March 31, 1952 ~ December 26, 2022

Joan A. Murphy, 70, Brandon, died Monday, December 26, 2022, at her home, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Visitation with family present will be 5 -7 pm, Thursday, December 29, 2022, at the Brandon Baptist Church.  Funeral Services will be 1pm, Friday, December 30, also at Brandon Baptist Church.  Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls. In order to view live, go to YouTube and type in “Brandon Valley Baptist Church” and click to view live. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following in Joan’s honor.

• Warrior 180 Foundation https://warrior180.org
• Alpha Center https://alphacenter.org
• Life 96.5 https://life965.com/donate/
• Building Guate https://www.buildinguate.org
• For the Children Sioux Empire https://www.forthechildrensiouxempire.org
• AWANA https://www.awana.org/donate/

Joan Allon Kerslake was born in Sioux Falls on March 31, 1952, to John and Vivenne (Munson) Kerslake. She grew up in Sioux Falls where she was involved in Central Baptist Church and attended Mark Twain and Patrick Henry public schools, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1970. She also attended and graduated from Augustana College, where she was involved in the athletic department. She began her career as a Physical Education and Health teacher at Axtell Park, and also worked at the YMCA, was an athletic trainer, and was a racquetball pro at Woodlake Racquet Club. She then moved on to the Sioux Falls Gymnastics Club where she was head coach and business manager.

Joan married Dan Murphy in 1980. She worked as a head gymnastics coach at Brandon Valley High School and raised her son, Matthew, retiring from coaching in 1994. She enjoyed racquetball, swimming, travel, reading, biking, going out with friends, working with kids, and being part of various Bible studies. She loved Jesus, the church, her family, and her friends.

Joan loved to volunteer, especially with kids and in church, and touched many lives while involved with Girls Club, VBS, Sunday School, AWANA (serving as the Commander for many years at BV Baptist Church), and various church ministry teams. Joan was someone people found easy to talk to and a good listener. She put those skills to work as a Dawson McAllister Hopeline Counselor, Billy Graham Crusade Counselor, MOPS, and Teen MOPS Mentor, and she mentored several girls in the Brandon Valley School District over the years. She also worked as a Red Cross Health & Safety Instructor, chiropractic assistant, and tutoring several great kids. A few years ago, Joan welcomed Maddie, one of the girls she had been tutoring, into her home for several months. Joan also had a heart for those who were serving or had served in the military and enjoyed being involved with Warrior 180. She especially enjoyed handing out stars and listening to the stories of the soldiers she met both locally and while traveling.

Joan had a deep Christian faith. She was deeply involved in church ministry. She was part of many Bible Studies, small groups, and prayer ministries.  Recently, she was thrilled to be a part of Central Church’s frontline prayer ministry on Saturday evenings. Many of her friends described her as the most significant prayer warrior they knew. Her deepest desire would be that each and every one of you would put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. After many years of fighting cancer, Joan was taken into the arms of her Heavenly Father, passing peacefully in her sleep on December 26, 2022.

Joan is survived by her son, Matthew Murphy; brother, Wayne Kerslake; sister-in-law, Patty Hollenbeck; nephews and nieces, Shawn (Mardee) Hollenbeck, Jay (Jody) Hollenbeck, and Christopher (Jessica) Kerslake, and Katie (Andy) Abernethy; grandnieces and grandnephews, Brandi (Ethan) McDowell, Jaydn (JD) Kirwan, Blaire Hollenbeck, Aluxyn Hollenbeck, Anna Abernethy, Elise Kerslake, Bethany Abernethy, Sammy Kerslake, and Ollie Abernethy.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Dan; her parents, John and Vivenne (Munson) Kerslake; grandparents, Ed and Jenny Munson, and William and Rose Parent; sister-in-law, Gayle Kerslake; and nephew, Andrew Kerslake.

July 7, 1923 ~ December 20, 2022

Myrtle G. Alsgaard, 99, originally Montrose, formerly Brandon, died Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at Luther Manor in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral Services will be 11am, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at the Montrose United Methodist Church, with visitation at 10am. Interment will follow at the Montrose Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church. (If you still feel the need to send flowers, Bella Rosa Floral in Sioux Falls is the families contact. ~ 605-271-2637)

Myrtle Genevieve Johnson was born July 7, 1923, in Sioux Falls, SD, the daughter of James Henry and Lillie Patrina (Krogh) Johnson. She grew up and attended school in Humboldt, SD, and was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Humboldt.

