THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“If you care about the integrity of democracy, the secretary of state races are the most important on the ballot in the fall.”
— Barbara McQuade, University of Michigan law professor

ELECTION UPDATE

Now that the primary election has taken place and the two major parties have held their state conventions, we have this slate of contests for the Nov. 8 general election:

* U.S. Senate: Brian Bengs (D), John Thune (R), Tamara Lesnar (L).
* U.S. Representative: Dusty Johnson (R), Collin Duprel (L).
* Governor/Lieutenant Governor: Jamie Smith/Jennifer Keintz (D), Kristi Noem/Larry Rhoden (R), Tracey Quint/Ashley Strand (L).
* Secretary of state: Tom Cool (D), Monae Johnson (R), Kurt Evans (L).
* State auditor: Stephanie Marty (D), Rich Sattgast (R), Rene Meyer (L).
* State treasurer: John Cunningham (D), Josh Haeder (R).
* State public utilities commissioner: Jeff Barth (D), Chris Nelson (R).
* State school and public lands commissioner: Tim Azure (D), Brock Greenfield (R).

A major bit of news regarding the election ballot has happened since our last Midweek Update. Two weeks ago we pointed out there would be TWO Medicaid-expansion measures on the Nov. 8 ballot—both Constitutional Amendment D and Initiated Measure 28. Both of those would expand Medicaid to include some 40,000 South Dakotans who now are not eligible for it. But now Measure 28 has been withdrawn and will not be on the ballot. Therefore, there will be only ONE ballot issue which would expand Medicaid, and that is Constitutional Amendment D. It will require only a majority favorable vote to pass (one vote better than 50%).

Also on the Nov. 8 ballot will be Initiated Measure 27, which would legalize possession, use and distribution of marijuana.

LEGION BASEBALL TOURNAMENT UPDATE

Pierre Post 8: The three-digit heat forecasted for Monday, which proved to be an accurate forecast, beat Post 8. If the team had been able to play a scheduled doubleheader that night at home against lowly Aberdeen, the Eights likely would have been high enough in the seed-point standings to host a play-in series this weekend. But now they will have to be on the road. In the past two weeks Post 8 won once each over Omaha Westside and Chanhassen and lost three games to Minnesota teams Elk River, Maple Grove and Rosetown at the Gopher Classic in Minneapolis. In games back home that really mattered, Pierre swept Sturgis, 4-0 and 7-6, and split with Brandon Valley, 8-7 and 3-0. The Eights finished the regular season with an over-all record of 17-20 and a record vs. South Dakota teams of 9-9.

Here is the schedule of South Dakota ‘A’ Legion play-in series (each is best-of-3). The winners of these seven matchups advance to the state tournament starting next Wednesday in Rapid City:

#9 Pierre at #8 Renner.
#10 Yankton at #7 Harrisburg.
#11 Sioux Falls West at #6 Rapid City Post 320.
#12 Watertown at #5 Sioux Falls East.
#13 Spearfish at #4 Brandon Valley.
#14 Aberdeen at #3 Watertown.
#15 Sturgis at #1 Brookings.
#2 Rapid City Post 22 automatically qualifies as host team.

NOTE: If Pierre Post 8 wins its series at Renner and there are no upsets elsewhere, Pierre would be the lowest remaining seed and thus would face top-seed Brookings at the state tournament next Wednesday. If there is one upset somewhere else and Pierre wins, Post 8 would be the next-to-lowest seed and face #2 Post 22 at state. In that case, the game would likely be the last game of the day because the host team traditionally plays the final game of the first day.

BASEBALL UPDATE

Pierre Trappers: When the shaky Expedition League had to end its season halfway through, a championship series was arranged between Souris Valley (Minot) and the Trappers. All games were played at Hyde Stadium. Souris Valley, which hadn’t lost a game since June 1, won the first and second games of the best-of-three series. Pierre won 3-2 in Game 3, ending the Sabre Dogs’ 27-game winning streak. However, Souris Valley won Game 4 to end the series and the season.

