October 31, 1935 ~ May 31, 2024

James (Jim) Larson, age 88, 7 months, of Sioux Falls, SD passed away peacefully on May 31, 2024, at Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls, SD.

A committal service has been planned for 11:00 am, Tuesday, July 16^th, 2024, at the South Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Sioux Falls.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery or Helping Hand Assisted Living in Brandon, SD

Jim was born in Minneapolis, MN on October 31, 1935, to Arthur & Ruby (Holmquist) Larson.  He grew up on a farm near Lindstrom, MN, and graduated high school in 1953 from Chi-Hi in Lindstrom, MN.  Jim then enlisted in the Navy.  He was honorably discharged on December 16, 1955.  He married Marjorie Hagert on September 7, 1957; this union produced 3 children.

Jim lived in Minnesota, Wyoming, Arizona, South Dakota, and Iowa.  He had many different occupations.  He worked as a police officer in Phoenix, at 3M in Minneapolis, and as a contracted mail truck driver in South Dakota.

Jim retired from trucking in 2012 and resided in Sioux Falls until August 2020 when he moved to Helping Hand Assisted Living in Brandon, SD.  In June 2022, he moved to Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls, SD.

Jim will be deeply missed by his three children, Jeff Larson, Balsam Lake, WI, Jill Lange, Sioux Falls, SD, and Jay Larson, Caspar, WY; his brother, Gary (Dixie Lee) Larson, Sierra Vista, AZ, and his sister, Ruth (Butch) Hoskins, Sierra Vista, AZ; six grandchildren, Erik Lange, Jeremy Larson, Ryan Lange, Heather Spratte, JJ Salway, and Tim Lange; and eight great-grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Arthur “Bud” Larson.

September 20, 1974 ~ May 24, 2024

Jason P. Tunell, 49, Sioux Falls, died Friday, May 24, 2024, unexpectedly at the Avera McKennan Hospital.

A Memorial Service will begin at 11am, Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Heartland Funeral Home, with a visitation to follow. The family requests that guests wear orange or Denver Bronco jerseys. To view the service please click on the link: https://youtube.com/live/6XkBekTPkJs?feature=share

Jason Paul Tunell was born on September 20, 1974, in Sioux Falls, SD to Denny and Marianne (Flinn) Tunell. He attended Washington High School and graduated in 1993. He went on to attend Mitchell Vo-Tech and received a degree in Culinary Arts. He returned to Sioux Falls to work as a chef at Bethany Lutheran Nursing Home for 18 years. He also was the chef at Grand Living at Lake Lorraine and at Marlin’s Airport Restaurant.

Jason has two children, Jordyn and Jaylin, and they were the loves of his life. They took many trips together, including to the Wisconsin Dells, where they stayed in a giant tree house and went to an indoor waterpark. He liked decorating for Christmas and other holidays, their home was always over-done. Jason was very crafty and he handmade the girl’s Halloween costumes every year. One year, one costume was a box of movie popcorn and the other was an Oreo cookie. For a man of few words, he made up for it with his many talents. Jason also coached softball for Jordyn’s team for many years. Jason was an avid fan of the Denver Broncos and the Minnesota Twins.

Jason will be deeply missed by his two daughters, Jordyn and Jaylin, and their mother, Jenna Breese, Sioux Falls; his parents, Denny and Maxine, Tunell, Sioux Falls; three nephews, Ryan, Nathan, and Mason; two siblings, Stacia Tarr and Jason Roberts; and many more extended relatives.

Jason was preceded in death by his mother, Marianne Tunell; and his sister, Dorianne Rote.

April 23, 1937 ~ May 22, 2024

Oryn G. Meinerts, 87, George, IA, died Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Home in George.

Visitation will be 5-7pm, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, George, IA. Funeral Services will begin at 10:30am, Wednesday, May 29, also at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery. A Livestream link to watch live or in the archives is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SHylp7yErU

Oryn Gene Meinerts was born on April 23, 1937, in a snowstorm in rural South Dakota to his parents, farmer Jacob and Sunday School Teacher, Rudolphine Meinerts. Four years later, his sister, Alvah Rose, joined them. The family was active in the First Baptist Church of Emery and when Oryn was 8 years old, he accepted Christ at a revival service. Oryn went to Emery Schools through 8^th grade and then decided that was enough school. For a year, he herded cattle on the roadside. Then the school superintendent visited him and his parents and they decided, he would continue school. He did through high school, college at Augustana and Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell, and the North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls. During college he served in the SD Air National Guard, for 6 years.

When finishing his Master’s degree in 1964, he was single and did not feel good about going into a pastorate as such.  He was offered a job with the North American Baptist Missions Department as a Missionary to Cameroon and gladly accepted that.  He was immediately ordained by his home church and entered missionary service in Cameroon.  He served as a teacher and principal of a high school, field missionary, national director of evangelism in the Cameroon Baptist Convention, church planter, interim senior church pastor, and for 27 years, as Field Director.  During his tenure of service, he had the privilege of seeing the National Cameroon Baptist Convention grow from a body of 250 to 800 churches and from 12,000 to 80,000 members.  His service on the field was interrupted from 1982 to 1985 by doctoral studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he earned his Doctorate of Missiology, and administrative duties in the International Missions Department of the North American Baptist Conference.  In 2001, Oryn was decorated by the Republic of Cameroon with a medal: “Knight of the Cameroon Order of Merit”, the highest honor given by the Cameroon Government to any civilian.

