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Elton Bertsch, age 77 of Yankton passed away on Friday, July 4, 2008 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, July 11, 2008 at the United Church of Christ (Congregational), Yankton with Rev. Joe Schulte officiating. Burial of the cremated remains will be at a later date. Visitations will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are in the care of the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, SD.
Elton Emanuel Bertsch was born January 29, 1931 to Emanuel and Anna (Mettler) Bertsch in rural Eureka, SD. He passed away Friday, July 4, 2008 at the Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He graduated from Eureka High School in 1948 and from Yankton College in 1953. On his graduation weekend, May 31, 1953, he married his college sweetheart, Marilyn Christensen, with whom he recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. The two of them moved to Newton MA in 1953 where Elton studied at Andover Newton Theological School, graduating from there in 1957. After two years of working with the Youth Program at the Newton YMCA, the couple returned to Yankton. Elton began a life insurance business representing the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, which he continued for 38 years, retiring in 1997.
He was a member of the United Church of Christ, Congregational and over the years was active in his church both on the local and Conference levels. He was a past member of Jaycees, Life Underwriters organizations, Kiwanis and Golden K, and the Yankton Community Forum. He served on the Yankton College Board of Trustees and the Board of the Parkinson Association of South Dakota. Following his diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease in the fall of 1995 he and others formed the Yankton Area Parkinson's Support Group of which he was the facilitator for several years.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, a son, Brian (Linda) of Hopkinsville KY, a daughter, Sherry (Mike) Rockne of Yankton, and four grandchildren, Aaron Bertsch of Madison WI, Nathan Bertsch of Murray KY, Jason Rockne and Laura Rockne, both of Yankton. Also surviving are his brother, Ken (Marsha) Bertsch of Yankton, three sisters, Darlene Knecht of Yankton, Lucy Kuhn of Sacramento CA and Pauli McCarthy of Scottsbluff NE, a brother-in-law, Jack (Barb) Christensen of Yankton, and several nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, and a brother-in-law, Jonathan Knecht.
Memorials may be directed to the Parkinson Association of South Dakota, PO Box 87952, Sioux Falls SD 57109-7952, or to a memorial of your choice.
Patricia Anne Moriarty Bierle, of Yankton, died Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at Avera Sacred Heart Sr. James Care Center, Yankton.
Memorial services are pending with care by the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, SD. Pallbearers are Pat's grandchildren: Robbie Beard, Yankton; Collin and Lindsey Bierle, Little Rock, Arkansas; P.J., Maggie and Elizabeth Murray of Flagstaff, Arizona; Donald Leavitt and Timaree and Liam McKenny of Vail, Colorado. Pat was born August 18, 1928 to Charles and Magdalene (Marso) Moriarty in Marian, SD. She attended grade school in Marian and high school in Yankton after the family moved to what became her beloved hometown. She graduated in 1946 from Yankton High School where she was a member of the YHS Marching Band, student council, the Booster Club, the Quill and Scroll Club and the Woksape staff, serving as editor during her senior year. She worked at Northwestern Public Service for several years before and immediately after her marriage to Donald Arthur Bierle on June 6, 1950.
Pat was truly an extraordinary woman - a loyal helpmate to her husband of over 51 years, a patient and loving mother and grandmother to her seven children and nine grandchildren, a devout Catholic, a faithful friend, a kind neighbor, and an active member of the Yankton community.
Perhaps her greatest talent was her ability to accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously with great joy and success. Her Irish smile and laughter enriched those around her. Her children remember a gentle, patient mother who could make homemade fudge, supervise art projects, encourage piano practicing and cheer the Bucks and Gazelles to victory, even while she entertained unexpected dinner guests and reviewed voter registration lists for the Republican Party. Whether caring for a sick child or singing along with a trombone solo, Pat nurtured her family, inspiring them to find and use their skills and talents to good purpose. Her unflinching dedication to duty was an example to all who were blessed with her presence.
Pat was an accomplished artist. Under the instruction of the legendary Sr. Leonarda, she became an expert calligrapher. Her lovely oil paintings, charming hand painted china and exquisite calligraphy are all treasures cherished by family and friends. In 2000, Pat was inducted into the Yankton High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame.
Even as she focused her energies and talents on her family, Pat provided service and leadership in many area organizations, including Altar Society, Catholic Daughters, PEO, Beta, Questers, the Republican Party and the Yankton Area Arts Association. She was a founding Board Member of the Shrine to Music at the University of South Dakota and a generous philanthropist to community projects, including Yankton's Arbor of Life and Learning and the Yankton High School outdoor classroom.
