Donald Nicolaus Burkel, 74, of Woonsocket, passed away on Nov. 25, 2023. 

Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 2, at Basham Funeral Chapel, Woonsocket. Visitation was held Friday, Dec. 1, at the funeral home with a prayer service. Burial was at Restlawn Memory Garden.

Donald, son of Nicolaus and Nideen (Peterson) Burkel was born on April 17, 1949, in Huron. Don grew up in the Woonsocket area.

He met and married his wife, Donna Wieting, on Feb. 17, 1973, in Wessington Springs. They shared 47 years before Donna passed away in 2020.

Don worked at various places, Van Dyke Supply, the Ford garages, Volney Warner, and Ray’s in Woonsocket, and A-1 Trucking, Huron. Don then moved his family to rural Woonsocket and began working with Gary Kindle at Al’s Place. Don started his own business, Don’s Repair, in 1980 and assisted his son at Red Rock Repair for the last five years.

Don loved his family, especially his kids and grandkids. He loved to sit and visit, proudly telling stories of them. He loved a good pheasant or deer hunt with family and friends. Don was always willing to lend a hand to his neighbors and friends.

Don is survived by his children, Danaee Marquette of Aurora, Jona Hokanson (Mike Wanous) of Huron, Mathew (Sarah) Burkel of Woonsocket, and Curtis Burkel of Woonsocket; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Carl Burkel of Huron; sisters, Janet (Laural) Voorhees and Margret (Mike) Moody of Woonsocket; and numerous other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lena Ann; wife, Donna; son, Daniel; granddaughter, Isabel; three brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law.

Norma Mae Howard, 67, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, at Monument Health Sturgis Hospital.

Memorial services were held Friday, Dec. 1, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis, with a committal service that followed at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Condolences may be sent to the family at kinkadefunerals.com.

Norma Mae Albert was born Dec. 26, 1955, to Robert (Bob) and Barbara Albert in Cody, Wyo. In 1971, Norma moved with her family to Casper, Wyo., where she finished her education, graduating from Natrona County High School.

Norma met her husband, Wayne Howard, in Casper, and it was there they were married on Nov. 23, 1984. They moved to Sturgis, soon afterward, where Wayne started his own logging business. Norma worked for the Meade County School District for 27 years, retiring in the spring of 2021.

Norma loved to travel and would go with Wayne to log whenever she could. Together, Norma and Wayne enjoyed many vacations in many states. When Wayne couldn’t go, Norma would travel with family and friends. She loved to visit National Parks, with Grand Teton and Yellowstone being her favorites. She loved adventures, a favorite being riding in the side by side with family and friends. She loved to spend time going to Wyoming to stay at her sister and brother-in-law’s cabin in the Medicine Bow National Forest.

Norma was never afraid to speak her mind, share advice, or create a memory. She stood her ground and never backed away from a challenge. She gave with an endless heart and open arms, never expecting anything in return. Taking care of her family was important to her.

Norma is survived by her husband, Wayne Howard of Sturgis; sisters, Carol Howard of Casper, Wyo, and Sherri Adams (Bob Kobes) of Sturgis; brothers and sisters-in-law, Janis (Dominique) Lepore of Greenfield, Mass., Teresa (Stan) Smeltzer of Wichita, Kan., Doug (Delores) Howard, Lynda (Brad) Steichen of Woonsocket, Brad Howard of Mitchell, Frank (Larae) Howard of Casper, Wyo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Barbara Albert; brothers, Dale and Mike Albert; in-laws, Francis and Edith Howard; brothers-in-law, Mike Howard, Pat Howard, and Jerome Howard; sister-in-law, Marlene Howard; and nephew, Joshua Adams.