Little League baseball: The Capital City Little League all-star team and the Sioux Falls Little League team were the two qualifiers out of the East River sub district tournament in Pierre. The Pierre team won over Huron, 12-2 in four innings; lost to Sioux Falls, 7-1, and won an elimination game over Brandon Valley, 4-3, to make it to state. In the crucial win over Brandon Valley, Will Eilers drove in three runs, Porter Hunsley went 3-for-3 as a hitter, and Landry Van Roekel pitched a five-out save after Hunsley pitched the first 4 1/3 innings. The Pierre all-star team is coached by Matt Northrup, Jack Dokken and Matt Mosteller. The state tournament will be at the Canyon Lake field in Rapid City this weekend. On Friday Sioux Falls LL plays Rapid City Harney LL at 5 p.m., followed by Capital City LL vs. Rapid City Youth Baseball at 7:30. Those two losers play at 1 p.m. Saturday, and the winners play at 3:30 p.m. At that point there will be two teams with 1-1 records, and they play an elimination game at 1 p.m. Sunday. That winner takes on the team that is still unbeaten at 1 p.m. Monday, and if another game is necessary, it will follow at 3:30. The state champion advances to Indianapolis for the Midwest Regional where the winner goes on to the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa.

Four Corners: The Four Corners team defeated Wessington Springs, 8-1, and last weekend beat the extreme heat with a pair of home wins over Plankinton Gold Sox and South Central to finish 8-6 in the Pony Hills League. The district tournament starts Saturday in Gregory where Four Corners will play South Central at 2 p.m. Saturday. That game winner will play the Plankinton Bankers-Wessington Springs winner at 4:30 Sunday, and the loser will play at noon Sunday. The tournament continues in Chamberlain Monday through Thursday. Four of the eight teams in this district will advance to the state amateur tournament.

Minnesota Twins schedule:
— Saturday: at Detroit, 5:10 p.m.
— Sunday: at Detroit, 12:40 p.m.
— Tuesday: at Milwaukee, 7:10 p.m.
— Wednesday: at Milwaukee, 1:10 p.m.

MLB playoffs: So it has been the all-star break, just past the halfway point of the season. What if the playoffs started today? In the American League the Twins as Central Division champions would be the #3 seed and be home for all three games of a best-of-3 wild-card series against #6 Toronto. Seattle, the #5 seed, would be at #4 Tampa Bay. Then in the second round the top seed Yankees would play the #4-#5 winner while #2 Houston would take on the #3-#6 survivor. To make the playoffs, however, the Twins are going to have to hold on and win the Central Division because all three of the wild-card teams, it appears, are going to come from the AL East if Seattle doesn’t make it. Over in the National League, if the playoffs were to begin today, #6 St. Louis would play at #3 Milwaukee while #5 San Diego would be at #4 Atlanta. Then in the next round the top seed Dodgers would play the #4-#5 winner while the #2 seed, the Mets, would take on the #3-#6 winner.

Sioux Falls Canaries: The Birds were 23-31 through Monday. They have home games tonight vs. Fargo-Moorhead and Friday through Sunday against Kane County. The team goes to Kansas City next Tuesday through Thursday.

ZESTO SHERBET SCHEDULE

Thursday: peppermint.
Friday-Sunday: tutti fruitti.
Monday-Tuesday: watermelon.
Wednesday-Thursday: coconut.

GOLF UPDATE

PGA Champions Tour (Tom Byrum): At the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship Tom had his best payday of the calendar year, earning $18,000 for his three-over weekend of 71-69-71-72=283. He tied for 35th place. Next on the Tour calendar is the Senior Open at Auchterarder, Scotland, this weekend.

SOCCER UPDATE

South Dakota United: The SDU U16 Dynamo girls team won their second straight national championship in Denver Monday. After winning pool play the team beat a Florida club 2-0 in the semifinal round, then took down Dallas Renegade 4-0 in the finals. Dynamo scored 30 goals in five games. Pierre girls on the South Dakota team were Ryann Barry, who scored four goals in the championship game, Gracelyn Taylor, Grace Richter, Ireland Templeton and Brianna Sargent.

Minnesota United FC: The Loons continue an excellent season, defeating Vancouver 3-1, tying Sporting Kansas City 1-1 and defeating D.C. United 2-0. The Loons, fourth in the MLS Western Conference with a 9-8-4 record, play at Houston Saturday.

