November 15, 2022 ~ December 2, 2022

Sigrun Fanndal, 55, Sioux Falls, died Friday, December 2, 2022, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD, due to a heart attack.

A Celebration of Life with the family will be 5:30 -7:30pm, Friday, December 9, 2022, at Heartland Funeral Home.

Sigrun Svavarsdottir Fanndal was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, on November 15, 1967, to Svavar Sigursson and Sigurborg Kolbeinsdottir. She was the second oldest child of four.

Sigrun loved everyone and welcomed everyone with open arms; she would be the first person to give the shirt off her back or help in any way possible to anyone in need. All her life she was some type of caregiver, whether it was being a stay-at-home mom for her daughters, being a personal caregiver, taking care of the elderly, an being a certified nursing assistant throughout her life; being the caregiver she was to everyone, it became just part of her personality and lifestyle, she thrived and lived her life for caring for others. On December 8th, 2011, Sigrun’s pride and joy made her way into the world, her “Granny Gold”, Arieahna M. Arnadottir, as she called her, Arieahna was definitely her light and joy in her life; she loved that girl more than life itself. Sigrun was a very stubborn (and by stubborn, we mean STUBBORN), intellectual, goofy, Viking woman.

When Sigrun wasn’t working or spending time with her family and granny gold, she could be seen knitting, watching TV, shopping, cooking, baking, watching TikTok videos, and keeping up with family and friends via Facebook.

Sigrun will be forever missed leaving behind her two daughters, Birgitta S. Arnadottir and Sigurborg Skaftadottir; and her “Granny Gold” as she called her granddaughter, Arieahna M. Arnadottir; and her “adopted” granddaughter, Sabrina Cookinham; along with many other family and friends.

April 9, 1972 ~ November 26, 2022

Sean Robert Belongea-Kaufer, 50, Mesa, AZ, died unexpectedly, Saturday, November 26, 2022, at his home.

A Memorial Service with family present, will be held from 1-3pm, Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 405 W. Ironwood St, Brandon, SD.

Sean was born on April 9, 1972, in Sioux City, Iowa.  He was soon adopted by Carolyn K. (Bagley) Belongea, Sioux City, Iowa. He graduated from South Sioux City High School, South Sioux City, NE. Upon graduation, Sean decided to escape the cold weather and move to Alabama and then finally Arizona where he enjoyed the warmer climate. He also enjoyed the Spring Training games and Arts festivals and spending time with family and friends. Every Saturday during College football season, he rooted on his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers thru the losses and wins.

Sean is survived by his wife, Jaime Kaufer; son, Caden Johnston, and daughter, Lauren Kaufer; sister, Tamara (Joe) Belongea-Jenkins, Brandon, SD; mother-in-law, Bonnie Kaufer; sisters-in-law, Joyce (Geno) Wirthlin, and Melinda (Ben) Word; and several nieces and nephews.

Sean was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

November 2, 1940 ~ December 3, 2022

Nona E. Jensen, 82, Sioux Falls, died Saturday, December 3, 2022, at the Sanford Centennial Hospice Cottage, in Sioux Falls.

No services are planned at this time.

Nona is survived by her two children, Ellen Jensen, and Jim Jensen, both of Sioux Falls.

September 1, 1927 ~ December 3, 2022

Raymond Brown, 95, died on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

A Memorial Service will be 5pm, Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at Bethany Meadows Community Room, Brandon, SD.

