THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.
— Peg Bracken
ENTERTAINMENT AT THE CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREES
THURSDAY, Dec. 8:
— Noon to 1: Stanley County piano class, Fort Pierre.
FRIDAY, Dec. 9:
— Noon to 1: St. Thomas More High School choir, band and orchestra, Rapid City.
— 6 to 7: Jacobs-Bowman piano students, Pierre.
— 7 to 7:30: St. Joseph Elementary choir, Pierre.
— 7:30 to 8:30: Ron Smith and FBC musicians, Pierre.
SATURDAY, Dec. 10:
— 9:30 to 11: Jacobs-Bowman piano students, Pierre.
— 11 to noon: Dupree High School musicians.
— 2 to 2:30: Christina Hanson and Rebekah Boyer vocals, Pierre.
— 3 to 4:30: Dakota Wesleyan University choir and handbells, Mitchell.
— 4:30 to 6:30: Andrea Royer jazz trio, Pierre.
— 7 to 8: Priscilla Hofer and Ron Smith, piano duets, Pierre.
— 8 to 9: L’Attitude, Sioux Falls.
SUNDAY, Dec. 11:
— Noon to 1: Black Hills State University Honeycomb Brass, Spearfish.
— 1 to 2: JoEllen Dykstra piano, Platte.
— 2 to 4: Pierre Music Store students and instructors.
— 5:30 to 6: Laura Jedi quartet, Pierre.
MONDAY, Dec. 12:
— Noon to 1: Iroquois High School choral ensembles.
— 5 to 6: Edgemont High School band and choir.
— 6:30 to 7:30: Julie Willoughby piano students, Pierre.
TUESDAY, Dec. 13:
— Noon to 1: Riggs High School choirs, Pierre.
— 5:30 to 6:30: Amy Henderson piano, Pierre.
— 6:30 to 7: Tina Henderson piano, Pierre.
— 7 to 8: Stephanie and Lainey Odden, Pierre.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 14:
— Noon to 1: Dell Rapids High School choir.
— 5 to 6: Winner High School band and choir.
PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP
Gymnastics: At the Lolly Forseth meet hosted by Sioux Falls LIncoln, the Pierre team placed sixth with a 130.25 score. Nevaeh Karber tied for eighth on the parallel bars for Pierre’s best individual placing, and she was 10th in the all-around standings at 33.8. Earlier in the season-opening quadrangular at Huron, the Governors placed first as a team, followed by Chamberlain, Huron and Stanley County. Karber was first on the bars, first in the floor exercise and second in the all-around. Ryan Sheppick was third in the all-around.
Girls wrestling: Pierre was the team champion of the girls’ division of the Mandan tournament with 241 points, followed by Bismarck Legacy 207, Bismarck High 168, Spearfish 143 and Minot 131. The Governors had four individual champions—Sydney Uhrig at 157 pounds, Gianna Stangeland at 135 pounds, Abbi Lewis at 145, Ireland Templeton at 155. Other places: Londyn Allen-Hunsacker, fifth at 100; Shaylee Speck, second at 105; Kali Ringstmeyer, 12th at 115; Lexi Hillmer, fourth at 120; Constance Antell, third at 125JV, Kezrey Benning, fourth at 125; Dani Ringstmeyer, second at 130; Hattie Baldwin, second at 155; Karen Farah, second at 170JV; Mary Mehlhaff, third at 170; Emalee Larson, fourth at 1990; Marlee Shorter, second at 190; Kyanne Traversie-Johnson, fourth at 250.
Boys wrestling: The Governors had a strong start to the season at the Mandan tournament, placing second at 278 points behind Sturgis with 312 Following Pierre were Bismarck High at 242, Bismarck Century 238, Rapid City Stevens 206 and Bismarck Legacy 185. Gavin Stotts at 195 pounds and Joshua Rydberg at 285 pounds won individual championships. Other places: Jacob Mason, fourth at 108; Alex Oedekoven, second at 113; Lincoln Schoenhard, fourth at 126; Rowdy Manning, eighth at 132; Tristan Spencer, third at 138; Hudson Shaffer, sixth at 138; Jaxon Ducheneaux, eighth at 145; Deegan Houska third at 160; Chase Carda, fourth at 160; Trey Lewis, second at 170; Chance Carda, second at 182; Elijah Boutchee, third at 220.