Pat is survived by two sons, Mark Bierle (Kandice), St. Paul, Minnesota; Dr. Michael Bierle (Anita) Little Rock, Arkansas; five daughters, Mary Pat Bierle (Bob Beard) Yankton; Timaree Dodds (Bruce), Newton, Massachusetts; Peggy Murray (John), Flagstaff, Arizona; Patty McKenny (Patrick), Vail, Colorado; and Jane Leavitt (Howard), Vail, Colorado; nine grandchildren; one sister, Mrs.Robert Johnson (Lois), Vermillion, and three brothers, Don Moriarty (Maureen), Springfield, SD; Jim Moriarty (Geri) and Michael Moriarty (Lorraine) of Livermore, California.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother and one sister.
Her family is especially grateful to the dedicated staff of Sr. James Care Center, as well as those women who were devoted caregivers during Pat's last years, particularly Diane Cameron, Joyce Christensen, Loraine Feilmeier, Jannette Grass, Sharon Haas, Kim Neuhalfen and Lorraine Taylor
Memorials may be sent to the Patricia A. Bierle Nursing Scholarship at Mount Marty College in Yankton or the Benedictine Health Foundation of Yankton.
Emil Blaschke, age 95 of Yankton passed away on Thursday, November 6, 2008 at the Avera Yankton Care Center, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. Bob Lacey officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitations will be from 6-9 PM with a scripture service at 6:30 PM and a rosary to follow. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Tom Blaschke, Mark Kotalik, Cindy Schrempp, Jeff Schrempp, Ronnie Schrempp, and Tim Schrempp.
Emil was born on November 8, 1912 to Vincent and Elizabeth (Wuestewald) Blaschke in rural Fordyce, NE. On November 21st, 1938, he was united in marriage to Evelyn Schrempp at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Menominee, Nebraska. They moved to Vermillion and then bought a farm near Fordyce where they lived for the next 20 years. In 1962, they sold their farm and moved to Yankton, SD at which time, they became members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. For many years, Emil worked delivering machinery to different parts of South Dakota for Gunderson Implement. He then became employed by Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in the Laundry Department. He enjoyed managing the Walnut Hill Apartments and then the Sir Charles Apartments. His son, Jim passed away in 1985 and his wife, Ramona passed away in 1986, for which Emil and Evelyn helped care for their three boys part time. In 2000, Emil decided to retire. Emil was a great father who loved to dance and play cards.
His memory will always be remembered by his wife, Evelyn of Yankton, SD; his daughter, Janette (Dan) Kotalik of Lesterville, SD; five grandchildren: Tom Blaschke, Kelly Blaschke, Chad Blaschke, Mark Kotalik, and Lisa Kotalik; two sisters, Albina Schrempp of Yankton, SD and Elizabeth Buschelman of Coleridge, NE; a sister-in-law, Marcella Blaschke of Fordyce, NE, and many nieces and nephews.
Emil was preceded in death by his son, Jim and his wife, Ramona, four brothers: John, Joe, Benny, and Adolph, three sisters-in-law, and one grandson.
Shirley M. Bloch, age 69, of Yankton, died Monday, July 11, 2008 at Avera Yankton Care Center, Yankton, SD. A funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, with Rev. Paul M. Opsahl officiating. Burial will be in the Menno Cemetery at approximately 1:00 PM Tuesday afternoon. Visitations will be 5 to 8 PM, Monday, July 14, 2008 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Pallbearers are Roger Mehlhaff, Allen Schaefer, Brian Weisser, Gregg Weisser, Steve Bloch and Joe Vitek.
Shirley was born March 11, 1939 to Paul and Louise (Frey) Weisser in Tripp, S.D. She was baptized, confirmed and attended the Friedens Reformed Church in Tripp. She was raised on the family farm and attended country school through the 8th grade. On December 1, 1963 Shirley married Frank A. Bloch in Tripp and they lived on a farm Northeast of Lesterville, S.D. To this union two children were born; Paul and Kathie. She was a member of the Peace Christian Reformed Church in Menno, S.D. and Riverview Park Reformed Church in Yankton, S.D.
Shirley is survived by her children: Paul (Carmen) Bloch of Lesterville and Kathie Bloch of Yankton; grandchildren: Tyler and Devon Bloch of Lesterville; sisters: Velda Mehlhaff and Arlene (Lavern) Schafer of Tripp; brother: Harvey (Darlene) Weisser of Wagner; brother and sister-in-law: Alvin and Carol Bloch of Lesterville; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Louise, husband Frank, brother-in-law Ruben Mehlhaff, brother and sister-in-law Alfred and Lillian Vitek, and brother-in-law Edwin Bloch.