Oryn also met his future wife, Patricia Anne, who was serving as a nurse midwife in the same organization. They continued to meet at various mission conferences and eventually got married on furlough, on August 10, 1968, and continued to serve together in Cameroon for over 30 years. He was always thinking ahead, preparing for the next steps and he liked things to go well. He was willing to work hard to achieve this.

Oryn stated his life purpose as follows: By the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit, I will strive to be a person of integrity and faithfully endeavor to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, thereby partnering with Jesus Christ in building up His Church, both local and universal, and advancing His kingdom in the world. This he did as proven by the work he did after returning from missionary service. The Meinerts’ finally came home from Cameroon in 2001 and in 2003, Oryn accepted a position with the Tabernacle Baptist Church as Pastor to the Seniors until 2022 when he fully retired.

Oryn’s memory will remain with his wife, Pat; his sister, Alvah; and many relatives and friends from the United States and Cameroon.

October 13, 1972 ~ May 21, 2024

Jeffrey M. Shomion, 51, Sioux Falls, formerly of Gregory, SD, died unexpectedly at Avera McKennan Hospital on May 21, 2024.

Visitation will be 5pm-7pm, Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Heartland Funeral Home, with a Prayer Service and time of sharing beginning at 6:30pm. To view the visitation and prayer service, please click on the following: https://youtube.com/live/VZ56cpCEhL4?feature=share

Condolences may be sent to Diane at 116 W. Birchwood Dr, Brandon, SD 57005.

Jeffrey Michael Shomion was born on October 13, 1972, in Chadron, NE, to Ronald and Diane Shomion. He grew up in Gregory, SD, and graduated from Gregory High School. He attended the University of South Dakota. Many years of his employment were spent at Wells Fargo.

Jeff will be remembered by his contagious laugh and humor. He was an avid Kansas City Royals fan and a Washinton Redskins fan. Jeff enjoyed camping and playing darts. Throughout the years so many friendships were formed. It seems like wherever you would go, someone would have a memory or story of Jeff.

Jeff is survived by his mom, Diane Shomion, Brandon; two sisters, Wendy (Troy) Bunker, Brandon, and Laurie (Casey) Osborn, Winner; six nieces and nephews; and his uncle, Steve Shomion.

Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Ronald Shomion.

August 11, 1946 ~ May 20, 2024

Mary Lue McAtee, 77, Sioux Falls, died Monday, May 20, 2024, at Ava’s Hospice Home, of an aggressive cancer of the brain and lung. She fought hard as this was her third struggle with cancer.

Memorial Services will begin at 1pm, Monday, June 3, 2024, at Heartland Funeral Home. To view the memorial service, please click here: https://youtube.com/live/USAg2C9KCyM?feature=share

Instead of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society in Mary’s memory!

Mary Luella Weber was born August 11, 1946, in Huron, SD, to Curtis and Mary (Vera) Weber where she received her education and was baptized at Stoney Run Creek in Huron, SD at the age of thirteen.

James and Mary Lue were united in marriage on February 14, 1981, at East Side Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD. They moved to Pierre, SD when her husband was appointed SD Secretary of Public Safety and SD Commissioner of Personnel by then Governor William J. Janklow.

Mary Lue spent most of her professional career working for the South Dakota Department of Transportation in Pierre, SD, and 17 years at JC Penney in Sioux Falls, SD. She enjoyed working with her customers and associates and many became lifetime friends.

In her free time, Mary Lue was always ready to go fishing and loved the sunsets at the end of a good day of fishing on Lake Oahe or any other body of water. She enjoyed sewing and craft projects and thoroughly enjoyed embroidering towels for family and friends. You could always see her riding her John Deere riding mower around the yard and mowing the neighbor’s yard as well. She loved being outdoors with nature.

Mary Lue is survived by her husband, one special aunt, one double cousin, seventeen living cousins, and many loyal and good friends.

Mary Lue was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Verna Illene Hanks, who was 11 months and 3 days younger (2007).

Thank you for your unwavering support and comforting words of encouragement to each of you.

Cremations of remains will be buried at the South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD.

September 15, 1984 ~ May 8, 2024

Cedric A. Olson, Brandon, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on May 8^th, 2024, at the young age of 39 years, 7 months, and 8 days.

