November 20, 2020 ~ November 23, 1929

Merle R. Brenden, 90, was received into the embrace of our Lord on Friday, November 20, 2020.  He was a resident of Dell Rapids Nursing at the time of his death.

Merle’s cremains will reside in the columbarium at Velda Rose United Methodist Church in Mesa, Arizona. Memorial services are pending.   

Merle Robert Brenden was born in Vienna, South Dakota, on November 23, 1929, to Olaf and Agnes Brenden.  He was one of 12 children.  He spent his early years helping his parents and siblings on the farm. 

Merle married Anna Marie Siebrands on November 5, 1949.  After farming in the area for several years, the couple moved to Sioux Falls in 1956.  Merle worked for Sunshine Foods until 1975, when they moved to Lake Poinsett, SD, where they owned and operated a car crushing business. 

After retirement, they divided their time between South Dakota, Nebraska, and Mesa, Arizona.  They moved to Mesa full-time in 2000.  In 2017, they moved to Rapid City, SD, and eventually back home to Sioux Falls, SD. 

Merle will be remembered for his love and dedication to his wife and family, (this included nieces and nephews as well,) an incredible work ethic, and his quiet unassuming presence.

Merle is survived by three children, Nyla (Terry) Hostin, of Mesa, AZ, Merlin (Bonnie) Brenden, of Valley Springs, SD, and Connie (Marv) Harmsen, of Gilbert, AZ; 7 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; a sister, Alyce Siebrands, and a brother Lloyd (Dorothy) Brenden.

Merle was preceded in death by his wife, and his parents.

November 19, 1945 ~ March 7, 2021

Eileen J. Hoeke, 75, of Sioux Falls, formerly Brandon, died Sunday, March 7, 2021, at her home in Sioux Falls.

Visitation will be 11am, Thursday March 11, 2021, at Heartland Funeral Home.  Funeral Services will begin at 1pm, also at Heartland Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at Brandon Lutheran Cemetery. A live stream link is https://us05web.zoom.us/j/5124602851?pwd=T0RsM0YrZWpQZEZrTHdmNXUzR3U0UT09

Eileen June Nordquist was born November 19, 1945, to Harvey and Pearl (Frerichs) Nordquist, in Ortonville, MN.  She was raised near Corona, SD, and attended Genesco #1 country school, and graduated from Wilmot High School.  She then attended Stewart’s Beauty School in St. Cloud.  Eileen also attended Christ Lutheran Country Church, Wilmot, SD, for her confirmation and also where she married Ron Hoeke on July 31, 1965. The couple was blessed with four boys. They lived in several locations including Sioux Falls, Corson, rural Garretson, and finally moved to Brandon in 1977, when they operated Hoeke Excavating for many years. Eileen was the bookkeeper and a homemaker trying to raise for energetic boys with paper routes and fundraisers for school. She also worked for several years as a home health caregiver with Touchmark All Saints. Eileen had a heart for helping people. 

The boys remember spending every Christmas with Eileen’s parents in Brookings at Grandma Pearls’. Eileen also had a hobby of attending tractor and truck pulls on the weekend and Eileen participated by driving a stock pickup in the Powder Puff division.  For the last several years, Eileen and her special friend, Steve Erickson, would spend a lot of time watching Twins Baseball.  They also loved to travel to their respective family reunions every year to visit.  Eileen and Steve also enjoyed their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Celebrating Christmas and everyone’s birthday was important. They will never be forgotten for remembering everyone’s birthday with a card and $5.

Eileen will be deeply missed by her four sons, Rollie (Marla), Robert (Coleen), Rod (Jami), and Reggie (Amanda), all of Brandon; twelve grandchildren, Toni, Gary, Dani, Kelli, Henry, Logan, Kayden, Brittney, Haley, Paige, Olivia, and Lincoln; eight great-grandchildren, special friend, Steve Erickson, Sioux Falls; two siblings, Leland (Deonne) Nordquist, Brookings, and Paulett (John) Fredrickson, Spearfish; and several nieces and nephews.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Pearl (Frerichs) Nordquist.

