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.

September 26, 1938 ~ November 26, 2022

Walter “Dean” Swanson, 84, Sioux Falls, died Saturday, November 26, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family.

Visitation with family will be 5-7pm, Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at Heartland Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be 11:00 am, Thursday, December 1, 2022, at Spirit of Truth Lutheran Church, (112 E. Annabelle St., Brandon, SD), followed by burial at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Feeding South Dakota or The Robin’s Nest of Jamaica. (Contact information available at Heartland Funeral Home by request.)

Walter “Dean” Swanson was born on September 26, 1938, in Sioux Falls, SD. The son of Walter and Iola Swanson. He was raised on a farm and attended Berg School, Brandon High School, and South Dakota State University for three years studying Ag Education.

In 1960, Dean went to Omaha, NE, and attended Automation Institute, graduating in 1960 – from IBM Data Processing. He then went to California and worked as Senior Operator/Data Processing – at Long Beach Naval Shipyards, Long Beach, CA. After one year, he moved to Denver, CO. Dean worked for JC Penney’s as Supervisor/Data Processing and at Martin Marrietta Corp/Lockheed as Technician/Data Processing.

Dean belonged to the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, with an Honorable Discharge in 1960. In 1964, he decided to come back to SD and farm with his dad, until retirement in 1998.

In 1976, Dean married Barbara Ingalls Tordsen, at Peace Lutheran Church, in Sioux Falls. He was not only blessed with a wife, but with a son, Brian, of who he was very proud. They lived on the family farm in rural northern Sioux Falls, until 2016 when they downsized and moved to Sioux Falls.

Dean and Barb loved to travel and spent many winters in Texas and Arizona. They played tennis and golf. Dean enjoyed water skiing and snow skiing, especially the years he lived in Colorado.

Dean loved the get-togethers with Brian and his family. Over the years, he enjoyed getting together with friends, playing cards and eating out.

Dean was Director and Past Chairman of Soil and Water Conservation District, Minnehaha County; Director and Past Chairman of Farm Credit Services in Sioux Falls; Director and Chairman of Farmers Coop Elevator in Crooks; Director of Crop Improvement Association in Sioux Falls; Youth Counselor and Building Committee Member of Beaver Valley Lutheran Church Board; and a founding member of Spirit of Truth Lutheran Church.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Barb; son, Brian (Angela) Tordsen, Sioux Falls; grandson, Jeremy (Anna) Tordsen, Sioux Falls; granddaughter, Baylee Tordsen, Las Vegas, NV; great-granddaughter, Connley Rose Tordsen, Sioux Falls; brother, Jim (Margaret) Swanson, Gaylord, MN; brothers-in-law, Darrell Helgeson, Brandon, Jerry (Shary) Ingalls, Calabash, NC, Mark (Carole) Ingalls, Severance, CO; and several nieces and nephews.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Iola Swanson; sister, Judy Helgeson; mother-in-law and father-in-law, John and Vera Ingalls; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ron and Dona Ingalls.

September 17, 2004 ~ November 23, 2022

Maria L. “Ria” Spielmann, 18, Sioux Falls, died Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at the Region’s Hospital, Saint Paul, MN, due to a tragic car accident, on November 06, 2022.

Visitation with family will be 1:30-3:30pm, Sunday, December 4, 2022, at Heartland Funeral Home, with a Memorial Service at 3:30pm.  

Maria LaRosa “Ria” Spielmann was born September 17, 2004, in Sioux Falls, SD, the daughter of Lonn L. Spielmann and Charlotte L. Jostock. Maria loved to cut hair, do nails, and makeup, go on trails, draw, and ride her bike around Riverside, before she got her car. Maria liked to spend quality time with the people she cared about, especially her siblings and her grandparents. As Maria got older, she had many friends that she was close with and very open to meeting new friends. Maria was a senior at Joe Foss High School. She was very proud to be graduating this year and taking classes in nursing. Maria was also very eager to vote for the first time.

