March 11, 1971 ~ March 27, 2021

Steven C. Johnson, 50, Brandon, died Friday, March 27, 2021, at his home.

A Memorial Celebration of Steve’s life will be held 5-8pm, Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at the Double D Saloon in Brandon, SD.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

Steve “Korwegian” Clay Johnson was born in Flandreau, South Dakota to Kenneth and Yong (Kim) Johnson. They moved around before settling in Brandon when Steve was in 2^nd grade. Steve graduated from Brandon Valley High School in 1989. He worked at Westward Ho in food service, worked in home construction as a carpenter and also for Gerry’s Concrete.

He enjoyed fishing, working on his house, kayaking, bike riding, gun collecting, video games, drawing, and painting. Steve loved to travel for work, working on home projects, helping other people with projects and enjoyed being with his friends.

Steve will be deeply missed by his sister, Ada Johnson, Sioux Falls; nephew, Shane (Jenifer) Hoxsie, Brandon; two great-nephews, Carter and Traeson; girlfriend, Shanna Klingbile, Golden Valley, MN; and their fur baby, Frito.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Yong (Kim) Johnson.

January 26, 1966 ~ March 25, 2021

Julie Buskol, 55, Sioux Falls, died Thursday, March 25, 2021, at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Visitation for both Julie and her husband, Carlyle, will begin at 10am, Wednesday, March, 31, 2021, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Sioux Falls, with a Memorial Service at Noon. A link to live stream the service is below. The live stream will begin at 11:55 AM. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

Julie Ann Vogler was born January 26, 1966, in Eu Claire, WI, to Terrance Vogler and Lorraine Anderson. They moved to Sioux Falls when she was a toddler and she attended school in Sioux Falls. She married Tom Rinder in July 1981 and this union was blessed with four children. Julie married Carlyle Buskol on January 26, 1990, and blended their family to add two more children. Julie worked as an over-the-road truck driver for over 20 years. She was a singer in a local band, Almost Tradition, and recorded a CD with them. She lived all over the country. She loved music, playing guitar, writing music, antiquing, and had several dogs over the years.

Julie is survived by her six children, Samantha Vogler, Hartford, Adam (Ashley) Rinder, Goodyear, AZ, Andrea Rinder, Sioux Falls, Zach (Shayla) Rinder, Sioux Falls, Jesse Buskol, Sioux Falls, and Angie Buskol, Texas; four sisters, Kim (Doyle) Bluhm, Sioux Falls, Carla (Rob) Kruger, Sioux Falls, Deniese (Mike) Engelstad, Hudson, SD, and Melissa Joachim, Sioux Falls; 13 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and many members of her late husband’s family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Terry Vogler and Lorraine Egan; her husband, Carlyle Buskol; in-laws, Pete and Olga Buskol; and brother-in-law, Gary Buskol.

April 22, 1941 ~ March 18, 2021

Doris St. John 79, Harrold, SD, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 18, 2021, at 12:20 am with her family at her side.

Funeral Mass will be held on April 10, 2021, 10:00 am, at the St Catherine’s Catholic Church in West Bend, SD. Inurnment will be followed at a later date in the St John Cemetery, in West Bend SD.

Doris Mae Heuer was born April 22, 1941, to Odessa and Raymond Heuer in Oneida, SD.  She was the only girl with 4 brothers.  Her family has been traced back to some of the first pioneers to reside in SD. She lived her life on a family ranch and farm, rich with Amish teachings. She participated in FFA while raising cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens.  She went to school at the Stephan Immaculate Conception, where she met Miles [Pete] St. John. They were married November 27, 1957, in Pierre, SD. In that union they had 7 children. After 15 years of marriage, they decided to go their separate ways however, they always kept in touch with each other and continued to participate together as a family.  Doris was a stay-at-home mother who lovingly took care of her seven children when they were young.  She has worked as a cook in a boarding school, truck stops, VFW, and others.  She retired from the Belle Fourche Nursing Home as the Head Cook.  However, her real love was history, art and music.  She was a natural born musician who played the piano, organ, guitar, steel guitar, accordion, and harmonica.  She loved keeping the family entertained with her accordion music, singing and playful dancing.  She was a finely tuned musician and artist.  She mastered the art in the carving of beautiful wood pieces such as dragons to horses. She loved to design and make beadwork, quillwork, crocheting, knitting, quilting, and breadmaking.  All through her life she, was always making things for her family.  She was the family historian for both the Heuer and St. John families.  She has traced and documented the family tree by dating it back to the 1500’s. She enjoyed playing bingo as a past time.

Doris was an avid gardener, who canned, smoked, butchered, and dried all of the natural bounties.  She picked berries and made jelly, jams, and wine.  She was a naturalist who loved being in the outdoors, hunting, fishing, gathering, and picking wild flowers, herbs and berries.

Doris leaves behind loving cherished memories for her children, Bernice (Kent) Walz, of Harrisburg, SD, Arlene Black Bird, of Rural Swift Bird, SD, Dawn (Jim) Palmer, of Belle Fourche, SD, Crystal St John, of Harrold, SD, and Duane St John, of Sioux Falls, SD; one brother, Bruce Long Fox, Rapid City, SD, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

Doris was proceeded in death by her parents, Raymond Heuer Sr and Odessa Rieger Mitchell; four brothers, Virgil, Gary, Jim and Gail; one daughter, Debra Jo St John; Miles Pete (Tek) St John Jr; Grandson Jerad Quilt; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces.

Urn Bearers will be all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Honorary Urn Bearers will be Carol Harrison, Sharon Zeller, Carol Shomeburg, Cynthia (Sadie) Kirschemann, Gloria Goddard, Don & Jackie Goddard, Cecelia Marshall, Sheila Foster and the Avera Home Hospice Staff of Pierre SD. Please forgive us if we have forgotten anyone.

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.