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Norma Jean Collier, 78, a public relations/advertising specialist, passed away recently in North Hollywood, California, after a lengthy illness. Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, SD is in charge of the arrangements.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:30 PM, Friday, January 23, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, SD. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. A Memorial Gathering of family and friends will be held in August.
Ms. Collier, a native of Yankton, South Dakota, moved to Washington, D.C., in 1948 to take a position in the U.S. Army Public Affairs Office at the Pentagon. While in Washington, she attended evening classes at the English Department of George Washington University. Later, she became the Office Manager of the Washington Office of Universal Motion Pictures Company.
In the late 1960's she was recruited by Surveys and Research Corporation, an international consulting team assisting the South Korean Government in conducting their first national census. During her three years in Korea she learned the language and developed a lifelong love of the Korean culture.
Shortly after returning to the United States in 1970, she took a public relations position at Universal's Motion Picture Studio in Hollywood. Eventually she became an Associate in the Los Angeles Office of Doremus and Company, a large national public relations and advertising firm.
In the mid 1980's she formed her own public relations and advertising company, Collier Associates, in Los Angeles. She was President of this business until her retirement.
She was an active parishioner of the St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church of Sherman Oaks, California, until her death.
Survivors include a sister Shirley Donegan Eldridge, of Omaha, Nebraska; a sister Dolores Collier McCulloch, of Alexandria, Virginia; a brother James Collier of Seattle, Washington; a sister Elizabeth Collier Hanna of Columbia, South Carolina; and many nieces and nephews. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth and Guy Collier of Yankton, South Dakota; and her two sisters, Evelyn Collier Schulte and Lois Collier Nelson.
Norma was a regular donor to a scholarship fund and the family wishes for memorials to be directed to: Sacred Heart Grade School in the name of The Elizabeth Donegan Collier Endowed Scholarship Fund, Sacred Heart Schools, 509 Capital, Yankton, South Dakota 57078.
Wayne E. Davis, age 77, of Mission Hill, passed away Thursday, January 8, 2009 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Yankton, with Rev. Dani Jo Ninke-Greaver officiating. Burial will be at the Garden of Memories Cemetery. Visitations will be 5-8 PM, Monday, January 12, 2009 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Art Sees, George Sees, Jim Sees, Bill Sees, Larry Benson, Lyle Haffner, and Bob Habeck.
Wayne Edward was born on February 15, 1931 to Walter and Hazel (Lilley) Davis at Yankton, SD. He attended Walshtown Grade School and graduated from Irene High School in 1949. He married Pauline Kotalik and farmed in the Walshtown area all of his life. He raised cattle along with ducks, geese, and chickens and supplied friends and neighbors with eggs. Wayne also operated Stockman's Cafe with his wife. He served on the Township Board and worked for the ASCS Office. He was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church where he served as president of the congregation.
He is survived by his sister, June (Jim) Olson Clark of Lakeland, FL, a sister-in-law, Ardelle Davis of Burke, SD, and numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother, Harold Davis, and sister, Dorothy Sundvold.
Veronica A. DeWitt, age 94, of Yankton, died Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, SD. Burial will be in the St. Columba Parish Cemetery, Mayfield, SD. Visitations will be 5 to 9 PM, Monday, December 1, 2008 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with the family present at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
She was born Dec. 20, 1913 in Jefferson, SD to MaeBelle and Alex Chicoine. She grew up in rural Jefferson and attended elementary and high school there. She married Elmer DeWitt in 1936 and they lived in Iowa for a short time before settling on a farm near Volin, SD while raising three sons and three daughters.
Years later, due to Elmer's declining health, they established a business which became known as "DeWitt's Service" located 5 miles south of Beresford on old Hwy 77. Their business served the community as a well-known local gathering point. Together, Veronica and Elmer created a fun, social atmosphere with their unique personalities and commitment to their neighbors. Elmer died of cancer in 1964. After the children left home, Veronica left Beresford to care for her aging father, and then moved to Yankton after his death.
Veronica was blessed with an extraordinary gift to create beautiful artistic handwork. She began developing her sewing ability in childhood and became a very accomplished and creative seamstress. Her handiwork included tatting, cutwork, quilting, needlepoint, cross-stitch, knitting, crocheting, tailoring and dressmaking. She used her ability to clothe herself, her children and others during tough times as well as for enjoyment and economic enhancement. Her other talents included ceramics, painting and anything else she found fun or interesting. Veronica's true inner beauty shined in all her lovely creations. Her attention to detail and intricacies was admired by many of her peers. She gladly & lovingly shared her creations with family and friends, and volunteered her sewing abilities to help the needy.
