PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
Track—Thursday, home for Pierre Legion Relays.
Boys tennis—Thursday, at Aberdeen triangular (vs. Central and Roncalli); Tuesday, home vs. Spearfish and Huron.
Girls golf—Thursday, at Parkston invitational in Mitchell; Tuesday, home for Pierre Invitational.

Girls basketball: Senior Emily Mikkelsen was selected as a second-team All-State player in Class “AA” girls basketball by the South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association.

Boys tennis: At a triangular on Monday the Governors lost to Sioux Falls Washington, 8-1, and lost to Brandon Valley, 7-2. Against the Warriors the Pierre point was earned by Luke Leingang at #6 singles. Against the Lynx Grant Judson and Leingang won their #5 and #6 singles matches, respectively.

DID YOU KNOW?

People who laugh a lot are healthier than those who don’t.

STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
Track—Thursday, at Pierre Legion Relays.
Golf—Thursday, at Philip invitational.

Track: At Kadoka’s meet, Brady Hoftiezer won the shot put at 50’9″, and Isaac Cliff won the pole vault at 8’0″. The Buffaloes’ 4×400 team placed second with Evan Nordstrom, Dylan Gabriel, Trevor Habeck and Reid Wieczorek carrying the baton.

SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
Track—Next meet April 25 at YTC meet, Gettysburg.
Golf—Next meet April 25 at Faulkton invitational.

COMMENT FOR THESE TIMES

In the spring I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.

— Mark Twain

WEDDING DAYS

June 8: Frank Turner/Jasmin Fosheim.
June 8: Joseph Rezac/Brittanie Blaseg.
Aug. 31: Devin Maki/Karlie Warne.

COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP

Northern Michigan women’s golf (Karissa Guthrie): At the Walsh Invitational played at Canton, Ohio, the NMU women placed third among 15 teams. Karissa tied for ninth place with a scorecard of 74-80=154. The Wildcats play this weekend at their conference championship meet at Augusta, Mich.

South Dakota State track (Rachel Propst, Riley Sears, Addy Eisenbeisz): At the Sioux City Relays Rachel placed third in the 1500 in 4:48.02, a personal-best time, and seventh in the 800 in 2:19.60. The Jacks send athletes to three meets in California this weekend and to the USD twilight meet next Tuesday.

South Dakota women’s golf (Katie Bartlett): Idle last week, the Coyote women play at the Summit League championship meet in Newton, Kan., Sunday through Tuesday.

Augustana women’s golf (Natalie Young): The Vikings were idle last week during the blizzard. They are scheduled to host their invitational in Sioux Falls Friday and Saturday.

South Dakota Mines track (Theron Singleton, Erick Colman): The Hardrockers went to a meet in Golden, Colo., after their own invitational was cancelled by the snowstorm. Theron placed 21st in the 5,000-meter run in 17:15.33. Mines competes next at the RMAC conference championships in Rapid City April 26-28.

Black Hills State track (Allan McDonnell, Kelsey Van Den Hemel): Idle last week, the Yellowjackets send athletes to three California meets and to the Blue Hawk Invitational at Dickinson State this weekend.

South Dakota track (Madason Tessier, Maddy McClure): The Coyotes send athletes to three California meets and to Northwestern’s meet at Orange City, Iowa, this weekend.

South Dakota State baseball (Landon Badger, Quinn Reimers): The Jackrabbits took two of three from NDSU in Summit League play. In a 5-2 win Landon was 1-for-3, walking once and driving in a run on a sixth-inning single. He went 0-for-4 in a 6-2 loss. In a 10-9 10-inning win in the final game of the series, SDSU scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to tie, then after the Bison had scored two in the top of the 10th, won it with three runs in the bottom of the 10th. Landon was 3-for-5 and scored once. On Tuesday the Jacks lost at Minnesota, 5-1. Landon was 0-for-3 and walked once. SDSU, now 16-15 overall and 9-6 in the league, hosts Western Illinois for three this weekend, then hosts USF Tuesday.