September 10, 1953 ~ March 5, 2021

Mary K. Johnson, 67, Brandon, died Friday, March 5, 2021, at the Sanford Foundation Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, with her family beside her.  Blessed be her memory.

Visitation will be 4:30-6:30pm, Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at the Spirit of Truth Lutheran Church (112 E Annabelle St, Brandon, SD) with a Funeral Service at 6:30pm.  Interment will be 11am, Wednesday, March 10 at St. Leo’s Catholic Cemetery, Pipestone, MN.

Mary Kay Lichtsinn was born on September 10, 1953 to Harm and Vidaleen (Paradis) Lichtsinn. She grew up in Ihlen, MN and attended school in Pipestone, MN where she graduated in 1971.

Mary married Dennis Johnson on October 26, 1972. Together, they had four children; Christy, Travis, Troy, and Derrick. Throughout her adult years, Mary worked at Ben Franklin, Good Samaritan Nursing Home and the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, MN. She held multiple job titles to include, transportation for residents, CNA, Physical Therapy Aide, and Homemaker. She retired from the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in 2013.

Mary loved spending time with her grandchildren and her dog Dakota. She loved eating pizza & popcorn, watching movies, and making them Tang slushes. She also enjoyed being outside.

Mary moved into the Sanford Hospice Cottages on February 18, 2021.

Mary is survived by three of her children, Christy (George) Petersen, Brandon, SD, Troy (Amalia) Johnson, Brandon, SD, Derrick (Jennifer) Johnson, Brandon, SD, and her daughter-in-law Amy (Johnson) Lueck, Lake Benton, MN; 13 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter; her siblings, Patrica Meyer, Lake Benton, MN, Debra (Kevin) Morin, Ihlen, MN, Dawn (Mike) Petroff, Tea, SD.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Johnson; son, Travis Johnson; sisters, Judith “Judy” Lichtsinn and Elizabeth “Betty” Lichtsinn; and parents, Harm and Vidaleen Lichtsinn.

August 20, 1955 ~ March 4, 2021

Fred L. Ledwell, 65, Brandon, died Thursday, March 4, 2021, at his home unexpectedly.

Visitation with family will be 5-7pm, Thursday, March 18, 2021, at Heartland Funeral Home.  Memorial services will be 10:30am, Friday, March 19, at Blessed Redeemer Lutheran Church, Brandon.  Inurnment will follow at the Brandon Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

Frederick Lewis Ledwell was born on August 20, 1955, in Yokohama, Japan, to Kazuko Yokoyama and Melvin James Ledwell. He was raised by his mother and stepfather, Warren Rawson Kibler. Fred grew up in Sparks, Maryland, where he attended Cockeysville Elementary School. He graduated from Dulaney Senior High School in Timonium, MD, in 1973.  Following his graduation, Fred entered into the service of his country and proudly served in the United States Air Force from June 4, 1973, until June 4, 1979, as an Electronic Missile Technician at Ellsworth AFB, in Rapid City, SD.  

It was during his time stationed at Ellsworth that Fred met the love of his life, Jolene Kay Graslie. They were united in marriage at the Chapel in the Hills in Rapid City, on September 25, 1981. Their union was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Jennifer and Laura. 

Fred graduated from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in December 1982, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Fred worked at MPI, SCI Systems in Rapid City, SD, from 1984-1997.  The Ledwell family moved to Brandon, SD, in August, 1997 after Fred accepted an engineering position with Electronic Systems Inc (ESI) in Sioux Falls, SD, where he was currently serving as the Director of Manufacturing.   

Fred loved the outdoors.  While living in Rapid City, his many hobbies included hunting, riding his motorcycle through the Black Hills, riding dirt bike, water skiing, snow skiing and competitive pistol shooting.  After moving to Sioux Falls, he continued his love of competitive pistol shooting and served as the president of the Sioux Falls Practical Shooters sports club.  He enjoyed sharing his passion of pistol shooting with others, especially his family. 

