THOUGHT FOR TODAY
No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.
— Taylor Swift
TOURNAMENT TIME ROUNDUP
STATE GYMNASTICS
Pierre’s Riggs High gym will be the site of the state gymnastics tournament Friday and Saturday. Friday is team competition day with the eight qualifying “A” schools going at it from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The eight qualifying “AA” schools (Pierre, Yankton, Brookings, Mitchell, Aberdeen Central, Watertown, Harrisburg and Sioux Falls O’Gorman) will compete for the state team title from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday.
On Saturday the ‘A’ individual competition will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The ‘AA’ individual competition starts at 3 and extends to about 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Pierre will have two gymnasts—Nevaeh Karber and Ryen Sheppick—in the all-around competition, so they will compete in all four gymnastics events. In addition, Kirsten Korber will be in the vault; KasCee Wilson and Madelyn Merrill will be on the bars; Rebecca Spitzer, Wilson and Merrill will be on the beam, and Merrill will be in floor exercise. Pierre gymnasts who will compete as part of the team competition Friday only include Jaclyn Richter, Jaelynn Muldoon, Sage Schmitt, Anastyn Baade and Myclane Sheppick.
STATE TEAM DUAL WRESTLING
This year the team dual tournaments are separate from the huge individual tournaments. This Saturday the qualifying ‘A’ teams will wrestle at Brookings while the ‘B’ qualifying teams will be in Watertown.
The ‘A’ quarterfinal pairings at 11 a.m.: #1 Sturgis vs. #8 Tea Area; #4 Aberdeen Central vs. #5 Brandon Valley; #2 Pierre vs. #7 West Central; #3 Rapid City Stevens vs. #6 Watertown.
The ‘B’ quarterfinal pairings at 11 a.m.: #1 Winner vs. #8 Custer; #4 Philip/Kadoka Area/Wall vs. #5 Kimball-White Lake/Platte-Geddes; #2 Canton vs. #7 Miller/Highmore-Harrold; #3 Bon Homme/Avon vs. #6 Clark-Willow Lake.
STATE INDIVIDUAL WRESTLING
Regional tournaments this weekend will determine the wrestlers going on to the state tournament in Sioux Falls in two weeks on Feb. 22-24. The top four placers in each weight class at each regional advance to state.
Pierre will host its Region 3A tournament at the Riggs High gym next Saturday, Feb. 17. Teams in this region include Aberdeen Central, Chamberlain, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte, Mitchell, Sisseton, Todd County, Milbank, Huron and Pierre. The other regional tournaments are 1A at Tea, 2A at Brandon Valley and 4A at Spearfish.
In Class B Stanley County will host the Region 4B tournament at Parkview Gym. Teams in this region include Bennett County, Custer, Elk Mountain, Faith, Harding County, Hill City, Hot Springs, Lead-Deadwood, Lemmon/McIntosh, Philip/Kadoka Area/Wall, Red Cloud, St. Francis, St. Thomas More, Lyman, McLaughlin, Mobridge-Pollock, Newell and Stanley County.
The other ‘B’ regionals are 3B at Parkston, 2B at Canton and 1B at Gettysburg. Sully Buttes is part of Region 1B, which also includes Webster, Warner/Northwestern, Redfield, Kingsbury County, Potter County, Ipswich/Bowdle, Hamlin/Castlewood, Groton, Faulkton, Doland, Clark-Willow Lake, Britton-Hecla, Sioux Valley and Tiospa Zina.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
The basketball postseason begins soon for Class “B” girls with regional play. Sully Buttes is in Region 6B to the north, and they will have games on Feb. 19, 20 and 22. As in all regions, the two teams which win semifinal games advance to the SoDak 16 on Feb. 29. (There are no regional championship games played.) All three of the girls state tournaments will be played March 7-9.
Stanley County is part of Class “A” Region 6A, and their games will also be played two weeks from now on Feb. 20 and 22. Here again the two semifinal winners that Thursday night advance to the SoDak 16 round on Feb. 29 where the eight winners advance to state.
Pierre and the Class “AA” schools do not have regionals. They begin postseason play with the SoDak 16 on March 1, and those eight winners advance to state.