Myrtle married Ernest Raymond Alsgaard on June 4, 1944. They made their home on a farm near Montrose. Myrtle was a long-time member of the Montrose United Methodist Church. She did a lot of volunteering by sewing school bags filled with school supplies and sending them overseas. She was the only one sewing the bags, she never kept count, but she made many, many of them. After the last of her 9 children graduated high school, she went to work at Jim Walter Window Components for 10 years. At that point, she was eligible for retirement but continued working, doing light housekeeping for elder friends and working at a daycare, and finally retiring at the age of 77 years.

Myrtle was a member of TOPS and she was proud of the fact that she was a KOPS for 25 years.  She met and enjoyed many friends through that group. She enjoyed reading, baking (she made many loaves of bread and cinnamon rolls), and gardening. She canned many jars of vegetables and fruits. Myrtle enjoyed sewing. She made many quilts for her family and for her church. Traveling – many times she went to Washington State to visit her cousin, Norma Parker, and to Westbrook, MN, to visit her cousin, Howard Nelson. At the age of 83, she traveled to Norway, to visit relatives with four of her children.

Myrtle is survived by her nine children, Martha McDonald, Ray (Nancy) Alsgaard, Diane Rollag, Don Alsgaard, John (Melissa) Alsgaard, Marlene (Jim) Gerber, Arlene Alsgaard, Robert Alsgaard, and Doris (Gary) Peters; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; plus, many nieces and nephews.

Myrtle was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest; her parents; sister, Dorothy Bocker; brother, Alfred Johnson; one son-in-law, three sisters-in-law; four brothers-in-law; and one great-granddaughter.

July 13, 1953 ~ December 5, 2022

Tom F. Pierce, 69, Brandon, died Monday, December 5, 2022, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls after a gallant battle with cancer.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 5-7pm, at Heartland Funeral Home, with a short time of sharing at 7pm.

Tom Franklin Pierce was born July 13, 1953, in Indiana to Lovic and Virginia Pierce.

He met his wife, Carole, in 1984 and they trained to become licensed barbers at Moler Barber College in Sacramento, CA. They opened a barber shop/coffee shop/florist in Meadow Vista, CA in 1988. After 14 years in business, they closed the shop and moved to Brandon, SD in 2002 where Tom was employed at Allegiant Air in Sioux Falls.

During their time in Brandon, Tom also worked at the Brandon School District as a bus driver and janitor and the driver of the Sioux Falls Trolley.

Tom is survived by his wife, Carole; his sister, Ann (Bill) Lineberry, daughters, Kelly Conn, Christyanna (Corey) Arnold, and Andrea (John) Rogers. He enjoyed 10 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and a close relationship with Jesus Christ.

November 15, 2022 ~ December 2, 2022

Sigrun Fanndal, 55, Sioux Falls, died Friday, December 2, 2022, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD, due to a heart attack.

A Celebration of Life with the family will be 5:30 -7:30pm, Friday, December 9, 2022, at Heartland Funeral Home.

Sigrun Svavarsdottir Fanndal was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, on November 15, 1967, to Svavar Sigursson and Sigurborg Kolbeinsdottir. She was the second oldest child of four.

Sigrun loved everyone and welcomed everyone with open arms; she would be the first person to give the shirt off her back or help in any way possible to anyone in need. All her life she was some type of caregiver, whether it was being a stay-at-home mom for her daughters, being a personal caregiver, taking care of the elderly, an being a certified nursing assistant throughout her life; being the caregiver she was to everyone, it became just part of her personality and lifestyle, she thrived and lived her life for caring for others. On December 8th, 2011, Sigrun’s pride and joy made her way into the world, her “Granny Gold”, Arieahna M. Arnadottir, as she called her, Arieahna was definitely her light and joy in her life; she loved that girl more than life itself. Sigrun was a very stubborn (and by stubborn, we mean STUBBORN), intellectual, goofy, Viking woman.

When Sigrun wasn’t working or spending time with her family and granny gold, she could be seen knitting, watching TV, shopping, cooking, baking, watching TikTok videos, and keeping up with family and friends via Facebook.

Sigrun will be forever missed leaving behind her two daughters, Birgitta S. Arnadottir and Sigurborg Skaftadottir; and her “Granny Gold” as she called her granddaughter, Arieahna M. Arnadottir; and her “adopted” granddaughter, Sabrina Cookinham; along with many other family and friends.

April 9, 1972 ~ November 26, 2022

Sean Robert Belongea-Kaufer, 50, Mesa, AZ, died unexpectedly, Saturday, November 26, 2022, at his home.

A Memorial Service with family present, will be held from 1-3pm, Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 405 W. Ironwood St, Brandon, SD.