Minnesota baseball (Nolan Burchill): The Gophers lost two of three vs. Illinois in Big 10 play. In a 13-3 loss Nolan pitched two innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs and one walk, striking out two and getting one on a fly and three on grounders. In Tuesday’s 5-1 win over SDSU, he pitched one inning, facing four batters, hitting one of them with a pitch but getting the other three on ground balls. Now 16-18 overall and 7-5 in the Big 10, Minnesota is out of the conference this weekend for three home games vs. Oklahoma.

Augustana baseball (Peyton Zabel): The Vikings split a doubleheader with Minnesota-Crookston, took two of three vs. Concordia-St. Paul, and swept a twinbill over USF. Now 27-11 overall and 20-4 in the NSIC, Augie hosts Winona State for three this weekend.

Northern baseball (Spencer Sarringar): The Wolves lost two to Minnesota State, lost all three over the weekend to Minot State and swept two from Minnesota-Duluth. In a 14-1 loss to Minnesota State, Spencer went 0-for-3. He was 1-for-1 in a 7-1 loss. He played in one of the Minot games, going 1-for-3 in a 4-0 loss. In a 13-8 win over UMD, Spencer was 2-for-4 and walked once. Now 15-19 overall and 10-13 in the NSIC, Northern is home for three vs. Bemidji State this weekend.

WORDS OF WISDOM

A torn jacket is soon mended, but hard words bruise the heart of a child.

— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

ZESTO SHERBET SCHEDULE

Thursday: coconut.
Friday-Sunday: raspberry cheesecake.
Monday-Tuesday: kiwi.
Wednesday-Thursday: huckleberry.

GOLF UPDATE

PGA Champions Tour (Tom Byrum): Idle last weekend, the Champions Tour resumes Friday through Sunday at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic at Duluth, Ga.

FOOTBALL UPDATE

Sioux Falls Storm: The Storm had an open date last weekend. They return to action at home vs. Iowa this Saturday.

BASEBALL UPDATE

Pierre high school baseball: The Governors’ games last week were called off due to the blizzard. Pierre was scheduled to play a doubleheader at Rapid City Stevens last night and will be home against Mitchell Friday.

Pierre Trappers: The latest newcomer to be signed by the Trappers for their second season in the Expedition League is junior pitcher Tiger Cox from Trevecca Nazarene University. His hometown is Nolensville, Tenn.

Minnesota Twins:
Thursday—Toronto, 12:10 (FSN).
Friday—at Baltimore, 6:05 (FSN).
Saturday—at Baltimore, 6:05 (FSN).
Sunday—at Baltimore, 12:05 (FSN).
Monday—at Houston, 7:10 (FSN).
Tuesday—at Houston, 7:10 (FSN).
Wednesday—at Houston, 7:10 (FSN).

Chicago Cubs:
Friday—Arizona, 1:20 (MLBN).
Saturday—Arizona, 1:20.
Sunday—Arizona, 1:20.
Tuesday—Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:05 (MLBN).
Wednesday—Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:05.

Colorado Rockies (times MDT):
Thursday—Philadelphia, 6:40.
Friday—Philadelphia, 6:40.
Saturday—Philadelphia, 6:10.
Sunday—Philadelphia, 1:10.
Monday—Washington, 6:40.
Tuesday—Washington, 6:40.
Wednesday—Washington, 1:10.

HOW TRUE IT IS!

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.

— Anne Bradstreet

SOCCER UPDATE

Sioux Falls Thunder FC: The Thunder opens the season at Duluth FC May 5.

Minnesota United FC: The Loons christened their new Allianz Field stadium with a 3-3 tie against New York City FC. Now 3-2-1 and in sixth place among 12 teams in the MLS Western Conference, Minnesota plays at Toronto Friday.

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Thursday, April 18:
Carly Myers, Harper Pool, Doug Jennewein, Leo Mortenson, Josia Fuerst, Jackie Haggin, Scott Raue, Nathaniel Gough, Darrel Curtis, Blake Yackley.
— Anniversary, Reed/Tiffany Alt.

Friday, April 19:
Rhonda (Massey) Watson, Amanda Nielsen, Brooks Garrett, Shane Prunty, Erin (Nielsen) Nielsen, Kerry (Leuning) Rosane, Sawyer Garrett, Olivia Perli, Joe Mauer, Sandii Bartels, Robert Sautner, Cheri (Olinger) Raymond.

