Obituaries

Mar 26, 2021

Walt Ruby, 77, died on Friday, March 26, 2021, at the VA Hospital in Sturgis, SD. Walt was born on June 11, 1943, to Walter and Katherine (Gray) Ruby in Bridgeport, CT. He grew up in Fairfield, CT, and graduated from Andrew Ward High School. He was a talented football player and was awarded a full ride scholarship to...

Mar 26, 2021

Rose Marie (Leonard) Bartels was born on February 14, 1930. She fell in love and married Robert "Bob" Bartels on April 7, 1950. Together they raised four wonderful children, Roxann "Roxie", Melanie, Bruce and Kevin.

Rose, 91, of Sturgis, passed away on Friday, March 26, 2021 at her home in Sturgis.

She is survived by...

Mar 25, 2021

We are saddened to report the loss of our beloved aunt, Leona Cordialla Bruch. She was born in Sturgis, SD on April 29, 1925, to Henry S. and Agnes (Karrels) Bruch. She passed away peacefully at her home in Sturgis on March 25, 2021.

As a child, Leona's walk to school was short because St. Martin's Academy...

Mar 25, 2021

Lawrence Kenneth Kracht was born November 25, 1928, to Christian and Olga (Kahler) Kracht in rural Gregory County, SD, and passed March 25, 2021, at Fort Meade VA Hospital at the age of 92 years, 4 months.

Lawrence attended rural school in Gregory County and entered the US Army in 1951 serving during the Korean War and was stationed in Okinawa,...

Mar 24, 2021

Valorie Jorensen, age 60, passed away at home on March 24, 2021 during her battle with lung cancer. She was born to parents Carol Aker and Donnie Kost on November 2, 1960.

Val is survived by her husband, Bart Jorensen; father, Donnie Kost, sister, Deb Hopper; brother, Elmer Aker; children, Logan Wierenga, Brandi Wierenga, Samantha Lenz, Travis...

Mar 23, 2021

Robert Howard Bandy, 53, of Sturgis, SD, passed away March 23, 2021, at Monument Health Sturgis hospital from a hard-fought battle with cancer. Robert was born in Miles City, Montana, on February 23, 1968, to Robert and Dorothy (Ganeff) Bandy. Robert was a hard-working Journeyman Plumber with Streamline for many years.

Roberts greatest loves were his daughters,...

Mar 21, 2021

Robert F. Gould Jr., 45, passed away March 21, 2021 at Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City.

He was born August 13, 1975 in Saginaw, Michigan to Robert and Mary Jo (Christopher) Gould.

Robert was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Archie and Barbara Gould; and maternal grandparents, James and Geraldine Christopher; and his...

Mar 19, 2021

Raymond Floyd Baker was born on September 18, 1942 to Floyd and Roxona (Mobley) Baker in the sod house his grandpa built on the family homestead in Hereford, SD. He attended the Doyle School through the 8th grade when, at this point in his life, he was a working man, helping work the family farm/ranch at the original homestead...

Mar 18, 2021

Marshall R. Williams was born August 10, 1944, to Ruth I. (Kingsbury) and Richard B. Williams in Sturgis, SD, and died March 18, 2021, at Monument Health Sturgis hospital. Marshall graduated from Sturgis High School in 1962, attended the University of Wyoming, and graduated from Black Hills State University in 1969. He later earned his Master's degree from SDSU...

Mar 16, 2021

On Tuesday, March 16, 2021, Danny (Dan) Boschee, loving husband, father, and grandpa, passed away at the age of 65 at Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Dan was born on October 6, 1955 in Gettysburg, SD to Melvin and Florence (Job) Boschee.  He attended the Wyoming Technical Institute for auto body work and owned...

Mar 16, 2021

Effie Jeanette Carney, 86, Sturgis passed away, Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at the Monument Health Sturgis Senior Care. She was born, April 25, 1934, in Farmington, NM, to Fred and Minnie (Wilson) Secrest. Effie went to school in Pierre, SD, receiving her LPN License in 1969. She volunteered with the Sturgis Ambulance for several years, retiring in 1995 from...

Mar 15, 2021

Evangeline "Vangie" Albrecht was born in Herreid, SD, on July 12, 1930, to Albert and Mary (Aipperspach) Jahraus. On Monday March 15, 2021, Evangeline, Vangie or Blondie (however you knew her) went to be with the Lord and the love of her love life -- Lefty. She grew up near the Burlington Northern rail yard in Aberdeen, SD. She...

Mar 15, 2021

Lyle Robert "Butch" Droppers of Sturgis, SD was born to Lyle and Betty (VanCleave) Droppers on December 18, 1953 in Deadwood, SD. He grew up in Miller, SD and after graduating high school, he joined the Navy. Butch married Dellete Wild and together they had three children, Dion, Misty, and DJ. He lived and worked in Huron, SD before...

Mar 14, 2021

Anna Marie Verhulst was born April 3, 1923, to Charley and Annette Verhulst at home at the ranch near Reva, SD. She attended a rural school for 8 years and graduated from high school at Thrall Academy in Sorum, SD, in 1941. She married Forrest Goddard on November 14, 1941, in Sturgis SD. They began their married life in...

Mar 13, 2021

Robert "Bob" Lee Varilek passed away peacefully of natural causes, surrounded by family on March 13, 2021, at St Martin's Village in Rapid City; he had been residing there for the past few years. Bob was 86 years old. Robert was born at home in Charles Mix County, SD, on January 29, 1935, the son of Joe O. and...

Mar 12, 2021

Keith Roger Smit, 79, of Sturgis, passed away on March 12, 2021, in Arizona due to complications from a fall playing pickleball. He had been suffering from Parkinson's but his stubbornness kept him from being a bystander. He was born on June 3, 1941, in Alta, IA, to Alvin and Wilma Smit. He met Ruth Lietz in kindergarten and...

Mar 12, 2021

Dennis was born October 12, 1936, to Marie (Mayer) and Henry Schumacher in Mitchell, SD. Dennis passed away March 12, 2021, at Monument Health hospital in Rapid City, SD. He grew up around Mt. Vernon farming with his father and uncles until he moved to Black Hills in 1950 when his Dad went to work at Homestake Gold Mine,...

Mar 11, 2021

Linda A. Goben, 44, passed away Thursday, March 11, 2021 in Rapid City.

She is survived by her son, Christien Goben; daughters, Trinaty, Samantha, and Jordyn Goben; father, Doc Dachtler; mother, Sharie Friedrichsen; brothers, Tim and Bill Schreier; sisters, Mary Schreier, Lisa Dachtler, Robin Puthoff, and Heather Schreier; special friend, Loel Prang; and several nieces and nephews....

Mar 11, 2021

Michael Gene Ellis, 60, passed away Thursday, March 11, 2021 in Sturgis.

Michael was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Ellis; and his former spouse, Carlen Jean Ellis.

He is survived by his mother, Alberta Van Cleave; sons, Creg Ellis and Charles Ellis; daughters, Malissa Cocktell and Chrisma Ellis; five grandchildren; brother Raymond Van...

Mar 10, 2021

Nanna Cathy passed away on March 10, 2021 at Hospice Home.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque, IA.  Memorials can be sent to Patti Boardman, 507 Coyote Trail, Box Elder, SD 57719.

Nanna Cathy was born on September 8, 1923 to Valeria and...