January 2020

Allen Shefner

Wessington Springs

Allen Shefner, 65, of Wessington Springs, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, at the Firesteel Nursing Home in Mitchell. 

His memorial service was Saturday, Jan. 25, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Wessington Springs. Rev. John Paulson officiated. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, rural Storla, at a later date. His memorial visitation was Friday, Jan. 24, at the Basham Funeral Home in Wessington Springs with the family present.

Allen Ray Shefner was born on Jan. 15, 1955, in Wessington Springs to Orlin and Lois (Thompson) Shefner.

He attended Lane Grade School until his freshman year and graduated from Wessington Springs High School in 1973. After high school, he continued working on the family farm and was joined in marriage to Lisa Barber in 1977. To this union, two daughters were born, Angela and Jennifer.

After working on the family farm, Allen worked for Tollefson Plumbing in Mitchell. For many years, he had his own plumbing business in Wessington Springs where he lived with his two daughters. Allen finished his plumbing career in Lower Brule before becoming ill with MS. Later, he was joined in marriage to Lorre Dicken, who had three daughters, Ashley, Alyssa, and Marie.

Allen is survived by his two daughters Angela (Matt) Thompson of Mitchell, and Jennifer (Kevin) Dubal of Seattle, Wash.; three stepdaughters, Ashley (Steven) Bridgman, Alyssa (Lane) Ternes, and Marie (Gunner) BaanHofman; brothers, Dina (Pudge) Shefner and Gregg Shefner; sister, Peggy (Clifford) Tibbs; and nine grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his father, Orlin; his mother, Lois; his wife, Lorre; and his grandparents.

Howard Bechen

Mitchell

Howard Bechen, 92, of Mitchell and formerly of Artesian, died Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab in Mitchell. 

Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 25, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell.  Burial was in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian. Visitation was Friday, Jan. 24, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with a prayer service. Bittner Funeral Chapel directed the arrangements.

Howard James Bechen was born on May 30, 1927, to Ruben and Elizabeth (Mader) Bechen.  He was born in Kadoka and joined the Navy after graduating high school in May of 1945.  Howard served in both World War II and the Korean War. 

After returning from the wars, Howard met and married Marg Moore. They were married on June 20, 1952. They were the proud parents of ten children. In January of 1982 the good Lord called Marg home. He then met Mary Beaner, and they were married on Dec. 23, 1983.

Howard was involved in many things other than ranching and farming. He was a member of the St. Charles Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Artesian Saddle Club, the Moose Club, the VFW and the Artesian America Legion. He was a 4-H leader and received numerous conservation awards. He enjoyed riding horses to check his cattle, as well as camping and boating for relaxing. 

Howard is survived by his wife, Mary (Beaner) Bechen; his children, Doug (Renee) Bechen of Whitewood, Sandy (Dick) Krantz of Winner, Merl (Diane) Bechen of Mitchell, Larry (Carn) Bechen of Chaska, Minn., Joe (Donna) Bechen of Winfred, Brad (Kathleen) Bechen of Huntsville, Ala., John (Gayle) Bechen of Letcher, Tom (Marie) Bechen of Mitchell, Barbie (Greg) Becker of Little Elm, Texas, and Dave (Brenda) Bechen of Mitchell; 34 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.

Howard was preceded in death by his first wife, Marg (Moore) Bechen; infant grandson, Ian Bechen; parents, Ruben and Elizabeth (Mader) Bechen; brothers, Russell, Donald and Edward Bechen; in-laws, Loraine, Carol, and Joyce Bechen, Melvin, Earl, and Bonnie Moore, and Joe and Bill Beaner; and one niece, Dixie Zoelle.

Lennis Sonne, 82, of Huntsville, Ala., and formerly of Mitchell, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m., Saturday, March 21, at Will Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in rural Letcher.

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