Bertha Preheim was born on May 4, 1937 to Herbert and Annie (Engel) Mehlhaff in Hutchinson County, South Dakota. Her younger years were spent growing up in the Kaylor, S.D. area where she learned how to be a very hard worker at a young age.

Jonathan Andrew Mendel was born to Sam J and Mary (Wollmann) Mendel of rural Menno, S.D., on April 23, 1931. At a young age they moved to a farm northwest of Freeman, S.D., where he grew up as the oldest of three boys. He received his high school diploma from Freeman Academy in 1949.

Carrol Langeland, 75, of Menno, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes on May 23 at his residence. A funeral service will be held Friday, June 2 at 10:30 a.m. at Peace Christian Reformed Church of Menno. Visitation will be Thursday, June 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Walter's Funeral Home in Freeman, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.   

James Merk, 64, of Freeman, S.D., passed away Monday, April 4, 2022 at the Firesteel Nursing Home in Mitchell, S.D. A remembrance of life service will be held on Saturday, May 27 at 2 p.m. at Walter Funeral Home in Freeman.    James (Jim) Robert Merk was born Aug. 12, 1957 to Clifford and Ardis (Pankratz) Merk in Freeman. Jim attended Diamond Valley District 56 and Freeman High School. He graduated in 1975. Jim lived and farmed on the family land until ill health necessitated his move to Firesteel Healthcare Community in Mitchell. 

Myrdes Ruth Steffen, 103, of Menno, S.D., passed away Thursday, May 4, 2023, at the Menno-Olivet Care Center in Menno. A memorial service will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 10 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Menno with Rev. Brian Moseman officiating. Inurnment will be in the Menno Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.

Clellan Becker, 80 of Marion, S.D., passed away on May 5 at the Freeman hospital. A memorial service was scheduled for Wednesday, May 10 at First Church of God in Marion.

Kenneth (Kenny) Handel, 88, of Freeman, S.D., passed away at his home on April 28. A funeral service was held May 6 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Freeman. Kenneth Johannes Handel was born on Feb. 15, 1935, in Menno, S.D., to Gideon and Verlinda (Aman) Handel.

Arthur J. ‘Art’ Haar, age 95 of Menno, S.D., formerly of Yankton, S.D., passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at the Menno-Olivet Care Center in Menno. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 2 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Yankton, with Rev. Steve Weispfennig officiating. Burial will be in the Menno Cemetery at approximately 1:30 p.m., Tuesday afternoon with Military Graveside Rites by the Rames Bender American Legion Post and the SDARNGHG.

Ronald White, 59, of Freeman, S.D., passed away unexpectedly on April 25 at the Freeman Medical Center. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 19 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Freeman.  

Donna Mae Rasmussen, 90, of Sioux Falls, S.D. and formerly of Bridgewater, S.D., passed away on April 17, 2023 at Dow Rummel in Sioux Falls. A funeral service was held at Zion Lutheran Church in Canistota, S.D. Saturday, April 22. Donna Mae Rasmussen was born outside of Bridgewater on Oct 31, 1932 to Willie and Marie Koepp. She was the fifth of seven children.