Lawrence Wentzel, 91, of Marion, S.D., passed away on April 12, 2023 at Oakview Terrace in Freeman, S.D. A funeral service was held April 19 at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Marion. Lawrence Harlan Wentzel was born Sept. 4, 1931 to Charley and Hattie (Dirksen} Wentzel, 2 1/2 miles south of Marion.

Eleanor Edelman, 90, passed away Monday, April 10, 2023, at Monument Health, Rapid City, S.D.  Eleanor Jane Edelman, was born to Robert and Helen (Christopherson) Terrio, July 27, 1932, in Irene, S.D. 

Mrs. Doris De Hoogh, age 89, of Orange City, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the Orange City Area Health System, surrounded by loved ones. A funeral service was scheduled for Tuesday, April 25 at the First Reformed Church in Orange City, with the Rev. Mark Haverdink and the Rev. Timothy Breen officiating. Interment followed in the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City.

Nora Miriam Aisenbrey, age 103 of Menno, S.D., passed away Thursday, April 13, 2023 at the Menno-Olivet Care Center. A funeral was held Wednesday, April 19 at Peace Christian Reformed Church, Menno, with Rev. Ryan VanderWees officiating, with burial in the Menno Cemetery.

Dorothy Jane Miller, daughter of Lydia (Bender) and Simon J. Miller, was born March 11, 1931 in Gulfport, Miss. She grew up in Gulfport graduating from Lyman High School in 1950. She attended one year of college in Goshen, Ind. She held various jobs around Gulfport after college. Unsure of what she wanted to do she decided to volunteer with MCC. She chose to go to Brooklane Farm in Hagerstown, Md. While there she met Robert Thomas who was also a volunteer. They were married on Dec. 14, 1956.

Naomi Hofer, 93, of Bridgewater, S.D., left this earth for her heavenly home on April 3, 2023. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 14 at First Baptist Church of Emery, S.D. Visitation will be Thursday, April 13 at the church from 5 to 7 p.m., with a time of sharing at 7 p.m.

Luverne Mammenga, 91 of Menno, S.D., died Thursday, April 6, 2023 at the Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion, S.D. A mass of Christian burial was held Wednesday, April 12 at St. Boniface/Idylwilde Catholic Church, rural Freeman, S.D., followed by burial with military honors at the church cemetery. 

Barbara “Barb” Jean Olesen, 73, of Turkey Ridge, S.D., passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Sanford Hospice Cottage on April 9, 2023 after a brief courageous journey with cancer. A funeral service was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on April 13 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Hurley, S.D. Visitation was scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. April 12, also at the church. Interment will be at Spring Valley Lutheran Church Cemetery of rural Viborg, S.D, which overlooks the Turkey Ridge Valley and the Olesen Farm.

Paul K. Hofer, Jr. passed away at Freeman Regional Health Services on April 1, 2023 at the age of 75. Paul was born on July 24, 1947, at St. Joseph Hospital in Mitchell, S.D. He was the last of the 10 children born to Paul K. and Margaret (Gross) Hofer. He attended school in Spencer, S.D., graduating in 1965. After graduating high school, he started his career in farming with his brother Dwane Hofer while working part-time at the Spencer Elevator. In 1967, he bought his own farm where he raised crops, cattle and hogs for many years.

Calvin Ray Hofer was born to his parents John A. and Marie (Pullman) Hofer on Nov. 1, 1939. He joined two older sisters and two older brothers. He was later joined by two brothers and a sister who completed the family. Calvin grew up on the family farm with his siblings. He attended Cottonwood District 96, a rural country school ¾ of a mile north of Silver Lake through the eighth grade. He then attended Freeman Academy, graduating in 1957. Following graduation, Calvin enrolled at Freeman Junior College in the Teachers Education Course.