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Josephine Ratzlaff, 88
Funeral services were held Dec. 30, 2008, at Grace Bible Church in Highmore for Josephine L. Ratzlaff. The Rev. Sheena Thomson officiated and burial was in the Highmore City Cemetery.
Josephine Leatha Ensz was born May 20, 1920, to Abraham D. and Elizabeth (Goossen) Ensz on a farm located between Lahoma, Okla., and Meno, Okla., in Major County, which was Cherokee Strip Land. She died Dec. 27, 2008, at Highmore Healthcare Center, at the age of 88 years, seven months and seven days.
The youngest of 12 living children, she received her elementary education at Pleasant Valley School and graduated from Oklahoma Bible Academy at Meno in 1937.
For a number of years, Josephine served on the O.B.A. Alumni Board. Upon high school graduation, she was too young to begin nurse’s training so she worked for a time with a doctor who had a practice near her home. Josephine gave care to new mothers and their babies in their homes. As her sisters began their families, she helped them, too. An experience often talked about was a trip that Josephine and a girlfriend took to California, where they worked in homes providing child care. But she was glad to return to the family and farm home in Meno.
At a wedding of her friend Sadie, Josephine, then a waitress, met the best man, Arnold Ratzlaff.
They were married Nov. 4, 1950.
With three young heifers, the beginnings of a milking herd, the couple made their way back to Arnold’s home in South Dakota. They started their married life on the former Melvin Mesick Homestead south of Highmore in Eagle Township. Upon arrival, Josephine immediately became active in the newly established church, Grace Bible of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, serving in various offices and as a Sunday school teacher, and sharing her voice for special numbers. Always at Arnold’s side, Josephine helped to establish their farm and home, even lending aid with carpentry skills and mechanics. Older brothers and sisters taught her well.
The home from which Josephine had come held much laughter, storytelling and sharing time with neighbors and friends. She soon adopted her new home and community. Spending time with other people was one of her greatest pleasures. A stroke took her to Hand County Memorial Hospital on Sept. 21, 2006, and she entered the Highmore Healthcare Center on Oct. 4.
She was a member of the Hyde County Historical and Genealogical Society and the Hyde County Senior Center.
Survivors include: her husband, Arnold, of Highmore; four children: Skyla, of Highmore, Elroy (Donita), of Highmore, Robin (Gary) Sivertsen, of Ree Heights, and youngest son, Durward, of Highmore; seven grandchildren: Wade (Kim), Cody (Jenny) and Shanna Sivertsen, Amanda (Mike) Wentlandt, and Christopher, Elizabeth and Ben Bleeker; five great-grandchildren: Dalton, Sheridyn, Sarah, Colby, Kaydence and Jocelynn; and one brother-in-law, Alvin Frey, of Meno, Okla.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Hulda, John, Anna, Mary, Elizabeth, Abraham D., Helen, Daniel, William, Henry, Mathilda, Louesa and Justina.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with arrangements.
Todd McCullough, 41
Todd Michael McCullough passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, in Des Moines, Iowa, at the home of his sister, Aimee, surrounded by family.
Todd had a lifelong passion for weight lifting and always loved ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Star Wars.’
In later years he found the Discovery and History channels fascinating.
Todd deeply appreciated the unflagging support of his mother, who was beside him through the six weeks surrounding the operation to remove his voice box last spring, and who was with him constantly through the final two months of his battle with throat cancer.
Todd will be missed by his mother, Linda (Pete) Obermeier; his sister, Tammy, and niece, Amanda (Josh) Burcks, all of Pierre; and his sister Aimee VanderMark; his daughter, Nicole McCullough; nieces, Dakota Mattos and Shelby Spencer; nephews, Jason Mattos and Benjimin Spencer; father, Larry McCullough; uncles, Michael Spencer, Vick and Jim McCullough; and his grandmother, Dorthy Mccullough.
Memorials may be sent to your local Hospice.
Ellen Waldron, 91
Ellen Waldron, age 91, of Huron, died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, at the Huron SunQuest Healthcare Center.
Her funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 27, at Welter Funeral Home, with burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, at Welter Funeral Home with family present from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; or Tuesday morning at the funeral home until time of service.
