Obituaries

Gayle Zelenka

Published by admin on Thu, 08/29/2019 - 9:18am

Gayle Lea Zelenka was born Sept. 18, 1940, in Aberdeen S.D., to William Busch and LaVerne Wells. She spent her life raising three sons and one grandchild. She was a loving homemaker and a huge part of Daughters of the Nile, achieving status of queen and active in Eastern Star.

Janis Myers

Published by admin on Thu, 08/29/2019 - 9:09am
Janis L. Myers of Madison, S.D., formerly of Custer, S.D., died Aug. 17, 2019, at the Madison Regional Health System. She was 86.
Per Janis’ request, no services will be held.

Bev Pechan

Published by admin on Thu, 08/22/2019 - 9:21am

Beverly (Bev) Marie was born Nov. 22, 1937, and was adopted as an infant by Alfred and Hanna Koehler. She grew up in Mahtomedi, Minn., on the shores of White Bear Lake. She graduated from Mahtomedi High School in 1955, and in 1957 married  Raymond John Pechan. They became parents of three children.

Mary Pechota

Published by admin on Wed, 08/07/2019 - 4:26pm
Mary Leona Dubray Pechota was welcomed into the loving arms of her heavenly father Tuesday, July 16, in Custer, S.D. Visitation was Monday, July 22, at St. Isidore’s Catholic Church in Colome, S.D., followed by rosary. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday, July 23, at 10 a.m. at St. Isidore’s followed by burial in the Colome Cemetery.

Colette Ervin

Published by admin on Wed, 08/07/2019 - 4:22pm
The brilliant light of love, courage and strength that is Colette Elise Ervin has been taken from us. Colette’s long battle is over, though she fought with the heart of a lion and endured more than should ever be expected of a human being, she finally succumbed to her illness July 23, 2019.

Timothy ‘Drew’ Dacus

Published by admin on Thu, 08/01/2019 - 9:17am
Timothy ‘Drew’ Dacus  was born Sept. 22, 1957, in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Richard and Edna Marie (Kohen) Dacus. He graduated from Kelly Walsh High School in Casper, Wyo., in 1975 and attended Oklahoma Christian University.
Drew and his wife, Jody, met at Wyoming Bible Camp in August 1985. He went home from camp and told everyone he met the girl he was going to marry.

Clifford Lovell

Published by admin on Thu, 08/01/2019 - 9:14am
Clifford James “Jim” Lovell was born March 22, 1931, in Hot Springs, S.D. 
Jim worked for the Hot Springs Police Department and the Fall River County Sheriff’s Office before joining the western band “Country Cowboys.” The group performed at venues in many towns in South Dakota, Arizona and Arkansas. Jim was inducted into the South Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008. He was also honored by the Legends of South Dakota Music Association in 2015. 
Jim died July 24, 2019, at Rapid City (S.D.) Regional Hospital. He was 88. 

Brendan ‘Rusty’ Wilder

Published by admin on Thu, 08/01/2019 - 9:13am
On June 9, 2019, the world lost one of its greatest men when Brendan “Rusty” Wilder died in Belgrade, Mont., due to a sudden heart attack. He was 59.

Stephanie Polzine

Published by admin on Wed, 07/24/2019 - 3:03pm
Stephanie Rae Polzine was born Sept. 21, 1973, at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City, S.D. She graduated from Custer (S.D.) High School in 1992. 
In February 1997 she gave birth to her daughter, Hailey. She graduated from Western Dakota Tech with an associates degree in business and marketing in May 2002 after giving birth in April to her son, Dylan.
She married Cory Polzine June 5, 2004, in Custer. Over the past 15 years she spent her time raising her children and managing two businesses with Cory.

Fred Weibert

Published by admin on Wed, 07/24/2019 - 2:59pm

Fred Weibert was born Aug. 13, 1929, at the family home in Big Horn County, Mont., to Henry and Mary Weibert. He was the second youngest of nine children.