FOOTBALL UPDATE

Opening games for Stanley County: Aug. 19, home vs. Sully Buttes; Aug. 26, at De Smet.

Opening games for Sully Buttes: Aug. 19, at Stanley County; Aug. 26, home vs. Potter County.

Sioux Falls Storm: For the first time in 20 years the Storm will not be in the Indoor Football League playoffs. Sioux Falls defeated Green Bay, 50-42, but lost a game to Frisco, 35-28, to finish with an 8-8 record. If the Storm had won that last game, they would have made it into the playoffs.

WORDS OF WISDOM

Don’t be sad by what you see.
It’s true life has its miseries.
But one thing’s always worked for me:
Worry ends when faith begins.
— Sami Yusuf

COUNTDOWN

1 day: State Little League baseball tournament, Rapid City (July 22-25).
6 days: State ‘A’ Legion baseball tournament, Rapid City (July 27-31).
13 days: Legion baseball Central Plains Region tournament, Rapid City (Aug. 3-7).
15 days: Sturgis motorcycle rally (Aug. 5-14).
20 days: Black Hills Playhouse’s “Something Rotten” (Aug. 10-20).
20 days: Major League Soccer all-star game, Minneapolis-St. Paul (Aug. 10).
21 days: Sully County Fair, Onida (Aug. 11-14).
21 days: Field of Dreams game, Cubs vs. Reds, Dyersville, Iowa (Aug. 11).
28 days: First day of school in Pierre (Aug. 18).
37 days: BluntFest, Blunt (Aug. 27).
49 days: NFL season opener (Sept. 8).
50 days: S.D. Hall of Fame inductions, Chamberlain (Sept. 9-10).
50 days: Badlands Sabres season opener (Sept. 9).
52 days: Minnesota Vikings season opener (Sept. 11).
53 days: Sanford International golf tournament, Sioux Falls (Sept. 12-18).

EARLY-SEASON SPORTS SCHEDULES FOR PIERRE GOVERNORS

Girls tennis:
— Aug. 12-13, Pierre invitational (with Spearfish, Rapid City Stevens, Aberdeen Roncalli, Aberdeen Central).
— Aug. 19, vs. Harrisburg and Sioux Falls Lincoln (at Sioux Falls Lincoln).
— Aug. 20, vs. Sioux Falls Roosevelt and Sioux Falls Washington (at Sioux Falls Washington).
— Aug. 26, at Rapid City Central invitational.

Girls and boys soccer:
— Aug. 12, at Douglas.
— Aug. 13, home vs. Spearfish.
— Aug. 23, home vs. Aberdeen Central.
— Aug. 25, home vs. Sturgis.
— Aug. 30, at Watertown.

Boys golf:
— Aug. 15, at Brandon Valley invitational.
— Aug. 16, at Sioux Falls Washington invitational.
— Aug. 23, home for Pierre invitational.
— Aug. 26, at Huron invitational.
— Aug. 30, at Aberdeen Central invitational.

Volleyball:
— Aug. 23, home vs. Watertown.
— Aug. 26, home vs. Rapid City Stevens.
— Aug. 27, home vs. Rapid City Central.

Cross country:
— Aug. 26, home for Pierre invitational.

Cheer/dance:
— Aug. 27, at Aberdeen Central invitational.
— Aug. 30, at Watertown invitational.

Football:
— Aug. 27, home vs. Aberdeen Central.

PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES

• Our first football contest of the upcoming season will show up here in the Midweek Update just four weeks from today in the issue dated Thursday, Aug. 18.
• For Twins fans the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies at Cooperstown,. N.Y., have special meaning this year. MLB Network will televise it all live starting at 10 a.m. CDT this Sunday and continuing well into the afternoon. This is the year Tony Oliva and Jim Kaat will be inducted along with such others as David Ortiz (you know they will feature him), Minnie Minoso and Gil Hodges.
• If you are an AARP member who receives the AARP Bulletin every other month, check out page 54 of the July/August issue. There is a hilarious full-page cartoon showing the types of relatives many of us tolerate at family reunions. I guarantee you will find a relative or two whom you recognize from your own family.
• I have enjoyed the “weeks off” between issues of the Midweek Update this summer, but now we will return, for the time being at least, to a weekly schedule, so watch for the Update every Thursday from now on.

