January 28, 1936 ~ March 11, 2019

Charmane R. Wehde, 83, of Marion, and formerly of Huron, passed away Monday, March 11, 2019, at the Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion. A Celebration of Life for the family will be held at a later date.

Char was born January 28, 1936 in Mitchell to Earl and Mae Edmisten. She was raised in Mitchell and graduated from Mitchell High School in 1954. She went on to earn her Nursing degree and on August 31, 1959 she married John Wehde. She touched many lives with her career as a registered nurse and spent many years working at Huron Regional Hospital, the Huron Nursing Home and the Violet Tschetter Nursing home.

She had a passion for playing bridge and enjoyed taking long walks.

Char took great pride in her family and is survived by her four children, Mark (Nadia) Wehde, St. Paul, MN, Dan (Karen) Wehde, Huron, Angela (Todd) Mills, Rapid City, and Laura (Dean) Menning of Chancellor; daughter-in-law, Mary Claypool, Rochester, MN; eleven grandchildren, Sam and Anna Wehde, Jayme (Brett) Smid, Jecelyn and Jacob Wehde, Brady, Emily, Madi, and Krystiana Mills, Melissa (Tyler) Lund, and Sami Jo Menning; as well as three great grandchildren, Raquel, Olivia, and Merritt,with a fourth arriving in June.

She was preceded in death by her parents and John Wehde.

At the request of the family, any memorials should be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.

September 22, 1953 ~ February 27, 2019

James “Jim” A. Larsen, 65, Valley Springs, died Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at his home.

Memorial Services will be 5pm, Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at First Lutheran Church, Valley Springs, with a visitation following at the American Legion Hall immediately afterwards. Burial at Pleasant View Cemetery will take place at a later date.

James A Larsen was born in Valley Springs at Trivalley hospital to James M and Dorothy (Thompson) Larsen on September 22, 1953. He lived in the Valley Springs area all his life and graduated from Brandon Valley High School. He Farmed for many years and became a talented machinist at S and J Machine shop in Valley Springs. Jim then worked for Luverne Truck Equipment (Now known as Curt Group). He had so much pride and love for the people he worked with and the work that he did.

Jim met the love of his life , Joanne Rodvik in 1976 and they were married August 27th, 1977. She was the light of his life and he was the light of hers. They were blessed with two children, Erik, Valley Springs, and Kallie, Sioux Falls. Erik and Kallie, both of which were loved dearly and cherished. Jim was very proud of both of them.

Jim was known for his ability to fix all things broken; if he couldn’t fix it, it couldn’t be fixed. He started at the age of three when he completely dis-assembled a Big Ben alarm clock, much to the dismay of his mother.

Some of Jim’s greatest pleasures in life were his love of his “International Harvester Cub Cadet” garden tractors and spending time in his garden. He cultivated beautiful gardens every year and loved to share his bounty with everyone. He used his gifts to help his friends and neighbors. As soon as the snow fell, he was out on his cub cadet clearing the snow from all sidewalks and driveways.

Jim will be deeply missed by his wife, Jo Larsen; two children, Erik and Kallie Larsen; along with his two sisters, Susan (Dave) Lillo and Rozanne, both of San Tan Valley, AZ; and a very special nephew, Todd Orchard, of San Tan Valley, AZ; a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins that will miss him as well.

Preceding Jim in death are his father, James “Bud” Larsen; his mother, Dororthy “Dode” Larsen; and his sister, Judy Larsen.

November 24, 1964 ~ February 27, 2019

Tami M. Crate, 54, Sioux Falls, died suddenly, Wednesday, February 27, 2019, from long term health issues at her home.

A Celebration of Life for Tami will be Saturday, March 2, 2019, from 1-3pm at Post 15, Sioux Falls American Legion.

Tami Marie Tanner was born in Rapid City. Tami always lived her life her way, even when she was young. Sometimes she was a pain in the arss, but she had such a good soul! If she could, she would do anything for any one. She sang like an angel (most of the time.) Life gave her a bumpy road, and her brothers had the same speed bumps. They called her their ssissterr. She was always a true friend to them. They know that she is smiling down, holding her son, Zane, saying I’ve been blessed to have so many people in my life. Those who knew her know that they were the ones blessed.

Tami will be greatly missed by her parents, Rod and Lena Weisbeck, Sioux Falls; and two brothers, Rick (Linda) Tanner and Mike (Susan) Tanner, both Sioux Falls.

Tami was preceded in death by her son, Zane.

April 2, 1941 ~ February 22, 2019

Major Frank McGruder, 77, Sioux Falls, died Friday, February 22, 2019, at the Dougherty Hospice Home in Sioux Falls.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring 2019. Please check back for updated details for the date and location.

“Major” Frank M. McGruder was born April 2, 1941 to Roosevelt and Brooksie (Rogers) McGruder in Arkansas. The family moved early in his life to Chicago where he attended school. Following his schooling, Major became an independent over the road truck driver. He eventually started driving for Apple Lines of Madison, SD. In the mid 70’s, he moved to South Dakota and in 1978 he met Mary. Together they had three children. Major continued driving until he retired in 2008.

