Brookings County, South Dakota Obituary and Death Notice Collection
GenealogyBuff.com - Brookings County, South Dakota Obituary Collection - 2
Posted By: GenealogyBuff.com Date: Wednesday, 19 June 2024, at 11:39 a.m.
Anna-Liisa Peterson
June 30, 1921 – March 19, 2018
Anna-Liisa (Myllymaki) Peterson, 96, died Monday, 19 March 2018, at United Living Center in Brookings. Visitations will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 23, 2018, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2018, at Ascension Lutheran Church.
Anna-Liisa was born 30 June 1921 in Viipuri, Finland, the daughter of Vaino and Hanna Loviisa (Selin) Myllymaki. Her godparents were Matti and Edla Emilia (Tapanainen) Haakana.Anna-Liisa and her older brother, Eino, grew up in Viipuri where Vaino worked for the Finnish Railroad. Unfortunately, on New Year’s Eve 1931, her father Vaino passed away. Family life appeared normal during the spring of 1932. Yet, her mother Hanna passed away on 9 May 1932. Anna-Liisa and Eino then lived with long time family friends and godparents Matti and Edla Haakana in Viipuri.
The Finnish-Russian Wars were a significant disruption that caused her family to move frequently during 1939 and the early 1940s. She spent her final year of high school in Kuopio.
After high school, Anna-Liisa joined the Lotta Svärd, the Finnish military organization for women. She was trained in communications. While on duty in January of 1942, she was the person who received the teletype that her brother Eino’s fighter plane was missing in action over NW Russia.
In 1943, she began teachers training in horticulture and entomology. After graduating, she worked in the Finnish equivalent of the Extension Service.
Participation in the Smith-Mundt Educational Exchange program brought Anna-Liisa from Finland to the USA. In August of 1955 she arrived at SDSU and was assigned to the Horticulture Department. There she met a young professor, Ronald Peterson.
On 14 July, 1956, Anna-Liisa married the love of her life, Ronald M. Peterson in Helsinki.
Anna-Liisa was a founding member of Ascension Lutheran Church and was active in church groups. She also was involved with other organizations such as the SDSU women’s auxiliary and women’s extension club, as well as various social groups. Anna-Liisa was known locally as the "Apple Lady". Nature and all things outdoors were favorites. She loved cross-country skiing, canoeing, biking and tent camping. And Anna-Liisa had a special gift and passion for gardening. With her husband Ron she greatly enjoyed traveling. Anna-Liisa loved spending time with family and friends. Given her constant smile, she was a friend to everyone.
Anna-Liisa is survived by her husband, Ronald of Brookings, her sons Erik (Claudia) of Sandy, Oregon and John of Aberdeen; grandchildren- Nick (Adine), Annalisa, Katrina, Aaron, Chad and Brian; one great-grandson, Mykel, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her son Kurt, her parents, godparents, and her brother Eino.
Memorials may be directed to the Ascension Lutheran Church Endowment, Habitat for Humanity or Feeding Brookings.
Violet Brinkman
Hendricks, Minn. - Violet Brinkman, 79, of Hendricks, Minn., died Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at the Avera McKennen Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Christ Lutheran Church in Hendricks. Visitation is from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Hendricks Hospital Chapel with a prayer service at 5 p.m. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial is at the Hendricks City Cemetery. Houseman Funeral Home Birk Chapel of Hendricks, Minn., is entrusted with the arrangements.
Harry Fremont Larson
Dec. 15, 1914 - Dec. 27, 2008
Arlington - Harry Fremont Larson, 94, died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, at the Golden Living Center in Lake Norden. Funeral services were at 1 p.m. today at the J o h n s o n - H e n r y F u n e r a l Home in Arlington with the Rev. Pam Fitzgerald officiating. A private family burial will be held in the Lake Whitewood Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.
Harry was born on Dec. 15, 1914, on a farm near Arlington to Ole and Olga (Pederson) Larson. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Spring Lake Township. He was baptized and confirmed at the Lake Whitewood Lutheran Church.
On March 21, 1939, Harry married Elizabeth Caroline Haufschild in Arlington. They farmed in the Spring Lake area before moving to the Boldt homestead near Hetland in 1944.
