May 7, 1965 ~ July 13, 2021

Dan P. Larson, 56, Valley Springs, died Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at Ava’s House, in Sioux Falls, after a long battle with cancer.

Visitation with family present will be 4-6:30 pm, Friday, July 16, 2021, at the Brandon Assembly of God Church with Memorial Services beginning at 6:30 pm.  The funeral service for Dan will be Live- Streamed at 6:30 pm to this site: http://brandonvalley.online.church. A reception will be held immediately following a procession from the church to the Red Rock Bar and Grill. The family requests that guests attending wear Harley Davidson gear or firefighter apparel. They also request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Valley Springs Fire Department in Dan’s memory.

Daniel Paul Larson was born on May 7, 1965, to Larry and Karen (Hofstad) Larson, in Sioux Falls. He was raised in the Brandon Valley area, attending Valley Springs Elementary, and graduated from Brandon Valley High School. He attended Central Baptist Church in Sioux Falls while growing up and was active in their youth group playing church league softball and volleyball. Dan was a very mechanical person. He could fix anything. After graduating he worked for Bill’s Amoco in Sioux Falls, Exhaust Pros, Automotive Brake and Exhaust, and then in 2015, started at Blaine’s Service in Brandon. Dan also was an active volunteer with the Valley Springs Fire Department since 2007. On September 15, 1990, Dan married Jenny Hallauer in Sioux Falls. They were blessed with two boys, Remington and Riley.

Dan’s passions in life included his family, the fire department, cars, and motorcycles. Dan was a very gifted mechanic and was always willing to help anyone out. Jenny referred to him as her “MacGyver.” If you needed to find Dan after work, the first place you checked was his shop. He could be found there even at 2:30 in the morning working on, repairing a vehicle. Dan was a very generous person who would befriend anyone. He made time for everybody and made them feel like they were the most important person in the world. Dan was a practical joker and a happy-go-lucky guy, always having a smile on his face. One of his well-known pranks was taking new and unsuspecting friends down Spook Road in the pitch black of night, with the lights off, while driving at a high rate of speed. He loved taking trips with his motorcycle buddies. Dan enjoyed leaving his mark on the streets with his Dodge Dart burnouts!

Even in the last days of his fight with cancer, Dan was optimistic and positive, while rarely missing a day of work. In all of his humility, Dan had a hard time accepting the help of others and was overwhelmed by all of the generosity of others.

Dan will be deeply missed by his wife of 30 years, Jenny, Valley Springs; two sons, Remington and Riley, Valley Springs; his parents, Larry and Karen Larson, Brandon; three siblings, Tracy (Jon) South, Brandon, Steve (Jeannie) Larson, New Hall, CA, and Andrea (Tom) McDonald, Sioux Falls; sisters and brother-in-law, Julie (Mike) Kelly, Jodi (Shane) Mulroy, Valley Springs, Jolene Hallauer, Sioux Falls, Jerod (fiancée Christine) Hallauer, Sioux Falls; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

April 14, 1955 ~ July 12, 2021

Wayne Houg, 66 Brandon, died Monday, July 12, 2021, At the Sioux Falls, VA Hospital, in Sioux Falls, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Inurnment at the SD State Veteran’s Cemetery will be held at 1pm, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, will Full Military Honors.

September 20, 1976 ~ July 8, 2021

Michael Jeremy Van Engen, 44, Valley Springs, died Thursday, July 8, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family.  

Private services were held.  Michael will be inurned at Pleasant View Cemetery in Valley Springs.

Michael Jeremy Van Engen was born September 20, 1976, to Robert and Joan (Sjaarda) Van Engen.  He spent his childhood years in Sioux Center, IA, and Corona, CA, before moving to Redmond, WA.  He attended Bellevue Christian School in Bellevue, WA.  He later returned to the Midwest and attended Northwest Iowa Community College and earned a degree in Information Technology.

He was the father of two children, Cedar and Victoria Van Engen of Everett, WA.

