Archive for 2014

Letcher Fire Department receives $2,000 grant for equipment

Grant provided by FCSAmerica for disaster relief initiatives

Pictured are, left to right: Jennifer Sprecher, Farm Credit Services of America, Rod Clarembeau, Letcher Fire Department Chief, Brandon Manchester, Letcher Fire Department President and Darin Amick, Letcher Fire Department Vice President.

Letcher –  Letcher Volunteer Fire Department received a $2,000 Working Here Fund grant to support the purchase of equipment needs, including a new frame tank replacement liner and hoses. The grant is provided through Farm Credit Services of America’s (FCSAmerica) Working Here Fund.
The Letcher Volunteer Fire Department’s need for new hoses and tanks stems from the need for an accessible water supply in rural areas where water access may be limited. Rural structures require special accommodations and the ability to help save farm and grasslands is essential in South Dakota.
“The department’s effort to replace new equipment is based on necessary community needs,” said Darin Amick, Letcher Fire Department. “We plan to make the purchases as soon as possible to ensure the highest level of protection for our rural community.”
Local personnel will be properly trained and provided the opportunity to refresh fire and rescue procedures when the equipment is installed and ready to be put into service.
“We are happy to help Letcher reach their goal of having the necessary equipment for rural areas in case of fire,” said Wes Chambers, vice president, FCSAmerica, Mitchell. “It is a worthwhile effort.”
The Letcher Fire Department is one of 53 organizations to receive an FCSAmerica Working Here Fund grant. FCSAmerica awarded $76,600 in grant funds during the latest grant cycle ending Sept. 30, including $12,750 for community projects in South Dakota.
The Working Here Fund provides up to $2,000 each for projects and organizations that make a positive, long-term impact in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota or Wyoming in the areas of hunger and nutrition, agriculture education and young and beginning producers. Grants are determined quarterly based on specific selection criteria.
To complete an application, visit www.fcsamerica.com/workingherefund.

Mary Jo Vetter

Woonsocket

Mary Jo Vetter, age 95, of Woonsocket died Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 at Prairie View Care Center, Woonsocket.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Wilfrid Catholic Church, Woonsocket, with Fr. Jim Friedrich officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Visitations were Monday at St. Wilfrid Catholic Church, with scripture service at 7 p.m., and one hour prior to service at the church on Tuesday.
Arrangements are by Basham Funeral Service, Woonsocket.
Mary Jo Grassel was born on Jan. 11, 1918 to Joe and Mary (Maddock) Grassel at their rural home in Artesian. She was the eldest of eight children. She attended rural school at Afton #4, freshman year of high school at Notre Dame Academy in Mitchell,  sophomore and junior years at Woonsocket High School and graduated from Artesian High School in 1937. She took nurse’s training at St. Joseph School of Nursing in Mitchell, graduating in 1940 as a registered nurse. She then became the office nurse for Dr. Mabee for four years.
In 1944, she joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps for two years.  She served in Camp Crowder, Mo. and the Philippine Islands of Luzon, Leyte, and Mindanao.  She was discharged as a 1st. Lt. in 1946. In 1970 she became a charge nurse at the newly opened Prairie View Care Center for seven years.
On Feb. 1, 1947, she married Leo Vetter at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Brisbine.  They then farmed at Woonsocket. In 2008, she became a resident of Prairie View Care Center.
She was active in her church, St. Wilfrid, and the community. She received the Papal Medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice from Pope John XXIII in 1959 for her activity in the church and community. She was a member of the Altar Society, Catholic Daughters, Blue Army, American Legion and National Suffolk Association.
She is survived by three children, Theola Cecil of Littleton, Colo., John Vetter and wife, Gloria, and Margaret Christensen all of Woonsocket; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren;  a brother, John Grassel of Artesian; two sisters, Eleanor Unterbrunner of Artesian and Raeburn Moore of Mitchell.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo, in 2001; granddaughter, Sarah Christensen; daughter-in-law, Jenny Vetter; son-in-law, Hans Christensen; brothers, Ted and Francis; sisters, Ruth Hinker and Monica VanOverschelde.

Mary E. VanOverschelde, age 97, of Mitchell, formerly of Letcher, died Nov. 23, 2013 at Avera Brady Health and Rehab.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Mitchell. Visitation was Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Burial was in St. Scholastica’s Catholic Cemetery, Letcher.
Mary was born in Alexandria on Aug. 16, 1916 to Charles and Ella (McDonald) Harding. She married Leonard VanOverschelde on Nov. 28, 1939 in Alexandria. They made their home and farmed in the Letcher area all of their lives.
She enjoyed baking and gardening, but especially being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of St. Scholastica’s Catholic Church in Letcher until their closure and became a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and Altar Society in Mitchell.
She is survived by her children, Eugene (Nancy) VanOverschelde of Coppel, Texas, Margaret Timp of Sioux Falls, Janet Timp of Pierre, Phyllis Wright of Crystal, Minn., Patricia (Ray) Guse of Watertown, Minn., Beverly Fergison of Ft. Dodge, Iowa, Darrel VanOverschelde of Parkston and Loren (Julie) VanOverschelde of Letcher; two sisters, Evelyn Schlimgen of Mitchell and Trudie Morgan of Orlando, Fla.; 22 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leonard; sons, Virgil,  and his wife and family and David in infancy; daughters, Eilene and Elizabeth; sons-in-law, Gary Wright, Jay Timp and Perry Fergison; a brother, Frank Harding; and a sister, Irene Smith.

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