Brookings County, South Dakota Obituary and Death Notice Collection
GenealogyBuff.com - Brookings County, South Dakota Obituary Collection - 37
Posted By: GenealogyBuff.com Date: Wednesday, 19 June 2024, at 4:46 p.m.
Terry L. Johnson
May 3, 1952 - July 17, 2018
Terry L. Johnson, 66, of Brookings, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at her home in Brookings. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, August 11, 2018 at First Baptist Church in Brookings. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Terry Johnson was born on May 3, 1952 in Houston, TX. The daughter of Garland and Joann Coggins.
As a child, she moved to Moresville, NC, and again, at the age of 15, to Lawndale, CA, where she met and married her high school sweetheart Gary on December 15, 1969 in Hawthorne, CA.
After graduating from Lawndale High School in 1970 she moved with her husband whose service in the Air Force moved them to Rapid City, SD. After his enlistment ended they moved back to California settling in Huntington Beach California where she lived with her husband and raised her 2 children for the next 25 years. In 2004 Terry and her husband moved to Lake Norden, SD finally settling in Brookings, SD in 2009. Terry worked for Hughes Aircraft Company in Los Angeles, CA for 17 years as a part of the quality control department as well as a paralegal assistant and notary for multiple attorneys and firms in the Orange County, CA area.
Terry had many passions and loves that kept her busy. Among her favorites were camping, fishing, boating, hiking, swimming, biking, and walking on the beach. Terry loved the Lord and would share the gospel with anyone willing to listen. She loved ministering to children in any of the church settings the Lord led her to. From preschool to high school, she loved them all. Terry was active in teaching Sunday School, AWANA, youth groups, and VBS. If there was an opportunity to teach kids about God's love she would sign up. Terry is currently a member of First Baptist Church in Brookings. Her biggest passion and love was being a mother and Grammy. She would say spoiling the grandkids was her specialty.
Grateful to have shared her life with her husband Gary for 48 ½ years, son Sean Johnson (wife Amy) daughter Deanna Rooke (husband Gary), her 7 precious grandchildren Madisyn, Stephanie, Trevor, Michaela, Hayley, Blake, and Zachary. As well as numerous Nieces and Nephews.
Kaiden Francis Morgan
February 4, 2018 - April 16, 2018
Kaiden Francis Morgan passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 16, 2018 at the age of 2 months. Funeral services will be held at 5:00 pm Friday, April 20, 2018 at First Baptist Church in Elkton, SD. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday at the church. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
He was born on February 4, 2018 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The son of Samantha Morgan and David Konair. Kaiden was a happy baby who loved to be rocked and sang to, especially by his mom and Lizzie. When Kaiden heard his mommy’s voice, he would contently look for her and smile. He was the greatest cuddler anyone could ask for. His siblings cherished him and would always rub his head or get him his pacifier when he was upset. Kaiden was always at peace when mom, nana, or Lizzie were there with him.
Kaiden is survived by his mother, Samantha Morgan; father, David Koniar; five siblings, Lizzie, Anya, Devon, Jacob, and Blaine all of Elkton, South Dakota; Nana and Papa Jan and Myrland Jenniges of Tyler, Minnesota; Uncle Michael Morgan of Ruthton, Minnesota; Aunt Ashley Morgan and Ryan Kightlinger of Colorado; great-grandparents, James, Francis, and Jacklyn Kightlinger of Pennsylvania.
He is preceded in death by his grandpa, Clinton A. Morgan.
Kevin Dean Neshiem
May 17, 1955 - June 3, 2018
Kevin Dean Neshiem, 63, of Brookings, SD, passed away Sunday, June 3, 2018 at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center, Sioux Falls, SD. Private family services will be held at a later date. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Kevin Dean Neshiem was born May 17, 1955 in Sioux Falls, SD the son of Dean Otto and Shirley (Bridge) Neshiem.
Kevin is survived by his daughter, Lauren; his son, James and grandson Joshua; his mother, Shirley Neshiem and a sister, Sheri Fuehrer.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sheila and his father, Dean.
