September 18, 1956 ~ April 30, 2022

Randy R. Bethke, 65, Sioux Falls, passed away Saturday, April 30, 2022, in his home, with his wife, Karen beside him.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Monday, June 6, 2022, 2pm, at Hope Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. (1700 S. Cliff Ave.) Please join the family to share stories, laughter, and tears. Cards may be sent to 744 Justus Ave., Unit 1, Harrisburg, SD, 57032.

Randy Rae Bethke was born on September 18, 1956, to Herman and Delores (Hage) Bethke, in Sioux Falls, SD. Randy and Karen were married October 25, 2002, in Sioux Falls, SD. They could never remember their anniversary date, so it was always a running joke that they celebrated from the 18^th to the 26^th of every October.

Randy loved all things outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending as much time as possible by the water. The stories he would share from hunting and fishing were priceless. He could also tell you how and where to catch any fish, maybe even give the exact coordinates. He even kept calendars marked with who he was with, where they were, and what they caught.

Randy had a contagious smile, a mischievous laugh, immense love for his family, and a solid taste in good music. He had a love for his grandchildren that they will carry with them, furthermore, they all had some great memories with him that they will cherish for years to come. He was devoted to his wife and loved to find her treasures; she never knew what he would bring home. You always knew when he was on the phone with his brother, Robert, you could hear the laughter from anywhere in the house and the stories would follow suite after the call ended. Randy also liked a tasty meal; he would have to heat his one plate of food several times before finishing and savored every bite. It is a family joke that we all had several helpings before he finished his first.

Grateful for having shared his life with his many family members, Randy is survived by wife, Karen; daughter, Brandi (Anthony) McCuen, son, Derek (Stephanie) Johnson, daughter, Jessica (Grant) Rahm; his grandchildren, Graeyson, Baereht, Morgan, Hannah, Ava, and Aspen; one brother, Robert (Allene) Bethke; and his nieces and nephews

Randy is preceded in death by his father, Herman; his mother Delores; his brothers, Glenn and Gerry.

April 21, 1939 ~ April 30, 2022

Eileen Marie (Truchon) Jacobson, peacefully passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2022.

Visitation with Family, will be 5-7pm, Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at Heartland Funeral Home. Funeral Services will begin at 11am, Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at Beaver Valley Lutheran Church, Valley Springs.  Burial with Full Military Honors, will follow at the church cemetery.

Eileen was born on April 21, 1939, to Arthur and Eileen (White) Truchon in Washburn, WI.

Eileen graduated from Washburn High School in 1957. Eileen entered the Army in November of that year. She met Dennis LeWayne Jacobson when stationed in Fort Ord, CA. They were married on April 5, 1958. The couple lived in rural Valley Springs, rural Beaver Creek, MN, and then moved to the family farm.  Following the passing of Dennis, she moved to Brandon in 2010. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Eileen loved to serve at her church in the social hall, organizing funeral lunches and celebratory events. Her love of children lead her to teach Sunday & Bible school and mentor Confirmation students.

Eileen was an extremely talented seamstress. She artfully created many of her daughters’ dresses, prom dresses, wedding dresses, and costumes. Eileen also designed custom gowns for a special friend who performed opera in New York and Chicago.

Eileen loved sharing her free time with her very special lady friends going to lunch, plays, wineries, and other fun outings. She enjoyed current events and had an amazing knack for remembering the history of her family and those in her community. Spending time with her family, reading, cooking, gardening, taking care of her flowers, sewing and canning were all her favorite pass times.

Eileen found immense joy in taking care of others. The love she had for her family had no boundaries.

Grateful for having shared her life are her daughter April (Jeff) Boucher, Brandon; two granddaughters, Jennifer Sittig (Mike Tompkins), and great-grandson, Dylan,  Florida, and Autumn Wells (Cyrus Cross), and great-granddaughter, Mattea, Sioux Falls; grandson, Paul (Lexy) Sittig, and two great-grandsons, Jack and Luke, Valley Springs; brother, Arthur (Barb) Truchon; sister-in-law, Margaret Truchon; brother, Albert (Bonnie) Truchon; sister, Alberta (Stan) Nelson; and brother, John (Barb) Truchon; all of Wisconsin.

