Eidsness Funeral Home, Brookings, South Dakota
Ralph S. Simmons
Ralph S. Simmons was born August 5, 1915, in Sherman Township near White, South Dakota, to Howard Eugene and Freida (Stein) Simmons. He died Sunday, May 19, 2002, at the Hendricks Hospital in Hendricks, Minnesota.
Ralph attended District No. 105 in Sherman Township, and graduated from White High School. He played baseball for the White team.
On December 4, 1935, Ralph married Daisy Trulock at Clear Lake, South Dakota. They resided on a farm one and one-half miles south of White for a year, and then moved to a farm in Sherman Township one mile south and six miles east of White. They were the parents of three children: twins, who died soon after birth, and Sharon Rose, who was born November 17, 1939, and died March 14, 1940, of diphtheria. In 1980 Ralph and Daisy moved into White. Ralph served as the caretaker of Fairview Cemetery for several years. Daisy died June 11, 1997.
Ralph was a member of the United Methodist Church, and served as treasurer of the Sherman Township board for many years. He enjoyed fishing and playing cards.
Survivors include sisters-in-law: Genevieve Simmons of White, Violet (Myron) Carpenter of Glendive, Montana, Ivy Reinhard of Missoula, Montana, Ada (Don) Simpson of Rapid City, South Dakota, and Rose (Don) Selleck of White; a brother-in-law, Jim (Irene) Trulock of Toronto, South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; infant children; and brothers, Russell and John.
John L. Wiersma
John L. Wiersma was born April 17, 1919, in Volga, South Dakota, the son of John and Niesje (Kleinjan) Wiersma. He died on Tuesday, May 21, 2002, in Rapid City, South Dakota, at the age of 83.
John graduated from Volga High School in 1937. He received his Bachelor's Degree from South Dakota State University in 1941, a Master's Degree from SDSU, and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis, in 1970. Dr. Wiersma was a professor at SDSU from 1946 until his retirement in 1983.
John married Gertrude H. Schlomer on October 12, 1940, in Rock Rapids, Iowa. She passed away on July 17, 1984. John married Leona Mae (Holloway) Wobbema on January 17, 1987, and they resided in Mesa, Arizona.
John is survived by his wife, Leona, of Rapid City; children: Doreen (Don) Hanneken of St. Louis, Missouri, Steve (Peggy) Wiersma of El Dorado Hills, California, Elli (Joel) Schwiesow of Rapid City, South Dakota, and Paul (Marjie) Wiersma of Spokane, Washington; twelve grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters: Mary Vander Wal of Bruce, South Dakota, and Doris (Edward) Van Maanen of Volga; and a brother, Frank (Pat) of Tucson, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Daniel, of Volga.
James Bernard Murphy
James Bernard Murphy was born December 27, 1922, in Sherman Township near White, South Dakota, to Frank and Elizabeth (Anding) Murphy. He died Wednesday, June 19, 2002, at the Brookings Hospital in Brookings, South Dakota.
Jimmy attended Sherman District No. 105 country school and White High School. He was in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1941 until 1945, serving in the South Pacific. On April 23, 1943, he married Joyce Beryl Victoria Peace in Melbourne, Australia. They later divorced.
Jimmy re-enlisted in the Army in January 1948. The family joined him at Ft. Richardson, Alaska, and after his tour of duty, they returned to White and farmed until 1954. He worked at the White Creamery from 1955 until 1959. In 1960 he began his employment with Meredith Publishing Company in Sioux Falls. He was promoted to territory manager for three states in 1961. In 1963 he was promoted to crew manager for the state of South Dakota, and he had continued success in his sales work. He sold magazines for Successful Farming magazine from 1960 until 1997.
Jimmy was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Parish; Higgins-Jessen American Legion Post No. 88; George Dokken Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2118; and Sioux Falls Chapter No. 1 of the Disabled American Veterans. He enjoyed fishing, eating, visiting, shaking dice, and playing cards.
Survivors include his six children: Robert (Delores) Murphy of Tacoma, Washington, Jim (Arlene) Murphy of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Gene (Eldine) Murphy of Sioux Falls, Kenneth Murphy of Brookings, Marilyn (Mike) Shannon of Tilden, Illinois, and Charles (Mary) Murphy of Brookings; eleven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Madeline Murphy, of Cranston, Rhode Island; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; nine brothers and sisters; and a daughter-in-law, Mary Murphy.