Veronica loved to play cards, so in her retirement years when her hands could no longer create her masterpieces, she played cards with her many friends, usually involved with numerous card groups throughout the day. She loved and was loved by her many friends who looked after each other, as she lived independently until her death. If her family couldn't reach her on the phone, she was probably in the community room engrossed in a card game or putting a puzzle together. Or she may have been at her computer playing four-deck solitaire, keeping her mind busy and agile.
Veronica was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Elmer, three brothers, two sisters and three grandchildren. Veronica is survived by her dear sisters, Theresa DeBoise, Sioux Falls and Charlene Merrill, McCook Lake, SD; children Robert (Diane) DeWitt, Lincoln, NE; William DeWitt, Yankton; Donna (Francis, deceased) Johnson, Sioux Falls; Jane (Pete) Anderson, Rapid City; James (Leann) DeWitt, Sioux City, IA; Sandra Nygaard, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Sheila Kay (Fejfar) Elle, age 43, of Okinawa, Japan and formerly of Yankton, SD, died unexpectedly at her home in Okinawa. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Monday, July 28, 2008 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. Ken Bain officiating. Visitations will be 5 to 9 PM, Sunday, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, SD with a scripture service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Brian, Steve, and Clayton Fejfar, Dave, Brian, and Bradley Elle. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Lynch, John Fontana, Walt Olenick, Bryan Glaser, Ron Trimble, and Mike Johnson.
Sheila Kay (Fejfar) Elle was born February 1st, 1965 in Glendive, Montana, the second oldest child of Bill and Laura Fejfar. Sheila attended Lincoln Elementary, Yankton Middle School and Yankton High School, all in Yankton, South Dakota. In 1981, she moved to Junction City, Kansas where she was employed at the Country Kitchen Restaurant. On June 20th, 1988, Sheila married Staff Sergeant Stephen Elle, U.S. Army, also of Yankton. They moved to Vermillion, South Dakota where Steve attended the University of South Dakota.
In 1991, Steve and Sheila moved to Fort Gordon, Georgia where Sheila began her career as an Army Spouse, a distinction she was quite proud to hold. Steve and Sheila welcomed their son Jordan into the world in September 1992. He has been the pride of their lives ever since. In 1996, the family moved to Germany where they served consecutive tours in Mannheim and Darmstadt. Along the way, Sheila became actively involved in the area of education, serving as a Teacher's Assistant in two separate schools while also serving as the Family Support Group Leader for A Company, 440th Signal Battalion. In 2000, the Elle's moved to Peachtree City, Georgia and then on to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas a year later. In 2002, they moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado where Sheila served as a Special Education Para-professional at Springs Ranch Elementary in the Falcon School District and continued her work with Army Family Readiness Groups. She was awarded the U.S. Army Signal Regiment's Bronze Order of Wahatchee, for her service to U.S. Army Signal Corps Soldiers and their Families. In 2007 the Elle's moved to Okinawa, Japan where Sheila volunteered numerous hours in support of several community activities, including the 58th Signal Battalion Family Readiness Group.
Sheila was quite proud to be an Army Spouse and loved the chance to travel the world and to meet new people. She has friends in places all around the globe. She has left an impact on the lives of many Soldiers and Family Members throughout her time associated with the Army. Her spirit and tenacity define what it means to be Army Strong.
She will be deeply missed by her husband of over 20 years Steve and their amazing son Jordan. They are the fire that fueled her engine. In addition to Steve and Jordan, Sheila leaves behind her loving Parents, Bill and Laura Fejfar of Yankton, South Dakota and Brothers Brian from Yankton, Steve from Elk Point, South Dakota, and Clayton from Las Vegas, Nevada. She was preceded in death by her grandparents; Bill and Helen Fejfar and Maurice and Mildred Hopkirk; and a stepsister Susan Fejfar.
Edna Fillaus, age 79, of Menno passed away Friday, July 25, 2008, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD. Memorial services will be 2:00 PM, Monday, July 28, 2008 at Zion Lutheran Church, Scotland, with Rev. Leon Schultz officiating. Burial of the cremated remains will be approximately 4:00 PM, Monday afternoon at Nikodym Cemetery, rural Utica, SD. Visitations will be 7 to 9 PM, Sunday, at the Opsahl-Aisenbrey-Kostel Funeral Home, Menno, SD, with a prayer service at 8:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike and Angie Fillaus, Mark Fillaus, Kristi Fillaus, Jennifer Fillaus, Jill and Jared Hohn, James and Heather Fillaus, Thomas Fillaus, Ashley Avery, Andrea Avery, Billy Avery, and Nathan Avery.
