Myrtle Joyce Backlund, 91, of Pierre, died Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls. 

Visitation was on Tuesday, May 28, at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Pierre. Funeral service was on Wednesday, May 29, at the church. Burial was Thursday, May 30, in Black Hills National Cemetery at Sturgis.

Myrtle was born to Henry Wells and Margaret (Elliott) Wells on Feb. 2, 1933, in Salem. She grew up on the family farm near Salem and attended Salem country school. After graduating from Salem High School, Myrtle attended General Beadle college for a year and went on to teach school.

Myrtle married Charles Backlund on May 30, 1954. Myrtle worked as a librarian for many years, first in Woonsocket and then in Pierre, retiring from the South Dakota State Library in 1992. She was active in the church and the community. She was a Cub Scout Den mother for Doug and Ted’s troops, a 4-H club leader for Susan’s and Sally’s club chapter, and taught Sunday School for nine years in Woonsocket. She was a member of Lutheran Circle and Bible study, Missouri Breaks Audubon Club, and the Red Hats Society in Pierre.

Myrtle is survived by her husband, Charles; brother, Martin Wells; children, Douglas Backlund, Susan (Richard) Leach, Sally Thom and Ted (Wendy) Backlund; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Margaret Wells; brothers, Robert Wells, Franklin Wells, and Cliften Wells; sisters, Ileen Tarrell, Della Light, Charlotte Rayl, Eugena Parry, Violet Smith, and Carol Thompson; and granddaughter, Aimee Lange.

Lydella Dodd, 85, of Mt. Vernon, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Prairie View Healthcare Center in Woonsocket. 

Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 21, at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Burial was at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Mt. Vernon. Visitation was Monday at Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Lydella Mae (Blevens) Dodd was born Dec. 14, 1938, in Mitchell, to Clyde and Lukea (Batterman) Blevens. She lived and attended school in Mitchell until the middle of seventh grade. She moved with her parents to a farm in Aurora County, south of Storla. She finished her elementary education at Hopper Elementary School, graduating from eighth grade. She attended Mt. Vernon High School, graduating in 1956. Lydella received her Teaching Certificate from DWU and taught at county schools in Aurora and Davison Counties. She married her high school sweetheart, LeRoy Dodd, in February 1958. They farmed near his folks, George and Freda Dodd, and when his father retired, they moved onto the Dodd Farm. She also continued working as a teacher’s aide for several years.

Lydella was a devoted child of God. Her faith, her family and many friends uplifted and sustained her through a life filled with memories, beautiful music, paintings and arts and crafts. She was active in church Circles, Bible Study, Vacation Bible School, and Sunday School. She sang in the choir and served on many committees. Lydella also sang alto in the singing group, “The Crossroads,” for twelve years traveling to churches and community events around the Mitchell area sharing music and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Lydella is survived by her husband, LeRoy, of 66 years; daughter, Patti (Mark) Cornelius; son, Brian (Susan); six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Adonna Hetland; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Lukea Blevens; son, Ricky Roy Dodd; sister, Mary Helen Scott and brother-in-law, Albert Scott; and brother-in-law, Royce Hetland.

Darleen Mae (Hoarty) Higgins, 91, of Wessington Springs, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at the Weskota Manor in Wessington Springs. 

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wessington Springs at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 23. A visitation was held on Wednesday evening, May 22, at 6:30 p.m. with a rosary that followed at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. A burial will take place following the funeral at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Wessington Springs. Arrangements for the funeral are through Basham’s Funeral Home.

Darleen Mae Schneider was born on April 10, 1933, on a farm in rural Fairmont, Neb., to Clarence and Elsie (Eggert) Schneider. Darleen preceded her twin sister, Charleen Rae.

She graduated from Exeter High School in 1950.  In February of 1951, Darleen was married to John (Jack) Hoarty. Three children, Patrick, Susan and Beverly were born to this union. The family moved to Wessington Springs in January of 1955 and were engaged in farming.

After the death of Jack Hoarty in 1995, Darleen married Raymond Higgins in 1996. Ray died in 2007.

Darleen loved to dance, play cards, golf, and travel.

Darlene is survived by her son, Patrick (Theresa) of Wessington Springs; two daughters, Susan Hoarty (Rex Zastrow) of Gann Valley and Beverly (Steve) Norgaard of Badger; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 10 step-great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; 10 step-great-great-grandchildren; her twin sister, Charleen Otte; and her brother, Henry Schneider.

Darleen was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother, Maude Schneider; brother, Verdale (Lucia) Schneider; brother, Donald Dean Schneider; and sister, Laverda Hunt.