September 11, 1934 ~ December 25, 2018

John E. Pontius , 84, Sioux Falls, died at his home on Tuesday, December 25, 2018, with his family at his side.

Visitation will be 1:30-3:00pm, Sunday, December 30, 2018, at Heartland Funeral Home. Funeral Services will begin at 3pm. A private burial will take place at a later date.

John was born September 11, 1934 in Princeton, MN, to Robert and Ida Mae (Jones) Pontius. When he was six years old, his mother died leaving six young sons. Later, upon moving to Minneapolis, Robert married Ann Burich, who continued on as the boys’ stepmother. John graduated from Minneapolis West High School in 1953.

John worked in the food industry and was happy selling products for Kraft Foods and Nabisco. He taught marketing at Dakota County Vo-Tech for a number of years and then purchased and operated Midwestern Sales Co. until retirement.

John married Doris Honsey from North Dakota in 1957. They lived in Tacoma, WA, during his years in the Army, then in Faribault, MN, Roseville, MN, and Hastings, MN. In 2010, they moved to Sioux Falls, SD.

John will be deeply missed by his wife, Doris; two children, Bradley Pontius, Sioux Falls, and Shannon (Dan) Graber, Sioux Falls; four grandchildren, Alina Pontius, Elise Pontius, Annika Graber and Grant Graber; and one brother, James, Hemet, CA.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Ida Mae; and four brothers; Ralph, Elsworth, Walt and Bob.

John made his choice to serve God when he was a young man and kept true to that decision. He loved the Word of God and found great joy in inviting others to hear the Gospel Story. It gave him peace when his grandchildren sang hymns around his bedside.

September 1, 1958 ~ December 5, 2018

Susan K. (Houtkooper) Mofle, 60, Brandon, died unexpectedly, Wednesday, December 5, 2018, with her husband, Roger, by her side.

Visitation will be 9:30am, Monday, December 10, 2018, followed by Memorial Services at 10:30am at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon.

Sue was born to Howard and Iola (Geerdes) Houtkooper on September 1, 1958, in Hartley, IA. She moved to Worthington, MN when she was six. Five years later, her family moved to Sioux Falls where she attended Hawthorne Grade School and Axtell Junior High.

Sue worked around Sioux Falls in cleaning and maintenance trades until 1979, when she and Roger were married. She then worked at Litton Ind. in Sioux Falls until early 1980 when son, Justin Raymond was born. Soon after his birth, Sue became a stay at home mom (one of the best). In September 1981, daughter, Jessa Lee arrived.

In July 1982, Roger and Sue opened R&R Conversions. Sue continued being a stay at home mom with the help of a pair of grandmothers but also worked at R&R. Sue was happy to help doing whatever was necessary to grow the van business. She worked at R&R for 20 years.

Sue had three life loves: camping with friends and family, music, and camping with friends and family at musical events.

She is survived by her husband Roger; son, Justin (Jill) Mofle, Brandon, and daughter, Jessa (Kyle) Zimmer, Aberdeen; five grandchildren, Madalyn, Brenden, Claire, Raylee and Cullen; two brothers, Larry Houtkooper, Sioux Falls, and Terry (Denise) Houtkooper, Sioux Falls; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Iola; and special friends, Clyde Wissler, Ron Greenway and Ron Mofle.

May 15, 1928 ~ November 30, 2018

Mina Sjaarda, 90, Valley Springs, died Friday, November 30, 2018, at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, MN, surrounded by her family.

Visitation will be 6-8pm, Tuesday, December 4, 2018, at the United Reformed Church in Hills, MN. Memorial Services will be 10:30am, Wednesday, December 5, 2018, also at United Reformed Church.

Memorial gifts may be given to Hills Christian School.

