THOUGHT FOR TODAY

To accomplish great things, we must not only act but also dream; not only plan but also believe.
— Anatole France.

STATE HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

The Pierre Governors are in the “final four” of high school baseball after winning a regional tournament at home last Saturday. Pierre will play Brandon Valley in one state semifinal at the state “A” tournament in Sioux Falls Saturday at about 2:30 p.m. after Sioux Falls Jefferson and Harrisburg play the opening game at noon. The two winners play for the state championship at about 5 p.m. All three games will be televised live on Midco Sports Network.

As #1 seed the Govs had the pleasure of facing #16 seed Douglas in their first regional game, and Pierre responded with a 20-0 win that lasted only five innings. A 14-run second inning was a highlight of the Pierre offense. In the championship game of the regional, starting pitcher Lincoln Kieholz pitched five innings, allowing five hits and three walks and striking out nine. The only run by Sioux Falls Lincoln in Pierre’s 4-1 win was an unearned run in the first inning. Brecken Krueger’s sacrifice fly tied the game at 1-1, and his single later made it a 2-1 Governor lead. Jonathan Lyons’ double in the fifth upped the Pierre lead to 3-1. Pierre started the high school season with five straight losses on the road but finished with 12 straight wins that caused them to soar from the depths of the seed-points standings to the top spot.

PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Track: at state meet, Sioux Falls.
— FRIDAY
Track: at state meet, Sioux Falls.
— SATURDAY
Track: at state meet, Sioux Falls.
— TUESDAY
Girls golf: home invitational, 10 a.m.

Softball: Pierre split the last two regular-season games. In a 15-3 five-inning win over Sioux Falls Roosevelt, the Governors pounded out 12 hits. Erin Leiferman had three RBIs, and Noel Kist, Jenna Bucholz and Sheridan Nicholas had two RBIs each. Leiferman had three strikeouts and gave up three walks in her complete-game pitching win. Pierre lost to Sioux Falls Washington, 19-2. Nine Governor errors led to eight unearned runs in the top of the sixth as the Warriors pulled away. Bella Tafoya and Bucholz each drove in two runs. The regular-season record of 6-12 left Pierre as the #11 seed in the state standings and sent them to Sioux Falls O’Gorman for the SoDak 16 round Tuesday. The Governor girls found themselves down 7-0 early and faced the prospect of climbing out of that hole, which they weren’t able to do in an 11-5 defeat. Sheridan Nickolas drove in two runs, and Noel Kist, Ireland Templeton and Kara Weiss each drove in a single run for Pierre as the first season of sanctioned softball came to an end.

Girls golf: Pierre placed fourth at the ESD conference meet. Hadley Hart, third with a 5-over 77, and Hattie Baldwin, 15th with a 13-over 85, thus earned all-conference honors for placing among the top 20 golfers. Madilyn Brakke was 24th at 15-over 87, Andrea Mosteller 30th at 17-over 89 and Morgan Lisburg 38th at 24-over 96. Mitchell won the team title. Remaining on the golf schedule is the state “AA” tournament at Hillsview Golf Course June 5-6.

STATE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS

All three state tournaments in this first season of sanctioned softball will be played in Aberdeen June 1-3.

Class “AA”: 1 S.F. Lincoln vs. 8 Yankton; 4 S.F. Jefferson vs. 5 S.F. Washington; 2 Harrisburg vs. 7 Brandon Valley; 3 Brookings vs. 6 S.F. O’Gorman.

Class “A”: 1 Dell Rapids vs. 8 Lennox; 4 Madison vs. 5 Tea Area; 2 West Central vs. 7 Beresford; 3 Dakota Valley vs. 6 Elk Point-Jefferson.

Class “B”: 1 Alcester-Hudson vs. 8 Hanson; 4 Bon Homme vs. 5 Gayville-Volin; 2 Arlington vs. 7 Viborg-Hurley; 3 Castlewood vs. 6 Deuel.

STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Track: at state meet, Sioux Falls.
— FRIDAY
Track: at state meet, Sioux Falls.
— SATURDAY
Track: at state meet, Sioux Falls.