This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Gymnastics: at Mitchell quadrangular.
Girls wrestling: home vs. Brookings.
Boys wrestling: home vs. Brookings.
— FRIDAY
Girls wrestling: at Rapid City invitational.
Boys wrestling: at Rapid City invitational.
Girls basketball: at Rapid City Stevens.
Boys basketball: home vs. Rapid City Stevens.
— SATURDAY
Girls wrestling: at Rapid City invitational.
Boys wrestling: at Rapid City invitational.
Gymnastics: at Aberdeen Central invitational.
Boys basketball: home vs. Rapid City Central.
Girls basketball: at Rapid City Central.
— TUESDAY
Girls wrestling: home vs. Aberdeen Central.
Boys wrestling: home vs. Aberdeen Central.
STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP
Volleyball: Olivia Chase and Grace Sargent were named to the Big Dakota Conference all-conference team for volleyball. On the honorable mention list were Cadence Hand and Kori Gabriel.
Gymnastics: In the season-opening quadrangular at Huron, the Buffaloes’ best placing was Elena Heeb’s tying for 10th in the all-around standings.
Girls basketball (0-1): The Buffaloes lost their season opener to Chamberlain Tuesday, 56-33.
This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Miller.
Boys basketball: home vs. Miller.
— FRIDAY
Wrestling: at Rapid City invitational.
— SATURDAY
Wrestling: at Rapid City invitational, Gregory invitational and Pierre tournament.
Gymnastics: at Wagner invitational.
Girls basketball: home vs. White River.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Winner.
Boys basketball: home vs. Winner.
SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP
This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Wrestling: at Lyman quadrangular.
— FRIDAY
Girls basketball: at North Central.
— SATURDAY
Wrestling: at Faulkton invitational.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: at Lyman.
Boys basketball: at Lyman.
Girls basketball: Susie Rilling’s first full year as head coach began with a 56-19 win over Ipswich Tuesday as the Charger girls forced 29 turnovers. Stevie Wittler scored 19 points, Ally Wittler 13 and Lydia Hill 11.
COUNTDOWN
Tonight: Holiday Jam with the Hegg Brothers concert (Dec. 8).
4 days: Riggs High band/choir concert (Dec. 12).
7 days: Onida Elementary Christmas concert (Dec. 15).
8 days: Surprise Package Christmas concerts (Dec. 16-17).
11 days: Georgia Morse Middle School band/choir concert (Dec. 19).
11 days: Sully Buttes High School/Middle School Christmas concert (Dec. 19).
14 days: Buchanan Elementary Christmas concert (Dec. 22).
17 days: Christmas (Dec. 25).
20 days: “Kennedy Center Honors,” CBS-TV (Dec. 28).
23 days: College football national semifinals (Dec. 31).
30 days: Inauguration events in Pierre (Jan. 7).
31 days: FCS national championship game (Jan. 8).
32 days: College football national championship game (Jan. 9).
37 days: NFL playoffs begin (Jan. 14-15).
50 days: Rodeo Rapid City and Black Hills Stock Show (Jan. 27-Feb. 4).
66 days: Super Bowl (Feb. 12).
COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP
Northwestern (Iowa) football (Morris Hofer): An Onida athlete will be playing in a national championship game next week. Morris Hofer had three solo tackles, including a 7-yard tackle-for-loss, as his Northwestern Raiders, now 12-1, dominated Indiana Wesleyan, 38-7, in their NAIA national semifinal game. The national title game will be played at Durham, N.C., and Northwestern’s opponent on Dec. 17 will be Keiser (Fla.). Morris (or “Mo”) is the son of Onida native Kevin Hofer and Fort Pierre native Joan (Mord) Hofer.