Robert L. Brooks
December 27, 1941 - April 30, 2018
Robert (Bob) Brooks, 76, passed away Monday, April 30, 2018 at his home south of Brookings. A private inurnment with the family will be held on Friday, May 4th, with a Celebration of Life service to follow at First Lutheran Church at 3:00 pm. Visitation with the family will be held at First Lutheran Church 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Thursday, May 3rd. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Robert Lee Brooks was born December 27, 1941 in Stickney, SD, to Bennie and Opal (Heidinger) Brooks. He graduated from Kimball High School in 1959 and South Dakota State University in 1964.
Bob married Nicki Schoepf on January 29, 1964 in Brookings.
Bob and Nicki moved to Kimball, SD in June of 1964 so Bob could work with his dad at the family business, Brooks Hardware. In 1969, they moved back to Brookings, where they raised their three children, Wayde, Barbara, and Jonna. In Brookings, he first was employed at Gottschalk Real Estate Company and Hawley-Long Insurance. He then found his way to the loan business by working for Brookings Savings and Loan which then became Brookings Federal Bank and is now Metabank. He loved helping his customers get their dream home or succeed in business.
In addition to being involved in lending, Bob was enterprising. He was a partner in Smitty’s Pancake House in Yankton, the Sport Spot in Aberdeen, the Prairie Lanes, Total Maintenance, Par Line Golf, and the Brookings Credit Bureau & Collection agency. Nicki called him "The Gambler" and he called himself an "entrepreneur."
Bob proudly served as a volunteer fireman for the Kimball and Brookings departments for thirty-three years. He served on the Brookings Utilities Board and the Board of Directors for the Brookings Country Club.
Bob was blessed with a strong work ethic inherited from his parents and did his best to pass it on to his kids. He was fiercely protective of his family and friends and was always one to "tell it like it is." In addition to Nicki, his passions in this life were his kids and grandkids, his dogs, his friends, hunting, golfing, fishing, and the SDSU Jackrabbits. His epitomized his favorite motto "work hard, play hard."
Survivors include his wife, Nicki. One son, Wayde of Minneapolis, two daughters, Barbara (Mark) Sterle of Germantown, WI, and Jonna (Trampis) Wrice of Papillon, NE. Four grandchildren, Bethany Brooks, Tyler Wrice, Brooklyn Wrice, and Jaxon Wrice and four step-grandchildren Brian Sterle, Keri Sterle, Savannah & Noah Sterle. Four sisters Vaye Jean (Jim) Adamson of Chamberlain, SD, Norma (Don) Husman of Kimball, Betty (Rod) Lipor of Racine, Wisconsin, and Mary Jo (Frank) Andera of Mount Pleasant, MI, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a dear nephew, Christopher Andera.
Elmer G. Franken
(February 15, 1923 - December 13, 2008)
Elmer G. Franken, age 85, died Saturday, December 13, 2008, at Heritage Senior Living, Madison.
Elmer G. Franken was born Feb. 15, 1923 at Toronto, SD to George and Tina (Walters) Franken. He attended school in Argo Township graduating from the 8th grade. Elmer worked several jobs in the White and Toronto area as a farmhand; including for his sister Alice and her husband Peter Kruse and Irvie & Gladys Mennis. He joined the Army in November 1948 serving during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in September 1951.
Elmer married Maxine Steinback on Sept. 15, 1950 at Brookings.
After his discharge, they farmed until November 1961. He worked as a farmhand for many years in the White, Brookings and Winfred areas including working for Don Show. He was also custodian at Garfield School in Madison and at his church for several years. Elmer and his wife were also caretakers at Prairie View Apts. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Madison American Legion and he served as mayor of Winfred. He greatly enjoyed being with his family and having coffee with friends.
PRECEDED IN DEATH BY: his parents; his wife in 2001; three brothers Matt, Jack and Hank Franken; five sisters Grace Heppler, Ethel Winkowitch, Ella Smidt, Alice Kruse and Anna Mae Krein.
