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Jerry Schmidt
Jerry Schmidt, age 92, of Milbank died
October 27th at the Milbank Area Hospital - Avera Health.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, October 31st at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Father Ken Lulf will officiate and burial will be in the St. Lawrence Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday at Mundwiler Funeral Home beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a scripture and rosary service at 7 p.m.Visitation will continue at the church Wednesday morning, one hour prior to the Mass.
Music will be provided by Nancy Johnson, organist, the St. Lawrence Funeral Choir and Tim Mundwiler, vocalist.
Honorary bearers will be his grandchildren: Peggy Leith, Debbie Lentz, Vickie Parker, Jeanne Parker, Deanna Parker, Becky Hartman, Christy Cullen, Josephine LaPage, Kim Ferguson, Lisa Coomes, Lynette Larson, Patti Bohn, Joleen Vissers, Napolean LaPage, Richard Schmidt, Theresa Schmidt, Doug Parker, Steven Schmidt, and John Schmidt.
Casket bearers will be grandsons: Darwin Wojahn, Kevin Wojahn, Jason Schmidt, Steve Huizenga, Darin Folk, and Chris Huizenga.
Jerry John Schmidt was born April 30, 1915, in Appleton, MN. He was the son of Edward and Ida (Block) Schmidt. He attended rural school near Appleton. He was united in marriage on June 22, 1939, at Big Stone City, SD with Mary Giessinger.
They lived in Geneseo Township, Grant County, SD and farmed together until 1967. They moved to Minneapolis, MN and Jerry worked at Modern Tool in Crystal, MN for ten years. Upon his retirement in 1977, they returned to Milbank. Mary died on September 24, 1994.
Jerry was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church.
Jerry Schmidt is survived by his six children: Patricia and husband Dean Parker of Milbank, SD; Lila and husband Neil Wojahn of Milbank, SD; Elaine and husband Gordy Folk of St. Michael, MN; Edward and wife Mary Schmidt of Big Lake, MN; Francis and wife Lorene Schmidt of Milbank, SD; and Richard Schmidt of Myrtle Beach, SC; 25 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary, one brother and five sisters.
Donald Benting
Donald Benting, age 68, of Milbank, formerly of Waubay died October 25th at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Funeral services will be Monday, October 29th at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Corona. Rev. Larry Johnson will officiate and burial will be in the Kilborn Lutheran Cemetery at Corona.
Visitation will be Sunday at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank from 4 – 7 p.m. and continue at the church on Monday, one hour prior to the service. Military honors will be presented by the American Legion, Birch-Miller Post #9 and the V.F.W. Grant County Post #3486.
Honorary bearers will be Brenda Richardt, LaVern Gregerson, Raymond Hatle, the Milbank Senior Citizens, the Ortonville Dialysis workers and his Co-workers at Enemy Swim Day School Bussing, Waubay, SD. Casket bearers will be: Charles Benting, Mike Dornbusch, Marty O’Farrell, Travis Brus, Henry Harms, and Gerald Peters.
Donald Henry Benting was born February 14, 1939, at Milbank, SD. He was the son of Bernhard and Martha (Harms) Benting. He attended school at Corona, SD. He served in the United States Navy, enlisting on January 16, 1957.He served aboard the U.S.S. Arnold J. Isbell and was honorably discharged on January 11, 1960.
Don returned to South Dakota and began his career of thirty plus years as a school bus driver. He also owned and operated a bar in Waubay for a few years. He loved driving the bus for the Enemy Swim Day School and enjoyed all the children. He was an avid Pinochle player and enjoyed playing cards at the Milbank Senior Citizens Center. He enjoyed fishing. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Waubay, SD.
Donald Benting is survived by three children: Todd Williams of Northwood, IA; Sarah Benting of Flandreau, SD and JoAnna Benting of Sioux Falls, SD; one granddaughter; three sisters: Rosella Peters of Milbank; Bertha and husband Marlen Buttke of Milbank and Marie O’Farrell of Marvin, SD; a sister-in-law: Viola Benting of Aberdeen, SD and his ex-wives, Corie Brown of Andover, MN and Edna Bender of Flandreau, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Herman, Alfred, and Harvey; one sister: Lillian Lage; a brother-in-law: John O’Farrell, a nephew: Allen O’Farrell, and a sister-in-law: Evelyn.
