On Nov. 11, 2022, Veterans Day, Vernon Handel (Colonel Retired) passed from this life into eternal life. He was 80 years old. Vern was raised on a farm in Menno, S.D., before catching the flying bug and attending the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree and an assignment to train as a fighter pilot for the Air Force. More importantly, during this time he also met the great love of his life, Connie, though, at first, she wasn’t so sure about him.

Gideon William Schaeffer was born on the family homestead located southeast of Menno, S.D. on Nov. 5, 1929. His parents were Wilhelm Jacob Schaeffer and Anna (Bender) Schaeffer. He was the seventh of 11 children.  Gideon was baptized by Pastor John Bodenman and confirmed by Pastor Erich Kaempchen at Saron Reformed Church in rural Menno.  Gideon died on Nov. 13, 2022 at Splendido (a retirement community) in Tucson, Ariz., at the age 93. 

Lorraine Ortman, age 96, of Bennington, Neb., formerly of Marion, S.D., moved to her final Heavenly home on Nov. 14, 2022. Preceding her in this journey and waiting to greet her is her husband, Harvey; her parents, Harry and Adeline Kaufman; her brothers, Lawrence and Maynard; and sister Anette; grandsons James and Stuart Berry, and in-laws: Sally Kaufman, Loretta Kaufman, Barbara Kaufman, Marvin and Edna May Ortman, Alvin and Arlyss Ortman, LeRoy Ortman and Arnold Becker.

Joan Joyce Smidt, 93, following the advice of one of her trademark expressions, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” crossed the bridge to her heavenly home on Nov. 4, 2022. Family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 at Miller Southside Funeral Chapel, 7400 S. Minnesota Ave., Sioux Falls, S.D. A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 9 at Miller Southside Funeral Chapel, with refreshments following the service. Interment will be at 3 p.m. Friday at the Menno Cemetery, Menno, S.D.

Anette Eisenbeis joined her Lord and Savior in heaven on Nov. 11, 2022, after many years of struggling with Alzheimer’s. A celebration of life was held Tuesday, November 22, at Salem-Zion Mennonite (North) Church of rural Freeman, S.D. Anette Ann Kaufman was born to Harry and Adeline (Boese) Kaufman on Oct. 25, 1934, in the southeastern South Dakota farm home in which she grew up. The fourth of six children, she joined older siblings Lorraine, Maynard and Alice. Younger brothers Lawrence and Sherman Roy completed the family.

Sharon Buechler, age 75, passed away on Oct. 18 at Oakview Terrace Nursing Home, Freeman, S.D. A funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Freeman, with Rev. Terry Makelin officiating.  Burial will be in the Menno Cemetery, Menno, S.D., at approximately 3:30 p.m. Visitations will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 23 at St.

Roger Allen Preheim “went home to his forever home” on Oct. 15, 2022 at the age 74. Visitation with the family present will be held Sunday, Oct. 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. at George Boom Funeral Home and On-Site Crematory. A celebration of his life as a family man and US Navy Veteran will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 24 at George Boom Funeral Home and On-Site Crematory. Interment will be held at South Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Roberta Senner Hofer, 74, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, on Oct. 5, 2022. The cause was complications from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Roberta was born to Robert and Rachel Epp Senner in Newton, Kan., on April 8, 1948. She grew up in Buhler, Kan., where she joined her siblings John and Rachel, followed by her brother Stan. Upon graduation from high school, she attended Bethel College in N. Newton, Kan., like her parents, grandparents, and older siblings before her.

Ray Mettler, age 100 of Menno, S.D., passed away Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, at the Menno-Olivet Care Center, Menno. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Oct. 17 at Zion Reformed Church, Menno.  Burial will be in the Menno Cemetery.  Visitations will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Sue Boersma, 73 of Monroe, S.D., passed away on Oct. 8, 2022. A memorial service was scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14 at Calvary Reformed Church, Monroe.