Search Archived Marriage Records
David Wilbur
Died: Feb 03, 2003
David A. Wilbur was born
on July 10, 1936 in Sioux Falls, SD to Myron and Alma (Gerken) Wilbur. He grew up and received his education in Sioux Falls and attended Augustana College.
David was united in marriage with Janet Buxton on December 3, 1966 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls. He worked for 29 years as a Public Safety ‘911’ dispatcher for Metro Communication and the City of Sioux Falls retiring in 1988. He was a member of the Police Pistol Team, the Moose Lodge, Elks Club and the Teamsters Local 749.
David was a man of many talents and interests, he enjoyed photography and was an avid fisherman and enjoyed camping, hunting and the outdoors. He was an editorial writer and contributed to many newspapers in the area and has had a number of his works published.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Janet, Sioux Falls, SD; cousins, Myron B. (Lori) Peers, Sioux City, IA, Glenn Akkerman, Rosie Williamson, Sioux Falls, SD, Lorraine Photenhauer; aunts, Esther Snyder, Mary Warwick, Edith Warwick; brothers-in-law, Ron Buxton, Forrest (Lori) Buxton, Rob (Dee) Buxton; sisters-in-law, Judy (Tom) Kascoutas, Barbara (Darrell) Schell, Kathy (Don) Shaw; special nieces and nephews, Missy, Jennifer and Brett, special friend, “Annie”, special friends, Brian Duffy, and Barb Fuhrwerk and honorable mention, Tracy Nyhus.
In addition to his parents and brother, Robert preceded David in death.
The family of David A. Wilbur thanks you for your support and presence today. An invitation is extended to join them at the church for refreshments and fellowship following the memorial service.
Charlotte Aleck
Died: Feb 04, 2003
Charlotte H. Aleck was born in Codington County, SD on November 10, 1917 a daughter of Edward and Frona (Zenor) Forsberg. She was reared with two brothers and three sisters and graduated from high school in South Shore, SD.
Charlotte married James Aleck on March 31, 1938 in Sioux Falls. Together they moved to Harrisburg where they raised their children and Charlotte was a homemaker. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Sioux Falls and the Senior Citizens.
The family requests memorials to the Pleasant View Cemetery Association.
Charlotte is survived by her three daughters, Arlys Loveland and her husband, Dale, of Sioux Falls, Ardis "Janie" Thomsen and her husband, Arlen, and Londa Vickerman and her husband, Dennis, all of Harrisburg; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and one brother, Verlon Forsberg and his wife, Aggie, of Modesto, Calif.
Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one son, James; three sisters and one brother.
The family of Charlotte Aleck thanks you for your support and presence today. An invitation is extended to join them at the church for refreshments and fellowship following the committal service.
Russell Goembel
Died: Feb 03, 2003
Russell A. Goembel was born in Luverne, MN on April 12, 1912. He grew up and received his education in Luverne.
Russell was united in marriage with Helen Egge on October 25, 1957. They lived in Sioux Falls and he worked at Sioux Steel for 17 years retiring in 1972. Russell and Helen wintered in Harlingen before moving there year round in 2001. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Moose Lodge.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Helen Goembel; sons Keith (Janice) Goembel, Brandon, SD, Glenn Goembel, James (Marvella) Goembel, Daryle (Sonja) Goembel, Bryce (Maragaret) Goembel, Larry Goembel, all of Luverne, MN; daughters, Barbara (Don) Ossenfort, Rapid City, SD, Diane (Dave) Stearns, Luverne, MN, Mary Ann (Gordon) Kerschmann, St. Peters, MO; daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Goembel, Valley Springs, SD; sisters, Mildred McKay, Marion Swenson, Grace Miller, all of Luverne, MN, Ruth (Lionel) Wetzel, Lake St. Louis, MO; 42 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, his sons, Clifford Goembel, James Branson, daughter, Sharon, and a brother, Don Goembel, preceded him in death.
The family of Russell Goembel thanks you for your support and presence today. An invitation is extended to join them at the church for refreshments and fellowship following the funeral service.
Gary Peterson
Died: Mar 17, 2003
Gary R. Peterson, husband, father, brother, son and grandpa went to be by God, March 17, 2003. He was at his home with his family.
Gary was born May 6, 1944, to Karl V. and Nellie (Clausen) Peterson in Webster, SD. Gary was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Butler Lutheran Church in Butler, SD. He attended rural school and graduated from Bristol Public School in 1962 and attended SDSU for one year.
