8/1/1928 – 10/18/2011

Viva (Vi) Irene Szurek, 83, of Brandon, SD, died Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at her home with her family surrounding her, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services will begin at 11 AM, Monday, October 24th, at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon, with Pastor David Nissen officiating. Visitation will start at 3pm Sunday, October 23, at Heartland Funeral Home with family present from 5 until 7 pm. A Prayer service will be held at 6:30pm Sunday.

Viva (Vi) Irene Lathrop was born on August 1, 1928, to Vernon and Irene (Hopkins) Lathrop at the old P.G. Thompson Farm on the Sioux River outside Dell Rapids. Her family then moved to Glendale, CA where she was educated through the 8th grade. The family moved several times but when Vi returned to Sioux Falls, she waitressed and worked for Shipley’s laundry. Vi met and married Frank Szurek in Sioux Falls. The couple owned and operated the Falls Park Tavern for a while before they moved to Colorado and then settled in Las Vegas. Vi worked as a waitress, on the strip, at the Riviera Hotel, and then in the gaming industry before spending 16 years with the State of Nevada. Vi eventually moved back to South Dakota 7 years ago to be with her family.

It has been said that Vi didn’t know a stranger. She was very outgoing and loved to make new friends. She made friends with everyone and anyone, everywhere. She loved to play cards and other table games, crochet, fishing and camping or any combination of these. She was very near and dear to her family and will be deeply missed by all of them.

Vi is survived by her children; Susie Szurek, Brandon, Eddie (Carol) Robinson, Las Vegas, NV, and Tary (Brad) Lowe, Sioux Falls; nine grandchildren; Jennifer and Travis Robinson, Chrissy Dye, Amber Leaver, Brittney and Joseph Szurek, Ashlie Lowe, Keonni and Johnny Jr. Funches, eight great-grandchildren; Sabrina, Destiny, Jaycob, Dylan, Julian, Maddilynn,  Jalen, and Jordyn, one brother; Vernon (Shirley) Lathrop, Volga, SD and one sister; Audry Brude of Sioux Falls.

Vi was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one sister, Alverna Auch. A memorial has been established.

June 30, 1938 – October 3, 2011

Jack O. Cram, 73, of Sioux Falls, died Monday, October 3, 2011 at the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

Memorial Services will be held at 10 AM, Friday, October 7, 2011 at the American Legion hall in Sioux Falls, with Pastor Chuck Asche officiating.  A private inurnment will take place in the Menno Cemetery at a later date.

Jack was born June 30, 1938, to Raymond and Esther (Anderson) Cram in Albert Lea, MN.  He was educated in the Albert Lea school system before leaving for the Air Force for six years where he served as a mechanic.  When he returned, his family moved to the Menno area and Jack went along.  He worked various jobs including law enforcement and at the State Hospital in Yankton, SD.  Along the way, he met and married Yvonna Gram and they had two children, Jean and Deb.  In 1969, Jack faced a tragedy when Yvonna was killed in a car accident.  He eventually overcame his loss and married Gloria Nelson.  They moved around the area before settling in Sioux Falls where Jack worked as a security guard for Citibank and the Airport Security.  He also worked for Henry Carlson doing demolition work on Sioux Valley Hospital, drove a dump truck for Asco for three years, and Electronics Systems Inc (ESI) where he work for ten years before he retired.  Jack also worked for the VA as a volunteer after he retired.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria, Sioux Falls; daughters, Jean Cram and Deb Weber, Sioux Falls; stepchildren, William Henning, Yankton and Kim Lawton, Rapid City; ten grandchildren, Justin Kleinsasser, Teresa Johnson, Alison and Jaydon Cram, Samantha Weber, Tori and Sarah Henning, Gabriella, Thomas, and Jessica Lawton; and four great-grandchildren, Braxton Johnson, Easton Kleinsasser, Oakley Johnson, and Jersey Cram.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Esther, his first wife, Yvonna, and his sister, Lonnine Novak.

11/17/1919 – 7/26/2011

Ann K. Stehr, 91, of Sioux Falls, SD, and formerly of Minot, ND, died Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls.