Eileen is preceded in death by her husband, Dennis; daughter, Amber (Jacobson) Wells; her parents, Arthur and Eileen (White) Truchon; and her brothers, Paul and Frank Truchon.

July 21, 1965 ~ April 24, 2022

Jill A. Marvel, age 56, of Huron, passed away Sunday, April 24, 2022, at Avera Heart Hospital of Sioux Falls.

Jill was born July 21, 1965, to Roger and Joyce (Peterson) Marvel of Huron, SD.

Throughout most of her life, Jill worked at M & M Daycare and so enjoyed working with children.

Grateful for having shared her life is his sister, Pam (Mark) Luckhurst; nephews, Tyler, Matt, and Josh; nieces, Jordan, Annie, and Molly; great-nieces and nephews, Kenna, Dakota, Brooks, and Hunter.

Jill was preceded in death by her father, Roger; her mother, Joyce; her brother, Doug; her grandparents, Einar and Olga Peterson and Hazel and Pat Marvel.

August 20, 1946 ~ April 24, 2022

Linda R. Johnson, 75, Beresford, died Sunday, April 24, 2022, at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.

A Celebration of Life will be 1-3pm, Saturday, April 30, 2022, at the United Church of Christ in Beresford, SD.

Linda Raye Neumeier was born August 20, 1946, to Leo and Irene (Miller) Neumeier, in Paris, Arkansas. Linda worked for over 40 years as a Certified Nurse Assistant.  She most recently retired from the Bethesda Nursing Home in Beresford at the age of 73. 

Linda was strong, independent, hardworking, and never gave up on a job until it was finished. She could be harsh at times when she wanted to let us know we messed up, and yet never gave up on anyone. She loved all her residents at the nursing homes where she proudly worked for many years. They were her pride and joy, and making their difficult days sunnier was her number one goal. We loved her for that heart of gold she had. We honor her for helping so many live out their final days with loving care, kindness, and the ultimate dignity they deserved. 

Linda had a laugh that would take over a room, and certainly brought meaning to the phrase “fireworks come in small packages!” It’s heartbreaking to know that she was the last of an amazing group of siblings and an ending to an era of memories that will carry on for eternity. We will deeply miss that little spitfire of a lady and all of the good things she brought to so many lives. Even after death, she continues to give to others through the gifts of eye and tissue donation. 

Linda was blessed by her children and their spouses: Rhonda (Charlie) Buster, John Holzman, Larry (Lori) Holzman, and Carla Noram; grandchildren, Sonjia “Punky” Barnes (Neil Hammitt), Christine (Kolby) Kirkland, Sebastian (Catie Swart) Holzman, Slayton (Paige Mitchell) Holzman, Seth Holzman, Jeremy Noram, Justin Noram, and Janessa Noram; fourteen great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Geraldine (Bob) Lux, Rose Catherine (Johnny) Willhite, Leo (Betty) Neumeier, Bob (Mary) Neumeier, Molly (Raymond) Forst, Phyllis (Donald) Lensing, and Marilyn (Carlton) Weatherton; and many nieces and nephews. 

Linda is preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Irene (Miller) Neumeier; daughter, Rhonda; her brothers and sisters; and many other loved ones. 

March 17, 1931 ~ April 23, 2022

Rev. James D. Brinkhuis, 91, Little Rock, IA, was received into Heaven on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Visitation with family present will be Sunday, May 1, 2022, from 2-4pm at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, IA.  Funeral Services will be 11am Monday, May 2, also at Salem Reformed. Burial will be at Augusta Cemetery, Marietta, MN, at a later date.

James “Jim” Dores Brinkhuis was born March 17, 1931 to Abraham and Hattie (Dorsman) Brinkhuis, rural Rock Valley, IA. He grew up on a farm near the Rock River, and attended public school in Rock Valley, graduating from high school in 1948. He attended Northwestern Junior College, Orange City, IA, graduating in 1952. He taught in two different country schools before attending Northwestern College, and then finished his Bachelor’s degree at Central College, Pella, IA in 1955. He then attended Western Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, MI, graduating with his Master’s in Divinity in 1957 and was ordained that same year.