Delores Boerema, age 69, of Yankton, SD, passed away at her residence on Saturday, January 24, 2009 in Yankton. Funeral Services will be 10 AM, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, with Rev. Mercy Hobbs officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery, Greenwood, SD at approximately 12:00 PM, Tuesday. The family requests family and friends to share in a meal following the burial at the Wagner Community Center, Wagner, SD. Visitations will be 6-8 PM, Monday, January 26, 2009 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home with a 7 PM prayer service and a luncheon following the service. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Pallbearers will be LeRoy Blakey, Jessie Blakey, Brian Thornton, Frank Blakey, Tom Wright II and Christopher Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be grandson, Michael Boerema, granddaughter Kayla Brown, and all of her nieces.
Delores Jane was born on July 24, 1939 to Walter and Lena (Cook) Thornton at Greenwood, SD. She married John Boerema on November 2, 1957. She lived in Vermillion from 1956-2002 and worked at both the Vermillion Dakota Nursing Home and Home Health. Since moving to Yankton in 2002, she has worked as medication aide and care giver at Pine Lane Estates in Yankton. Delores is a devoted mother and grandmother who loved to read, watch the Food Network and most of all, she took care of all who needed help.
Delores' memory will be cherished by her daughter, Lisa Marie (Joel) Brown, of Rapid City, SD; son, Larry Boerema, of Yankton, SD; sisters: Rose Blakey, of Yankton, SD, Eleanor Snoozy, of Yankton, SD, Margaret Thornton, of Sioux Falls, SD, Marilyn (Tom) Wright, of Norfolk, NE and Carol Thornton, of Rapid City, SD; brothers: Marvin Thornton, of Sioux Falls, SD, John Thornton, of Yankton,SD, and Robert Thornton of MN; grandchildren: Brittney, Michael, Christopher, and Kayla and loving friend Gene Snoozy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Walter, Jr, William and Joseph, and sister, Charlen (Thornton) Stuhlmacher.
The family requests that memorials be directed to Pine Lane Estates, 2905 Douglas Ave, Yankton, SD 57078.
Arden Lance Brock 55 of Diamond Care Center Bridgewater (formally of Delmont, SD) died November 12, 2008 of long-term illness. He leaves behind a wife, Jean Brock (Lloyd) of Parkston, a son, Adam Brock and wife, Katie of Delmont, a daughter, Amy Brock of Yankton, a son, Alex (Marcy) Brock of Mitchell, and son, Gage Brock of Parkston, a daughter, Kellee (Leon) Ashes of Yankton, a daughter, Jennifer Rasmussen of Buffalo, WY and a son Paul Whately of Huron, a brother, Greg (Kathy) Brock of Pierre, a sister, Genie Wright of Sioux Falls, and brother, Doug (Deb) Brock of Huron, and six nieces and six nephews. He loved his family and friends. He loved to fish and hunt which he did most of the time when he was well. He has two granddaughters and grandson Emily and Kianna, and Cory Rice, who were the apples of his eye. He is preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, and a son. His honorary pallbearers will include his nieces and nephews, Nathan Nuss, Greg Stoebner, Janice and Randy Paulson, Jenise Pischel, Shantell Tramp, Lynna Filter, Jill VanDenOever, Viann Kummer, Dave and Lynn Jones, the Cournoyer Brothers, Stevie, Raymond, Donni, Bobby, Baptiste, Vinnie, Tommy, Gerald, Gary, and Joe and all the staff and residents (especially Patty) at the Diamond Care Center.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, November 22, 2008 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, SD. Visitation will begin on Saturday at 12:00 PM and continue until the time of the service at the funeral home. Lunch will be served immediately following the service at the funeral home.
Laura Orrie Burgess, age 91 of Torrington, WY, passed away Tuesday afternoon, November 4, 2008 at her daughter's home rural Menno, SD, under hospice care. There will be a private family memorial service held locally. Her funeral service will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the Dugan-Kramer Funeral Home of Morrill, NE with Glen Sparks officiating. Burial will be in the Forest lawn Cemetery, Morrill, NE. Visitations will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD, is in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers will be George, Frank, Carl, Fred, and Edwin Burgess, and Donald Kirschenman.
Laura was born in Lincoln, NE on November 18, 1916. She was the third child born to Frank and Jessie Watson. Laura's early years were spent on the family homestead in Sioux County, NE. As a child the family moved into an area north of Morrill, NE where they farmed. In 1982 the family moved to a farm 10 miles south of Torrington, WY. In the spring of 1935, Laura graduated from Torrington Public High School.
Laura married George Burgess on November 30, 1935 in Harrisburg, NE. They lived and farmed in the Torrington, WY area for many years. To this union were born 2 daughters and 5 sons.
