JeanAnne (Tyler) Wannamaker was born Feb. 22, 1942 in the small farming town of Veblen, S.D., to Lloyd “Frenchie” and Florence (Vrchota) Tyler.
Jean Anne met Bill Wannaker, an Air Force man, and married him in Amarillo, Texas. In 1965 they moved to Vancouver, Wash., where they raised two sons, Chris and Kent. The two remained in Vancouver for the full duration (44 yrs) of their marriage until Bill passed away.
Ronald William Mertens was born Dec. 14, 1935, to William and Elina (Erbe) Mertens, in Thomastown Township, Wadena County, Minn. He graduated from Staples High School in Staples, Minn.
Ron entered the U.S. Air Force Jan. 21, 1953, and began basic training at Parks Air Force Base in California, transferring to Ft. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyo., finally transferring to Ellsworth Air Force Base (AFB) in Rapid City, S.D.
Charles “Chuck” Edward Pennel was born to Kelton and Lulu Pennel Jan. 18, 1930, at their home on the farm near Elk Point, S.D. He had three brothers (Warren, Robert, and Glen) and four sisters (Lois, Erma, Letah and Joanne).
Charles married Dorothy Parsons June 6, 1953. They had four children, Margaret, Susan, Thomas and Gerald.
Janice M. “Jan” Thompson, 82, of Grand Living at Lake Lorraine in Sioux Falls, S.D., and formerly of Parker, Custer and Aberdeen, S.D., passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Family services will be held with burial at the Reformed Church Cemetery in Monroe, S.D. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home, Parker is in charge of arrangements.
Phyllis E. Miller was born May 7, 1931, to George and Mildred (Peterson) Peterson, in Lemmon, S.D.
She was married to Eugene J. Miller, son of Jacob and Margret Miller, Oct. 14, 1948. They ranched in Lemmon until 1950, when they moved to Black Hills Ordnance Depot at Igloo, S.D.
In 1965 the family moved to Northwood, N.D., and loved living there. Many residents of Northwood have stayed in contact with her through the years. In 1975 they moved to Edgemont, S.D., and purchased a ranch, and then made their final move to Custer, S.D.
Loving father and grandfather David Norman Hazeltine passed away quietly in his sleep March 22, 2020 at Monument Health Custer (S.D.) Hospital with his family by his side. He was deeply loved and will be missed.
David was born in 1934 to Byron and Beatrice (Carton) Hazeltine at the family home outside of Custer, S.D.
David spent his youth in Custer, graduating from Custer High School. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea before returning to graduate from Northern State College in Aberdeen, S.D.
Roberta Jean (Smith) (Hall) Watson was born into a family in 1925 that worked hard, loved each other and focused on God as the center of life.
She was born to George and Althea Smith and lived with brothers Wilmer and Neil and sister, Opal. They all taught her how to value others, the importance of humor and fun and a strong work ethic that carried her through life.
Roberta married Charles Hall and together raised three children: Charles, Kathy and Patty. All three married and had spouses Anne, John and Jon.
Norval Gene Kendall was born June 10, 1934, in Westover, S.D., to Nordine H. and Carrie Lee (Smith) Kendall.
Norval graduated from Custer, (S.D.), High School in 1953. In 1961 he married Mona Rae Pierce of Keystone, S.D. They had three children, Daniel, Gail and Nancy.
Norval, a lifelong resident of Custer, died of natural causes March 8, 2020, in Spokane, Wash. He was 85.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ramsey.
Sharyl Gae Huntington was born in Billings, Mont., to Robert Bruce Stark and Billie June Stark June 28, 1942. The family moved to California when she was 3 years old, and she met her best friend, Donna Scheer, at 7. At the age of 8 she chose the life of the Lord in the Catholic faith.
William James “Bill” Clark was born in New Jersey to Joseph and Sarah Clark. He received his education at a number of schools throughout childhood including when his family moved to Canada, and then Bill moved to Florida.
As the story is told, when in Canada, he and his horse would travel nine miles one way to and from school, but only if the temperature was above minus 30-degrees. He acquired his high school diploma in Florida later in life while attending night school. Bill attended Trinity College in Florida as well as voice training.
