Gerald Conley, 77, of Woonsocket, died Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, at Prairie View Healthcare Center in Woonsocket.  

Graveside services were held Monday, Nov. 23, at Servicemen’s Memorial Cemetery in Mitchell.  Arrangements were with the Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Gerald “Jerry” Conley was born April 5, 1943, to Lorraine (Giblin) Engelbritson and Beryl Conley in Sioux City, Iowa. Jerry grew up in Sioux City and later moved to Mitchell where he attended and graduated from Mitchell High School in 1962. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1962 and was honorably discharged in 1965.

Jerry spent most of his adult life working in California and Arizona. He moved back to South Dakota in 2008. Jerry spent three-and-a-half years in Inwood, Iowa in the Veterans Foster Program and the last nine years at Prairie View Healthcare Center in Woonsocket, where he was wonderfully cared for.

Jerry enjoyed life to the fullest. He always had a “tall story” to entertain with. He was happiest when he was around people sharing stories.

Jerry is survived by his cousins, Beryl Grohs of Victorville, Calif., Gary Grohs of Montgomery, Texas, Bill Maxwell of Clarendon Hills, Ill., Ken Giblin, Mike Giblin, and Kevin Giblin, all of Mitchell, and Diana Navin of Sioux Falls. 

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Beverly Jean Wire, 89 of Mitchell, died on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, at Firesteel Health Center. 

A private family service is being arranged with Will Funeral Chapel. The family will have a Celebration of Life for Bev at a later date when it is safe for family and friends to gather.

Beverly Jean Peer was born on Feb. 3, 1931, in Artesian to Lucille Gaston and John Wayne Peer. She spent her childhood in the Artesian/Fedora area. On May 24, 1947, she married Donald “Bud” Wire in Pipestone, Minn. They started their life together on the farm in Fedora, where Bev was known as “Toni” the hired man. To this union five children were born. Around 1960 the family sold the farm and relocated to Mitchell due to Bud’s health issues.

Once the kids were of school age, she started employment with Lakeview Vet Clinic. Bev also worked at Firesteel Health Center for over 15 years and other part time jobs.  She remained at Lakeview for over 35 years.

Beverly was compassionate. She enjoyed listening to Johnny Cash, rose bushes and weeping willows, shopping, snickers bars, Coca-Cola, fried chicken on Sundays, fudge at Christmas, and chocolate pudding, to name a few. She loved her family, friends, her dachshunds, and the holidays.  

She is survived by two sons, Laverne “Dick” (Carol) Wire of Madison and Ronald “Butch” (Mary) Wire of Pierre; a daughter, Colleen (Robert) Bouman of White River; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a brother, Warren Peer of Artesian; and a sister, Donna Glanzer of Wolsey.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald “Bud” Wire; twin sons, David Preston Wire and Daniel Paul Wire; her parents, Lucille and John Wayne Peer; sisters, Norma Heidinger and Vera May; and a brother, Laverne Peer.

William Hansen Jr., 93, of Huron, died on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, at Huron Regional Medical Center.  

A family funeral service will be held at 10:30 am, on Saturday, Nov. 28, at Welter Funeral Home with burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery in Huron. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday.

William Hansen, Jr., was born on April 14, 1927, in Huron to parents William, Sr. and Magdalena (Kludt) Hansen. Bill served in the United States Army in Germany during the Korean War. Bill farmed near Alpena and drove school bus for the Alpena School District for many years.

Bill married Beverly Van Der Aarde on Sept. 10, 1950, in Woonsocket. They lived on the farm near Alpena until 2004 when they moved to Huron.

Bill was a member of the American Legion and Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. He was active with Meals on Wheels, helped fold church bulletins, and was a church elder. He was a supporter of the Beadle County Humane Society. His grandkids lovingly called him Billy Grandpa. He was a kind and fun guy with a mischievous sense of humor. He loved dogs and playing cards.

Bill is survived by his daughters, Roxann (Merle) Veenhof of Huron and Miki (Ron) Wilde of Helena, MT; six grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; brother, Duane (MaryAnn) Hansen; sisters, Shirley Knutson and Jan (Ken) Huber; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Beverly in 2012; two brothers, Johnny and LeRoy Hansen; two sisters, Norma Spelbring and Delores Moilan; four sisters-in-law, Michiko Van Der Aarde, Sharron Hansen, Darlene Hansen, and Linda Steffensen; three brothers-in-law, Jerry Van Der Aarde, Jack Steffensen, and Marvin Knutson.