Volleyball: USD was down 2-0 to Houston but rallied to force a fifth set before losing 3-2 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Omaha.
South Dakota State football (Regan Bollweg): The #1 Jackrabbits, after a three-week layoff between games, came out firing in the second round of the FCS playoffs and dominated Delaware, 42-6, in Brookings. Now 11-1, SDSU is home for their national quarterfinal against Holy Cross at 11 a.m. CST Saturday on ESPN.
North Dakota State football (Grey Zabel): The Bison won their FCS playoff opener at home over Montana, 49-26. Now 10-2, NDSU is home for its quarterfinal against Samford at 6 p.m. CST Friday on ESPN2.
South Dakota State swimming (Morgan Nelson): Idle for the holidays, the Jackrabbits are off until a Jan. 14 dual against St. Cloud State.
Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball (Nick Wittler): The Tigers won an overtime game over Doane, 85-77, as Nick went 1-of-3 in threes for three points and two assists. DWU also beat Hastings in GPAC play, 84-68, as Nick was 2-of-4 (0-for-2) and 2-of-3 for six points. Now 5-5 overall and 3-2 in the league, the Tigers play at Dordt College Saturday.
Augustana swimming (Ella Ward-Zeller): The Vikings are in the midst of their long holiday break. The next meet will be a dual vs. Omaha Jan. 19.
Mary wrestling (Lincoln Turman): The Marauders won a pair of duals last night, 41-3 over Concordia (Minn.) and 41-0 over Dickinson State. The individual match results were not immediately available. Now 3-0 in duals, Mary wrestles at home vs. Minot State Sunday.
Mount Marty men’s basketball (Lincoln Jordre): The Lancers lost to Morningside, 88-74, as Lincolnm was 4-of-4 for eight points with four rebounds, three assists, a steal and a pair of blocked shots. That put the MMC record at 5-7. After a game against Concordia (Neb.) last night, Mount Marty plays at home vs. Jamestown Saturday, then goes to SDSU Monday.
Dakota Wesleyan wrestling (Aric Williams, Tyson Johnson): At the Doane Open in Crete, Neb., Aric won by fall in 3:53 over a Grand View wrestler, lost a 7-3 decision to a Baker (Kan.) wrestler, and then medical-forfeited his next match. Tyson won an 8-3 decision over a Nebraska-Kearney man, lost a 21-5 technical fall to a Nebraska wrestler, lost a 7-5 decision in the consolation semifinal round and won a 16-4 major decision over another UNK wrestler in his fifth-place match. The Tigers wrestle a home dual vs. Briar Cliff tonight.
Augustana women’s basketball (Katie Bourk, Aislinn Duffy): The Vikings sustained their first loss of the year to Southwest Minnesota State, 94-60. Aislinn was 4-of-9 and 4-of-4 for 12 points with two rebounds and two assists. In an 87-52 trouncing of USF Aislinn was 5-of-10 (2-of-4 in threes) and 8-of-8 for 20 points with 14 rebounds, six assists and a block. Now 7-1, Augustana goes east to Minnesota State Friday and to Concordia-St. Paul Saturday.
South Dakota men’s basketball (Max Burchill): The Coyotes had not a single field goal for the final 10 minutes, but a big early lead on the strength of three-pointers held up for a stunning 69-68 win over BYU in Salt Lake City. Max had two rebounds, an assist and a steal. USD then lost at Air Force, 79-58, as Max was 3-of-6 (1-of-1) and 4-of-4 for 11 points with two assists, a rebound and an assist. Now 5-5, USD is home Saturday vs. UC-Irvine and Wednesday vs. Coastal Carolina.