Raymond’s family asks that you consider a gift to Bethany Lutheran Foundation in his memory. Gifts may be sent directly to:

Bethany Lutheran Foundation, 3008 E. Aspen Blvd. Brandon, SD.  57005 Please include “Raymond Brown memorial” on the memo line. Gifts may also be given online at: https://www.mybethanyhome.org/foundation

Raymond Wesley Brown was born on September 1, 1927, to Alva and Edna (Rittenhouse) Brown in Kent, MN. Ray grew up with his four siblings on the farm in Barnesville, MN. His older brother, Robert, and he took jobs at neighboring farms. When Robert tragically lost his arm in a corn picker, Ray finished his and his brother’s career; giving all earnings to Robert. The school was too important to Ray and he graduated from Wolverton Minnesota High School. At the age of 18, he joined the Navy in the final years of World War II. On leave from the Navy, he visited his sister Rose, where he met her business school roommate, Marilyn Morse. Ray and Marilyn married in 1952 in Casselton, North Dakota, and immediately moved to Billings, Montana, where he was working for Armor, buying cattle. Ray and Marilyn’s three children were born in Montana.

Opportunity at the Sioux Falls, SD Stockyards moved the family to where Ray eventually started his own cattle-buying business. At home, Ray was the grill master – cooking up burgers and steaks to accompany Marilyn’s good cooking. Ray appreciated “pretty country,” traveling west on family vacations and attending reunions. In retirement, Ray worked part-time at Walmart in several departments, even mixing paint. Amazingly his color blindness did not interfere. In 1997, Ray and Marilyn moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas, and enjoyed 23 years of playing golf, cards, and many excursions with their church shepherd group. They loved hosting their kids and grandkids where Ray would drive through the winding, hilly roads of Arkansas to wonderful destinations, and in the evening, show his card shark skills. A good time was had by all! To be closer to family, they moved back to South Dakota to Bethany Meadows, then Bethany Home in Brandon.  

Grateful to have shared his life are his wife, Marilyn; three children, Brenda (Chandler) Garrison, Barbara (Kim) Kusch, and Bradley (Marleen) Brown; ten grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

February 8, 1941 ~ December 3, 2022

Elaine J. (Meyer) Winkel, 81, Sioux Falls, SD, reached the hands of Jesus, Saturday, December 3, 2022, at home, peacefully surrounded by her family.

Visitation with family present, will be 5 – 7pm, Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at Heartland Funeral Home.  Funeral Services will be 11am, Thursday, December 8, 2022, at the Brandon Valley Assembly of God Church, (201 S Sioux Blvd, Brandon, SD), with Pastor Randy Tweeten officiating. The Funeral will be live-streamed at http://brandonvalley.online.church The stream will begin at 10:30am. (Due to licensing requirements, Music will be dropped from the feed during service) Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls. In lieu of flowers, our family requests donations be made to the Union Gospel Mission or the Children’s Inn of Sioux Falls, in Mom’s memory. (If you still feel the need to send flowers, Bella Rosa Floral in Sioux Falls is our contact. ~ 605-271-2637)

Elaine Joyce Meyer was born February 8, 1941, on a farm near rural Lennox, SD, to John and Molly (Rippentrop) Meyer, as the second of two girls. She attended school in Lennox until the family moved to Sioux Falls, during her freshman year of high school. She attended and graduated from Washington High School in 1959. Upon graduation, Elaine began working at Western Bank, for TM Reardon, as his first bookkeeper and teller in the bank. She worked for the bank for over 33 years full and part-time, before the bank was sold and transitioned over to the US Bank. Elaine then worked part-time for First Savings Bank in their Statements Department. After 13 years, they outsourced the department and again she was without a job. However, Elaine had already started working part-time for Qualified Presort, job sharing a position with Theresa Gallopo in the Hand Stuffing Dept. Elaine retired from QPS after over 20 years.