Boys track: Brandon Bothwell was a double winner at the Region 6A meet, breaking the tape in the 100 and the 200. Paxton Deal won the long jump. The 4×100 relay team of Bothwell, Noah Baldwin, Colton Brady and Deal won their race. The sprint medley team of Cash Richardson, Landon Bame, Justin Trebbe and Baldwin placed second in their event.

Girls track: Raegan Taylor won the triple jump at the Region 6A meet. Grace Sargent placed second in the 100. The sprint medley team of Taylor, Grace Sargent, Brianna Sargent and Kaysen Magee placed second. The 4×200 team of Brianna Sargent, Emily Nemec, Carlee Brady and Austyn Norman placed second in their race. The 4×800 team and the 4×400 team, both of which include Norman, Grace Olson, Rachel Nemec and Sarah Fosheim, placed second and third, respectively.

SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Track: at state meet, Sioux Falls.
— FRIDAY
Track: at state meet, Sioux Falls.
— SATURDAY
Track: at state meet, Sioux Falls.

Boys track: At the Region 6B meet in Gettysburg Kayden Westergren placed second in the shot put and fourth in the discus. Gavin Barber was third in the 400 and fifth in the 200. The 4×100 relay team of Barber, Westergren, Isaac Ramirez and Teghan Westphal placed fifth.

Girls track: At the Region 6B meet Stevie Wittler won the 100 and placed second in the 300-meter hurdles and third in the 200-meter dash. Lydia Hill was champion in both the shot put and the discus. The 4×100 relay team of Stevie Wittler, Jaycee Jaeger, Hope Weinheimer and Courtnie Weinheimer placed third in their race. The 4×200 team of Jaeger, Hope Weinheimer, Courtnie Weinheimer and Jana Yackley placed fifth.

Golf: The Charger boys are Region 5B team champions. At the regional meet Monday Gavin Colson was first, taking medalist honors with a round of 82. Thomas Farries was fifth at 83 and Wesley Wittler sixth at 85. Marshall Wittler carded a 98 and will compete as part of the team at the state tournament in Watertown June 5-6. On the girls’ side Olivia Olson was third with a 93 and Berkley Birney 13th with a 107.

ZESTO SHERBET SCHEDULE

Thursday: coffee.
Friday-Sunday: black cherry.
Monday-Tuesday: blue mood.
Wednesday-Thursday: coconut.

COUNTDOWN

Today: state track meets, Sioux Falls (May 25-27).
2 days: state high school baseball “A” tournament, Sioux Falls (May 27).
4 days: Memorial Day (May 29).
7 days: state high school softball tournaments, Aberdeen (June 1-3).
7 days: Post 8 baseball season opener (June 1).
11 days: state high school girls golf tournaments, AA Pierre, A Rapid City, B Watertown (June 5-6).
11 days: state high school boys B golf tournament, Watertown (June 5-6).
15 days: Black Hills Playhouse’s “Silent Sky” opens (June 9-July 2).
15 days: Sully Buttes Class of ’73 50-year reunion (June 9-11).
16 days: Black Hills Playhouse’s “The Lifespan of a Fact” (June 10-30).
17 days: Tony awards, CBS-TV (June 11).
20 days: Flag Day (June 14).
22 days: Oahe Days (June 16-17).
22 days: College World Series, Omaha (June 16-26).
24 days: Fathers Day (June 18).
29 days: Pierre FolkFest concert (June 23).

WORDS OF WISDOM

I am such a summer person. Just give me a quiet spot with a breath-taking view, a cool drink in my hand, a warm sea breeze on my skin and the soothing sounds of waves crashing, and I will be in all my glory.
— JustAKiss Away.

COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP

Augustana baseball: The Vikings stunned the Central Region’s #1 seed, Central Missouri, on its home field during the eight-team regional, then won it all to advance to a best-of-three super regional vs. Minnesota State-Mankato in Sioux Falls. Game #1 is Friday with Game #2 and, if necessary, Game #3 both Saturday.

Rollins College baseball (Spencer Sarringar): In the Division II regional Rollins won its opening game over Valdosta State (Ga.), 18-7. Spencer went 2-for-4, walking once, scoring four times, and driving in a pair with a two-run homer. Then Rollins had to face the host #1 seed, University of Tampa, and the Tars won two out of three. In an 8-7 win Spencer was again 2-for-4, walking once, stealing a base and driving in a run with a second-inning single for the team’s first score. Spencer was 1-for-4 in a 5-2 loss to Tampa. In the deciding game, Rollins won, 7-6. Spencer was 3-for-4, scoring once and driving in a run with a fifth-inning single for a 7-4 lead. Tampa was not only the #1 seed in the region but the #3 seed nationally. Rollins advances to a best-of-three super regional from where the survivor advances to the Division II national championships at Cary, N.C. Rollins is home for this series against Barry, and Game #1 is Friday. Rollns’ record is 37-17.

