Myrna Moore, 87, of Artesian, died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in hospice care in the home of her daughter, Cheryl Schmit, rural Artesian. 

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell, with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service.

Myrna Irene Moschell was born April 29, 1934, at Howard, to William and Alma (Stangohr) Moschell.  She was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard, and was confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Howard, where she attended Luther League during high school.  She attended grade school at Roswell and graduated from Fedora High School in 1952. Myrna attended General Beadle State Teachers College in Madison and graduated with a teaching degree in 1954.  While in college, she pitched for an unbeaten Howard softball team.  She taught third grade at Hurley for four years and was a member of the South Dakota Education Association.

Myrna married Howard Moore at Bethany Lutheran Church in Howard on Dec. 21, 1957.  To this union, four children were born.  Howard and Myrna raised their four children in Artesian and moved to Mitchell in 2012.

Myrna was a member of First Lutheran Church in Artesian. She was a Ladies Aid member and taught Sunday school. She had a talent for hairstyling and cooking, especially gravy and Easter bunny cakes.

Myrna is survived by her husband of 63 years, Howard; daughter, Chloe (Mads) Andenas of Howard; stepdaughter, Kirsten (Reggie) Aligada of St. Paul, Minn.; sons, Jerry (Pam) Moore of Artesian and Roger (Judy) Moore of Minong, Wis.; daughter, Cheryl (Roger) Schmit of Artesian; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Elda Briggs of Kokomo, Ind.; brother, Richard (Bonnie) Moschell of Kenosha, Wis.; and sisters-in-law, Virginia Moschell, Raeburn Moore, and Mary Bechen.

Myrna was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Alan, Harold and wife Delores, and Bill and wife Karen; sisters, Ardath Walker and her husband, Sterne, and Deloris Nelson and her husband, Bob; brothers-in-law, Raman Briggs, Melvin Moore, Earl Moore and his wife, Bonnie, and Howard Bechen and his wife, Marge; and nephews, James Moschell and Larry Walker.

Paul William Plagmann, 84, of Mitchell, died Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, at Firesteel Healthcare Community. His wife, Marilyn “Midge” Plagmann, 79, of Mitchell, died March 25, 2020, at Firesteel Healthcare Community. 

Memorial services for Paul and Marilyn will be 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at First Lutheran Church with burial at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Saturday at First Lutheran Church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel.

Paul William Plagmann, son of Eldon and Marie (Smith) Plagmann, was born Dec. 20, 1936, in Mitchell. He attended school in Alexandria, graduating from Alexandria High School in 1954. Paul served in the SD National Guard from 1953 to 1967.

Marilyn “Midge” Plagmann, daughter of Roy and Emma (Jarabek) Jacobson, was born Oct. 17, 1940, in Sanborn County. She graduated from Mitchell High School in 1958.

Paul and Marilyn were united in marriage on Nov. 2, 1958, at First Lutheran Church in Mitchell. The couple made their home in Mitchell. While in Mitchell, Paul was employed in the grocery business, and Midge was a sales clerk at Newberry’s Department Store and also an usher for the Corn Palace. They later moved to Huron. Paul continued in the grocery business and Midge was employed at the Osborn Clothing Store. The couple then moved to Yankton, where Paul again continued in the grocery business and Midge was employed at Bomgaars Supply.

In 1975, the couple purchased and started operating the Twin Lake Resort near Woonsocket. Their business included a restaurant, convenience store and bait shop. They sold their business in September of 1993 and made their home in Mitchell. While in Mitchell, Paul was employed with the Maintenance Department for the Mitchell Public Schools, and later, they both managed Musick Apartments for 15 years before retiring.

Paul enjoyed fishing and hunting. Midge enjoyed fishing, reading and crocheting.

They were both members of First Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Midge was involved in the Elizabeth Circle at the church. Paul was active in the SD Jaycees and served as State Vice President.

Grateful for having shared their lives are two children, Michelle Garnett, of Rapid City, and Michael (Amy) Plagmann, of Mitchell; two grandchildren; a step-granddaughter; four great-grandchildren; Paul’s sister, Carmen Johnson of Mitchell; and Marilyn’s brother, Kenneth Jacobson of Aberdeen.

They were preceded in death by a grandson, Bryce Engleman; all their parents; Paul’s sister, Eldonna Thompson; and Paul’s brother-in-law, Les Johnson.

Memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church or Mitchell Hospice.

Kenneth Swearingen Jr., 62, of Huron, died Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021.

His memorial service was Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, at the Kuhler Funeral Home.

Kenneth Swearingen was born Jan. 21, 1959, to Kenneth Leroy Swearingen and Norma Jean (Foster) Swearingen, Huron. He was raised and attended school in Huron.

After school, Kenny held jobs in construction and lock-smithing.  He was known for his concrete work and his locksmithing abilities. He loved working with his hands, woodworking, construction, drawing and helping others.  He loved fishing, camping, and riding his bike and ATV.   

Kenneth is survived by his sons, Greg Swearingen and Jason Swearingen; five grandchildren, Teagen, Logan and Annabel, Jaslyn and Levi, all of Woonsocket; sisters, Ellen Fildes of Huron, Ruby Bornitz of Huron and Dorothy (Jeff) Mann of Miller; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Gail (Mike) Jensen; brother, Wallace Haerer; aunts and uncles, Dorinda Salter, Marvin and Lucille Coil, Mary and Lee Fildes, and Benny Foster; cousin, Lanor Salter; and brother-in-law, Stacy Fildes.