Miriam Heinzmann, 88, of Letcher, died Sunday, May 5, 2019, at Firesteel Heath Care Facility.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, at the Will Funeral Chapel, with burial at Westlawn Cemetery in Letcher. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Friday, May 10, at the Will Funeral Chapel, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Miriam Heinzmann, daughter of Edward and Gertrude (Maddock) Kempf, was born April 6, 1931, in Mitchell. She graduated from Forestburg High School. She attended nurses training at St. John’s Hospital in Huron. Miriam was employed as an LPN at a nursing home and home health care.

She was united in marriage with Clyde “Norman” Heinzmann on Sept. 25, 1951, in Pipestone, Minn. The couple made their home in the Letcher area their entire married life.  She later was a homemaker and raised their children. 

She enjoyed raising flowers, cooking and babysitting children. 

Miriam is survived by sons, Dennis (Paige) Heinzmann of Seattle, Wash., and Gary (Pam) Heinzmann, Denver, Colo.; eight grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; a brother, Don (Darla) Kempf of Sioux Falls; nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde “Norman” Heinzmann in 1999; her parents; a son, Richard Heinzmann; three brothers, Paul Kempf, Ray Kempf and Dave Kempf; a sister, Genevieve (Gen) Fraser; and a great-granddaughter, Courtney Heinzmann.

Russell Lee Mathis, 59, of rural Woonsocket, passed away Saturday, May 4, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, Minn.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 8, at the Woonsocket Community Center, Woonsocket. Burial was at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Storla. Rev. John Paulson officiated. Visitation and a prayer service were held Tuesday, May 7, at Basham Funeral Chapel in Woonsocket, with family present.

Russell Lee Mathis was born Oct. 27, 1959, to Harold and Betty (Christopher) Mathis in Mitchell. He lived his entire life in Sanborn County. After graduating from Woonsocket High School, he attended Dakota State in Madison for one year, and then he went to work for Selland & Sons of Letcher. He worked for them for over 40 years. He enjoyed working fo the Sellands and considered them part of his family.

Russell enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and being outdoors. He enjoyed playing basketball and played on the “Old Man Team” until about the age of 40. His favorite holiday was Halloween, and he often dressed in costume for it

Russell is survived by four brothers and three sisters, Larry (Della) of Mitchell, Peggy Baysinger of Forestburg, Gail (Craig) of Colorado Springs, Colo., Keith of Storla, Carmen (Randy) of Littleton, Colo., Clyde (Barb) of Colorado Springs, Colo., Neal (Sue) of Woonsocket; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Connie; and brother-in-law, Ronnie Baysinger. 

George Wallace “Wally” Smart, 89, passed away on Friday, April 26, 2019, in Sioux Falls.

A celebration of life took place on Sunday, April 28, at Miller Funeral Home in Sioux Falls.

Wally was born to Noah and Mary (Bauer) Smart on July 12, 1929, in Mitchell. He was united in marriage to Donna Morgan on Sept. 12, 1950, in Letcher. He was drafted into the army and headed to Virginia Beach. Wally drove truck for 32 years and earned his million-mile driver’s certificate.

He is survived by his wife, Donna; five children, Mary Lou (Dean Baker) Greenway of Mitchell, Kenny (Donna) Smart, Ronnie (Lindy) Smart, Renee (Ken) Keiser, Suzie (Rod) Bunkers, all of Sioux Falls; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.