Gary farmed in the Butler, SD area until he moved to Worthing, SD where he was an over the road truck driver.
Gary married Mary Opdahl March 27, 1978, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, SD.
Gary was a family man that cherished time with his family, especially the “after supper” talks. He enjoyed watching NASCAR racing and rodeos.
Gary is survived by his wife, Mary of Worthing; four daughters, Heather Larkin of Norfolk, NE, Kristin Brudvig and her husband, Matt, of Worthing, Michele Giese and her fiancé, Lane Pletan, of Sioux Falls, and Angela Ford and her husband, Elias, of Worthing; his mother, Nellie Peterson of Sioux Falls; two brothers, Randy and his wife, Sue, of Sioux Falls, Ron and his wife, Rita, of Conroe, TX; numerous nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his father, Karl.
The family of Gary R. Peterson thanks you for your support and presence today. An invitation is extended to join them at their residence for refreshments and fellowship following the committal service.
William Bettelyon
Died: Mar 17, 2003
William Bettelyoun was born May 14, 1951, at Pine Ridge, SD, to Percy and Geraldine “Cherry” Bettelyoun. Following his graduation from high school in 1969, he attended McCallister College in Minneapolis, MN, where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree. He then moved to Corn Creek, SD with his family. Willie moved to California where he attended Berkeley in pursuit of his Masters Degree. He also persued clinical psychology graduate work at JFK, University of Oklahoma, Evergreen College, and Sinte Gleska University.
Willie worked as Senior Planner for the Natural Resource Development Office at Rosebud, SD. He also worked part-time weekends with his brother, Alvin, at Video Masters. Following knowledge that he had contracted HIV in 1988, Willie dedicated his life to AIDS prevention education and public speaking. He was a member of the SD Board of Health, Native American Advisory Committee, SD, and was a consultant for the CDC in Atlanta, GA, and the Indian Health Services of Aberdeen, SD. Willie appeared on CNN, ABC, CBS and NBC and was a guest of the McNeil Lehrer News Hour. He also testified before US Congress on the matters of HIV/AIDS prevention.
Realizing that conventional preventative AIDS education would not be effective on the Reservations, Willie adapted the CDC AIDS Program and was instrumental in developing special teaching techniques and plans. He devoted his life passionately to the education of American Indian youth.
Willie was a champion Indian Dancer, and enjoyed being active in the Pow-Wow circuits. In his free time, he enjoyed going for long walks outdoors, beading and drawing. His gracious spirit made him quick to sacrifice of himself to benefit the well-being of others. Willie never waited for people to ask for help; his sensitivity enabled him to act first.
Grateful for having shared his life are his brothers, Gordon Bettelyoun, Phoenix, AZ, Alvin Bettelyoun and his wife, Kerry, White River, SD, his sister, Edith Marie Cope and her husband, Merle, Phoenix, AZ, and many nieces and nephews. His parents, and a brother, Percy, Jr, preceded him in death.
The family of Willie Bettelyoun thanks you for your support and presence today. An invitation is extended to join them at the Berakhah House, 400 N. Western Avenue, for refreshments and fellowship following the funeral service.
Marlyce Early
Died: Mar 17, 2003
Marlyce (Marcy) Early, 52, of Fargo, ND, formerly of Sioux Falls, died Sunday, March 16th as a result of an auto accident near New Effington, SD.
Marlys Mills was born October 17, 1950 in Devils Lake, ND. As a young child, she moved with her family to Sioux Falls. Marcy graduated from Washington High School in 1968. Later, she attended North Dakota State University where she graduated with a degree in Business Administration.
On June 13, 1969, she was united in marriage with John Early at the First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls. The couple has made their home in North Dakota since 1977. Marlyce was most recently employed in the reinsurance department of Pioneer Mutual Life Insurance where she was working at the time of her death.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, John, and their children, Richard, Nicholas and Alex, all of Fargo, ND; her mother, Betty Mills, of Sioux Falls, SD; one sister, Nancy Jones (Doug) of Fargo, ND; one brother, Steve Mills (Beth) of Sioux Falls, SD; and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Marvin Mills.
Louis Profilet
Died: Mar 17, 2003
Louis Emile Profilet was born February 11, 1923, in Batesville, MS, to William S. and Deirdre (Gowdy) Profilet, the youngest of five children.