Michael enjoyed spending time with his family, baking, cooking and enjoying the outdoors.  Over the years, he worked at various locations and volunteered at the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store.

Michael will be deeply missed by his children, Cedar Van Engen, Everett, WA, and Victoria Van Engen, Everett, WA; his parents, Robert and Joan Van Engen; his siblings, Jered (Jill) Van Engen, Marion, IA, and Robbi (Jake) Bishop, Kearney, MO; his nieces and nephews, Tyler Sharkey, Spencer Hutchinson, Eli Van Engen, Kaitlyn Bishop and Brooklyn Bishop; and many uncles, aunts and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Harvey and Nell Van Engen, and Clarence and Mina Sjaarda; uncles, Floyd Van Engen, and Brian Van Engen; and aunt, Brenda Van Engen.

November 14, 1950 ~ July 7, 2021

Alan Scott Lundy, 70, of Vermillion, passed away on July 7, 2021, after a slow battle with multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and dementia.

Visitation will be 11:30, July 13 2021, at Heartland Funeral Home in Brandon. Funeral Services will begin at 1PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Friends of South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

Alan was born on November 14, 1950, to Andrew Mandus and Edna Joy (Searles) Lundy in Sioux Falls. As a child, he lived with his family in Gettysburg, Pierre, Powers, OR, and Rapid City, spending many summers in Mount Vernon and Sioux Falls. After graduating from Rapid City High School in 1968, he went on to study at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and the University of South Dakota.

After a few years of college, a summer spent with the George McGovern presidential campaign, some odd jobs at a grocery store he attempted to unionize, a taconite mine in Silver Bay, MN, and as a taxi cab driver, Alan began a career in radio news. He worked at radio stations in Sioux City, Iowa, Yankton, and Brookings before reaching the pinnacle of his career as a news producer for South Dakota Public Broadcasting. He enjoyed many years of bringing the news of the state government to the people of South Dakota. He had the opportunity to interview former Vice President Dan Quayle and several US Senators. He also enjoyed a conflict or two with former governor Bill Janklow. He later worked for newspapers and radio stations in Pierre, Mitchell, Yankton, Brookings, and Madison.

Alan was also a passionate amateur (ham) radio operator for over 50 years. He enjoyed the hobby, opportunities for community service, and many friendships.

In 1979, he met Laurel Mouw. They married in 1980 and had one child, David.

Alan lost both of his parents at a young age but had a variety of parent figures throughout his life including his brothers, Laurel-his wife of 18 years, many good friends, the church family at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brookings and the community of Madison.

He is survived by his son, David, and daughter-in-law, Katie, and their children, Awstyn and Cohen, of Sioux Falls; a brother, Paul Lundy, of Ames, IA, and his family; plus many friends and two grand-puppies, Edna Mode and Steven Mandus.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Annamae Riff Lundy; and his brother, Richard.

September 28, 1972 ~ July 3, 2021

Jodie Sarchet, 48, of Valley Springs, died Saturday, July 3, 2021, at her home surrounded by her family.

Visitation will be 5:00 – 6:30pm, Wednesday, July 7,  2021, at Heartland Funeral Home.  Funeral services will begin at 6:30pm.  The family will conduct a private burial at Pleasant View Cemetery in Valley Springs.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been set up to assist the family.

Jodie Ann Howrey was born on September 28, 1972, to Lennis and Treva (Ferguson) Howrey in Des Moines, IA. She was raised in Grimes and Manson, IA, and graduated from Manson-Northwest-Webster High School in 1991. She then attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, graduating in 1993.

Jodie worked for the Principal Financial Group for 10 years. She was united in marriage to Randy Sarchet on August 1, 1998, in Manson, IA. They moved to South Dakota and lived in various places before settling in Valley Springs, SD in February, 2008.

She was a full-time wife, mother, and home-school teacher to their children.

