Dale A. Kopplin, 89, of Iroquois, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at Avantara Huron.  

His funeral service was Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Iroquois. His burial was at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion Post 280.  Visitations were held Friday, Feb. 21, at the Welter Funeral Home in Huron with a prayer service and prior to the service at the church on Saturday. 

Dale August Kopplin, the son of August R. and Hilda L. (Kaster) Kopplin, was born on Aug. 3, 1930, in rural Sanborn County. Dale attended various country schools in the Iroquois area and graduated from Iroquois High School.  Dale served his country during the Korean War and was honorably discharged Sept. 21, 1953. Dale farmed in the Iroquois area until his retirement in 2004. Dale married Beverly Siebelts on June 3, 1962, at the Presbyterian Church in Bancroft. The couple made their home on the family farm near Iroquois.

Dale was a lifelong and active member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iroquois, taking on various roles in the church council and teaching Sunday school. He was also an active member of the American Legion Bensley-Rounds Post #280 in Iroquois. Dale enjoyed reading, raising livestock, attending his children’s school activities and spending time with his family.

Grateful for having shared in Dale’s life are his two daughters, Karla (Rex) Sawvell of Huron and Donna (Toby) Koziolek of Iroquois; two granddaughters; six great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Milton (Pat) Siebelts; one niece and one nephew.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Beverly in 2014; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Walter and Myrna Siebelts.

Doug Olson, 75, of Mitchell and formerly of Artesian, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, in Gilbert, Ariz.  

Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 28, from 5-7 p.m. at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m.  Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29, at Resurrection Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian.

Douglas Delaney Olson was born on June 25, 1944, to Orlando and Doris (Hunter) Olson in Mitchell.  He was raised on the family farm north of Artesian.  He attended Artesian Public School and graduated in 1962. Doug played on the high school football and basketball teams.

He attended Northern State University where he majored in history. Deciding that college wasn’t in his future, he became the owner/manager of Lucky’s Bar in Aberdeen.  Doug was active with the Republican Party in his younger years.  He was elected Vice Chairman of the Young Republicans in 1972 and was voted “Outstanding Young Republican of the Year.”

Doug later moved back to Artesian where he and his friend, Dee Jones, raised livestock until Doug eventually took over the family farm.  Doug guided pheasant hunters for over 50 years.  He hosted the South Dakota Governor’s Hunts in 1972 and 1986.  Doug was an avid follower of South Dakota High School Basketball, especially Class B.  

Doug married Joyce Phillips on April 3, 1976. They were blessed with three children. Doug and Joyce continued living on the farm until 2012 when they moved to Mitchell.  

Doug is survived by his wife, Joyce of Mitchell; his son, Joseph of Bismarck, N.D.; his daughter, Jill of Letcher; his sister, Barb (LaMoine) Torgerson of Mitchell; and his brother Darrell (Judy) Olson of Mitchell.  

He was preceded in death by his son, David; his parents; his sister, Norma; his infant brother, Roger; his special Uncle Ott; and his best friend, Dee Jones.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame.

Linda June Kilcoin, 62, of rural Hill City, passed away Feb. 2, 2020.

A memorial service will take place at the Red Canyon Ranch, southwest of Custer, at a later date. Arrangements were placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer.

Linda was born in Wessington Springs on May 16, 1957, to Lambertus and Marjorie Van Dyke. Being born the only surviving twin, Linda often felt and spoke of the void left by the loss (stillborn) of her twin brother. In Linda’s early years of life, she loved to read, ride ponies, and collect rocks. Linda also spent a lot of time helping her “daddy” with catalog layouts for the family’s taxidermy supply mail order business.  Linda excelled in music. She loved to play the piano. She sang at countless weddings and funerals throughout the years.

Linda attended Woonsocket Public Schools, completing high school in three years. Linda then attended Dakota Wesleyan University, majoring in English and history with a minor in political science. She graduated in three years with summa cum laude honors.

At a very young age, Linda became interested and involved with politics. She met her first husband, Milt Nelson, campaigning for him and successfully assisting him in a race for a senate seat. Linda also dabbled in selling real estate.

On Sept. 8, 1979, Linda married Bill “Wild Bill” Kilcoin. From this union, two children were born, Kristen Angela and Ruskin James.

In later years, Linda’s love for nature and the outdoors led her to become a Master Gardener and Girl Scout leader. She also had an endless love for animals and had many pets throughout her life. Linda was a very good cook and never followed a recipe. Linda always played a key role in the family’s taxidermy and restoration mail order business, Van Dykes Supply.

Linda is survived by her husband, Bill; daughter, Kristen (Jessie); son, Ruskin (Jenny), and three grandchildren.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Bert and Marj Van Dyke; infant twin brother, Lyndon Jan; maternal grandparents, Frank and Margaret Kempf; and paternal grandparents, John and JoAnna Van Dyke.