MUSIC ON THE RIVER

Music programs are held Friday evenings at 217 Missouri Avenue along the riverfront.

Upcoming programs:
— July 22: Houdek.
— July 29: Riverbank.

CAPITAL CITY BAND

The last concert of this summer season will be next Wednesday, July 27, at 8 p.m. at the Steamboat Park Amphitheater.

SUNDAYS AT THE LEGION

Music begins on the deck at the American Legion cabin at 5 p.m. Sundays.

Upcoming entertainers:
— July 24: Josh Bagwell.
— July 31: Barstool Boys.
— Aug. 7: Hank Harris.
— Aug. 14: Lance Spears.
— Aug. 21: Hidden Timber Band.
— Aug. 28: The Valentines.
— Sept. 4: Ham & Cheese.

BLACK HILLS PLAYHOUSE

The musical “Cinderella” is now running at the Playhouse with performances at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays. For ticket reservations call 605/224-4141 or visit www.blackhillsplayhouse.com.

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Thursday, July 21:
Bill Stahl, Starla Curtis, Michelle (Bartel) Chenoweth, Adriane Wegman, Maclin Hayes Schmidt, Mandi Wharton, Ciara Tipton, Rhett LeBeau, Tyrel Larson.
— 4th anniversary, Mike/Charlotte Snyder.
— 4th anniversary, Sam/Ashley Leidholt.
— 16th anniversary, Brent/Katie (Lakner) Dill.
— 22nd anniversary, Dusty/Jacquelyn Johnson.

Friday, July 22:
Benjamin Roberts, William Brakke, Mia Schrank, Jon Sailer, Mark Burger, Gayle (Kozel) Evans, Tenley Heiss, Tamie Brandt, Tom Johnson, Ashlee (Roemen) Keyes, Don Stars Sr., Dawn (Kilian) Bradley, Jason Schumacher.
— 5th anniversary, Connor/Michaela (O’Daniel) Landberg.
— 5th anniversary, Travis/Megan Newling.
— 45th anniversary, Rod/Tawana (Zebroski) Grueb.
— 33rd anniversary, Leo/Terry Disburg.
— 11th anniversary, Brent/Grace Chittum.
— 16th anniversary, Tyler/Megan Bryant.

Saturday, July 23:
Janet Penticoff, Becca (Fossen) Mehlhaff, Eve Heard, Nick Kruse, Zack Word, Kyle Weiger, Carson Carlisle, Caleb Currier, Adam Spellman, Kristi (Schultz) Brakke, Kylie Nystrom, Mike Mehlhaff, Ashley Richter, Jalen Lamb, Ryan Geraets.
— 28th anniversary, Steven/Maggie Stofferahn.
— 6th anniversary, Michael/Kimmie Bumann.
— 11th anniversary, Justin/Karli (Larsen) Williams.
— 6th anniversary, Travis/Elizabeth (Lamb) Salmonson.
— 17th anniversary, Jason/Erin Bisbee.

Sunday, July 24:
Alexander Flynn, Jon Kotilnek, Grant Hoover, Chris Bell, Patrick Conway, Jon Pier, Carol Pickering, Erin (Ryan) Bush, Tate Stoeser, Brecken Fuller, Barry Jennings.
— 13th anniversary, Joel/Liz (Edman) Stauss.
— 12th anniversary, John/Brittany (Kroll) Bergeson.
— 23rd anniversary, Jason/Wendy (Kaiser) Wulf.
— 18th anniversary, Chris/Kristina Bauck.
— 40th anniversary, Shane/Nancy Mundt.

Monday, July 25:
Kenzie Clark, Jon Rapp, Chuck Hanson, Brad Lowery, Heidi (Larson) Shives, Angie Johnson, Cole Prunty, Lincoln Wilson, Zachary Bruzelius, Tanna Zabel, Elizabeth Knutson, Benjamin Jacobson, Michaela Bear, Ranae Hoffman, Cheyenne Tyree-Ragsdale, Clara Watson, Cianna Tipton, Kim Brakke, Diane (Curtis) Nuttall, Kim Stoeser.
— 12th anniversary, Anthony/Tiana Johnson.
— 33rd anniversary, Mark/Lynn Senftner.
— Anniversary, Travis/Sarah Hendrix.
— 7th anniversary, Tye/Sabrina Johnson.
— 7th anniversary Chip/Kendell King.
— 7th anniversary, Rhener/Nicole (Loosbrock) Gordon.