Jodie will be deeply missed by her husband, Randy; six children, Tylor (Kelsey) Sarchet, Graettinger, IA, Karley Sarchet, Valley Springs, Kaleb Sarchet, Valley Springs, Kalyn Sarchet, Valley Springs, Kegan Sarchet, Valley Springs, and Kooper Sarchet, Valley Springs; four grandchildren, Mason, Reagan, Raelyn and Jude; her parents, Lennis and Treva Howrey, Manson, IA; one sister, Heather (Matt) Meehan, Madison, SD; father-in-law, Richard Sarchet, Algona, IA, sisters-in-law, Lisa (Bryan Swartzel) Shipman, Des Moines, IA and Sandy (Jeff Probasco) Sarchet, Algona, IA; nieces and nephews, Olivia, Alaina, Tashia, Nikki, Dustin, Jacob, Bronson, Landon, Nolan and Haylen.

She is preceded in death by one child, Kamron; and her mother-in-law, Mary Sarchet.

May 2, 1953 ~ June 28, 2021

Jim Grace, 68, of Valley Springs, died peacefully, Monday, June 28, 2021, at the Sanford Foundations Cottage in Sioux Falls, after a brief bout with cancer, surrounded by his family.

Funeral Services are set for 3:00 pm, Friday, July 2, 2021, at Heartland Funeral Home, with family present at 2pm to greet visitors. .  A celebration and reception will be held immediately following at the VFW in Brandon.

James Edward Grace was born on May 2, 1953, in Aberdeen, SD, to Wesley Eldred and Doris Eleanor (Heberer) Grace. Jim graduated from Groton High School and then attended Lake Area Vo-tech and received a degree in Building Trades.  On September 6, 1976, Jim married Lois Pletten. He worked various jobs in the area. In 1981, he married Brenda Erickson. To this union, Jim was blessed with four children; Jodee, Bobbie, Brandi and Amanda. The family moved to the Valley Springs area in 1987. Jim worked as a custodian for the Valley Springs Elementary and the Brandon Elementary Schools for approximately 15 years. He then worked at Showplace Cabinetry as a custom cabinet builder until he retired in 2019, to enjoy life.

Jim enjoyed fishing, basketball, and races. He had recently started working out at the gym. After retirement, he purchased a Mustang convertible which was his pride and joy. He loved his Happy Hour dates at his three favorite locations.  Some of Jim’s favorite sayings were:

“The only way someone can beat you is if you let them”

“So, it should end where it all began”

“Be who you are” and “It is what it is!”

Jim is survived by his four daughters, Jodee Westerbur, Sioux Falls, Bobbie (Chris) Safar, Valley Springs, Brandi Grace (Brian Bradley), Garretson, Amanda (Cameron) Benolkin, Harrisburg; eight grandchildren, Taylor (Aaron), Tessa (Jordyn), Zoey, Kennedy, Justis, Jackson, Aiden, and Julia; great-grandchild, William; three siblings, Ron Grace, Brighton, CO, Pamela Carlson, Aurora, CO, and Marilyn Minero-Grace, Denver, CO; four foster siblings, Beverly Sombke, Groton, SD, Lavonne Gesling, Harrisburg, SD, Wilber (Judy) Albrecht, Columbia, SD, and Leland (Vickie) Albrecht, Wisconsin Rapids, WI.

James is preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Doris Grace; his foster parents, Fred and Grace Albrecht; two siblings, Gerald Grace, and Cynthia Grace; and two brothers-in-law, Darrell Sombke, and Mick Gesling.

October 18, 1946 ~ June 19, 2021

Margaret K. Bullis, 74, Ipswich, SD, died Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Memorial service will be Thursday, July 1, 2021, from 3-6pm at the Seventh Day Adventist Church (825 12^th Avenue SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401). Casual attire preferred.

Margaret Katherine Boehmer was born to Woodrow and Opal (Meinen) Boehmer on October 18, 1946 in Mitchell, SD. She graduated from high school from Mitchell, SD and married Jay Bullis on June 14, 1974 in Alexandria, SD. They lived in various places due to her husband’s construction jobs until they settled in Aberdeen, SD.

