Eldora Le Von Sonne, 98, of Mitchell and formerly of Letcher, died Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, at Edgewood Senior Living in Mitchell.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 1, at Storla Lutheran Church with burial at Trinity Cemetery in rural Storla. Visitation was also held on Saturday at the Storla Lutheran Church. Arrangements were under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel.

Eldora Le Von (Johnson) Sonne was born to Hattie (Sinke) and Clarence LeRoy Johnson on Jan. 20, 1920, in Buffalo County, S.D. She attended the rural Highland Grade School. In 1931, she moved with her parents to Letcher. She attended grade school, high school and graduated from Letcher High School in 1938.

On Dec. 19, 1938, she married Harlan Sonne at Sioux Falls. Two sons, Myron and James were born to this union.

From 1952 until 1967, Eldora was a bookkeeper for the Robert Burns Lumber Company of Letcher and Mitchell, and the Hiway Lumber Company of Mitchell. In 1958, she was employed as a shipping clerk at Armour Creameries of Mitchell. From 1969 until 1989, she was posting clerk and bookkeeper for the Methodist Hospital in Mitchell. While living in Sanborn County, she was a Republican Committee Woman and a member of the Letcher Study Club. She was a past member of Mitchell Toastmistress Club. She assisted in organizing the Chapter of Sons of Norway in Mitchell. She was a confirmed member of Letcher Trinity Lutheran Church and a member of the Ladies Circle.

Eldora is survived by her sons, Myron (Nancy) Sonne and James Sonne, four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren, and two step-great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hattie and Clarence.

Harold Hotchkiss, 88, of Wessington Springs passed away Sunday, Nov. 25, at the Prairie View Healthcare Community in Woonsocket.

His memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the United Methodist Church in Wessington Springs. Inurnment will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery with military rites.

Edward “Ed” Stunes, 91, of Letcher, died Friday, Nov. 23, 2018 under hospice care at Firesteel Healthcare Community.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Nov. 27 at the Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. Visitation was held Monday, Nov. 26 at the Will Funeral Chapel. Burial was held in the Butler Cemetery.

Ed was born Oct. 30, 1927 at Letcher to Charles and Alina (Vande Voorde) Stunes. He attended Goodwin country school through the eighth grade. 

Ed joined his dad farming until he started farming on his own in the Lake Andes area. His first marriage was to Sylvia Armfield. They had a son, Jim. Sylvia passed away on April 20, 1952. Shortly thereafter he moved back to the home farm to take over when his father retired. His second marriage was to Geraldine Schlund. They had five boys. They divorced in the mid 70s. His third marriage was to Judy Brown. Judy passed away on Oct. 21, 2005. 

Grateful for sharing his life are his four sons, Roger (Leana) Stunes, Wayne (Peggy) Stunes, DelRay (Cindy) Stunes and Tony (Shoan) Stunes; 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; sister, Lucille (Fred) Geisler; brother, Millard (aka Art); good friend, Lois Bamberg; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Sylvia and Judy; sons, Jim and Melvin Stunes; brothers, Francis, Albert, Joseph, Charles Jr. and Richard; sisters, Eunice and Gertrude; and several nieces and nephews.