He attended school in Batesville and Mississippi State University until he was called into Army Air Corps in 1943. He was then stationed at the Sioux Falls Airbase as a Lieutenant. While in Sioux Falls, he met Joyce Monger, who became his wife in May 1945. After the war, he completed his engineering degree at Mississippi State. He and Joyce returned to Sioux Falls and he began a career in structural engineering at Egger Steel. He worked there for 25 years before leaving to start P&M Steel in 1970. He ran his steel fabricating company for another 25 years and stayed on until his retirement in 2002.
He was loved by his family, his employees and his community as a generous and caring husband and father, employer and community leader. He was involved with the El Riad Shrine as a clown and a driver to the Shrine Hospital, a board member and trustee of the YMCA, a board member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and a member of Minnehaha Country Club.
He loved to spend time outdoors. Growing up in Mississippi, he said he never wore shoes. He was a star first baseman on the high school baseball team. He was an avid golfer for many years, enjoying the companionship of the players as much as the golf. He enjoyed fishing and pheasant and duck hunting. After he had his cabin in the Black Hills, he enjoyed the trout fishing and the outdoor life there. Lou was always up for a game of cards.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Bill, three sisters, Laura Scott, Dixie Erwin, Ginny Flint McCarter and his son, David. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joyce, his daughter, Sue (Bob) Mc Dowell, his son Tate (Mary), two grandchildren, Rob (Allison) McDowell and Katrin Profilet, and nieces and nephews.
The family of Lou Profilet thanks you for your support and presence today. An invitation is extended to join them at the church for refreshments and fellowship following the committal service.
Helen Kelly
Died: Mar 18, 2003
Helen was born to William R. and Anna Heller Neville on May 10, 1909 in Ida County, Odabolt, Iowa. As a small child the family moved to a farm near Sioux City, Iowa.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Wilhilmina and three brothers, Clarence, William and Earl.
As a young woman, Helen lived in Sioux City, Iowa and worked at T.S. Martins Department Store.
In 1929 she married H. William Junck. In 1949, Mr. Junck passed away after a long illness.
Helen married again in 1951 to Frank J. Kelly and moved to Sioux Falls. She became a member of Zion Lutheran Church and was also an active member of the Rebecca Circle and Guild.
As well as her giving of time and helpfulness with church activities, Helen had a flare for needlework and painting. She also found time to spend with her many nieces and nephews since she had no children of her own. She also was a great correspondent with those at a distance and loved writing and receiving word from afar.
She and Frank found enormous delight in visiting the Sioux Falls Zoo, the Falls and going fishing with family members and friends at nearby lakes and did some traveling throughout the western states. For family members and friends who visited there always had to be time for the drives about town to check out all the new sites.
Frank Kelly passed away in December 1974.
Helen was particularly close to nephew, William Neville, Sr. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and niece Marlene “Jo” Kunz of Trinidad, Colorado, who considered their Aunt Helen their second Mom. Helen also delighted in having the many other nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews come for a visit. In her home neighborhood she was known as the delightful Ma Kelly. Helen lived at home alone until July 2002 and cared for her flowers & other routine chores. She loved her visitors, friends and neighbors and always had a pot of coffee brewing and lots of stories to share for those who dropped by.
Helen’s faith in the Lord was extremely strong and was the first to take on the pleasure of leading others in daily prayer.
Helen was very outspoken but always had a terrific sense of humor and up until her final days always had a pleasant smile or a nice thing to say to those around her. She especially enjoyed the attention of the staff and fellow residents of K-NOPF’S Assisted Living, where she has resided since August of 2002. A special thanks goes to Barb Gottskalkson, Isaac Sorgdrager, Helen Crawford and the many other staff members and to Bud and Dorothy Larsen, her companions, for their support, care and affections.
A special thanks for the many cards and letters from friends and family members who were unable to visit Helen more often. She treasured those written words and would read and reread them and share her joy of their words with those around her.
A special thanks to Dr. Douglas DeHaan and the special care staffs of McKennan and Sioux Valley Hospitals and to the Zion Lutheran Church congregation and all others not previously mentioned for Helen’s care, guidance and/or friendship.
