Violet Burns, 93, of Artesian, died Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Funeral arrangements are pending under the direction of Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Myron “Bud” Kleppin, 90, of Wessington Springs, passed away Sunday, June 20, 2021, at the Weskota Manor at Wessington Springs.

His celebration of life was held Tuesday, June 29, at the 1905 Opera House at Wessington Springs.

Myron was born Dec. 12, 1930, in Wessington Springs, the youngest son of George P. Kleppin and Eva M. (Frommel) Kleppin. He attended rural schools in western Jerauld County and graduated from Wessington Springs High School in 1948.  He was active in band, chorus and sports. He was a Boys State delegate in 1947 and was a member of two award winning quartets his junior and senior years.

He attended South Dakota State College from 1948-1951, leaving college to return to the farm to help when his father’s health declined. He was involved with farming and ranching with his parents, and later his brother, in both rural Jerauld County and Valley County, Mont.

He was called to the military during the Korean Conflict and served as an Army Medic in Alaska from 1954 – 1956. In 1956, upon the death of his father, he was discharged from the military and returned to Wessington Springs and began a farming partnership with his brother, Keith.

On Jan. 10, 1970, he was united in marriage with Cheryl (Sherry) Bell at Huron.

Myron was a member of Templeton United Church of Christ. He served as a church officer, Sunday School superintendent and teacher, and youth advisor.  He served as an officer of the Township board and was a member of the Weskota Manor Board of Directors. He also served on the Wessington Springs School Board.

Later in life, Myron volunteered in restoring the Wessington Springs 1905 Opera House.

Myron is survived by his wife, Sherry; his children, Kerrie Kleppin-Winn (Mark) of Omaha, Neb. and Toby (Lynette) of Long Valley, two grandchildren, Neil Kleppin and Megan Poyer, both of Woonsocket; his sister-in-law, Alexa Kleppin of Wessington Springs; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, First Lt. Donald Kleppin and Keith Kleppin; and two sisters, Jeanne Thomas and Shirley Grube.

Robert W. Kappel, 96, of Woonsocket, passed away June 16, 2021, at Weskota Manor in Wessington Springs. 

Visitation was Tuesday, June 22, at the Basham Funeral Service with family present. Private burial will be held later.

Robert W. Kappel was born Oct. 24, 1924, in Woonsocket to Harold and Helen (Daharsh) Kappel. Robert graduated from Woonsocket High School. He served in the Navy during WWII. On Aug. 15, 1948, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Hesler. Robert and Phyllis owned and operated Kappel Hardware in Woonsocket from 1970 until their retirement in 1989. Robert’s passion was creating beautiful decorations and clocks out of wood.

Robert is survived by his sons, Carl (Nyla) of Woonsocket and Paul of Colorado; three granddaughters; five great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Arlene Kappel of Stillwater, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Helen Kappel; wife, Phyllis, daughter, Kori Kappel; and brothers, Marvin Kappel and Gordon (Betty) Kappel.