Fred’s greatest joy was spending time with his family. He was very proud and protective of “his girls”. Fred and Jolene loved spending time together and always looked forward to their annual trip to the Black Hills to celebrate their anniversary. He was a wonderful husband and an amazing father to his daughters. Fred’s brothers and sisters were very proud of him and his accomplishments and loved him dearly.

Fred’s grandchildren were the light of his life and he felt very blessed to be such a big part of their lives.  He loved the time he was able to spend with them, whether it was trips to the park, bike rides, long walks, or quiet times reading a book.  Fred once said his daughters and grandchildren are the legacy he’ll leave behind and no monument or trophy could ever be a better testament of who he was or what he accomplished. 

Fred always led his life with honor and dignity.  He treated everyone with compassion and respect and was always happy to assist where needed.  He worked hard and was well-respected by all who knew him.  He strived to be a good model in everything he did.    

Fred was baptized and raised in the Methodist Church in Maryland.  He was received into the membership of Blessed Redeemer Lutheran Church in Brandon after adult instruction on November 21, 1999.  Fred served many years as a trustee at Blessed Redeemer.  Fred’s faith guided him throughout his life. 

Fred will be deeply missed by his wife, Jolene; two daughters, Jen (Steve) Biteler, and Laura (Jordan) Laird, both of Harrisburg, SD; three grandchildren, Aubrie and Tatum Biteler, and Beckett Laird; his mother, Kazuko “Miki” Kibler, Sparks, MD; siblings, Jim (Maggie) Ledwell, Catonsville, MD, Ella (Richard) Hall, Sparks, MD, Warren (Kristy) Kibler II, Leesburg, VA, and Kathleen Kibler, Pearland, TX; brother-in-law, Terry Stevens, Codorus, PA; brother-in-law, Garth (Diane) Graslie, Wentzville, MO; brother-in-law, Jerry Graslie, Brookings, SD; several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews and many other friends and relatives.

Fred was preceded in death by his stepfather, Warren Kibler; sister, Claudette Stevens; mother-in-law, Linda Graslie, father-in-law, Johnnie Graslie; and brother-in-law, Mark Graslie.

July 15, 1945 ~ February 28, 2021

Robert “Dr. Bob” Woerman, 75, Brandon, died Sunday, February 28, 2021, at the Dougherty Hospice Home in Sioux Falls.

Funeral Services will be 11am, Friday, March 5, 2021, at Brandon Lutheran Church, with visitation beginning at 9:30am.  Burial will follow at Brandon Lutheran Cemetery.  Masks are required.  The service will be live streamed at www.brandonlutheran.org. The family also requests that social distancing be respected for their health concerns.

Robert “Dr. Bob” Lee Woerman was born July 15, 1945, to Harold and Mildred (Schroeder) Woerman, in Oakland, Nebraska. He grew up on a farm near Oakland, NE, and attended Oakland High School. He attained his bachelor degree from University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE. He worked for Cooper Feeds in Humboldt, NE, before he moved to Ames, IA, to work on his PHD in Animal Science from Iowa State University. Bob met Janet Faltys in 1967, while they attended University of NE in Lincoln NE. They were married June 7, 1969, at First Presbyterian Church in Schuyler, NE. Prior to settling in Brandon, SD, they lived in Humboldt NE, Ames, IA, and Skyline Heights in Sioux Falls, SD, where they raised their family. They moved to Brandon, SD, in 1999.

Dr. Bob, as lots of people knew him, was somewhat of a joker and a character.  He was often found outside and talking to anyone.  He loved to visit with people.  He would shovel the neighbor’s driveways and walks, mow their lawns, and kill anyone’s noxious weeds. He hated weeds; especially dandelions and thistles.  Bob loved gardening and served on the Minnehaha County Conservation District Board, the Sioux Empire Fair Board, the Sioux Empire Farm Show Board, and the SDSU Animal Doctorate Program. At other times, Bob could be found at home or on his farm, studying his game camera for “intruders” or planting true prairie grass and flowers to restore the property.  Bob loved nature and hunting or fishing were also favorite pastimes he enjoyed sharing with his family and grandchildren. Bob was a huge mentor to kids.  Not only did he volunteer at the grandchildren’s school, Laura B Anderson Elementary Sioux Falls SD, but even after they were out of grade school, he continued to mentor kids. He loved sharing the knowledge he had learned throughout his life.