Mary women’s basketball (Chloe Lamb): The Marauders defeated Northern, 80-57; beat MSU-Moorhead, 83-75, and defeated Minot State, 61-44 Now 4-2, Mary is home for NSIC play Friday vs. St. Cloud State and Saturday vs. Minnesota-Duluth.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Christmas is a time to reflect on the whole year, a time of renewal and hope, giving, helping and sharing, but, most of all, love.
— Nishan Panwar
HOCKEY UPDATE
Oahe Capitals girls varsity: The girls begin SDAHA league play this weekend at home vs. Mitchell at 8 p.m. Friday and vs. Rushmore at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Oahe Capitals boys varsity: The Capitals took their first loss of the season when they fell to Brookings, 8-0, on the road. Colin Lee had 26 saves. Oahe goes on the road again to Sioux Center, Iowa, for two more SDAHA league games this weekend at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 11:45 a.m. Sunday.
Rapid City Rush: The Rush accomplished a rare three-game sweep of the Allen Americans in Texas, winning by 6-5, 8-2 and 3-2. Rapid City is home tonight, Friday and Saturday against Wichita.
Badlands Sabres (Mason Martin): The Sabres split at Great Falls, winning 2-0 and losing 6-4. The record is now six wins, 14 losses, two overtime losses and two shootout losses. Badlands plays Friday and Saturday at Bozeman.
Aberdeen Wings: The Wings split with Bismarck, losing 6-1 and winning 3-1. Now 12-8-1-2, Aberdeen is home Friday and Saturday vs. Austin.
Minnesota Wild: The Wild’s win streak reached four with wins over Edmonton, 5-3; Anaheim, 5-4 in a shootout, and Dallas, 6-5 in another shootout. Then last night the Wild lost to Calgary, 5-3. Minnesota plays Edmonton again Friday, Vancouver Saturday, Edmonton again Monday and Detroit next Wednesday.
BASKETBALL UPDATE
Women’s basketball update:
— SDSU (5-4): Defeated Northern Iowa, 80-69.
Upcoming games: Saturday, Kansas State (at Kansas City); Monday, home vs. Tennessee-Martin.
— USD (4-5): Lost to Northern Colorado, 72-65; lost to Drake, 83-54.
Upcoming games: Sunday, home vs. Montana; Wednesday, home vs. Tennessee-Martin.
Men’s basketball update:
— SDSU (3-7): Lost to Kent State, 83-68; lost to Alabama, 78-65; lost to Montana, 81-56.
Upcoming games: Saturday, home vs. Eastern Washington; Monday, home vs. Mount Marty; Wednesday, home vs. Bellevue.
— USD (5-5): Defeated BYU, 69-68; lost to Air Force, 79-58.
Upcoming games: Saturday, home vs. UC-Irvine; Wednesday, home vs. Coastal Carolina.
Elks Hoop Shoot: At the local contest last week six free-throw shooters won their age groups to advance to the state shoot in Pierre on Feb. 4. The winners were: Hudson Hackett, ages 8-9 boys; Skyler Harter, 8-9 girls; Tripp Lindekugel, 10-11 boys; Quinn Schiefelbein, 10-11 girls; Jett Yackley, 12-13 boys; Ellen Hart, 12-13 girls. Winners from the state shoot will advance to the South Dakota/North Dakota/Montana regional contest in Rapid City in March, and winners from there go on to the national shoot in Chicago in April.
Sioux Falls Skyforce: The Force beat Wisconsin twice, 142-96 and 100-80. Sioux Falls is home Friday and Saturday vs. Motor City.
Minnesota Timberwolves: The Wolves lost to Oklahoma City, 135-128, and last night beat Indiana, 121-115. Now 12-12, Minnesota plays Utah Friday, Portland Saturday and Monday and the Los Angeles Clippers next Wednesday.
FOOTBALL UPDATE
FCS playoffs quarterfinal schedule:
— Friday, 6 p.m.: Samford at NDSU, ESPN2.
— Friday, 9:15 p.m.: William & Mary at Montana State, ESPN2.
