Gary Gene Nelson, 74, of Mitchell, died Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. 

Funeral services were held Friday, Dec. 17, at the Will Funeral Chapel with burial at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation was Thursday at the Will Funeral Chapel. A video of the funeral is available on Will’s website.

Gary Gene Nelson, son of Nels and Clara (Gatton) Nelson, was born March 23, 1947, in Worthington, Minn. He grew up in Corsica and attended school in Letcher. After his schooling, he entered the U.S. Navy and was stationed in San Diego, Calif. After his discharge, he was employed in Georgia.

Gary married Connie Connor on April 4, 1966, in Mitchell. While in Mitchell, Gary attended VoTech, where he earned a degree in accounting. Gary was employed at United Auto, Dakota Pork and Thunes. In 1988, Gary established Gary’s Repair. He continued with his business until retiring in 2000.

In his retirement, he built his own home and enjoyed spending time with his family. Gary enjoyed fishing, tending to his flowers and hunting. Gary also enjoyed woodworking, small engine repair and latch hooking.

Gary is survived by his wife, Connie Nelson of Mitchell; his children, Tim (Sandy) Nelson of Church Point, La., Scott Nelson of Mitchell, Crystal (Lynn) Vanden Bos of Stickney, and Gena (Craig) Anderson of Mt. Vernon; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Vicki Mundy of Mitchell and Lori (Roger) Burbach of Parkston; brother-in-law, Gordon (Mary Jo) Connor of Abilene, Texas; sister-in-law, Donna Connor of Artesian; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Troy; his parents; his in-laws, John and Evelyn Connor; a daughter-in-law, Sherry Nelson; sister, Judy; sister-in-law, Ardis; brothers-in-law, Darrel, Delbert, Dennis, Albert, Larry, Rocky and Steve. 

Richard E. Eppe Jr., 50, of Howard, passed away Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. 

A Celebration of Life will be on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, from 5-8 p.m. at Willoughby Funeral Home in Howard.

Richard was born in Mitchell, on Oct. 5, 1971, to Richard Sr. and Dorothea (Winter) Eppe. He grew up in rural Howard on the family farm. Richard attended Howard High School and graduated in 1989.  He then attended South Dakota State University for Dairy Science and Pre-Vet.

Richard married Jennifer Kellogg in 1992. He had a few different jobs that included working/managing a dairy farm, dispatch for Miner County, at Rosebud Manufacturing in Madison, and at Shopko in Mitchell as a manager. Richard later moved back to the family farm. He loved animals, the outdoors, gardening, woodworking and many other crafts.

Richard is survived by his son, Andrew Eppe of Sioux Falls; his daughter, Lorrie Eppe of rural Howard; sister, Maria (Rick) Olsen of Plankinton; brother, Donald (Dawn) Eppe of Howard; brother, Charles (Danielle) Eppe of Wentworth; nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and grandparents, August and Marie Winter and Victor and Edith Eppe.

Norman Maeschen, 89, of Ethan, died Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, at Corsica Good Samaritan Society in Corsica. 

Mass of Christian Burial was held Thursday, Dec. 16, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation was Wednesday, at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a scripture service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Norman Maeschen was born Jan. 14, 1932, to William and Mary (Loos) Maeschen in rural Ethan. He attended rural schools in Davison County and farmed with his family until he entered the U.S. Army on Feb. 10, 1953. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 22, 1954. After returning from the Army, Norman began farming in 1955, and received his GED in 1958.

On April 19, 1960, Norman married Bonnie VanGorp in Aurora Center.

Norman served on the Ethan School Board and was the chairman for 14 years. He served on the Tobin Township Board for 44 years as a supervisor, and on the South Dakota Association of Towns and Townships as Director of Davison County. He was a dedicated member of the Moose Lodge, holding many elected positions. Norman was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell.  

Norman loved spending time with family, friends, and his dog, Sasha.

Norman is survived by his wife, Bonnie; five children, Scott (Janet) Maeschen of Letcher, Dawn (Larry) Johnsen, Kent Maeschen, Robert (Krissy) Maeschen, and Denise (Johnny) Monsees; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; and sister, LaVonne Hohn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary; brothers, Gerald and Gary; sister, Anita Neugebauer; father and mother-in-law, Neal and Cecelia VanGorp; and one brother-in-law.