Vern Mathis Jr., 70, formerly of Mitchell, died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown.

Visitation and funeral services were held Friday, Feb. 1, at the Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell, with burial that followed at the Mt. Vernon Cemetery.

Vern was born on Nov. 30, 1948, to Vern Mathis Sr. and Pearl (Cornwell) Mathis in Mitchell. He attended school in Mt. Vernon and joined the Army National Guard. Vern farmed with his brother and father while he remained active in the guards.

On June 29, 1973, he married Marjean Reimnitz at rural Dimock. They lived on a farm south of Letcher and together had four children. After their divorce, Vern had another son. He rejoined the military in 1985 and served a total of 29 years. He served a minimum of two tours overseas and was honorably discharged. After farming, he went to Mitchell Technical Institute to take up a building trade. He loved working for himself and continued in that career until he fell ill in late 2009. He moved to the Golden Living Center in Lake Norden in 2013, where he lived until his death.

Grateful for sharing his life were his children, Angela (Jeremy) Peters of Madison, Shawn (Jessica) Mathis of Lemmon, Marie (Tom) Siemonsma of Crooks, April (Ryan) Olson of Stickney, and Brandon (Kayonnie) Kitto of Mt. Vernon; one brother, John Mathis of Mitchell; one sister, Norma (Harvey) Fincher of Sioux Falls; and 12 grandchildren.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents, a sister in infancy, two nephews and a sister-in-law.

Harry Everhart, 71, of Crooks, formerly of Artesian, died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

According to his wishes, there will be no services.

Harry Lee Everhart was born Oct. 14, 1947, in Thomasville, N.C., to George and Vera (O’Neal) Everhart. He moved to South Dakota when he was 10 months old. He graduated from Fedora High School in 1965. He attended the University of South Dakota and later graduated from Huron College.

He married Joyce Stegeman in 1973 at Wolsey. He was employed by Artesian Honey Producers and later became a high school math teacher. He spent many years participating in playing league horseshoes.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Joyce of Crooks; three sons, Bryan of Crooks, David (Reannon) of Wichita, Kan., and Scott (Lindsey) of Telluride, Colo.; three grandchildren; two step-brothers, Don (Carrie) Crane and Larry Crane; a nephew and two nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Genice Everhart; and stepfather, Ken Crane.

Albert P. Schmidt, 81, of Woonsocket, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 22 at the Huron Regional Hospital.

Funeral Mass was held Saturday, Jan. 26, at St. Wilfrid Catholic Church in Woonsocket. Burial was in the church cemetery. Visitations were held at the church on Friday, Jan. 25 with a scripture service.

Albert was born Feb. 27, 1937 in Woonsocket to Adolph and Zita (McCall) Schmidt. He attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School and farmed his whole life.

He retired from the South Dakota National Guard after 40 years of service. He served nine years on the Plankinton School Board, and was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He married Muriel “Mike” Meyer in Woonsocket on Nov. 28, 1959, and they raised six children.

Albert is survived by his wife, Mike; children, Jim Schmidt and Allen (Anita) Schmidt of Plankinton, LaDeen (Kyle) Krueger of Hoven, and Steve (Amber) Schmidt of Madison; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Zita; sisters, Katie Robbins and Marion Goergen; brother, Wilfrid; and sons, Gregory and Douglas Schmidt.