Jim served as the student pastor of the Antelope Valley Reformed Church, rural Marietta, MN during the summer of 1954, where he “met his little deer (dear)”. He was ordained in 1957 and began to serve as the pastor of the Immanuel Reformed Church in Willow Lake, SD. On June 1, 1958, he was united in marriage to Darlene Limberg, daughter of John H. and Anna (Knock) Limberg. In 1961, they began serving the Grandview Reformed Church in Armour, SD, and in late 1963, began serving the Hope Reformed Church in Westfield, ND. In 1969, they began serving Bethel Reformed Church, rural Ellsworth, MN, from which he resigned in 1978. He continued to minister to others by providing pulpit-supply for a variety of churches in IA, SD, MN, and NE. He had an uncanny ability to remember the faces and names of seemingly everyone he met, as well as learn and connect their family trees. He genuinely loved people and enjoyed making those connections.

Jim held a variety of positions at Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Ellsworth, MN, Village Northwest in Sheldon, IA, and Country View Manor Nursing Home in Sibley, IA. In 1999, after experiencing heart surgery, he retired from official ministry but never stopped serving the Lord. He started to assist with the Little Rock Dinner Date program, delivering meals to elderly shut-ins, and eventually transitioned to the program director. After many years of serving others within the community, he retired from Dinner Date due to increasing health problems.

Jim and Darlene were blessed with five children: Randall, Susan, Tamara, Darla, and Joy. He enjoyed supporting his children, and eventually his grandchildren, throughout their many activities over the years. He loved sports of all kinds, whether participating or cheering and supported the Little Rock or G-LR sports teams, as well as any basketball team that represented northwest Iowa schools. He was a diehard Twins and Vikings fan and liked to have the radio tuned to a sports game anywhere he went. He loved every opportunity to fish, even if he was content to catch bullheads.

Jim also had a green thumb and loved growing potatoes and other produce, as well as his beloved flowers. He was proud to enter many of his flowers as exhibits for the Corn Show. Many who knew him, knew his “corny” sense of humor since he was born in Iowa after all. He often laughed the loudest at his own jokes. 

Grateful to have shared his life are his wife of almost 64 years, Darlene; his son, Randall Brinkhuis, Vienna, VA; his daughters, Susan Brinkhuis (Christian Merle), Lyon, France, Darla Brinkhuis-Gross and Joy (Brad) Schroeder, Sioux Falls, SD; son-in-law, Kevin Barry, Danvers, MA; grandchildren, Anna and Celeste Brinkhuis, Melody and Jameson Merle, Summer and Mitchell Gross, Jared Brinkhuis-Gross, and Marissa, Justin, and Timothy Schroeder; great-grandson, Kenzo Merle; one sister, Mary Van Surksum, Rock Valley, IA; sisters-in-law, Grace Brinkhuis, Sioux Falls, SD, Joyce (Maynard) Peterson, Clear Lake, SD, Donna (Jim) Collins, Revillo, SD, and Linda Limberg, Gary, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by one daughter, Tamara Barry; one grandson, Keith Barry; his parents, Abe and Hattie; parents-in-law, John H. and Anna (Knock) Limberg; sisters, Geraldine (Arnold) Van Roekel, Hermina (John) Sandbulte, Gladys (Harry) Terpstra; one brother, Abe Brinkhuis; and brothers-in-law, Richard Van Surksum, Leroy Limberg and Gene Limberg.

June 27, 1935 ~ April 16, 2022

Bette Hoekman, 86, Brandon, died Saturday, April 16, 2022, unexpectedly at her home from health complications.

Celebration of Bette’s Life is set for 10am, Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Heartland Funeral Home, with Inurnment, along with her beloved Al, will follow at the Serviceman’s Memorial Cemetery in Mitchell, SD.