Carol Hanson, 61
Carol Hanson, 61, of Webster and formerly of Onida, died Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, at Sanford Hospital in Webster.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Webster. Burial will be at St. Otto’s Cemetery.
Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, then continuing at the church until 8 p.m.. with a 7 p.m. rosary.
Carol Marie Lesnar was born Thursday, Feb. 13, 1947, to Frank and Jeanette (Pischke) Lesnar at Webster. She was baptized at St. Otto’s Catholic Church in Webster. She attended country school near her home, St. Otto’s Catholic School in Webster and then graduated from Webster High School in 1965.
On June 10, 1965, she was united in marriage to Dennis Hanson at Webster. After their marriage, the couple made their home in Minneapolis and several other locations in South Dakota with his job. They returned to Webster in 1976. Carol was employed with Christensen Ambulance service along with being a homemaker and raising her family. The couple moved to Onida in 1981, where she was involved in business. She moved back to Webster in June 2008.
She was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Onida and Christ the King Catholic Church in Webster. She loved being with her grandchildren. She enjoyed playing cards and bingo.
Survivors include one son, Jason (Hilary) Hanson, of Pierre; two daughters, Dawn (Robert) Losco, of Webster, and Denice (Jerry) Schmuck, of Eagan, Minn.; her mother, Jeanette Lesnar, of Webster; two brothers, K.A. Lesnar, of Sioux Falls, and Tom Lesnar, of Webster; three sisters, Beverly Lesnar, of Holmen, Wis., Yvonne (Dale) Birney and Mary Ryan, both of Waubay; and eight grandchildren, Brandon Day, Megan Rilling, Courtney Day, Jessica Schmuck, Kieran Gray, Demeri Hanson, Chandler Day and Berkley Hanson. She was preceded in death by her father and an infant brother.
Edna Murschel
Birth date: November 17, 1930
Death date: September 29, 2010
WEBSTER- Edna Murschel, 79 of Webster died on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at Bethesda Home in Webster.
Her funeral will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, October 2, 2010 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster, Rev. Daniel Ostercamp will officiate. Burial will be in the Andover Cemetery. Closed casket visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Fiksdal Funeral Service of Webster is in charge of the arrangements.
Edna Mae Nelson was born on Monday, November 17, 1930 to Gust and Emma (Sand) Nelson at Webster, South Dakota. When she was a young child the family moved to Andover where she attended school.
On October 27, 1947 she married Earl “Butch” Murschel at Webster, South Dakota. After their marriage the couple made their home in Webster. She worked at Wist Produce, Peabody Hospital and also did house cleaning for many area families. In 1987 she retired and moved to Waubay. In retirement she worked at the Waubay Senior Citizens noon meal program. In April 2006 she moved to the Johnson Center in Bristol. She entered Bethesda Home in Webster in May 2010.
She enjoyed playing cards, bingo and dancing in her younger days. One of her greatest qualities was that she enjoyed taking care of people.
Edna passed away on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at Webster, South Dakota at the age of 79 years, 10 months and 12 days.
She is survived by one son, Leonard Murschel of Webster, SD; two daughters, Shirley (Jim) Aldentaler of Lino Lakes, MN and Sharlene (Mike) Heinen of Wahpeton, ND; a sister, Loretta Atkinson of Montana; a sister-in-law, Edith Hjermstad of Groton, SD; three grandchildren, Michael, Douglas & Michelle; six great grandchildren, Brady, Colin, Maylee, Tavia, Teagan & Taryn; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband (1998) and two brothers.
Bob Lily
Birth date: April 03, 1928
Death date: October 02, 2010
LILY - Bob Lily of Lily died on October 2, 2010 at Bethesda Home in Webster. Fiksdal Funeral Service of Webster was in charge of the arrangements.
Bob Lily, born Robert Lilienthal was born on April 3, 1928 at Wyandotte, Michigan. He was baptized at St. Joseph Church in Wyandotte. In 1940 the family moved to East Randolph, New York and he graduated from Randolph Central School in 1946. He was president of Randolph Seed Company and owner of Lilienthal’s Speed Shop. In 1965 he moved to Buffalo, New York. He was called in evangelism in 1975.
On January 1, 1983 he married Christine Burke at Buffalo, New York. He served as National Chaplain for the American Federation of Police and was Chaplain for FISH Christian Network in San Diego, California. The couple moved to Lily, South Dakota in 1997.
