April 22, 1970 ~ December 6, 2013

Owen M. Swanson, 43, Valley Springs, died Friday, December 6, 2013, at his home.

Memorial services will begin at 1:00 PM, Friday, December 13, 2013, at Heritage Lutheran Church in Brandon. Pastor Jerry Merkouris will officiate. Visitation will begin at Noon.

Owen Michael Swanson was born April 22, 1970, in Las Angeles, CA. to Gene and Rene (Van Beek) Swanson. He attended Valley Springs Elementary and graduated from Brandon Valley High School. Upon graduation, Owen moved to Phoenix, AZ to work as a mechanic on a road construction crew that worked and traveled all over the US. In the mid 2000’s, Owen moved back to Valley Springs where he again worked as a mechanic.

Owen had a love for motors and speed. He loved anything that would go fast and that he could race (Forwards or backwards). He really enjoyed racing cars and motorbikes. His infectious smile was always the first thing you saw of his large teddy bear frame. You couldn’t help but laugh being around him. His family and friends recalled many camping trips to Lake Oakwood with Owen and his son, Danny. Large camp fires and the many stories around it will not be forgotten soon.

Owen will be deeply missed by his two children, Danny Swanson, AZ and Savannah Swanson, Valley Springs; mother, Rene (Tim Den Herder) Swanson, Valley Springs; his siblings, Sony (Nate) Swanson and Zach (Shannon) Swanson; Grandfather, Jake Van Beek, Sioux Falls; Step-mother, Kathy Swanson, Valley Springs; step-siblings, Sara (Donn) Lowe and Kevin (Delena) Tupy, special nephew, Gavin and nephew, Dominik; along with his many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gene, and Aunt Katie.

February 14, 1938 ~ December 5, 2013

Vergene R. Clark, 75, of Brandon, died Thursday, December 5, 2013, at the Dougherty Hospice Home in Sioux Falls, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home from 1:00pm to 7:00pm with a prayer service at 7:00pm; family present at 6:00. Funeral services will begin at 1:00pm, Thursday, December 12, at Celebration United Methodist Church, Brandon, with Pastor Rebecca Trefz officiating.

Vergene Rae Bullis was born February 14, 1938, to Reuben and Verda (Smith) Bullis, in Brookings, SD. She attended country school in Moody Co. and graduated from Flandreau High School. On April 12, 1958, Vergene married Glen Clark in Flandreau. The couple farmed in Moody Co. until 1972 when they moved to Brookings Co. to farm there. Vergene raised their family and worked full time for twenty years at SDSU; mostly in the Ag. Dept. Vergene and Glen retired from the farm after 32 years and moved to Brandon in 2004.

Vergene was a very active member in her church, Celebration United Methodist and previously, White UMC. She participated in the Meals on Wheels program, Bible Studies and programs at Bethany Meadows. She was very fond of covered bridges, flowers, gardening, bird watching, and puzzles. Vergene and Glen loved to dance; (mostly waltz and polka or square dance) and play Pinochle and Rummy. Glen claims he had to learn to play cards just to marry her. Vergene also loved to play cards with her grandsons. Some of their favorite memories include Vergene’s great cooking, her sugar cookies, and her homemade buns and breads.

Vergene will be deeply missed by her husband, Glen; a son, David, Brookings, and a daughter, Diane (Doug) Clark, Chanhassen, MN; three grandsons, Jacob, Justin and Joshua; three step-brothers, Merle Lamp, Sherman, Roger (Bev) Lamp, Sioux Falls, and Larry (Mary) Lamp, Hartford; five sister-in-laws, Betty Bullis, Flandreau, Mary Lou Kern, Sioux Falls, Irene (Lawrence) Barthel, Kalispell, MT, Betty Lamp, Burke, and Edith Lamp, Sioux Falls; and many nieces and nephews.

Vergene was preceded in death by her parents, Reuben and Verda (Smith) Bullis and step-mother Winnie Bullis; one son, Paul; a brother, Warren Bullis; and four step-brothers.

January 6, 1931 ~ November 25, 2013

Virginia F. Larson, 82, Sioux Falls, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Monday, November 25, 2013, at the Sanford Medical Center, in Sioux Falls.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, December 1, 2013 at Sioux Falls First Assembly of God.

