Millie M. Hammer, 74, of Huron, passed away Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at the Huron Regional Medical Center.

Her funeral service was held Tuesday, July 2, at the Kuhler Funeral Home. Burial was in the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation and prayer services were held on Monday, July 1, at the Kuhler Funeral Home.

Millie Mae Marshall was born Sept. 11, 1944, to Morris and Ida (Brun) Marshall at Letcher. She graduated from Letcher High School. Millie continued her education at Huron College, where she graduated with Highest Honors.

She was married to Larry Hargen, and they had one son, Brett.

Millie later married Brad Erickson, and they had one daughter, Luanne.

On Feb. 16, 1990, Millie married Walter Hammer at Carthage. They enjoyed camping, fishing and wintering in Arizona for 14 years. Millie and Walt were members of the Fun Steppers Dance Club and loved ballroom dancing. She was a long-time member of the American Lutheran Church.

Millie is survived by her husband, Walt of Huron; two children, Brett Hargen of Yankton and Luanne Erickson of Orville, Calif.; three stepchildren, Karen (Gary) Seeman of Rochester, Minn., Kevin (Collett) Hammer of Florence, Ala., and Debra (Dave) Wilson of Bartlesville, Okla.; four grandsons; six step-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Opal Clits of Carthage; and one brother, Xlyon Marshall of Florida.  

Alvin O. Thompson, 91, died on Friday, June 21, 2019, with his loving wife, Margene, at his side in the Firesteel Health Center in Mitchell.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 26, at Storla Lutheran Church in Letcher. Pastors John and Paul Knudson officiated. Internment followed at Trinity Cemetery with a meal that followed the internment at Storla. Visitation and prayer service were held Tuesday at Bittner’s Funeral Chapel in Mitchell.

Alvin was born on March 31, 1928 at home on a farm in rural Letcher to Pete and Darlene (Hunter) Thompson and was the third of four children. In high school, his athletic prowess, speed and competitive nature were assets to the basketball and track and field teams. He also enjoyed tooting his trumpet in the band and raising his melodious voice in the school and church choirs.

Alvin graduated from Letcher High School in 1946. At age 24, he felt duty bound to enlist in the Air Force in service to his country. He served a year in South Korea at the end of the war. During his service, he was highly regarded as a skilled airplane mechanic and quickly earned the confidence of his commanding officers. He was also honored to sing with the Shepard Key Noters.

He came home to South Dakota to join the family farm in 1956. He married Kathryn (Knudson) in 1957. They had three boys together. Kathryn died in 1965. A few years later, he went to the Twin Cities and enrolled in a technical school to earn his credentials to serve as a commercial aviation mechanic.

In November 1967, Alvin attended a Lutheran Single Parent’s meeting in St. Paul where he met Margene Collins Zahn. Alvin and Margene were married in St. Paul on March 16, 1968 surrounded by love of four blended families. On Oct. 15, 1968, through a dual adoption service, the family became one; Alvin adopting Margene’s three girls, and Margene adopting Alvin’s three boys.

The next period of his life was filled with all the activities of a large family. After a long day in the field or hog barns, Alvin liked to shoot hoops with his sons, challenge his children to a foot race, or sing with his daughters. He was an amateur photographer and loved capturing the images of his growing, dynamic family. He also liked his motorcycle and often went on trips with his wife and friends.

Alvin was a deacon and trustee at Storla Lutheran Church, a member of the men’s choir and active in Gideons. He also served his community as a school board member.

He was known as a kind, gentle man, and a great listener.

Alvin is survived by his wife of 51 years, Margene; children, Mark (Delia), Doyle, Elizabeth, Susan (Brian) Dodd, Cindy (Keith) Gerlach; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Eileen (Tobin); brother, Norman; members of the extended union of the four families, John (Marj) Knudson, David (Miriam) Knudson, Paul (Bobbi) Knudson, Phillip (Cathy) Knudson, Stanley Collins, Mary Ann (Erik) Wersen, Dennis (Gloria) Collins, Dean Wood, Morris Zahn, and Mavis Zahn.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Marlon; grandson, Jeremy; brother, Denton (Janet); extended family members, Lloyd (Susanna) Collins, Norman (Bev) Collins, Sharon Mortinsen, Kay Wood, Otis (Stella) Knudson, Henry (Grace) Zahn Sr., Myrtle (Louis) Anderson, Mildred (Pete) Makelki, Margaret (Ralph) Paulsrud, Henry Jr. and Evonne Zahn.

Louis Hein, 87, of Fedora, passed away Saturday, June 22, 2019, at his home.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 26, at Forestburg Lutheran Church. Burial with military honors followed at Butler Cemetery in rural Letcher. Visitation was held Tuesday at Willoughby Funeral Home in Howard.

Louis Leonard Hein was born May 19, 1932, to Edwin and Genevieve (Kast) Hein on a farm near Artesian. He farmed in the area until entering the Army during the Korean War in 1952 where he served in France building landing strips. In 1954, he returned to Artesian and farmed until he retired. On Nov. 4, 1967, Louis married Rebecca Zoss Hoffman, and together, they had four sons.

Louis served his country honorably from 1952-1954 with the 469th Engineer Aviation Battalion in Bordeaux, France. He achieved the rank of corporal at the time of his discharge. He served on the Diana Township board for many years and was well known for telling stories and spending countless hours visiting with family and friends.

Louis is survived by his wife of 51 years, Becky; four sons, Brad Hoffman, Brent Hoffman, Bob (Jodi) Hein, and Bill (Tracy McWhorter) Hein; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one sister, Gert Hein; and one daughter-in-law, Liz Hoffman.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Fred, Walter, Robert, Edwin Jr., and Gustav Arthur in infancy; sisters, Doris Devine, Edna Teske and Ruby Roth; and one daughter-in-law, Lisa Hoffman.