Tuesday, July 26:
Elliana Jorgenson, Brynle Jo Hlavacek, Danielle McGee-Campbell, Lindsey Riter-Rapp, Brayden Maskovich, Tony Mangan, Bob Sutton, Laycie Williams, Annie Lueders, Rio Reeves, Meghan (Drewes) Hall, Morgan (McLan) Willard, Conrad Adam, Kathy Riedy.
— 19th anniversary, James/Crystal Dvorak.
— 9th anniversary, Tyler/Tevan (Wenbourne) Newman.
— 8th anniversary, Jared/Alex (Voeltz) Little.
— 8th anniversary, Evan/Angie Protexter.

Wednesday, July 27:
Amanda Hodgin, Kate Stahl, Jered Stars, Kalen Miller, Casey Ptacek, Brandon Coyle, Austin Darrington, Marsha Kucker, Ross Jones, Lucas Zimmerman, Krista Weyrich, Russell Jennewein, Austin Blair, Jay Miller, Trey Montana, Kristi (Kunsman) Lloyd, Mickey Thomsen.
— 20th anniversary, Michael/Melissa (Hitchcock) Maxwell.
— 19th anniversary, Chad/Pam Kringel.
— 9th anniversary, Tanner/Jamie (Dykstra) Fitzke.

Thursday, July 28:
Taylor Becker, Kessler Decker, Melissa (Luers) Hansen, Joni Boub, Stuart Jones, Dave Dulas, Mary DeVany, Kendra Kuiper, Karsten Withers, Ellis McKittrick, Allison Zuercher Felecia Pullman, Tiffany (Winkler) Carr, Alex Allison, Nick Neuhauser.
— 15th anniversary, Jesse/Rachel (Hermanson) Knutson.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“George McGovern cherished the teaching of Jesus that the person who saves their life must lose it, but the person who loses their life will find it. To George, this describes the paradox of servant leadership. A person who gives themselves away for the good of others finds life’s deeper purpose, but the person who hangs on to life loses in the end. Even after several personal tragedies, George McGovern continued to give himself away in service to his country and world. This is the McGovern legacy.”
— Joel Allen, director of the McGovern Center for Leadership and Public Service on the occasion of the 100th birthday of Senator McGovern

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Lori Simpson has taken over the presidency of the Pierre-Fort Pierre Rotary Club, succeeding Chris Maxwell. The club has taken in two new members, Kimberly Barrett and Tanya Krietlow, recently.

Gene Youngberg, 91, died July 4 at the Veterans Administration Hospital at Fort Meade. Services were held July 11 at the Journey Church in Rapid City, followed by graveside services in Pierre July 12. Gene grew up in Onida and served in the U.S. Army in 1950-52. He came back to Pierre to join his father and his brothers in the family painting business. He married Cassel Mosteller in 1954, and they became the parents of three children. In 1959 Gene started his own business. In 1965 he and Cassel moved to Boise, Idaho, where he was in the real estate brokerage business for 31 years In 1995 they returned to South Dakota and bought a home at Johnson Siding. He is survived by his daughter, Lona Pflughoft of Plano, Texas; a granddaughter; his sisters, Helen Stahl of Pierre and Carolyn (Klix) Holt of Cathlamet, Wash.; and a brother, Jon Youngberg of Sioux Falls. Among those who preceded him in death were his parents, Mason and Gladys Youngberg; his wife; his children, Rochelle and Mark, and his brothers, Quentin (Punt) and Joe.

Laura (Pottratz) Waack underwent 10 hours of brain tumor surgery July 7 but was discharged from the intensive care unit July 9 and was discharged to go home July 10.

Onida native Chloe Lamb, who was Summit League Player of the Year in women’s basketball for USD this past season, has been named the assistant coach for women’s basketball at the University of Mary in Bismarck. She will be active in all aspects of the Marauders’ program with a special emphasis on player development and recruiting.

