Claretta M. Cunningham, 84, of Mitchell, died Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at her home under hospice care. 

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26, at Holy Family Catholic Church with a rosary at 10 a.m. at the church. Burial was at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation was Tuesday, June 25, at Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service.

Claretta was born Nov. 25, 1939, in Howard, to Kenneth and Vivan (Hicks) Hansen. She married Daniel Cunningham on Jan. 8, 1958, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell. They made their home on the family farm, where they farmed together with her in-laws for 43 years. Early in their marriage, she also worked in Mitchell as a bookkeeper for Randall Foods. After raising their three children, Claretta started college at Dakota Wesleyan. She continued her education at the University of South Dakota and Mount Marty College. Claretta achieved, with honors, two bachelor’s and two master’s degrees. She pursued a successful career as a Licensed Addiction Counselor. After the untimely death of her husband, Claretta found her true passion of turning the family farm into a healing retreat. She became certified as a Healing Touch Practitioner.

Claretta is survived by her sons, Daniel “Skip” (Cheryl) Cunningham of McCook, Neb., and Doug (Ila) Cunningham of Mitchell; daughter, Dawn “Missy” (Scott) Barber of Chester; 10 grandchildren, including Maegan (John) Fenske of Woonsocket; 22 great-grandchildren; stepmother, Barb (Kasten) Hansen of Chester; brothers, Kenneth (Earline) Hansen of Ferndale, Wash., William (Lori) Hansen of Colman, Anthony (Debi) Hansen of Anchorage, Alaska, Kim (Lisa) Hansen of Chester, Skeet (Angie) Hansen of Wentworth,  John (Marlena) Hansen of Madison; sisters; Viola (William) Anderson of Chester, Betty (Rick) Rook of Madison, Linnette Oolman of Sioux Falls, Rhonda Wellman of Watertown; sisters-in-law, Louise Hansen of Zula, Mont., and Georgia North of Mitchell; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; in-laws, Albert (Bethel) and Gladys Cunningham; brothers, Robert (Bud) Hansen, Jerry Hansen, and James Hansen; sisters, Bonnie Hill and Jeannie Edwards; brothers-in-law, William North, Anthony Peta and Arthur Jennings; and sisters-in-law, Donna Hansen, Vera Peta, Grace Jennings and Joyce Cunningham.

Patricia “Pat” Roti, 93, passed away on June 21, 2024, at Countryside Living in Mitchell.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 27, at Spirit of Faith Church in Woonsocket. Burial will follow at Eventide Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services on Thursday. Memorials may be directed to Spirit of Faith Church in Woonsocket. Arrangements are with Basham Funeral Service.

Pat was born Nov. 18, 1930, to Harold and Ann Moses. She spent her early elementary days in Forestburg and later on moved to Woonsocket, where she graduated from high school. She continued on to Methodist Nurses School, where she graduated in 1951, working at various locations until her children were born. She met Darwin Roti, and they were married on April 12, 1953. To this union, two children were born. She raised her family in Woonsocket, where she was a member of the infamous “supper club,” a group of dedicated ladies who met once a month for supper at one of their houses.

When Darwin retired, he and Pat spent their winters in Arizona and the rest of their time in Woonsocket. They built a duplex in Mitchell with Darwin’s sister and her husband. Pat was an avid golfer, and she would often beat Darwin while he was giving her lessons.

Pat’s family was of great importance to her, and she enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attending all their many activities.

Pat is survived by her children, Tim Roti and Chris (Brad) Selland, three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three nieces; and one nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws; husband, Darwin; brother, Ronnie; nephew, Jay Roti; and great-niece, Meghan Schardin.

Elizabeth “Betty” Theresa Higgins, 94, of Wessington Springs passed away Friday, June 14, 2024, at the Weskota Manor Avera Nursing Home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 21, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wessington Springs. Visitation will be on Thursday, June 20, from 5-7 p.m. at the church with a prayer service at 7 p.m. with a Rosary service to follow.  Burial will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery.

Betty was one of five children born to Valentine Link and Mary Sprowl. She was born on June 11, 1930, in Aberdeen. Shortly after her birth, she and her family moved to Huron. 

After graduating from Huron High School, Betty began working as a waitress at Spargos Drive Inn. Shortly after she started at the drive inn, a customer named Jerry began daily visits. Their relationship flourished, and on June 9, 1948, Betty Link and Jerry Higgins were united in marriage, lasting 73 years until his passing.

Betty and Jerry started their life together in Huron. After a few years, they moved their young family to Wessington Springs, where Jerry and his older brother, Ray, opened a grocery store in June 1953. That first grocery store was the start of a 50-year presence for Betty and Jerry on Main Street, Wessington Springs, encompassing a furniture and carpet store that eventually also added hardware, then transitioned back to a grocery store, and ended with the Variety Store.

In June 2003, Betty and Jerry retired after 50 years of working together. Over those 50 years, as the children grew and entered school, Betty transitioned from homemaker to working in their businesses. In addition to handling the bookkeeping, she enjoyed cleaning, organizing and creating attractive displays.

After retirement, Betty volunteered at the Springs Area Community Club (SACC) Consignment Store. Betty was also a lifetime member of the St. Joseph Altar Society.

She enjoyed time spent with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Betty is survived by her six children, Jerry (Maggie) Higgins, Terri (Mike) Mebius, Jean (Randy) Shultz, all of Wessington Springs, Tim (Lotus) Higgins of Arlington, Steve (Toni) Higgins of Rapid City, and Patti (Ed) Fiegen of Madison; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces, including Diane Larson and Jan Stange, both of Woonsocket; and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her mother and father; all of her siblings and their spouses; her husband, Jerry; her daughter, Kathleen; and one daughter-in-law, Tammy Higgins.

In lieu of flowers, the family will use memorial funds toward local foundations in Wessington Springs.