Marian Andersen, 95, of Mitchell and formerly of Woonsocket, died on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, at Avera Brady Health Care in Mitchell.  

Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 19, at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Burial was in Eventide Cemetery in Woonsocket. Arrangements were by Bittner Funeral Chapel. 

Marian Burdell (Jensen) Andersen was born on Aug. 26, 1925, to Clifford and Nellie (Heggen) Jensen at the family home near Storla. She joined her older brothers John and Lloyd. She was later joined by brother Willis, sister Ardis, and brothers Bobby and Leslie. Marian spent her early years going to country school and started high school in Letcher. The family moved to Alpena, where she graduated from Alpena High School in 1943. There was a need for country schoolteachers, so she began going to school to become a teacher. Marian then taught country school for nine years. While teaching country school, she met her handsome sailor, Martin Andersen Jr., who she fondly called Andy.  They married on June 18, 1949, in Storla. Marian loved substitute teaching, and was Woonsocket School’s business manager for 30 years, until retiring in 1998. 

Marian was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, and was active in all aspects, including Sunday school, Bible school, Circle, WELCA, Thrivent for Lutherans, and Choir. She was an active member of American Legion Auxiliary Post 29 and the American Cancer Society. Marian was very patriotic and often wore red, white, and blue. She was well-known for her mints, buck shots, and banana split dessert. Marian loved telling stories and singing songs. She was proud of her family and enjoyed sharing stories about them and introducing them to people. Marian loved to walk and did so daily. She was a survivor of both polio and cancer. She and Martin “Andy” lived on the Pony Hills west of Woonsocket until moving to Mitchell in 2016.

She is survived by her daughter, Judy (Dan) Hinker of Woonsocket; son, Jim (Sheri) Andersen of Mitchell; two grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; brothers, Bob (Ruth) Jensen of Alpena, and Leslie (Mary Louise) Jensen of Alpena.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, John, Lloyd, and Willis; sister, Ardis Grace; infant sisters, Nellie and Betty Jean; and grandson, Joshua Hinker.

James William Grassel, 57, of rural Woonsocket, died accidentally on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, at his home.

A celebration of life service for Jim Grassel will be held at the Woonsocket Community Center on Friday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m. with Terry Olson officiating. The family will be present following the service with a Jim-appropriate send off. Casual attire please. A private burial service will be held at a later date.

Jim was born in Mitchell to Theodore and Delores (Ischen) Grassel on March 24, 1963. Jim graduated from Woonsocket High School and Mitchell Tech.

On June 25, 1983, Jim married Luci Olson. They farmed in Twin Lake Township for 37 years where they raised their three children. In 2007, the first grandchild came followed by four more and another one due at any time. Jim took great pride in his family and was often giggling at his grandkids, especially when they were being naughty.

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife, Luci; sons, Jared (Rebecca) Grassel, Jackson Grassel (Jessi); daughter, Shelby (Andy) Johnson; five grandchildren and one on the way; sisters Cheryl (Bill) Ball of The Villages, Fla., Vicki Miller of Woonsocket, Jackie (Everett) Evers of Woonsocket; and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Ted; mother, Delores; stepfather, Norval Mathis; sister, JoLynn Forbes; and brother-in-law, Richard Miller.

Roger Lynn Linke, 65, of Woonsocket, died Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, at the Sanford USD Medical Center and Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 12, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Wessington Springs. Rev. John Paulson officiated. Burial will be held at a later date at Eventide Cemetery in Woonsocket. Visitations were held at the Basham Funeral Chapel in Woonsocket on Sunday and one hour prior to service on Monday at the church. 

Roger was born to Alberta (Boots) Hansen and Raymond Linke, in Mitchell, on July 15, 1955. Roger grew up on his family farm south of Woonsocket with his parents and his four siblings, Alan, Janet, Joyce and Henry. He attended Woonsocket School and graduated in 1973. Roger was united in marriage to Vicki Brueske, on Nov. 1, 1975, and from this union they were blessed with five children. Roger and Vicki renewed their vows on July 4, 2003. 

During his life, he was employed at Fischer’s Sand & Gravel for 25 years, Darrell’s Rock & Gravel, and C&O Repair. After he retired, Roger’s number one priority was spending time with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed making his own wine, gardening, and canning. Roger loved tinkering with his John Deere lawn tractors, and his patience with his fixing rolled over and was shown in his patience and love for his grandchildren. Roger was always nominated, whether he wanted to or not, to take his grandchildren fishing during the Fourth of July fishing derby. 

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Vicki Linke of Woonsocket; five children, Cristy (Clinton) Olinger of Plankinton, Darren Linke (Janell) of Forestville, Calif., Amy Linke (Jim) of Wessington Springs, George Linke (Nicole) of Woonsocket, Jody Linke of Woonsocket; 14 grandchildren; four siblings, Alan (Donna) Linke of Woonsocket, Janet (Scott) Maeschen of Letcher, Joyce Linke of Letcher, Henry (Paula) Linke of Woonsocket; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.