Dorothy Martha (Wiener) Schultz
Dorothy Martha (Wiener) Schultz was born November 10, 1910, at Hinton, Iowa, to Andrew and Marie (Roepke) Wiener. She died Wednesday, June 19, 2002, at the Brookings Hospital in Brookings, South Dakota.
Dorothy moved with her family to a farm near White when she was a young girl. She attended country school near White and White High School. On September 2, 1928, she married Ernest Herman Schultz at Tyndall, South Dakota. They farmed near White until 1961 when they moved into town. Dorothy worked for the SDSU Food Service from 1962 until 1984. Ernest died in 1985.
Dorothy was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in White and the V.F.W. Auxiliary in Brookings. She loved flowers, gardening, knitting, and crocheting. She was affectionately known by her nickname, "Grandma Goose" by many in the area.
Survivors include two daughters: Stella Tirrel of Astoria, South Dakota, and Nancy (Norman) Kluess of Carlos, Minnesota; a son, Richard (Vivian) Schultz of Craig, Alaska; 18 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Frank (Evangeline) Wiener, of White; two sisters: Arlene (Bob) Hammond of Granite Falls, Minnesota, and Marion (Calvin) Tellinghuisen of Rapid City, South Dakota; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Roberta Morris; a son, Burnell; a grandson, Randy; nephew, Robert Wiener; and son-in-law, Jim Tirrel.
Donnalene Kruse
Donnalene Kruse was born February 24, 1922, at Aurora, South Dakota, to Loyd and Marion (Love) Wilkinson. She died Sunday, June 23, 2002, at the Brookings Hospital in Brookings, South Dakota.
Dona grew up in the Aurora and Bushnell area and attended school in Aurora. On May 8, 1942, she married Willis A. Kruse in Tyler, Minnesota. The couple moved to White where they farmed. Dona was a nurse's aid for over 20 years at the Good Samaritan Center in Clear Lake, South Dakota. She also was owner and operator of The Garden Shop in Astoria for over 20 years. She enjoyed making floral arrangements and raising plants for her business.
Survivors include her children: David (Deloris) Kruse of Watertown, South Dakota, Cheryl (Bill) Mitchell of Estelline, South Dakota, Ellen Kay Spindle of Ravena, Texas, and Dennis (Cheryl) Kruse of Ivanhoe, Texas; eleven grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; a brother, Loyd Wilkinson; and six sisters: Mollie Ahlers, Bonnie Ahlers, Peggy Smith, Edith Whitehead, Jeanne Nelson, and Cheri Busson. She was preceded in death by her husband; a brother, George Wilkinson; a sister, Gloria Schuliach; a grandchild, Brett Spindle; a great-grandchild, Stormy Spindle, and a son-in-law, Wayne Spindle.
Charles Curtis Tweed
Charles Curtis Tweed was born May 11, 1929, at Humboldt, South Dakota, to Alfred and Josie (Gregg) Tweed. He died Sunday, March 17, 2002, at Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Curtis grew up and attended school at Humboldt. On May 4, 1956, he married Ardys Liesinger at Zion Lutheran Church near Hartford, South Dakota. The Tweeds lived in Humboldt until 1964 when they moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. Curtis studied vocational agriculture for a year while in Lincoln. In 1966, they moved to Brookings where he worked as a custodian at South Dakota State University, primarily at Hilton Briggs Library, for 22 years. Curtis retired in 1989. Ardys died on March 31, 1999.
Curtis was a member of the Brookings First Assembly of God, where he was active in the West of 55 Senior Group. He enjoyed camping, fishing, sports, cars, tractors, and attending all his grandchildren's events. Curtis was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
Survivors include two sons: Ron (Deb) Tweed of Brookings and Randy Tweed and his special friend Lisa of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; a daughter, Renee (Wayne) Nelson of Brookings; seven grandchildren: Tracy Petersen, Chris Petersen, Ryan Nelson, Bethany Nelson, Meghan Nelson, Wyatt Holiway, and Samantha Holiway; a sister, Shirley Tweed of Sioux Falls; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and sister, Claire Henline.