Harry was a trained mechanic who repaired balers for the farming community. He enjoyed playing horseshoe and also playing the drums for two old-time bands: The Town and Country Stompers and the Dakota Rangers. After retirement, Harry and Elizabeth enjoyed many years in their winter home in La Feria, Texas. His survived by his children , Sonja (Keith) Garber of Las Vegas, Donna (Bob) Bogott of Bloomington, Minn., Dennis (Sharon) of Cary, N.C., and Lynn (Cindy) of Las Vegas; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren .
He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth in 2005 and two sisters.
Paul Evenson
June 3, 1934 – June 12, 2017
Paul Evenson, resident of Brookings died Monday, June 12, 2017 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls. He was 83.
Funeral services have been set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 21, at Ascension Lutheran Church, Brookings. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 20 at Rude’s Funeral Home, Brookings. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Habitat for Humanity fund at Ascension Lutheran Church or to the Brookings Children’s Museum. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Paul David Evenson was born on June 3, 1934, to Emil and Doris (Pierce) Evenson in Bertha Minn., the fifth of 10 children. He moved several times during his youth, living in Minnesota, Iowa, and eventually Wisconsin where he graduated from Stoughton High School in 1952. The following year, Paul moved to Omaha, Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy in 1957, and a Master’s degree in soils and plant science in 1959.
While attending graduate school in Lincoln, Paul met and married the love of his life, Ellie (Larkins) on April 11, 1959. Shortly after, Paul and Ellie moved to Brookings where Paul began work towards his doctorate degree at South Dakota State. Soon after his arrival he was asked to substitute teach a statistics class for a professor who was leaving the University. Forty years later, he was still "substitute" teaching statistics. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he also served as a statistician for the SDSU Experiment Station. His greatest reward was working with graduate students and staff on research projects and graduate theses. Paul ended his teaching and research career in 1999.
In retirement, Paul pursued many passions. He joined the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity where he worked many years as a member of the foundation crew and later as a fundraiser that helped build over 40 homes in Brookings County. He took great joy in helping young families get a start in their new homes and loved working with the many volunteers and staff at Habitat. Paul often referred to the Habitat crew as his "band of brothers."
Paul also enjoyed wood carving where he spent countless hours carving special projects for family, friends and for his own enjoyment. One of his greatest gifts was presenting hand-carved clocks to each of his children.
Perhaps his strongest passion was photography. Whether it be at home taking pictures of birds and flowers or on "bucket list" trips to Glacier National Park in Montana or a land/sea cruise to Alaska, he captured nature in its finest glory. He often said that being a wildlife photographer was his dream job.
Paul was also active in Sons of Norway where he served one term as President, the Brookings Area Genealogical Society and Ascension Lutheran Church, with which he was a charter member (1962). He also loved spending time coaching baseball for his sons, cross country skiing in northern Wisconsin with the "Norwegian Family Ski Team," listening to classical and jazz music, being an active participant with the Brookings Swim Club and helping friends and family with home building projects.
Whether one knew Paul their entire life or just one day they would have to agree that his greatest attribute was his tremendous sense of humor. Sometimes it came in the form of a crazy prank, a surprise poke, or a goofy face, whereas other times it came as a self-effacing comment followed by a mischievous grin. No matter the situation, Paul was always on the lookout for the perfect joke or story to make people laugh and feel good about themselves. When friends and family were struggling he was an encourager, counselor and persistent seeker – he never gave up on those he loved who were struggling with life issues and did whatever it took to help those in need, without any judgement.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Doris Evenson and sisters, Margaret Boyd and Virginia Larson.
He is survived by his wife Ellie of 58 years; four children: David (Markel) Evenson of Marshall Minn.; Shirley (Calvin) Woods of Ham Lake, Minn.; Dale (Sis) Evenson of Garrison, N.D.; and John Evenson of Newtown, Pa.; and 12 grandchildren: Dara, Brad (Lindsey), and Isac Evenson; Christy, Michael, Jackie, Keith, Justin, Josiah, Stephen, Jubilee, and Juliana Woods; five brothers: Emil of Eau Claire, Wis.; Erwin (Lois) of Janesville, Wis.; Donald (Connie) of Loveland, Colo.; Robert (Vicki) of Red Feather Lakes, Colo.; Eric (Karen) of Yardley, Pa.; and two sisters: Marion Cunnington of Edina, Minn. and Karen (Chris) Eastlund of Raritan, N.J.; and numerous nieces, nephews, loving relatives and friends.