Major loved to play cards, especially Pinochle and visit and talk with his friends. He enjoyed sports and loved to watch anything on TV. Major was famous for getting people together socially. He organized and held a friends and family picnic for over 29 years. The first years were at Terrace Park and the last 9 years were in their backyard as an over 50’s party with no kids included. He often would take a few minutes during these picnics to remember those who they had lost over the past year and have a special memorial to those friends.

Major will be deeply missed by his wife of over forty years, Mary; five children, Craig McGruder, Bernice Williams, Eliza Harris, Meegan Vellek, and Lil’Major McGruder; fifteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; two siblings, Rodney McGruder and Sandra Richardson; and many other family members and great friends!

Major was preceded in death by one son, Marshall McGruder, and one sister, Helen McGruder.

October 5, 1929 ~ February 9, 2019

June C. Reisenweber, 89, of Sioux Falls, SD, died peacefully on Saturday, February 9, 2019, at the Covington Heights Care Center in Sioux Falls.

Visitation will be held 5-7pm, Friday, February 15, 2019, at Zion Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD, followed a Prayer Service at 7pm, officiated by long time friend, Pastor Mel Helling. Private burial at Riverside Memorial Park in Aberdeen, will happen at a later date.

June Carol Dyer was born October 5, 1929 in Peoria, IL, to Leo and LulaBell Dyer.

June married Merrill Reisenweber in Huron, South Dakota on June 4, 1950. The couple had five children and June spent her days at home taking care of the house and taking care of the children. June and Merrill loved to entertain and her cooking was always delicious. June also enjoyed knitting, crocheting and sewing and she even made some of her own children’s clothing.

June was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who enjoyed traveling the United States. She and Merrill hit every state but they’re favorite hangouts were the Black Hills and Arizona where they had many friends. Merrill worked for the Federal Land Bank Association. In those 35 years, the family lived in Council Bluffs, IA, Aberdeen, SD, and finally, in Sioux Falls, SD. June and Merrill celebrated their 68 years of marriage on June 4, 2018. June was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.

June is survived by her three children, Bonnie Buist, Denver, CO, Steve Reisenweber, Brandon, SD, and Scott Reisenweber, Sioux Falls, SD; twelve grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren. She will be missed by all.

June was preceded in death by her husband, Merrill; a son, Robert Royce Reisenweber; a daughter, Jeanne Reisenweber Lyke; and two siblings, Gerry Dyer and Virginia Melancon.

May 14, 1951 ~ February 3, 2019

Randy Wilkins, 67 years young, has continued on his journey and is reuniting with his mom and dad in Heaven. He passed away on the evening of February 3, 2019, at the Sioux Falls VA Hospital.

Services will be held at a later date.

Randy did many jobs in his lifetime…such as shoe salesman, insurance salesman, truck driver, cell phone customer service rep, mortgage broker (private).

Randy is survived by his wife, Laurie; son-Tim (Tammy) Olvera, daughter-Rebecca (Mike Gallagher) Xenos; step son-John Law; step daughters-Jennifer Law and Jessica Law; brothers-Lowell Wilkins and Tim Wilkins; 13 grandchildren; and special friends-Ramona Olvera and Sue Bullard.

He was proceeded in death by his parents-Lowell & Mary Wilkins, and sister-Mary Jane Wilkins.

October 5, 1929 ~ February 9, 2019

Marian Martha Furness, the daughter of William and Sidonia (Tassler) Swenson was born on August 19, 1938, in Deuel County, South Dakota.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Tabor Lutheran Church in Strandburg, South Dakota.  At age six, Marian’s parents passed away, and she and her three sisters were raised by Ada and John Swenson.  She attended high school in Strandburg and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1957.  On January 24, 1958, she married Palmer Furness.  She was a homemaker and worked various other jobs.  She enjoyed being outdoors, walking, hiking and horseback riding whenever she could.  Marian M. Furness passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 31, 2019, at Sandford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, at the age of 80.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Donald Struck of Montrose, SD; her son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Lori Furness of Brandon, SD; her son,  Brad Furness, of Montrose, CO; and daughter, Renae Furness, of Montrose, CO; one sister, Lillian Jutting of Watertown, SD; one brother-in-law, Allen Brandenburger of Revillo, SD; and her special cousins, Vince Swenson and his wife Marlys of Clear Lake, SD; John Swenson and his wife Jane of Altamont, SD; Shirley Swenson, the wife of Laverne Swenson of Coon Rapids, MN; Maynard Swenson and his wife Karen of Clark, SD; Wayne Swenson and his wife Gayle of Watertown, SD; and Ron Swenson and his wife Mary Jane of Strandburg, SD; her special friend, Robert  Lechner of Sioux Falls, SD; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her special aunt and uncle, Ada and John Swenson; one infant daughter, Kimberly; one son, Michael; two sisters, Donna Brandenburger and Velma Schoenefeld; brother-in-law Herman Jutting and Lloyd Schoenefeld, cousin Laverne Swenson; and one great step great grand-daughter, Jayda Li Brandner.