Alma Berkner
Alma Berkner, age 94, of Milbank died October 21st at St. William's Care Center in Milbank. Services are pending.
Irene Knebel
Irene, Mrs. Richard Knebel, age 90, of Milbank. Irene was called to Heaven on October 21st at the Golden Living Center in Milbank.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, October 27th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Father Ken Lulf will officiate and burial will be in the New Effington Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday at Mundwiler Funeral Home beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a scripture and rosary service at 7 p.m.Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday, one hour prior to the Mass.
Casket bearers will be: Troy Knebel, Paul Bremmon, John Bingham, Rory Bingham, Richard Olauson, and Shawn Richardt. Honorary bearers will be her remaining grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Music will be provided by the St. Lawrence Funeral Choir and Sandy Tucholke, organist. Tim Mundwiler will be the vocalist for the evening prayer service.
Irene Ann (Bruner) Knebel was born April 17, 1917, on the family farm northeast of Drake, ND. She was the daughter of Anton and Mary (Steiner) Bruner. She attended rural school and helped on the family farm. She worked in Minneapolis, MN for a short time. She was united in marriage on October 15, 1941, with Richard Arnold Knebel. They moved to Eden, SD. In September of 1950, they bought a farm near New Effington, SD and continued to raise their family. They moved to Golden Living Center in Milbank in 1997, and have continued to reside there.
Irene enjoyed gardening, canning, and sewing. She loved raising chickens and geese. Whether on the farm, the house in New Effington, or at their present residence, Irene enjoyed and treasured her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Her memory will be cherished by her husband, Richard Knebel of Milbank; eight children: Renetta Bingham of Fairbault, MN; Nyla Olauson of Sioux Falls, SD; Junette Carlson of Renton, WA; Arnold and wife Sharon Knebel of Webster, SD; Thomas and wife Sheila Knebel of Valley Springs, SD; Timothy and wife Trinda Knebel of Brandon, SD; Sara Lee and husband Jim Doland of Granite Falls, WA; Gerard and wife Katie Knebel of Tacoma, WA; a daughter-in-law: Mary Ann Knebel of Milbank; 22 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, and five great great grandchildren.
Also surviving are five sisters: Isabelle Rudnick of Harvey, ND; Florence Lemer of Minot, ND; Hilda Buckmeier of Rugby, ND; Rita and husband Ben Lemer of Harvey, ND and Joann and husband Edwin Schneider of Rock Springs, WY and a sister-in-law: Elaine Bruner of Minot, ND.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one son Roland Knebel, one granddaughter Stacey Marie Gaikowski, one great grandson Adam Richardt, two brothers: Larry and Otto Bruner; two sisters: Theresa Gutzmer and Loretta Lemer.
Ann Johnson
Ann Johnson, age 86, of Milbank died October 17th at the Ortonville Hospital.
Funeral services will be Saturday, October 20th at 10:00 a.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. Rev. Janine Rew-Werling will officiate and burial will be in the Milbank Cemetery.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Music will be provided by Sue Goosen, vocalist and Roger Goosen, pianist. A eulogy will be given by Dr. Susan Eleanor Haney. Honorary bearers will be all her dear friends.
Annie Merle Johnson was born March 12, 1921, at Big Spring, TX. She was the daughter of Spencer Franklin and Stella Ann (Pardue) Leatherwood. At age 16, she graduated from Coahoma High School, Coahoma, TX. She earned her degree as a Registered Nurse from Ft. Worth City School of Nursing in 1941. She was united in marriage in 1965, with Robert L. Johnson.
Ann worked as a nurse in several hospitals in west Texas, southeastern New Mexico, and Colorado. Her husband died in 1988, and Ann moved to Milbank, SD in 1990, and was considered a wonderful friend.