Saturday, April 20:
Michael Burke, Elaina Rounrds, Ty Holsteen, Kristin (Viken) Carlson, Jim Sutton, Steven Gordon, Marlee Casanova, Ryan Parker Knox, Linda Euneau.
— 6th anniversary, Troy/Bonnie (Pitlick) Rus.

Sunday, April 21:
Olivia Graff, Kara (Kurth) Kuiper, Danyelle Angyal, Colette Kemink, Donna Cole, Adam Bertsch, Mira Garrett, Melissa Gosselin, Alexander Becker, Vicki (Kinder) Rapp, Ava Stoeser, Teresa (Zebroski) Murdoch, Neil Nemec, Larissa Fasthorse.
— 7th anniversary, Jake/Tara Johnson.
We fondly remember Hyrma Zakahi on her birthday.

Monday, April 22:
Tim Schmidt, Lindsey (Jungwirth) Costello, Bonnie Bauder, Bob Burke, Sandra Hepper, Mark Livermont.
— Anniversary, Mike/Jean Rounds.
— 13th anniversary, Todd/DeNeil (Hosman) Taylor.

Tuesday, April 23:
Grady Gilmore, Shirley Bonhorst, Heather Sperry, Gracie (Lindbloom) Curtis, Dusty Paulsen, Teva Snodgrass, Karen (Cremer) Hofer, Preston Mohlman, Scott Carbonneau, Tara Jo St. Germaine.
— 8th anniversary, Brian/Sarah Custer.

Wednesday, April 24:
Damian Dieken, Terry Larsen, Sean Devine, Karissa Guthrie, Dave Lingle, Phil Leidholt, Autumn Bryant, Briggs Goehring.
— 9th anniversary, Joel/Kelly (Johnson) Metz.
— 7th anniversary, Dustin/Kayla (Gallimore) Witt.
— 37th anniversary, Jack/Jill Aadland.

Thursday, April 25:
Amanda Olson, Evan Jarvis, Betty Jones, Cameron Sass, Stephanie (Magedanz) Bartsch, Lola Hollingsworth, Jodie (Hickman) Anderson, Peggy Hofmeister, Greg Lakner, Helen Jane Paxton.
— 10th anniversary, Chase/Joanie (Flottmeyer) Blair.
— 10th anniversary, Justin/Holly Artz.
— 6th anniversary, Trevor/Jackie Fisher.
— 33rd anniversary, Bob/Laurie Gill.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Youth is like spring, an overpraised season.

— Samuel Butler

HOCKEY UPDATE

Sioux Falls Stampede: The Stampede ended the regular season with momentum, beating Sioux City, 2-1, and Des Moines, 7-0. Sioux Falls tied with Waterloo for second place in the Western Conference of the USHL with a 39-16-7 record. In Game #1 of the best-of-3 first-round playoff series, the Stampede beat Sioux City, 2-1, Tuesday. Game #2 was last night and Game #3, if necessary tonight (Thursday).

PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES

— Former students of Mrs. Jo Chandler should find Brian Oakland’s Facebook page and read his tribute to his former teacher.

COUNTDOWN

3 days: Easter (April 21).
8 days: Pierre Players’ “Born Yesterday” (April 26-28, May 2-4).
11 days: Stanley County Elementary concert (April 29).
11 days: Pierre Youth Orchestra 7th-season concert (April 29).
13 days: Riggs High band trip to Denver (May 1-5).
25 days: Riggs High/Georgia Morse Middle School chorus concert and art show (May 13).
26 days: Riggs High/Georgia Morse Middle School bands concert and art show (May 14).
28 days: State boys tennis tournament, Sioux Falls/Brandon (May 16-18).

FACT OF LIFE

“If life had a second edition, how I would correct the proofs!”

