fire Hall with Rev. Brian Jones of Miller officiating. Burial was in the Spring Hill Cemetery at Gann Valley with military rites by the Gann Valley American Legion.

Buster was born in Appleton, MN on Sept. 25, 1930 to Albert LeRoy and Hazel Nettie (Barr) Uphoff. He grew up in Minnesota and spent many of his childhood years living with his uncle Roy Barr. He came to South Dakota on a haying crew while in his teens and stayed.

He married Jacquelyn Ann Bridge on December 5, 1952 in Pierre, South Dakota.

Buster served in the Army during the Korean Conflict and spent most of his tour in Germany. After returning from Germany he made his home in Gann Valley with his wife and children where he spent the rest of his life. Buster worked most of his life in construction running heavy equipment building roads and dams. He also worked in manufacturing.

He loved horses and had different one throughout his life. In his retirement years he kept busy tinkering with motors and small equipment. He enjoyed being outdoors and every summer kept the cemetery mowed and most of Gann Valley lawns. He looked forward to going downtown and having coffee every morning at the community center in Gann Valley.

He is survived by his children Pat Peterson and her husband Rick of Woonsocket, Kelly and his wife Linda of Custer, Dan and his wife Mikell of Sioux Falls and Bonnie Koch and her husband Deach of Gann Valley; ten grandchildren Sherry Peterson Luthi and her husband Brandon, Allen Peterson, Samantha Peterson, Aric Peterson, Jeremy Uphoff, Misty Fish and her husband Josh, Patrick Green, Kacey Flannery and her husband Rusty, Travis Koch and his wife Lindsey and Nicole Koch; six great grandchildren Destinee and Dustin Fish, Mason and Miles Koch, Jordyn and Julianna Uphoff, two sisters Connie Hinneberg and Ruth Sorenson, two brothers Bruce and Jim Uphoff and favorite red head, Rev. Carrie Fraser, numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jacquelyn, one brother Robert, a brother-in-law Loren Hinneberg and a grandson Dustin Koch.

OBITUARY

EDWARD STANLEY

 Edward Francis Stanley passed away at Mitchell, S,. on November 27,2011 at the age of 54.

Edward was born January 31 1952 in Lawrence Kansas. His parents were Lowell D. and Camilla Ida (Smith) Stanley. Edward is survived by two daughters Sarah and Sharlese Stanley and one grand daughter, Samantha Stanley. He was preceded in death by his mother.

Edward attended school at Mission and Springfield, SD, Akron, Iowa, and graduated from high school at Vermillion, SD.

After graduation he enlisted in the Navy and spent four years on a destroyer as a gunner’s mate. He later worked in a cheese factory, did farm work, worked in a factory that made prison doors, and worked as a cook.

He was married to Pam Campbell.

Edward is survived by his father, Lowell and sister, Susie, of Moscow Kansas. His sisters Jessica

(Rick) Melchezedek of Alcester, SD, Patricia (Ross) Webster, of Dobbins, California, Michele (John) Tollefson of Oshkosh WI, and Rachel (Roger) Bluhm, of North Platte, Neb. He is also survived by nine nieces and nephews.

He will be buried In a National Cemetery at Dodge City Kansas.

OBITUARY

Darrel Gene Cleveland

 Darrel Gene Cleveland, Aberdeen, passed away Thursday, December 1, 2011, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen, after a courageous battle with cancer. Blessed be his memory.

Darrel Gene Cleveland was born February 26, 1946, to Minor and Hannah “Jennie” (Schmike) Cleveland in Huron. He grew up in Wessington Springs and graduated from Wessington Springs High School. He attended and graduated from Sioux City Barber College. Darrel worked in several local barbershops before moving to Aberdeen.

Darrel was united in marriage to Debra “Deb” Waltman on September 12, 1987, in Aberdeen, and they were blessed with two children. The family continued to make Aberdeen their home. Darrel worked several lineman and construction jobs. He most recently drove a recycling truck for Dependable Sanitation, and enjoyed visiting and getting to know the folks on his route.

Darrel’s love of the outdoors, hunting and fishing started at a very young age. He passed this passion along to his sons, whom he bragged about to everyone he met. Darrel enjoyed doing everything from cooking to gardening and could tear apart and put back together anything that was broken. He made friends with virtually everyone he met, and always had a story or joke to share.

Surviving Darrel are his wife, Deb Cleveland, of Aberdeen; two sons: Darren Cleveland (special friend, Chrystal Morlock) and Derek Cleveland, of Aberdeen; one daughter, Danette (Darrin) Lynd, Urbandale, IA; his mother, Hannah “Jennie” Cleveland, Wessington Springs; parents-in-law, Hank and Pat Waltman, Aberdeen; sister-in-law, Becky (Brian) Jacobson, Aberdeen; and all of his life-long friends.

Darrel was preceded in death by his father; one brother, Allen; his grandparents; and several uncles.

Donald D. Schimke 82 of rural Wessington Springs died Saturday evening November 26, 2011 at the Prairie View Care Center in Woonsocket, SD. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday November 30, 2011 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church with Rev. Sara Olson Dean officiating. Burial will be in the Prospect Hill Cemetery with military rites by the Wessington Springs American Legion. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church with a prayer service at 7:00 PM.

