Morris John Brosnan, 71, of Black Hawk, died on Nov. 26, 2021.

Memorial services were held on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at Our Lady of The Black Hills Catholic Church, with burial following at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Morris was born on Feb. 7, 1950, in Huron to Ray and Ileane Brosnan. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Woonsocket through eighth grade and then attended Woonsocket Public High School, graduating in 1968. After high school, Morris joined the South Dakota Air National Guard and worked as a jet engine mechanic for six years.

Morris married LaVonne Nelson on Dec. 20, 1969, at St. Wilfrid Catholic Church in Woonsocket. They were married 52 years. To this union, they had two sons, Chad and Jesse.

Morris worked for the International Harvest dealer in Huron for three years. In 1975, he ventured out on his own, purchasing his first parcel of land and starting Morris Brosnan Used Farm Equipment. Over the next twenty-five years, he built a reputation of selling high quality, new and used John Deere farm equipment. He continued to purchase land and follow his passion of farming. In 1995, he accepted a manager position at Greenline Equipment, a John Deere dealership, in Miller. After three years, he was offered the regional manager position of four John Deere dealerships in Idaho. Morris and LaVonne lived in Idaho Falls, Idaho, during this time. He received manager’s club honors for his district two out of the five years he was there.

In 2001, he returned to their farm in SD and spent his winters at their home in the Black Hills. He retired from farming in 2013. Morris continued to have a passion for tractors, restoring them and taking them to ride in various states. He coordinated with the radio station in Sturgis to form his own tractor ride in the Black Hills, which drew participants from several states. In 2017, Morris and LaVonne built a home in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. He loved the time he spent with his family. He loved going trail riding with LaVonne in their Polaris Razors. He was also involved with Mustang car events.

Morris is survived by his wife, LaVonne; two sons, Chad (Angela) of Rapid City and Jesse of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; five grandchildren; two aunts, Mary Ann Jackson of Lane and Delores Bogenreif of Cedarburg, Wis.; and one sister-in-law, Penny Magstadt of Mitchell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Ileane Brosnan, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Phyllis “Phyl” Bernita Manke, 89, of Woonsocket, passed away Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, after spending six years at Prairie View Healthcare in Woonsocket. 

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the Forestburg Lutheran Church. Visitation was held an hour prior to the service. Burial was in the Silver Creek Cemetery, rural Forestburg.

Phyllis Bernita (Schwemle) Manke was born March 9, 1932, the oldest child of Carl and Blanche (Fouberg) Schwemle, at their home southwest of Forestburg. Phyl was a lifelong resident of Sanborn County.

Phyl was baptized, confirmed, and married at Forestburg Lutheran Church, where she was always an active member. She taught Sunday school, wrote and printed the newsletter, partook in women’s Bible study, quilting, and was the church secretary for several years, followed by 28 years as the church treasurer.

On June 10, 1956, Phyl married Clyde Manke, originally from Norwalk, Wis. They had three children and enjoyed taking family trips to visit family. In 1962, they bought the Schwemle Machine Shop, and Phyl worked as the bookkeeper. In 1966, the couple bought a used house and moved it to its current location near her childhood home and the Schwemle Machine Shop. 

Reading, vegetable and flower gardening, lawn care, yearly oyster parties, and spending time raising her kids were at the heart of many of the most memorable moments in Phyl’s life. She was also a talented seamstress.

Phyl is survived by her children, Janet Manke of Forestburg, Joyce (Richard) Harker of Columbus, Ind., and Kevin Manke of Mitchell; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and siblings, Don Schwemle of Forestburg and Dave Schwemle of Mitchell. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Manke in 1991; her infant brother; and her sister, Clara Schmidt. 

Keith Robbins, 93, of Wessington Springs, passed away early Thursday morning Dec. 2, 2021, at the Avera Weskota Manor.

Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 6, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Wessington Springs. Burial was in Prospect Hill Cemetery, with military rites by the Wessington Springs American Legion Post 14. Visitation was Sunday at the Basham Funeral Home in Wessington Springs and one hour prior to the service on Monday.

Keith was born to Frank and Roxie (Evans) Robbins on Aug. 9, 1928. He attended various country schools and graduated from Wessington Springs High School in 1946. Following graduation, he joined the US Navy and served until July of 1948. His parents had moved to Oregon, so following his discharge, he attended barber school in Portland, Ore. He then returned to Wessington Springs to work as a barber.

On June 1, 1951, he was united in marriage to Marilyn “Jo” Easton. They were blessed with three daughters: Kay, Patricia and Nyla.  

In 1952, they started farming and farmed until 1994 when they moved to Wessington Springs.  After retirement he missed working with his cows and calves, but filled up his time with fishing, golfing, bowling, camping and playing cards.  He and Jo took several bus trips. 

Keith was an active member of Templeton Church, he served on the Anina Township school board, and served nine years as an ASCS County Committeeman.  He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, and Senior Citizens.

Keith loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandkids.  He cheered them on at many games and wrestling matches.

Keith is survived by his wife, Marilyn; daughters, Kay (Darwin) Reindl and Patricia, of Wessington Springs, and Nyla (Carl) Kappel of Woonsocket, eight grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter; two brothers-in-law and their wives; four nephews; and one niece.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Levi and Harold; and a sister, Mary Setterstrom.