South Dakota State baseball (Brady Hawkins): The Jackrabbits lost two of three to NDSU to close the regular season last weekend, winning 6-5 and losing 5-2 and 12-9. In the win Brady was the second of five pitchers and got the pitching win as he threw 2 2/3 innings, allowing four hbits, one earned run and one strikeout while facing 12 batters. But SDSU beat the Bison when it mattered on the first day of the four-team Summit League tournament in Fargo yesterday. The Jacks tormented NDSU, 17-4, enjoying a pair of six-run innings. SDSU now faces perennial Summit League champion Oral Roberts at 6:05 p.m. tonight (Thursday) while NDSU and Omaha play an elimination game this afternoon. The tournament champion advances to the NCAA Tournament, which leads to the College World Series.

Texas State baseball (Peyton Zabel): The Bobcats were swept in a three-game series at Louisiana by scores of 8-3, 7-3, and 9-5. In an 8-2 loss to TCU, Peyton was the starter and losing pitcher (now a 2-2 record), going three innings, facing 17 batters and allowing three hits, four earned runs, five walks and three strikeouts. Last weekend Texas State won two of three over Louisiana-Monroe, winning 6-5, losing 6-1 and winning 17-0 in seven innings. In the latter game Peyton came in to finish the second inning and threw two-thirds of that inning, facing three batters, allowing one hit and striking out one. The Sun Belt Conference postseason tournament began Tuesday in Montgomery, Ala. In their first game Texas State lost last night to Louisiana, 6-1, and now faces Georgia State in an elimination game this (Thursday) afternoon.

BASEBALL UPDATE

Oahe Zap schedule:
— Thursday: home vs. Nebraska.
— Friday: home vs. Badlands.
— Saturday: home vs. Badlands.
— Sunday: home vs. Badlands.
— Tuesday: at Badlands.
— Wednesday: at Badlands.
— Thursday: at Badlands.

Oahe Zap: The season opener for the newly named local collegiate baseball team was a 3-0 loss to the Nebraska Prospects. An error in the sixth inning let in an unearned run for Nebraska, which added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the ninth. Jackson Mix had two hits for the Zap, which had a total of only four in the game. Gavin Starcher pitched six innings of what would have been shutout ball without the sixth-inning error that caused the unearned run. He struck out five, walked four and gave up five hits. Last night the Zap fell to 0-2 to start the season when they lost to Nebraska, 15-12.

Minnesota Twins schedule:
— Friday: Toronto, 7:10 p.m. (BSN).
— Saturday: Toronto, 1:10 p.m. (BSN).
— Sunday: Toronto, 1:10 o.m. (BSN).
— Monday: at Houston, 3:10 p.m. (BSN, MLBN).
— Tuesday: at Houston, 7:10 p.m. (BSN).
— Wednesday: at Houston, 7:10 p.m. (BSN).
— Thursday: Cleveland, 6:40 p.m. (BSN).

Minnesota Twins: The Twins finished the Dodgers series with a 7-3 loss. They lost two of three against the Angels, losing 5-4 and 4-2 and winning 6-2. This week they lost two of three against the Giants, losing 4-1 and 4-3 and winning yesterday 7-1.

Pierre Post 8: The American Legion season will begin next week as soon as Pierre’s high school-age players finish their spring season at their state tournament this weekend. Post 8 will tip off the season next Thursday, June 1, with a home doubleheader against Brookings at 5 and 7 p.m. After that the Eights go on the road to Renner for a noon doubleheader June 2, to Aberdeen for a 1 p.m. doubleheader June 4 and to Sioux Falls Est for a 5 p.m. doubleheader June 6. A reliable source points out that several of the baseball athletes one would expect to be on the Post 8 roster this summer will not be playing Legion ball, including those obligated to begin their college football and basketball careers with summer workouts on campus.