Judy Irene Nichols Benz
June 29, 1948 – July 16, 2011
Lennox - Judy Irene (Carlson) Nichols Benz, 63, died Saturday, July 16, 2011, in her home, ending a faith-filled battle against cancer.
Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Second Reformed Church in Lennox with reception following. The Rev. Harlan Hayunga and the Rev. Larry Forristall officiate.
Burial is at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Elmwood Cemetery at Bruce. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. on Friday in the church with a time of sharing at 7 p.m. The Johnson-Henry Funeral Home of Arlington is in charge of arrangements.
Judy was born June 29, 1948, in Sioux Falls to Leonard and Geraldine (Haley) Carlson and graduated from high school in Brandon in 1966. She married Robert Nichols and lived in Minnesota and then Sioux Falls with their three children. They divorced, and in 1976 she married Ron Benz. They lived in Sioux Falls and then Lennox and added two children.
Judy’s life revolved around relationships, service, family and friends. She won several awards with Tupperware and the Homesteaders funeral insurance group. Most recently, she worked at Cigna Tel-Drug where she was known for the baked goods she so often provided. Her food was always her deep expression of love for others.
Judy also developed meaningful relationships with several ladies from Lennox, including a group affectionately self-titled "The Yo-Yos."
She also started Benz pre-need services in 1998, which she continued until the time of her death.
She is survived by her husband, Ron; her children, Tonya (Donnie) Luond of Ipswich, Rob (Renae) Nichols, Alicen (Colin) Strombeck, and Josh (Gina) Benz all of Sioux Falls, and Sarah (Jason) Boyce of Alpharetta, Ga.; 14 grandchildren; two sisters, Eileen (Richard) Johnson of Garretson and Linda DeWitte (Tom Hytry) of Yorkville, Ill.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Inez Caswell
Aug. 15, 1920 – March 11, 2018
The Villages, Florida - Inez Kathrina Sorenson Caswell, 97, died March 11, 2018, at The Villages, Florida. She was born in Brookings on August 15, 1920.
She is survived by eight children: Rose (John) Luehrsen, Hazel Caswell, Doris (Allen) Schoeberl, Judy (Edward) Ellanson, Darrel (Fran) Caswell, of The Villages, Florida, Raymond (Kathie) Caswell of St Augustine, Florida, Duane (Raynette) Caswell of Jacksonville, Florida, and Lois (Charles) Mattheisen of Bloomington, Minnesota, 20 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lenard R Caswell on Jan. 4, 1994.
Graveside services will be held May 10, at the Greenwood Cemetery in Brookings at 1 p.m. A family gathering will be held before the service at the Quality Inn starting at 11 a.m. with a small luncheon.
Dr. Harold Stevens Bailey, Jr.
April 18, 1922 – Nov. 8, 2017
Harold Stevens Bailey, Jr., was born April 18, 1922, in Springfield, Massachusetts, the son of Harold Sr., a tool and die maker and Grace Evelyn (Anderson) Bailey, a math teacher. He passed to the Lord peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church in Brookings with burial to follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, with a Masonic Service at 7 p.m. at the Eidsness Funeral Home.
Dr. Bailey received his early schooling in the Springfield school system, graduating from Classical High School in June 1940. In his early years, he was introduced to the piano and music became an important part of his life. Although he never wanted to be a professional, he enjoyed accompanying local soloists on many occasions and was pianist for the Kiwanis Club in Brookings for over 40 years. In his late 50s, he undertook to study organ under M. K. Hugghins, and used this talent on many occasions in worship services in the Brookings First United Methodist Church.