On Sunday, November 6, 2022, Maria was in a life-threatening car accident. Maria was unconscious on the scene due to injuries sustained from the accident. Paramedics were able to stabilize her. Maria was airlifted to Regions Hospital in Saint Paul, MN, where she remained in a coma for seventeen days. Doctors presented devastating news that if she were to regain consciousness, she would no longer be the Maria we all knew her as.  

Maria would be proud to be a donor and was able to “Gift” her tissue and sight to others. We are so very grateful and proud to honor her wishes. 

Maria is survived by her parents, Lonn Spielmann, and Charlotte Jostock; Maria’s seven surviving siblings; Cody and Seth Spielmann, Alexis, Alicia, Rojelio, Rosabella, and Jade~Lynn Jostock; Maria was an aunt to three, Jordann, Lilianna, and Amelina; grandparents, Virginia Jostock, Alyce Spielmann, and Ronlad “Carol” Spielmann; Maria’s aunts and uncles include, Michelle (Frank) Garcia, Jacquline Garza, Kandee (Paul) Perreault, LeAnn (Eric) Thompson, and Kyle (Jeanie) Spielmann; and many cousins.

Maria is preceded in death by her grandfather, Roger James Jostock; and one uncle, Terry Gallegos.

As Maria would say “On God! Love You All.”

October 16, 1944 ~ November 22, 2022

Bess E. Reed 78, Sioux Falls, passed peacefully on November 22, 2022, at the Dougherty Hospice House, in Sioux Falls, SD.

Bess’s wishes are to spread her ashes at The Garden of the Gods, in Colorado Springs, CO, so there are no services at this time. Please send any correspondence to Angelia Smith-Anderson (7001 S. Connie Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57108)  

Bess E. Reed was one of nine children, born October 16, 1944, to William and Emma (Birch) Reed in Missouri.  She was a wonderful and loving woman who loved George Strait and Christmas. Next to that, was her love of crocheting, embroidering, western movies, and Hallmark Christmas movies. Her ornery side came out during games of Farkle or any competitive fun games. The friends she had were very close to her, and if you are one of the few that she cared for in any way, you have a unique Christmas stocking that she made for you and your family. 

Bess is survived by her daughter Connie (Joe) Cool; son, Michael “Brad” Smith; and daughter Angelia (Bryce) Smith-Anderson; nine grandchildren, Brianna, Katiana, Lorna, Shayla, Bailey, Kalab, Autumn, Austin, and Aidan; fourteen great-grandchildren; and three surviving step-grandchildren, Lillie, Zach, Jake. 

Bess is preceded in death by her parents, William and Emma (Birch) Reed; her siblings and spouses, Nellie (John) Korneman, William (Carmen) Reed, Widuner “Pinky” Reed, Rex Reed, Sarrah (C.W.) Wise, Horace “Jimmy” Reed, and Helen Reed; and one stepson, Michael.

April 20, 1950 ~ November 20, 2022

Linda M. Fleming, 72, Sioux Falls, SD, died on Sunday, November 20, 2022, at Dougherty Hospice House, surrounded by her family.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at 1:30 pm, at East Side Lutheran Church. (1300 East 10^th Street, Sioux Falls, SD)

Linda Mae Kreul was born April 20, 1951, in Dubuque, IA, to Earnest and Lorraine (Sether) Kreul. She grew up in St. Paul and worked for the MNDOT in public safety and the DMV. Later, she worked for and retired from the MN Department of Revenue. 

In 1966, she married Jerry Sinske, and had one child, Paul. Later she married Jay Fleming in 1997 and continued to live and work in St. Paul. After Jay passed in 2012, she retired, and in 2015, moved to Sioux Falls to be closer to her sister, Evie.

Linda loved her dogs, visiting with people, watching movies, going out for dinner, making bandages for patients in third-world countries, and cross-stitching stockings for family members.

Linda will be deeply missed by her son, Paul; grandson, Devin; five sisters, Kathy Bauer, Evie Pruden, Jean Johnson, Karen (Dave) Roetger, and Mary Jo Martinek; many cousins, nephews, nieces, and many friends.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Jay; one son at birth; and her parents, Earnest and Lorraine (Sether) Kreul.