Peter Fosheim, 88, died July 5. Services were held July 11 at Lutheran Memorial Church. He grew up on a farm in Haakon County and graduated from Midland High School in 1952. He married Sylvia (Schilling) Fahey in 1954. He spent his adult life as a farmer/rancher. Survivors include his wife, Sylvia; his children, Derek (Kerri) Fahey of Mitchell and Jennifer (Billy) Seale of Fort Pierre; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and numerous siblings and in-laws.

Patrick Wellner successfully defended his championship of the Fort to Field 50 Paddle Battle canoe race on the Missouri River from Fort Randall Dam to Springfield. Pat’s winning time was 7 hours, 32 minutes.

Dr. Wendy Birhanzel was selected by fellow Colorado superintendents to be the voice of their state at the national superintendents advocacy session on Capitol Hill in Washington last week. Wendy is superintendent of Harrison School District Two in Colorado Springs.

Joan Adam was sworn in for a new term and Jessica Lewis for her first term on the Pierre school board at its meeting last week. At the same meeting Cari Leidholt was recognized for her 12 years of service as a school board member.

Ramona “Darlene” (Maratell) Olson died July 10. Services were held July 16 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pierre. She graduated from Pierre High School in 1952 and married David Olson in 1954. They lived on the family farm north of Hayes and raised five daughters and four sons. David died in a car accident in 1988. Darlene was an active member of her church. Survivors include a brother, Leland Martell; her nine children, Mike (Linda) Olson of Laurens, Iowa; Monty (Robin) Olson of South Jordan, Utah; Lori (Reed) of Taylorsville, Utah; Teri of West Jordan, Utah; Tim (Diane) Olson of Hayes; Lynel (Brett) of South Jordan; Paula (Ted) of Phoenix; Chad (Randi) Olson of Hayes, and KD (Ryan) of Pierre; 46 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Ryan Knox, who moved back to Tucson, Ariz., this past spring after a year in Pittsburgh, has been cast in a staged reading of “Our Country’s Good” at his old stomping ground, the Rogue Theatre. Ryan has also been cast in a fully produced play at the Rogue with the intriguing title of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecological Oncology Unit of Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Center in New York City” to be performed this fall.

Matt Blake has a new job as legal counsel for the Iowa Association of Realtors. Matt is also a judge advocate (JAG) in the Iowa Army National Guard where he holds the rank of captain, and he is also a member of the city council of Urbandale, Iowa, a Des Moines suburb. In recent months Matt has worked for LeadingAge Iowa. He and his wife, Alaina, have a son Saxon, 2.

Jeff Stephens, 62, died at home in North Platte, Neb., June 29. A celebration of his life took place Tuesday at the Odean Colonial Chapel in North Platte. There will also be a celebration of his life at the city park in Onida from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 13. The son of Charlie and Donna (Palmer) Stephens, both Onida natives, grew up in Albert Lea, Minn., but graduated from Sully Buttes High School. He worked on the farm of his grandparents, Charlie and Lillian Stephens. Jeff married Geralyn Ortiz, and they had two children. He married Karen White, and they remarried last January. Jeff had a long career as a trucker. Survivors include his wife, Karen; his father, Charlie (Sandy) Stephens in Minnesota; his stepfather, Kenny (Judy) Barnes in Michigan; his children, Jared Stephens of Loveland, Colo., and Jolene Stephens of Fort Collins, Colo.; three grandchildren; his sister, Jodi Skellenger, in Oregon, and his brothers, Craig (Julie) Stephens of Watertown and Mike Stephens of Fort Collins. Among those who preceded him in death were his mother and his grandparents.

Kyle and Lisa Melby’s daughter, Jaxon, will be returning next month to the University of Charleston in West Virginia for her final semester of college. The Melbys live in Loveland, Colo.

Hailey Hillestad and Layton Mancill, both of whom are stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Anchorage, Alaska, became parents on July 11. Their son, Monty Kade Mancill, weighed 6 pounds, 11.6 ounces, and measured 20.5 inches. Hailey is the daughter of Pierre native Jed Hillestad. The baby was named for his great-grandfather, Monte Hillestad, and given a “Y” in his name instead of an “E” to make it his own name.

