Jim Hoffman, 76, of Artesian, died Tuesday, May 5, 2020, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Visitation was Friday, May 8, from 4-7 p.m. at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Burial was in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian.  Arrangements were by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Jim Hoffman was born Aug. 9, 1943, to Otto and Esther (Dean) Hoffman in Illinois. In 1951, Jim’s family moved to Artesian, where he fell in love with farming at a young age. He married Karen Peterson on April 18, 1964, and together they moved into the house where they lived for 56 years. This farm is where their family, friends, and relatives came for many celebrations, and created countless memories.

Jim was a member of First Lutheran Church in Artesian and on the Board for many years. Jim was also on the Forestburg Elevator Board for 36 years, Artesian School Board for 20 years, and the township board for 44 years.

Jim was a hard worker. He loved the spring weather, planting crops and watching them grow, and having new calves every year. Jim loved when people would stop, visit, and enjoy a meal. He always had a smile and kind words for everyone. His passion in life was family, farming, and cattle.

He is survived by his wife, Karen of 56 years; three children, Matt Hoffman of Artesian, Melissa (Jamie) Schmiedt of Tea, and Tyler (Shelly) Hoffman of Artesian; and six grandchildren.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; twin sons in infancy, Tracy and Travis; and in-laws, Avery and Marie Peterson.

Ernest G. Grace, 98, of Chandler, Ariz., passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2020, at Archstone Nursing Home.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he will be interred at a later date.

Ernest Gardner Grace was born at home in Woonsocket to Leslie and Bernice Grace. Following graduation from Woonsocket High School, he farmed with his father.

He married Ilah F. Jewett on Dec. 10, 1950. The couple lived on a farm in Warren Township until he sold the farm and moved to Clark where he operated a motel and was an insurance agent. Then, Ernest moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., where he worked in real estate.

Ernest is survived by his wife, Ilah Grace; son, Gregory Grace; sister-in-law, Mavis Grace; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Ernan Grace; nephew, John Grace; brother, Dr. Leslie (Ardis) Grace; and a sister, Carolyn (Jack) Hyde.

Retired Major Mark L. Berg, 77, of Sioux Falls, died Sunday, April 19, 2020, at Avera McKennan Hospital.

Private family services will be held, and burial will take place at Eventide Cemetery in Woonsocket. A public memorial service will be held at a later date.

Mark was born at Denver, Colo. on July 23, 1942, son of Vernon and Ruth Berg. After graduating from Woonsocket High School in 1960, he enrolled in ROTC at South Dakota State University to pursue his dream of being a USAF aviator. He completed his BS in Agriculture Ops and was commissioned in 1966.

He attended various flight training schools before completing his tour in Southeast Asia. Mark completed over 200 combat missions as an F-4D pilot and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After an assignment in Germany, he then joined the South Dakota Air National Guard in 1973. In 1978, he then transferred to the Georgia Air National Guard where he retired in 1984.

Mark continued his education at Augustana University and received his BA in Business Administration in 1986 and MS in Human Resources in 1987. He became a therapist/counselor for special needs children for 11 rural school districts before retiring in 1998.

He is survived by his children, Jeff (Jeanne) Berg of Riverview, Fla., Kari (Mark) McNeary of Aberdeen, Scot Berg of Battle Ground, Wash., and Kimberly Berg of Hinesville, Ga.; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Joyce Brown of Rapid City, Janis (Tom) Weatherford of Williamsburg, Iowa, and Vicki (Rich) Linke of Woonsocket.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Ruth Berg.