Wilhelmina “Mina” Klein, 90, daughter of John and Ida Klein, was born on May 15, 1928, in Sioux Center, IA. She was raised on a farm, where she milked cows and helped with field work. She attended country school through eighth grade. She married Clarence Sjaarda on September 20, 1946, in Sioux Center, IA. Following their marriage, Mina and Clarence farmed near Sioux Center for a year before moving to a farm near Beaver Creek, MN. In 1963, they moved to a farm near Valley Springs, SD so their oldest daughter, Donna, could attend South Dakota School for the Deaf. They farmed there until retirement.

During the years on the farm, Mina enjoyed raising her five children, milking cows, and helping with the field work. She was always willing to drop everything to help wherever needed.

Mina was a long-time, active member of the Hills Christian Reformed/United Reformed Church. She volunteered many hours at Hills Christian School. Her love for the Lord was evident in her everyday life as she hosted family, friends, and anyone needing a warm meal. She was well-known for her apple pie and chocolate cake. Mina loved a good laugh with her family and always enjoyed them stopping by. She loved sending her grandchildren and great-grandchildren home with a baggie of gummy bears. Some of Mina’s hobbies included sewing, making an afghan for each grandchild, and many other crafts. Mina shared her sense of humor and sweet spirit with the residents and staff of the Tuff Memorial Home, where she spent the last few years of her life.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her five children, Donna Elaine of Hills, MN; Jo Van Engen and her husband, Bob, of Valley Springs; Wanda Jansma and her husband, Jim, of Carlsbad, CA; John and his wife, Marlys, of Valley Springs, SD; Norm and his wife, Donna, of Hills, MN; thirteen grandchildren, Michael Van Engen, Jered (Jill) Van Engen, Robbi (Jake) Bishop, Michelle (Billy) Mouw, Jim (Michele) Jansma, Teresa (Jeff) Darney, Sheila (Steven) Tatgenhorst, Lori (Jon) Bakker, John (Kaye) Sjaarda, Nick (Shawna) Sjaarda, Jill (Josh) Iverson, Jennifer (Nik) Dinger, Angie Sjaarda; forty-one great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Marvin Sjaarda and his wife, Bertha, of Sanborn, IA.

Preceding her in death was her husband of 50 years, Clarence; parents John and Ida Klein; her husband’s parents; sister, Carrie (Jake) Van Regenmorter; sister-in-law, Winifred (Gerald) Reinders; brothers-in-law John (Joyce) Sjaarda and Donald (Bev) Sjaarda

June 26, 1983 ~ November 6, 2018

Cametra L. Mathison, 35, Sioux Falls, much loved and youngest daughter of Eugene and Judy Mathison, died Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Memorial services will be 1:30pm, Saturday, November 17, 2018, at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon, SD, with Thomas Gibbons officiating, and a reception following.

Cametra Louise Mathison was born in Sioux Falls on June 26, 1983. She was educated in Sioux Falls and attended Roosevelt High School and completed her GED shortly after. Cami worked in food service and was a skillful salesperson. She is remembered by many for her love of animals.

Cami is survived by her parents, Eugene and Judy Mathison, Sioux Falls; and seven siblings, Mark Mathison, Great Falls, MT, Matthew Mathison, Lamberton, MN, Luke Mathison, Wabasso, MN, Rachelle (Phillip) Graff, Derrod (Megan) Mathison, Sioux Falls, Querida Johnson , Harrisburg, SD, and Kacelle (Benjamin) Mathison-Duran; nieces and nephews, Tyler (Jenna) Graff, Danyette (Fernando) Travino, Shaye Johnson, Gabriel Schroeder and Oliver and Martin Duran ; five great nieces and nephews; and many friends, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Cami is preceded in death by her grandparents.

August 29, 1971 ~ November 1, 2018

Dorianne “Dori” Rote, 47, Sioux Falls, died Thursday, November 1, 2018, at Ava’s House Hospice facility in Sioux Falls.

Memorial Services will be 1:00pm, Monday, November 5, 2018, at Heartland Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 11:00am.

