Gene Stucky was born in McPherson, Kan. on April 28, 1935. He was the fifth child of the late John and Lydia Stucky. He spent his first nine years in McPherson where he learned to speak English. He spoke German at home. He moved with his family to a farm near Freeman, S.D. in 1944. He attended and graduated from Freeman Academy. 

Donald Dale Miller, age 89, of Yankton, S.D., passed away Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021 at the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital of Yankton. A celebration of life will be announced in the spring of 2022.

Ruth Darlene Hofer Boehm, daughter of Rev. Jacob B. and Barbara Wipf Hofer, passed away on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Bridgewater, S.D. Ruth was born on July 21, 1935, on a farm in Hutchinson County, west of Dolton, S.D. In 1940, Ruth’s family moved to Dolton. Ruth was baptized at the age of 13 by her father, Rev. Jacob B. Hofer.

Jessica Lee Dykstra was born on May 17, 1988, to Gary and Nancy (Koehn) Dykstra. A beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend. She was baptized on June 26, 1988, at Bethesda Lutheran Church, Marion, S.D. She enjoyed the stories of the Bible and believed in Jesus.

Howard “Chance” Leroy Baughman, age 73, of Tyndall, S.D., passed away peacefully on Monday, Sept. 27, 2021 at Avera St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston, S.D., surrounded by his family, who loved him. Howard Leroy Baughman was born April 3, 1948 to Gertrude and Cassius Baughman in Fremont, Ohio. He has lived in Fremont, Mecosta Mich., Freeman, S.D., Olivet, S.D. and Tyndall, S.D. Howard married Susan Scully May 27, 1994 in Rockford, Mich. Howard had 13 children and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gilmore “Gil” J. Koepsell, age 96, passed away Oct. 27, 2021, at the Sioux Falls VA Hospital with his granddaughter, Michelle, at his side. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at St. John American Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, S.D., with burial to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the St.

Alice A. Goeken, age 88, of Scotland, S.D., passed away Monday, Oct. 25, 2021 at Landmann-Jungman Memorial Hospital Avera in Scotland. Her funeral was held Oct. 29, at the Scotland Community Church. Burial was at Ebenezer Cemetery, rural Scotland. Alice was born Thursday, March 2, 1933 to Emil P. and Bertha (Dewald) Friederich at Tripp, S.D. She attended country school through the eighth grade. Alice married Floyd E. Goeken on March 14, 1954 in Tripp.

Jessica Dykstra, 33, of Marion, S.D. and formerly of Sioux Falls, S.D., passed away on Oct. 31 at her home under hospice care. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Freeman. Visitation will be Tuesday, Nov. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Walter Funeral Chapel in Marion.

A memorial service for Lemoyne "Lefty" Ries will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27 at the Salem Mennonite (South) Church of rural Freeman, with a time of lunch and fellowship to follow in the church fellowship hall. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. at the church prior to the memorial service.

Funeral services were held for Marjorie Sayler on Oct. 15, 2021 at the Scotland Community Church. Burial was at Rose Hill Cemetery, Scotland, S.D. Marjorie JoAnn (Boschker) Sayler was born Wednesday, June 17, 1942 to John and Martha (Mesman) Boschker in rural Springfield, S.D. She was baptized Aug. 2, 1942 at Emmanuel Reformed Church, Springfield, where at the age of 17 she also made her confession of faith.