Brookings County, South Dakota Obituary and Death Notice Collection
GenealogyBuff.com - Brookings County, South Dakota Obituary Collection - 23
Posted By: GenealogyBuff.com Date: Wednesday, 19 June 2024, at 1:55 p.m.
JoAnn Marie Giesen
July 2, 1937 - January 18, 2015
JoAnn M. Giesen, 77, of Colman, passed away Sunday, January 18, 2015 at the Golden Living Center in Madison. Graveside services will be at 2:00 pm Saturday, January 24, 2015 at First Lutheran Cemetery, in Brookings. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday at Rude’s Funeral Home in Brookings.
JoAnn Marie Trygstad was born on July 2, 1937 at the Brookings Hospital in Brookings, SD, the daughter of John and Gladys (Janssen) Trygstad. She was baptized and confirmed at Lake Campbell Lutheran Church. She attended school and graduated from Rutland High School.
She was married to Robert Giesen on February 5, 1960 at First Lutheran Church in Brookings. Over the years she worked at Swanee Hotel, Jackrabbit Bus Line, babysat and was a telemarketer. She served as a 4-H Leader. She was moved into the Golden Living Center on January 18, 2008 where she lived until the time of her death.
She enjoyed visiting with her friends on the phone, playing cards, and doing crossword puzzles.
She is survived by her husband, Robert, of Colman, SD; two daughters, Roberta Giesen, of Brookings, SD and Rebecca Draper, of Queen Creek, AZ; two grandchildren, Daisha (Ryan) Sublette, of Queen Creek, AZ and Nehemiah Draper, of Tucson, AZ; one great-grandchild, Audrey Sublette; one brother, James (Esther) Trygstad, of Colman, SD, one uncle, Vance (Wava) Janssen, of Sioux Falls, SD and 2 nieces, Janel (Wayne) Nusviken and Jean (Tim) Granum, 2 nephews, John Trygstad and Daniel Trygstad and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, twin siblings in infancy, Gordon and Grace, one sister-in-law, Sheila Bayer and one niece, Elaine Trygstad.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to your favorite charity.
Kermit S. Kirkvold
Died Nov. 28, 2011
Hendricks, Minn. - Kermit S. Kirkvold, 84, of Hendricks, Minn., died Nov. 28, 2011, at Casa Grande Medical Center in Casa Grande, Ariz.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 12, at Singsaas Lutheran Church, rural Hendricks, with the Rev. Ron Smith officiating.
Interment will follow at the Singsaas Church Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Reuben-Hanson American Legion, Post 195 of Hendricks.
Birk Funeral Home of Hendricks is in charge of arrangements.
Burton R. Kurkela
June 15, 1921 – July 20, 2012
Watertown - Burton R. Kurkela, 91, formerly of Hayti and Estelline, died Friday, July 20, 2012, at the Estelline Nursing and Care Center.
Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Hayti Lutheran Church with the Rev. William Hamill officiating. Burial is in the Apostolic Lutheran Cemetery at Lake Norden. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Geise Funeral Home in Estelline.
He was born June 15, 1921, in Laketon Township near Estelline to Otto and Anna (Koistinen) Kurkela. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and attended school at Laketon District No. 35 (Moen School).
He was a farmer and later assisted a friend in the plumbing business.
After his marriage to Doris Kienast on Oct. 20, 1946, they lived on his grandparents (Jacob and Anna Kurkela) homestead on the southeast corner of Lake Poinsett for 10 years, being the last residents to live there.
They farmed in Hamlin County for 24 years, retiring in the fall of 1981, when they moved to Hayti. In June of 1999, they moved to Watertown and Doris died in 2004. Burton moved to Stoneybrook Suites in the winter of 2005 and entered the Estelline Nursing and Care Center on July 10, 2012.
Burton had "a place for everything and everything in its place." He was a dedicated farmer and enjoyed fishing and visiting with family and friends.
He is survived by two sisters, Darlene (Edwin) Boom of Murrieta, Calif., and Jean Gudehus of Whittier, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Lillian Kurkela of Estelline; a brother-in-law, Herbert Keinast of Toronto; a special friend, Chuck Linneman of Watertown; six nieces and nephews; 12 great-nieces and nephews; 13 great-great-nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris; three brothers, LaVerne, Verner and Glendon; a nephew and a niece.
Louie Lee Rebekah Koerlin
October 2, 1936 - January 19, 2015
Louie Lee R. Koerlin, 78, of Volga, died Monday, January 19, 2015 at her home east of Volga. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Monday, January 26, 2015 at Rude’s Funeral Home in Brookings with interment at Greenwood Cemetery in Brookings. Visitation will be from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Sunday at Rude’s Funeral Home.