June 11, 1945 ~ January 9, 2019

Linda J. Timmerman, 73, Sioux Falls, died Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at her home following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Visitation will be 2-4pm, Sunday, January 13, 2019, at Heartland Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 1pm, Monday, January 14th. Burial will follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Sioux Falls.

Linda J. Timmerman was born in Waterloo, IA, and raised in California. She had four children before moving back to Sioux Falls to work for John Morrell for several years. Linda eventually took a job with the Super 8 Motel in Sioux Falls and became the head of housekeeping for many years until her retirement in 2009.

Linda met Ben Ewald and spent the next 25 years of her life with her best friend and constant companion. They loved to go to auctions and Goodwill to collect many different treasures including record albums, rings, jewelry, teddy bears, and tractors and tractor parts. Linda enjoyed lunches with her family, spending time with her grandchildren including shopping, puzzles, and playing games of backgammon. She also could be found coloring many afternoons. Linda’s other favorite pastime was her cats, Bubba, Sparky, and Little Tyke.

Linda is survived by her four children, Edward (Deanna) Tounjian III, Sioux Falls, Stephanie Tounjian, Ocala, FL, Daniel (Theresia) Tounjian, Sioux Falls, and Jessica Shaw, Sioux Falls; many grand and great-grandchildren; and one brother, Tim Timmerman, Victorville, CA.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Allan and Darlene (Ayers) Timmerman; companion, Ben Ewald; and one brother, Larry Timmerman.

March 30, 1928 ~ December 31, 2018

James (Big Jim) Voldseth, 90, Brandon, died Monday, December 31, 2018, at Southridge Healthcare Center in Sioux Falls.

No Services are scheduled at this time.

James E. Voldseth was born March 30, 1928, in Vermillion, SD,to Arne and Gunvor (Fallen) Voldseth. He served in the US Army, serving in both WWII and the Korean War. He married Verlyn Gillette on June 30, 1949. Jim owned and operated “Big Jims” garbage service in Brandon from 1965-1970, and then worked for the City of Brandon in maintenance from 1971-1975. The family then moved to Humboldt, SD where he worked in maintenance for the City of Humboldt from 1975-1985. They moved to Sioux Falls in 1985, where he worked for Gage Bros. from 1985-1993.

In his retirement, Jim enjoyed fishing and woodworking. Jim and Verlyn moved back to Brandon in September, 2013, where Jim resided until moving to Southridge in September 2018.

Jim is survived by his wife, Verlyn, Brandon; four children, Steve (Ann), Los Angeles, CA, Diane (Larry) Howe, Sioux Falls, Kris (Mark) Anderson, Colton, and Jeff (Twyla), Brandon; thirteen grandchildren; and twenty-seven great-grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Arne and Gunvor (Fallen) Voldseth.

December 1, 1921 ~ December 16, 2018

Geraldine M. (Wilge) Miles, 97, Brandon, died peacefully on Sunday, December 16, 2018, at Bethany Home in Brandon, SD.

A Graveside Memorial/Burial Service will be held at a later date, in the Spring 2019, in Mitchell, SD. Geri will be laid to rest along with her husband, Gerald and daughter, Mary Jo. The Graveside Burial will include a tribute to all three of them. Please feel free to check back for a date of service.

Geri Marie Wilge was born in Sanborn County, SD on December 1, 1921, to John and Josephine (Gaspard) Wilge. Geri grew up north of Mitchell at the Farwell Store that her family owned. They lived in the back portion of the store for many years. After Geri graduated from high school she moved to California and worked at Lockheed in the Personnel Department. While in California, she bought herself a white convertible and enjoyed the warm sunny days. She later moved to Joplin, MO to be with Gerald, whom she married on July 6, 1944. He had just returned from 5 years of active duty in Australia. Eventually they moved back to Mitchell, SD, where they raised their family until 1967, when they moved to Brandon, SD, to run D & L Farm Implement.

In 1992, they moved to Florida. Two weeks after moving there, Gerald passed away. Geri stayed in Florida, living with her daughter Mary Jo. She spent 27 years in sunny Florida. Mary Jo unexpectedly, passed away in December of 2012. Due to Geri’s visual impairment, she moved back to SD to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Mike and Deb Erickson of Valley Springs for five and a half years before moving to Bethany Nursing Home in Sioux Falls. In November 2018, she moved to Bethany Home in Brandon, where she passed away.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her children, Dave (Marilyn), Mitchell, SD, Linda Boyle, Rapid City, SD, John “Jack” (Avis), Circle, MT and Deb (Miles “”Mike”) Erickson, of Valley Springs, SD; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Gerald; one daughter, Mary Jo; one granddaughter, Kim Boyle; two sisters, Cleo and Jean; and various sister and brother-in-laws.