A special thank you to all of their East Side Lutheran family.

September 23, 1928 ~ November 9, 2022

Shirley A. Anderson 94, Brandon, SD, formerly Cherokee, IA, gained her wings on Wednesday November 9, 2022, at Bethany Meadows Nursing Home, in Brandon, SD. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30am, Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at Risen Savior Catholic Church, Brandon, SD, with visitation one hour before.  Interment will be 1:30pm, Thursday, November 17, at St. Frances Xavier Cemetery, Dyersville, IA.

Shirley Anne Bohlke was born to Anna and Henry (Osterhaus) Bohlke on September 23, 1928, in Dyersville, IA. Shirley grew up the youngest of five children in her family’s farmhouse. She graduated from Saint Frances Xavier High School. She furthered her education to become a Dental Assistant. She married Richard “Slick” Anderson, on February 20, 1954. They moved frequently for his job with the Railroad. Shirley and Slick welcomed two children, Brent and Audrey, and raised them in Cherokee, IA. Shirley was a devoted Catholic Daughter and received a 60-year service pin. She later sold Avon. She enjoyed cheering on the Chicago Cubs, taking her grandchildren for walks around Spring Lake Park, and spending time with family and friends.

Shirley will be greatly missed by her children, Brent (Gwynne) Anderson, Brandon, SD, and Audrey (Cameron) Johnson, Maple Grove, MN; four grandchildren, Amanda Johnson, Kelcey (Brenton) Smith, Travis (Courtney) Johnson, and Kaylee (Cody) Ver Steeg; five great-grandchildren, Titus, Eden, and Abel Smith, and Aria and Sloane Johnson; as well as many other loved ones near and far. 

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Slick Anderson; parents, Anna and Henry Bohlke; siblings, Lola Goerdt, Charlotte Goerdt, Joan Willenborg, and Martin Bohlke; parents-in-law, Wayne and Dorothy Anderson; and brother and sister-in-law, Darrel and Dorothy Huseman; and so many others.  

June 21, 1955 ~ November 7, 2022

Steven C. Reisenweber, 67, Brandon, SD, died peacefully, Monday, November 7, 2022, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, after a long health struggle.

A Memorial Visitation is planned for Thursday, December 8, 2022, at Heartland Funeral Home, from 5:00-7:00 PM. Inurnment will be at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery, in Aberdeen, SD, at a later date.

Steven Craig Reisenweber was born on June 21, 1955, to Merrill and June (Dyer) Reisenweber, in Council Bluffs, IA. The family moved to Aberdeen, SD, where Steve graduated Central High School, in 1973. After graduation, Steve attended and completed his training at the National Meat Cutting School in Toledo, Ohio. On June 14, 1975, he married Shelley Anderson. The two were married for 12 years, and to this union, three children were born. Eric was born on August 13, 1976, Alex on June 21, 1979, and Megan on October 2, 1983.

Steve worked in several meat departments, perfecting his trade. He started his career butchering for Ken’s Fairway in Groton.  After moving to Sioux Falls in 1983, he continued to cut meat at both Albertson’s and Randall’s. Eventually, Steve migrated into the grocery side of things at Jubilee and Sunshine Foods, where he worked until his retirement at age 64.

Steve enjoyed cheering on the Minnesota Twins and the New England Patriots. He also loved fishing. Steve went on several fishing trips to Manitoba, with his sons and other family members. Every year, he looked forward to the annual walleye fishing trip to the Missouri River, hosted by Sunshine. Whether it was cleaning fish or helping prepare meals, Steve took a lot of pride in serving others. He also loved hunting. He always enjoyed the annual pheasant hunting trips to the Wolsey area with family and friends, many duck and goose hunts, and he also snuck in a couple of turkey hunts over the years. Steve enjoyed being outdoors.

