Rose Anna (Houlihan) Burnison, 97, of Sioux Falls, passed away at her home on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022.

Visitation was on Sunday, Jan. 9, at Barnett-Lewis Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, followed by a prayer service and Rosary.  Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, Jan. 10, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Sioux Falls. Interment was at St. Michael Cemetery.

Rose Anna was the sixth of nine children born to Nora Gertrude (Coughlin) and Michael Marcus Houlihan on a farm near Lane on April 13, 1924. Rose Anna was 100 percent Irish, and proud to be so. 

In childhood, she attended country school. She loved to spend time with Pa and would help her younger brothers herd cattle. Rose’s stories offered glimpses of a time when Pa would accompany the Houlihan girls to the dance hall at Ruskin Park near Forestburg and sit in the car to assure their safe return home. She attended Lane High School, Notre Dame Teacher’s College of Mitchell and Huron College. Rose was an educator for 33 years.

In 1948, she met Kenneth LeRoy Burnison on a blind date. They dated until Rose knew he could laugh at all her jokes, and were married Aug. 9, 1952, at St. Wilfrid Church in Woonsocket.

Rose’s residence was a revolving door for visitors joining her for a meal, sneaking cookies from the freezer, or just coming for a chat. Rose told and re-told stories to her eight children, 26 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren. Rose celebrated her 97th birthday this past April with her kids and grandkids after a year of video calls and distanced encounters. 

Rose is survived by one brother, Leo Houlihan, and her children, Teresa (Don) Ondrak, Kevin (Joyce) Burnison, Tim (Jacque) Burnison, Joseph (JoLynn) Burnison, Doreen Burnison, Barbara (Monte) Glanzer, Carolyn (Mark) Steinborn, and Diane (Shawn) Smith.

She was preceded in death by parents, Gertrude and Michael; siblings, Joseph Houlihan, Marie Sveningson, Gertrude Sauter, Ellen Pegg, Bernice Baber, Michael Houlihan and Patrick Houlihan; husband, LeRoy Burnison; grandchildren, Hannah Burnison and Leyton Burnison; and son-in-law, Mark Steinborn.

Ronnie Ehlers, 64, of White Lake, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. There will be no funeral service per Ronnie’s request. Arrangements are by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Ronnie Ehlers was born on July 5, 1957, in Mitchell, to Donald and Joyce (Campbell) Ehlers. He grew up on the family farm and attended White Lake School. Ronnie moved into White Lake in 1983 and found joy and peace  in his fruit trees, gardens, and manicured lawns. 

Ronnie also loved to see pheasant hunting season come around each fall. He built a strong pheasant cleaning business, and looked forward to reconnecting with old friends each year.

Ronnie spent his life dedicated to 4-H. He enjoyed helping the club members prepare their Achievement Day entries. He helped with everything from chickens to cattle. 

Ronnie is survived by his siblings, Russ Ehlers, Bonny (Terry) Warnke, John (Kim) Ehlers, and Suzie Letcher, all of White Lake, Fay DeBoer of Letcher, Wanda (Wayne) Hohn of Mitchell, and David (Denise) Ehlers of Newcastle, Wyo.; sister-in-law, Jennifer (Gary) Chance of Letcher; and special friends, the Chapman family, Audrey, Laban, and Trinity.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gary, Wayne, Donnie, and Jim; nephew, Wes Hohn; nieces, Stacy Ehlers and Amy DeBoer; and brothers-in-law, Bob Letcher and LeRoy Sperlich.

Donald W. Jones age 86, of Mitchell, died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell. 

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, at the Will Funeral Chapel. A Moose Tribute of Service will be prior to the memorial service. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at the Will Funeral Chapel.

Donald W. Jones, son of Lloyd D. and Marie (Peterson) Jones, was born July 14, 1935 on a farm in rural Fedora, SD. He attended Jones Country School and Fedora Grade School. Don graduated from Fedora High School in 1954. After his schooling, Don was employed at Farmer’s Union in Fedora.

Don was united in marriage with Jeanette Kramer on Dec. 31, 1956, in Pipestone, Minn. After their marriage, Don was employed in factories in Hawarden, Iowa, and St. Charles, Ill. The couple returned to South Dakota where he was employed as a farmhand on farms near Woonsocket, Forestburg, and Mitchell.

In the mid 1960’s Don began his career with United Building Centers (UBC) as a yardman and delivering building supplies. He retired as a salesman at UBC in 2001 after 35 years of service with the company. In his retirement, Don worked at Lakeview Municipal Golf Course.

Don and Jeanette enjoyed bowling, golfing and playing darts.

Don was a member of the Loomis Congregational Church and the Moose Lodge.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 65 years, Jeanette Jones, of Mitchell; four children, Joni (Marvin) Thome, of Mitchell, Julie (Dwight) Beukelman, of Brookings, Pam (Terry) Gordon, of Sioux Falls, and Don Jones Jr., of Sioux Falls; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; a brother, Larry (Maria) Jones of Madison; two sisters, Jessie Garness of Mitchell and Karen Bunker of Mitchell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Paul, Lloyd, Jack and Kenneth in infancy; and two sisters, Rita and Marjorie.