Sioux Falls Canaries: The Birds split a pair with Lincoln, winning 11-8 and losing 16-2, then lost all three to Kansas City by scores of 18-6, 5-3 and 11-3. This week Sioux Falls took two of three over Sioux City, winning 4-3 and 3-2 in 10 innings and losing 17-7. The Canaries are at Winnipeg Friday through Sunday and at Fargo-Moorhead Tuesday through Thursday.

BASKETBALL UPDATE

Minnesota Lynx: The Lynx are 0-2 after losing their opener to Chicago, 77-66, and their next game to Atlanta, 83-77. The Lynx are on the road to Phoenix Thursday, to Las Vegas Sunday and to Dallas Tuesday.

SOCCER UPDATE

Minnesota United FC: The Loons won 1-0 games over Houston and Portland but then lost to Houston, 4-0, Tuesday. Minnesota is home Saturday vs. Real Salt Lake and on the road to Austin next Wednesday.

FOOTBALL UPDATE

Rapid City Marshals: The Marshals lost to Billings, 57-36, to finish the season with a record of 0-10. They did not qualify for the playoffs.

Sioux Falls Storm: The Storm lost in Tucson, 56-42, and are now 4-4. Sioux Falls plays at Iowa Friday.

Minnesota Vikings: While the regular-season schedule was announced last week, the Vikings’ pre-season slate is now public. Minnesota will play the first week of the preseason at Seattle on Aug. 10 at 9 p.m., then be home for Tennessee at 7 p.m. Aug. 19 and for Arizona at noon Aug. 26.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter the words but to live by them.
— President John F. Kennedy.

PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES

• Except for the fact that Aberdeen motels and fast-food joints will benefit immensely, it’s too bad for travel reasons that the first state softball tournaments aren’t being played in Sioux Falls. If that were the case, all 24 of the teams in the three tournaments could sleep in their own beds each night! If you know your South Dakota geography well, imagine a northeast-to-southwest line from Clear Lake and Castlewood down to Alexandria and on to Tyndall. All 24 of the teams in the three tournaments are on or southeast of that line.
• Those big schools with hundreds of graduating seniors have their advantages, of course, but we were reminded last weekend that there is something to be said about small towns and their small schools and how their students are revered and cared for. My grandson, who has spent this last semester at Sully Buttes High School in Onida, graduated as one of the 19 seniors there. It was a ceremony like no big school could possibly do—huge banner photos of each senior on the front yard of the courthouse at the head of Main Street uptown; photos of each graduate and his or her family in the multi-purpose room ahead of the program; the entire junior class escorting the seniors into the gym; a “class mom” address in which she was able to personally mention each graduate by name and wish each one of them her own piece of advice; a row of tubs along the back wall, one for each graduate, into which cards and gifts could be placed without any threat of their being stolen; a receiving line outdoors in the sunshine through which we could shake hands with each of the 19 seniors; a parade uptown and down Main Street with each senior riding in the back of a convertible or a pickup. It was great! As two carloads of us from Rapid City made the trek to Pierre, Blunt and Onida, we noticed how lush and green all of West River appeared, unlike the usual dry, dusty, brown color the prairie seems to usually portray. We did the usual “Pierre things”—supper at Cattleman’s Club (exquisite as usual!), a walk along the riverfront so the little boys could throw rocks into the river to see if they could skip them across the waves, donut holes at 6 a.m. from the Donut Shop, a last-minute ice cream break at Zesto before leaving for home. Thanks to all in Onida and Blunt for welcoming our Dylan so warmly this semester and making him feel part of the Class of 2023.

ONE YEAR AGO IN THE MIDWEEK UPDATE

May 26, 2022: The Delta Tau Delta fraternity and the Alpha Phi sorority at USD joined forces for their annual philanthropy event to raise money for former members Jacob and Katie Parsons as Katie battled Stage 4 breast cancer. The two groups raised $8,270.69 at what they called Katie’s Karnival.

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Thursday, May 25:
Michael Lyons, Kristen (Hanson) Ganske, Jennifer (Duba) Erlandson, Kris Schneder, Bronson Schiefelbein, Caitlin Reimers, Ryan Russell, Kellen Pottorff, Cameron Pottorff, Jessica Smith, Ronda (Zebroski) Kline, Dave Mack.