SURVIVORS: include his seven children and their spouses – Barbara (Don) Gause of Madison, Brice (Brenda) Franken of Madison, Belinda (Dan) Fritz of Madison, Blaine (Marcia) Franken of Clear Lake, Bernice Ripperger of Pierre, Beverly (Chris) Thayer of Sheridan, WY and Bradley (Brenda) Franken of Madison; 18 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one sister Gertie Odegaard of Mitchell and one sister-in-law Irene Franken of White.
Visitation begins 4:00 PM Wed., Dec. 17.
Family present at 7:00 PM Ellsworth Funeral Home
Funeral Service: 1:30 PM Thursday, December 18, 2008 First Presbyterian Church, Madison, South Dakota
Interment: Winfred Cemetery, Winfred, South Dakota
Anna Janssen
Mar 13 1914 - Jan 06 2009
Anna Katharine (DeWall) Janssen, daughter of Alek and Arianna (Ludwig) DeWall, was born on the family farm northwest of Dempster, South Dakota on March 13, 1914. She received her education in rural school near Dempster and worked on the family farm.
She was united in marriage to John Janssen on February 23, 1940, in Dempster.
They farmed three miles west of Dempster until John’s death in 1969. Anna moved to Estelline where she was employed part time at Geise Funeral Home for many years. She entered the Estelline Nursing and Care Center in August of 2002 and died there on Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at the age of 94 years, 9 months and 23 days.
She was a former member of the Dempster Reformed Church and a current member of Hamlin Reformed Church. She was also active in the Senior Citizens in Estelline and the Dorcas Society in Dempster.
Grateful for having shared her life are two daughters, Darlene Pedersen and Bob Hutt of Estelline, Johanna Tarrell and her husband Keith of Bruce, SD; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Dena Rosenbohm of Eden Valley, MN; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Anna was preceded in death by her husband John; her parents; two brothers, Lloyd and Lester DeWall; two sisters, Jane Jongeling and Eleanor Harrenga; and a son-in-law, Donald Pedersen.
Visitation: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday at Geise Funeral Home in Estelline.
Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M., Friday, January 9, 2009 Hamlin Reformed Church, Rural Castlewood, South Dakota, Rev. Carl Van Voorst, Officiating
Interment: Dempster Cemetery, Dempster, South Dakota
Elroy Dragsten
June 30, 1925 - April 13, 2018
Elroy Dragsten wrapped in the loving arms of his wife (Ardis) of more than 66 years, was called by Jesus on April 13, 2018 at the age of 92 in his home in Brookings, SD. His fight with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia was met with complications he could not overcome. We believe he was carried over the threshold into heaven by Jesus and his son Rodney. Elroy was united with loved ones and friends he has not seen in a long time.
Born on June 30, 1925 Elroy loved growing up in Wallace, South Dakota where you could hunt from your front porch. He didn’t need to say the words ‘I Love You’, you knew by his actions you were truly loved. At first meeting him you would think he was shy, but you would soon learn that he was a friendly, witty man with true integrity and charm. He did not have to use many words to express his love or his seldom displeasure.
Elroy loved his country and served in the Navy during WWII as a 2nd Lieutenant. He earned his Civil Engineering degree from South Dakota State University (Jackrabbits) in June 1952 and belonged to the National Society of Professional Engineers during his lifelong career.
For a man who was never going to get married, he was smitten with Ardis (Rovang). They were united in marriage on March 23, 1952. On March 4, 1953 they welcomed their son Rodney Elroy. Soon after, their daughter, Heidi Inga was born on October 2, 1954.
The family traveled wherever his engineering jobs took them, from Wausau, WI to Grand Marais, MN where Highway 61 travels to the Canadian border, which is an All-American road and National Scenic Byway. They decided to expand their family and Kathy Jo was born on June 16, 1962.
