Mae Elisabeth (Rusche) Verch, 107, of Huron, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, at the Huron Regional Medical Center.

A service to celebrate her beautiful life was held Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, of rural Iroquois. The burial followed in the church’s cemetery. Visitation was held on Friday, Oct. 22, at the Kuhler Funeral Home with a prayer service and a time of sharing.

Mae Elisabeth was born on March 8, 1914, on the family farm northeast of Bancroft to Henry and Ada (Haufchild) Rusche. She was the second oldest of eight brothers and sisters. Mae attended a country grade school 1.5 miles from the family farm. She attended Bancroft High School, graduating in 1931. Mae attended Eastern Normal School in Madison from 1932-33, graduating with a teaching certificate. She taught grades first through eighth in three local country grade schools.

On Aug. 16, 1939, Mae married Carl G. Verch. They lived and farmed in the Cavour area for over 50 years. Carl and Mae had four children. Carl and Mae moved from the family farm to Huron in 1998. In 2007, Mae moved into StoneyBrook.

Mae is survived by her children, Donna Dickson of Cavour, Gail Marshall of Aberdeen, and Jean (Vern) Juran of Rapid City; eight grandchildren, including Kurt (Jann) Dickson of Cavour; 18 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Allen (Arlene) Rusche of Minnesota; many nieces, nephews; and a cousin, Dorothy Streeter.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carl; four brothers, William, Edmond, Harold and Arnold; two sisters, Ruth Poppen and Doris Rabenberg; and a son, Dennis Verch.

Robert Johnson, 86, of Mitchell, died Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at Avantara Armour in Armour. 

Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 21, at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Burial was at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Mt. Vernon. Visitation was Wednesday, Oct. 20, at Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Robert Dean Johnson was born on Jan. 12, 1935, with his twin sister, to Clarence and Ethel (McDonald) Johnson in Rapid City. He attended Carleton Township School and Hand City School before graduating from Miller High School in 1953. Robert enlisted into the United States Air Force on Oct. 4, 1957, and was stationed at Bossier Base in Bossier City, La. He was honorably discharged on March 6, 1959.

While stationed in Louisiana, Robert met his future wife, Mary (Jones). They were united in marriage on July 11, 1958, in Cullen, La. They made their first home in Shreveport, La. After Robert’s discharge, they returned to the family farm near Rockham, S.D. Bob also lived in Wessington, Alpena, and Mt. Vernon. While in Alpena, Bob and Mary were instrumental in forming a 4-H club for their three children and neighbors.

Bob retired in 1985 and moved into Mt. Vernon, where he found joy in his pets, yard work, and helping his sons with farming and trucking. Bob had a love for tractors and meeting new people.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary; son, Kenneth (Jill Brown) of Mitchell; daughter, Tanya (Glen) Boehmer of Dakota Dunes; daughter-in-law, Jolene Johnson of Mt. Vernon; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; twin sister, Betty; numerous nieces and nephews; and special pet, Lady Bug.

He was preceded in death by his son, Mike; parents; grandsons, Blake Johnson and Chris Neuheisel; sister, Marilyn Hines; brother-in-law, Roger Hines; niece, Janet Wilson; and nephew, David Hines.

Bill R. Zoss, 72, of Letcher, died Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. 

Visitation was Friday, Oct. 15, at the Will Funeral Chapel. Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Will Funeral Chapel with burial at Butler Cemetery in rural Letcher. Lunch followed at the Letcher Community Center. 

Bill R. Zoss, son of Charley and Marjorie (Radenslaben) Zoss, was born Oct. 9, 1949, in Mitchell. He grew up on a farm north of Letcher and attended country school. Bill graduated from Forestburg High School. After his schooling, Bill served in the South Dakota National Guard for six years. At that time, he was also farming. 

Bill married Betty Olson on April 5, 1969, in Forestburg. The couple made their home on a farm north of Letcher, where Bill farmed until the early 1990s. The farm was then passed onto his sons, who continued the operation. After farming, Bill established his own trucking company, Zoss Trucking. He specialized in hauling cattle and continued trucking until his passing. 

Other than his wife, Betty, Bill’s second love was horses. He raised and sold quarter horses throughout the U.S. He had a special place in his heart for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bill loved spending time with them and going to all their activities. 

Bill is survived by his wife, Betty Zoss of Letcher; their children, Scott (Stacy) Zoss of Letcher, Shelly (Barry) Selland of Forestburg, Steve Zoss of Forestburg, and Charles (Christy) Zoss of Forestburg; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Elmer (Tracey) Zoss of Alexandria and Mark Zoss of Stickney; a sister, Donna (Dean) Peterson of Mitchell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charley and Marjorie Zoss; and two brothers, Terry Zoss and George Zoss.