Dorianne “Dori” Tunell was born August 29, 1971 in Sioux Falls to Denny and Marianne (Flinn) Tunell. She was raised in Sioux Falls. Dori was active in sports, playing softball and basketball. She also enjoyed and was very talented at freehand sketching and drawing. After graduating from Lincoln High School, Dori immediately started working in daycare. She met and married Richie Tulio and the couple had one son, Ryan. Eventually Dori married Jon Rote on August 16, 2009. The couple also had two children, Nathan and Mason, as well as raising Jon’s son, Jered.

Dori loved and adored her family. They enjoyed trips together to Omaha, NE, to the zoo or to stay in motels with water parks for birthday parties. One of the favorite trips that Dori took was with Jon to Naples, FL. She had never seen the ocean until then and loved watching the stingrays and dolphins. Dori was also known for her craftiness. She enjoyed making and gifting photo albums for different occasions to her friends and family.

Dori will be deeply missed by her husband, Jon; four sons, Ryan Tulio, Nathan, Mason and Jered Rote; her parents, Denny and Maxine Tunell, Sioux Falls, three siblings, Jason Tunell, Stacia Tarr, and Jason Roberts; parents-in-law, Don and Carol Rote, Sioux Falls; two brothers-in-law, Steve and Tom Rote; many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews; and very special friend, Judy Tulio, Sioux Falls.

Dori was preceded in death by her mother, Marianne.

April 23, 1995 ~ October 23, 2018

Brandon M. Massmann, 23, Brandon, SD, died Tuesday, October 23, 2018, as a result of a traffic accident, in Broken Bow, NE.

Funeral Services will be 11:00am, Saturday, October 27, 2018, at Brandon Lutheran Church, with visitation beginning at 9:00am. At the family’s request for “No Flowers,” a memorial has been established in Brandon’s memory.

Brandon Matthew Massmann was born in Sioux Falls on April 23, 1995, to Todd and Paula (Frisell) Massmann, and lived near Corson. He attended school at Brandon Valley and graduated in 2013. Brandon worked for Sioux Steel in Sioux Falls and then as a Tarp Installation Specialist for Soles Enterprises of Corson.

Brandon was known as a quiet and reserved person until you got to know him and then you got to see the true fun-loving character that he really was. He personally influenced many of his friends and by their own confessions, made their lives better, especially at making good decisions. He loved to spend time in the shop with his dad, where he learned to fix engines, weld and build semi truck dollies, and drive a bobcat and snowmobile by the age of five.

They had special talks and worked on projects for the farm. One of his favorite projects was working on antique tractors. Another one of his favorite things to do was messing around with cars, doing burnouts, tricking out diesel trucks and drag racing his father at Thunder Valley with their trucks. Motorcycles and dirt bikes were not to be left out of Brandon’s life. From the stories of his pit bike and the accidents of hitting fence posts and a friend falling into a big hole, he enjoyed riding crazy on his motorcycle while doing wheelies and riding the Dragon’s Tail of 318 curves in 11 miles. Brandon loved taking pictures during his motorcycle rides as well as all his other fun toys.

Brandon cherished his role as a big brother for Auston. Whether it was shooting bb guns and pistols, four wheeling, jet skiing, boating or tubing, he and Austin built many great memories together. Brandon always had great big brother advice for Auston: do well in school. Be a good reader (it makes everything easier). Take your time with handwriting. It will look better. Always put your name on your homework so you get credit for the work. Don’t always take the easy way out. Hard work is OK. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Lastly, repeated many times… video games and You Tube shouldn’t be your whole life – Get out and experience life.

Brandon was convinced he found the love of his life and best friend, in Brianna Skovly. Whether they were tinkering in the shop or getting sun burns on the side of the tractor while waiting their turns to pull, Brandon and Bri were an ideal match for each other enjoying allot of the same interests. If, while he was driving home from a work trip, and Brandon felt sleepy, Bri would sit up, talk and listen to him to keep him awake, until he made it home safely.

