Vonnie O’Dea Vonnie Lou O’Dea was born on May 22, 1945 in Marshall, MN, the second child of Loyd (Pete) and Vivian Buchert. At the age of 22 months, the Buchert family moved fifteen miles north of Philip, SD. She attended grade school at the Elbon School through the eighth grade and finished her education at Philip High School. On July 16,1962, she married James O’Dea at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Philip. To this union was born three daughters: Sheryl, Susan and Holly. During the first years of marriage, Jim and Vonnie worked for a few different ranchers in the area. In 1970, Jim and Vonnie leased the Bierwagen place at Milesville, SD for 20 years before purchasing a ranch south of Plainview. Over the years, Vonnie was involved in her community by being a 4-H leader and teaching youth religion class at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in

Rick Dennis Rick Dennis was born August 20, 1955 to Harold and Ruvonne Dennis in McLaughlin, SD. He joined a sister Dana. Later siblings Lesa and Dean joined the family. In 1957, Rick’s grandfather purchased the Dinkman place that is located between Belvidere and Kadoka and the family moved there from northern South Dakota. Rick attended elementary school in Kadoka. The family moved to Kansas and later Wyoming when Rick was in middle school. By his 8th grade year they moved back to the SD ranch. He graduated from Kadoka High School in 1973. During his senior year, Rick and his team roping partner, Mitch Olney, qualified for the National High School Rodeo Finals. They made their way to Ogden, UT where they participated in the team roping event. In 1975, Rick and his parents moved to Center, CO. There, he rode on several head of yearlings, calved cows, and

Joy Elshere Joy Moore Elshere was born June 25, 1930 at home on the farm in Texas to Ruby (Perkins) and Elbert Moore. Three years later her sister Colleen was added to the family. Because of her father’s job, they moved around a lot during Joy’s early life. She attended elementary schools in Paris, Honey Grove, and Bonham, Texas before graduating from Paris Texas High School in 1947. Joy later attended college and graduated from Paris Junior College in 1949. While in grade school, high school, and college, she was a member of the school band and was also a member of the City Band in Paris, Texas. After college Joy worked as a clerk typist for the housing authority of the City of Bonham. In 1951 Joy met Paul through close friends who were in the Air Force at Perrin Air Force Base. They were united in marriage on

Gary Nixon Gary Nixon was born in Chadron, NE on August 27, 1946 to Leo (Shorty) and Dorothy (Pete) Nixon. He grew up on the family ranch north of Cottonwood, SD. He was called home to work the cattle on the thousand hills of heaven, Wednesday, September 14, 2022. Gary attended elementary school at the Lincoln school north of the ranch. This and the ranch is where he developed his horse skills, riding to school every day. In 1964 he graduated from Philip High School. He was always very athletic and while in high school he participated in tumbling, gymnastics, boxing and rodeo. After high school Gary spent time on the ranch until he left for Basic Training in December 1965. While enlisted in the US Army he spent most of his time in Fort Bennig, GA and Fort Rucker, AL. Ironically enough, he was a helicopter mechanic while enlisted,

Darrell Fischer Darrell Fischer, 68, of Centerville, SD, died Saturday, May 7, 2022 at Ava’s House hospice, Sioux Falls, SD. Darrell Allen Fischer was born on June 15, 1953, at Sioux Falls, SD, the son of Alfred and Lucille (Bossman) Fischer. He grew up near Lennox, SD, attending rural school and then graduated from Lennox High School in 1971. He went on to serve in the US Air Force from 1971 until his honorable discharge and transfer in 1972, to the SD Air National Guard, where he served for 6 years. Darrell made his home in the Chancellor/Lennox area and then in the Centerville/Viborg area. He worked in construction for the past 45 years. Darrell was raised attending Germantown Presbyterian Church. He belonged to the Centerville American Legion Post. In younger years he played baseball and later softball and went on to coach his kids teams. Darrell was an avid