At the start of his career in 1952, he was assistant city civil engineer in Huron, SD. In 1953, he moved his family to MN where he worked for the Minnesota Highway Department. He joined SJ Groves & Sons Co in 1959 as their civil engineer and moved his family to La Crescent, MN in 1962. The construction of Highway 61 from Dresbach to Dakota, in the Hiawatha Valley was built under his watch. The company later (1969) moved his family to Shakopee, MN, where he commuted to his downtown Minneapolis office. His career took a strange turn in which he decided to embark on a new and challenging profession. In 1971, he and Ardis became the owners of an A&W Drive-In in Pipestone, MN. The excitement of owning a business soon vanished. Elroy returned to his chosen occupation as a civil engineer and the position he loved most during his career…Chippewa County Engineer in Montevideo, MN, from 1974 -1995. He was instrumental in the construction of the first bike path for Chippewa County in 1993.
He passed on his passion for water sports to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In the earlier years, every Sunday was spent on the Mississippi River near La Crosse, WI, and later, at Big Kandiyohi (Willmar, MN), Serpent Lake (Deerwood, MN) and most recently, Lake Pulaski (Buffalo, MN). His 18-foot Hobie Cat was a passion. He loved the quiet sail in the morning and evenings with wild rides on one hull, hiked out on the trapeze when the winds picked up. There was always a good reason to sail. He also water-skied until he was 81.
In retirement, at the age of 70, he and Ardis shared a home during the winter months in The Villages, FL. A golf cart ride or golf game was just outside his door. In his 80’s, to the delight of his family, he began another passion of writing stories of his life.
Elroy joins his parents Peder and Inga (Fiksdahl) Dragsten, his son Rodney Elroy Dragsten (2014), grandson Mitchell David Haugan (1995), brothers Palmer, Monroe, Arnold and sister Ardes Fjelstad.
Surviving are his wife Ardis; daughters Heidi (Thomas) Barcia (Reno, NV), Kathy Jo (David) Haugan (Brookings, SD); daughter-in-law Ann Dragsten (Monticello, MN); sister Irene Thorson (Elk Point, SD), grandchildren; Jennifer (Ben) Anderson (Becker, MN), Valerie (Shaun) Hickman (Otsego, MN), Nikki (Travis) Drahota (Becker, MN), Michael (Brooke) Barcia (Reno, NV), Tommy (Elisa) Barcia (Reno, NV), Johanna Haugan and Peder Haugan (Brookings, SD). He was blessed with 11 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, June 1, 2018 at First Lutheran Church in Brookings, SD at 2:00pm with a visitation 1-hour prior.
Judith R. Petersen
June 26, 1935 - January 25, 2018
Judith Robinson Kidd Petersen of Brookings, SD became One with Divinity on the morning of January 25, 2018. Memorial Services will be 11:00am Thursday, May 17, 2018 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Brookings, SD, 57006. Memorial Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the Memorial Service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Brookings, SD. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, we request that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or any Mental Health Foundation of your choice.
She is survived by her husband of forty years, Daryl (Pete) Petersen; daughter, Katherine Kidd; sons Jason and John Kidd. She also leaves behind a sister, Nancy Terry and granddaughter, Kendra Kidd.
Judith is a native Texan and grew up an independent woman, creating many personas through her numerous talents and gifts. She returned to university after an extended absence and graduated from SDSU at the age of 57!
Never one to slow down, Judith’ many careers started in the 60’s as a LVN in nursing, 70’s Photographer for Greenville Herald Banner and onto IM where she received two Means Service Awards (the highest honor given to their employees).
She and Pete returned to Brookings (his home town) in 1981, and she joined the staff at SDSU in 1982 through 1999. In October 2003, Judith was ordained as Deacon of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and later became the Chaplin of United Living Center, both in Brookings.
Her favorite things in life were collecting books (a plethora), hoarding any craft or object worthy of a project, hunting or camping with Pete at the antique tractor show (she could drive one!) and her dogs. By design, Judith was an Actress, Director, Master Carver and Bead Artist. She threw her hand at Play writing, Costume Design, and was a member of the Eastern Star.
Our family would like to thank the staff of United Living Center for their constant care and dedication to the betterment of end life critical care.