Bette Julie Passehl was born on June 27, 1935, in McIntosh, SD, to Frederick & Sophia (Frank) Passehl.

Bette held different jobs during the years, such as working for the Mitchell Police Department in dispatch and as a meter attendant, home health care and Brady Memorial Nursing Home, Feinstein’s in sales, and she was in the advertising department at the Mitchell Advisor, which is where she met her husband Al. Bette and Al were married on December 2, 1973.  

Bette was a very talented artist.  She did portraiture, landscapes, and still life, as well as murals for several local grocery stores.  She carved hunting scenes in wood and made custom leatherwork. Her cooking was delicious, and the family still enjoys all the wonderful recipes she handed down and patiently taught. Her floral gardening was always beautiful, and she enjoyed being outdoors working on them. She was also an avid bowler and enjoyed archery and golf. She was also a great poker player who many underestimated, much to their chip losing sorrow.

Grateful for having shared her life are six children, Mike (Jan) Karber, Hartford, SD, Hollie Karber, Mitchell, SD, Kim (Paul) Vuchetich, Sioux Falls, SD, Brett (Danielle) Karber, Brandon, SD, Vic (Suzanne) Hoekman, Abilene, KS, and Kevin (Annie) Hoekman, Abilene, KS; her brother, Arnie (Liz) Passehl, Kingman, AZ; twenty-three grandchildren, Jenny, Lorenzo, Sage, Robbie, Oriya, Nathan, Matt, Kim, Chris, Ryan, Josh, Chase, Shawn, Corey, Nathan, Nick, Shauni, Tara, Tanner, Dakota, Shay, Heath, and Lane; and Bette also had twenty great-grandchildren.

Bette was preceded in death by her husband, Al; her parents, Frederick and Sophia (Frank) Passehl; and her sister, Rose.

April 9, 2022 ~ October 24, 1963

Kent Muller left this world April 9, 2022, to be united with his mom, Betty Muller, and two older brothers, Keith and Mark Muller. 

Kent is inconsolably missed by those he shared his life with. The father, fortitude, and role of a mother to two daughters, Chelsea and Hailey Muller; the younger brother and best friend of Vance Muller; the superhero “papa” to his four favorite grandchildren, Caeden, Emerson, Caialynne, and Cove. 

Kent, Dad, Kenny, and Papa carried an immeasurable amount of love and strength for his family. Quick to pick up the phone and fly across the world, the first to help you find the strength to solve a problem or just talk and tell stories laughing for hours leaving you in the wonder of where the time went. 

Kent had a love for trust, grape juice, laughter, airplanes, nature, and utmost, family. Not necessarily always in that order. He always knew that he could trust his family to make him laugh mid-drink of his grape juice and make him shoot the juice through his nose while holding back tears of laughter.

Kent was the strength of not only his daughters but individually each of his favorite grandchildren. He loved to crack jokes and spoil them almost as much as he loved teaching each one the most important virtues of life. He was gravitation, a force that always made you feel safe. He was and always will live infinitely in our hearts and memories. 

John 11:25-26, Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.

Dear Lord, Thank you for Kent’s life, and all the years we’ve shared with him in this world. We lift him to you, in honor of the good we know in him and the love we felt from him. Please give us the strength to leave him in your care, to be with his mother and brothers, in the knowledge of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Amen

March 4,1952 ~ April 4, 2022

Judy R. Mathison, 70, Sioux Falls, succumbed to an ongoing illness after a brave fight, on Monday, April 4, 2022, at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

Memorial services will be 1:30pm, Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Emerald Pines Barn (7621 Maple St, Sioux Falls, SD.) A Zoom link to watch the service is 593 878 6971 and the password is 9876.

Judy Rae Stoppleworth was born in Valley City, ND on March 4, 1952, to Garold and Emily (Foss) Stoppleworth. She married Eugene “Gene” Mathison on March 23, 1971. They moved to Canton, SD before settling in Sioux Falls to start a family. 

Judy was a lot of things: a loving wife, mother, grandma, friend, hostess, and chef extraordinaire. She was very generous. It was the way she showed love to those she knew. 