Bob was a member of Brandon Lutheran Church. 

Bob will be deeply missed by his wife, Jan; three daughters, Kristin Lee (Pat) Huxford, Sioux Falls, Kelly Marie Anderson, Sioux Falls, and Kari Jean Woerman, Brandon; two grandchildren, Alexander Holloway, Iwakuni, Japan, and Hunter Brown, Sioux Falls; his siblings, John (Valerie) Woerman, Tekamah, NE, Joan (Dave) Collins, Houston, TX, and Jane (Hector) Sanchez, Lincoln, NE; and several nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Mildred (Schroeder) Woerman. 

April 2, 1955 ~ February 26, 2021

Wanda Jean Michels, 65, Sioux Falls, died Friday, February 26, 2021, at her home following a short battle with cancer.

Funeral Services will begin at 1pm, Thursday, March 4, 2021 at Heartland Funeral Home, with visitation starting one hour prior.  Burial will follow at Forrest Hill Cemetery, Canton, SD. Masks are required and social distancing is expected. No more than 80 persons will be allowed to attend the Funeral Service in person.

Wanda was known to be a free spirit- as she would show up on the dock to pick up her newspaper route, wearing her favorite slippers; rain sun or shine. Her kids learned how to drive a car on the paper route; on those old country roads.

Her love for animals is apparent the minute you walked into her front door using her house key, shaped like a dog. Her bond with her dog, Willow, was so strong the dog would never leave her side. There are dog nose prints on the window of the front door as Willow waits by the front door for Wanda to come back home.

Wanda will truly be missed by Willow and her family. Her memory forever imprinted in our hearts.

Wanda will be deeply missed by her two children, Gina Michels, and Jack Lipscomb; grandchildren, Jordan Honomichl, and Courtney (John) Markley; several great-grandchildren; her siblings, Gayle Bierman, Dennis (Barb) Michels, Steve (Kathy) Michels, and Todd (Keli) Michels.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Adeline Michels; and her son, Ben White.

April 25, 1926 ~ February 1, 2021

Leonard E. Griessel, 94, Brandon, died Monday, February 1, 2021, at his home following a yearlong battle with cancer.

Funeral Services will begin at 11:00am, Friday, February 5, 2021, at Heartland Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Edgerton, MN.

Leonard Ernest Griessel was born April 25, 1926, in Leavenworth, Kansas, to Herman and Lillian Griessel. After graduating from Leavenworth High School, Leonard worked briefly on the family farm.  He then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during World War II, reaching the rank of Technical Sergeant. Leonard was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his service upon discharging.

After the Army, Leonard enjoyed living with his family in Utah, Colorado, Southern California and moved to South Dakota in 2016.  An avid outdoorsman and nature lover, Leonard enjoyed many camping trips, travel adventures, hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed spending time with their horses and many beloved pets over the years. 

Leonard was a quiet and reserved man of integrity and master of all trades; he could build and fix anything. He had a successful career in business and real estate, and most of all, enjoyed spending time with his family. Leonard lived a full life as a devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather. 

Blessed to have shared his life is his wife, Betty Griessel; daughters, Kathleen (Eric) Bracke, Diane (Dan) Lozano, Debra (Phil) Blom, Charlotte (Tom) Obray; and son, Douglas (Monica) Bolluyt; grandchildren, Katelyn, Leah, Lindsay, Shannon, Shawn, Sonya, Salisha, Bryan, Megan, Seth and Brad; Leonard was also Blessed with 20 great-grandchildren.

We are honored for your presence today in celebrating the life of Leonard E. Griessel, who was very much loved.