Friday, May 26:
Chuck Quinn, Isabel Gander, Jessica Lomheim, Ryan Goehring, Will Mortenson, Brandon Christiansen, Adrie Frame, Jackie (Schall) Shepherd, Beth (Yackley) Rinehart, Bergen Osterkamp, Abby Kennison, Chad Gran, Conor Cruse.
— 28th anniversary, Derk/Teresa (Tassler) Campbell.
— 11th anniversary, Mike/McLean (Thompson) Kerver.
— Anniversary, Eric/Laurie Feiler.
— 10th anniversary, Tim/Rachel (Knutson) Steece.
— We fondly remember Tom Harmon on his birthday.

Saturday, May 27:
Audrie Morris, Kristi (Kennedy) Van Winkle, Marcia Mack, Erin Stars, Debbie (Willingham) Hubbard, Mary Peterson, Emma Haberman, Troy fox.
— 7th anniversary, Alex/Nikki (Douglas) Jansen.
— 17th anniversary, Jason/Deanna Reitz.
— 6th anniversary, Ryker/Angela Tieszen.
— 6th anniversary, Cody/Jessica (Blackmore) Nilson.

Sunday, May 28:
Mary Heidelberger, Sarah Deters, Larry Johnson, Dave Hauschild, Brian Custer, Sophia Lundeen, Emma Lundeen.
— 18th anniversary, Brian/Nicole (Miller) Willis.
— 18th anniversary, Tom/Erin (Nielsen) Nielsen.
— 18th anniversary, Ross/Jessica (Duba) Castelli.
— 6th anniversary, Taylor/Bethany Brock.
— 7th anniversary, Ryan/Elizabeth (Nail) Miller.
— 12th anniversary Chad/Amanda (Sorensen) Jungman.
— 6th anniversary, Damon/Jessica Thielen.
— 12th anniversary, Brian/Caitlin (Feller) Kemnitz.
— 7th anniversary, David/Georgina (McKee) Smith.

Monday, May 29:
Hunter Hamre, Kimberly Coats, Cora Hachem, Dax Cappellano, Helen Stahl, Teagan Madden, Gail Opoien, Breanna Bishop, Austin Senger, Ray Hunsley.
— 13th anniversary Matt/Kacy (Hutchinson) Gill.
— 30th anniversary, Dan/Deb (Kern) Workman.
— 19th anniversary, Mike/Meghann Klinger.
— 19th anniversary, Dustin/Tina (Peterson) Ottenbacher.
— 19th anniversary, Andrew/Darcy (Beck) Boersma.
— 62nd anniversary, Larry/Gail Lyngstad.
— 14th anniversary, John/Callie (Buechler) Morris.
— Anniversary, Ken/Joyce Koistinen.
— 13th anniversary, Tony/Jessica Jockheck.
— 30th anniversary, Carter/Anne Taylor.
— 53rd anniversary, Galen/Ann Jordre.
— 2nd anniversary, Taylor/Lorena (Reichert) Hamblin.

Tuesday, May 30:
Paul Schoenfelder, Kristin McNeely, Calvin Marso, Aaron Propst, Priscilla Sommer, Jaxon Griffith, Eric Lebida, Judy Rapp, Brianna Binger, Jamie Lamb, Trish (Curtis) Schloeder, Jordan Bordewyk, Jason Rodgers, Linda Lomheim.
— 8th anniversary, Jason/Kelsey Mangan.
— 8th anniversary, Will/Shuree Mortenson.
— 8th anniversary, Drew/Nicole Mickelson.
— 8th anniversary, Austin/Moriah (Wagner) Gross.

Wednesday, May 31:
Wes Dugstad, Jackson Hipple, Connie (Rislov) Casanova, Anna Engelbrecht, Kayla Engelbrecht, Jeff Robbins, Craig Feigum, Alice Rapp, Kirk Yackley, Tyler Bales, Levi James, Rodney Parks, Curry Kuehl, Lahnee Martin, Jackie Schlaikjer, Jay Mickelson, Graham Protexter, Toni Emerson, Melissa (Hitchcock) Maxwell.
— 15th anniversary, Dan/Alissa (Harter) Schumacher.
— 20th anniversary, Jason/Lanete (McFarling) Kotilnek.
— 26th anniversary, Jon/Heather Sailer.
— 2nd anniversary, Elias/Morgan (Sibson) Aguirre.
— 9th anniversary, Andrew/Heather Fargen.
— 9th anniversary, Nick/Liz (Winter) Marso.
— 10th anniversary, Aaron/Jenna (Goehring) Haller.
— 12th anniversary, Daniel/Christee (Staufer) Hershberger.