He attended Westside Wesleyan Church in Bristol. He was a member of South Dakota Farmer’s Union and Buffalo Plains Historical Foundation. He enjoyed hunting, car racing, reading and politics.
Survivors include his wife, Christine of Lily; four sons, Scott Lilienthal of KS, Joseph (Mary Rose) Lilienthal, Robert Lilienthal and Shane (Rebecca) Lilienthal all of NY; four daughters, April Infantino of NY, Mary Ann (Joseph) Scinta of NV, Tirzah Lily and Hannah Lily both of Lily, SD; one brother, Donald (Doris) Lilienthal of FL; thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Joseph Lilienthal, Jr., a sister, Virginia Lilienthal and an infant daughter, Rachel Ann Lily.
Hazel Johnson
Birth date: September 04, 1917
Death date: August 24, 2010
WEBSTER - Hazel Johnson, 92 of Webster died on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at Bethesda Home in Webster.
Her funeral will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, August 28, 2010 at American Lutheran Church in Webster, Rev. Jan FitzGibbon officiating. Burial will be at Webster Cemetery.
Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Friday 5-7 P.M. and prior to services on Saturday at the church.
Hazel Beatrice Tofley was born on Tuesday, September 4, 1917 to Alfred and Eliza (Sunford) Tofley on the family farm near Lynn Lake in Lynn Township, Day County, South Dakota west of Roslyn. She was baptized at Bergen Lutheran Church near Bristol and attended country school near her home.
On March 19, 1938 she was united in marriage to Donald Johnson at Waubay, South Dakota. After their marriage the couple rented a farm in Kidder Township north of Webster. In the early 1940’s they moved to a farm north of Holmquist in Kidder township. They rented the farm for a few years eventually purchasing it, they were engaged in dairy, beef and grain farming. The couple enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Bahamas and the western states. Donald passed away in December 1985. After his death she remained on the farm until 1996 when she moved to Webster. She entered Bethesda Home in Webster in 2007.
She was a member of American Lutheran Church where she was active in Circle and W.E.L.C.A. She also belonged to the Holmquist Helping Hands Club.
Hazel passed away on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at Webster, South Dakota at the age of 93 years, 11 months and 20 days.
Survivors include one son, Terry (Renae) Johnson of Webster, SD; one daughter, Connie (Lyle) Garcia of Buckeye, AZ; one sister, Agnes Larson of Milwaukee, WI; five grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers and two sisters.
Delores (Dutchie) Barse
Birth date: July 23, 1934
Death date: August 09, 2010
Delores Joanne Olson was born on Monday, July 23, 1934 to Clarence and Minnie (Owen) Olson on the family farm near Waubay, Day County, South Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Faith. She attended country schools near Waubay and Webster.
On August 12, 1951 she married Maurice Barse. After there marriage the couple made their home in Waubay. Dutchie held various jobs in the Waubay and Webster area to help support her large family including being a cook and waitress at various cafés in the area and also ran an upholstering business in the Webster area. Mr. Barse passed away in January 1968. She worked as Tribal Coordinator for the youth program for several years, also worked as a cook for the Senior Citizen Program at Enemy Swim and later as the Dietary Manager at Enemy Swim Day School at Enemy Swim for 15 years, retiring in 2005.
She was a talented and gifted quilt maker. She made star quilts for various celebrities, Congressional staff and community members. Her quilts have been requested both inside and outside of the United States. She has been recognized for her quilting excellence by various people. Dutchie also taught quilting to anyone that wanted to learn. She was also one of the founding members of Dakotah.
Dutchie enjoyed the companionship of her friends and all that came to visit. She always had the coffee on for visitors and food for those that wished to eat. Her favorite pastime was visiting with her son-in-law Gabe who always checked in with her daily. She appreciated his assistance and knew she could depend on him for anything . She also enjoyed the company of her grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and her brother Roger. She enjoyed her family and liked having everyone home for holidays and special occasions. She will be missed by many, especially the children she raised and the grandchildren who thought that grandma was the best.
Delores (Dutchie) passed away on Monday, August 9, 2010 at Waubay, South Dakota at the age of 76 years, 2 weeks and 3days.
