Edgar Clark Edwards, 79, of Letcher, passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell.  

Funeral services were held Monday, July 25, at the Letcher Community Church.  Burial was at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27, at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis.

Clark was born on Aug. 29, 1942, to Edgar and Maybelle (Litwinenko) Edwards in Alton, Ill. The younger of two boys, Clark was just 11 when their father passed away. The family then moved to Lincoln, Neb., to live with Maybelle’s sister, Christine. They spent all their summers with his aunts, uncles and cousins on the family farm in Herreid. There, he developed a fondness for farming, tractors and South Dakota, and a strong belief in hard work, responsibility, laughter and family. 

Clark attended the University of Nebraska, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He entered the Air Force as an officer in 1965. He had overseas assignments in both Japan and Germany. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, SAEMR (Small Arms Expert Marksmanship), National Defense Medal, and AFLSA (AF Longevity Service) with Oak Leaf. Clark left the Air Force with the rank of Captain and went to work for the US Army Space Program and TENCAP (Tactical Exploration of National Capabilities Program) at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. He retired in 1997 after 32 years of Federal Service. Upon retirement, he moved to South Dakota, where he found his new home in Letcher. He spent 17 years there with dear friends and the loving community at Letcher Community Church. He enjoyed his weekly coffee with friends and spending time with the crew at Buckshots. He remained a lifelong Huskers fan.

Clark loved music, from classical to jazz, travel, reading about history and science, and Volvos. He especially loved tracing the roots of his family, who immigrated from Ukraine/Russia.  He enjoyed multiple trips to Western Europe, especially Germany and the Netherlands. Each year, he spent the holidays with his brother’s family in Colorado.

Clark is survived by his niece, Lisa (Jason) Atkins of Erie, Colo.; nephew, Tom Edwards of Brighton, Colo.; two grandnieces; and his cat, Silk.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Terry Edwards.

Sonja M. Selland, 84, passed away on July 16, 2022, at Edgewood Assisted Living in Mitchell.

A memorial service will be delayed until people can safely assemble. The family will notify loved ones in the future when the service is scheduled.

Sonja was born Sept. 23, 1937, in Faith, to Ingvald and Anna Olson. She graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls and then completed two years at Augustana College, where she met Doyle Selland. They were married on Sept. 10, 1957. They made their home on the farm in Letcher for 64 years.

While raising her four children, Sonja took on cooking for hired men and driving silage trucks. With her children and grandchildren, she shared her love of literature, art, swimming, travel, and sweets. Even the great-grandchildren knew she would always have ice cream. Sonja was known for her letter writing and for her prowess at crossword puzzles and Scrabble. She loved to cheer on her family in everything they did. Her favorite pastime was rewatching basketball games she knew had been won because, as she would say, “Basketball is not for the faint of heart.”

Sonja was a member of Storla Lutheran Church and the women’s circles. Her faith was grounded in love, acceptance, and forgiveness. She often quoted her favorite verse: “Romans 13:10 Love is the only law you need.”

Sonja was a lifelong learner, loved to read and regularly attended the American University Week for Women. She helped to establish a library at Storla Lutheran Church. However, Sonja was most proud of completing her college degree at Dakota Wesleyan University in 1983. She worked as a secretary in the psychology department at DWU and then as an office manager for Piper Jaffray in Mitchell.

Sonja is survived by her husband, Doyle; her children, Brad (Chris) Selland, Brett (Kelly) Selland, Heather Tuthill, Sue (Patrick) Selland-Miller; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Sonja was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings and their spouses, Norman (Nellie) Olson, Enoch (Ardys) Olson, Ida (Joe) Vincler, Ruth (Rodney) Jones, and Andy Olson.

Memorials may be directed to Storla Lutheran Church, Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota, or Avera Hospice.

Sister Loraine Brown, 88, a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at Avera Prince of Peace in Sioux Falls. 

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, July 25, at Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Presentation Convent in Aberdeen, with public visitation prior to Mass. Reverend David Janes was celebrant and homilist.  Interment at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery followed Mass. Public Visitation was held on Sunday, July 24, at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls, with a Liturgical Wake Service.  

Billie Jean was born Feb. 22, 1934, in Sioux Falls, to Ethel (Waddell) and Charles Brown.  Billie Jean graduated from Notre Dame Academy, Mitchell, in 1952. She entered Presentation Convent on Sept. 8, 1952, and made her profession of vows on Aug. 10, 1955, receiving her religious name of Sister Loraine.            

Sister Loraine attended Presentation College and earned a BS in Education from Northern State University in 1969. She graduated from Sister Rosalind’s School of Professional Massage, St. Paul, Minn., in 1992 and later became certified in Healing Touch.

Sister Loraine served over 23 years in education ministry teaching in South Dakota at Woonsocket, Jefferson, Bridgewater, Mitchell and Huron and in Minnesota at Willmar, Mound and Anoka. She served as pastoral minister at St. Peter’s Parish, Forest Lake, Minn., from 1979-1987 and then became administrative coordinator of the Forest Lake Seniors’ Community Center. She ministered as a massage therapist in Forest Lake and Lindstrom, Minn., and Avera Queen of Peace, Mitchell. Sister Loraine had a wonderful sense of humor. She loved music, tap dancing, birdwatching, fishing, walking, carpentry, and nature.

Sister Loraine is survived by her community family of Presentation Sisters; four sisters, Sister Donna Brown PBVM, Bernadette “Bernie” Millard, Marilyn Boese, Joanna “Jo” Salmon; and many nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Albert “Bus” and Robert; three sisters, Lila Christy, Arlene Thoms and Juletta Oettinger.