Edna was born on September 7, 1928 near Menno to Albert and Emma Zeeb. She attended a nearby country grade school. She married Edwin Fillaus on January 19, 1949 in Scotland. They lived and farmed near Scotland until 1985 when they moved to Menno. Edna worked part-time as a custodian for Zion Lutheran Church in Scotland and also as an aide in the Menno-Olivet Care Center. She was a devoted housewife and mother to her family. She also loved to bake and share her baked goods and garden produce with family and many, many friends. She had been a resident of the Yankton Care Center. She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Scotland.
Edna is survived by John (Vickie) of Scotland; Jim (Kay) of Lesterville; Frank (Mary) of Crofton, Neb.; and Diane Avery of Des Moines, Iowa. Two sisters, Gertie Edelman of Yankton; Leona Gall of Sioux Falls; on brother, Elmer (Verna) Zeeb of Menno; eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin; her parents; seven brothers Christian; Gideon (Pete); Ewald (Freddie); Eugene (Hank); Reinhold (Ronnie); Helmuth (Billy); and Ruben.
Donald C. Fuerst, age 73, of Yankton, passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at his residence. Memorial services will be 2:30 PM, Monday, July 21, 2008 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Yankton, with Rev. David Wildermuth officiating. His body was donated to the USD Medical School. Visitations will be 6 to 8 PM, Sunday, July 20, 2008 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, and then one hour prior to the service at the church.
Donald Christian Fuerst was born on September 28th, 1934 to Benjamin and Minnie (Weisz) Fuerst at rural Kaylor, SD. Don was baptized and confirmed in the American Lutheran Immanuel Parish in Kaylor. He attended school in Kaylor and was a member of 4-H and played baseball through his teen years. He worked on the family farm and attended Reisch American School of Auctioneering in Mason City, IA in 1955. Don enlisted in the US Navy in 1956. He served as the rank "Seaman", touring on the USS Engage, a minesweeper. He then returned to the farm in 1957. He started a career in sales when he began selling seed corn.
Don was united in marriage with MayDene Pietz on October 19, 1958 in Tripp, SD.
Don continued farming until 1970 before moving to Scotland where he sold life and health insurance. Don also worked part-time at Mel's Hideaway, Cargill and as a USPS rural mail carrier. Don later operated an auctioneering service specializing in farm sales, real estate, and collectibles.
Don moved to rural Yankton in 1984 and became a full-time USPS rural mail carrier in Brandon, Hartford, and Tabor. Don retired from the USPS in 2000.
Upon retirement, Don worked part-time at HyVee in Yankton and volunteered at Sacred Heart Hospital. Don also was an announcer for the polka show at KYNT radio.
Don's hobbies included collectibles, scrap booking, and listening to polkas. Don especially enjoyed traveling to many destinations across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Don never missed an opportunity to gaze at one more mountain. Don was also an avid Minnesota Twins fan and attended a game nearly every year.
Don served as a member of the Kaylor School Board, the Scotland City Council, and as President of the Bon Homme-Yankton County Rural Carriers Association. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton where he frequently served as an usher and greeter.
Don is survived by his wife MayDene of Yankton, sons, Kevin of Sioux Falls and Steve (Christy) and their children Ashley and Zachary all of Sioux Falls, and a sister, Karen Van Hofwegen of Coon Raids, MN and many relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Reta.
In memory of Donald Fuerst, the family requests memorials be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, 403 Broadway, Yankton, South Dakota, 57078.
Paul E. Giziewski, 83, of Wagner, SD passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at the home of his son and daughter-in-law Mark and Lydia Giziewski, in Yankton, surrounded by his family, after a battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, July 21, 2008 at East Lake Andes Lutheran Church, located nine miles northwest of Wagner on Hwy 281 with Rev. Bill Van Gerpen officiating. Burial will be approximately at 2:15 PM in the Yankton Cemetery with military rites. Visitations will be from 4-8 PM, Saturday, July 19, 2008 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton with a 7:00 PM prayer service. Visitations will continue from 4-8 PM, Sunday, July 20, 2008 at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory of Yankton and Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home of Wagner are in charge of the arrangements. Pallbearers will be Dean Weber, Dr. Scott Weber, Todd Weber, Tim Weber, Jason Weber, and Matthew Weber.