Virginia Florence Lindberg was born January 6, 1931, in Estherville, Iowa and was raised in Minnesota. She attended high school in North St. Paul through 11th grade. After high school, she worked for North West Bell for 5 years as a switchboard operator. Later, Virginia was involved in God’s Invasion Army on the west coast for 1 year. She married Stanley Anderson on February 14, 1957, at Calvary Baptist Church in St. Paul. They settled onto a farm near Montrose, SD and raised their family. Virginia loved to garden and loved music. She even played an accordion. She was a member of Ramsey Baptist Church and active in the ladies circle and choir. They retired and moved to Madison in 1984. Virginia married Darrell Larson on November 24, 1992. In July of 2011, Virginia moved to Sioux Falls to Prairie Crossing. She was also active at the First Assembly of God Church in Sioux Falls. Even after moving into Assisted Living, the highlight of her week was attending bible study & church on Sunday. Virginia especially enjoyed spending time with family. Occasions spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren created memories that she was very fond of.

Virginia will be deeply missed by her four children: Duane (Janet) Anderson, Sioux Falls, Gabriel Anderson, Sioux Falls, Rebecca Liesinger, Madison, and Kathy Anderson, Madison; fourteen grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Virginia was preceded in death by twin sons: John and Carl, and one daughter: Nancy, and one daughter-in-law: Dawn Anderson.

July 1, 1926 ~ November 8, 2013

Pepper Jensen, 87, Sioux Falls, died Friday, November 08, 2013, with her family at her side, at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls. “She was with us when we came into this world and we were with her when she quietly left this world.”

Per Peppers wishes, there will be no services at this time.

Pepper married Buck Jensen 9/21/1946 and together they ran a group of restaurants, most notable Anderson Café.

Left to cherish her memories is her children: Pamela Herr-Johnson, Randy & Lisa Jensen; her grandchildren: Ryan Herr, Lacey Jensen, Tess Jensen; one sister: Phyllis; nieces, nephews, and many good friends.

Pepper was preceded in death by her husband, Buck; her parents: Pete and Myrtle Paulson; three siblings: Wally, LaVone and Norma; and son-in-law, John Johnson.

Buck and Pepper are together again.

September 13, 1927 ~ October 30, 2013

Dorothy Elizabeth (Heeti) Pocius, 86, of Sioux Falls, died Wednesday, October 30, 2013, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.

Dorothy Elizabeth Heeti was born on September 13, 1927 in Kiva, Michigan.

She is survived by her children, Douglas (Connie) Pocius of Fox Lake, Wisconsin; and Sandra (Charles) Lopas of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; her grandchildren, Tracy (Chris) Rossing and Jason Lopas of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Steven (Tammy) Pocius of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, Val Pocius of Suamico, Wisconsin and Anthony Pocius of Fox Lake, Wisconsin; one Sister-in-Law, Louise Heeti of Chatham, Michigan; and by many great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband William (Bill) Pocius; her parents, Frank and Anna Heeti; and brothers, Richard and William Heeti.

A private family memorial is planned for a later date.

September 3, 1959 ~ October 26, 2013

Michael T. Cohoon, 54, Brandon, died Saturday, October 26, 2013, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident near St. Joseph, Missouri.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00pm, Thursday, October 31, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home with Full Military Honors. Lee Green will officiate.

Michael Thomas Cohoon was born September 3, 1959, in San Antonio, TX, to Robert and Sherrille (Schaller) Cohoon. Michael lived in various places due to his parents’ military background. At other times, Michael lived with his grandparents in Bloomfield, NE. He graduated from Bloomfield High School and eventually Michael joined the US Army as a Military Police Officer. Prior to traveling the world, Michael had a son, Tony. Michael eventually met and married Karen Johnson through the military. They resided in Huntsville, amongst other places, before they both discharged. Karen relocated to Michigan with their kids, Amy and Cory. Soon after, Michael began driving over the road as a truck driver and met up again with them. They then returned to Bloomfield for a few years and then on to South Dakota. Michael was an Owner/Operator for Olander Trucking Company.

Michael loved his family deeply. He especially enjoyed time with his grandchildren, gaming on the computer, watching Nascar racing, drawing, or cooking and drinking coffee. In early years, Michael loved to bowl also.

Michael will be deeply missed by his wife, Karen; three children, Tony (Angie) Cohoon, Gretinger, IA, Amy (Josh) Fales, Brandon, and Cory Cohoon of Brandon; two grandchildren, Audrianna and Jayden; his father, Robert Cohoon, Oklahoma City, OK; and two brothers, Scott (Robin) Cohoon and Patrick (Karron) Cohoon, both of Sioux Falls; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Michael was preceded in death by his mother, and one sister, Sherry.

August 28, 1925 – October 11, 2013

J. Lorraine Jones, Hosley, Rix, Anderson, 88, Sioux Falls, died Friday, October 11, 2013, in her sleep, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

Visitation will be held Monday, October 14, 2013, 5-7PM with family present at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon. Funeral services will begin at 10:30AM, Tuesday, October 15 at the First Presbyterian Church in Groton, SD, with Pastor John Hisel officiating. Following the service, lunch will be served at the Legion in Groton. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen.

