Howard Bechen, 92, of Mitchell and formerly of Artesian, died Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab in Mitchell. 

Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 25, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell.  Burial was in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian. Visitation was Friday, Jan. 24, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with a prayer service. Bittner Funeral Chapel directed the arrangements.

Howard James Bechen was born on May 30, 1927, to Ruben and Elizabeth (Mader) Bechen.  He was born in Kadoka and joined the Navy after graduating high school in May of 1945.  Howard served in both World War II and the Korean War. 

After returning from the wars, Howard met and married Marg Moore. They were married on June 20, 1952. They were the proud parents of ten children. In January of 1982 the good Lord called Marg home. He then met Mary Beaner, and they were married on Dec. 23, 1983.

Howard was involved in many things other than ranching and farming. He was a member of the St. Charles Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Artesian Saddle Club, the Moose Club, the VFW and the Artesian America Legion. He was a 4-H leader and received numerous conservation awards. He enjoyed riding horses to check his cattle, as well as camping and boating for relaxing. 

Howard is survived by his wife, Mary (Beaner) Bechen; his children, Doug (Renee) Bechen of Whitewood, Sandy (Dick) Krantz of Winner, Merl (Diane) Bechen of Mitchell, Larry (Carn) Bechen of Chaska, Minn., Joe (Donna) Bechen of Winfred, Brad (Kathleen) Bechen of Huntsville, Ala., John (Gayle) Bechen of Letcher, Tom (Marie) Bechen of Mitchell, Barbie (Greg) Becker of Little Elm, Texas, and Dave (Brenda) Bechen of Mitchell; 34 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.

Howard was preceded in death by his first wife, Marg (Moore) Bechen; infant grandson, Ian Bechen; parents, Ruben and Elizabeth (Mader) Bechen; brothers, Russell, Donald and Edward Bechen; in-laws, Loraine, Carol, and Joyce Bechen, Melvin, Earl, and Bonnie Moore, and Joe and Bill Beaner; and one niece, Dixie Zoelle.

Lennis Sonne, 82, of Huntsville, Ala., and formerly of Mitchell, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m., Saturday, March 21, at Will Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in rural Letcher.

Duane J. Higgins, 75, of Menomonie, Wis., and formerly of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., passed away on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wis., where he was being treated for Congestive Heart Failure and Pulmonary Fibrosis. He had been undergoing treatment for Multiple Myeloma for the past 18 months.

Memorial services were held Wednesday, Jan. 22, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Menomonie. Burial will be in the Fort Snelling Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minn. Visitation was held Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie and one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. Memorials are preferred to Stepping Stones of Dunn County or a local Veterans organization. Online condolences may be sent at www.rhielfuneralhome.com

Duane was born Oct. 30, 1944, near Huron. He was the son of Leo and Gladys (Roti) Higgins and grew up on the farm. After graduating from Alpena High School in 1962, Duane served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged. Duane moved to the Minneapolis area, where he worked as a warehouseman and truck driver until his retirement in 2008. Duane and his first wife, Gloria Trowbridge, had two sons, Jim and Todd, and later divorced.

In 1995, Duane married Patricia Klinker, making their home in Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and later moved to Menomonie, Wis. Duane loved the Minnesota Vikings, the Twins, Nascar, and anything John Deere, as well as hunting, fishing, camping, puttering in the yard, birdwatching, traveling and spending time with family and friends.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Menomonie and the Knights of Columbus.

Duane is survived by his wife, Patricia; two sons, James (Kim) and Todd; step-children, Mike (Traci) Heidemann and Anne (Garrett) Illies; six grandchildren; sisters, Myrna (Charlie) Knigge, Marlene (Patrick) Howard, and Diane (Skip) Larson, all of Woonsocket, Janice Stange, of Plankinton, and Ilene Breakie, of Delaware; sister and brother-in-law, Audrey and Reed Hess; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Darrell.