Bernadine Louise “Berny” Behr, 95, of Wessington Springs, died Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Weskota Manor. 

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 15, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Wessington Springs. Burial followed at Prospect Hill Cemetery. Visitation was one hour prior to services at the church.

Bernadine Louise Mitchell was born May 2, 1929, in Murry County Limelake Township, Avoca, Minn., to Earl and Edna (Schellenberg) Mitchell. She was baptized June 8, 1929, and confirmed June 14, 1942. Berny was a lifetime member of the Lutheran faith. She was the oldest of her family. She attended country school and graduated from Fulda High School in 1947. 

On Sept. 10, 1949, she married Harold Behr of Fulda, Minn. They lived at Alexandria until 1956 and moved back to Worthington, Minn., where she worked at Campbell’s Soup Company. They returned to Alexandria, in 1968, where they farmed. Berny had various jobs as a cook at Banty Bar in Spencer, and at Loretta’s Truck Haven and at West 40, both in Mitchell.

After the death of Harold in 1997, she moved to Wessington Springs.

Berny had a wonderful sense of humor. One of her passions was genealogy. She made many family books.

Berny is survived by her children, Debbra (Glenn) Smith of Aberdeen, Randy (Nancy) Behr of Hermosa, and Kathy (David) Jensen of Wessington Springs; six grandchildren, including Mark (Shana) Jensen of Letcher; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Berny was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Edna Mitchell; husband, Harold Behr; an infant son; one grandson, Tracy Behr; one granddaughter, Stephanie Jensen; sisters, JoAnn Harner, Earleen Horkey, Karen Bovee; brother, Leon Mitchell and brother-in-law, David Baack.

Joyce Ann Tlustos, 90, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Forestburg, died at her home on Monday, May 6, 2024. 

Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 17, at Bittner Funeral Chapel, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian. Services will be led by Pastor Elizabeth Larsen Lewis.

Joyce Ann Matthews was born July 23, 1933, to Herbert “Curly” and Margaret Matthews who farmed a few miles east and north of Forestburg. She was the oldest of three girls. 

She attended Forestburg Schools for all 12 years, graduating high school in 1951. She then attended Nettleton Business College, graduating in 1953. She was employed for a time as a secretary for the management team at Fenn’s Ice Cream, Candy, and Dairy in Sioux Falls. In the 1970s and early 1980s, she was the secretary for Hiawatha Valley United Methodist churches in Plainview, Kellogg, and Weaver, Minn. She volunteered in countless community volunteer activities in Garden City and Plainview, Minn., and after retirement, she volunteered in Admissions at Sioux Valley/Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls for 22 years.

Joyce and Harlan Tlustos grew up about a mile from each other in rural Forestburg. They went to school together and began dating in high school. Harlan entered the US Army. After training, he was scheduled to be deployed to Austria in late Spring of 1952. Before he left, Joyce flew by herself from Sioux Falls to Alexandria, Va. There, she was befriended by a women’s group at an Alexandria church, and in April, she and Harlan were married by the minister at that church, with one of the church women and an Army buddy in attendance. Ever the adventurers, Joyce and Harlan traveled the US and Europe. They were members of the Thunderbolts and Retreads Motorcycle clubs. They were also charter members of the Elba Snowbirds Snowmobile Club.

Joyce was always learning new things and participating in new activities. She made an endless number of different artistic creations, which won her over 70 purple ribbons, she was sought out and featured on a variety of TV and newspaper stories and she had works displayed at Sanford Hospital and the Lodge at Prairie Creek. She gardened every year.

Joyce never judged anyone, accepted people as they were, approached all with warmth, generosity, kindness, humor, and patience, was a mentor to many and was a friend to everyone she met.

She is survived by her sons, Mike (Sam, Haley, Al, Bren Peterson), Joe (Joan and Linda), and Bruce (Kim, Tomas, Dan, Melanie, Kyle, Heather, Marissa, Alena and Mackenzie); one niece; and sister, Margy Lindemann.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Harlan; parents, Curly and Margaret; sister, Shirley (Robert) Cope; daughter-in-law, Jean; brother-in-law, Harvey Lindemann; and niece, Susan Iverson. 

Memorials will go to feed the hungry through Feeding South Dakota.

Thela K. Hansen, 78, of Mitchell, died Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. 

Funeral services were held Friday, May 10, at Zion Lutheran Church with burial at Riverside Cemetery.  Visitation was at Zion Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Arrangements were under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel. 

Thela K. Hansen, daughter of Cleo and Ruth (Conrad) Brooks, was born Aug. 27, 1945, in Pierre. She graduated from Kimball High School in 1962. Thela attended Stewart’s Beauty School in Sioux Falls and began her career in Wessington Springs.

Thela was united in marriage with John Hansen in the late 1960s. The couple lived in Wessington Springs, and they later moved to the family farm north of Forestburg. From this marriage, one daughter, Jonda, was born.  

Following John’s death from cancer, Thela was later united in marriage with Harlow Hansen in the early 1970s, and they farmed together. From this marriage, two children were born, Jolene and John. Harlow later passed away from cancer.

After completing a degree at Mitchell Vo Tech, she worked in several administrative roles in Huron. She also worked in customer service at VanDyke’s (Cabela’s) in Woonsocket. After moving to Mitchell, she finished her career working for Home Instead.

Thela loved spending time with her family and friends.  She enjoyed traveling, antiquing, and spending time with her grandkids and great-grandkids. Thela had a fondness for solving crossword puzzles, playing cards, and attending the annual “Old People’s Campout.” She was one of the first women to drive the trolley at the South Dakota State Fair. She was known for being a great cook and organizing family gatherings.

She was an active member of LCMS churches in Woonsocket, Huron, and Mitchell. Most recently, she enjoyed her weekly women’s Bible study and volunteering at Zion Lutheran Church and at various organizations in Mitchell.

Thela is survived by her three children, Jonda (Dan) Weise of Aurora, Jolene Hansen of Holmen, Wis., and John (T.J.) Hansen of Pipestone, Minn.; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Terry (Kathleen) Brooks of Chamberlain; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, John Hansen and Harlow Hansen; her parents, Cleo and Ruth Brooks; her brother, Conrad Brooks; her in-laws, John and Mary Hansen; and a sister-in-law, Elaine Walker.