January 3, 1956 – October 17, 2017

Dennis Nelson, 61, Sioux Falls, SD died Tuesday, October 17, 2017 after an epic battle with lung cancer.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the near future. Contributions in memory of Dennis may be sent to 3004 South West Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, 57105.

Dennis was born January 3, 1956 to Henry and Dorothy (De Puy) Nelson in Yankton, SD. He grew up in Yankton and graduated from Yankton High School in 1974. He served in the Army from 1974 to the mid 1980’s. After completing his military service, Dennis attended community college in Sioux Falls, SD, and Monterey, CA, for Computer Science. From 1987 to 2010, he worked as a Network Administrator for CTB/McGraw-Hill, Hampton-Brown, and National Geographic School Publishing.

Dennis met and married his wife, Velina Onate, in Monterey, CA and they were married on September 21, 1993. Dennis and his family returned to Sioux Falls, South Dakota on August 1, 2012. He wanted to be near his siblings.

Dennis’ favorite thing to do was to watch the Dallas Cowboys games on TV. He liked fixing computers and working in his little backyard garden. He had a quirky sense of humor that made everyone smile.

Dennis will be greatly missed by his wife of 24 years, Velina; two daughters, Rachel (Kalonji) and Caitlin, Sioux Falls; three siblings, Gloria Cram, Sioux Falls; James Nelson, Yankton, SD and John Nelson, Woodbridge, VA; parent-in-law, Peni (Robert) Luckey, Brandon, FL; Cori Onate, Santa Fe, NM; David Onate, El Paso, TX, and Eliza Onate (Jesse), Eureka, CA and many nieces and nephews and other family and friends.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Dorothy (De Puy) Nelson and two siblings.

You are every single cherished long walk.
You are all of the night lit dinner talks.
You are the long trips we took on summer days.
You are everything I could never say.
You are every favorite t-shirt you wore.
You are the ladybugs near our back door.
You are all the times I spent as a child,
You are the sea, the tropics, the fearsome wild;
You are the fallen leaves on our front lawn
You are everything from dusk until dawn
You are the giant, gray truck you left behind,
You will always be the loving father of my favorite times.

• Rachel Ann Nelson

September 2, 1966 ~ October 8, 2017

Russell Stubbe, 51, Lester, IA, died Sunday, October 8, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Visitation will be 5-7pm, Thursday, October 12, 2017, at the Seeds of Faith Community Church, Lester, IA. Funeral Services will be 11am, Friday, October 13, also at Seeds of Faith Church. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

Russell was born September 2, 1966 to Mary June and Roger Baxter Stubbe in Sioux Falls, SD. He grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1985. He attended 1 year at DeVry Institute in Phoenix, AZ. He then joined the US Navy in 1989. He was trained as a fire control technician and obtained many certifications, medals, and awards. He served in San Diego, CA, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, OK, Guam and Groton, CT. He was able to see Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Australia. His final duty station was in Groton, teaching internet security. He loved computers and computer games, becoming friends with many people along the way. He completed 20 years of service before retirement.

Russell was a very generous soul, always looking to help others without their knowledge. He donated food to many food banks, provided candy and snacks to staff and patients at the Veterans Administration Hospital, gifts of books, wood and other items that others needed. He would always deny that he was the provider, but secretly reveled in the surprise and gratitude received.

Russell is survived by his two siblings, Sharon (Gene) Hoon, Garretson, and Craig (Shannon) Stubbe, Sioux Falls; four nephews and one niece, Nicholas, Brandon, Aaron, Cameron, and Gabriella; and a host of cousins and extended family.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Roger Baxter and Mary June (Marnette) Stubbe; and one infant brother, Stewart.

May 11, 1949 ~ October 7, 2017

Renea C. McCoy, 68, of Sioux Falls, died Saturday, October 7, 2017, at home surrounded by her family.

Memorial Services will be 1:00pm, Saturday, October 14, 2017, at Heartland Funeral Home.

Renea Clarisse Theobald was born May 11, 1949 in Mapleton, IA to Herbert and Vanetta (Sasges) Theobald. She attended school there and then went on to attend cosmetology school in South Sioux City. Renea met Thomas McCoy, and they were married on October 6, 1973. The couple moved to Sioux Falls in 1986 and Renea went to work for Balance Systems where she worked for 20 years with perfect attendance. Due to declining health she was forced to retire.