BOYS BASKETBALL
The Class “B” boys, including Sully Buttes in Region 6B, begin postseason play with regional games Feb. 26, 27 and March 1. The two semifinal winners in each region advance to the SoDak 16 on March 5. The three state boys tournaments will be March 14-16.
Region 6A with Stanley County involved has its regional games on Feb. 27 and March 1. The two semifinal winners go on to the SoDak 16 round on March 5.
Pierre and the Class “AA” schools will have their SoDak 16 games on March 2 from which the eight state tourney qualifiers advance to state.
PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP
This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Girls wrestling: at ESD conference tournament, Harrisburg.
— FRIDAY
Gymnastics: home for state tournament.
— SATURDAY
Gymnastics: home for state tournament.
Boys wrestling: at state team duals tournament, Brookings.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Brookings.
Boys basketball: at Brookings.
Boys wrestling: Pierre dominated Mitchell, 63-9, in the last home dual of the season, ending with a dual record of 8-2. Gable Uhrig, Jacob Marson, Tristan Spencer, Max Hunsley, Brock Moser, Jason Ducheneaux, Lucas Chamberlin, Trey Lewis and Chance Carda all won by falls, and Alex Oedekoven won by decision. At the Yankton invitational Pierre was third with 179.5 team points behind Rapid City Stevens (209.5) and Tea Area (190.5) and ahead of Watertown (171). Chamberlin at 165 pounds and Carda at 190 won individual titles, and Ducheneaux placed second. Walker West, Oedekoven, Lewis and Elijah Boutchee all were third-placers. Uhrig was fifth, Hunsley sixth, Mason seventh and Moser eighth.
Girls wrestling: The Governor girls defeated Mitchell in a dual, 27-10. Of the six weights wrestled, Pierre won four on pins by Shaylee Speck, Sydney Uhrig and Lexie Hillmer and a decision win by Dani Ringstmeyer. On Friday at what was called the “unofficial state girls team dual tournament” at Canton, Pierre was the winner, beating Rapid City Central in the quarterfinals 54-15, beating Lakota Tech in the semifinals 48-24 and taking out Canton in the championship match 39-25. In the key title match Uhrig won by fall, Ringstmeyer by decision, Hillmer by fall, Kexrey Benning b y fall, Ireland Templeton by fall, Abby Lewis by forfeit and Emalee Larson by fall.
Boys basketball: The Governors defeated Yankton, 61-34, using a 25-4 second quarter to pull away from the Bucks. Dawson Getz had 16 points, Luke Olson 11, Tyan Buus 10 and Cooper Terwilliger nine. On Tuesday the boys lost to Huron, 50-46. Olson had 13 points and Jett Zabel 12. Pierre’s record is 9-6.
Girls basketball: The girls won twice this week. In a 55-29 win over Yankton, Reese Terwilliger had 24 points, Lennix Dupris 10 and Ryann Barry nine. On Tuesday the girls beat Huron, 58-45, using an 18-3 third quarter to blow the game open. Barry had 15 points, Terwilliger 14 and Dupris 10.
STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP
This week’s schedules:
— FRIDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Dupree.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: at Mobridge-Pollock.
Boys basketball: at Mobridge-Pollock.
Boys wrestling: At the huge Big Dakota tournament at home, the Buffaloes placed 10th as a team. Winner was the champion, followed by Kimball-White Lake/Platte-Geddes, Miller/Highmore-Harrold and Chamberlain. Spencer Sargent, Hayden Roggow and Tayton Walker each placed third. Landon Bame and Will Myers each placed sixth.
Girls wrestling: At the Big Dakota tournament Timber Hanson placed third at 100 pounds. The team placed 12th in the team standings. Lakota Tech was the team champion, followed by Miller/Highmore-Harrold, Sully Buttes and Chamberlain.
Boys basketball: The Buffs won twice more this week and are now at 10-7 for the season In a 65-55 win over Chamberlain the Buffaloes built their lead to as many as 20 points in the fourth period. In a 67-39 domination at Bennett County, SCHS got its lead up to 30 points in the fourth quarter, setting a running clock into operation for the rest of the game.
Girls basketball: The Buffalo girls lost to Sully Buttes, 51-30, as Breckyn Huebner with 18 points was high scorer for SC, whose record is 1-16.
SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP
This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Mobridge-Pollock.