Cora Ruby (Narum) Johnson
Cora Ruby (Narum) Johnson was born August 10, 1907, in Sterling Township, north of Brookings, South Dakota, to John J. and Anna (Madson) Narum. She died Friday, March 8, 2002, at the White Healthcare Center in White, South Dakota.
Cora attended school in Sterling Township. On March 27, 1927, she married Milton L. Johnson at Pipestone, Minnesota. The couple first lived in Arlington and then moved to Brookings. Milton died November 30, 1992.
Cora was a member of First Lutheran Church in Brookings and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Survivors include two sons: Wayne (Janet) Johnson of Rapid City, South Dakota, and Francis (Donna) Johnson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and twin great-great-granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her husband; son, Devon; a granddaughter, Nancy; a grandson, Brian; two sisters, Evelyn Erickson and Myrtle Dubbe; and a brother, Art Narum.
Clarence Diesen
Deac was born January 10, 1921, at St. Louis, Missouri, to Benjamin and Martha (Wactwitz) Diesen. He died Saturday, November 16, 2002, at the Brookings Hospital.
Deac was a member of First Lutheran Church and Lutheran Brotherhood, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Kiwanis, and Elks. He grew up in the St. Louis area and attended school in St. Louis. He worked in a hardware store and for Elder Manufacturing Company before his service in the U.S. Army during World War II. On October 28, 1944, he married Patricia Miller in White Horse, Yukon, Canada.
Following his discharge from the Army, he worked for Smith-Schaff Paper Company. Following a move to Watertown, South Dakota, he worked for Motor Supply Company for 14 years. He moved to Brookings where he worked for Robertson Auto Electric and Sidles Company. He and Myrl Jones were partners in ownership of Mr. Automotive until his retirement in 1981. He then worked as a custodian for the East Central Multidistrict Vo-Tech School for five years. Patricia died February 28, 1986. On August 15, 1992, he married Barbara Seit in Brookings.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara, of Brookings; a son, David (Cynthia) Diesen of Weston, Wisconsin; three step-daughters: Mickey (Allen) Cooper of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Shelah (Leonard) Moskal of Bellevue, Nebraska, and Carol (Sam) Riggleman Jr.; and eight grandchildren: Michelle (Ryan) Weed, Mark Diesen, Britney and Kristen Cooper, Thad and Andrea Moskel, Tim and Scott Riggleman. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Patricia, a daughter, Joanne Thompson; a brother, Bernard Diesen; and a sister, Anita Marzaik.
Charlotte (Vanden Berg) Houtman
Charlotte (Vanden Berg) Houtman was born August 9, 1905, at Holland, Michigan, to William B. and Agnes (Karel) Vanden Berg. She died Sunday, May 19, 2002, at the United Retirement Center in Brookings, South Dakota.
Charlotte and her family moved to the Volga area when she was three years old. She attended rural school in the Volga area. She married Hessel Houtman at Volga on January 7, 1925. The couple farmed in the Volga area until 1960. Charlotte worked for Quick Lunch in Brookings for several years, Parkview Home for four years, and the Volga Hospital for seven years.
Charlotte was a member of the Volga Christian Reformed Church, Gideon's International, and Ladies Aid. She enjoyed bowling, golfing, throwing horseshoes, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors include three sons: Wilbur (Delores) Houtman of Antigo, Wisconsin, Gerald (Marlys) Houtman of Brookings, and Charles (Karen) Houtman of Canby, Minnesota; three daughters: Lorraine Lengkeek of Holland, Michigan, Dorothy (Elmer) Weisser of Brookings, and Hester (James) Jennings of Pipestone, Minnesota; 32 grandchildren; 74 great-grandchildren; 19 great-great-grandchildren; three sisters: Mabel (William) Czerkies of Holland, Michigan, Wilma (Joe) Stephens of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Agnes (William) Amen of Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her husband; three brothers; three sisters; a son; a daughter; a grandson; a granddaughter; a great-grandson; and a great-granddaughter.