— Friday, 9:30 p.m.: Incarnate Word at Sacramento State, ESPN+.
— Saturday, 11 a.m.: Holy Cross at SDSU, ESPN.
Minnesota Vikings: Never a dull moment with this Vikings team. Yet another one-score game saw the Vikings’ defense stymie the New York Jets inside the red zone twice in the fourth quarter, preserving a 27-22 cliff-hanger win. Now 10-2, Minnesota plays a dangerous trap game at Detroit at noon Sunday on Fox.
Vikings schedule change: The Vikings’ home game against the Indianapolis Colts next week has been changed to Saturday, Dec. 17, at noon instead of Sunday to be part of the NFL’s tripleheader on the NFL Network that day.
Denver Broncos: The pathetic Broncos led most of the way but lost to Baltimore on a last-minute touchdown and extra point, 10-9. Now 3-9, Denver has to play Kansas City at home Sunday.
NFL games on live local TV this week (games subject to change by the networks):
— Thursday, 7:15 p.m., Las Vegas at Los Angeles Rams, Prime Video.
— Sunday noon, Minnesota at Detroit, Fox.
— Sunday, 3:05 p.m., Kansas City at Denver, CBS.
— Sunday, 3:25 p.m., Tampa Bay at San Francisco, Fox.
— Sunday, 7:20 p.m., Miami at Los Angeles Chargers, NBC.
— Monday, 7:15 p.m., New England at Arizona, ESPN.
Midco Sports Network live games this week:
— SATURDAY
Women’s basketball: UND vs. Weber State, 1 p.m.
Men’s basketball: UND vs. Seattle, 3:30 p.m.
Men’s basketball: SDSU vs. Eastern Washington, 7 p.m.
— MONDAY
Women’s basketball: SDSU vs UT-Martin, 6 p.m.
Men’s basketball: SDSU vs. Mount Marty, 8:15 p.m.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: Sioux Falls Roosevelt vs. Sioux Falls O’Gorman, 6 p.m.
Boys basketball: Sioux Falls Roosevelt vs. Sioux Falls O’Gorman, 7:30 p.m.
FOOTBALL CONTEST #17
Last week most of the favorites in the big games won, but stunning upsets of USC, TCU and the Chiefs messed up many of our entries. Nevertheless, Jon Boer, Terry Tousley, Kyle Richards, Jason Noyes and Nathan Vetter earned 8-2 records for 10 points each in our season-long competition. At 7-3 for nine points each were Levi Neuharth, Mikal Kern, David Ludwig, Beth Yackley-Rinehart and Randy Pool. At 76-4 for eight points each were Seb Axtman, Dawn Magee, Thomas Voeltz, Eric James and Debra Bollinger.
This week’s Contest #17 games (send your 10 winners to parkerhome16@hotmail.com by FRIDAY afternoon):
(1) Army vs. Navy.
(2) FCS quarterfinal: Holy Cross at SDSU.
(3) FCS quarterfinal: Samford at NDSU.
(4) FCS quarterfinal: William & Mary at Montana State.
(5) FCS quarterfinal: Incarnate Word at Sacramento State.
(6) NFL: New York Jets at Buffalo.
(7) NFL: Minnesota at Detroit.
(8) NFL: Miami at Los Angeles Chargers.
(9) NFL: Cleveland at Cincinnati.
(10) NFL: Tampa Bay at San Francisco.
SOCCER UPDATE
Men’s World Cup: In the nation of Qatar the USA men’s team lost a 3-1 match to the Netherlands in the first round of the knockout stage. The World Cup comes to North America in 2026 with most of the matches to be played inside the United States. Here are this weekend’s pairings in the quarterfinals:
— Friday, 9 a.m., Croatia vs. Brazil.
— Friday, 1 p.m., Netherlands vs. Argentina.
— Saturday, 9 a.m., Morocco vs. Portugal.
— Saturday, 1 p.m., England vs. France.