Ann Johnson is survived by one daughter, Donna Jones of Abilene, TX; one sister, Betty and husband John Blocker of Hobbs, NM; three nieces: Sue and husband Roger Goosen of Milbank, SD; Judi Dyer of Littleton, CO and Jenni and husband Neil Bagaus of Groveland, Florida and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, one son Steve Jones, one sister, Patty Hotchkiss, and her husband, Robert.
Caroline Reil
Mrs. Caroline Reil, age 78, of Wilmot died October 11th at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 16th at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Corona. Rev. Glenn Schultz will officiate and burial will be in the Garfield Cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday at Mundwiler Funeral Home from 5 – 8 p.m. and continue at the church on Tuesday, one hour prior to the service.
Casket bearers will be her grandsons: Christopher Reil, Joshua Reil, Jared Reil, Gary Reil, Dustin Reil, and Jacob Reil.
Caroline May Reil was born May 1, 1929, in Garfield Township, Roberts County, SD. She was the daughter of Carl and Irene (Buttke) Gerdes. She attended school in Garfield Township and graduated from Wilmot High School. She was united in marriage on June 27, 1947,with Roland E. Reil at Christ Lutheran Church in Wilmot, SD.
Caroline was born, raised, and lived all her life in Roberts County. She farmed with her husband for many years. She was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was active with the ladies aid. She had a strong faith and walked closely with the Lord. She took great delight and pride in her grandchildren and great grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them.
Caroline Reil is survived by five sons: Allen Reil of Milbank; Rodney of Wilmot; Tim of Jacksonville, FL; LaWayne of Missoula, MT; and Dennis and wife Karen Reil of Beloit, WI; one daughter: Kim and husband Bill Burke of Colorado Springs, CO; 15 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; one brother: LeRoy Gerdes of Great Falls, MT; two sisters: Lorraine Jallen of Anchorage, Alaska and Virginia Coleman of Orlando, FL, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Roland, grandson Drake, and one sister Marion.
Richard Arnold Knebel
Richard A. Knebel, age 92, of Milbank, formerly of New Effington, SD passed away on April 5th at the Milbank Area Hospital.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 9th at 10:00 a.m., at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Father Ken Lulf will officiate and the burial will be in the New Effington Cemetery.
Visitation will be at Mundwiler Funeral Home on Tuesday beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a scripture and rosary service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Wednesday, one hour prior to the Mass.
Music will be provided by Nancy Johnson, organist and the St. Lawrence Funeral Choir. Casket bearers will be: Konnie Bremmon, Lori Richardt, Troy Graham, Nick Knebel, Jay Ross, and Phillip Swann. Honorary bearers will be Richard’s grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
Richard Arnold Knebel was born August 25, 1915, on a farm northeast of Roslyn, SD. He was the son of Paul and Hattie (Fink) Knebel. He attended a rural school near Roslyn. He was united in marriage on October 15, 1941, with Irene Ann Bruner.
Richard and Irene farmed together on the Knebel homestead northeast of Roslyn, SD until 1950.They purchased their own farm five miles southwest of New Effington, SD and there they raised nine children. Richard and Irene retired from farming in 1976, and soon they moved into New Effington.
Richard moved to Milbank, SD eleven years later to be close to his wife, Irene, who was living at the Golden Living Center. He later also became a resident. Irene passed away on October 21, 2007.
Richard enjoyed farming, woodworking, nature, visiting, reading and helping others. His greatest joy was spending time with his children, grandchildren, and family.
Richard’s memory is lovingly cherished by his eight children: Renetta Bingham of Fairbault, MN; Nyla Olauson of Sioux Falls, SD; Junette Carlson of Renton, WA; Arnold and wife Sharon Knebel of Webster, SD; Thomas and wife Sheila Knebel of Valley Springs, SD; Timothy and wife Trinda Knebel of Brandon, SD; Sara Lee and husband Jim Dolan of Granite Falls, WA; Gerard and wife Katie Knebel of Tacoma, WA; daughter-in-law: Mary Ann Knebel of Milbank, SD; 22 grandchildren; 44 great grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; one brother, Lambert and wife Lucille Knebel of Sisseton, SD; and one sister in law: Verona Knebel of Roslyn, SD.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Hattie Knebel; his wife, Irene Knebel; one son, Roland Richard Knebel; one granddaughter, Stacey Marie Gaikowski; one great grandson, Adam Richardt; three brothers: Paul Knebel, Dan Knebel and Robert Knebel; and three sisters: Hattie Keintz, Isabelle Knebel and Amanda Michlitch.