James Emery James David Emery, 64, of Belle Fourche, passed away May 3, 2022 at his home in Belle Fourche, SD surrounded by his girls. He was born August 6, 1957, in Belle Fourche to Charles and Leota (Henwood) Emery. He graduated from Belle Fourche High School in 1975. Jim had many jobs in the tri-state area. He was the best gravy maker at the Port Café. He farmed for the Keil family, held various jobs driving truck, operating heavy equipment for construction and mining, driving over the road and ranching. He then started Emery Backhoe Service, later he was the Director of Public Waterworks for the city. Jim started Sandstone Water Company supplying water to residents of rural Belle Fourche south and west of town. Jim married Jan Murphy in 1986, they divorced in 1996. With this marriage came a 12-year-old daughter, Shannon. He then made a life with

Jack A. Belkham 4/25/2022 Jack A. Belkham, 83, of Redfield, formerly of Sioux Falls, SD, died on April 20, 2021, at the Eastern Star Home in Redfield.  Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield, with Reverend John Short officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery.    For those unable to attend in person, the funeral service will be live-streamed to the funeral home’s website. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at Hyke Funeral Home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield.  (www.hykefuneralhome.com) Jack A. Belkham was born September 1, 1937, in Springfield, MO, to Troy and Agnes (Heffelman) Belkham.  He was raised in Grove, OK, by his foster parents, Dow and Hoakie Phoenix, from the age of 6 months.  He was an only child.  He attended school in Grove, OK,

Henry David Lawrence of Eagle Butte, South Dakota June 2, 2006 – February 19, 2022 Funeral services for Henry David Lawrence, 15, of Eagle Butte will be held on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 10:00 am at the Dupree High School. Interment under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge will take place at the Lawrence Family Cemetery in Whitehorse. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the high school. Henry passed away Saturday, February 19, 2022 in Eagle Butte. How can you summarize a beautiful soul? Henry David Lawrence is the son of Clay and Kelly Lawrence. He is the brother of Kayle, Kacie, Reese, and Jack Lawrence and Dylan Witkowski, who became the big brother he didn’t know he needed. He is the uncle of Kyra, Kyle, Daxtin, Bea, and Genevia and a friend to anybody he came across. He was born in

Bernie Tibbs Funeral services for Bernie Tibbs, 76, of Ridgeview will be at 11 AM, MT, Saturday, December 18, 2021, at the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center in Ft. Pierre. Burial will be at the Scotty Philip Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Frank L. (Bernie) Tibbs, 76, passed away Sunday, December 12, 2021, at the Oahe Manor in Gettysburg.  Bernie was born June 1, 1945 in Pierre, SD to Frank E. and Bethel (Miller) Tibbs.  He attended school at Mission Ridge and Ridgeview, SD.  Bernie was united in marriage to Dorothy Griffith, on September 25, 1963.  To this union two sons, Pat and Delbert, were born. The couple resided at Lantry, SD until 1964.  In 1966 they moved to Ft. Pierre.  They moved to Ridgeview and worked for the Grazing Association until 1968, at which time they went

Edith Knight Edith Knight, 94, of south Dupree, passed away on Monday, December 13, 2021, at her home. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., MST, Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at the Dupree School Gym, Dupree. Burial will follow in the Knight Family Cemetery, south Dupree. A wake will be 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at Pioneer Hall, Dupree. A procession will form at 3:30 p.m. at the 2-mile. Edith (Edie) Pauline LaPlante Knight (He Ska Win – White Horn Woman) 94, was born March 13, 1927 to William LaPlante and Mamie Jewett. The story of her birth, you’ll know that from day one Edith was a fighter. She was so little she fit in a shoebox that was warmed by the family stove. Many didn’t think she’d make it past that first winter. As time would prove, she had an enthusiastic vigor for life that would not stop her.

