Shirley Wuertzer, 75, of Mitchell, S.D., passed away Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab in Mitchell. A funeral mass was scheduled for Wednesday, July 12, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell, with burial in Calvary Cemetery in Mitchell.

Lindell Jay Jensen, 58, of Freeman, passed away Friday, June 30, 2023 at Avera Sacred Hospital in Yankton, after a hard fought battle with cancer.  Lindell was born February 23, 1965 into the family of Eldon and Elsie Jensen.  He was the fifth child in a family of seven; Kevin Jensen, Vernell Jensen, Brenda Jensen, Joette (Jensen) Peterson, Keith Jensen, and Roxanne (Jensen) Hancock.  

Twila Kaye (Schaeffer) Kribell, age 62 of Freeman, S.D., passed away on June 22, 2023 after a brief illness. A celebration of life will take place at the Senior Citizens Center in Freeman on July 9 at 2 p.m. Friends and family are welcome to attend. A lunch will be provided after the service.

Xina Michelle Renata, age 69, lived in the community of Belmont Shore in Long Beach, Calif. She passed away Sunday, October 31, 2021 with her family by her side. Xina was born and baptized in Rural Freeman, S.D. to June and Walfred Heckenlaible. She married and had 2 daughters.

Earla Kaye Strid, 76, went to her heavenly home Saturday, June 24 at Avera Bormann Manor. A funeral was scheduled for Friday, June 30 at 11 a.m. at Geddes Community Methodist Church, Geddes, S.D. Visitation was set for Thursday, June 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Geddes Community Methodist Church.

Darline Bezug was born on Jan. 11, 1937, to parents Ted and Alinda Guthmiller in Yankton, S.D. She went to be with the Lord peacefully after a short illness, surrounded by family, on June 5, 2023, in Lodi, Calif. She was 86. Darline grew up on the family farm in Menno, S.D., and graduated from Menno High school. After high school she worked for a short time as a telephone operator and for the Farmers Union.

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.