Father Julius Armbruster
Father Julius Armbruster, OSB age 89, of Blue Cloud Abbey died October 2nd at the Wilmot Care Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, October 9th at 2:00 p.m. at Blue Cloud Abbey, Marvin, SD. Abbott Thomas Hillenbrand will officiate and burial will be in the Blue Cloud Abbey Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass.
Walton E. Wittrock
Walton Wittrock, age 76, of Milbank died October 5th at the Ortonville Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, October 8th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Father Ken Lulf will officiate and burial will be in the St. Lawrence Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday at St. Lawrence Catholic Church beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a scripture and rosary service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church Monday morning, one hour prior to the Mass.
Music will be provided by Nancy Johnson, organist and the St. Lawrence Funeral Choir. Honorary bearers will be all friends and family. Casket bearers will be his grandsons: Chris Wittrock, Jeremy Wittrock, Greg Wittrock, Tony Lesnar, Justin Taylor, and Cory Lesnar.
Military honors will be presented by the American Legion, Birch Miller Post #9 and the VFW Grant County Post #3486.
Walton Elmer Wittrock was born December 22, 1930, in Clear Lake, SD. He was the son of Fred and Martha (Schuknecht) Wittrock. When he was old enough, Walt began working at Hunter Granite Quarry.
Walt served in the United States Army, enlisting on April 28, 1951, and received an honorable discharge on April 1, 1954. He received the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Walt returned to Milbank and was united in marriage on June 9, 1956, with Lorraine Pepka. Lorraine died in 1984, following a cancer illness.
Walt worked for Hymen Freightways and Hunter Granite Quarry, and started his business in hauling garbage for the city of Milbank and surrounding small towns. Walt worked at the quarry until they closed in 1980,then worked exclusively on his garbage business. His sons, Randy and Dennis started working with the business, allowing Walt to semi-retire. Walt was united in marriage on September 12, 1987, with Ursula Flack.
Walton Wittrock is survived by his wife, Ursula of Milbank, SD; two daughters and sons-in-law: Connie and Dennis Lesnar of Milbank, SD; and Renae and Jeff Taylor of Milbank, SD; two sons and daughters-in-law: Dennis and Kim Wittrock of Milbank, SD; and Randy and Sherry Wittrock of Rochester, MN; one step-daughter, Dawn and husband Doug Borchert of Sioux Falls, SD; one step-son, Howard and wife Amy Roth of Overton, NE; nine grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents: Fred and Martha, seven brothers and sisters: Irwin, Ray, Bernell, Lily, Arlene, Elsie, and Harold, his wife, Lorraine, and one grandson, Lee Wittrock.
John T. "Jack" Berens
John T. “Jack” Berens, 66, of Green Valley, Arizona passed away on Saturday, September 29, 2007 peacefully at home, surrounded by his family due to cancer. A private family memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank, SD. Burial with military honors will be in the St. Lawrence Cemetery. A "Celebration of Life" will be held for all friends and family on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Pine Hills Country Club in Milbank.
Jack Berens was born on September 2, 1941 in Milbank, SD, the son of John W. Berens and Rosella (Englert) Berens. He grew up and graduated from Milbank. Right after high school, he joined the US Navy and proudly served 10 years. After his time in the Navy, he moved to Minneapolis and was a computer instructor at Control Data. He then moved back to Milbank where he owned and operated the Town House with his brother Jerry. In 1974 he served in the National Guard where he assisted with the recovery of the Rapid City flood. He managed golf courses in Kansas and an Elks Lodge in Colorado.