Thursday, June 1:
Bruce Abels, Josh Ford, Amanda (Chick) Deelstra, Miranda Townsend, Jonathan Huft, Jerry Bollinger, Rick Jensen, Melinda (Kruger) Vetsch, Alex Roth, Paige Rickson, Julie (Inman) Darger, Tanner Johnson.
— Anniversary, Craig/Gail Eichstadt.
— 7th anniversary, Aaron/Kayla (Pochop) Riswold.
— 21st anniversary, Nathan/Kristin (Koupal) Venner.
— 10th anniversary, Elliot/Emily (Bloomberg) Meier.
— 60th anniversary, Dan/Helen Sutera.
— 50th anniversary, Mark/Marcia (Davis) Kozel.

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

A celebration of the life of Shirley Helgeson will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. this Saturday, May 27, at Drifters.

Early voting in the Pierre school board election is under way during working hours at the Pierre School District administration building, located behind China Buffet near the corner of West Sioux and Poplar. Early voting extends through Monday, June 5. Election day is Tuesday, June 6. Incumbent Dan Cronin is seeking another term, and he is being challenged by Jason Muldoon and Roger Livermont. Voting on Election Day will take place at Faith Lutheran Church and New Life Assembly of God.

Wes Broer, 87, Rapid City, died May 19 at Monument Health in Rapid City. He graduated from Huron High School and Huron College. He married the former Sara Shober in 1956. Wes served in the U.S. Army in 1961-62. He worked for the Department of Game, Fish & Parks, then joined the Great Lakes of South Dakota Association, later becoming its executive director. He retired in 1995. He is survived by his wife, Sara Broer; his son, Mark (Patti) Broer of Menomonie, Wis., and three grandsons, Colton Hipple of Pierre, Derek Hipple of Rapid City ad Levi Broer of Sioux Falls. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, John Broer, and five siblings. Memorial Eucharist is being celebrated this (Thursday) morning at 11 a.m. MDT at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Rapid City.

Caleb Lusk participated in the white-coat ceremony at USD last weekend, indicating he is one year through with two years remaining in his pursuit of a doctorate in physical therapy. Caleb was chosen by his class to speak on the subject of integrity at the ceremony. He was one of three speakers, each one covering one of three core values. The son of Dan and Brooke (Severson) Lusk will graduate from P.T. school with the Class of 2025.

The Dakota State University spring semester Dean’s List, requiring a grade-point average of at least 3.5, includes these local students: Evan Becker, Drew Schuchard, Collin Brueggeman, Nathan Cook, Houston Lunde, Dohrion Eisterhold, Joseph Fischer, Gabriel Valle, Jacob Page. Earning academic recognition as part-time students were Felicia Alspach and Dannale Norris.

Morn Vilaysing died at her daughter’s home in Fort Pierre May 22. A native of Thailand, she immigrated to the United States in 1980 through a refugee camp and was placed in Wichita, Kan. She married Roger Vilaysing. Morn battled renal failure and was on dialysis for years until she received a new kidney from her daughter, Vanida, in 2007. In her final years Morn was cared for by her other daughter, Sofia. This past April Morn was able to make one final tripi back to her homeland of Thailand along with her two daughters and seven of her grandchildren. Morn is survived by her daughters, Sofia (Alex) Cornfield and Vanida (Brandon) Schmitt; nine grandchildren and three brothers.

