Ronald Gary Earl Sr., 84, of Mitchell, died Monday, July 8, 2019 at Avera Brady Health and Rehab.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at the Will Funeral Chapel with a private family committal at the Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Visitation was Wednesday at the Will Funeral Chapel.

Ronald Gary Earl Sr., son of Orville and Thelma (Malde) Earl, was born June 19, 1935 on the family farm in rural Plankinton. He attended country school and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1953. While in high school, he participated in baseball and basketball.

Gary married his high school sweetheart, Alberta Ruhberg, on Sept. 4, 1954 at Victor Lutheran Church in rural Mt. Vernon. After their marriage, Gary worked as an ice cutter at Lake Mitchell and later at the Mt. Vernon Elevator. He and his wife were janitors and bus drivers and lived in the Hopper School for nine years. The couple began farming in 1959 and Gary continued farming until 2018, including driving combine for John Fritza.

He followed in his grandfather Rueben’s footsteps, becoming an auctioneer. Gary was a self-taught auctioneer and well known in the area for 50 years.

Gary was a member of the Mt. Vernon Methodist Church where he was active in several areas. He was also a member of the Mt. Vernon Baseball Association. He was a big fan of amateur baseball and DWU basketball. Gary also enjoyed hunting deer and geese, and snowmobiling.

Gary is survived by his two children, Julie Raye Earl of Mt. Vernon and Ron (Lori) Earl Jr. of Rural Plankinton; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Jeanne (Dr. Jack) Berry of Mitchell; special friend, Betty Welch of Mt. Vernon; several nieces and nephews, including Terry Hill of Woonsocket, and four cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alberta on June 15, 2006; his parents; a sister, Janice Kerwin and her husband, Robert; his in-laws; a sister-in-law, Earlyne Ruhberg; a brother-in-law, Roger Hill; and a nephew, Randy Hill.

Helen Hindman, 101, of Wessington Springs, went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, July 9, at Avera Weskota Hospital in Wessington Springs. Her funeral services were on Saturday, July 13, at 10:30 a.m. at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Huron with burial at Riverside Cemetery. Visitation with the family present took place on Friday, July 12, prior to the prayer service at Welter Funeral Home, and on Saturday, prior to the funeral.

Helen Lela Andresen was born on Nov. 4, 1917, in Wolsey, South Dakota to parents Fred and Martha (Stielow) Andresen. She attended school in Wolsey and Huron. She was baptized and confirmed at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church where she’s been a lifelong member.

In April 1936, she married the love of her life, Ralph Hindman. To this union, three children were born; Ruth (Bobby) Jensen, Nancy (Lloyd) Walters and Fred Hindman.

A lady of many talents, she loved to garden, was a wonderful seamstress, loved all kinds of crafts and loved watching her grandkids and great-grandkids whenever needed. Her door was always open for her grandkids and their friends as an afterschool and summer hangout. She was a very loving and giving mom and grandma.

Grateful for having shared in her life are her daughters; Ruth (Bob) Jensen of Alpena and Nancy (Lloyd) Walters of Fruita, Colo.; eight grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 29 great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Martin; her husband, Ralph, in 1977; son, Fred; granddaughter, Vicki Jensen; and great-granddaughter, Stephanie Jensen.

Roxanne Y. Brunsen, 81, of Wessington Springs, passed away Monday, July 8, 2019, at the Weskota Manor Nursing Home.

Funeral services were held Friday, July 12 at the Foothills Fellowship Church with Rev. Don Grubb officiating. Interment was in Prospect Hill Cemetery at Wessington Springs. Visitation was Thursday at the Basham Funeral Home in Wessington Springs and one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Roxanne Yvonne Brunsen was born on Feb. 23, 1938 in Lane to Albert and Gladys (Fritz) Kruse, where she grew up and attended school. On Aug. 5, 1956, she married Alfred Brunsen at Zion Lutheran Church in Lane. They lived in Fort Sill, Okla. while Alfred was still in the Army. They returned to South Dakota and farmed south of Wessington Springs (Viola Township) where she was a housewife for many years. In 1977, they moved into Wessington Springs where she worked at Springs Inn and the Prairie Lounge. In 1979, they moved to Waseca, Minn. where she cooked for the Waseca Hopital. In 1990, they moved to Mitchell and she cooked for the Abbott House and Storla Nursing Home. She also worked part time for Job Service in Mitchell.

In her younger years, Roxanne enjoyed bowling, going to dances and attending an annual trip to a Twins game. In her later years, she enjoyed reading, tending her flower garden and baking her specialty chocolate chip cookies. She frequently crocheted afghans for family and friends and one for each grandchild. She also loved attending her grandchildren’s various activities.

Roxanne is survived by her three sons, Doyle (Karin) of Lansing, Michael (special friend, Barb) of Wessington Springs and Allen (Doris) of Mitchell; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Marlin (Gwen) Kruse and Paul (Julie) Kruse; two sisters, Dorcas Samman and Randee (Gary) Beigh; one sister-in-law, Linda Kruse; one brother-in-law, Harold Brunsen; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her in-laws, George and Ona Brunsen; two sisters, June Godfrey and Shirley Jean Neitzel; a brother, Keith Kruse; and a brother-in-law, Robert Godfrey.