Ernest L. “Ernie” Anderson, 63, of Woonsocket and former Sanborn County deputy sheriff, died Saturday, May 14, 2016, at Prairie View Healthcare Community in Woonsocket.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 19 from 5-7 p.m. at the Woonsocket School Gym, followed by a Masonic Service at 7 p.m., and the funeral service at 7:30 p.m. Cremation will follow this service.
Ernest Lyle Anderson was born May 8, 1953, to Palmer and Gladys (Espeland) Anderson in Mobridge. He grew up on the family farm north of Glenham. Ernest attended grade school at Wayside and Rabenberg county schools and Mobridge High School. He played basketball in his senior year, and the team went to state. Ernest was the tallest basketball player in the state of South Dakota. Ernest was baptized and confirmed at Norway Lutheran Church in rural Glenham.
Ernest married Patty Beyerle on Nov. 16, 1977, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mobridge.
He started his career in law enforcement by working as the weekend cop in Herreid. In 1985, Ernest and his family moved to Webster, and he worked as a city patrolman there and in Waubay. He also worked for the John Deere Implement dealer. In August of 1991 they moved to Woonsocket, and Ernie was hired as the Deputy Sheriff of Sanborn County and worked for 20 years. During the interview, he told Sheriff Tom Fridley that he did have a disability, he was a “little short.” Throughout those 20 years, Ernest was noted to be good with kids, he gave people chances, he was patient and understanding, he was hard-working, putting in 60-hour weeks without complaining, and he was liked by everyone. He became known as “Big Ern.”
Ernest was also a member of the Masons, an EMT, County Coroner, Director of Emergency Management, Civil Defense, volunteer firefighter, dog catcher  and a member of the Huron SWAT team. He helped with law enforcement at the South Dakota State Fair and worked with law enforcement at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for nine years.
Because of a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, he took an early retirement in 2012. As the Parkinson’s caused more disability, Ernest never lost the desire to do more. He enjoyed helping his brother, Bud, with the fall harvest. Ernest will be remembered for his humorous Christmas letter, which everyone waited for during the holidays. Ernest was a member of the Letcher Community Church. He will be missed by all.
Ernest is survived by his wife of 39 years, Patty; his daughter, Diedra (James) Grosz; two granddaughters; his siblings, Lorraine Anderson, Bud (Janice) Anderson, Liz (Doug) Arndt, and Dale (Francis) Anderson; his uncles, Marvin (Beverly) Espeland and Teddy (Ruth) Anderson; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Tom Fridley and Loren Odland.
He was preceded in death by his brother, LeMoyne; his parents; and grandparents.
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    John Vetter, 63, of rural Woonsocket, died Thursday afternoon at his residence.  Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, May 17 at St. Wilfrid’s Catholic Church in Woonsocket with Fr. Jim Friedrich officiating. Cremation followed the Mass and burial will be St. Wilfrid Cemetery  at a later date. Visitation was Monday, May 16 at the church, with a scripture service following.
John Joseph Vetter was born on April 3, 1953, the son of Leo and Mary Jo (Grassel) Vetter.
John attended St. Joseph Catholic School for eight years and graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1971.
Throughout his life, John worked in many aspects of the construction business in many states. From North Dakota Carpenters Local 1091 coal gasification project to Stanford University in California, he worked and learned more about his life-long profession.  Skilled in all aspects of construction and cabinetry, John ran his own business for many years.
John married Janice (Jenny) Loomis on Oct. 12, 1979, Jenny passed away on Nov. 24, 1997. John married Gloria Anderson on May 28, 1999.
John enjoyed fishing, farming, gardening and spending time with family and friends.  An avid bird watcher, his binoculars were always close at hand.
John was a hard working man, best dad, loving husband, and a good friend.  He will be missed dearly.
John is survived by his wife, Gloria of Woonsocket; six children, Shannon Hallock of Pierre, Jessica Vetter (Kyle Kubousek) of Watertown, Jodi Vetter of White, Joe Vetter (Kayla Collins) of Miller, Jayni Vetter of Denver, Colo., and Alex Vetter of Yankton; two stepchildren and their spouses, Jennifer (Brett) Muecke of Slayton, Minn., and Jon (Rachel) Anderson of Woonsocket; four grandchildren and six step-grandchildren; and two sisters, Margaret Christensen of Woonsocket, and Theola Cecil of Littleton, Colo.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Mary Jo Vetter; and his first wife, Jenny Vetter.