Ann Katherine Grimm was born on November 17, 1919, in Lefor, ND, to George and Maria (Kress) Grimm. At the age of four, Ann’s family moved to Gladstone. Ann received her education there, graduating from high school in 1939. She soon met and married William (Bill) Stehr on October 29, 1941. Before Bill left for the War in 1942, the couple moved to Minot. Ann soon settled in to working and actively participating in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church where she was a member of St. Anne’s Altar Society. She also was a member of the ladies auxiliary of the Moose Lodge. Ann’s main job was working at the Trinity Medical Center in the nursery as a Nurse’s aide. She saw many babies’ entry into the world including several of her own family. Bill passed away February 1, 1991. Following her husband’s death, she continued to reside in Minot until 2004, when she moved to Sioux Falls to be closer to her family.

Ann led a very active and fun loving life. Besides her involvement in her church, Ann loved to read, gardening, arts and crafts, and going out to eat, especially breakfast, with her buddies at Ryan’s restaurant. Ann kept everyone guessing what she would do next like the time in her 70’s when she went out shooting clay pigeons. She is also credited with teaching all of her grandchildren on how to play Rummy- you know, make up the rules as she went, and flipping the top card “by accident” to see if she really wanted it! She also loved to play Bingo and was rumored to slip off to the casinos occasionally for a little fun. Another highlight of Ann’s life was the night at Norsk Hostfest when Charlie Pride reached out and kissed her hand during a concert.

Ann will be deeply missed by her family including her two daughters, LaVonne Knapper, Sioux Falls, SD, and Bev (Doug) Stout, Independence, LA; one son; Lonnie (Lynn Lane) Stehr, Libby, MT; her grandchildren, Bonnie (Curt) Like, Kimberly Robinson, Shelly Steever, Dustin (Shalayna) Knapper, Randy (Michelle) Stout, Billy Stout, and Dorcus (Robbie) Martin; grandson-in-law, Paul Sanders; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and four great great-grandchildren.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her parents; one granddaughter, Jodi Sanders; one grandson-in-law, Jeff Steever (who coined the phrase, “It all started with Ann”); and two brothers; and three sisters.

Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, July 30, 2011, at 9:00 am, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Minot, ND.
Interment will follow at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Friday, July 29, from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service: Friday at 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: are preferred to Sanford Hospice in Sioux Falls, SD.

2/15/1956 – 7/22/2011

Daniel S. Wirkus, 55, of Sioux Falls, SD, died Friday, July 22, 2011, at the Southridge Nursing Home in Sioux Falls, after a lengthy battle with health issues.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, July 29, 2011, at Linwood Wesleyan Church of Sioux Falls with Pastor Jason Mueller officiating. Visitation will begin one hour before.

Daniel Stephen Wirkus, was born on February 15, 1956, in Webster, SD to Louie and Margaret (Harper) Wirkus. He was raised and educated in the Clark area. When he left school, Dan joined the Job Corps and worked in Montana doing carpentry. Dan traveled and worked in many locations of the mid-west including IA, CO, MN and SD doing sorted construction jobs but primarily performing carpentry positions. On July 15, 1983, Dan married Gail Miller in Ft. Collins, CO. They had four sons. Dan lived for his boys and loved spending time doing anything with them. He especially enjoyed the Denver Broncos and cooking. Dan was extremely well known for his chili. He entered several cook-offs and even won one. He also was remembered for the wonderful holiday meals where everyone else was forbidden from the kitchen while he made the Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving specialties.

Dan is survived by his wife; Gail, Sioux Falls, five sons; Darin Sietsma, Billings, MT, Corey Wirkus, Carlsbad, CA, and Shandon, Lance, and Cody Wirkus, of Sioux Falls, one grandson; Jayden Wirkus, four grand-daughters; Mikaylah Wirkus, Mikaylah Sietsma,  Kailyn Wirkus, and Mia Wirkus, mother Margaret Wirkus, Clark, seven brothers; Bob (Sandy), Rapid City, Tom (Kim), Clark, SD, Eddie, FL, Harley (Julie), Rapid City, David, Berthoud, CO, Kevin (Mindy), Watertown, SD, Jeff (Sheri), Watertown, SD, and two sisters; Linda (Mike) Helkenn, Clark, and Margie Wirkus, of Clark.

Dan was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Stephen.

8/23/1927 – 7/9/2011

Memorial services will be held at 10 am Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at Mt. Olive Family Worship Church of Sioux Falls, SD (46th Street & Marion Road) with Pastor Raymond Petersen officiating. Inurnment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery of Sioux Falls.