Carol Ann (Randel) Hefling
Carol Ann (Randel) Hefling was born October 15, 1937, at Ottawa, Kansas, to Leslie and Frances (Hagen) Randel. She died Friday, January 31, 2003, at the Madison, South Dakota, Community Hospital.
Carol grew up in the Ottawa-Pomona area, and graduated from Appanoose High School. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. She taught school in Kansas for ten years. On May 30, 1965, she married Joel L. Hefling at Bison, Kansas. They moved to Brookings, South Dakota, in August 1970. Carol taught English, oral interpretation, and drama at Elkton High School from 1972 until her retirement in May 2002.
Carol was a member of First United Methodist Church in Brookings, the Speech Communication Association of South Dakota, and the South Dakota Education Association. She enjoyed reading.
Survivors include her husband, Joel Hefling, of Brookings; a daughter, Sara Hefling, of Brookings; a son, Brian (Deb) Hefling, of Plano, Texas; a step-grandson, Scott Anderson; a brother, Don Randel, of Pomona, Kansas; a sister-in-law, Donna Randel, of Osborne, Kansas; three nieces; and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Frank; and a sister-in-law, Reba.
Beryl (Colburn) Younger
Beryl (Colburn) Younger was born March 11, 1912, at Madison, South Dakota, to John H. and Laura T. (Rohm) Colburn. She died Monday, January 6, 2003, at the Brookings Hospital in Brookings, South Dakota.
At age one Beryl moved with her parents to a homestead at Bascom, Montana, returning to Madison in 1917. In 1922 the family moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, and returned to Madison in 1928. Beryl graduated from Madison High School in 1929. In 1933 she graduated from Eastern Normal (now Dakota State University). She was a member of Kappa Sigma Iota and the Trojan annual staff. She taught in rural schools in Lake County and in McIntosh, South Dakota. On June 26, 1938, she married John F. Younger in Madison. In 1940 they moved to Brookings, in 1943 to Beresford, and returned to Brookings in 1945, where John was in the Extension Service 4-H Department at South Dakota State University. Beryl served as a substitute teacher in Brookings and in area rural schools. John died January 20, 1991.
Beryl was an active member of the Brookings Community. She was a charter member of the Brookings Fine Arts Club, Toastmistress Club, and Lioness Club, and was instrumental in organizing the South Dakota Art Center Guild, where she received a docent award for 23 years of service. For 57 years she was very active in Extension Homemakers (now FCE), P.T.A., Cub Scouts, Brownie Scouts, and as a 4-H leader. She was active in the cultural arts, receiving a national award. She presented research papers at the Dakota History Conference at the Karl Mundt Library at Dakota State, and at the Center for Western Studies at Augustana. She was honored for her outstanding historic research for South Dakota in 1995. She received Dakota State’s Outstanding Alumnus Award, AARP RTA Volunteer Award, and Woman of the Year Award from Young Men and Women. For ten years she was the Brookings County Easter Seal Chairwoman. She was a member of the Faculty Women’s Club, book and antique clubs, Brookings Area Genealogical Society, NARFE, Retired Teachers Association, Friends of the Library, and South Dakota Historical Society. She was an artist in watercolor and oil painting. Other hobbies included knitting, crocheting, quilting, sewing, writing, reading, doing historical research, and traveling in the United States and the world.
Beryl published three books: a poetry book, Dipping My Wings; a humorous book, The Wit and Wisdom of John Younger; and at age 89, after 14 years of research, a historical autobiography tracing four families’ histories, A Teaspoon of Brown Sugar.
Survivors include a son, Kent Younger, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; a daughter, Shari Younger and her husband, Elmer Gosh, of Mercer, Wisconsin; four grandchildren: Lynne, Kristin, and Megan Younger, and Carson Amiot; two great-grandchildren, Skytanna and Matilda Younger; a sister, Zora Colburn, of Brookings; a brother, Duane Colburn and his wife, Eunice, of Hendricks, Minnesota; and nieces and nephews.
Beryl will be greatly missed by the many people who shared a piece of her wonderful life.
Arlene Eleanor Poss
Arlene Eleanor Poss was born April 8, 1952, in Brookings, South Dakota, to Paul and Eleanor (Hey) Poss. She died April 29, 2002, at her home in Roseville, Minnesota.