He was united in marriage on August 10, 1986 in Milbank, SD to Gladys Fryer. The couple lived in Minneapolis and he was the General Manager of Micro Matics until September of 1993 when they moved to Arizona. He was a member of the Elks, the Veterans of Foreign War, and the American Legion. He was also a Realtor.
Jack was an avid golfer and a huge Vikings fan. He had a sense of humor and was always ready to tell a joke. He especially enjoyed entertaining and spending quality, cherished time with friends and family. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.
Mr. Berens is survived by his wife Gladys Berens of Green Valley, AZ; Five daughters: Vickie Burchatz (Rick) of Watertown, SD; Kathy Wookey (Tom) of Clark, SD; Cheryl Hovde (Mike) of Vienna, SD; Jackie McNeil (Dave) of Warner, SD; Cindy Wientjes (Bryan) of Watertown, SD. Three step sons: Dean Fryer of San Francisco, CA; Gary Fryer (Shannon) of Rancho Murieta, CA; Randy Fryer of Sacramento CA. Eighteen grandchildren. Three brothers: Dick Berens (Deanie) of Milbank, SD; Jerry Berens of Corona, SD; David Berens (Dolores) of Colorado Springs, CO. Two sisters: Rita Ferri of San Marcos, CA; Phyllis Spanton of Sioux Falls, SD.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Beverly Boerger.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be given to the American Cancer Society or a local Hospice.
Blanche E. Brook
Blanche Eileen Brook, age 87, of Milbank died September 30th at the Milbank Area Hospital - Avera Health.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday, October 4th at 2:00 p.m. at the American Lutheran Church in Milbank. Rev. Janine Rew-Werling and Rev. Craig Werling will officiate. A private burial of her cremains will be at a later date in the Milbank Cemetery.
Blanche Eileen Brook was born October 22, 1919, in Cedar Point, Kansas. She was the daughter of Arthur Calvin and Nellie (Lowman) Crozier. She was united in marriage on August 21, 1938, in Ottawa, KS with Lawrence W. Brook, Sr. They moved to Bemidji, MN in 1945, and owned and operated a resort on Turtle River Lake. Later they farmed in the Solway, Guthrie, Puposky, and Turtle River, MN areas. Her husband died on November 2, 1993.
Blanche moved to Milbank, SD in the fall of 1995, to be closer to her son and family. She joined the American Lutheran Church where she met many new friends. She enjoyed participating in the Joy Circle, sewing and quilting. She also enjoyed family gatherings and spending time with her many friends from church and her apartment building.
Blanche Brook is survived by her son, Lawrence (Larry) and wife Peggy of Milbank, SD; two granddaughters: Tina and husband Bernie Balling of Milbank, SD and Tricia and husband Jeff Burton of Grand Prairie, TX; seven great grandchildren: Colton, Jessica, Laitlyn, Brooke, Taylor, Devon, and Payton; one step great grandson, Christian; four nephews and one niece.She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lawrence, and two brothers: Lance and Lester Crozier.
Olaf A. Aspelund
Olaf Aspelund, 93, of Wilmot, SD died September 23rd at the Wilmot Care Center.
Funeral services will be Saturday, September 29th at 10:30 a.m. at the Wilmot Lutheran Church. Rev. Steve Moberg will officiate and burial will be in the Wilmot Cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday at the church, one hour prior to the service. Casket bearers will be grandsons: Daniel Aspelund, Kahi Aspelund, Kahaku Aspelund, Kawohi Aspelund, Rhea Don Wingo, Matthew Aspelund, and Scotty Plumb.
Olaf Alvin Aspelund was born January 22, 1914, in Wilmot, SD. He was the son of Magne and Mary (Stenseng) Aspelund. Olaf grew up in the Wilmot area. He was united in marriage on May 3, 1940, in Wilmot with Anna Hansen. Together they farmed near Peever, SD for 28 years. After moving to Wilmot in 1967, Olaf worked as a policeman, a groundskeeper, truck driver and in road construction. His interests included card games, fishing, and throwing horse shoes.
During his life, Olaf served on church boards, township boards, and as director of the REA. Olaf’s woodpile was a legend in its own time. He was a member of the Wilmot Lutheran Church.