Visitation will be 5-7pm, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Heartland Funeral Home. Funeral Services will begin at 11am, Thursday, May 16, 2024, also at Heartland Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Brandon Lutheran Cemetery. Instead of flowers, a GoFundMe has been established to assist with his children’s future expenses.  https://gofund.me/8645d67c  

Cedric Alan Olson was born on September 15^th, 1984, in Sioux Falls, SD, to Patrick and Nancy (nee Oakland) Olson. He was baptized on February 3^rd, 1985, at Messiah Lutheran Church, in Burlington, IA, by Pastor Donald D. Hoornstra. He was confirmed on October 22, 2000, at Dell Rapids Lutheran Church by Pastor Mark Docken. His confirmation verse was Isaiah 40:8

Cedric attended both elementary and high school at Dell Rapids Public Schools. During his school years, he enjoyed athletics including basketball, football, track, wrestling, and baseball. He also played trumpet and percussion in the High School Band and sang in the All-State Choir.  Cedric graduated from High School in 2003. He attended college at Pasco Hernando Community College in New Port Richey, FL.

His work experience included serving for the Sioux Falls Convention Center and as a Manager in Sporting Goods at the Eastside Walmart in Sioux Falls, SD. He was a Customer Service Representative at Capital One in Sioux Falls, SD. He started as a fabricator and then became a CNC Programmer at Spartan Motors in Brandon, SD.

Cedric was united in marriage with Lyndsy Kay Mullinix on September 3^rd, 2016, at Blessed Redeemer Lutheran Church in Brandon, SD, by Pastor Daniel Deardoff Sr. This union was blessed with two children, Guinevere and Oliver. He was also blessed to be able to help raise Xander and Tyler Noonan.

Cedric’s interests included fishing, hiking, learning new musical instruments, history, paintball tournaments, video games, and spending time with family and friends.

Cedric will be deeply missed by his wife Lyndsy (nee Mullinix) Olson, Brandon; children, Alexander and Tyler Noonan, daughter, Guinevere, and son, Oliver Olson; his mother, Nancy (nee Oakland), and her husband, Lance Brekke, Baltic, SD; his father, Patrick James Olson, Sioux Falls, SD; two brothers, Francis P. Olson, Baltic, SD, and Sean M. Olson, Sioux Falls, SD; aunt, Paulette Onken, Sioux Falls, SD; uncle, Chuck Oster, Centerville, SD; aunt, Karen (Loris) Kohler, Hudson, FL; aunt, Lisa Boswell, Edmonton, KY; uncle, Michael Olson, Sioux Falls, SD; uncle, Dennis Olson, Luverne, MN; uncle, Colin Olson, Sioux Falls, SD;  one niece, Maecie Burkhart, Sioux Falls, SD; and many cousins, friends, and extended relatives.

Cedric was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Vandal and Eunice Oakland; paternal grandparents, Francis and Edith Olson; one aunt, Cheryl Oster; and one niece, Maeve Burkhart.

December 18, 1929 ~ May 8, 2024

Joyce A. Litz, 94, Sioux Falls, died on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

Joyce Ardyce Noem was born on December 18, 1929, as one of seven children born to Julius and Alvina (Lilleskov) Noem. She was raised at her parents’ farm near Erwin, SD. She attended country schools and graduated from Bryant High School. She was married for many years to Alan Litz, and five children were born in this relationship. She did secretarial work throughout her lifetime.

Joyce is survived by her children, DyAnn (Chuck) Wentler, Sioux Falls; Robert (Sharon), Lake Havasu City, AZ; Michael (Marsha), Fountain Hills, AZ; Patricia Waide, Sioux Falls; and Elizabeth Hulscher, Sioux City, IA; as well as multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joyce leaves a sister, Millie Hotchkiss, Humboldt, SD; and a sister-in-law, Virginia Noem, Independence, KY; and many nieces and nephews. 

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; five siblings, Curt, Norma, Norwood, Ralph, and Myrt; and one grandson, Josh Steiner-Smith.

Family Graveside Services will be held on May 24, 2024.

May 18, 1973 ~ May 3, 2024

Duane G. Westergaard, 50, Lennox, died on Friday, May 3, 2024.

A Memorial Service is planned for 2pm, Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Hope Lutheran Church, (1700 S. Cliff Ave. Sioux Falls).  Instead of flowers, a memorial has been established to assist his daughter with future expenses.

Duane Gene Westergaard was born May 18, 1973 in Freeman, SD, to Harlyn and Margene (Dyke) Westergaard. He attended school in Viborg and then graduated from Sioux Falls Lincoln.

After graduating, he lived in Sioux Falls and worked at Starmark, Showplace Cabinets, Hy-Vee, Walmart, Blue Beacon Truck Wash, and Wilson Trailers. In 2009 he met Jennifer Herman and they were married in 2010, and had one child Kilee. The family moved to Lennox in 2017.

Duane enjoyed woodworking and loved to build things in his garage. He also loved to watch NASCAR and cheer on Chase Elliot. Other pastimes include spending time together with his family and riding bikes.

Duane leaves behind his wife, Jennifer; his daughter, Kilee; siblings, Faye (Darrell) Vitek, Yankton, Mark Westergaard, Yankton, and Nancy (Alan) Brennan, Sioux Falls; many nieces and nephews; and in-laws, Tresa Sobiech, Robert Zietz, and Cory Zietz.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.