— John Clare

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Farewell to “Mrs. C”! Pierre has had more than its share of legendary educators in its school system over the decades. Jo Chandler was one of them. She passed away at the age of 84 on April 15 at Avera Maryhouse. A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, April 19, at First United Methodist Church. Born near Arlington, Jo and her family moved to Watertown when she was a fifth grader. She graduated from Watertown High School in 1953, then attended Dakota Wesleyan University and Northern State College. She taught second grade in Lewiston, Mont., moving to Pierre in 1956. She taught fourth grade at Lincoln Elementary for eight years. Jo was married to Melvin Chandler in 1957. She taught seventh-grade life science at Pierre Junior High’s Room 35 until retiring in 1995. After 40 years in the classroom, according to her obituary being published this week, one of her greatest joys was having former students seek her out and greet her. After retiring from teaching she worked at Beverly’s, The Hollywood Shop and Capital City Florist. In 2000 Jo was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which meant rounds of chemotherapy, scans and radiation, all with the help of loyal friends. After Mel died, Jo moved to Edgewood. She is survived by her daughter, Laurie Jo Robideau; her granddaughter, Kayla Dowling; her grandsons, Alex and Kellen, and their dad, Dave Robideau; her great-granddaughter, Kensley Dowling; her brother, Dale Kjerulff and his wife Kathy and their daughter Holly; her sister-in-law, Anthea Kjerulff, and her daughters, Lisa and Elaine; and her niece, Cheryl Chandler-Rosenblatt.

Jackie Dean Hoftiezer, 58, died April 8. A celebration of life will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 19, at Feigum Funeral Home, preceded by fellowship there at 9:30 a.m. He grew up in Pierre. He worked at several jobs, including at WW Tire at the time of his death. He was passionate about racing cars. Among his survivors are brothers Robert Hoftiezer and Casey Hoftiezer, both of Pierre; sisters Nancy Roberts of Hazel, S.D., and Joy Talley of Pierre; 12 nephews and nieces and 30 great-nephews and great-nieces.

Crowned king and queen of the Stanley County High School prom were Austin Hand and Emma Cowan, respectively.

Helen (Tennant) Paxton died April 11. Her funeral service is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, April 20, at the United Methodist Church in Onida. Helen grew up northeast of Onida, graduated from Onida High School in 1954 and married Muryl Paxton that summer. Besides raising her family at home, Helen ran the Bakery Cafe in Onida for eight years in the ’70s, leased the Fireside restaurant for two years and worked in daycare for many years. Her husband died in 2008. Helen lived in Minnesota from 2015 to earlier this year. At the time of her death she was undergoing therapy at Avera Maryhouse. She is survived by four sons, Dan Paxton of Gillette, Wyo., Doug Paxton of Onida, Kevin Paxton of Onida and Muryl Paxton of Benson, Ariz.; a daughter, Lynn Henderson of Clute, Texas; three sisters, Dorothy Thompson of Sioux Falls, Darlene Carter of Onida and Edna Brunmeier of Onida; a brother, Leon Tennant of Gettysburg; 17 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Among those who preceded her in death was her son, David Paxton.

Former Pierre resident Jeff Holcomb of Sioux Falls, who had been suffering from the flu and dehydration, passed out at home on the first day of last week’s major blizzard. When he went down, he literally broke his neck. According to a post by his wife, Robyn Starks Holcomb, Jeff sustained a C6 fracture, a herniated disc and a spinal hematoma. He has since been on ordered bed rest at Sanford Hospital awaiting surgery. Robyn posted that Jeff will be fine. Now an update: Jeff did undergo successful surgery this week. He is upright and doing well although doing it slowly and carefully.

Earning Athlete of the Week honors from the Pierre Athletic Coaches Association early this week were Mackenzie Rath of the track team and Luke Leingang of the tennis team.

Kenneth O’Day died at the age of 71 April 13 at home in Sioux Falls after a long battle with cancer. The son of Robert and Donna (Millar) O’Day was born in Pierre. During his professional life he worked as a certified public accountant, as a small business owner in Sioux Falls for 30 years and as a registered nurse with the VA Healthcare System in Sioux Falls. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marie O’Day of Sioux Falls; two sisters, Barb McQuistion and Sandy Rudek; his children, Mandy Huber, Bob O’Day, Stephanie O’Day and Katie O’Day, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. No services are planned at this time.