Brandon will be deeply missed by his parents, Todd and Paula (Frisell) Massmann, Brandon; his brother, Auston; girlfriend, Brianna Skovly; his grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

March 2, 1935 ~ October 18, 2018

Virginia “Ginny” Lee Lien, 83, Sioux Falls, went Home to be with her parents and siblings on October 18, 2018, surrounded by her loving family at the Avera-Dougherty Hospice House. Virginia will be so missed by her family and all who knew her.

Virginia requested that she have no Funeral or Memorial Services and that we remember her with our memories of her love and good times.

Virginia Lee Lien was born March 2, 1935 to Vernon Sr. and Ann (Drabon) Smith in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was married to Richard Lien, who spent his career as an over-the-road truck driver and was gone, sometimes for weeks, leaving Virginia to run the household and raise their three children, Laura, Cheryl and Tom. She especially loved taking care of “all” children and started babysitting when she was just eight years old. Virginia would often say taking care of children was “her calling”. She was an expert at raising children and she would tell you so.

Other than taking care of children, Virginia and Richard enjoyed traveling to Hawaii once on a vacation to see Cheryl and her family when Cheryl was stationed there, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Another trip she enjoyed was visiting with Laura and her family in Louisiana. She and Richard also enjoyed camping when they had the time and would later meet up with Tom and his family at either Newton Hills or Lake Herman.

Virginia would later be afflicted by COPD which is what she eventually succumbed to.

Virginia’s departure from our lives will leave a hole in our hearts. She suffered so much in the end trying to catch each breath, that the Lord blessed her by taking her home to be with Him.

Virginia leaves behind her husband and four generations that will always remember her for her love of Jesus and family. Virginia enjoyed her entire life being a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great, great-grandmother.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the nurses at the Avera-Dougherty Hospice House for their compassion & love they showed caring for Virginia in her final hours and helping us with our loss.

January 1, 1959 ~ October 2, 2018

Charlene Larson, 59, Sioux Falls, died Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at the Ava’s Hospice Home in Sioux Falls, after a short battle with cancer.

Memorial services will be 10:30am, Saturday, October 6, 2018, at Shalom Lutheran Church, Harrisburg, SD, with visitation beginning at 9:30am.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Char’s memory.

Charlene Renee Kelley was born January 1, 1959, in Sioux Falls, to Neil and Mary (Schlotterback) Kelley. She was raised in Sioux Falls and graduated from Brandon Valley High School in 1977. She had been a member of the BV Lynx Pom Pom Squad. Charlene began working in a vision clinic as a Technician. She eventually went to work for Eye-Site by Howlin as a Optician Tech, where she worked for approximately 20 years. In August 1985, Char married Bruce Johnson. The couple had two daughters; Breanna and Marissa.

Char was a very gifted artist and very creative with her hands. She loved making porcelain dolls, crocheting, gardening and baking. Char loved her family and her favorite pass time was being with her granddaughter, Stella. She was her pride and joy especially because they shared the same birthday.

Charlene will be deeply missed by her two daughters, Breanna (Taylor) Berg, Harrisburg, and Marissa Johnson, Sioux Falls; one grand-daughter, Stella; her mother, Mary Kelley, Sioux Falls, one brother, Teryl (Lynette) Kelley, Sioux Falls, and one nephew, Dan (Jodi) Kelley, and one niece, Alyssa (John) Metzger.

Charlene was preceded in death by her father, Neil.

January 4, 1947 ~ October 2, 2018

Audrey J. Johnson, 71, Sioux Falls, formerly Coldwater, MI, died Tuesday, October 02, 2018, at Ava’s Hospice Home in Sioux Falls.

Audrey Jean Johnson was born January 4, 1947, to Robert and Hazel (Chawlcraft) Johnson in Coldwater, MI. Audrey was raised and attended school there also. She married Donald Cleckner in June of 1964. To this union, eight children were born.

