Kathryn Francis Kothe, 88, of Mitchell, formerly of Fedora, passed away on Feb. 17, 2022, at the Avera Brady Care Center in Mitchell. 

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the St. Agatha Catholic Church in Howard. Interment followed at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Howard. Visitation with family present was Tuesday, Feb. 22, at the church with a scripture service.

Kathryn Francis Kommes was born on April 20, 1933, to Mathias “Matt” and Sarah “Sadie” (Esser) Kommes on the family farm south of Howard. She attended St. Agatha grade school and high school. After graduating from high school, she worked for Northwestern Bell as a telephone operator in Howard. On Feb. 19, 1957, she married LaVerne Kothe at St. Agatha. To this union, three children were born. LaVerne and Kathryn made their home north of Fedora, where they lived for 61 years.

She was active in her community and church, serving on many committees, as a religion teacher and as a 4-H leader for the Happy Pals 4-H club. After her family was raised, she was employed by the Miner County Sheriff’s office as a dispatcher. She retired in November 2003.

Kathryn loved to knit, crochet, quilt, bake and read. She was known for her angel food cakes. She always had a large garden and enjoyed sharing the harvest.

Kathryn is survived by her husband, LaVerne; daughters, Diane (Merle) Bechen and Donna (Ted) DeLoy; 11 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother, Ralph (Sharon) Kommes; sister, Mary Ann Olson; and sister-in-law, Sharon Kommes.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, David; and brothers, Leo, Merle and Alan.

Esther Lorraine Sargent, 98, of Mitchell, died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab. 

Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb. 19, at Will Funeral Chapel, with a burial at Servicemen’s Memorial Cemetery at a later date. Visitation was Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Will Funeral Chapel. Memorials can be directed to the Red Cross or the Salvation Army.

Esther Lorraine Sargent, daughter of Garfield and Cleva (Burnett) Nelson, was born on the family farm in rural Artesian. She grew up and attended country school in rural Artesian.

Esther was united in marriage with Melvin Sargent Sr. on Feb. 7, 1939, in Woonsocket. The couple lived on a farm near Artesian before moving to a farm near Plano. They made their home in Mitchell in 1952. While in Mitchell, Esther was a homemaker and raised their children. After her children were grown, Esther was employed at Firesteel Healthcare Center for several years. In her retirement, she sewed and mended for the residents at Firesteel.

Esther enjoyed flowers and walking her dog.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Mitchell.

Esther is survived by her children, Karen Boyd of Omaha, Neb., Kay (Dennis) Gunderson of Chamberlain, Melvin “Bill” (Ronda) Sargent Jr. of Mt. Vernon, Kathy (Glen) Wentland of Mt. Vernon, Linda Kobold of Sioux Falls, Ron (June) Sargent of Rapid City, Gaye (Rene) Hubbard-Figueroa of Larchwood, Iowa, Melody (Rich) Maeschen-Granberg of Pierre, and Edwards Sargent of Mitchell; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Sargent, and her daughter, Sherry Sargent.

Raymond Knutson, 67, of Huron, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, at the Prairie View Healthcare Center at Woonsocket.

His funeral service was held Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Immanuel Baptist Church, Wessington Springs. Burial followed in the Earlville Cemetery, Wessington Springs. His funeral service was live streamed through the Kuhler Funeral Home website.

Raymond Dean Knutson was born Feb. 12, 1955, to Herman J. and Jennie (VonEye) Knutson, at Wessington Springs. He grew up on a farm northwest of Wessington Springs, where he farmed alongside his father and his sister, Chris. He attended eight years at the Hill Top Grade School. He then attended Wessington Springs High School, graduating in 1973. He stayed and worked on the farm with his dad for several years after that. In 1991, Ray moved to Huron. Due to poor health, he recently moved to the Prairie View Healthcare Center at Woonsocket.

Ray enjoyed farming. To Ray, art was anything with a motor in it, whether it being a car or motorcycle, he enjoyed driving them and tinkering on them.   

Ray married Kim Ransom; they later divorced but remained friends.

Raymond was survived by one son, Nicholas Knutson of Huron; two granddaughters; his special friend, Kim Knutson; seven stepchildren, Mariah (Wynn) Dorris, Leslie Walton, Tammy (Shane) Hammer, Kevin (Julie) Walton, Garry (Mandy) Hale, Amber (Dan) Goetz and Shannon (Todd) Beekman; 16 step-grandchildren; two sisters, Joyce (Dan) Piehl of Mitchell and Christine Schleining of Livington, Mont.; along with his nieces and nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.