Oliver Fokken
Died: Mar 19, 2003
Oliver G. Fokken, 81, of 3900 E. 7th St. died Wednesday, March 19th at the Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Oliver Gerald Fokken was born October 19, 1921 in Turner County, SD to Gerhard G. Fokken and Martha Highstreet Fokken. He graduated from Chancellor High School in 1939 and enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He served at the Wind Cave and Badlands projects before his discharge in June 1940. He then attended the NYA School at Flandreau, SD, where he served as school commissioner and was then elected School President. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and was discharged in February 1946, he worked for Borgen Chevrolet in Sioux Falls, and in 1948, he started working for Hutton-Tufty Co. as the automobile painter. In 1973, he was honored by his co-workers for 25 years of service. He later purchased the Country Corner, known as Pumpkin Center, and opened his own paint and body shop. He was disabled by a stroke and retired in 1979.
He began volunteering at the VA Hospital in 1982 and served over 5000 hours by 1989, when he was no longer able to serve due to more strokes.
He married Patricia Donahoe on April 3, 1948 at St. Therese Church in Sioux Falls. He was a Charter Member of the Bertus Jurgens American Legion Post in Chancellor, a life member of Marquette Council Knights of Columbus, and the Arthur Muchow DAV, a member of the CCC local chapter 61, Blind Veterans of America and St. Therese Church. He served on the Building Committee of the Knights of Columbus and received the Herb Bechtold award in 1971. He served as usher at St. Joseph Cathedral, and was a track official at Soo Speedway and Huset’s Speedway for many years. He was inducted into Huset’s Hall of Fame in 2001.
Survivors include his wife, 4 sons, Mike (Monnie) of Sioux Falls, Denis (Mary Beth) of Yankton, Steve (Rhonda) of Yankton and Pat, of Sioux Falls; 2 daughters, Mary Griffith of Sioux Falls and Carol (Russ) Beard, of Columbus, GA; 5 sisters, Arlene Frier of Aurora, CO, Mildred (Tom) Sweetman of Sioux Falls, Beverly (Herb) Dressler of Lockport, IL, Ardell (Ray) Nielsen of Viborg and Muriel Burdette of Anaheim, CA; 17 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Bernice (Glenn) Smith of Wilmot, SD.
Elmont Baker
Died: Mar 21, 2003
Elmont Baker was born July 23, 1936, at Sioux City, Iowa, to Vernon and Opal Baker. He was raised near Hornick, Iowa and graduated from high school at Holly Springs, Iowa.
He was united in marriage to Evonne Shupe on July 23, 1957, at Hornick. The family lived in Sioux City, where Elmont worked for Sulzbach Construction and was a member of the US Army Guard. He also worked construction with the Hi-way Commission. In 1967, they moved to Turin, Iowa. Elmont worked for a feedlot caring for livestock. The family moved to Crooks, South Dakota in 1975, and started Baker Trucking. He retired in the late 1990’s.
A member of coin clubs, he enjoyed collecting coins and attending coin shows. Each spring, he and Evonne liked planting flower and vegetable gardens. He also enjoyed planting trees. Elmont was the recipient of a conservation award presented by Minnehaha County. In his free time, he and Evonne fished area lakes. She preceded him in death on August 15, 1999.
Kind-hearted and fair, Elmont was the ideal grandpa. He thoroughly cherished time spent with his grandchildren and loved ones. His deeply caring spirit will be well remembered.
Grateful for having shared his life are his daughters, Jackie Murray and her husband, Dave, Sioux Falls, SD, Julie Meyer and her husband, Alan, Crooks, SD; three grandchildren, Ashley, Katie and Zachary; his brothers, Elden Baker and his wife, Barb, Wausa, NE, Doug Baker and his wife, Stacy, Sioux City, IA; and his sister, Diane Baker, Williamsburg, KY.
The family of Elmont Baker thanks you for your support and presence today. An invitation is extended to join them at Calvary Episcopal Church, east of Miller Funeral Home, for refreshments and fellowship following the funeral service.
Marietta Gengler
Died: Mar 22, 2003
Marietta M. Crist was born December 9, 1931 at Ellsworth, MN to Ben and Margaret (Martini) Crist. Marietta grew up and attended school in Ellsworth, graduating from St. Mary High School. Marietta then attended McKennan School of Nursing in Sioux Falls. Marietta married Gordon N. Gengler September 5, 1956 at Ellsworth, MN. They made their home in Lismore, MN until moving to Sioux Falls in 1961. Marietta worked as a nurse at McKennan until 1966, then she stayed home to lovingly raise six children.
Marietta enjoyed fishing, gardening, canning and loved spending time at her cabin at Lake Poinsett. She also enjoyed spending time conversing with family, grandchildren and friends.