Boys basketball: home vs. Mobridge-Pollock.
— SATURDAY
Girls basketball: at Warner Classic.
Boys basketball: at Aberdeen Christian.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Sunshine Bible.
Boys basketball: home vs. Sunshine Bible.
Girls wrestling: At the Big Dakota tournament in Fort Pierre, the Charger girls were third in the team standings behind Lakota Tech and Miller/Highmore-Harrold. Cateri Yellow Hawk was individual champion at 126 pounds. Tahnie Yellow Hawk was second at 132, Cheyenne Fuller third at 138 and Paige Jonas fifth at 138.
Boys wrestling: At the Big Dakota tournament Bryson Heuertz placed sixth at 165 pounds and Kayden Westergren fifth at 175.
Girls basketball: The Charger girls lost to Potter County, 47-39, led by Stevie Wittler’s 17 points. On Monday the girls whipped Stanley County, 51-30, led by Payge Bakker with 19, Wittler with 16 and Addy Chicoine with nine. SB’s record is 8-7.
Boys basketball: The boys also lost to Potter County, 54-43, as Eli Mercer had 15 points, Logan Severson 12 and Wesley Wittler 12. On Tuesday the Chargers took down Herreid-Selby Area, 61-46, led by Wesley Wittler’s 26 and Teagan Westphal’s 12 points. SB’s record is 6-7.
COUNTDOWN
1 day: State gymnastics tournament, Pierre (Feb. 9-10).
2 days: State team duals wrestling tournaments, Brookings and Watertown (Feb. 10).
3 days: Super Bowl LVIII, Las Vegas (Feb. 11).
6 days: Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14).
6 days: Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14).
9 days: Region 3A wrestling tournament, Pierre (Feb. 17).
11 days: Presidents Day (Feb. 19).
14 days: State individuals wrestling tournaments, Sioux Falls (Feb. 22-24).
15 days: Pierre Players’ “Clue: On Stage” (Feb. 23-March 2).
15 days: Minnesota Twins spring training opener (Feb. 23).
17 days: Pierre Concert Series: “Yu and I” (Feb. 25).
19 days: Georgia Morse Middle School musical, “The Lion King Jr.” (Feb. 27-29).
22 days: Zesto opens (March 1).
23 days: NSIC men’s/women’s basketball tournaments, Sioux Falls (March 2-5).
28 days: State girls basketball tournaments (AA Sioux Falls Pentagon, A Brookings Dacotah Bank Center, B Rapid City Summit Arena) (March 7-9).
29 days: Summit League men’s/women’s basketball tournaments, Sioux Falls (March 8-12).
31 days: Oscars, ABC-TV (March 10).
35 days: State boys basketball tournaments (AA Sioux Falls Premier Center, A Rapid City Summit Arena, B Aberdeen Barnett Center) (March 14-16).
38 days: Men’s NCAA Div. I basketball selection show, CBS-TV (March 17).
38 days: St. Patrick’s Day (March 17).
39 days: Women’s NCAA Div. I basketball selection show, ESPN (March 18).
43 days: Sioux Falls Storm season opener (March 22).
44 days: All-State Band concerts, Pierre (March 23).
45 days: Palm Sunday (March 24).
49 days: Minnesota Twins season opener, Kansas City (March 28).
50 days: Good Friday (March 29).
51 days: Pierre softball season openers (March 30).
52 days: Easter (March 31).
54 days: Pierre boys tennis season openers (April 2).
54 days: Bob Judson Invitational track meet, Pierre (April 2).
60 days: Solar eclipse (April 8).
40 days: First day of spring (March 20).
HOCKEY UPDATE
Oahe Capitals boys varsity: The Caps rolled Brandon Valley, 12-1, as Spencer Anderson made 12 saves. Devin Dodson and Barret Schweitzer each accomplished a hat trick. Jarron Beck and Aidan Dozark each scored two goals. Dylan Dodson and Keller Herman each lit the lamp once. The Caps play at home at 8 p.m. Friday vs. Mitchell, then go to Aberdeen for a 3 p.m. Sunday game.