Sean was born on April 9, 1972, in Sioux City, Iowa.  He was soon adopted by Carolyn K. (Bagley) Belongea, Sioux City, Iowa. He graduated from South Sioux City High School, South Sioux City, NE. Upon graduation, Sean decided to escape the cold weather and move to Alabama and then finally Arizona where he enjoyed the warmer climate. He also enjoyed the Spring Training games and Arts festivals and spending time with family and friends. Every Saturday during College football season, he rooted on his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers thru the losses and wins.

Sean is survived by his wife, Jaime Kaufer; son, Caden Johnston, and daughter, Lauren Kaufer; sister, Tamara (Joe) Belongea-Jenkins, Brandon, SD; mother-in-law, Bonnie Kaufer; sisters-in-law, Joyce (Geno) Wirthlin, and Melinda (Ben) Word; and several nieces and nephews.

Sean was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

November 2, 1940 ~ December 3, 2022

Nona E. Jensen, 82, Sioux Falls, died Saturday, December 3, 2022, at the Sanford Centennial Hospice Cottage, in Sioux Falls.

No services are planned at this time.

Nona is survived by her two children, Ellen Jensen, and Jim Jensen, both of Sioux Falls.

September 1, 1927 ~ December 3, 2022

Raymond Brown, 95, died on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

A Memorial Service will be 5pm, Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at Bethany Meadows Community Room, Brandon, SD.

Raymond’s family asks that you consider a gift to Bethany Lutheran Foundation in his memory. Gifts may be sent directly to:

Bethany Lutheran Foundation, 3008 E. Aspen Blvd. Brandon, SD.  57005 Please include “Raymond Brown memorial” on the memo line. Gifts may also be given online at: https://www.mybethanyhome.org/foundation

Raymond Wesley Brown was born on September 1, 1927, to Alva and Edna (Rittenhouse) Brown in Kent, MN. Ray grew up with his four siblings on the farm in Barnesville, MN. His older brother, Robert, and he took jobs at neighboring farms. When Robert tragically lost his arm in a corn picker, Ray finished his and his brother’s career; giving all earnings to Robert. The school was too important to Ray and he graduated from Wolverton Minnesota High School. At the age of 18, he joined the Navy in the final years of World War II. On leave from the Navy, he visited his sister Rose, where he met her business school roommate, Marilyn Morse. Ray and Marilyn married in 1952 in Casselton, North Dakota, and immediately moved to Billings, Montana, where he was working for Armor, buying cattle. Ray and Marilyn’s three children were born in Montana.

Opportunity at the Sioux Falls, SD Stockyards moved the family to where Ray eventually started his own cattle-buying business. At home, Ray was the grill master – cooking up burgers and steaks to accompany Marilyn’s good cooking. Ray appreciated “pretty country,” traveling west on family vacations and attending reunions. In retirement, Ray worked part-time at Walmart in several departments, even mixing paint. Amazingly his color blindness did not interfere. In 1997, Ray and Marilyn moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas, and enjoyed 23 years of playing golf, cards, and many excursions with their church shepherd group. They loved hosting their kids and grandkids where Ray would drive through the winding, hilly roads of Arkansas to wonderful destinations, and in the evening, show his card shark skills. A good time was had by all! To be closer to family, they moved back to South Dakota to Bethany Meadows, then Bethany Home in Brandon.  

Grateful to have shared his life are his wife, Marilyn; three children, Brenda (Chandler) Garrison, Barbara (Kim) Kusch, and Bradley (Marleen) Brown; ten grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

February 8, 1941 ~ December 3, 2022

Elaine J. (Meyer) Winkel, 81, Sioux Falls, SD, reached the hands of Jesus, Saturday, December 3, 2022, at home, peacefully surrounded by her family.

Visitation with family present, will be 5 – 7pm, Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at Heartland Funeral Home.  Funeral Services will be 11am, Thursday, December 8, 2022, at the Brandon Valley Assembly of God Church, (201 S Sioux Blvd, Brandon, SD), with Pastor Randy Tweeten officiating. The Funeral will be live-streamed at http://brandonvalley.online.church The stream will begin at 10:30am. (Due to licensing requirements, Music will be dropped from the feed during service) Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls. In lieu of flowers, our family requests donations be made to the Union Gospel Mission or the Children’s Inn of Sioux Falls, in Mom’s memory. (If you still feel the need to send flowers, Bella Rosa Floral in Sioux Falls is our contact. ~ 605-271-2637)

Elaine Joyce Meyer was born February 8, 1941, on a farm near rural Lennox, SD, to John and Molly (Rippentrop) Meyer, as the second of two girls. She attended school in Lennox until the family moved to Sioux Falls, during her freshman year of high school. She attended and graduated from Washington High School in 1959. Upon graduation, Elaine began working at Western Bank, for TM Reardon, as his first bookkeeper and teller in the bank. She worked for the bank for over 33 years full and part-time, before the bank was sold and transitioned over to the US Bank. Elaine then worked part-time for First Savings Bank in their Statements Department. After 13 years, they outsourced the department and again she was without a job. However, Elaine had already started working part-time for Qualified Presort, job sharing a position with Theresa Gallopo in the Hand Stuffing Dept. Elaine retired from QPS after over 20 years.