Following high school graduation, interest from his maternal grandfather, followed by active participation in a drugstore, preceded a decision to enroll in the Mass. College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCP) where he received the B.S. degree in Pharmacy, in 1944. He entered the Army Medical Corps, July 12, 1944 and served in both the European and Pacific theaters of operation. He was promoted to Chief Pharmacist of the 500 bed 118th Station Hospital in Fukuoka, Japan. Following military service, he married Barbara Ann Dewey in Springfield, Sept. 8, 1946, and then went on to graduate study at MCP. He was awarded the M.S. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry degree in 1948 and Ph.D. from Purdue University, in August, 1951, majoring in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, with minors in Pharmacology and Bio-chemistry. He also held a position as Instructor in Pharmacy, from 1950-51.
Harold was always proud of his New England heritage, tracing his paternal roots back to James Bailey (1612-1677 of York, England who settled at Rowley, Mass. in 1648 and maternal (Anderson) family roots to a William Anderson from Dumfurmline, Scotland who settled in Deerfield, Mass. in 1758. In addition, he proudly traced Barbara’s paternal (Dewey) ancestry to the Dewey family of Sandwich, Kent, England and maternal (Dow) of Edinburgh, Scotland.
However, on Sept. 1, 1951, Harold, Barbara and two daughters, Cynthia and Lynda, left New England for Brookings, South Dakota. He began teaching and conducting research in the Health Sciences in the South Dakota State College Division of Pharmacy, first as an Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, followed by promotions to Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and head of the Department. With a background in Radiation Techniques, he established a Radiation Laboratory at the College in 1959. During the period 1951 to 1961 Dr. Bailey conducted major research under the sponsorship of the Atomic Energy Commission and the National Institute of Dental Research in the areas of bio-pharmacology, radiation biology, and dental pharmacy, with particular emphasis on the effects of high-level radiation on blood components and the effect of protein anabolic agents on dental tissues. He published in national research publications and was Editor of the South Dakota Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Section from 1953 to 1961, following reorganization of the faculty by President Hilton Briggs in 1961, Dr. Bailey was given the position of Chief Academic Officer, serving in that position for 24 years, as Dean of Academic Affairs, from 1961 to 1973, and Vice President from 1973 to 1985. He also served as Dean of the Graduate School from 1965 to 1976.
During his tenure as chief academic officer he was responsible for accomplishing many major academic changes. The first started on Nov. 18, 1961 when the Regents decided that all colleges should change from a quarter to a semester system of instruction. During this process, a total of 1661 college courses were examined, and revised, a new B.S. degree core content approved, and a new course numbering system developed. Next came the change of state college to university status, in 1964. He had responsibility for directing re-accreditation of the college and university in 1964, 1974 and 1984, and the first accreditation of the Ph.D. program. As chief academic officer, he was responsible for obtaining Regent’s approval for revision of the academic program, including new degree programs, new course opportunities and creation of, or changes in academic departments. He was also involved in planning the construction of several major academic buildings, including Shepard Hall and the building later re-named the Harold Bailey Rotunda Classrooms.
Following retirement, he decided that the experiences involved in the many changes from the small agricultural college in 1951, to the foundations of a major teaching and research university in 1985, should be preserved for the archives and interested others. Therefore, he authored a history of the Hilton Briggs and Sherwood "Woody" Berg Presidencies under the title ,"A Quest for Excellence, On Creating a University from a Small State College".
Dr. Bailey also held statewide and national higher education positions, including, Secretary of the South Dakota Regents of Education Committee for Educational Coordination (1963-74), and the Regents Academic Advisory Committee from 1971 to 1985. In 1965, he was appointed by the Regents to assist the South Dakota Legislative Council, as Project Director, in a study of academic building space use in public higher education institutions (1965) and a space study of the University Of South Dakota School Of Medicine (1966). For many years, the state-wide space study was one basis for legislative action on academic building requests. From 1979 to 1985, he was appointed by both the South and North Dakota Boards of Regents and supported by the American Council of Education, to be Director of the Departmental Leadership Institutes for training Deans and Department Heads in administrative techniques.