Larissa FastHorse and other talented people from Cornerstone Theater Company have been working with local Native artists to create “Wicoun,” an original piece of theater. This new production is created with and for the interconnected but widely dispersed residents of the Rosebud, Pine Ridge, Yankton and other reservations as well as Rapid City. “Wicoun” will be performed now through early June on these dates and at these locations:
— May 26: 6 p.m., Racing Magpie, Rapid City.
— May 27: 7 p.m., Main Street Square, Rapid City.
— May 30: 5 p.m., Great Plains Crow Creek office, Fort Thompson.
— June 2: 7 p.m., St. Francis Indian School.
— June 3: 5 p.m., Memorial Park bandshell, Rapid City.
— June 5: 1 p.m., Red Shirt School.
— June 5: 7 p.m., Little Wound School auditorium, Kyle.
— June 8: 6:30 p.m., Lakota Youth Development, Herrick.
— June 9: one performance in Lake Andes, to be announced.
— June 10: 1 p.m., Sioux Falls Coliseum.
— June 12: one performance in Yankton, to be announced.
— June 14: one performance in Fort Yates, to be announced.
— June 15: 7 p.m., Steamboat Park amphitheater, Pierre.

Sheila Bonrud, 81, died at home May 17. Memorial Mass was celebrated Monday at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Sheila grew up at Henry, and after the family moved to Egan, she graduated from high school there. Sheila sold real estate; worked at the Falcon and the Kings Inn Lancer Room, and held several positions in state government. Her most recent job was as a legislative assistant in the governor’s office tracking legislation. Sheila is survived by her daughters, Pam Bonrud, Lynne (Clark) Guthrie, Laurie (Eric) Gronlund and Paula Alexander; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; her sisters, Lou Roby, Joan Haugen and Mary (Vnce) Maag, and her brother, Ralph (Donna) Flanagan. Among those who preceded her in death were her parents; a sister, Pat Brekke, and her brothers, Steve Flanagan, Bill Flanagan and Jimmy Flanagan.

Karli (Larsen) Williams, D.D.S., received the Young Dentist of the Year recognition from the South Dakota Dental Association. Karli and her husband, Justin Williams, are both Pierre natives, and they are the parents of Olive and Asher, both 7, and Kieran, 1.

Bennett Jockheck, who is completing his freshman year at Coeur d’Alene High School in Idaho, earned recognition on the North Division all-conference second team from the Idaho High School Lacrosse League. Bennett plays the position of defenseman for the Coeur d’Alene Vikings. He is the son of Andy and Joie (Schuetzle) Jockheck, both Pierre natives.

Lila (Blaisdell) Ludwig died May 17 at Avera Oahe Manor in Gettysburg. Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at Feigum Funeral Home, followed by a prayer service at 7. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Onida Presbyterian Church. Lila graduated from Onida High School in 1954 and attended South Dakota State College. She married Newell Ludwig in 1958. They raised their family on the Ludwig farm southeast of Onida. She served the Presbyterian church in numerous capacities and was a dedicated 4-H member and leader. Survivors include her children, David Ludwig, Sue (Victor) Stotz, Starla (Owen) Luoma and Danelle (Todd) Youngbluth; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; her sisters Leah Gray and Melissa (Darrell) Lilly, and her sisters-in-law, Karen Day and Kay (Harry) Thomas.

Dillon Turner, a biological technician who now lives in Pierre with his wife, Brett, is one of the former Dakota Wesleyan University athletes who will be inducted into the DWU Athletic Hall of Fame during homecoming weekend Sept. 16. Dillon not only was a four-year starter in baseball but a star on the football field where he was a two-time Great Plains Athletic Conference Player of the Year in football and an NAIA All-American. He holds DWU’s all-time passing record of 10,704 yards through the air and the all-time touchdowns record of 151. Dillon also holds the single-season records for passing yards (3,400) and touchdowns (48). He is third all-time in DWU history with rushing yards at 3,215. After college he later played in the Indoor Football League with several organizations, including the Sioux Falls Storm.

Margaret Meierhenry, daughter of Riggs HIgh alumnus Todd Meierhenry, graduated from USD with a musical arts degree, will be attending DePaul University in Chicago in pursuit of a master’s degree in vocal performance.

Kerry Joe Pogany, 77, Rapid City, died May 12 at Monument Health. His funeral took place Monday. A native of Isabel, he earned degrees from Northern and SDSU. He and his first wife, Linda, raised three children. Joe spent a 33-year teaching career first at West Middle School in Rapid City, then at Stevens High School where he taught a variety of math classes. Linda died in 1993. Joe married Sharron Bramblee, and he is survived by her as well as a stepson, three children, two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and his brother, Dwight (Lorie) Pogany of Pierre.