According to the CaringBridge site where his wife, the former Molly Weisgram, has been posting updates, Chris Maxwell is making progress to the point of actually speaking, taking some food by mouth, standing with assistance for the first time in two months and using his ventilator for only minimal breathing assistance. Chris was diagnosed in February with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). He was treated first in Sioux Falls and more recently in Lincoln, Neb. Molly arrived back home in Pierre from Lincoln a week ago Sunday to find the house cleaned and reworked thanks to a group of whom she called “angels.” Chris’ progress can be followed at the CaringBridge site.

Bonnie (Ripley) Aasby, 77, Fort Pierre, died April 12 at Sanford Healthcare in Sioux Falls. Services were held Wednesday at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Pierre. A graduate of Onida High School, Bonnie married Leon Aasby in 1961 and moved to Highmore. They also lived in Philip and LeMars, Iowa, before returning to Pierre. Bonnie worked for the state, for BankWest in its computer department, for Greater Missouri Community Action Program for 20 years, then for the Department of Health Vital Records, retiring in 2011. She is survived by her daughter, Carey Smalley; her son, Allen Aasby; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and special friend Lloyd Kannegieter. Among those who preceded her in death were two daughters, Rachael and Cathy Jo.

The annual mother-daughter tea on Mother’s Day weekend at the Blunt United Methodist Church will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11. This year’s theme will be Candyland. Quanna (Boyles) Keyser will serve as mistress of ceremonies. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Roger Nagel, 77, died April 8. A celebration of life will be held at 5 p.m. today (Thursday) at Feigum Funeral Home. Mr. Nagel grew up in Volga and Brookings and worked as a lineman for the city of Brookings. He married Sharon Maritz of Arlington, and they became the parents of daughters Jennifer and Kimberly while in Brookings. They lived in Rapid City where he worked as a lineman for Black Hills Power and Light, and their daughter, Ashlee, was born there. The Nagels moved to Pierre in 1973. Roger worked for South Dakota Rural Electric Association for many years, then for Electrotech Inc. until his retirement. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sharon Nagel; three daughters, Jennifer Finley, Kimberly Peterson and Ashlee Mayer, and six grandchildren.

Dr. Eric Unkenholz (’92), who has his own dental practice in Rapid City, and Dr. Murray Thompson (’97), who practices dentistry in Pierre, went on a medical/dental mission with the South Dakota Army National Guard to the nation of Suriname to provide care to the local people along with working with Suriname doctors and defense forces. Suriname is a country on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America, north of Brazil.

When the latest blizzard of the century hit South Dakota last week, interstate highways were closed from Sioux Falls to Wyoming and from Sioux Falls to North Dakota. Two feet of snow fell in some parts of eastern South Dakota. How bad was it? Pierre had three successive snow days Wednesday through Friday. Trisha (Haraldson) Murphy, whose husband is Pierre native Ryan Murphy, lives on the edge of Dell Rapids. She posted Tuesday that, after 120 consecutive hours without power, a hot shower felt very good indeed. They had no power, no heat and no hot water for all of that time. Thousands of electric customers lost power during and after the storm.

Connie Tinker, 89, Pierre, died April 11. She was a native of Arlington and earned teaching credentials at General Beadle State Teachers College in Madison. She taught first and second grades at Lincoln Elementary School in Pierre before marrying Jim Tinker in 1950. Later in her life she served as a substitute teacher and sold real estate, first with Poulos & Barge Associates, later with Fischer Rounds & Associates. After 68 years of marriage, Jim died last August. She is survived by her son, Bob, and his wife Kayla of Pierre; her daughter, Nanette, and her husband, Steve, in Colorado; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A private family internment service will be held at a later date at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Former Pierre resident Jeff Eckhoff has been named director of planning and development services for the city of Sioux Falls, replacing the retiring Mike Cooper. After leaving Pierre, Jeff was director of operations for Volunteers of America in Sioux Falls from 1993 to 1996. For the next 16 years he was executive director of Lincoln and Minnehaha Counties Economic Development Association. Since 2012 he has been director of the South Dakota Small Business Development Center. Jeff is married to the former Gea Gjesdal, who was a music teacher in the Pierre schools at the time they were married.