The winners of Friday’s game play their semifinal Tuesday at 1 p.m. Saturday’s winners play their semifinal at 1 p.m. Wednesday. The third-place game is Dec. 17 at 9 a.m., and the final is Dec. 18 at 9 a.m.
PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES
- Although I love to receive them, not many Christmas cards come to my mailbox any longer. However, last week one arrived from a high school friend from back in the ’50s who lives now in Illinois. The message: “We love your governor and have read her book, ‘Not My First Rodeo.'” I have not yet sent a return card; I’m still waiting till I determine the precise message to include in it.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can for as long as I can with what I have to try to make a difference.”
— President Jimmy Carter
BONUS QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Inflation affects the women more than men because they have to buy the groceries.”
— Herschel Walker, the best candidate Republicans could find to run for the U.S. Senate in Georgia
BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES
Thursday, Dec. 8:
Kathryn Schuetzle, Carolyn Deal, Chris Markley, Erin McKillip, Tim Smith, Rhener Gordon, Tammy (Pool) Cole, Rochelle Scott.
— Anniversary, Edd Hogan/Larissa FastHorse.
Friday, Dec. 9:
Tyler Coverdale, Les Traut, Gary Drewes, Jerry Sperry, Jackie Cook, Mary Edelen.
Saturday, Dec. 10:
Amber Robinson, Weston Bruscher, Patti Fuchs, Camilla Karschnik, Kelsie Brandlee, Kaitlyn Richey, Sarah Moreno, Annabeth Haarstad, Franklin de Hueck, Alexi Axlund, Becky Lindekugel.
Sunday, Dec. 11:
Mitch Boe, Chris Hawkinson, Joe Stolp, Sandy (Voller) DePountis, Arden Rapp (#81), Teri (Donahue) Weischedel, Mari (Donahue) Kramer, Charlene Reed, Diane Giesinger.
— 18th anniversary, Josh/Amy Joy.
Monday, Dec. 12:
Eric Sibson, Brian Pibal, Josh Rose, Abby Lingle, Jenifer Tobin, Joyce Williams, Jeff Ice, Marietta Heath, Starlene Flax, Kyle Neuberger, Laura (Hansen) Mikkelsen, Lukas Tedford, Steph (Vogel) Lund, Tara Dowling, Wanda Goodman, Evelyn Hopper.
— 7th anniversary, John/Kylie Potts.
Tuesday, Dec. 13:
Jason Bakeberg, Joey Kafka, Karlea (Stahl) Larson, Lincoln Elizabeth Fitzke, Taylor Martin, LeAnn Poile, Gerri (McKenney) Carpenter, Natalie Magdanz, Michael Voeltz, Lila Edelen, Troy Thomas, Carter Howard, Dianna Knox, De Knudson, Ramsay McKee, Ric Severson.
Wednesday, Dec. 14:
Terra Zeller, Jafar Karim, Avett Becker, Joyce (Jansen) Moore, Cillian Dekker, Andy Carda, Abby Javurek, Adam Emerson, Cruze Wilson, Elliot Williams
— We remember today the 20 first graders and six teachers gunned down at Newtown, Conn., 10 years ago today at Sandy Hook Elementary.
Thursday, Dec. 15:
Wayne Crawford, Creed Kendrick, Derek Dehne, Steve Withers, Shirleen Fugitt, Kelly (Kafka) Schrempp, Paul Lepisto, Linda Johnson, Jennifer (Schlekeway) Heggelund.
NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS
Claire Kachelmyer, daughter of Nathan and Nikki (Peterson) Kachelmyer of Apple Valley, Minn., and granddaughter of Sandy Peterson now of Rapid City and the late Terry Peterson, though only a sophomore, is part of the mock trial team at her school, and they swept their tournament honors even though it’s her first year in that sort of competition and first meet of the year.