Laura is survived by her husband, George of Torrington, WY; their children Edwin (Mary Jo) Burgess of Casper, WY, Fred (Heike) Burgess of Dallas, TX, Lois (Donald) Kirschenman of Menno, SD, Carl (Mary Lou) Burgess of Phoenix, AZ, Frank Burgess of Martin, SD, and George (Mary Alice) Burgess of Gillette, WY. Three sisters Jessie Finley, Orrie Gould, and Esther Terrell, and two brothers Leadore Watson and Harry Watson. 20 grandchildren and 45 great grandchildren and several great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter Jane and her husband Hal Davis, two sisters Claire and Bertha, and one brother Charles.
Edward E. Cahoy, age 79 of Tabor passed away on Monday, November 3, 2008 at the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center, Tyndall, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM, Friday, November 7, 2008 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor with Rev. Joe Puthenkulathil officiating and Msgr. Carlton Hermann concelebrating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with military graveside rites by Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Post #183, Tabor. Visitations will be from 2-6 PM, Thursday, November 6, 2008 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home in Tabor and will continue at 7PM at the church with a 7 PM wake service. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Friday. Pallbearers will be Gregg Cahoy, Chad Cahoy, Mark Cahoy, Jeff Cahoy, Ron Maruska, Roger Svanda, David Ruman, and Richard Wurts.
Ed was born on September 1, 1929 to Rudolph and Ella (Pishek) Cahoy in Tabor, South Dakota. Ed served in the United States Army as a Military Policeman from 1951-1953 and was stationed in Okinawa. On August 17, 1964, Ed married Norma Sommer at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston and to this union a son Dennis was born on December 9, 1965. Norma died on December 9, 1969 as a result of a car accident. Ed continued to farm north of Tabor until 1971 at which time he moved west of Tabor. On November 13, 1981, Ed married Irene Honomichl Carda at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church at Vodnany. Together they farmed until Irene passed away on January 19, 2000. Ed continued to farm west of Tabor until 2005 when he moved to an apartment in Tabor in 2006. Due to his failing health, Ed became a resident of the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center from September 2007 until the time of his death.
For many summers, he enjoyed playing softball with the Tabor Jets softball team. He always had a great love for being on the farm as anyone would know just by visiting with him. He was a past Commander of the Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Post #183, in Tabor. He enjoyed spending time with his grandsons on the farm.
Ed was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Catholic Workmen, Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Post #183, and the VFW Post # 6895 in Tyndall.
Those who will always cherish Ed's memory are his son, Dennis and his wife Debbie and their two sons, Cole and Levi Cahoy, all of Tabor; brothers, Steve and wife Jan, and Ray and wife Marilyn, all of Tabor; three sisters: Helen Maruska of Mesa, Arizona, Marie and husband Leonard Hisek of Tyndall, and Marcy and husband Lumir Ruman of Tyndall; many nieces and nephews; two step daughters, Mary and Doug Janssen and family of Tripp and Teresa and Wayne Bartlett and family of Kaylor; step son, Kevin and Connie Carda and family of Tripp.
Edward was preceded in death by both wives, Norma and Irene; his parents, a brother in infancy, Joseph, one nephew, Dennis Maruska, and brother in-law, Joe Maruska.
Robert Louis Christopherson passed away on the evening of November 16, 2008 at Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster, CA. Graveside services will be 9:00 AM, Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at the Gayville Cemetery, Gayville, SD with Military Graveside Rites by American Legion Rudolph Christensen Post #237, Gayville, SD. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, is in charge of arrangements.
Bob was born on February 18, 1951 to Ralph and Bobbi (Peterson) Christopherson. He was born in the Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton. His entire childhood was spent on the farm by Volin. He attended DeVoe Elementary School then he attended Yankton High School. Upon completion, he moved to Santa Monica, CA where his sister lived. He worked for a couple of years then he decided to join the United States Air Force where he was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert area.
After he served in the military, he went to work at Cal-Portland Plant in Mojave, where he worked for 30 plus years until he retired due to illness. He always had so much energy so he kept busy with a landscaping and roofing business. One of his roofing jobs took him to Hawaii. He made more than one trip to Hawaii, a place he seemed to love. You could see his face light up when he would talk about the things he saw there. In March, 1982 Bob married Sandy in Las Vegas, NV. All of their married life was spent in Mojave/Lancaster, CA area.
Bob is survived by his wife Sandy of Lancaster, CA; Son Jason (Sandra) of ND, daughter Amber of ID, his parents Ralph and Bobbi Christopherson of Gayville, SD, sister Michelle and nephews Chad (Deanna); and 4 grandchildren. He is also survived by many other family members and good friends that will miss the goodness of his kind heart and giving nature. Rest in peace, Bob.