Somewhere around 1960, Mom’s brother-in-law, Orville, who worked with Dad at Fenn’s Dairy, dared him to call and ask her out. They were married on February 17, 1962, at Central Baptist Church in a blizzard. They remained members at Central for life and were members of the Ambassadors Adult Sunday School class. The couple built a home on the west side of Sioux Falls, where they still reside. Ron and Elaine had two sons, Todd and Chad. They made it a habit to support their children in every adventure they participated in from school, Band concerts, softball games, church activities, and Scouts. Mom and Dad introduced us to camping and we spent many vacations camping in the Black Hills and throughout South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. In a home with three boys (Dad included),  Mom was not one to be left out of an adventure. She accompanied us on many Deer, Pheasant, and Antelope hunting trips and fishing expeditions. While not a hunter, she had great eyes for spotting wild game. The best part of these trips was Mom brought snacks.  You would never go hungry. Mom also was not afraid to cook any of the sorted animals either. Originally, Mom was not a great cook. Dad tells of a date when she made a pizza, so bad the dog didn’t really want to eat it. That all changed as we can all attest to by looking at our size. Mom also was always full of surprises. You just never really knew what to expect for Christmas or birthdays. 

Elaine was granted two grandchildren, Dalana Jo, and Payton, and eventually four more. They were her pride and joy and could be found together every day during the summers on adventures at the Pavilion, the Butterfly House, the Zoo, the Fair, gardening, or even canoeing or fishing on the back pond at the farm. 

Unfortunately, in July of 2022, Mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung, liver, and brain Cancer. Even though Mom was optimistic and would never admit defeat, Saturday, December 3, 2022, Mom passed into the arms of Jesus, surrounded by her family, at her home.  

Elaine will be deeply missed by her husband of over 60 years, Ronald; two sons, Todd (Sue) Winkel, Brandon, and Chad (Tarah) Winkel, Sioux Falls; six grandchildren, Dalana Jo (Aaron), Payton, Kyle, Destrie (Rachel), Dax, and Morgan; one soon to be great-grandchild in April; in-laws, Alvah Winkel, Lois Winkel, and Marv (Sharon) Winkel; five nephews and nieces; four great-nephews and one great-niece; and many cousins.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mollie (Rippentrop) Meyer, one sister, Elnora, (Orville) Brandhagen; one brother-in-law, Duane Winkel; infant niece, an infant nephew, and one infant great-niece.

October 3, 1936 ~ November 29, 2022

Earl W. Johnson, age 86, of Sioux Falls, died unexpectedly, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at his home.

Visitation will be 9:30 – 11:00am, Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at Linwood Wesleyan Church, (1101 E 57^th St. Sioux Falls, SD) with Memorial Services beginning at 11:00am, followed by Military Honors.  Inurnment will be at Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls, at a later date.

Earl Wilbur Johnson was born October 3, 1936, in Sioux Falls, SD, and was soon adopted by Emil and Anna Johnson of Alcester, SD. He grew up on a farm near Alcester. He attended Ludwig rural school and graduated from Alcester High School. Earl grew up in the Big Springs Baptist Church, near Alcester. He joined the Air National Guard in 1954. He was employed full-time by the Air Guard for 37 years as an Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief until his retirement in 1991. He was Crew Chief on several types of Aircraft and went on deployments to many locations in the USA and worldwide. He was very fortunate to have worked with the Secret Service and the aircrews of Air Force One and Air Force Two on all Presidential and Vice-Presidential visits to Sioux Falls for 35 years.

Earl married his high school sweetheart, LaNiece Fickbohm, on October 9, 1956. They had two sons, Kevin and Darin. Earl and LaNiece helped plant Faith Baptist Fellowship in Sioux Falls where he served several years as board member and chairman. He was currently an active member of Linwood Wesleyan Church, in Sioux Falls. After his retirement, he kept busy with several rental properties and home remodeling projects. Since 1993, he has enjoyed spending the winters in Harlingen, TX. In June of 2017, they moved to the Dow Rummel Retirement Village, which they enjoyed very much.

Earl is survived by his wife of 66 years, LaNiece; their two sons, Kevin (Sandy) Johnson and Darin (Jacquelline) Johnson; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and six step-great-grandchildren.

September 26, 1938 ~ November 26, 2022

Walter “Dean” Swanson, 84, Sioux Falls, died Saturday, November 26, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family.