Survivors include seven sons, Ronald (Lisa) Barse of Watertown, SD, Rodney Barse of Waubay, SD, Keith (Dawn) Barse of Waubay, SD, Mike (Laurie) Barse of Sioux Falls, SD, Kevin (Julie) Barse of Waubay, SD, Farlin (Wendy) Barse of Sioux Falls, SD & Greg (Tammy) Hentges of Watertown, SD; five daughters, Dixie (Jack) Gaikowski of Webster, SD, Pamela (Gabriel) Keeble of Waubay, SD, Rita (Kenny) Marx of Waubay, SD, Donnietta (Mike) Bernard of Watertown, SD & Kelly Jo (Ed) Robertson of Sioux Falls, SD; a brother, Roger Klebe of Sioux Falls, SD; special friends, Lorraine Ryan and Marlys Robertson; 39 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, an infant son & a granddaughter.
Her funeral will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, August 14, 2010 at the Waubay School Gymnasium. Fr. Les Campbell and Vernon Cloud officiating. Burial will be in Lakewood Cemetery.
Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Home.
Arlyce Rathbun
Birth date: May 30, 1927
Death date: July 31, 2010
Arlyce Bernice Rathbun was born on May 30th, 1927 to Martin and Christine (Ellingson) Romsaas on the farm north of Pickerel Lake, SD. After graduating from Sisseton High School, Arlyce continued her education at the University of South Dakota graduating with a teaching certificate in 1951. Arlyce married Charles Rathbun on January 28th, 1950, at Vermillion. They lived in Rapid City a short time until returning to Webster for the remainder of their married life. Arlyce moved to Sioux Falls in 1978. In 1995 she began wintering in Phoenix and spending summers at her beloved Pickerel Lake.
Arlyce was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster where she taught Sunday School and directed Junior Choir, sang in Senior Choir and was involved in Ladies Aid and Progressive Reading Circle. She was also active for many years with Jaycee-ettes, Girl Scouts, Eastern Star, Job’s Daughters, PEO and Webster Golf Club.
Arlyce died peacefully on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at Sanford Hospital, Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 83 years, 2 months and 1 day.
She is survived by her children: Mark (Terry) Rathbun of Sioux Falls; Kris (Kent) Hanson of Verona, WI; Bret (Lisa) Rathbun of Ft. Benning, GA; Stacy (Robert Kelsey) Rathbun of Eugene, OR and six grandchildren: Kathryn and Rebecca Rathbun, Kelsey and Kade Hanson, Evan and Alex Rathbun, her sister, Coyla Anderson, Madison, WI; two nieces, Collette (Robert) Halford of Chippewa Falls, WI; and Karen (Peter) Tegen of Poynette, WI; plus many other friends and relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister Bernice. Arlyce was an independent spirit, concerned about others, a monumental grandmother, loving mother and caring friend. Her servant heart and deep faith were uplifting to all who came in contact with her.
Her family will be present at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Friday 5-7 P.M.
Her memorial service will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, August 7, 2010 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster, Rev. William Olsen officiating, inurnment will be at Webster Cemetery.
Floyd Parks
Birth date: September 12, 1929
Death date: July 19, 2010
WEBSTER - Floyd Parks 80 of Webster and formerly of Butler died on Monday, July 19, 2010 at his home in Webster. His funeral will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, July 24, 2010 at the United Methodist Church in Bristol, Rev. Roger Parks will officiate, burial will be at Prairie Mound Cemetery near Butler. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Friday 5-7 P.M. and one hour prior to services on Saturday at the church. Fiksdalfuneral.com. Floyd was born on September 12, 1929 to Hugh and Nellie (Olson) Parks in Butler, S.D., the third of four children. He grew up on the family farm near Butler and was a member of the last class to graduate from Butler High School. Upon graduation he went into partnership with his parents on the farm. He served in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954 and was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After his military service he returned to the farm where he raised cattle and small grain until retiring in the early 1990’s and moving into Webster. Although he leased out the land, he continued daily drives to the farm to check the crops and always knew what the going price of wheat was. Floyd was a member of the Bristol United Methodist Church. He enjoyed traveling and visited several states including Hawaii and also took trips abroad to Norway and England where he was able to meet distant relatives. He enjoyed sports, especially softball and baseball. He celebrated his 80th birthday with a trip to Minneapolis for a Minnesota Twins’ game. Family was very important to Floyd and he kept in close contact with his nieces and nephews and took great pride in their accomplishments and those of their children. He is survived by two nephews, Roger (Beverly) Parks of Clitherall, MN; Ken (Barbara) Buhler of Pierre SD; three nieces, Janet Parks of Eden Prairie, MN, Clarice Buhler of Milbank, SD, Lenel (Don) Wolf of Brooklyn Park, MN; and five great nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Dale, and his sisters Ethel and Marjorie.