The baby’s birth completed quite a memorable weekend for Monte and Barb Hillestad and their extended family. On July 9 Eric (Buzz) Hillestad married Amanda Stanley in a ceremony near Sioux Falls. It was not the ordinary wedding but a very unique one with a Viking theme (not the football team but the legendary Scandinavians). Buzz works as senior vice president/information security consultant at SBS CyberSecurity in Sioux Falls.

Joyce (Searby) Alexander, 64, died July 11. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, at First United Methodist Church, followed by burial the next day alongside her husband at Black Hills National Cemetery. Joyce’s family lived in Nebraska until moving to Pierre. She graduated from Riggs High School in 1976. She worked at the State Library and then for Ben Franklin and Walmart. She and Bill Alexander were married in 1991. Survivors include her siblings, Colleen Kayser of Rapid City, Frank Searby of Deweese, Neb., Glenda Klarich of Sheboygan, Wis., and Steve Searby of Edgemont; many nephews and nieces and their families, and her sister-in-law, Esther Barnes of Onida.

Jennifer Stalley is the champion of the South Dakota Golf Association’s women’s senior championship, winning the tournament last weekend by a margin of seven strokes over her nearest competitor.

Dorothy Blom, 99, died July 1 at Avera Maryhouse. Graveside services took place July 8 at Riverside Cemetery. Dorothy grew up in the Belvidere and Midland communities. She married Andrew Blom in 1941. They lived at Midland until moving to Pierre in 1972. She is survived by her son, Calvin Blom of Longview, Wash.; three grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and a sister, Grace, of Pierre.

Derrick and Kelbie (Frederick) Miller of Emery are the parents of a daughter, Renlee Kaitlyn Miller. She was born July 13, weighing 5 pounds, 6 ounces, and measuring 18 inches. She joins a brother, Rhett, 2, in the Miller family. Grandparents include Gary and Kesiah (Pearson) Frederick, and Patty Pearson of Pierre is the baby’s great-grandmother.

A memorial service for Beverly Roberts, 87, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 22, at First United Methodist Church. Inurnment will precede that service at 9 a.m. Friday at the Presho cemetery. Beverly passed away July 12 at Edgewood. The former Beerly Dittman graduated from Presho High School in 1952 and married Clint Roberts in December of that year. They were married for 64 years and became the parents of four children. Their youngest, Kristi, died in 1999. Bev and Clint made their home on their farm/ranch near Presho. She ran a retail business and was a computer troubleshooter in the office of the attorney general and the Department of Transportation. Bev was also a key strategist for her husband’s campaigns for the legislature, the U.S. House and the governorship. They retired to Fort Pierre. Since Clint died in 2017, Bev lived first at ParkWood and more recently at Edgewood. Her survivors include three children, Debra (Verne) Brakke, Schelle Wenner and Clay (Pam) Roberts; six grandchildren, Nathan (Michelle) Brakke, Matt (Kimberly) Brakke, Tessa Wenner, Hunter (Stephanie) Roberts, Chelsey (Nick) Renemans, and Tiffany (Nick) Menke; nine great-grandchildren, and her sister, Linda Kerns of Murdo.

Chad Mosteller has been named interim director of the state Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) by interim attorney general Mark Vargo. Mosteller will serve until the newly elected attorney general takes office next January. Mosteller has been with the DCI for 20 years.

Betty (Venner) Erickson, 89, died at home in Pierre on July 12. At her request no services will be held. Betty graduated from Agar High School in 1951 and attended Northern State College. She married Wayne Erickson in 1957. Betty worked as a bookkeeper at Oahe Electric Cooperative in Blunt for 21 years, retiring in 1973. She is survived by two children, Susan (Neil) Ogan of Pierre and Brad (Jacqueline) Erickson of Moses Lake, Wash.; four grandchildren, including Ryan (Nicole) Ogan and Andy Ogan of Pierre; and two great-grandchildren, Jamie and Alex Ogan.

Mary (Sutera) Sieck at Sully Buttes High School has been honored as Assistant Coach of the Year for track and field in Area 4 by the South Dakota Track and Cross Country Coaches Association members.