Visitation with family will be 5-7pm, Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at Heartland Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be 11:00 am, Thursday, December 1, 2022, at Spirit of Truth Lutheran Church, (112 E. Annabelle St., Brandon, SD), followed by burial at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Feeding South Dakota or The Robin’s Nest of Jamaica. (Contact information available at Heartland Funeral Home by request.)

Walter “Dean” Swanson was born on September 26, 1938, in Sioux Falls, SD. The son of Walter and Iola Swanson. He was raised on a farm and attended Berg School, Brandon High School, and South Dakota State University for three years studying Ag Education.

In 1960, Dean went to Omaha, NE, and attended Automation Institute, graduating in 1960 – from IBM Data Processing. He then went to California and worked as Senior Operator/Data Processing – at Long Beach Naval Shipyards, Long Beach, CA. After one year, he moved to Denver, CO. Dean worked for JC Penney’s as Supervisor/Data Processing and at Martin Marrietta Corp/Lockheed as Technician/Data Processing.

Dean belonged to the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, with an Honorable Discharge in 1960. In 1964, he decided to come back to SD and farm with his dad, until retirement in 1998.

In 1976, Dean married Barbara Ingalls Tordsen, at Peace Lutheran Church, in Sioux Falls. He was not only blessed with a wife, but with a son, Brian, of who he was very proud. They lived on the family farm in rural northern Sioux Falls, until 2016 when they downsized and moved to Sioux Falls.

Dean and Barb loved to travel and spent many winters in Texas and Arizona. They played tennis and golf. Dean enjoyed water skiing and snow skiing, especially the years he lived in Colorado.

Dean loved the get-togethers with Brian and his family. Over the years, he enjoyed getting together with friends, playing cards and eating out.

Dean was Director and Past Chairman of Soil and Water Conservation District, Minnehaha County; Director and Past Chairman of Farm Credit Services in Sioux Falls; Director and Chairman of Farmers Coop Elevator in Crooks; Director of Crop Improvement Association in Sioux Falls; Youth Counselor and Building Committee Member of Beaver Valley Lutheran Church Board; and a founding member of Spirit of Truth Lutheran Church.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Barb; son, Brian (Angela) Tordsen, Sioux Falls; grandson, Jeremy (Anna) Tordsen, Sioux Falls; granddaughter, Baylee Tordsen, Las Vegas, NV; great-granddaughter, Connley Rose Tordsen, Sioux Falls; brother, Jim (Margaret) Swanson, Gaylord, MN; brothers-in-law, Darrell Helgeson, Brandon, Jerry (Shary) Ingalls, Calabash, NC, Mark (Carole) Ingalls, Severance, CO; and several nieces and nephews.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Iola Swanson; sister, Judy Helgeson; mother-in-law and father-in-law, John and Vera Ingalls; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ron and Dona Ingalls.

September 17, 2004 ~ November 23, 2022

Maria L. “Ria” Spielmann, 18, Sioux Falls, died Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at the Region’s Hospital, Saint Paul, MN, due to a tragic car accident, on November 06, 2022.

Visitation with family will be 1:30-3:30pm, Sunday, December 4, 2022, at Heartland Funeral Home, with a Memorial Service at 3:30pm.  

Maria LaRosa “Ria” Spielmann was born September 17, 2004, in Sioux Falls, SD, the daughter of Lonn L. Spielmann and Charlotte L. Jostock. Maria loved to cut hair, do nails, and makeup, go on trails, draw, and ride her bike around Riverside, before she got her car. Maria liked to spend quality time with the people she cared about, especially her siblings and her grandparents. As Maria got older, she had many friends that she was close with and very open to meeting new friends. Maria was a senior at Joe Foss High School. She was very proud to be graduating this year and taking classes in nursing. Maria was also very eager to vote for the first time.

On Sunday, November 6, 2022, Maria was in a life-threatening car accident. Maria was unconscious on the scene due to injuries sustained from the accident. Paramedics were able to stabilize her. Maria was airlifted to Regions Hospital in Saint Paul, MN, where she remained in a coma for seventeen days. Doctors presented devastating news that if she were to regain consciousness, she would no longer be the Maria we all knew her as.  