Somewhere around 1960, Mom’s brother-in-law, Orville, who worked with Dad at Fenn’s Dairy, dared him to call and ask her out. They were married on February 17, 1962, at Central Baptist Church in a blizzard. They remained members at Central for life and were members of the Ambassadors Adult Sunday School class. The couple built a home on the west side of Sioux Falls, where they still reside. Ron and Elaine had two sons, Todd and Chad. They made it a habit to support their children in every adventure they participated in from school, Band concerts, softball games, church activities, and Scouts. Mom and Dad introduced us to camping and we spent many vacations camping in the Black Hills and throughout South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. In a home with three boys (Dad included),  Mom was not one to be left out of an adventure. She accompanied us on many Deer, Pheasant, and Antelope hunting trips and fishing expeditions. While not a hunter, she had great eyes for spotting wild game. The best part of these trips was Mom brought snacks.  You would never go hungry. Mom also was not afraid to cook any of the sorted animals either. Originally, Mom was not a great cook. Dad tells of a date when she made a pizza, so bad the dog didn’t really want to eat it. That all changed as we can all attest to by looking at our size. Mom also was always full of surprises. You just never really knew what to expect for Christmas or birthdays. 

Elaine was granted two grandchildren, Dalana Jo, and Payton, and eventually four more. They were her pride and joy and could be found together every day during the summers on adventures at the Pavilion, the Butterfly House, the Zoo, the Fair, gardening, or even canoeing or fishing on the back pond at the farm. 

Unfortunately, in July of 2022, Mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung, liver, and brain Cancer. Even though Mom was optimistic and would never admit defeat, Saturday, December 3, 2022, Mom passed into the arms of Jesus, surrounded by her family, at her home.  

Elaine will be deeply missed by her husband of over 60 years, Ronald; two sons, Todd (Sue) Winkel, Brandon, and Chad (Tarah) Winkel, Sioux Falls; six grandchildren, Dalana Jo (Aaron), Payton, Kyle, Destrie (Rachel), Dax, and Morgan; one soon to be great-grandchild in April; in-laws, Alvah Winkel, Lois Winkel, and Marv (Sharon) Winkel; five nephews and nieces; four great-nephews and one great-niece; and many cousins.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mollie (Rippentrop) Meyer, one sister, Elnora, (Orville) Brandhagen; one brother-in-law, Duane Winkel; infant niece, an infant nephew, and one infant great-niece.

October 3, 1936 ~ November 29, 2022

Earl W. Johnson, age 86, of Sioux Falls, died unexpectedly, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at his home.

Visitation will be 9:30 – 11:00am, Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at Linwood Wesleyan Church, (1101 E 57^th St. Sioux Falls, SD) with Memorial Services beginning at 11:00am, followed by Military Honors.  Inurnment will be at Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls, at a later date.

Earl Wilbur Johnson was born October 3, 1936, in Sioux Falls, SD, and was soon adopted by Emil and Anna Johnson of Alcester, SD. He grew up on a farm near Alcester. He attended Ludwig rural school and graduated from Alcester High School. Earl grew up in the Big Springs Baptist Church, near Alcester. He joined the Air National Guard in 1954. He was employed full-time by the Air Guard for 37 years as an Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief until his retirement in 1991. He was Crew Chief on several types of Aircraft and went on deployments to many locations in the USA and worldwide. He was very fortunate to have worked with the Secret Service and the aircrews of Air Force One and Air Force Two on all Presidential and Vice-Presidential visits to Sioux Falls for 35 years.

Earl married his high school sweetheart, LaNiece Fickbohm, on October 9, 1956. They had two sons, Kevin and Darin. Earl and LaNiece helped plant Faith Baptist Fellowship in Sioux Falls where he served several years as board member and chairman. He was currently an active member of Linwood Wesleyan Church, in Sioux Falls. After his retirement, he kept busy with several rental properties and home remodeling projects. Since 1993, he has enjoyed spending the winters in Harlingen, TX. In June of 2017, they moved to the Dow Rummel Retirement Village, which they enjoyed very much.

Earl is survived by his wife of 66 years, LaNiece; their two sons, Kevin (Sandy) Johnson and Darin (Jacquelline) Johnson; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and six step-great-grandchildren.