Renea loved to bake for everyone, including for Tom’s customers at Christmas time. She would make huge Christmas trays full of every kind of treat. When Renea would cook anything, she would make enormous batches to share with all of the neighbors. She was also enjoyed gardening with Tom. They had a large vegetable garden and would spend their falls canning. Christmas was Renea’s favorite holiday. Decorating, preparing food, wrapping presents and shopping were her favorite ways to spend the holiday. Some of the other things that she liked to do were driving over the road with Tom in the semi, crossword puzzles, and jitterbug dancing. She was especially proud of her family and loved her friends.

Renea will be greatly missed by her husband of 44 years, Tom; one son Todd (Becky) McCoy, Sioux Falls; one grandson, Mike McCoy, Sioux Falls; six siblings, Dolly (Gary) Kragel, Sloan, IA, Myra (Tom) Sattler, Herndon, KS, Gary (Vicki) Theobald, Des Moines, IA, Terry Theobald, Smithland, IA, Lori Chandler, Lubbock, TX, Karla (Mark) Struble, Strickland, IA;  three brothers in law, Bob (Linda) McCoy, Dakota City, NE, Dick (Peg) McCoy, Allen, NE, Jerry McCoy; South Sioux City, NE; and several nieces and nephews and other family and friends.

May 17, 1991~ October 1, 2017

Marshall R. McGruder, 26, Sioux Falls, passed away on October 1, 2017.

A Memorial Service will be Saturday, October 7, 2017, from Noon to 4:00pm, at Emmanuel Baptist Church, in Sioux Falls.

Marshall Roosevelt McGruder was born to Mary and Major McGruder, on May 17, 1991, in Sioux Falls, S.D. He attended Hawthorne Elementary, Axtell Park Middle School and graduated from Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls.

Through his adult life, Marshall worked at Famous Dave’s as a manager and also Raven Industries as a film manufacturer.

On January 14, 2010, Marshall was blessed with his first born, RaeLynn Hope. He was also blessed with Carter Marshall on February 28, 2012 (Madison Campbell) and Kinleigh Rose on May 5, 2015 (Kate Timmer). He was a loving father, and his children were his world.

Marshall liked to spend his spare time in a lot of different and creative ways. He loved the outdoors, from yard work to bike riding, but he also loved to spend time indoors. He is known as the family chef, being able to whip up any gourmet meal in no time. Marshall also was quite the movie buff- enjoying and relaxing in his free time to watch any and every movie available to him. But his favorite past time was spending time with his family and his kids.

Marshall is survived by his three children, his parents, Mary and Major McGruder; his brother’s, Lil Major McGruder and Craig McGruder; and his sisters; Bernice Williams, Meegan Vellek and Eliza Harris; along with nieces, nephews, cousins and many family and friends.

Marshall was a smart, generous, and caring man. He always looked out others before himself. Anbody who knows Marshall, knew how big of a heart he had. His infectious smile lit up a room. His life has touched so many in ways nobody could understand.

Memorial donations in honor of Marshall can be made to his parents, Mary and Major, at 515 N. Menlo Ave, Sioux Falls, SD, or online at youcaring.com.

June 8, 1948 ~ Sept. 29, 2017

Sadonna Marie Larsen (Williams), 69, died at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, 2017 from complications during surgery at the Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

A family viewing was held Friday, September 22, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at Heartland Funeral Home, in Brandon, SD. Burial will be in Spring Valley Lutheran Cemetery, near Viborg, South Dakota. She will be buried with her husband Lowell Larsen.

Contributions in memory of Sadonna may be sent to 2812 S. Center Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57105.

Sadonna Marie Williams was born to Richard and Bernadine (Gorath) Williams on June 8, 1948, at Canova Memorial Hospital. She attended school in Emery, South Dakota. She was married to Doug Buehner, which brought forth four children, Kim (Tim) Ament, Shari (Dave) Brannan, Mike (Joletta) Buehner, and Brandi (Gabe) Pooler.

Sadonna later married Lowell Larsen on January 25, 1985. They resided together in Mobridge, SD until 2010. In 2011, she moved to Brandon, SD to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Through her adult life, she worked as a business woman for Larsen’s Jewelry and later became a nurse for the Mobridge Nursing Home.
Sadonna is survived by her mother, four children, nine grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, three special friends, Donna, Micki, and Fran; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father Richard Williams, her husband, Lowell Larsen, her brothers, Russel Williams, and David Williams; her sister, Darla Williams; a grandson, Matthew Brannan; and three children.