Butch Webb Funeral services Butch Webb, 65, of Isabel will be at 10 AM, Saturday, December 18, 2021, at the Webb Ranch north of Isabel. Burial will be at the ranch under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will start at 5 PM with a prayer service at 6 PM at the ranch. Butch passed away Thursday, December 9, 2021 in Loveland, CO. On October 8 th, 1956, Martin George (Honey) Webb and Gloria Joan (Hunt) Webb welcomed their second born, Martin Allen (Butch) Webb. Butch was born in Gettysburg, South Dakota and called Armstrong County his home for many years. These were the years that the Missouri River, which ran just below their house, was narrow enough to swim across. He often recalled winters so tough that they couldn’t get to town so supplies would be dropped in by plane. There was excitement when the kids

Aaron Price Aaron Joseph Price was born August 31, 1989, to Rich and Ronda Price, growing up near Mud Butte, SD. He attended Sulphur Creek Country School for nine years in rural Meade Country. He then attended Newell High School, graduating in 2008.  Aaron was a wrestler and bareback rider throughout high school. Aaron worked not only on the home ranch, but at the Hotchkiss Ranch; they were a second family to him. Eventually he worked full time on the family ranch with his dad. Ranching was his passion and he loved black angus cattle. In 2016 Aaron bought his own place at Mud Butte. He was always looking for a better way to do things or a way to improve his land and cattle. Aaron looked a long time for the love of his life. When he met Tyra Caster he knew she was the one. They were married

Troy Burnham Troy Burnham, 48, of Sturgis, SD, died Monday, August 2, 2021, at his home. Troy was born February 9, 1973, to Tom and Linda (Young) Burnham. He graduated from Sturgis High School in 1991. From the age of 14 he worked for his parents at Valley Implement. Troy could fix or weld anything that came into the shop. He was a man of few words and many talents. He could always be found willing to lend a helping hand either at a branding or working the grounds during the high school rodeo as he was always very generous with his time. He will always be remembered for the love of his children, whether it be wrestling tournaments, days at the lake, or the softball fields. He enjoyed spoiling his granddaughter and always had a pocket full of licorice ropes for her. He had a heart of gold, loved

Matt Dean Mathew John “Matt” Dean, 41, of Platte, SD passed away Thursday, November 12, 2020. Funeral Services are 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at the Platte Area Community Center. A Committal Service will follow at Platte City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Monday, November 16, 2020 at the Platte Area Community Center. The Service will be live-streamed under “Photos and Videos” on the funeral home website or through “Mount Funeral Homes” Facebook page. Mathew John Dean was born on January 8, 1979 to John and Carla (Olic) Dean in Rapid City, SD. He graduated from Bonesteel High School in 1997 and began a career in ranching. On March 25, 2000 Matt was united in marriage to Karly Gerard in Kennebec, SD. He was a South Dakota Brand Inspector and was currently working as a rancher with Doug Pranger. Matt loved participating in and

Rhonda Thybo Rhonda Dee (Wientjes) Thybo, 54 of Belle Fourche, though tough as nails, lost her courageous battle with cancer on August 3, 2020 at the University of Health in Aurora, CO. Rhonda is the beloved wife of Jimmy, and loving mother of Trever, Tate, and Jesse. Rhonda was born on November 28, 1965 in Mobridge, South Dakota to Calvin and Deleen (Jensen) Wientjes. She moved to Belle Fourche with her family in 1980. She quickly established herself in the community, in particular on the basketball court where she was a force to be reckoned with. Rhonda had many basketball accomplishments throughout high school. Following high school graduation, Rhonda transferred her basketball skills to BHSU before marrying Jimmy Thybo on March 14, 1992. Her basketball accomplishments include all-conference at the college level. Rodeo was another family legacy Rhonda loved and excelled at. Besides being an avid barrel racer just like

Jim Jones James “Jim” Louis Jones was born on May 27, 1966 in Valentine, Nebraska, to Larry and Rose Ann (Gehlsen) Jones. Jim and his twin brother, John, were welcomed home by sister, Michelle. Later the family grew to include Deanne and Valerie. Jim spent his first years growing up on his grandparents’ ranch south of Mission. In August of 1973, his parents purchased a ranch and moved the family to southern Todd County near the community of Littleburg. Jim loved living in the country and growing up on the ranch taking care of cattle and working in the hayfield. Being in the country meant the Jones kids had to create their own entertainment. The ideas they came up with were not always the safest, but they did manage to keep their parents on high alert. Jim attended Mission Elementary School for two years and then attended Littleburg Country School