He was involved in a number of community activities, including Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout, Troop No. 1. He was a 50-year member of Kiwanis, and held memberships in the Masonic Orders. He was a President of the American Red Cross, Brookings Chapter, Board of Trustees, and a member of the Brookings Hospital/Brookview Manor Board of Trustees from 1989 to 2002, serving as President from 1991-2001. In 1997, he received the Brookings Bar Associations Liberty Bell Award for voluntary community service. He was Vice President of the Friends of the Arts, Inc. for over 20 years and he and Barbara were co-chairs of the 10th Annual Evening for the Arts in 1989. He was an AARP Tax Preparer for the Elderly for 20 years after retirement. Harold and Barbara were avid supporters of the SDSU "Jackrabbits" and enjoyed over 50 years of monthly bridge playing with friends.
Harold was proud of his family and accomplishments of his children. He and Barbara could be seen at many of their school functions, as they performed in arts, dramatic, musical, athletic or scouting activities.
Harold and Barbara were persons of faith, serving the Lord in many ways, particularly through their relations and generosity with those in need. Following retirement, for a number of years he was a member of the American Red Cross Disaster Response Team. In particular, he could be seen assisting the unfortunate at house fires and other disasters in Brookings and the area, until age prevented that activity. He was active in the Brookings First United Methodist Church and many will remember that he was the "radio voice" of the church, broadcasting services for over 11 years. In addition, he was comfortable in the pulpit and preached on many occasions in Brookings area churches.
His academic memberships included the American Pharmaceutical Assoc.; American Chemical Soc.; Sigma Xi research Society; Fellow of the American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science; and Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity. He is listed in many national honorary biographies and was a member of these honor societies: Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Lambda Upsilon Chemical Honorary and Rho Chi Pharmacy Honorary. His dental-pharmacy research resulted in election as an honorary member of the South Dakota Dental Association. For his service to higher education in South Dakota, the Board of Regents and university dedicated the Harold S. Bailey Residence Hall in 1994 and later the university rotunda classrooms were renamed the Harold S. Bailey Rotunda. He was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus by the Purdue University, School of Health Sciences in 1998. On retirement in 1985, the South Dakota Board of Regents honored him with the rank of Vice President for Academic Affairs, emeritus and Distinguished Professor of Higher Education.
Grateful for having shared his life are his sister, Barbara Chiapetta of Belchertown, Massachusetts; four daughters, Cynthia (Bob) Kodis, Des Moines, Iowa; Lynda Bailey, Liberty, Missouri; The Rev. Gwen (Rod) Mader, Mesa, Arizona; and Pamela (David) Berg, Baldwin, Wisconsin; one son, Harold S. Bailey, III (Sandra), of Rapid City; 12 grandchildren: Michelle (Michael) Miyazaki, The Rev. Jeffery (Anna) Kodis, Deborah (Joel) Phipps, Tami (Michael) Quinn, Melanie (Keith) Kraynak, Michael (Amanda), Stacia, Johnathan, Matthew and Heather Berg, Harold IV and Austin Bailey and 16 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins and a special friend, Geneva Hogue.
His parents, his brother, Richard, and his wife Barbara preceded him in death.
Suggested memorial contributions may be made to the Brookings First United Methodist Church Foundation, Harold and Barbara Bailey Endowment or the SDSU Foundation, Harold and Barbara Bailey Endowment, in support of Academic Leadership.
Wayne Zerby
Died July 29, 2011
Brookings - Wayne Zerby, 85, died Friday, July 29, 2011, at the United Retirement Center in Brookings.
Rude’s Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Wayne Zerby was born, like all men to hard times that were filled with much agitation. Life wasn’t easy and Wayne met the challenges he was given the best way he could. Rough around the edges, Wayne made many changes in his life. He met the criteria of Jehovah to be one of his congregation, he was baptized July 8, 1989.
Wayne married Mary Snyder on Oct. 6, 1951, in Geneva, N.Y.
Wayne was spontaneous to respond to any need that he could help with, he was a very generous man.
He looked toward a time when the earth would be at peace and he could have a home where peace and contentment would be a main focus.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Zerby of Brookings; daughter, Judy (Wayne) Castle; two sisters, Dawn Vogart and Louise Damick and his six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Freddie; a sister, Joyce Graham and two daughters, Linda Hughes and Roxanne Esttilyon.
Memorial services are at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Brookings.
Memorial visitation is one hour prior to services at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Brookings.