Gertrude MaryAnn Freese was born August 23, 1927, in Pipestone, MN to Henry and Rita Freese. Her childhood was spent in the Sioux Falls area where she graduated from Washington High School. She married Roderick Murray on December 25, 1948. Their union brought three children. MaryAnn worked at Kmart for 23 years before retiring in 1991. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who cherished her family above all things. She also enjoyed spending time with friends and playing cards.

Gertrude MaryAnn Murray, 83, of Sioux Falls, SD, died at her home, Saturday, July 9, 2011, surrounded by her family.

MaryAnn is survived by three children; Daniel (Jodi) Murray, Coon Rapids, MN, Kim (Randy) Miller, Sioux Falls, SD and Tim (Lori) Murray, Garretson, SD; 8 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

March 29, 1955 – July 8, 2011

Bruce Douglas Bass, 56, of Tea, SD, died Friday, July 08, 2011, at the Dougherty Hospice Home in Sioux Falls, SD.

Memorial Services will be held at 2pm August 13, 2011, at the Oakview Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, MI.

Bruce is survived by his parents, Russell and Carol Bass, Sioux Falls, SD; one brother, Jim (Pat) Bass, Comstock, MI; two sisters, Karen Ertel, Carlsbad, CA, and Sue (Tom) Gjerdrum, Sioux Falls, SD; and his nieces and nephews.

9/20/1977 – 6/24/2011

Jason H. Scott, 33, of Sioux Falls, died Friday, June 24, 2011, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, following health complications.

Jason Hayes Scott was born September 20, 1977, to Hayes and Kim (Boespflug) Lewis in Vancouver, WA.  Shortly after he was born, he and his mother moved to Valley Springs, SD, where he was raised and attended Brandon Valley schools.  After school, Jason worked in the Sioux Falls area in construction operating heavy equipment for different contractors.  Jason was blessed with the birth of three children; Jaeyden, Alyssah, and Kendra.  They were the love of his life and he loved spending time with them.  He loved to take them fishing or ATVing.  Anyone who knew Jason knew that he had a huge heart and would do anything to help someone.

Memorial Services will be held at 11am Thursday, June 30, at First Baptist Church chapel in Sioux Falls, SD, with Jerry Erickson officiating.

A memorial service will also be held in Vancouver, WA. See details below:

GRAVESIDE SERVICE
Sacred Heart Cemetery
Battle Ground, WA
Friday, July 29, 2011
1:30 pm

Jason is survived by his three children; Jaeyden, Alyssah, and Kendra Scott, of Sioux Falls, his father; Hayes Lewis, and his mother, Kim Lewis of Portland, OR, and his dad, Perry Scott of Brandon; one sister Nichole Scott and one brother, Brockington Scott, both of Sioux Falls.

11/10/1923 – 6/24/2011

Elaine M. (Peterson) Nytroe, 87, of Brandon, died Friday, June 24, 2011, at the Good Samaritan Center in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 am, Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at Heartland Funeral Home in Brandon with Pastor Dennis Bossman officiating. Visitation will begin at 3 pm, Monday, June 27, also at Heartland Funeral Home, with family present from 6 pm until 8pm. Internment will be at West Nideros Lutheran Cemetery, rural Crooks, SD.

Elaine May Peterson was born to Henry M Peterson and Ann (Lewin) Peterson on November 10, 1923 in Hartford. She attended Johnson School, Hartford and Lyons High School. She married Kermit G. Nytroe on December 16, 1941.

She was a long time resident of Brandon. Her working career was first and foremost mother and grandmother. She also worked for Sunshine Foods Bakery for 25 years. She loved camping, fishing, music, dancing, flowers and playing cards.

Grateful for sharing her life are her children; Bonnie (Gene) Shumaker, Sioux Falls, Beverly (Rick) Blue, Sioux Falls, Bruce (Cathy) Nytroe, Brandon, Barbara (James) Schartz, Sioux Falls, Brenda Lape, Brandon, and Dwane (Faye) Peterson of Kelowna, British Columbia; Grandchildren; Dwane, Lori, Leisha, Dianne, David, Linda, Chad, Rich, Paul, Jeremy, Shawn, Jared, Becky and Brandon; Great-Grandchildren; Alex, Patrick, Tony, Shayla, Jessica, Jamal, Richard, Lauren, Darian, Spencer, Luke, Lexi, Brandi, Jaxon, Jasper and Hayden; Great-Great-Grandchild; Kylie

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; Henry and Ann (Lewin) Peterson, her husband, Kermit, one daughter, Betty Dansman; one great-granddaughter, Sierra Peterson; one brother, Robert Peterson, and one sister, Marjorie Carpenter.