Of all her titles, Jehovah’s friend defined her. She was a dedicated member of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She followed his word and tried to exhibit his qualities in all aspects of her life. 

Judy is survived by three children, Derrod (Megan) Mathison, Querida Johnson, and Kacelle (Benjamin) Duran, all of Sioux Falls; four step-children, Mark Mathison, Matthew Mathison, Luke Mathison, and Rachelle (Philip) Graff; four grandchildren, Shaye (Shannel) Johnson, Gabriel Schroeder, and Oliver and Martin Duran; four step-grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; three siblings, Gary (Sharon) Stoppleworth, Susie (Todd) Swinford, and Larry (ReVina) Stoppleworth.

Judy was preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years, Gene Mathison; and one daughter, Cametra Mathison.  

July 17, 1946 ~ April 13, 2022

Peggy A. Patterson, 75, Brandon, died Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at her home unexpectedly.

A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, April 23, 2022, from 2:00 – 4:00pm, with a time of sharing at 3:30pm, at Faith United Church, Brandon, SD. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be directed to Faith United Church in Brandon.

Peggy Ann Finck was born on July 17, 1946, in Yankton, SD, as the second of five children, to Leonard and Vivian (Britton) Finck. She was raised in Tyndall, SD, and attended a one-room school at Smith School for 1st through 8th grades, and then graduated from Tyndall High School. After high school, she attended a trade school in Omaha for keypunch. While in Omaha, Peggy met Richard Patterson and they were married on August 28, 1966. They moved to Santa Maria, California, where they welcomed two children.  They returned to Tyndall in 1978 to raise their family. Peggy worked for 30 years as the Finance Officer for the City of Tyndall, retiring on July 31, 2008.  After retirement Peggy moved to Brandon, to be closer to family.

Peggy was a very active person, walking or riding her bike countless miles each day. She enjoyed attending her grandkid’s events which included basketball, gymnastics, baseball, soccer, and track.  She traveled many miles and hours to be her grandkids’ biggest fan.  She loved to watch and take care of her grandkids and nieces and nephews while the parents traveled.  Peggy was a huge fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Braves, oftentimes wearing her jerseys and screaming at the TV. Peggy loved to go shopping in Omaha and stay with her sister. She had a huge love of country music and enjoyed trips to Branson, MO with dear friends. Peggy also loved to camp, water ski, bake chocolate chip cookies, and decorate for Christmas. She spent countless hours decorating her home, and doing crafts & playing games with her grandkids and friends.

Grateful for sharing her life are her two children, Heath (Elizabeth) Patterson, Washburn, ND, and Melissa (Michael) Labahn, Brandon; four grandchildren, Owen, Kari, Maddie, and Maria; three sisters, Sharon Larson, Brandon; Betty Schuster, Green Mountain, NC; Penny (Dan) Martz, Omaha, NE; one brother, Terry (Brad) Finck, Seattle, WA and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Peggy is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Vivian (Britton) Finck.

August 6, 1956 ~ March 28, 2022

Tom L. Wheeler, 65, of Huron, passed away peacefully at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls on March 28, 2022, after he suffered a massive heart attack on March 6th.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later time. Please check back for updates.

Tom Lytle Wheeler was born in Huron SD on August 6th, 1956 to Donald and Lois (Byerly) Wheeler.  He attended school in Huron. Tom married Juli Johnson in 1976 and from that union, their daughter Kristen was born. Tom was an owner-operator of his own big rig trucking all over the US.

Tom enjoyed NASCAR racing, watching golf, and mostly a good visit with his friends over a cold one.  Over the last couple of years, he spent more time with his brother Kim, in Piedmont SD.

Tom is survived by his daughter, Kristen (Travis) Maasen; two grandchildren, Layton and McKenna; one brother, Steve (Peggy) Wheeler, Muscatine, IA; many nieces, nephews, aunts, and cousins; and a special friend, Janet Schinderling.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents Donald and Lois Wheeler, and his big brother, Kim Wheeler.