Steve is survived by his son, Eric (Shantel), Sioux Falls, son, Alex, Ft. Collins, CO, and daughter, Megan (Jeff) Byrd, Overland Park, KS; brother, Scott, Sioux Falls, and sister, Bonnie (Jon) Buist, Engelwood, CO; seven grandchildren, Kylie, Reyna, Isla, Avenn, Juliana, Derek, and Camille; one niece, and five nephews.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Merrill and June; his sister, Jeanne; and his brother, Bob.

April 24, 1945 ~ November 6, 2022

   Linda Kay McLaughlin, 77, Colton, SD, died Sunday, November 6, 2022, at Avera McKennan Hospital, in Sioux Falls, SD.
   A Memorial Service for Linda McLaughlin will be held at 11:00 am, on Friday, November 11, 2022, at the Oldham Lutheran Church in Oldham, SD, with Pastor Wanda Beil officiating.

   Linda Kay Nelson was born April 24, 1945, in Ramona, SD, to Norris and Arvilla (Houske) Nelson, where she remained an only child. She grew up with her only cousin Ron Houske, that was almost like a sibling; they shared Sunday dinners and every holiday. She grew up on a farm outside of Oldham, SD, and attended school in Oldham until she graduated high school.  She attended Dakota State University in Madison, SD, for three years before marrying James McLaughlin. They had three children together and raised them in Dell Rapids, SD.   She was a homemaker while raising her children and assisted her husband with his construction business.

   Linda loved her dogs, enjoyed crafts, and baking, and was an avid reader. She and Russ Hartman moved to Green, Maine, where they spent 19 years, until moving back to Colton, SD, to be closer to family.  Russ and Linda were together for over 30 years, and she loved being a part of the lives of his children, Steve (Wendy) Hartman, Carey (Kristina) Hartman, and Jenny Figueroa; grandchildren, Cody (Kelsey) Hartman, Cassie Hartman, Tyler (Amanda), Stephanie, Alex, Alyson, and Jessie Figueroa; and one great-grandson, Riggen. She enjoyed the beauty of Maine and cherished the great friendships she developed while living there.  Linda had a heart of gold but always remained very stoic and didn’t always express how much she loved her friends and family.

   Linda is survived by her daughter, Shelly (McLaughlin) Gonsalves; her son, Allen McLaughlin; and her boyfriend, Russ Hartman, Colton, SD; grandchildren, Cole (Ashley) McLaughlin, Corde (Bri) McLaughlin, Cade McLaughlin, Kesha McLaughlin, Garrett Patrick, and Natasha and Natalie Gonsalves; great-grandchildren, Kaeden, Kale, Aubrey, Maddax, Paxton, and Dexton McLaughlin, and Arabella Blake, that she loved very much.

   Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Norris (Arvilla) Nelson; and her son, Terry McLaughlin.

November 23, 1953 ~ November 5, 2022

Randy “Rabbit” Ray Miller 68, Sioux Falls, passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at the age of 68 years, surrounded by his loved ones.

The Celebration of Life will be held at Family Worship Center (3808 S Marion Rd, Sioux Falls, SD 57106) at 11 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, with visitation beginning at 10 am.

Randy was born to Jay and Delores Miller on November 23, 1953, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  He grew up in Riverside, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1972. Randy met his wife Kim in 1973, marrying her later that year. Together, they raised three children in Sioux Falls.

Before retiring in 2013, Randy worked for BNSF Railroad for 38 years. During that time, he served as the President of the local chapter of BMWE.

Randy was a loyal husband, dad, and friend. He loved being a grandpa. He enjoyed his retirement by spending time with both his grandkids and great-grandkids, traveling, cooking, taking care of his Saab, and attending his Sunday morning breakfast club at Hardee’s with his lifetime friends.

He is survived and deeply missed by his wife, Kim Miller; children, Danielle (Adrian) Ilchuk, Travis (Jessy) Miller, and Joseph Miller; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Kristy (Mike) Petterson; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by parents, Jay and Delores; brothers, Tommy, Rick, and Rocky; sister, Cindy; parents-in-law, Rod and MaryAnn Murray; and grandson, Elijah.

His family will miss his stories, his cooking, and the love he showed all of us. We know he was welcomed into Heaven with open arms.