Oahe Capitals girls varsity: The girls went up on Rushmore, 3-0, then held on against two late goals to beat the Thunder, 3-2. Dakota McEntaffer scored twice, and Micah Buffalo added a goal. Sophia Peschong had 15 saves in this game, then 14 more in a 7-1 loss to Sioux Falls. Brylee Kafka had the only Oahe goal. The girls end their regular season at 11 a.m. Sunday at Aberdeen.
Rapid City Rush: Rapid City split against Maine in Portland, winning 5-0 and losing 3-2. With their home ice arena finally vacant after the stock show, the Rush are home vs. Kansas City Friday and Saturday.
Aberdeen Wings: The Wings split with Austin, winning 6-2 and losing 5-1. Aberdeen hosts North Iowa Friday and Saturday.
Sioux Falls Stampede: The Herd lost twice to Fargo, 7-2 and 6-1. They play at Fargo Friday and host Sioux City Saturday.
Augustana men’s hockey: The first-year Vikings split at Bemidji State, losing 5-0 but winning 5-2. Augie hosts St. Thomas Friday and Saturday.
Minnesota Wild: After the NHL all-star break, the Wild returned to the ice last night and beat Chicago, 2-1. Minnesota hosts Pittsburgh Friday, then goes to Vegas Monday and to Arizona next Wednesday.
SOCCER UPDATE
Minnesota United FC: The Major League Soccer (MLS) season is just around the corner, and preseason games are being played this weekend. The Loons open the regular season at Austin on Feb. 24.
BASKETBALL UPDATE
Sioux Falls Skyforce: The Skyforce beat Rio Grande Valley, 108-99; beat Iowa, 157-156, and lost to Iowa, 122-115. Sioux Falls is home Friday and Saturday vs. Rip City and on the road to Oklahoma City Tuesday and Texas Wednesday.
Minnesota Timberwolves: The Wolves lost to Orlando, 108-106; beat Houston, 111-90, and blew a sure victory in an overtime loss to Chicago, 129-123. The Wolves play at Milwaukee Thursday, at the Los Angeles Clippers Monday and at Portland Tuesday.
BASEBALL UPDATE
Oahe Zap: Added to the 2024 Zap roster this week was Angel Escobar, freshman right-handed pitcher from Cerro Coso Community College in California. His hometown is Murrietta, Cali.
MIDCO SPORTS NETWORK LIVE GAMES THIS WEEK
— THURSDAY
Men’s basketball: UND vs. Omaha, 7 p.m.
Men’s basketball: USD vs. Denver, 7 p.m. (MS2).
— FRIDAY
Men’s hockey: Augustana vs. St. Thomas, 7 p.m.
— SATURDAY
Men’s basketball: UND vs. Kansas City, 1 p.m.
Men’s hockey: Augustana vs. St. Thomas, 6 p.m.
WORDS OF WISDOM
I have a lot of respect for genuine people. They might not be perfect, but at least they are not pretending to be.
— Anthony Gucciardi
FOOTBALL UPDATE
SOUTH DAKOTA 2024 SCHEDULE
Aug. 29 (Thurs.): Northern State.
Sept. 7: at Wisconsin.
Sept. 14: at Portland State.
Sept. 21: Drake.
Sept. 28: Southern Illinois.
Oct. 5: at Murray State.
Oct. 12: Northern Iowa (Dakota Day).
Oct. 19: at Youngstown State.
Oct. 26: at South Dakota State.
Nov. 9: Indiana State.
Nov. 16: at North Dakota.
Nov. 23: North Dakota State.
FOOTBALL CONTEST #28
If you haven’t already done so, send your Super Bowl winner to parkerhome16@hotmail.com by Sunday morning:
(1) San Francisco vs. Kansas City.
COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP
University of Sioux Falls women’s wrestling (Toby Bryant): The Cougar women lost to Iowa, 39-7. At the Grand Valley Open in Des Moines, USF had two champions and seven place winners in all. Toby’s first year as head coach continues with a dual vs. Chadron State Friday and the Warrior Open in Fremont, Neb., Saturday.
University of Sioux Falls men’s wrestling (Josh Rydberg): USF lost duals to Augustana, 43-6, and to MSU-Moorhead, 29-16. Josh did not wrestle in either dual. Now 2-10 overall and 0-7 in NSIC duals, USF’s next action is against Minnesota State Feb. 16.