Larry Rexius
Birth date: March 12, 1947
Death date: July 13, 2010
WAUBAY - Larry Rexius, 63 of Waubay died on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at his home on Blue Dog Lake. His funeral will be at 1:30 P.M. Saturday, July 17, 2010 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster, Rev. Daniel and Rev. Kristin Ostercamp will officiate. Military interment will be at Webster Cemetery. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Friday 5-8 P.M. and prior to services on Saturday. Larry Robert Rexius was born on March 12, 1947 to Reuben and Mildred (Whelton) Rexius at Saginaw, Michigan. He was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church. He attended a Lutheran elementary school and graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1964. In September 1964 he entered the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the USS Orion at Norfolk, Virginia. On June 18, 1966 he married Sue Hahn at Shields, Michigan. While in the Navy he attended Class A Molder School. After his discharge in September 1969 the couple returned to Brant, Michigan. In 1974 he began his career in the foundry business, working for Saginaw Casting Company. In 1979 they moved to Minneapolis where he started working for Mereen-Johnson Foundry and in 1980 was transferred to Webster with the company and in 1988 assumed position as foundry manager. He was united in marriage to Marie (Tvinnereim) Shoemaker on December 24, 1995 at Webster. The couple made their home in Webster. In 2004 Mereen-Johnson Foundry was sold. In 2004 the couple sold their home in Webster and moved to their lake home on Blue Dog Lake near Waubay. Larry began working at Pier Foundry and Pattern Shop in St. Paul in 2005 but maintained his residence in Waubay. He retired in 2010. Larry was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster where he served on the Church Council where he served as President. He belonged to Webster Development Corporation, American Foundry Society and Herbert McKennett Post 40 American Legion of Webster. He enjoyed bowling, fishing golfing, yardwork and spending time on his pontoon on Blue Dog Lake. Most of all he loved and enjoyed his grandchildren. Larry passed away on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at Blue Dog Lake, Waubay, South Dakota at the age of 63 years, 3 months and 29 days. Survivors include his wife, Marie of Blue Dog Lake; two daughters, Robin (Tim) Jacobson of Webster, SD and Debbie (Mark) Loe of Baltic, SD; three sons, John (Angela) Shoemaker, Jason (Charla) Shoemaker and Joel (Alyssa) Shoemaker all of Webster, SD; his father, Reuben Rexius of Saginaw, MI; one brother, Dennis (& friend, Janine Skoglund) Rexius of Minneapolis, MN; one sister, Nancy (Blair) Smith of Kalamazoo, MI; and sixteen grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother and one sister, Sally Ferman.