Lorraine was born in Spain, South Dakota, on August 28, 1925. She was the only child of David and Jennie (Jones) Jones. She attended Spain School in Lowell Township and graduated from Britton High School in 1942. She attended South Dakota State University for one year, and attended Northwest Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis, MN for a year. She was a Registered Technologist MT. She worked at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Sterling, CO, St. Lukes Hospital and Dr. J.L Calene’s Office in Aberdeen, SD. Lorraine married Dale Eugene Hosley on September 7, 1947 in Britton, SD. They made their home on a farm near Putney, SD. They were blessed with two loving children, a daughter, Gaylene and a son, David. In 1974, she started work at the First National Bank in Groton, SD, which later became Norwest. She retired in 1987. Lorraine married Otho Rix in April of 1986. They loved to travel and enjoyed life at Pickerel. On May 1, 1998, she married Ben Anderson. They enjoyed traveling. In January of 2010, she moved to Waterford At All Saints in Sioux Falls.

Lorraine was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Groton, SD for 50 years, Presbyterian Woman, and was a church Elder. She was an active member of the Putney Ladies Aid, Order of the Eastern Star, P.E.O., Pasquest Club and numerous bridge clubs. She was a warm, loving person who loved life to the fullest and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the lights of her life.

Lorraine will be deeply missed by her daughter, Gaylene Haber; her son, David Hosley; her grandchildren, Chad (Annette) Haber, Heidi (Paul) Van Veldhuizen, John (Stacy) Haber, Merritt (Katrina) Hosley, Timothy (Tiffany) Hosley, and William Hosley; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Lorraine is preceded in death by her parents, David and Jennie Jones; husbands Dale Hosley, Otho Rix, and Ben Anderson; son-in-law, Denton Haber; grandson, John Peter Hosley; and great-grandson, Luke David Van Veldhuizen.

August 19, 1931 – October 7, 2013

Lawrence Clarence (L.C.) Mohr, dad, brother, son, and friend, 82, of Brandon, SD, and formerly Hosmer, SD, died peacefully in his sleep, Monday, October 7, at the CLC Unit of the Veteran’s Hospital in Sioux Falls.

A memorial visitation will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 9, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home in Brandon, SD. Memorial services will be held Saturday, October 12, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hosmer, SD, with inurnment following at Bethany Cemetery, Hosmer, with full military honors. Pastor Pat Hahn will officiate.

Lawrence was born to Theobald and Bertha (Maisch) Mohr in McPherson County. He was raised and educated in the rural Hosmer area. He worked on the farm for awhile before enlisting in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country during the Korean War. After returning from Korea, he married his sweetheart, Virginia Graff, on June 21, 1954 and they settled in Hosmer where they raised their family. In approximately 1960, they moved to Clinton, IA where he worked for Central Steel for about two years, after which they moved back to Hosmer and he and Virginia owned and operated several businesses there including the first meat market, the Sportsmen’s Bar, and for quite a few years Mohr Auction Service. In 2011, he suffered a heart attack and spent about a year at the VA Hospital recuperating and then moved to Helping Hands Assisted Living in Brandon, SD. He was a very talented self-taught painter and many of his original paintings and drawings hang in homes and businesses worldwide. After he retired, when he wasn’t drawing, painting, or tinkering in his shop, he could be found fishing, hunting, riding his scooter around town, or at the casino. He was a member of the Hosmer American Legion and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hosmer.

Lawrence is survived by his children, Denny (Heather) Mohr, Brookville, OH; Dixie (Peter) Janker, Springfield, VA; Lori (Douglas) Furness, Brandon; and Becky Mohr, Sunbury, PA; five grandchildren: Paul Janker, Leslie Rives, Timothy Furness, Nathan Brandner, and Stormie Mohr; and two great-granddaughters that he adored: Alexys Brandner and Maeson Furness; his mother, Bertha Mohr, Eureka, one brother, Milton (Betty) Mohr, Hosmer; and two sisters Doris (Milton) Adam, Rapid City; and Edna (Merle) Hieb, Eureka.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; his son, Leon; his great-granddaughter, Jayda Li Brandner, and his father.

Throughout his life, Lawrence truly touched the lives of many with his creative paintings and his entertaining stories. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

In leiu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Lawrence’s honor.

July 5, 1942 ~ October 1, 2013

Evelyn D. Starnes, 71, Sioux Falls, died Tuesday, October 1, 2013, at Sanford USD Medical Center, in Sioux Falls, after a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm Monday, October 7, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon. Visitation will begin at 11:00am. Interment at Hills of Rest will follow.