Georgia Tech women’s basketball (Caleb Currier): Tech lost to Notre Dame, 85-48, but won over Wake Forest, 58-55. Now 14-8 overall and 5-6 in the SEC, Tech goes to Syracuse Thursday and plays at home vs. Miami Sunday.
University of Mary women’s basketball (Chloe Lamb): Mary beat Northern, 77-72, and beat Minot State, 80-47. The Marauders are 16-8 overall and 12-4 in the NSIC awaiting a road trip east to St. Cloud State Thursday and MSU-Moorhead Saturday.
Augustana swimming (Ella Ward Zeller): Idle last week, the Vikings are off until next week’s NSIC championships Feb. 14-17.
South Dakota State wrestling (Regan Bollweg): The Jackrabbits whipped twoo more Big 12 opponents, winning 33-3 duals over both Wyoming and Utah Valley on the road. Now 11-2 overall and 5-0 in the league, SDSU faces challenges Friday at Oklahoma and Saturday vs. Oklahoma State.
South Dakota State men’s track (Rylan McDonnell): At NDSU’s meet Rylan placed 12th in the long jump at 21’1 1/4″. SDSU stays home for its last-chance meet this weekend.
Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball (Nick Wittler): The Tigers had an all-winning week. Nick did not play in an 80-65 win over Hastings and a 79-70 win over Doane. Last night at home DWU beat Briar Cliff, 79-78, on a layup with six seconds left. Now 14-10 overall and 9-7 in the GPAC, DWU is home vs. Concordia Sunday and on the road to Morningside next Wednesday.
South Dakota State swimming (Morgan Nelson): At the Coyote Invitational Morgan placed eighth in the 100 breast stroke in 1:08.58, 51st in the 50 freestyle in :27.25 and 41st in the 100 freestyle in :58.98. She swam on three “A” relay teams, placing 12th in the 200 free in 1:40.88,
10th in the 400 medley in 4:13.13 and 10th in the 200 medley in 1:51.17. SDSU swims next at the Summit League championships in Minneapolis Feb. 21-24.
South Dakota State women’s track (Jessica Lutmer, Lydia Hill): At Iowa State’s meet in Ames, Jessica placed fifth in the 3000 meters in a personal-best time of 9:51.88. At NDSU’s meet Lydia placed 23rd in the shot put at 36’7 1/2″. SDSU’s home last-chance meet is this weekend.
Dakota State men’s track (Houston Lunde): At Dakota Wesleyan’s meet Houston placed fifth in the weight throw at 48’5 1/4″ and 13th in the shot put at 39’8″. DSU goes to Mount Marty’s meet Friday.
Dakota Wesleyan wrestling (Aric Williams, Tyson Johnson): Idle last week, the Tigers’ next action is the GPAC championships Feb. 16-17.
South Dakota men’s basketball (Max Burchill): In a 95-81 loss to UND, Max was 6-of-7 (2-of-2 in threes) and 2-of-2 for 16 points with three rebounds, two assists and a block. In a narrow 70-67 loss to SDSU, he was 0-for-4 and 1-of-1 for a point with two assists. Now 9-15 overall and 2-7 in the Summit, USD is home Thursday against Denver.
Black Hills State men’s basketball (Jackson Edman): BHSU defeated Colorado Christian, 79-73. Jackson did not play in the game. Now 10-10 overall and 8-6 in the RMAC, BHSU goes to Colorado Mines Friday and to Metro State Saturday.
Northern women’s basketball (Katie Bourk): The Wolves lost to Mary, 77-72; lost to St. Cloud State 75-55 and beat Bemidji State, 64-50. Now 16-7 overall and 11-5 in the NSIC, Northern is home Saturday vs. Minnesota-Crookston.
Other college basketball:
— USD women: Defeated UND 69-53; lost to SDSU 70-55.
Next: Thursday at Denver.
— SDSU men: Lost to NDSU in overtime 74-73; beat USD 70-67.
Next: Saturday home vs. Oral Roberts.
— SDSU women: Beat NDSU 65-58; beat USD 70-55.
Next: Saturday at Oral Roberts.
PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES
- Sincere thanks to the many, many people who sent birthday greetings whether by mail, phone, Facebook or any other means last weekend. Eighty-five feels no different than 84, which is probably a good thing. The goal now is 90, but that seems like a long way down the road from here. I guarantee I will not be doing the Midweek Update at age 90.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
I’m beginning to think that all the hatred evangelicals have toward Taylor Swift is because everyone can see that she’s far more like Jesus than they are.
— Chris Kratzer
BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES
Thursday, Feb. 8:
Karen Authier, Kelli Nuttbrock, Lindsey (Quinn) Nichols, Stephanie (Arne) Davison, Randy Stoeser, Karon Schaack, Alana (Tennant) Lacina, Chad Binger, Jean Deffenbaugh, Habie Swenson, Colby Wagner, Steph (Hull) Joens, Neil Ogan, Alex Plumage.
— 4th anniversary, William/Katherine (Van Gerpen) Cedeno Torres.
Friday, Feb. 9:
Dawn Hurney, Steve Smith, Mandy Braun, William Weingart, Jennifer McKillip, Karen Day, Bauer Hunt, Elsie Ann Shoup, Dessa Bryant, Carolyn Severyn, Jamie Lomheim.
Saturday, Feb. 10:
Ericka Deneke, Carie (Olson) Butter, Jessie Williams, Kelly (Kindle) Hipple, Hart Hoover, Jeanita (Adams) McNulty, Darcy White, Luke Ross, Chris Dvorak.
— 7th anniversary, Adam/Andrea Baker.
Sunday, Feb. 11:
Josh Baker, Jerilyn (Cass) Roberts, Jackson Sleger, Beth (Miner) O’Toole, Mackenzie Brock, Megan Tousley, Aaron Engberg, Carly (Feiler) Retterath, Jonathan Urbach, Kerry (Johnson) Bowers, Kelbie (Pearson) Frederick, Cheryl (Beckwith) Ulmen, Colleen (Doyle) Lamb, Kristin Gabriel, Chris Dockter, Beth Sachtjen.
Monday, Feb. 12:
Greyson Shindle, Jay Davis, Dave Osterkamp, Julie Linn, Shannon (Taft) Hallock, Cody Nelson, Dick Tobin, Lucas Hoover, Leonard Haggin, Nicholas Deal.
— 2nd anniversary Steven/Jordan (Keeler) Anderson.
Tuesday, Feb. 13:
Darin Smith, Gerda Jorgenson, Dorinda Daniel, Michell Boe, Nathan Shay, Karla Miles, Suttyn Stahl, Cooper Gloe, Stacie Mosiman, Sylvie Martin.
Wednesday, Feb. 14:
Brady Beck, Nic Lohman, Ryan Blake, Tammy (Groseclose) Serbousek, Mia Tousley, Veronica Urquhart, Kelli (Stephens) Ford, Kathy Kraft, Elaine Yackley, Kirby Welch, Leonore Friez, Joe Mnder, Karisa Magee, Josh Hook, Sydney Redden, Grady Yost.
— 15th anniversary, Roger/Shelley (Marone) Locken.
— 20th anniversary Matt/Rebekah (Lawver) Boyer.
— Anniversary, Mike/Dana (Garry) Reiprich.
Thursday, Feb. 15:
Tessa Jorgensen, Sephanie (Tveidt) Knapp, Brynlee Pease, Tracie (Seyfer) Vogel, Kendra (Woodburn) Zuercher, Lorena Hyde, Nolan Sazama, Lincoln Sazama, Curtis Egan, Ken Rausch.
— Anniversary, Dick/Carol Howard.
NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS
Pierre native Brian Custer, his wife Sarah, and their three children will be on the move this summer, going from Brian’s current duty station at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., to Fort Knox in Kentucky. This will be their sixth move to a new duty station. The Custers have been at Fort Riley, Kan.; Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; Fort Johnson, La.; Hohenfels, Germany; then Fort Leavenworth and soon Fort Knox. Brian, whose current rank is major, will be holding a few different positions at his new location, but first he will be the executive officer of the 19th Engineer Battalion. The Custers’ family includes Addison, 14; Toria, 9, and Ryker, 6.