Olaf Aspelund is survived by his children: Patricia Wingo of Seagraves, TX; Daniel and wife Mauli of Kailua, Hawaii; Penelope of Alabama; Robert and Ann of Aberdeen, SD; grandchildren: Rhea Don and Claudette Wingo of Texas; Kahi of California; Kekela and Kahaku of Hawaii; Kawohi of New York; Melissa and Marcos Cooper of Oklahoma; Matthew of Maine; Scotty Plumb of South Dakota; Daniel of North Dakota; 8 great grandchildren, one brother, Walter of Rosholt, SD and one sister, Marie Hughes of Watertown, SD.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, one son David; one daughter Pamela and his dog, Jake.
The family suggests memorials be given to a favorite charity.
Father Tom Roznowski, O.S.B.
Father Tom Roznowski, O.S.B., age 82, of Blue Cloud Abbey died September 18th in a vehicular accident.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, September 25th at 2:00 p.m. at Blue Cloud Abbey in Marvin. Abbot Thomas Hillenbrand, O.S.B. will officiate and burial will be in the Blue Cloud Abbey Cemetery.
A Vesper Service will be Monday evening at the Abbey, beginning at 5 p.m., followed by a Wake and Vigil of the Dead Service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will be at the Abbey, beginning at 5 p.m. on Monday.
On September 18, 2007, our confrere and a founding member of our community, Father Thomas Roznowski, O.S.B. died after being involved in a car accident on Interstate 29 only a few miles from the abbey.
Father Thomas was born in DuQuoin, Illinois on May 9, 1925. He attended St. Placid’s Hall, the school for brotherhood candidates at St. Meinrad’s Archabbey, where he learned tailoring. In 1942, Father Thomas entered the novitiate, receiving the name Simeon at first profession a year later. He made final vows in 1946. In 1952, Brother Simeon was assigned to St. Meinrad’s South Dakota foundation. He was our tailor and also the baker, vestiarius, and house prefect. Simeon became Thomas once again when we were allowed to resume our baptismal names. In 1963 he assisted monks from Assumption Abbey in North Dakota at Colegio San Carlos in Bogota, Colombia. He did not remain there long because the altitude was affecting his health. The same situation existed when he arrived at our own foundation in Coban, Guatemala. Although Father Thomas did not remain in Latin America, he retained a basic use of the Spanish language. He was able to speak with the Hispanic people who are moving into this part of South Dakota.
Father Thomas worked on all of Blue Cloud’s missions in the Dakotas as a prefect in the boarding schools and later as a pastor. From 1972 until 1975, he prepared for ordination at Pope John XXIII Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts. He served as a priest at several of the mission parishes and in 1986 was named superior of St. Ann’s Mission, Belcourt, North Dakota. In 1993 he became pastor of St. Lawrence’s Church, Milbank, South Dakota. He remained there until 1998 when he became Director of the Blue Cloud Retreat Center and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the American Indian Culture Center. At the time of death, he still held these responsibilities. Another care of his was visiting the elderly and shut-ins among our neighbors.
Father Thomas was known for his charity among his confreres and the people he served outside the monastery. He was a joyous person whose presence was appreciated by all who knew him.
He lived simply and took hardly anything with him wherever he was assigned. He hoarded nothing—except every issue of The National Catholic Reporter which he kept in his room for almost a week.
For a number of years now, as we withdrew from the reservations and our community became smaller and smaller, Father Thomas often remarked, “It’s all over.” Life on this earth is indeed all over for him and it came so suddenly.
We ask the members of our monastic congregation and all other Benedictines to remember Father Thomas in their prayers for the deceased. His funeral and burial were at Blue Cloud Abbey on September 25, 2007.
Abbot Thomas Hillenbrand, O.S.B. & the Monks of Blue Cloud Abbey, Marvin, South Dakota
Fern L. Sigler
Fern L. Sigler, age 88, of Clinton, MN died September 12th at Northridge Residence in Ortonville.