Audrey is survived by her children, Dora (Steve) Dehnbostel, Whitelake, MI, Tom (Tobe) Cleckner, Coldwater, MI, Mike (Lucy) Cleckner, Coldwater, MI, Paula (Brian) Etheridge, Somerset, KY, Heather (Chuck) Bills, Coldwater, MI, Donnie Cleckner, Coldwater, MI, Sonya Cleckner, Angola, IN, Josh (Amanda) Cleckner, Coldwater, MI; seventeen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; her mother, Hazel (Chawlcraft) Johnson; and two sisters, Karen Cohoon, Brandon, SD, and Carol Parshall; and many nieces and nephews.

Audrey was preceded in death by her father, Robert Johnson; a sister, Mary Fenningsdorf; and three brothers-in-law, Mike Cohoon, Gene Parshall, and Bill Fenningsdorf.

Robert “Bob” Friman, 93, Brandon, formerly Pierre, (Friman Oil and Gas), died Friday, September 14, 2018, at the Dougherty Hospice Home in Sioux Falls, following a short health struggle.

Visitation with family will be 1-3pm, Tuesday, September 18, 2018, at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon. Burial will be 10:00am, Wednesday, September 19, at the Black Hills National Cemetery.

Bob was born to Roy and Anna Friman on August 14, 1925 in Wessington Spring, SD and grew up on a farm near Hurley, SD. He graduated from Hurley High School in 1943 and was class president his senior year. Bob also was quarterback for his High School, Navy and Yankton College football teams. He enlisted in the US Navy, September 1943 and served on a merchant marine ship as a member of a Navy gun crew called the Armed Guard. His tour of duty took him around the world on his first tour and then mainly in the Pacific at Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa when World War II ended. He was honorably discharged in April 1946.

Bob attended Yankton College for a year and then joined Standard Oil Company in Sioux Falls for 18 months and was then transferred to Huron for 18 months. In 1950 he moved to Pierre, SD and continued with Amoco Oil Company until his retirement in 2000. He owned Friman Oil and Gas and was instrumental in building of the Oahe Dam. One of the most noted training he received through Amoco was with the Dale Carnegie Course early in his career.

Bob became involved with the community of the City of Pierre and the state of South Dakota in many areas. In 1964 he was elected president of Pierre Chamber of Commerce and in 1969 he was elected president of the South Dakota LP Gas Association. In 1970, Bob was elected president of the South Dakota Golf Association. He was also elected Chairman of Board of Trustees for the First Congregational Church in Pierre, South Dakota and served on the Board of Directors of the South Dakota Oil Marketers. In 1946 Bob became a member of the American Legion and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also became a member of the Pierre Elks Lodge in 1953.

Bob became a pilot in 1947 training under Curtis Shupe and Joe Foss in Sioux Falls, SD. After moving to Pierre, Bob became a commercial, instrument and multi-engine rated pilot until his retirement in 2000. He owned several airplanes throughout his flying career, including a Cessna 170, Beech Craft Bonanza and part owner of a Piper Seneca Twin. Bob was also an avid golfer with numerous hole-in-ones and played his last 9 holes on August 9th, 2018. He was an avid pheasant and goose hunter for many years. He has also enjoyed pheasant hunting again in the fall the last 3 years.

The highlight of Bob’s entire life was when he married Sandy Wiese on February 29, 1948 and started a family when two little new persons entered their lives; Susan in 1957 and Brenda in 1960. They gave them four grandchildren: Robert, Kevin, Ashley and Rachel.

Bob is survived by his two daughters, Susan (Kevin) Winter, Sioux Falls and Brenda (Terry) Doran, Waukee, IA; and six grandchildren, Robert, Kevin, Ashley, Rachel, Anna, and Patrick.

Bob’s father passed away in 1958 and his mother in 1978. Also proceeding him in death were two sisters, Muriel of Cave Junction, Oregon, Shirley of Santa Barbara, California and four brothers, Everett of Sioux City, Iowa, Duane of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Donald of Wichita, Kansas and Gary of Pierre, South Dakota. Most importantly, Bob is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years of a happy marriage, Sandy on June 30, 2015.