Lloyd Sorlien, age 81, of Scotland, S.D., passed away Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, at his residence surrounded by family members. A funeral service was scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 27 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church (Stone Church) in Menno, S.D., with Rev. Dani Jo Bierwagen officiating. Burial will be in the Our Saviors (West) Cemetery, rural Menno. Visitations will begin at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Jan.

James Wesley Pfeiffer of Sioux Falls, S.D. and The Villages, Fla., 70, died unexpectedly at his home in Florida on Jan. 7, 2022. The son of Ruben and Hertha (Ulmer) Pfeiffer, he was born on April 1, 1951. Jim’s life was blessed by three children from his first marriage: Angie, Robbie and Tony. He was united in marriage to his life partner and best friend, Pam Bierwagen, on April 27, 1995. They were a great team in both work and life and spent 31 years together.

Lori Y. (Davis) Geier, the daughter of Howard and Carolyn Davis, was born Jan. 8, 1970 and died Jan. 3, 2022. She had a hard-fought battle at Avera McKennen Hospital but lost that battle. Lori is at peace now and will always be remembered for her bright smile and loving nature.

Scot Jacobson went to meet his Heavenly Father on December 27, 2021, at the age of 62 at Freeman Regional Health Services. A celebration of life was held Friday, Dec. 31 at the Salem Free Lutheran Church, Freeman. Scot Allen Jacobson, 62, also known by many as “Jake” or “Wiener,” went to meet his Heavenly Father on Dec. 27, 2021 at Freeman Regional Health Services due to complications from being a life-long diabetic. He was born to Charles and Mary Ellen Jacobson on Dec. 6, 1959 in Viborg, S.D.

Tammy Benjamin, 51, of Freeman passed away on Dec. 20th at Avera McKennan in Sioux Falls. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 28th at 10:30 am at the Salem Zion Mennonite Church of rural Freeman. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Monday, Dec. 27th at the church. Tammy Benjamin, 51, of Freeman SD passed away peacefully on December 20th, 2021 at Avera McKennan Hospital with her family at her side. 

Preston C. Hofmann, 53 years old from Yankton, S.D., passed away Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton of complications from COVID-19. A funeral service will be held on Monday, Dec. 27 at 11 a.m. at the Bethany Mennonite Church in Freeman, S.D. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 26 at the church with a time of sharing at 4 p.m.

Harley Schultz, 96, of Sioux Falls, S.D., passed away on Dec. 14 at the Luther Manor in Sioux Falls. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. at Faith Temple Church of Sioux Falls (2121 W. 33rd St.) on Monday, Dec. 20. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday at the church prior to the service.  Harley is survived by sons; Ron (Diane) Schultz and Larry (Kathy) Schultz, daughters; Jolene (Bill) Welker and Cheryl (Mike) Wheeler all of Sioux Falls, 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. 

Ruth L. (Graber) Koerner, 101, died on Dec. 2, 2021 at Oakview Terrace in Freeman, S.D. She was born to Ben and Minnie (Wilde) Graber on Oct. 31, 1920 in Freeman. Ruth attended St. Paul Lutheran Day School and Freeman High School, graduating as the salutatorian in 1938.

Phillip Berent Gunderson, 79, of Platte, S.D., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. A memorial service will be held Friday, Dec. 10 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Menno, S.D., with Pastor Theresa Jacobson officiating and Barb Ulmer playing organ. Honorary pallbearers are Shaun Gunderson, Enjoli Gunderson, Brian Gunderson and Xaviera Gunderson. Mount Funeral Home of Platte is assisting with arrangements. 

Marjorie Tallchief, renowned as the first Native American “première danseuse étoile” at the Paris Opera Ballet, died on Nov. 30, 2021 at her home in Delray Beach, Florida. She was 95. Ms. Tallchief was born Oct. 19, 1926, in Denver, Colo. Her parents were Alexander Joseph Tall Chief, a member of the Osage Nation, and his wife, Ruth Porter Tall Chief. Ms. Tallchief’s paternal great-grandfather had helped negotiate with the U.S. government for oil revenues that brought the Osage Nation incredible wealth.