Louie Lee R. Schwab was born on October 2, 1936 in Yakima, WA, the daughter of Ephraim and Rose (Matucha) Schwab, the youngest and the only daughter of the 6 children.
She grew up and attended school in the Moses Lake, WA area.
She was united in marriage to Donald E. Koerlin on December 27, 1954. The couple relocated to Minneapolis, MN, where she worked as a key punch operator. Don and Lou later moved back to Washington area for a few years before settling north of Brookings with Don’s family on the farm. The couple then made their home east of Volga, where they have lived since.
Don and Lou owned and operated Midway Truck and Parts for many years. They were blessed with three children, Kelly, Kimberlee and Kevin. Lou was a stay-at-home mom and bookkeeper for the business, while they raised their children. Once the last of her children entered school, she began working at Sioux Valley School in 1972, starting out as a dishwasher. She eventually worked her way into the Kitchen Manager Position and held that position until her retirement in 2005. She enjoyed working with the gals in the kitchen, many of whom became her best friends and they took every opportunity to make it an enjoyable place to work. She was greeted every morning by many little faces that passed by her lunchroom door on their way to class. She especially enjoyed the days when her grandchildren started attending Sioux Valley and being able see their faces come through the lunch line.
Lou enjoyed bowling; she bowled in many leagues with the gals she worked with and in mixed pairs on Friday nights. She enjoyed taking small trips with her bowling buddies and following Don as he attended many national bowling tournaments. Lou loved to attend her grandchildren’s sports and school activities throughout the years. She enjoyed having her little dogs in the home and never went very long without a companion. She was a green thumb, having many unique house plants and gardening. She collected salt and pepper shakers and anything to do with geese. She displayed them all over the house and on every wall. Don and Lou most recently celebrated their 60th Anniversary on December 27, 2014 with a card shower.
She is survived by her husband, Donald Koerlin, of Volga, SD; three children, Kelly (Gloria) Koerlin, of Volga, SD, Kimberlee (Justin) Hamilton, of Janesville, WI and Kevin Koerlin, of Wessington Springs, SD; five grandchildren, Donovan, Ethan and Cadan Koerlin, of Volga, SD, Jeremie Hamilton, of Platteville, WI and Jacob Koerlin, of Sioux Falls, SD; sisters-in-law, Marion Bailey and Dar Koerlin; brother-in-law, Gene (Betty) Liebenbritt and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Lou is preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Francis and Florence Koerlin; five brothers, Harold (Opal) Schwab, Wayne (Pat) Schwab, Mel (Evie) Schwab, Ephraim (Mary) Schwab and Emanuel Schwab in infancy; brothers-in-law, Richard "Dick" Koerlin and Matt Bailey and sister-in-law, Betty Lebentritt.
Ernie Pedersen
Dec. 11, 1926 – July 21, 2012
Madison - Ernie Pedersen, 85, died Saturday, July 21, 2012 at Bethel Lutheran Home in Madison.
Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Messiah Lutheran Church in rural Flandreau. Burial is in Richland Township Cemetery in Inwood, Iowa. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Skroch Funeral Chapel in Flandreau, with a 7 p.m. prayer service.
He was born Dec. 11, 1926, in a farm home near Larchwood, Iowa, to Ejner and Kirstine (Kjeldsen) Pedersen.
He received his education in Inwood, graduating from Inwood High School. Ernst served in the military.
On Oct. 16, 1949 he married Marian Halstenson in Inwood. Ernie managed grain elevators at Inwood, Ware, Marathon, Swea City, and Lakota, Iowa and Trent for Quaker Oats, Cargill, Inc. and Farmers Co-op until his retirement in December 1991.
Then he worked for farmers during harvest season and delivered fiber body utility trucks, boats and trailers.
Ernie served on church councils and enjoyed hunting, fishing, road trips, coffee gatherings, and bird and squirrel feeding.
He had various collections, enjoyed playing cards, using the computer and sending emails.
He is survived by his wife Marian of Madison; two sons, Scott (Pat) of Lake Madison and Brian (Diane) of Iroquois; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a brother, Art (Charmaine) Pedersen of Inwood and a sister-in-law Marliss (Ed) Fiscella of Green Valley, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Roger.
Debra Kay Sneer
February 26, 1955 - January 26, 2015
Debra "Deb" Kay Sneer, 59, passed away Monday, January 26th, 2015 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Memorial Services have been set for 10:30am Wednesday, February 4th, 2015 at First Lutheran Church, Brookings, SD. Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 7:00pm Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at Rude’s Funeral Home, Brookings.
Debra Kay Jurgens was born February 26th, 1955 in Windom, MN, the daughter of John and Georgia (Jenkins) Jurgens. She grew up and attended school in Windom, graduating from Windom High School.