Arlene graduated from Deubrook High School in White in 1970 and attended college in the Twin Cities, where she was employed as an accountant. She was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Parish in Roseville. She enjoyed reading, traveling, and doing crafts.
Survivors include three sisters: Ann (Rick) Roby of Watertown, South Dakota, Ardelle Lundin of Watertown, and Alice Slabach of Lutz, Florida; two brothers: Dale Poss of Reno, Nevada, and Darell (Sun Yim) Poss of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, David; and a nephew, Jacob.
Other Funerals managed by Eidsness Funeral Home:
To get the death date, use the Social Security Death Index.
Harold Maryott, age 70, of White, SD
Cora Johnson, age 93, of Brookings, SD
Kenneth P. Nelson, age 83, of Brookings, SD
Charles Curtis Tweed, age 72, of Brookings, SD
Dr. John P. Hendrickson, age 79, of Brookings, SD
Irene "Jerry" Abel, age 93, of Brookings, SD
Evelyn Beattie, age 99, of Brookings, SD
Merlyn Grape, age 96, of Brookings, SD
Jean Bartling, age 75, of Brookings, SD
Ronald "Butch" Kjelden, age 72, of Brookings, SD
Mary Boettcher, age 89, of Bruce, SD
Dellie Brown, age 41, of Astoria, SD
Ervin Kurtz, age 87, of Brookings, SD
Maxine Motter, age 84, of Elkton, SD
Ella Bjerke, age 93, of Volga, SD
Randy Nash, age 42, of Brookings, SD
William McCone, age 85, of Brookings, SD
Naomi Foster, age 94, of Brookings, SD
Robert Schlemmer, age 65, of Volga, SD
Audrey Hoogwerf, age 70, of Volga, SD
Henry Kroeger, age 100, of Elkton, SD
Arlene Poss, age 50, formerly of White
Michael R. Robuck, age 45, of Aurora, SD
Rodney Torgrude, age 57, of Sinai, SD
Lucille Barnes, age 83, of Brookings, SD
Ralph Simmons, age 86, of White, SD
Charlotte Houtman, age 96, of Volga, SD
John Wiersma, age 83, formerly of Brookings
Arthur Case, age 86, of Volga, SD
William D. McCracken, Jr., age 66, of Brookings, SD
Edward G. Van Maanen, age 77, of Volga, SD
Ada C. Wosje, age 94, of Volga, SD
Linden O. Nelson, age 75, of Valley Springs, formerly of Toronto, SD
Ann Marie Smith, age 80, of Brookings, SD
Clayton Den Otter, age 85, of Volga, SD
Florence Lucas, age 85, of White, SD
Janet Den Otter, age 79, of Volga, SD
Clarence Severson, age 80, of Brookings, SD
Arthur E. Dracy, age 85, Brookings, SD
Corinne J. Krogh, age 77, of Bruce, SD
Susan Verhoek, age 82, of Volga, SD
Lavisa O. Haddow, age 89, of Brookings, SD
James J. O'Connell, age 91, of Northfield, MN
Russell D. Hicks, age 65, of Toronto, SD
Ray Santema, age 62, of Lake Hendricks, MN
Lucile D. Finck, age 73, of Brookings, SD
Marvin Blase, age 80, of Volga, SD
Dorothy "DJ" Cline, age 84, of Brookings, SD
Duane Monteith, age 79, of Brookings, SD
Clifford L. Jensen, age 71, of Brookings, SD
Clarence Diesen, age 81, of Brookings, SD
Connie Holstein, age 62, of Brookings, SD
Lloyd Johnson, age 85, of Brookings, SD
Gary Schwartz, age 48, of Brookings, SD
Donald Olauson, age 64, of Volga, SD
Valborg Harpestad, age 83, formerly of Bruce, SD
Jonathan Christianson, age 15, of Volga, SD
Beryl Younger, age 90, of Brookings, SD
Lois Mottaz, age 75, of White, SD
Delbert W. Goldammer, age 58, of Elkton, SD
Roy Stacey, age 62, of Brookings, SD
Paul Middaugh, age 82, of Brookings, SD
Carol Hefling, age 65, of Brookings, SD
Dulania Chenoweth, age 92, of Brookings, SD
