Merrell Moore Fails, 81, of Mitchell, passed away on Friday, June 7, 2024, at Prairie View Healthcare Center in Woonsocket. 

Funeral arrangements are pending under the direction of Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Merrell June Moore Fails was born June 28, 1942, to Stanley and Ivy (Fuller) Moore in Wroxham, England.

Merrell is survived by her children, Kenneth Harper of Killeen, Texas, Mark Harper of Killeen, Texas, and Yvette Nemec (Fails) of Mitchell; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and siblings, Patricia Adams, Anthea Dasti, Christopher Moore, Sandra Moore, and Raymond Moore.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Irene (Baumgart) Hohn, 100, passed away on June 7, 2024, at Weskota Manor in Wessington Springs. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 13, at St. Wilfrid Catholic Church in Woonsocket. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Please join the family for lunch and reminiscing after the burial. Visitation was 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, also at the church, with a scripture wake service at 7 p.m. The Mass will be live-streamed on the Basham Funeral Service – Woonsocket, SD Facebook page. 

Irene was born at home in Davison County by Ethan, on June 23, 1923, to August and Alice (Dickson) Baumgart. Irene was the oldest of 13 children. She was a loving and thoughtful mother, wife and friend who prayed her rosary many times a day, especially for anyone with a special need.

Irene attended Tobin 11 Country School, and at the age of eight, she would drive a horse and buggy and take her siblings with her to school. When she graduated from the eighth grade, she was awarded a beautiful black and white pen for the best penmanship, and she continued to have beautiful writing all of her life. Irene worked hard for neighbors, milking cows, and cleaning chickens for dinner every night, earning three dollars a week. Before she was married, Irene started playing the violin and saxophone in the family band with her sisters and brothers, who played banjo and drums. When she was 16, she moved to Stickney, where she started to work serving hot lunches at the school, being paid $19 per month. 

In the sixth grade, she remembered meeting her future husband, Victor, and they started going together when she was 16 after he said, “someday you are going to go with me to the altar.” She married the love of her life, Victor, when she was 21, and they had a huge wedding dance. She joined Victor and his three brothers in their band, making $150-$200 a night. They played for many weddings and barn and house dances in the area. Irene loved to polka, waltz and square dance. She began married life living on several different farms and at last settling in Woonsocket.

Times were not always easy, but she always provided meals for threshing crews, milked cows, cared for the farm animals and managed the busy household with seven kids. Food was always on the table, and she especially enjoyed preparing Sunday dinner for her family and visitors. She always found time to attend church circles and other activities at St. Wilfrid Catholic Church, where she was a member. On Sunday morning, her children’s seven pairs of shoes were shined and lined up on the kitchen table. They piled seven children, Grandma and Grandpa and themselves in a 1951 Chevy to go to church. After Victor’s passing, Irene moved to Wessington Springs to the house they had purchased as their retirement home. At 98 years old, this brave lady still drove herself to the beauty shop. When asked her advice for a long life, she said, “Put God first, learn to forgive, be thankful for what you have.” 

Irene is survived by her sister, Karen Berg; brothers, Denny (Jan), and Dale (Cheryl) Baumgart; her seven children, Harlen (Dee) Hohn of Sioux Falls, Ronnie Hohn of Wessington Springs, Darrell (Marcia) Hohn of Beresford, Dianne (Dan) Golay of Wessington Springs, Marilyn Hinrichs of Wessington Springs, Glen (Val) Hohn of Woonsocket, and Merle (Jean) Hohn of Huron; sisters-in-law, Judy and Rita Baumgart; her grandchildren, Kristi (David) Renner, Salli (Mark) Norhtdurft, Jason (Jennie) Hohn, Stephanie (Ron) Lucshen, Adam (Ann) Golay, Travis (Dayna) Hohn, Tara (Rod) Weber, Jody (Susanne) Hinrichs, Michelle (Ray) Hohn, Dustin (Mercedes) Hohn; step-grandsons, David (Nichole) Wilson and Dana Wilson; 28 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, and nephews.  

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Victor; six sisters, Delores Smith, Rosella Nielson, Ruth Spitzer, Verna Stindtman, Betty Kurtenbach, and Sharon Kendall; three brothers, Leonard, Melvin, and Dwayne Baumgart; grandson, Andrew Hohn; granddaughter, Julie Binkerd; great-granddaughter, Hannah; and son-in-law, Calvin Hinrichs.

Doyle M. Selland passed away at 89 years of age surrounded by his family on June 2, 2024, at Weskota Manor in Wessington Springs, S.D. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at First Lutheran Church in Mitchell, S.D., with burial at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, rural Storla, S.D. Visitation was from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Will Funeral Chapel, with a prayer service that began at 6:30 p.m. Arrangements were under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel. 

Doyle was born February 11, 1935, in Mitchell, S.D., to Albert and Mildred (Hetland) Selland. He graduated from Letcher High School in 1953 and Augustana College in 1957. He met the love of his life, Sonja Olson, in college and they were married on September 10, 1957. They made their home on the farm in Letcher, S.D., for 64 years. Early in his marriage Doyle served in the Army National Guard. Upon completion of his training, he was transferred to Company A 153rd Engineer Battalion. On October 1, 1960, he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant and eventually became 1st lieutenant. He earned the 1960 Erickson Trophy Distinguished Graduate, South Dakota National Guard Officer Candidate School.

After college, Doyle joined his brother, Arlan, and their parents operating Albert J. Selland & Sons. It brought him joy to continue with his two sons as a fourth generation of farming and feeding cattle. Doyle’s favorite place was on the farm, where he could walk through the feedlot or hop in his pickup and drive by the crop fields.

Doyle loved to make people smile and laugh, often using one of his many quips like, “Never argue with a fool; it’s hard to know which one’s the fool,” or telling stories of childhood adventures or tales of being an officer in the National Guard. The stories usually included a lesson learned or a humorous tale at his own expense. Doyle was an avid crossword puzzler with help from Sonja to correct his spelling. He loved riding his motorcycle and taking trips with Sonja or Arlan. Doyle always put family first, supporting Sonja and their children and grandchildren in everything they did. He shared with them his love of basketball, boating, horses, and Rook card games. He was committed to making a safe and welcoming community, most known for his “basketball barn” where the door was always unlocked, and kids were welcome any time.

Doyle was a life-long member of Storla Lutheran Church, serving in many roles, but his favorite was as the high school Sunday school teacher. His faith was strong, shown by example through kindness to everyone and always forgiving. He was the embodiment of one of his favorite verses, Micah 6:8 “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

Grateful to have shared in his life are his children:  Brad (Chris) Selland, Brett (Kelly) Selland, Heather Tuthill, Sue (Patrick) Selland-Miller; grandchildren: Matthew (Cortney) Selland, Caitlyn Selland, Rachel (Charles) LaRoche, Jed Tuthill, Sam (Sarah) Tuthill, Shelby Selland, and Myah Selland; and great-grandchildren: Laynie and Lincoln LaRoche, Halle and Kendra Selland, and Madeline Tuthill. Additionally, he is survived by his sister-in-law Barb (Arlan) Selland and many nieces and nephews.

Doyle was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Sonja, and his siblings and their spouses:  Lucille (Dale) Fraser, Shirley (Dale) Anderson, and Arlan Selland. 

Special thanks to the caring staff at Weskota Manor Avera and Avera Hospice.

Memorials may be directed to Storla Lutheran Church, Weskota Manor Avera, or Avera Hospice.