Sandra “Sam” (Olson) Collecchi, 61, of Auburn, Wash., formerly of Letcher, passed away July 13, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. 

A Celebration of Life will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Letcher Community Center.

Sandra, daughter of Gerald and Patricia Olson, was born June 6, 1963, in Mitchell. Sam grew up in Letcher and graduated from Letcher High School in 1981. She furthered her education at Nettleton Business College.

Sam was united in marriage with Randy Lee Collecchi in 1987 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She enjoyed a fulfilling career, retiring as an M&R Superintendent at SSA Marine Terminals. Sam’s dedication and work ethic were evident throughout her professional life.

Outside of work, Sam embraced her passions for camping, fishing, hunting, shopping, and gardening.

Sam is survived by her husband, Randy Collecchi; her siblings, Connie Marsden, Gerald (Ole) Olson, Julie Greene and Kayleen (Casey) Olson; her stepchildren, Kyle Collecchi and Miranda (Justin) Griffith and two grandchildren.

Darold H. Couch, 99, of Mesa, Ariz., formerly of Woonsocket, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, at Sanford Hospice in Fargo, N.D., after a short illness. 

Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 7, at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Burial followed at Hope Cemetery. Visitation was Friday, Sept. 6, also at the church.

Darold was born on Jan. 18, 1925, in Royal, Neb., to Johnny and Lily (Frahm) Couch. Darold was the second of three children. He was baptized and confirmed in the Zion Lutheran church in Orchard, Neb. He graduated from high school in the spring of 1942 from Royal, Neb. Darold enrolled and attended Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb., in the fall of 1942.

On Nov. 27, 1942, at the age of 17 years and 10 months, Darold enlisted in the army just two days after his older brother Lawrence. Darold and his brother entered the service and attended basic training together. During his years in the military, Darold was in the eastern theater of operations until Germany surrendered. He then returned home and was sent to the pacific theater until the war ended.

After returning home from the war, Darold met Lela Rothchild, and they were married in Orchard, Neb., on Aug. 25, 1946. To this union, five children were born. In 1954, the family moved from Bartlett, Neb., to Woonsocket, and then to Wessington Springs, where he continued to farm and ranch.

Due to health reasons in 1973, Darold, his wife, and their two youngest children relocated to Mesa, Ariz. This is where Darold resided until just recently. While in Arizona, Darold worked as a finish carpenter for Farnsworth Construction until his retirement in 1990. 

Darold enjoyed restoring tractors, ranching, hunting raccoons and pheasants, traveling, camping and fishing, playing cards, and dancing. His passion was playing and watching baseball. He was a lifelong member of the VFW and American Legion in Wessington Springs. 

Darold is survived by his sister, Eunice Blair of Omaha, Neb.; four children, Leta Sheehy of Arizona, D.D. (Patti) Couch of Custer, Rick (Loretta) Couch of Lake City, and Rolland Couch (Maryann Cahill) of Connecticut; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Couch of Old Hickory, Tenn.; 13 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Darold was preceded in death by his parents; son, Rory Couch; brother, Lawrence (Maxine) Couch; and brother-in-law, Ben Blair.