Funeral services will be Sunday, September 16th at 3:00 p.m. at the Elim Lutheran Church in Clinton. Rev. David Hinrichs will officiate and burial will be in the Clinton Cemetery.
Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 4 - 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Sunday, one hour prior to the services.
Fern Sigler is survived by her eleven children: Wallace Sigler of Clinton, MN; Sharon and husband Robert Steltz of Big Stone City, SD; Karen and husband Bruce Espelien of Ogilive, MN; Arloa and husband Mark Ronglien of Big Stone City, SD; Jill and husband Jim Hoxtell of Big Stone City, SD; Ileta Herberg and special friend Darold Swihart of Clinton, MN; Wayne Sigler and special friend Rhonda Johnson of Clinton, MN; Kathy and husband Joey Stattelman of Ortonville, MN; Randy Sigler of Brookings, SD and his fiancé Janette Taffe of Bloomington, MN; Ricky Sigler of Clinton, MN; Terry and wife Roxanne Sigler of Clinton, MN; 36 grandchildren, 49 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, one brother: Gailen and wife Verna Schlimme of Clinton, MN; two sisters: Dorothy and husband Don Sales of Post Falls, ID and Merla Schlimme of Clinton, MN; a sister-in-law: Karen Hagen of Clinton, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
Fern Lorraine (Schlimme) Sigler, the daughter of Hugo and Celia (Engelking) Schlimme, was born September 15, 1918, on the family farm seven miles west of Clinton. She was the third of seven children. Fern attended District 7 School in Prior Township through the eighth grade. She grew up working on the farm and helped care for her younger brothers and sisters. As a young woman, she worked and helped other young mothers with their children and housework.
Fern enjoyed going to area barn dances. She met a handsome young man, Alvin Sigler, while he was working on a haying crew near Clinton. They were united in marriage on August 10, 1939, at Marietta, Minnesota. Fern and Al received farm animals for wedding gifts to help the young couple get their start. Twelve children were born into this family with the loss of the youngest, an infant boy named Todd Eugene. Mary Weinman helped Fern with the children and housework during their early years and has remained a close friend all through the years. Fern and Al lived on several farms until they purchased their final farm northwest of Clinton.
Fern helped on the farm with milking during the spring and summer months so Al could stay in the field. During the threshing season, she served a large hot meal at noon, and during morning and afternoon lunches she served sandwiches and cookies.
With the many babies in the Sigler family, Christmas money from Fern’s sister Opal bought a clothes dryer for the diapers and other clothes that used to be hung out in the freezing weather to freeze dry.
No one ever went hungry when visiting Fern and Al. The coffee pot was always put on when someone came to visit. Fern would offer a meal or serve goodies. Fern was known for her wonderful baked bread. She baked twelve loaves three times a week along with a pan or two of caramel rolls. Fern raised chickens for eggs and roasting. She sold eggs for grocery money.Fern received an award for raising the largest chicken in the shortest time from Moor Man’s Feed.
Fern worked nights as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Good Samaritan Center in Clinton. In later years, she worked in the laundry department. She worked for over twenty years at the Good Samaritan Center.
One of Fern’s exciting memories was in the summer of 1959 at the Big Stone County Fair. She won a new car! Fern had two minutes to climb over a six foot high fence to get to the stage. With help, not remembering who helped, she jumped the fence, even while wearing a dress and being pregnant at the time. She made it in time and claimed her new blue Chevrolet.
Family was always important to Fern and Al. There were many gatherings during holidays and most every Sunday there were visitors along with much food and chit chat. The kids rode “Teddy” the horse, played ball, and spent time in the playhouse in the grove. Fern will always be remembered for her quick wit and great sense of humor. She loved people and always enjoyed visiting with others.
Fern and Al were on the farm when Al died on September 12, 1987. Fern continued living on the farm for a couple of years and then moved to Clinton. In July, 2002, Fern moved to the Clinton Providence Center until June, of 2007. After suffering a stroke, she resided at Northridge Residence in Ortonville until she passed away on September 12, 2007, exactly 20 years to the day after Al’s death. Fern was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
May God bless the memory of Fern Sigler.