Walter Dean Hoelscher, 86, died at home Jan. 31 after battling cancer since June of 2022. His funeral is being held this (Thursday) morning at 11 a.m. at Lutheran Memorial Church. Dean grew up in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and Lennox and graduated from Lennox High School. He earned a civil engineering degree at SDSC and served with the South Dakota Air National Guard from 1960 to 1966. He began his career with the state Department of Transportation in the Sioux Falls area office in 1960. His 38-year career with the DOT included 1966 to 1998 in the road design office; He married Yvonne Anderson in 1961, and they and young son Marc came to Pierre in 1966. Dean was the primary caregiver for 29 years for his wife, Yvonne, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis early in their marriage. Dean was a master builder and mechanic and treasured time spent with and teaching Marc and his two boys. Dean was also a trains and NASCAR fanatic. He is survived by his son, Marc (Sharon) Hoelscher of Pierre; his grandsons, Cole (Mariah) Hoelscher of Metamora, Ill., and Aaron (Payton) Hoelscher of Lacon, Ill., and his great-granddaughter, Delilah; Among those who preceded him in death were his wife, Yvonne; his brother, Dennis Hoelscher; and his sister, Deanna Kraus and her husband, Dennis.
The Riggs High play, “The Chips Are Down,” received superior-play honors at the state one-act play festival in Brandon last weekend. The Pierre play also earned a superior award for costume design and a superior award for set design. These individual actors earned superior individual acting awards: Sophia Maunu, Varian Miller, Lanie Stulken, Grace Schumacher, Bryce Bowman and Henry Thronson.
According to a news story by South Dakota News Watch’s Stu Whitney this week, Pierre native Camela (Clark) Theeler is under consideration for a lifetime federal appointment by the Biden administration. She and Sioux Falls lawyer Eric Schulte are candidates designated by Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds as choices for two new federal judges on South Dakota’s U.S. District Court. Cammy currently is a state circuit court judge and a former assistant U.S. district attorney. She graduated from the USD School of Law in 2000 and worked in private law practice before being named an assistant U.S. attorney in 2012. In 2018 she was appointed by Governor Daugaard as a judge in the 2nd Judicial Circuit in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties. Cammy’s husband, Tyson Theeler, is vice president in trust administration at First Premier Bank. The two nominations are considered to be certain when approval comes up before the U.S. Senate because they are supported by two Republican senators.
At the state one-act play festival in Brandon last weekend, Alya Richards, daughter of Kyle and Tammy Richards, earned a superior individual acting award for her performance in Stevens High School’s superior-winning “Romeo and Juliet.” Audrey Perli, daughter of Holly Knox and Nathan Perli, earned a superior acting award for her role as one of the two queens in Central High School’s superior-winning “Queen of Scots” play.
Sharon (Grebing) Roseland died at home Feb. 3. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at the Isburg Funeral Chapel, preceded by visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Sharon grew up in Pierre and worked for many years as an accountant at the Department of Game, Fish and Parks, retiring in 2002. Then she volunteered for many organizations. She was a prominent horsewoman, appearing in parades, rodeos and the Oahe drill team. She married Ronald “Hoss” Roseland in 1974, and he died in 1999. After her husband’s death Sharon kept their cattle for 10 years before selling them off. She retained their horses, however, and kept them close to her Fort Pierre home where she could see and feed them daily. She is survived by a nephew and a niece. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband
Andy Johnson of A-G-E Corporation has been named 2024 president of the Associated General Contractors of South Dakota’s highway-heavy-utilities chapter.
Now eight seniors on the state champion Pierre Governors football team have signed letters of intent to play college football. After Jett Zabel did so with North Dakota State earlier, seven more signed their letters Wednesday. They are Tyan Buus for Mount Marty College (he’ll also play basketball), Spencer Skjonsberg for Minnesota State-Mankato, Trey Lewis for the University of Sioux Falls, Spencer Easland for Wayne State in Nebraska, Lucas Chamberlin for Dakota State, Cade Kaiser for Northern State and Emmit Andersen for Northern State.
PONDER THIS
In this world you can search for everything except love and death. They find you when the time comes.
— Sergei Yesemin
An additional local connection exists for a RCAS Stevens HS Sophomore who earned a superior individual award at the state one-act play festival in Brandon. That student is Isla Woodruff, granddaughter of Pierre’s Kay (Zarecky) Hyde and Darwin Hyde, native son from Onida.