Margaret ran a daycare when her children were young. She also worked for a candy factory and later in life she worked in the reservation center for the Super 8 Hotel, as well as the many name changes that they went through before she retired.

Margaret loved her plants and enjoyed collecting cookbooks, even reading them like a book.

She leaves behind a son, Scott Hoffman; and a daughter, Lisa Dyce; brother, David (Elaine) Boehmer, Beesville, TX; and one aunt, Esther Meinen, Mitchell; and several cousins.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Jay Bullis; her parents, Woodrow and Opal Boehmer; and three brothers, Delbert, Dwight and Dean; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

April 1, 1939 ~ June 20, 2021

Dee Dee Moreno, 82, Brandon, died Sunday, June 20, 2021, at her residence, Helping Hands Assisted Living in Brandon, after a three-year battle with cancer. Dee Dee was born April 1, 1939, in Belle Fourche, SD, to James and Grace (Stober) Riley.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at Helping Hands (1000 Teakwood, Brandon).

August 30, 1955 ~ June 21, 2021

Mark H. Sievers, 65, Sioux Falls, died Monday, June 21, 2021, after complications with a surgery.

Funeral services will be 1:30pm, Monday, June 28, 2021, at Heartland Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Swedona Covenant Cemetery.

Mark Harley Sievers was born August 30, 1955 to Harley and Harriet (Nordstrom) Sievers in Sioux Falls.

Mark graduated from Brandon Valley High School and then Dakota State University with a degree in education. He went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from South Dakota State University. He was a teacher/counselor for many years. He was presently employed by Century Link where he worked as a commercial dispatcher (load specialist) for 27 years. He transferred from Minneapolis to Sioux Falls in 2015.

Since moving to Sioux Falls, he attended and was a member of Swedona Covenant Church, rural Brandon, where he had been baptized and confirmed. Mark enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings and was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. Whine in Minnesota, he attended many local games. He loved flowers and frequently brought plants or bouquets to his mother, with no special occasion needed. He had a quiet and loving spirit. Mark was a survivor. Beginning at age 3 in an auto accident, a job-related accident at age 19 resulting in permanent injuries, major injuries from a house fire in 2015 and most recently major surgery, he persevered. He accepted the outcome and repeatedly picked up the pieces and went on with life. While recuperating from surgery at his mother’s home, the Lord took him home without pain and suffering, by a heart attack. May he rest in peace.

Mark is survived by his mother and step-father, Harriet and David Wehde, Brandon, SD; one brother, Ken (Cindy) Sievers, Casper, WY; a very special Godmother, Vi Wehde; many cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Mark was preceded in death by his father, Harley Sievers; Godfather, James Wehde; and best friend, Charles Fredrickson.

August 12, 1967 ~ June 12, 2021

Kyle S. Baas, 53, Alexandria, SD, died Saturday, June 12, 2021, at his home.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 5-8pm, Thursday, June 17, 2021, at RJ’s Bar and Grill, on Main Street, Alexandria, SD.

He was born in Mitchell, SD, to Peter and Jeanette (Cain) Baas on August 12, 1967. He was raised in Mitchell and also in California. When he returned to South Dakota, he drove truck for most of his life for East River Lumber & Grain and A&A Express. He enjoyed riding motorcycle, living in Florida, and the Sturgis Bike Rally. He especially loved spending time with Grandma Goldie. He had two companion dogs, Liberty and Harley, whom he loved very much.

Kyle is survived by his wife, Virginia; one son, Sean, of Alexandria; his mother and step-father, Jeanette (Dale) Schroeder, Mitchell; siblings, Kallan Paulson, Mt Vernon, Kathy Van Lacken, Peoria Heights, IL, Tiffany Wendt, St. Paul, Duane Baas, Huron, and Lenny Baas, St. Paul; and numerous extended family members.

Kyle is preceded in death by his father.