Marjorie Moore
Birth date: October 02, 1918
Death date: July 12, 2010
BRISTOL - Marjorie Moore, 91 of Bristol and formerly of Fargo, North Dakota died on Monday, July 12, 2010 at Sun Dial Manor in Bristol, SD. A memorial service will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, July 17, 2010 at the United Methodist Church in Bristol, Rev. John Hisel will officiate. Mrs. Moore was cremated and inurnment will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday at Riverside Cemetery in Fargo. Visitation with family present will be 5-7 P.M. Friday at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster. Fiksdalfuneral.com. Marjorie Blake Cox was born on October 2, 1918 to Harry and Amy (Blake) Cox at Walnut Grove, Minnesota. At the age of five she moved with her family to Tracy, Minnesota where Marjorie attended kindergarten through high school. She then attended Tracy Junior College, an affiliate of Mankato State College for two years. She married Ralph E. Mick on August 15, 1940, making their home in Fargo, North Dakota. While Ralph was in the service she worked in California and then in Sioux Falls as a manager of Daschow Busch Ready to Wear & Furs from 1943-1946. They returned to Fargo where she worked as a secretary/bookkeeper for Paul Mark Manufacturing and Rothrock Publishing. She also worked for the F.A.A. Hector Airport. A daughter, Kimberly Ann was born in 1954. In 1961 Marjorie became an administrator assistant at Lewis & Clark Elementary School within the Fargo Public School system until her retirement in 1986. Her husband, Ralph passed away on December 16, 1976. On December 31, 1989 she married Wallace Moore, of Bristol, South Dakota, in Fargo. They made their home in Bristol and wintered in Corpus Christi, Texas for fifteen years. Marj entered Sun Dial Manor in Bristol in December 2006. Marjorie was a member of First United Methodist Church in Fargo where she sang in the sanctuary choir for 46 years and was active in the U.M.W. She was also a member of the Fargo Moorhead Federated Music Club, a women’s quartet, “Notables” Music Club Chorus, the Fargo Moorhead Opera Company, all of Fargo, the Octavo Study Club and Bristol-Butler United Methodist Church U.M.W. in Bristol. She loved traveling, especially to Florida and Kaluia, Kona, Hawaii. She shared her talent of music and friendship with many. Marjorie passed away on Monday, July 12, 2010 at Bristol, South Dakota at the age of 91 years, 9 months and 10 days. She is survived by her husband, Wallace Moore of Bristol, SD; a grandson, Evan Persen of Rice Lake, WI; a granddaughter, Jane Persen of St. Paul, MN; nephews, Floyd (Jill) Hansmeier and Keith (Theresa) Hansmeier both of Bristol, SD; nieces LaDonna (Arnold) Jensen of Westbrook, MN and Louise (Ralph) Oakland of Bristol, SD; great nephews, Jeff (Rhonda) Jensen of Buffalo, MN, Kevin (Jayne) Swanson of McLean, VA and Preston Hansmeier of Bristol, SD; great nieces, Amy Jensen of Westbrook, MN, Deborah (Ross) Johnson of Apple Valley, MN, MN, Becky Hansmeier of Dallas, TX, Heidi Oakland, Larissa Hansmeier, Amy Hansmeier, Desiree Hansmeier, Josie Oakland and Bethany Hansmeier all of Bristol, SD; six great-great nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Willis (Mary) Carruth of Village Mills, TX and special friends, Carley Watts of Minneapolis, MN and Jody Everson of Burnsville, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Ralph, a daughter, Kimberly Persen, a son-in-law, Tom Persen, a nephew, Jim Swanson, a grandnephew, Cornell Jensen and a grandniece, Paula Jensen.
Otto Czmowski
Birth date: February 12, 1915
Death date: June 14, 2011
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, June 18, 2011 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Webster, burial will be at St. Otto’s Cemetery.
Visitation will be at the church on Friday 6-8 P.M. with a 7:30 P.M. Rosary.
Family prefers memorials to be directed to Christ The King Catholic Church, 1101 E. 1st St., Webster, SD 57274.
Otto Czmowski was born on Friday, February 12, 1915 at Webster, South Dakota to John and Marie (Zepff) Czmowski who immigrated from Glatow, Germany. He was the youngest of nine children (6 boys and 3 girls). His mother died when he was two years old. He was raised on a farm southwest of Webster and attended St. Otto’s Parochial School completing the eighth grade.
At the age of nineteen, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and was involved in campaigns in Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Theatre Service Medal, American Theatre Service Medal, American Defense Service Medal, two Overseas Service Bars and several others. He was discharged on November 2, 1945.
He was a self-taught carpenter-mason, working on many homes in the region. At one time, while working in a trench at Castlewood, it caved in and he was buried over his head. He thanks his coworkers for digging him out in time.
He saw many changes in his lifetime. Highway 12 changing from a single-lane dirt road, the speed of modern vehicles compared to the Model T when he was growing up and farming with horses. Society and politics also changed with women voting, desegregation and now a black president.
He enjoyed volunteering with the Webster R.S.V.P. delivering meals and generally, just helping out. He never married, although he was close early in his life.
Otto passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at Webster, South Dakota at the age of 96 years, 4 months and 2 days.
He is survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters.