7/1/66 – 6/20/11

Marilyn Coleen Powell was born July 1, 1966, to Doug Powell and Jean Rouse in Ft. Pierce, FL. She attended school and was raised in the Ft. Pierce area. She also married Darryl Noel on April 8, 1989 in Ft. Pierce. They moved around to several parts of the south including Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Kansas, and South Dakota. Marilyn, being a creative and crafty sort, worked at her favorite retail store, Hobby Lobby. She also became a day care provider and teacher. Marilyn also had a huge passion for experimental cooking. Darryl and family were often subjected to many of her wonderful creations!

Marilyn, 44, of Sioux Falls, died Monday, June 20, 2011, at her home after courageous battle with cancer.

Memorial services will be held at 1pm, Friday, June 24, 2011, at her home, in Sioux Falls, SD.

She is survived by her husband, Darryl, a son, Robert, and a daughter, Danielle, all of Sioux Falls, SD; mother, Jean and (John) (Rouse) Wellington, Ft. Pierce, FL; father Doug, Okeechobee, FL and stepmother, Donna Powell, Pensacola, FL; four sisters, Juanita (Robert) Fulford, Sioux Falls, SD, Samantha (Jerry) Graff, Ft. Pierce, FL, Mandy Yates, Ft. Pierce, FL, and Beth Conover, Seattle, WA; and one brother, Danny (Becky) Yates, Ft. Pierce, FL; parents-in-law, Richard and Sharon Noel, Berryville, AR; brothers-in-law, David (Amie) Noel of Indiana and Dana (Trish) Noel, Pocahontas, AR; sister-in-law, Dani (Bennie) Melton, Kingsland, GA; cousins, Joy and Tom Price, Berryville, AR; maternal grandparents, Clarence and Helen Hazellief, Vero Beach, FL; and many nieces and nephews.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her dad, Samuel Yates.

Memorials can be directed to the American Cancer Society or the Sanford Hospice.

2/11/1925 – 6/16/2011

Harry F. Kluever, 86, originally of Okebena, MN, died Thursday, June 16, 2011, at home, in Valley Springs, SD.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, June 25, 2011, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Okabena, MN with Reverend Dan Deardorf officiating.

Harry Ferdinand Kluever was born February 11, 1925 in Russell, MN. He was the son of Harry Kluever Sr. and Emma (Kramer) Kluever. He was raised on a farm near Worthington and when he was 15 years old his father passed away and he took over farming.

He was united in marriage with Elvera Middlestadt on October 1, 1944 in Worthington MN. Following their marriage, the couple farmed in Nobles County, MN for six years until moving to a farm in west Heron Lake Township. In 1955 they moved to an acreage near Okabena, MN and they bought 80 acres in farmland which he still has today.

Harry loved farming and was happiest on his tractor. He worked in the local co-op for many years. For 30 years Harry drove bus for the Okabena Public School System. His true passion was being around his 2 girls and grandchildren, even being tired from the day he would always find time to play with his girls. His grandchildren remember grandpa playing Barbie’s with them, building a playhouse and go-cart, going fishing down at the creek, building a mound of snow with his tractor for sledding. Harry was a very selfless person always willing to help out others.

In his early years he enjoyed being down at his cabin in Arnolds Park, Iowa, with his daughters, dancing on Friday nights with his wife and friends, and playing cards. In his better years he enjoyed traveling in his RV with his wife and visiting his daughters and grandchildren. Harry passed away on June 16, 2011 with his daughters by his side. He was 86 years old. He can now Plow the Fields of Heaven.

Those left to cherish his memories are his daughter and son in law, Deb and Randy Baumann of Valley Springs, SD, his daughter Diana Curry of Spencer IA.; Sister in law Jeannie and husband Eugene Schmitz, nephew Robert Schmitz; Grandchildren, Bridget and husband Brandon of Sibley IA, Jessica and husband Joel of Nampa ID, Nathan of Tea SD, Heather and husband Mitch of Sioux Falls SD, Ashley Baumann of Valley Springs SD, Krystle Baumann of Valley Springs SD, Shon and wife Jessica of Spencer IA, Joshua of Spencer IA; and Five Great Grandchildren, Bryce, Cade, Ethan, Lauren, Tyler, and 2 great grand baby girls due in July.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Elvera, two sisters, and his parents.