Kitty Curry, 89, died Dec. 2 at Avantara in Pierre. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at Lutheran Memorial Church. Kitty was born to Carl and Helen Berry at Philip, and the family moved in 1938 to Pierre where Kitty graduated from high school in 1951. She married Monte Curry Jr. in 1951, and they raised five children. She worked as an administrative assistant at Lutheran Memorial Church, at the South Dakota Wheat Quality Commission and at South Dakota Plumbing and Heating. She is survived by her husband, Monte Curry of Pierre; her children, Mona (Rick) Deering, Holli (Scott) Gould, Jay Curry and Kathy (Keith) Farb er; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren; her brothers, Carl Berry, J.R. (Butch) Berry and Douglas Berry; her sister, Ida Anderson, and daughters-in-law Suzanne Curry and Cathy Nold. Among those who preceded her in death were her son, Jeff; her parents, and her sister, Margaret Edwards.
The first family Christmas photo we’ve seen on Facebook is that of Ryan and Trish (Haraldson) Murphy of Dell Rapids/Sioux Falls. Their children are daughter Rowan, 17, a high school junior; son Finn, 15, a freshman; son Declan, 12, a seventh grader, and daughter Bergen, 10, a fourth grader.
Chuck Ross, 80, died Dec. 3 at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital. Visitation will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at the Isburg Funeral Chapel, followed by a memorial service there at 2:30. The family invites the public to join them at 3:30 at Scattergun Lodge.
Blunt native Linda (Ogan) Cleberg of Redfield remains hospitalized at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen after a terrible accident at the home of her daughter Shannon. Since Shannon was paralyzed in an accident many years ago, there is an elevator in her home to help her mobility and accessibility. While Linda was in the elevator, it malfunctioned and fell. Linda sustained serious injuries, including breaking both femurs, both ankles, both heels, both shins and two vertebrae. After her hospitalization Linda has moved to a nursing facility for therapy and recuperation. Mail for Linda can be sent to her home address at 1087 E. 8th Ave. #12, Redfield SD 57469.
At the annual awards banquet of the Pierre Volunteer Fire Department, the Don Marso Award went to Byron Caauwe, Doug Gordon was named Firefighter of the Year, and Nathan Brockel was revealed as Rookie of the Year.
The choirs and bells from Dakota Wesleyan University are on a holiday tour this week. They will present a concert at First United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 10.
Tom Kotilnek, 77, died at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital on Nov. 29. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 3 at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Tom grew up in Williston, N.D., and attended North Dakota State College. He came to Pierre in 1970 to work at Montgomery Ward’s. He married Cecelia Schofield in Midland in 1973. They raised three children. Tom owned R&M Appliance in downtown Pierre for many years. He also worked at Sears, Montgomery Ward, Ferding Electric, the Department of Game Fish & Parks and Leidholt/McNeely/Leidholt. He is survived by his wife, Cecelia Kotilnek of Pierre; his children, Gina (Scott) Hickenbotham of Sioux Falls, Jason (Tyanne) Kotilnek of Sioux Falls and Jon (Pat) Kotilnek of Pierre, and five grandchildren.
At the state SDHSAA oral interpretation festival in Mitchell last weekend, Ashlyn Pitlick of Riggs High School earned a superior rating in non-original oratory, and the duo of Maren Houdyshell and Lillie Kellar from Riggs won a superior in duet interpretation. Stanley County High’s Hope Smedley was rated superior in serious reading. Sully Buttes High’s duet interpretation team of Lydia Hill and Taryn Kenzy were rated superior with distinction in their division.
Mike and McLean (Thompson) Kerver of Rapid City are the parents of another daughter. Atia Rose Kerver was born Dec. 6, weighing 6 pounds, 1 ounce. She joins brother Octavius, 5, and sister Aurelia, 2, in the family. Obviously, when it comes to naming her children, McLean’s four years of Latin under Jay Mickelson at Riggs High School have had a lingering effect.
PONDER THIS
Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.
— Eric Sevareid
With regards to your friend from Illinois, if they love our governor, they can have her!