Velma Jean Runestad, 93, of Mitchell, passed away Feb. 27, 2019, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, after living at Good Samaritan Home in Lennox for five years.

She was born Jan. 1, 1926, near Mt. Vernon to John and Lula (Olson) Breland. She was baptized March 21, 1926, at Victor Lutheran Church, near Mt. Vernon, and confirmed Nov. 5, 1939, at Storla Lutheran Church.

She attended rural schools in Davison and Sanborn County and high school in Mt. Vernon, graduating in 1943 from Mitchell High School. Her family moved to Washington in 1943.

She worked at Western Union in Tacoma before her marriage on Nov. 25, 1945, to Merle Runestad in Puyallup, Wash. They moved back to Mitchell in 1948, where she and Merle raised six children.

She worked at Midwest Church Supply, Tradehome and Brown Shoes. For ten years, she worked at the Mitchell Middle School. She was a member of First Lutheran Church for 70 years. She was active in her circles, choir and Ladies’ Aid. She also volunteered at the Friends of the Middle Border Museum and thrift store.

Velma is survived by her daughters, Christine (Ken) Dierks of Sioux Falls, and Rebecca (Darrel) Dewald of Lakeville, Minn.; sons, David Runestad of Eagan, Minn., Robert Runestad of Broomfield, Colo., and Dan (Amy) Runestad of Custer; eight grandchildren; sisters, Annabelle (Bob) Swanson and Marilyn (Jim) Berry, both of Puyallup, Wash.; and sister-in-law, Eunice Breland of Miller.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle; her daughter, Jeanne Hodges; daughter-in-law, Darlette Runestad; her brother, Irvin Breland; and her parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church in Mitchell or Good Samaritan Society in Lennox.

Zelma Mae Kneen, 86, of Woonsocket, formerly of Artesian, passed away at the Prairie View Healthcare Community in Woonsocket. 

Her funeral service was held Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at the Welter Funeral Home in Huron with burial at the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation was held on Friday, Feb. 22, at the Welter Funeral Home and included a prayer service. A visitation was also held prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday.

Zelma Mae Wormstadt, the daughter of Fred and Irene (Tompkins) Wormstadt, was born on Sept. 22, 1932, in Huron. Zelma was baptized on May 5, 1935, and confirmed on May 25, 1947, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Woonsocket. She grew up on the family farm in Floyd Township, where she attended grade school. Zelma graduated from Forestburg High School in 1951.

Zelma married Orie Kneen on March 7, 1952. Following their marriage, the couple farmed in the Artesian area until Orie’s death in 1997. Zelma remained on the farm until May of 2017 when she moved into Countryside Living in Mitchell. In October of 2018, Zelma moved to Prairie View Healthcare Community in Woonsocket, due to health issues.

Zelma was a member of the Lutheran Church in Forestburg. She was also a member of the American Cancer Society. Zelma loved to bake and was famous for her nightshade pies and wedding cakes.

Zelma is survived by her children, Arthur (Audrey) Kneen, of Artesian, Robert (Velma) Kneen, of Forestburg, JoAnne (Terry) Powers, of Lewis, Kan., and Jerry (Roylene) Kneen, of Mitchell; 13 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister, Melva (Harold) Jastram, of Surprise, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews.

Zelma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Orie Kneen; grandson, Matt Yule; two grandchildren in infancy; brother, Lester Wormstadt; and sister, Helen Baker.

Gladys Noack, 85, of Mitchell and formerly of Artesian, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab. 

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Burial was at Restlawn Memory Gardens in Huron. Visitation was Monday, Feb. 25, at Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. Arrangements were by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Gladys Marie Noack was born March 26, 1933, in Carthage, to Robert Kludt Sr. and Elsie (Zeeck) Kludt. She grew up in rural Alpena and attended country school. 

She was a nurse’s aide at Huron Regional Medical Center for six years before meeting Siegfried through mutual friends. Gladys married Siegfried Noack on May 24, 1957. They began their 61 years of marriage on a farm near Artesian, where they raised their four children. Together, they also raised cattle, hogs, chickens, and grew crops. After 56 years of building a life together on the farm, Gladys and Siegfried retired from the farm life and moved to Mitchell. She enjoyed growing flowers, playing cards, baking, and putting together puzzles.

Gladys is survived by her husband, Siegfried; four children, Wayne (Darcy) Noack, of Miller, Cindy (Terry) Torgerson, of Mitchell, Keith (Janice) Noack, of Vacaville, Calif., and Jann (Kurt) Dickson, of Cavour; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Queenda (Robert) Kludt, Marilyn (Marvin) Kludt, and Ruth (Noack) Lemon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Robert Jr., Elmer, Calvin, Marvin and Max (Doc) Kludt; and sisters, Hazel Johnson and Laura Jones.