Obituaries

A funeral service for Dennis Dean Schoenefeld, age 81, of Butte, Nebraska, was held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Butte, with Pastor Leif Hasskarl officiating. Casket bearers were Bruce Schoenefeld, Clayton Schoenefeld, Weston Schoenefeld, Todd Stoltenberg, Gary Stoltenberg, Kyle Raasch, and Griffin Goodwin. Ty Schoenefeld, Mitch Raasch, Lilly Goodwin, Layla Goodwin, Brinley Schoenefeld, and Sawyer Schoenefeld were honorary casket bearers. Cristy Brooks was in charge of registrations, and Vivian Frasch was the organist. Dennis Dean Schoenefeld was born in Burke, SD on October 1, 1944, to Alvin and Vera (Sieh) Schoenefeld. He grew up on the family farm seven miles west of Naper, Nebraska. Dennis attended country school through 8th grade. He graduated from Naper High School in 1962. Immediately following High School, Dennis worked as a ranch hand for a brief time. Thereafter, he stayed in Omaha while attending barber school, earning his barber’s license in 1966.

A memorial service for Elma Rose Chocholousek, age 99, of Gregory, South Dakota, was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 23, at United Methodist Church with Reverend Thanael Certa-Werner officiating. Ryan Chocholousek delivered the eulogy.

Michael Carsten Hansen was born on March 3, 1953 in Winner, South Dakota, to Richard Hansen and Colleen Turney Hansen. “Mike” as he was called, enjoyed South Dakota farm life in his earliest years, and that is where he developed his love of animals. Work soon took the family to Denver, Colorado, where he attended elementary school. When the family moved to McAllen, Texas, to be near his Hansen grandparents, Mike went on to graduate from PSJA High School, at Pharr, Texas. While in high school he was identified as gifted and had the opportunity, along with a few other students, to be transported to Pan American University to take extra classes. After graduation he attended Pan American University (now the University of Texas-Pan American) at Edinburg for one year and spent a second year at Texas A & I University (now Texas A&M University-Kingsville).

Bill Bullard R-CALF USA CEO For decades, beef packer concentration was a silent killer of America’s cattle farming and ranching operations and beef price fairness for American consumers. Market concentration reduced competition, shrinking marketing opportunities for cattle producers and distorting both cattle and beef prices.

Gary Raymond Halva, 79 years, March 22, 2026, Gregory, SD. Rose Mary Hotz, 103 years, May 10, 2026, Gregory, SD.

A prayer service for Donna Lee Haney, age 78, of Burke, South Dakota, was held at 7 p.m., Friday, May 15, at Clausen funeral Home in Burke. Casket bearers were Michael Haney, Patrick Haney, Danny Haney, Tevis Bartlett, Collin Bartlet, and Tavish Bartlett. Honorary casket bearers were Karlie Haney, Olivia Haney, Brody Spencer, Brigham Spencer, Rylan Hannahs, Mindie Spencer, and Katelyn Brockmann. Interment was at TJ Bartlett Memorial Cemetery in White River. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Donna was born on October 12, 1947, to Chet and Irene Bartlett. She graduated in White River, with the Class of 1964 and later attended Stewart Beauty School in Sioux Falls, where she pursued her passion for cosmetology. While working in a beauty shop in Winner, she met Jim Haney. The two were united in marriage on June 10, 1966, at the Methodist Church in Burke, and together shared nearly 60 years of marriage.

A memorial service for Myrna Joyce Freemen, age 82, was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 23, at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, South Dakota, with Pastor Bill Serr officiating. Urn bearers were Ryker Peck, Talon Labahn, Weston Labahn, Cole Henningsgard, Kyser Peck, Reese Labahn, Brooks Henningsgard, and Liam Brown.

A funeral service for Alice Clarie Jacobsen, age 82, of Gregory, SD. was held at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 17, at St. John Lutheran Church in Gregory. with Pastor Marcus Ring and Gary Jacobsen officiating. Leanne Sinclair provided piano accompaniment on several congregational hymns. Diane Jacobsen was in charge of registration. Flower attendants were Laura Petersen, Rachelle Santiago, and Amanda Determan. Casket bearers were Austin Kahler, Grady Fortuna, Cade Fortuna, Lily Jacobsen, Claire Jacobsen, Ada Jacobsen, Emmit Kahler, and Tate Fortuna. Curt Jacobsen, Leslie Maher, Bev Bertram, Andra Gates, Donald Stukel, Jeanne Belcher, John Stukel, and Jenny Stukel were honorary casket bearers.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Rose Mary Hotz, age 103, of Gregory, South Dakota, was held at 10 a.m., Friday, May 15, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory, celebrated by Fr.

A Celebration of Life service for Martin “Marty” John Boese, age 75, of Geddes, SD. is scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Multipurpose Room (former school gym) in Geddes. Funeral arrangements are pending. Koehn Brothers Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.