McKayla Marso-McDonough as of Aug. 1 will be the owner/director of The Dance Front, a dance studio in Louisville, Colo., a suburb between Denver and Boulder. Meanwhile, all summer McKayla is playing the role of Maria in “the Sound of Music” at Boulder Dinner Theatre. The show runs on various dates from now through Aug. 19. For ticket information go to www.bdtstage.com.

Jim and Darlene Neiles observed their 50th wedding anniversary May 19.

Janice Dockter, 80, died at home in Fort Pierre on May 19. Visitation will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. tonight (Thursday) with a prayer service at 6:30 at the Isburg Funeral Chapel. Janice grew up in Eureka and graduated from high school there in 1960. She married Vern Dockter in 1962, and they moved to Fort Pierre. She worked at the Chuckwagon in Fort Pierre for many years. Later she worked for the state as a phone operator and then as a printer operator at Central Duplicating. Vern passed away in October 2021. Janice is survived by her sons, Bryan (Pam) Dockter of Pierre and Kim (Becky) Dockter of Sioux Falls; her daughter, Jackie (Shane) Mattheis of Pierre; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; her brother, Bob (Connie) Jung of Eureka, and her sisters, Donna (Ron) Bieber of Coppell, Texas; Kathy (Dennnis) Heilman of Eureka and Debbie (Scott) Newman of Sheridan, Wyo.

Josh and Tessa (Bollinger) Hartmann are the parents of a daughter, Adalyn JoAnn. She was born May 11, weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces. She joins a brother, Oliver, who will be 2 in September. The Hartmanns live now in Albuquerque, N.M., where Josh is a U.S. Air Force flight instructor, working with Huey helicopters, and Tessa is an anesthetist at a hospital.

The Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program is celebrating National Nurses Month by recognizing nurses affiliated with the program. Holly (Knox) Perli, B.S.Ed., BSN, RN nursing professional development practitioner at Monument Health in Rapid City, was this week nominated for recognition.

Jamie Farmen of Pierre, who works at the South Dakota Community Foundation, is listed as one of the members of the 10th Leadership South Dakota class which will begin meeting at various locations around the state later this year. Another member of the class is Riggs High alumnus Brian Kemnitz of Huron. The Leadership South Dakota reins are now in the hands of the new executive director, John Meyer, who succeeds Rick and Val Melmer in that capacity.

Audrey (Van Dyke) Borth, 90, died May 21 at Edgewood Living in Pierre. Her funeral is being held this (Thursday) morning at 9 a.m. at Lutheran Memorial Church. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. MDT at Black HIlls National Cemetery. Audrey spent her early years in the Herreid area and at Hosmer and graduated from Herreid High School. She earned a teaching certificate at Northern State College. In her career she was a teacher, a school secretary and a bookkeeper at BankWest. She and Wyland Borth were married in 1950. Audrey is survived by three children, Rollie Borth of Pierre, Deanb (Angie) Borth of Massillon, Ohio, and Jill (Mark) Sweetman of Pierre; her grandchildren, Michael (Katie) Borth of Daytona Beach, Fla., Jacob Borth of New York City, Drew (Catherine) Sweetman of Wayzata, Minn., Maari (Jordan) LaBrie of Pierre, Kaitlin (Kyle) Cummings of Pierre, Kyla Fischer of Pierre and Kaleb Fischer of Pierre, and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and her sister, Norma.

The spring semester Dean’s List at the University of South Dakota includes these local students:
— From Fort Pierre: Andie Allison, Carter Kaarst, Dadra Saxton, Ellie Smith, Austyn Wiebe.
— From Onida: Griffin Petersen, Garrett Petersen.
— From Pierre: Paul Adam, Mike Amende, Abigail Foster, Jenna Gehring, Tyler Gere, Kennady Hanig, Ajaye Hicks, Mary Howard, MacKenzie Island, Hanna Jerome, Grant Judson, Morgan Magdanz, Emily Mikkelsen, Carston Miller, Jordan Morley, Morkeia Mutchelknaus, Paige Pollreisz, Tessa Putzier, Alexandra Smith, Maegan Walsh, Raegan Wiebe.
— Part-time students from Pierre: Jack Maher, Erika Bruns.

PONDER THIS

The legacy of brave men and women who have fought and died for their country is the freedom we enjoy as Americans.
— Lucian Adams.