Evelyn was born on July 5, 1942, in Canton, SD to Hilka Sinning. Grandfather Sinning called Evelyn his little pumpkin and so she had the nick name Punky while growing up. In 1944 Hilka met and married Mike Koval who later adopted Evelyn. Mike and Hilka had two sons, Mike Jr. and Joe. Evelyn was raised and attended school in Sioux Falls. On February 27, 1960, Evelyn married Rod Starnes in Luverne, MN. Rod and Evelyn had 2 children, Roderick (Rick) Starnes Jr. and Deborah Starnes. Rick is married to Kathy and Debbie is deceased. Debbie lost her battle with breast cancer in 1995 but before she passed away Debbie and Joe Dvorak had a son Robbie, who is Evelyn’s pride and joy. Evelyn was proud to be connected with Joe Dvorak and his family and the great job Joe has done raising Robbie as a single parent.

She was employed during her life at Brown Drug, Sunshine on 2nd Ave, Starmark Bargin Center, and The Fish Shop on 10th Street. Evelyn retired and worked part time for elections.

Animals were always a part of Evelyn’s family. Rod had retired when Rick brought them a puppy named Buddy. Buddy grew up to be a big lovable dog who was a true companion for Rod and Evelyn. Buddy was Evelyn’s constant companion until his death in 2012.

Evelyn appreciated her friendships with Harold and Peggy Kobbrek who provided Rod and Evelyn support throughout their marriage. Evelyn felt that the Kobbrek family adopted her and her family. Evelyn valued the friendship that she had with Butch and Joyce Britton. The Starnes, Kobbrek, and the Britton families have a lot of fond memories spending time together fishing, camping, and playing cards. The Kobbrek and Britton families have always been there for the Starnes family. The light of her life was her grandson Robbie. They enjoyed the Green Bay Packers. She also loved doing daily crossword puzzles. Evelyn presided over many family gatherings always making her baked beans. Evelyn also appreciated the support and fellowship of her brothers, Mike and Joe Koval, and Joe’s wife Cathy during her final days. . She will be missed.

Evelyn is survived by her son, Rodrick (Kathy) Starnes Jr., Sioux Falls; a grandson, Robbie Dvorak and Rob’s father, Joe Dvorak, Sioux Falls; 2 brothers, Michael Koval Flandreau, SD, and Joe (Cathy) Koval, Sioux Falls; and sister-in-law, Barbara (Floyd) Hunking, Sioux Falls.

She is preceded in death by her husband Roderick Starnes Sr., a daughter Deborah Starnes, and her parents.

August 11, 1941 ~ October 2, 2013

JoAnn M. Keller-Klitzke 72, Brandon, formerly Waseca, MN, died peacefully in her sleep, Wednesday, October 2, 2013, at home.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm, Saturday, October 5, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home with Pastor Scott Hackler officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.

JoAnn Marvel Johnson was born August 11, 1941, to Clifford and Marvel (Myre) Johnson in New Richland, MN. She grew up and attended school and graduated from New Richland High School. She married Theodore Keller June 25, 1960. The couple had three children. JoAnn worked at Brown Printing at the same time for over twenty five years. In October of 1984, Theodore passed away. However, in 1986, JoAnn married Robert Klitzke. The couple continued to live in Waseca and later moved to Pipestone and JoAnn worked for F.E.Y. Industries making calendars and other printed supplies. In 2006 Robert also passed away. Finally, in 2008, JoAnn moved to Brandon, SD. She continued working at HyVee in Sioux Falls and for SMG, the concessions at the Arena.

JoAnn loved to cook and bake. Her family loved her bread pudding and rice pudding, liver and onions, scalloped corn and banana cream pies. She loved to bowl and was a loyal Stampede Hockey fan. In her other free times, she might be found at one of the local casinos playing her game or attending a Sherwin Linton concert. JoAnn also loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

JoAnn will be missed by her three children: Glenn (fiancée Sara Kopperud) Keller, Owatonna, MN, Julie (Tim Osterkamp) Rosa, Brandon, and Jodi (Don Gohman) Keller, Brandon; three grandchildren: Shawn Rosa, Amy Henkensiefken, and Tanya (fiancée Brian Steinhoff) Rosa; three great-grandchildren: Joselynn Koppen, Brandon & Nicole Steinhoff; and one brother: Cifford (Jody) Johnson, Jr., New Richland, MN.

JoAnn was preceded in death by spouses, Theodore Keller and Robert Klitzke; her parents, and one brother, Clayton Johnson.