Sadonna was a kind, generous woman. Anyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting her knew that she wore her heart on her sleeve. She was a family woman, and her family meant everything to her. She will be missed. However, we know that Heaven has gained and angel; she is no longer bound by the physical perils in life. Her wings are no longer denied for she has flown home. We will remember her smile, her laughter, and the legacy of love she left with us.

October 3, 1931 ~ August 16, 2017

Marion Higgins went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at the age of 85.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM, Saturday, September 16, 2017, at First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls. Inurnment will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Sioux Falls.

Marion was born October 3, 1931 to William H. and Alta (Young) Bigwood in St. Thomas, ND. Marion grew up on a farm in St. Thomas, ND, and graduated from St. Thomas High School. She then went on to graduate from Minot State Teacher’s College and taught in Fargo, ND. In 1959 Marion married Robert Higgins. They had 2 children. In 1971, the family moved to Sioux Falls, SD to open their business, Sioux Falls Hearing Aid Service. Marion and Bob were active members of First United Methodist Church PEO, and the Y’s Men Service organization. Marion loved to travel and made trips to Alaska, Europe, Australia and Denmark. In her later years, she moved to Wisconsin and then Florida with her daughter’s family. As in everywhere she went, she made many dear friends with her cheerful, kind spirit.

Marion will be lovingly remembered by her children, Julie (Mark) Scott, Jacksonville, FL, and Joel Higgins, Brandon, SD; by her five grandchildren, Meg and Graham Scott, and Erin (Austin) Hendricks, Jessica and Luke Higgins; her three siblings, Roy (Karen) Bigwood, Margaret Smith, and Betty (Leonard) Wolfgram; other special people who will remember her are Leslie Black, Dr. and Mrs. Ken Hansen and many precious friends, nieces and nephews.

Marion was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents, William H. and Alta (Young) Bigwood; and 7 siblings.

In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials be made to Sidewalk Funday School. (A children’s church).

March 19, 1927 ~ August 15, 2017

Janice Edna (Strassburg) Hanson, 90, Brandon, died Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, MN.

Visitation with family will be 1-3pm, Sunday, August 20, 2017, at Heartland Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be 11am, Monday, August 21, at Palisades Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Janice Edna Strassburg was born March 19, 1927 at Valley City, ND, to James and Edna (Lorenzen) Strassburg. She moved with her family to Minnesota in 1936, and graduated from high school at Luverne, MN. Janice married Robert Hanson in 1945. They lived in California during World War II. While Robert served in the Navy, she worked in a department store. The couple returned to South Dakota and lived in the Valley Springs area where they farmed the same place for 45 years. Upon retirement, both Janice and Robert managed apartments for 13 years in Brandon.

Janice loved to cook and sew, making many quilts for the family, church and World Relief. She enjoyed camping, fishing and playing cards. Janice was an Elvis Presley fan. She was a member of the Palisades Lutheran Church, life member of the ELCW Hannah Circle, and the Valley Springs American Legion Auxiliary. She served as President of Lutheran Brotherhood Branch 8607 for 17 years, serving nine area churches. She was State Fraternalist of the Year in 1992, and was a delegate to the Lutheran Brotherhood National Convention in 1990.

Janice will be deeply missed by her two sons, Jim Hanson, Valley Springs, and Joel (Linda) Hanson, Valley Springs; three granddaughters that were very special to her, Shauna (Jason) Allmon, Brandon, Kylie (Rick) Murray, Brandon, and Heather (Aaron Andrea) Hanson, Corsica, SD; three great-grandchildren, Max, Ian, and Storey; one sister, Viola Lafrenz, Minneapolis, MN; one sister-in-law, Delores Strassburg, Luverne, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

Janice was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Hanson; two infant daughters, two granddaughters; Missy Jo Hanson and Nicole Howlett; her parents, James and Edna (Lorenzen) Strassburg; four siblings, Al Strassburg, Bill Strassburg, Lucille Claussen, and Gladys Scott.

April 12, 1951 ~ August 11, 2017

Lucy Knutson, 66, Beresford, passed away peacefully at her home, on Friday, August 11, 2017.

Visitation with family present, will be Tuesday, August 15, 2017, from 5-7pm. There will be a Prayer Service at 7pm following the visitation, at Skrefsrud Lutheran Church, rural Beresford. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, August 16th, at 10:30am, also at Skrefsrud Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Skrefsrud Lutheran Church building project in her honor.

Lucille Ustad was born in the back of a 1949 Packard on April 12, 1951, to Bernt and Anna Louisa (Bratt) Ustad. Lucy was raised on a farm north of Beresford.