Donald Delmer Schimke was born on February 16, 1929 at Wessington Springs, SD to Nathaniel and Mary (Puepke) Schimke. Donald grew up northwest of Wessington Springs on a farm with the rolling hills in Harmony Township of Jerauld County.

Donald was confirmed on June 27, 1943 and became a member of New Zion Congregational Church in Hand county until it closed. He then became a member of the Templeton Church.

He attended school at Long Lake and two years of high school in Alpena.

Donald went on to serve his country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. On January 31, 1952 he took his basic training at Camp Robert, CA. In October of 1952 he went overseas, working as a machine gunner and for six months as a radio and telephone operator. He was discharged from Camp Carson, Colo. on October 30, 1953.

Upon returning home he, farmed with his dad and brother Milton.

On May 24, 1959, Donald was united in marriage to Delores Monroe at the Methodist Church in Wessington Springs, SD. He had met Delores at a dance and they dated for five years. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2009.

Donald farmed his entire life and later with his two sons, Merle and Larry and now a grandson Layton until his health kept him from working.

The last three months he was at the Prairie View Care Center in Woonsocket where he passed away with his, family at his side.

Donald was a member of the Templeton United Church of Christ, American Legion, Farmers Union and the square dance club. He went on several bus tours which he enjoyed very much.

He was a good husband and father. His greatest love was that of his family and the precious time spent with his grandchildren and great grandson, Nolan. His philosophy in life was to work hard and be honest.

Grateful for sharing his life for 52 years was his wife Delores of rural Wessington Springs, his three children Merle and his wife Marci of Wessington Springs, Eileen Eisenbeisz and her husband Derek of Bowdle, SD and Larry of rural Wessington Springs; seven grandchildren Lacey (Ryan) Schaller, Layton and Loriann Schimke, Christina Eisenbeisz, Cassandra (DeWayne) Sowards, Chelley and Caren Eisenbeisz; a great grandson Nolan Schaller; one sister Hannah “Jennie” Cleveland of Wessington Springs and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers Walter, Arthur and Milton, an infant sister Esther, two sisters-in-law Della and Doris.

Pam Stolen was born on June 30, 1957 to Irving and Vivian (Syvertson) Stolen at Huron, SD. She attended school at Wessington Springs. She graduated from Madison State College with an elementary education degree and attended Northern State College earning a degree in special education. She taught one year at a Hutterite Colony near Doland, then taught special education for 27 years, 16 years at Colome, SD and 11 years at Scotland, SD.

She was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church at Wessington Springs where she served at various times as Sunday and Vacation Bible School teacher and pianist.

Through her college years she held various jobs as housemother for the mentally challenged at Redfield, nurses aid at the hospital in Aberdeen and nurses aid at various nursing homes.

She is survived by her parents Irving and Vivian Stolen Wessington Springs, one sister Linda (Neal) Bartel Wessington Springs, two brothers Mike (Pam) Stolen, Sioux Falls, and Jim (Bonnie) Stolen Scottsbluff, Neb, several nieces and nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents.

Sharill Dwyer 66 of Wessington Springs, died Saturday evening Oct. 29th , 2011 at her residence, surrounded by her family, after a long and courageous battle of 19 years with cancer.

Funeral services were held Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church with Rev. Sara Olson Dean officiating. Burial was in the Prospect Hill Cemetery.

Sharill Rae (Hinrichs) Dwyer was born August 9, 1945 in Fullerton, CA to Vincent and Twila (Easton) Hinrichs and was only a few months old before their family returned to South Dakota.

Sharill attended Viola Center and Beckman Rural School through the 8th grade before graduating from Wessington Springs High School in 1963. She attended Professional Business Institute in Minneapolis, MN and earned a degree as a Dental Hygienist.

On August 7, 1966 she was united in marriage to Roger Dwyer and to this union two children were born. Sharill worked for Dr. Hagman, DDS and Dr. Krueger, DDS. She worked for Wessington Springs Livestock Auction, the United Church of Christ, Formal Expressions, Amkota CO-OP and TJ’s Food Center. Sharill was a longtime member of the Chery Club, Order of the Eastern Star and PEO.

Sharill was a static exhibit judge for many local area 4-H Achievement Days and at the SD State Fair. She was a supporter of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life; loved to decorate for any holiday, especially the magic of Christmas; was an exceptional cook, gardener, homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. It is going to take many people to fill the void left in the life of her family and friends.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband of 45 years, Roger of Wessington Springs; daughters Michelle (Andy) Kleven of Onida, SD and Melanie (Aaron) Schelske of Virgil, SD; five grandchildren Preston, Devan and Kendra Kleven and Cadee and Mason Schelske; sister Darlene (Charles) Bergeleen of Wessington Springs; sisters-in-law Grace and Gloria Dwyer and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents Vince and Twila Hinrichs; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Donald and Maryan Dwyer and brothers-in-law Jack and Dihl Dwyer.