Maria would be proud to be a donor and was able to “Gift” her tissue and sight to others. We are so very grateful and proud to honor her wishes. 

Maria is survived by her parents, Lonn Spielmann, and Charlotte Jostock; Maria’s seven surviving siblings; Cody and Seth Spielmann, Alexis, Alicia, Rojelio, Rosabella, and Jade~Lynn Jostock; Maria was an aunt to three, Jordann, Lilianna, and Amelina; grandparents, Virginia Jostock, Alyce Spielmann, and Ronlad “Carol” Spielmann; Maria’s aunts and uncles include, Michelle (Frank) Garcia, Jacquline Garza, Kandee (Paul) Perreault, LeAnn (Eric) Thompson, and Kyle (Jeanie) Spielmann; and many cousins.

Maria is preceded in death by her grandfather, Roger James Jostock; and one uncle, Terry Gallegos.

As Maria would say “On God! Love You All.”

October 16, 1944 ~ November 22, 2022

Bess E. Reed 78, Sioux Falls, passed peacefully on November 22, 2022, at the Dougherty Hospice House, in Sioux Falls, SD.

Bess’s wishes are to spread her ashes at The Garden of the Gods, in Colorado Springs, CO, so there are no services at this time. Please send any correspondence to Angelia Smith-Anderson (7001 S. Connie Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57108)  

Bess E. Reed was one of nine children, born October 16, 1944, to William and Emma (Birch) Reed in Missouri.  She was a wonderful and loving woman who loved George Strait and Christmas. Next to that, was her love of crocheting, embroidering, western movies, and Hallmark Christmas movies. Her ornery side came out during games of Farkle or any competitive fun games. The friends she had were very close to her, and if you are one of the few that she cared for in any way, you have a unique Christmas stocking that she made for you and your family. 

Bess is survived by her daughter Connie (Joe) Cool; son, Michael “Brad” Smith; and daughter Angelia (Bryce) Smith-Anderson; nine grandchildren, Brianna, Katiana, Lorna, Shayla, Bailey, Kalab, Autumn, Austin, and Aidan; fourteen great-grandchildren; and three surviving step-grandchildren, Lillie, Zach, Jake. 

Bess is preceded in death by her parents, William and Emma (Birch) Reed; her siblings and spouses, Nellie (John) Korneman, William (Carmen) Reed, Widuner “Pinky” Reed, Rex Reed, Sarrah (C.W.) Wise, Horace “Jimmy” Reed, and Helen Reed; and one stepson, Michael.

April 20, 1950 ~ November 20, 2022

Linda M. Fleming, 72, Sioux Falls, SD, died on Sunday, November 20, 2022, at Dougherty Hospice House, surrounded by her family.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at 1:30 pm, at East Side Lutheran Church. (1300 East 10^th Street, Sioux Falls, SD)

Linda Mae Kreul was born April 20, 1951, in Dubuque, IA, to Earnest and Lorraine (Sether) Kreul. She grew up in St. Paul and worked for the MNDOT in public safety and the DMV. Later, she worked for and retired from the MN Department of Revenue. 

In 1966, she married Jerry Sinske, and had one child, Paul. Later she married Jay Fleming in 1997 and continued to live and work in St. Paul. After Jay passed in 2012, she retired, and in 2015, moved to Sioux Falls to be closer to her sister, Evie.

Linda loved her dogs, visiting with people, watching movies, going out for dinner, making bandages for patients in third-world countries, and cross-stitching stockings for family members.

Linda will be deeply missed by her son, Paul; grandson, Devin; five sisters, Kathy Bauer, Evie Pruden, Jean Johnson, Karen (Dave) Roetger, and Mary Jo Martinek; many cousins, nephews, nieces, and many friends.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Jay; one son at birth; and her parents, Earnest and Lorraine (Sether) Kreul.

A special thank you to all of their East Side Lutheran family.