Garland Kenneth Schrank, 73, died on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital after complications from COVID-19.

Funeral services were held Friday, Feb. 5, at New Home Lutheran Church in Mitchell.  Visitation with a prayer service was held Thursday, Feb. 4, at New Home Lutheran Church. Burial with Military Rites was at Graceland Cemetery.

Garland was born on Jan. 2, 1948, to Kenneth and Clara (Reicke) Schrank at their home in rural Davison County. He attended country/grade school in and around Davison County and graduated in 1966 from Fedora High School. After graduation, Garland enlisted in the armed services and completed basic training at Ft Leonardwood, Kan. In 1987, he retired from the military, having served almost 21 years and achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. On April 30, 1967, he was united in marriage with Audrey Janelle Scott at Glenview Church just North of Fedora.

The couple lived in and around Miner county until they settled for the remainder of their lives in and around Mitchell. Over his lifetime, Garland worked in the fields of farming, carpentry, and law enforcement, and at the time of his death, he was employed part-time by the Davison County Sheriff’s Office as a transport officer.

Garland and Janelle loved participating in all family functions, especially the activities of their grandchildren. They also enjoyed visiting with friends, dancing, hunting and fishing explorations, and garage sales. Garland also enjoyed scrapping. 

Garland is survived by his four children, Dr. Stacy (Melody) Schrank of Norman, Okla., Wade (Tonya) Schrank of Salem, Brandi (Jesse) Uithoven of Mitchell, and Ginger (Robbie) Faas of Fulton; four siblings, Steven (Norman) Schrank of Mitchell, Julie (Richard) Gustad of Platte, Curtis Schrank of Mitchell, and Dawn Miller of Aberdeen; two sisters-in-law, Dixie (Greg) Schmit of Sioux Falls and Susie Schrank of Fedora; a brother-in-law, Chuck Mentele of Letcher; eight grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Clara Schrank; siblings, Larry Schrank, Harvey Schrank, Janice Mentele, Barbara Tietz, and Bryan Schrank; his in-laws, Audrey and Orvilla Scott; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Vivian Ferguson, 90, of Worthing, died Jan. 31, 2021, with family by her side. 

In honor of Vivian’s wishes, only a small private ceremony was held, in which she was laid to rest next to her husband, Gordon, on Feb. 4, their 65th wedding anniversary.

Vivian (Schmidt) Ferguson was born Oct. 10, 1930, on a farm near Carpenter, where she and her family resided until she was two years old; then, they moved to Huron. Vivian had many fond memories of growing up in Huron. From eighth grade throughout her high school years, she worked as a nurses’ aide at the local hospital, where she loved caring for others.  

After high school, she worked for several years at the Huron telephone company as a switchboard operator and in the office. It was during this time that she met Gordon Ferguson at a dance at Ruskin Park in Forestburg. They married and lived in Brookings while Gordon was obtaining his Masters’ degree. After Gordon completed his degree, the couple moved to a family farm near Artesian. Soon after, they bought a farm near Forestburg.  

Vivian was an avid Scrabble player and reader.  She was active in her community, school, and church activities. After Gordon passed away, Vivian worked as a hospital volunteer for many years in Mitchell. 

Vivian is survived by her daughters, Josline (Jonathan Familant) Ferguson of Menlo Park, Calif., and Dr. Vanessa (Dr. James Flevares) Ferguson of Worthing, and many nieces and nephews.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and six siblings.

Please refer to Basham Funeral Service’s website for condolences.

Johnnie Lee Reimer, 66, of Huron, passed away Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family.

His memorial service was held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the Kuhler Funeral Home. Visitation was held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday at the Kuhler Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, his family is planning a memorial at the hockey rink.

Johnnie Reimer was born Oct. 29, 1954, to Ted and Bessie (Thompson) Reimer at Huron. He grew up on the family farm in Miller, moving to Huron during his grade school years. In his earlier years, he liked to help on the farm, and play softball and hockey. Johnnie graduated from Huron High School in 1974. He worked for Bales Continental Commission Company, then began working at Terex for the last 42 years. On June 27, 1975, Johnnie married Jenny Imker, and they began their life together on the Imker family land south of Huron.

Johnnie loved hunting, fishing, camping, his ranch, and his Charolais cattle. His favorite sport was hockey. He spent many years as a coach for the Huron All Stars. 

Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Jenny of Huron; his daughter, Joanna Reimer-Bott (Jim Luthi) of Woonsocket; his son, Justin Reimer (Sara Watters) of Sheridan, Wyo.; two grandchildren; his siblings, Jerry (Sue) Reimer of Redfield, Jimmy (Jill) Reimer of Huron, Deb Arbogast of Chamberlain, and Rich Imker of Huron; and special fur companion, Rosebud.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Dick and Adina Imker; and one nephew, Richard Imker, III.