On August 10, 1969, Lucy married Dean Knutson at Skrefsrud Lutheran Church. The couple was blessed with four children. Lucy worked for the Alcester and Beresford nursing homes as a Certified Nurse’s Aid. She enjoyed taking care of the residents and sharing stories with them. She retired in 2015 due to poor health.

Lucy was especially proud of her family. She loved being with her children and her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her giving heart and was “Grandma Lucy” to many. She enjoyed people and was always willing to help where needed. Lucy enjoyed making quilts and made one for every one of her children and grandchildren. She was also known for her delicious cakes. If there was an occasion to have a cake, she was usually involved with baking and decorating it. Lucy was also a loyal Twins fan and enjoyed watching their games.

Lucy will be deeply missed by her husband, Dean; four children, Shellie (Mike) Sveeggen, Beresford, David (Katie) Knutson, Tea, Becky (Brandon) Peterson, Alcester, and Kristy (Stuart) Sveeggen, Beresford; eleven grandchildren, Timothy, Hailey, Sarah, Ryan, Corey, Jordan, Kara, Blake, Brady, Carter, and Kindra; two sisters, Bea (Cliff) Dvoracek, Sioux Falls, and Eleanor (Gary) Knutson, Centerville; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Lucy was preceded in death by her parents, Bernt and Anna Louisa (Bratt) Ustad.

February 27, 1961 ~ August 2, 2017

Lynnae D. Clark, 56, Sioux Falls, died Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at Avera McKennan Hospital after a lengthy illness.

Family visitation will be 1-3pm, Sunday, August 6, 2017, at Heartland Funeral Home.

Lynnae Dorene Thompson was born February 27, 1961 in Sioux Falls to Charles Sr. and Irene (Neve) Thompson. She was raised and attended school in Sioux Falls before she went to work for several different business throughout her life, including Taco Johns, Lewis Drug, and Bonanza. On December 11, 1981, Lynnae married Sheldon Clark in Sioux Falls and to this union three children were born.

Lynnae was a very caring and generous soul. She loved to volunteer at her kids’ school and played “Mrs. Claus” at several seasonal gatherings. She also started the Santa Claus Lane in Sioux Falls by gathering the neighbors to make the designs, paint and then place them in the front lawns of E First St in Leaders Edition. Lynnae also loved to sew and embroidery and made many clothes for herself and her children as well as several blankets. Her favorite hobby was to collect angels of all types which becomes fitting as now she is an angel watching over her family today.

Lynnae will be deeply missed by her children, Kailyn (Jeremy) Clark, Stacie Clark, and Abigail (Joshua) Mindeman; eight grandchildren, Dylan, Hunter, Alexis, Allyn, Anthony, Austyn, Andrew, and Zachary; her mother, Irene (Hank) Ishida; three siblings, Mark (Paula) Thompson, Chuck (Michele) Thompson, and Jodie (Mark) Lundy; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and her best friend, Angie Langley.

Lynnae was preceded in death by her father, Charles Thompson Sr., and one brother, Charles Thompson Jr.

July 26, 1950 ~ July 21, 2017

Rene L. Swanson, 66, Valley Springs, died Friday, July 21, 2017, at her home.

Memorial Services will be 1pm, Friday, July 28, 2017, at Heartland Funeral Home.

Rene Lorraine Van Beek was born July 26, 1950, in Hendricks, MN, to Jake and Louise (Fountain) Van Beek. The family moved to Sioux Falls where she was raised. Rene graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy, Omaha, NE, in 1968. Rene married Gene Swanson in 1970 and eventually moved to Valley Springs, SD. The couple had three children. Rene worked at John Morrell for a few years and then became a sterilization tech at Sioux Valley Hospital for over 25 years, before she retired. In 1998, Rene married Tim Den Herder, and they merged their families to include two more children; Sadie and Nate.

Rene loved her morning TV game shows and her animals; especially her cat. Camping at Oakwood Lakes and hanging out with her children and grandchildren were her favorite pass-times. She also could usually be found at the “C.B.” in Valley Springs with her friends.

Rene will be deeply missed by her two children, Zach (Tia) Swanson, Valley Springs, and Sony (Nate Den Herder) Swanson, Garretson; seven grandchildren, Max Reyna, Dominik, Savannah, Danny, Gavin, and Owen; four siblings, Roger Van Beek, Rebecca Anderson, Rachel Brower, and Rhonda Censky; and special nieces and nephews that Rene and Gene chose to take in as their children also at some point in their lives, Scott, Mark, Sage, and Tessa.

Rene was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Owen.