Mary Ida Graber, 87, of Goessel, Kan., died Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021 due to advanced dementia. She was born June 20, 1933 on the family farm north of Freeman, S.D., the daughter of John and Matilda (Hofer) Nachtigall.

Kristy Waltner, aged 65, died Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021 at Oakview Terrace in Freeman, S.D. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Salem-Zion Mennonite (North) Church of rural Freeman, located at 27844 443rd Ave, Freeman, SD 57029. Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m., also at the church. Memorials should be directed to the Alzheimer's Association.

Irene Evelyn Schrag, 96, passed away on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 at Greencroft Healthcare in Goshen, Ind. from complications of COVID-19. She was born Dec. 12, 1924 in rural Hurley, S.D., to Adolph and Nettie (Wittrig) Preheim. In her youth she was baptized and became a member of Salem Mennonite Church in Freeman, S.D. She then transferred her membership to Salem-Zion Mennonite Church in Freeman upon her marriage to Harley Schrag on May 29, 1946.

Dr. Bruce R. Beier, 86, passed away Jan. 29, 2021 at Oakview Terrace in Freeman, S.D. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. at Bethany Mennonite Church in Freeman. Pastor Shane VanMeveren will officiate. Public visitation will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will be at the Freeman Cemetery. Memorial monies will be donated to the Bethany Mennonite Church television ministry.

Patricia “Tricia” Hohbach, 64, of Mitchell, S.D., died Friday, Jan. 15, 2021 at Sanford USD Medical Center and Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Patricia “Tricia” Hohbach was born Feb. 8, 1956 to Herman and Otillie (Bertsch) York in Menno, S.D. Tricia grew up on a farm outside of Menno in a sod house. At a young age she learned to have a hard work ethic. Tricia helped with the chores of the variety of farm animals and gardening. She graduated Menno High School in 1974.

Mark Hyronemus, 63, of Worthing, S.D., died Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020 at the Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D. Mark Edward Hyroneums was born Aug. 24, 1957 at Sioux Falls, the son of George and Juliette (Stoller) Hyronemus. He grew up attending school in Worthing and then Lennox High School. In 1975 he entered the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served as a diesel mechanic. His service took him to various parts of the world including stations in Tokyo, Japan and North Carolina, until his honorable discharge in 1979.

Vilma Joyce (Wipf) Hansen began her journey on earth on Feb. 18, 1929. She passed from this life on Jan. 23, 2021 after a brief stay at Centennial Hospice Cottage (Sanford) in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Lydia Elcock, 87, Freeman, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 19 at Oakview Terrace. No services are planned at this time.

Janice (Jan) Elizabeth (Schock) Engbrecht was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend was called home to be with the Lord on Jan. 16, 2021 at the Sanford Cottage Hospice in Sioux Falls, S.D. after a short battle with breast cancer at the age of 65.

  We have all read books or seen movies about men who have overcome great odds and lived to be an inspiration to others in their lives. Sometimes we are lucky enough to be the son, daughter, neighbor or friend to such a man. Larry Dean Tolzin, age 86, passed away on Jan. 8, 2021 in Phoenix, Ariz. Larry was born to Pearl and Lloyd Tolzin on Jan. 19, 1934 in Arlington, S.D. Cerebral palsy would challenge Larry but would never slow him down or define him throughout his life.