Hadleigh Case, 83, died July 14. A celebration of his life took place Monday at Feigum Funeral Home followed by inurnment at the cemetery in Oldham. Mr. Case graduated from Oldham High School, served in the U.S. Navy and attended General Beadle State Teachers College. He married Glennys Hansen in 1964. They lived in Watertown, Madison and Salem before moving to Pierre in 1980. He worked for a long time at the Office of Economic Development. After retiring from the state he worked as an independent contractor in economic development until the mid-1990s. He is survived by his wife, Glennys Case; his son, Steve (Penni) Case; his daughter, Sandy (Kevin) Klatt; 10 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Pierre native Bob Sahr has been named the next East River Electric Cooperative CEO and general manager, effective Aug. 1. Bob has been East River’s general counsel since November 2006. Before that he was at the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission from 2001 to 2006. Bob and his wife, Christine, and their two daughters live in Madison.

Kitty Werthmann, 96, died July 14. Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at Feigum Funeral Home, concluding with a prayer service at 7. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. She was born in Salzburg, Austria, and became a teacher after college. Seeing her homeland becoming a dictatorship under the Hitler regime, she emigrated to the United States. Mrs. Werthmann met her German-born husband in Minneapolis. They raised five children in Pierre where Dr. Hubert Werthmann began his radiology practice with St. Mary’s and area hospitals. For 40 years she was a prominent lobbyist, co-founder of South Dakota Right to Life and state president of Eagle Forum, a pro-family organization. Survivors include three children, Shirley (Randy) Parr of Buckeye, Ariz., Sigrid (Doug) Filipek of Round Rock, Texas, and Heidi (Wayne) Drealan of Belle Fourche, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Among those who preceded her in death were her husband; sons Erwin and Edgar, and four siblings.

Jay and Liz Vogt spent 2 1/2 weeks at Marble, Colo., dog-sitting, house-sitting and greenhouse-sitting for their son and daughter-in-law, Josh and Kelsy Vogt.

Jeanetta “Netta” (Shoup) Compton, 66, Central City, Neb., died at home July 18. A celebration of her life will take place at 2 p.m. next Wednesday, July 27, at Feigum Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the Onida cemetery. The daughter of the late Ralph and Lois Shoup of rural Onida was one of 10 children. She attended school and graduated from high school in Fort Pierre. She married Jimmy Compton in 1981. They purchased a farm near Shelby, Neb., and raised their family there. After her children were grown, Netta worked at the hospital in Central City. She is survived by her daughter, Sissy; a grandson; her sons, Kevin, Jesse and Frank; her sisters, Dephane, Francie, Shelia, Clara and twin Jeanine, and her brother, Roger. Among those who preceded her in death were sisters Kathy and Janet and brother Butchie.

Gregory Schaefer, the older son of Pierre natives Troy and Kim (Merkwan) Schaefer of Rapid City, was married last Saturday to his long-time girlfriend and fiancee, Jacqee Jasinski. The ceremony took place at Black Hills Receptions near Hisega. Gregory is the grandson of Greg and Karen Schaefer, formerly of Pierre and now of Rapid City, and Gary and Twila Merkwan of Pierre. The Schaefer clan has another wedding coming up soon when Troy and Kim’s middle child, Steven, marries Anna Sykora on Oct. 8.

PONDER THIS

“So many people are working hard to create a better, more compassionate world. So many people have taken their own pain and turned it into purpose, people like Gabby Giffords, Fred Guttenberg, the list goes on. So many people work so tirelessly on behalf of others they don’t know, simply because it’s the right thing to do, like the hospital workers and doctors who showed up on a holiday to treat the victims from Highland Park. They did their best. They tried their hardest. They were deeply fazed by what they experienced, by what they saw, and they deeply gave their all. Their humanity moved me.

“On this day close your eyes and open your heart. Feel with me all that is out there, the joy, the pain, the heartbreak, the sadness, the rage and the hope. Allow yourself to be moved by all of it. Don’t be afraid. Be afraid, instead of being unfazed, of not caring or of becoming numb. Our present and our future lie in the hands of those who feel big and allow those feelings to drive them to change things for the better. So look around and feel it all. Stay on your path and make sure you have a purpose larger than yourself, one that is for the good of all.”
— Maria Shriver in her “Sunday Paper”