Paul Edward Giziewski was born Oct. 3, 1924, in Huron, S.D. to Ed and Anna (Quale) Giziewski. He graduated from Huron High School and attended Augustana College before joining the U.S. Army-Air Corps in 1942. He served in the Pacific Theater (New Guinea, Guadal Canal & Tokyo) as an aircraft radio technician before receiving an honorable discharge in 1946. Paul worked at the Farmers and Merchants Bank before starting his 35-year career with Armour and Co. He spent many years at the Armour's plant in Huron and later, established a buying station in Wagner, moving the family to a farm outside of Wagner in 1964. When Armour's sold out to Swift, he took early retirement and went to work for the Army Corp of Engineers at Pickstown, S.D. for a few summers.
Paul married Arlene Williams on August 14, 1948 in Rapid City and to this union four children were born. During their time in Huron, Paul was a member of the Presbyterian Church, Toast Masters, and the Scotsmen's singing group, active in the local PTA, and a Boy Scout leader. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion, on the Plaines Center Township board for many years, and active in the Presbyterian Church in Wagner as well as the East Lake Andes Church. Paul continued to live on his beloved farm after Arlene's death in 2002, staying busy maintaining the house and yard, and helping wherever and whomever he could. On January 25, 2008, a stroke sent him to the hospital in Yankton, where it was determined he had terminal cancer. He stayed in Yankton until his death.
Paul will be remembered for his love of his family, his farm, wildlife and animals in general, Lawrence Welk and music from the big band era, playing the piano and singing, and going to town for coffee and visiting. Paul and Arlene spent many years caring for their parents and other close relatives. They enjoyed visiting their children and families, friends and relatives and seeing many beautiful parts of this great country on their travels.
Paul is survived by his 4 children, Lynn (John) Hamill, Omaha NE., Paula Speidel, Belle Fourche SD., Mark (Lydia) Giziewski, Yankton SD., & Kevin (Kathy) Giziewski, Champlin, MN., 9 Grandchildren, John A Hamill, Anchorage, Alaska, Elizabeth Hamill, Lincoln, NE., Stephen Speidel, Belle Fourche, SD, Erin (Minseong) Speidel Kang, South Korea, Brian Speidel, Belle Fourche, SD., Tara (Terry) Giziewski Bush, Plankinton SD., Amy (Clint) Giziewski Bultsma, Plankinton SD., Scott (Mindy) Giziewski, Norfolk NE., & Michael and Matthew Giziewski, Champlin, MN.. 7 Great Grandchildren, Logan & Rylan Bush, Megan, Grace, Seth, & Evan Bultsma, Kenzie Giziewski, and 2 step great grand children, Josey and Tyler Kaiser.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Arlene on 6/23/2002, his sister Helen Johnson, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, DeVere & Delaine Williams.
Jeremiah Cole Haiar was stillborn at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD on Wednesday, November 19, 2008. Private family services will be held. Burial will be in the Yankton Cemetery, Yankton, SD. Jeremiah was the son of Wendi Cole and Daniel Haiar. He is survived by his parents and older brother Reese, sister Daisy, and grandparents Connie Haiar, Bob Haiar, Jean Cole, and Douglas Cole, Sr. Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, has been entrusted with arrangements.
Hallie Marie Hill passed away on Thursday, September 4-eight weeks after her 107th birthday-at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton. She was a skilled seamstress, accomplished in all kinds of needlework, a terrific gardener and a great homemaker. She was a gracious woman who loved God, and a quiet prayer warrior. She will be greatly missed.
Hallie was born July 8, 1901, the eldest child of Franklin and Julia Snyder of Harding, KS. She would be joined by eleven sisters and brothers, eight of whom survived to adulthood. The family moved to Kansas City, KS, on Armistice Day, 1918. In Kansas City, she met Russell D. Hill; they married on September 29, 1920. To this union were born two daughters-Dorothy (Mrs. Don L. Johnson) and Marilyn (Mrs. Charles Burke).
The Hill family moved to Yankton in 1936, and for decades were involved in many significant civic and social events. They were members of the United Methodist Church, and Hallie was a member of Yankton Women's Club and a Past Matron of Keystone Chapter #33, Order of the Eastern Star. She was also involved in politics, and was honored to be invited with other women of Yankton to the White House in 1960. After a decade of splitting their time between Yankton and Mesa, Arizona, in 1972 Hallie and RD relocated full-time to Mesa. They celebrated almost 64 years of married life before his death in 1984.
Hallie returned to Yankton in late 2001, and was one of the first residents to move into Majestic Bluffs' assisted living center. Among her immediate family, she was predeceased by all but one sibling and their spouses, by her son-in-law Don, and by her daughter Marilyn and son-in-law Chuck. She is survived by sister Millie Snyder Gilstrap, daughter Dorothy, five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will gather for a private burial. Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, SD, is in charge of arrangements.
Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. - Psalm 127:1
