Lloyd Hendrix, 94, of Artesian, died Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Prairie View Healthcare Center in Woonsocket. Visitation was Thursday, May 2, in the Bittner Funeral Chapel Community Room, with a prayer service. Burial was Friday, May 3, at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian.

Lloyd Duane Hendrix was born Oct. 9, 1929, to Ralph and Gertrude (Bluhm) Hendrix in rural Artesian on the family farm. Lloyd attended high school in Mitchell.

Lloyd was united in marriage to Eleanor Kneen on July 28, 1950. To this union, sons Terry and Joel were born. After Eleanor’s passing, Lloyd later married Carol Earls on Dec. 8, 1993.

For two years, Lloyd worked with his brother, Lyle, at Lyle’s repair shop in Carthage, and then actively farmed and ran a custom hay moving business near Artesian until he retired.

Lloyd was a horse enthusiast. His love for horses began at a young age when he’d ride a horse to country school. His love for horses continued throughout his life training horses and attending horse shows. 

Lloyd was a long-time member of the Moose Lodge, Artesian Township Board, and assisted with the 4-H horse program. He also loved driving semi-truck coast to coast with his son, Joel, and helping his son, Terry at the Artesian Veterinary Clinic with building livestock equipment and using his horse, Larchwood, to help round up cattle with Terry at the farm and for clinic clients.

Lloyd is survived by his wife, Carol; son, Terry (Jan) Hendrix of Custer; stepsons, Richard Estabrook of Woonsocket, Terry Estabrook of Montevideo, Minn., and Steve Estabrook of Kuwait; nine step grandchildren; and two step great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Eleanor; son, Joel Hendrix; stepson, Bruce Estabrook; two brothers, Lyle and Robert (Bob); one sister, Frances Knust; two nephews, Dave and Jack Knust; and one niece, Carla Knust.

Kevin Dean Knutson, 69, of Letcher, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024. 

A visitation was held on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. A Celebration of Life was held on Monday, April 22, at the Letcher Community Center.

Kevin was born on Oct. 23, 1954, to Darwin and Arlene (Edwards) Knutson in Mitchell. After graduating in 1972 from Letcher High School, he bought and successfully ran The Rec, an establishment on Letcher’s Main Street where kids and adults could hangout.  

He married his high school sweetheart, Shelley Putnam, on Nov. 1, 1975. Soon after, Kevin handed the reins of The Rec to Shelley and started his career with Terry’s Propane, dedicating nearly 32 years of service. Kevin went on to work for Big Green in Mitchell and later helped drive truck and farm machinery for friends and family.

Kevin was a devoted husband and proud father. His love extended beyond his immediate family. He was a friend in the truest sense, always ready to lend a hand. Kevin was an avid gardener and motorcycle enthusiast and enjoyed traveling with his family.

Kevin is survived by his children, Katie (Keith) Ramm and J.D. (Tara) Knutson; sister, Lynette (Ron) Vermeulen; brothers, Mark (Elaine) Knutson and Keith Knutson; stepmother, Elaine Knutson; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Darwin and Arlene; a brother, Michael; and wife, Shelley Knutson in 2019.

Clyde Blunt, 84, of Sturgis, formerly of rural Fedora, died Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Monument Health in Rapid City. 

Memorial services were held Thursday, April 18, at Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Mitchell, with burial at Greenhill Cemetery in Alexandria.

Clyde Blunt, son of Arnum and Anna (Cornelius) Blunt, was born Oct. 20, 1939, in Mitchell. He grew up on the family farm between Fulton and Fedora. Clyde attended country school and graduated from Fedora High School. He attended South Dakota School of Mines and Technology for one year until his father’s health declined and Clyde had to return home to the farm. Clyde made his home in Mitchell and was employed at Sears and as a fireman for the City of Mitchell. After his father’s death, the family moved to the family farm in the mid 1960s. Clyde continued to farm until 1987 when he sold the farm. He then worked in Mitchell. In 1988, he and his mother moved to Colorado and was employed with the United States Postal Service. Clyde continued to live in Denver in his retirement until 2022 when he moved to Sturgis and built a home there.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, antiquing, crossword puzzles, playing games and watching sports. Clyde also collected guns and coins.

Clyde is survived by his four children, Jamie (Donald) Knutson of Crooks, Deanna (Timothy Grosz) Blunt-Grosz of Sturgis, Arnum Blunt of Fulton, and Darla (Clark Lee) Blunt-Lee of Humboldt; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Gordon; and two sisters, Joy and Leona.