Marietta was a member of the St. Mary Catholic Church, St. Mary Altar Society and the Catholic Daughters of America.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Gordon of Sioux Falls; three sons, Daniel and his wife, Lucy, of Helena, MT, Jon and his wife, Therese, of Kansas City, MO, and Mike and his wife, Melissa Dirr, of Lincoln, NE; three daughters, Michele Gengler and her spouse, Deb, of Omaha, NE, Lori Gengler Olson and her husband, Brad, of Sioux Falls, and Patti Gengler of Omaha, NE; ten grandchildren; two brothers, Lawrence Crist of Cherokee, IA, and Ray Crist of Clifton, CO.
Marietta was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Rosetta.
Memorials may be directed to the St. Mary Catholic Church Foundation or for Mass services.
The family of Marietta M. Gengler thanks you for your support and presence today. An invitation is extended to join them at the church for refreshments and fellowship following the committal service.
Evelyn Kraft
Died: Mar 25, 2003
Evelyn Sorgdrager was born July 11, 1923, at Sioux Falls, SD, to Casey and Celia (Nieuwenhuise) Sorgdrager. She attended Washington High School.
On April 13, 1941, she married Richard Kraft in Sioux Falls, SD. The family moved to Portland, Oregon during the following year. Evelyn worked on the World War II Liberty Ships at the Portland Shipyards. They returned to Sioux Falls in 1946 where she became a homemaker and worked in Pediatrics at Sioux Valley Hospital. The family moved to California in 1966. Evelyn worked as a micro-welder and had assisted in making parts for the space program. They returned to Sioux Falls in 1988. Richard preceded her in death on March 19, 1991.
Evelyn enjoyed going for drives in the country and spending time with her family and friends. She cherished visits to see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Grateful for having shared her life are her sons, Kent Kraft, Sioux Falls, SD, Vincent Kraft, Brandon, SD, Bruce Kraft, Chino Hills, CA, Eric Kraft, Hartford, WI, Curtis Kraft, Sioux Falls, SD, Clair Kraft, Redondo Beach, CA; daughters, Lana Koester, Boynton Beach, FL, and Karen Kraft, Sioux Falls, SD; her brother, Roger Sorgdrager, Sioux Falls, SD, sisters, Helen Schultz, Sioux Falls, SD, and Jean Miller, Plymouth, MN, 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
The family of Evelyn Kraft thanks you for your support and presence today. An invitation is extended to join them at the Miller Funeral Home for refreshments and fellowship immediately following the funeral service.
Paul Bylsma
Died: Mar 25, 2003
Paula Ann Dupree was born June 11, 1940 in Gorman Texas. In 1947, her family moved to Snyder, Texas. Paula graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1962 and completed her M.A. degree in history at the University of Iowa in 1963.
Paula married John Bylsma on December 28, 1963.
Paula taught English and history for two years in Columbus Junction, IA and social studies and English for eight years at Patrick Henry Junior High in Sioux Falls.
Paula was an active member of First Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school and served on boards and committees. When the church sponsored Vietnamese refugees in the 1970’s, Paula began her involvement with the refugee community in Sioux Falls. Working with refugees became a lifetime joy for her. She was a volunteer and a teacher of English as a Second Language for Lutheran Social Services. Paula did not travel to very many parts of the world, but her refugee friends brought the world to her.
Paula was one of the founders of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls and was very active in its growth during its first years of its existence.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband John, Sioux Falls; daughter Amy (Dan) Engebretson, Fargo, ND; son David (Lisa) Bylsma, Ashland, OR; parents Bob and Henrietta Dupree, Snyder, TX; sister Dena (Ferrell) Bryant, Arlington, TX; grandchildren Ariel, Benjamin and Samuel Engebretson; Noah and Micah Bylsma.
The family of Paula Bylsma thanks you for your support and presence today. An invitation is extended to join them at the church for refreshments and fellowship following the memorial service.
Estes Fitzgerald
Died: Mar 30, 2003
Estes Fitzgerald, 89, died on Sunday, March 30, 2003, at her home.
Grateful for having shared her life are her nephew, William Matheson, Sioux Falls, SD; great-nephew, Chris Matheson, great-niece, Jolene Godschalk, and three great-great nieces and nephew.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Fitzgerald and her two sisters, Ruth Miller and Helen Matheson.
The family of Estes Matheson thanks you for your support and presence today. An invitation is extended to join them at the funeral home for refreshments and fellowship following the committal service.