She was united in marriage to Steven w. Sneer on June 29th, 1974 in Mountain Lake, MN. They made their home in Mountain Lake until 1986, when they moved to Brookings, SD.
Deb retired in 2011 after a 20 year career with Hy-Vee Foods in Brookings, SD.
Deb was a devoted wife and mother; she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She had a passion for home decorating, she loved art and drawing, she loved spending time in the outdoors and riding with her husband on their Harley. She loved spending time in her garden. She had a big heart and loved taking care of those in need. She also enjoyed caring for older people in the community with no family. Helping them in any way she could.
Deb is survived by her husband Steve of Brookings, SD; her daughter and son-in-law; Torrie and Scott Colangelo of Leawood, KS; her son and daughter-in-law, Adrey and Becky Sneer of Brookings, SD; three granddaughters, Ashley Curtis, Addison Sneer and Tenley Sneer; two step-grandchildren, Morgan and Mason Colangelo and one brother, Mark Jurgens of Battle Creek, MI.
Deb was preceded in death by parents and a sister, Linda.
Joseph (Joe) S. Jorgenson
(March 16, 1926 - December 13, 2008)
Joseph (Joe) S. Jorgenson, age 82, of Madison, died Saturday, December 13, 2008, at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls.
Joseph S. Jorgenson was born March 16, 1926 at rural Montrose, SD, to Jalmar and Sophie (Sundahl) Jorgenson. He grew up in the Montrose area, attended Montrose High School for one year, and then graduated from Orland High School.
On June 6, 1954, he married Elaine Johnson at Parker, SD and they farmed with his father and brothers for 2 ˝ years before moving to their farm at rural Madison. He retired in 1987 and they moved to another rural home where he was living at the time of his death. Joe was an active member of the St. Peter Lutheran Church where at one time, he served on the church council and was treasurer of the cemetery board for 26 years.
His greatest joy in life was his family and his church. For 10 ˝ years he was on kidney dialysis and was an inspiration to others also on dialysis.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Elaine of Madison; one daughter Deborah Gulzow and her husband Steve of North Platte, NE; one son David Jorgenson and his wife Inez of Madison; three grandchildren, Jennifer Bush and her husband Nathan of Madison; Amanda Anderson and her husband Josh of Wentworth, and Spc. Clintin Jorgenson and his wife Jessica of Afghanistan and Ft. Campbell, KY; four great-grandchildren, Jada, Morgan and Wyatt Anderson and Calleigh Jorgenson; one brother George Jorgenson of Montrose; one sister Marguerite Gramstad of Sioux Falls; one sister-in-law Wilma Jorgenson of Montrose and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by an infant son; his parents; one brother Donald Jorgenson; and two infant brothers.
PALLBEARERS: Josh & Amanda Anderson, Nathan & Jennifer Bush, Paul Janssen, Jalmar Jorgenson
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: Spc. Clintin & Jessica Jorgenson; Great-grandchildren Jada, Morgan & Wyatt Anderson and Calleigh Jorgenson
Visitation begins noon Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Prayer Service at 7:00 PM Ellsworth Funeral Home
Funeral Service: 11:00 AM Wednesday, December 17, 2008 St. Peter Lutheran Church of Orland, Madison, South Dakota
Interment: St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery of Orland, Madison, South Dakota
Dale Thielsen
Dec. 12, 1924 – July 21, 2012
Elkton - Dale Thielsen, 87, died July 21, 2012, on the family farm.
Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Thursday at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau. Burial is in Union Cemetery in Flandreau. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at Skroch Funeral Chapel.
Dale was born Dec. 12, 1924, at home in rural Moody County to Raymond and Gertrude (Cobb) Thielsen. He was a lifelong resident of Moody County, living his 87 years on the Thielsen farm. He graduated from Harmony No. 33 grade school and Flandreau High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army under Gen. Patton with the 10th Armored Division 3rd Army, in World War II, as a rifleman in half-tracks and riding on top of tanks. He was wounded and treated at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Hospital in Denver. He then attended SDSC for a period, studying horticulture. Then he was hospitalized again at the Downey Naval Hospital in Chicago. Due to his wartime injuries, he was unable to hold a regular job. He lived with his parents helping them on the farm and caring for his mother after his father’s death. He enjoyed his Hereford cattle and cats. He loved to garden and give the produce to relatives, neighbors, and friends. Every spring he worked many hours planting trees. Dale was a member of the VFW and DAV.
He is survived by a brother, George (Janice) Thielsen of Sioux Falls, a sister-in-law, Darlene Thielsen of Sioux Falls, eight nieces and nephews; 12 great-nieces and nephews and 10 great-great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Howard, great-niece, Amber Schauer, and great-nephew, Timothy Thielsen.
