Violet F. Rhoads, 93, of Mitchell, died Sunday, June 10, 2018, in Firesteel Health Care Center.

The procession to the burial will leave at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, June 14, from Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. Burial will be 2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 14, in Bonney Cemetery near Forestburg. Visitation will be from 6-7 p.m., followed by the memorial service at 7 p.m., at Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell.

Arrangements by Will Funeral Chapel.

Aleck L. Larson, 83, of Woonsocket, died April 8, 2018, at Prairie View Healthcare Community in Woonsocket. 

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 9 at the Woonsocket Community Center at 2 p.m. with Rev. Scott Spiehs and Rev. Richard Weeman officiating. Honorary rites will be held by Woonsocket American Legion Post 29. Inurnment will be in Silver Creek Cemetery, rural Woonsocket. 

Aleck Leonard Larson was born on a farm in Jackson Township, Woonsocket, to Edward and Frederica (Kruse) Larson on Aug. 30, 1934. He attended rural McDonald School and later Woonsocket Public School. 

Aleck married Edwina Pierce on March 5, 1955, in Sioux Falls. Aleck was drafted into the army in 1960 for one and one-half years. He was a carpenter who remodeled houses and built one of his homes. He was a janitor for the Huron and Woonsocket schools, Lewis Drug, and many years at the courthouse in Woonsocket. He also drove school bus. 

Aleck loved to do magic tricks for parties. He also enjoyed raising elk with his son-in-law, Tom, going to casinos, playing cards and pool, and fishing with family. He was an avid gardener and loved doing puzzles. Aleck and Edwina also had several foster children. He was a member of the Woonsocket American Legion Post 29. 

Aleck is survived by his daughters, Laurie (Tom) Klich of Woonsocket, and Kathie Hibbard of Pierre; five grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mandy Schulz of Woonsocket, and Alma (Carl) Fielder of Union, Neb.; and a special friend, Fran Cangelosi. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Edwina; 10 brothers and four sisters. 

Melvin “Mel” Tuffs, 75, of Mt. Vernon, died Thursday, May 31, 2018, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. 

Funeral services were Monday, June 4, at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Visitation was Sunday, June 3, at the Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. Burial was in the Mount Vernon Cemetery. 

Melvin Floyd Tuffs, son of Fred and Josephine (Larson) Tuffs, was born on Feb. 3, 1943, in Olivet. He moved to Milltown and then to Woonsocket in 1969. Melvin was currently living in Mt. Vernon. He was employed as a mechanic and musician for over 40 years. 

Melvin was united in marriage with Gloria Tollefson on May 27, 1989, in Mt. Vernon. 

He loved watching and playing golf, motorcycles, cars, his family and playing in the band. Melvin also enjoyed toys, tractors, hunting and was a gun enthusiast. His greatest pleasure was farming, being outdoors, visiting with family and friends, and his love of animals. 

He is survived by his wife, Gloria Tuffs of Mt. Vernon; his children, Rick Tuffs of Forestburg, Vikki (Roger) Hollenbeck of Stickney, Rodney Tuffs of Sioux Falls, Royce (Jenny) Tuffs of Sioux Falls, Laurinda (Mark) Hubbard of Phoenix, Ariz., Rod Lyman of Phoenix, Ariz., Brenda (Greg) Hartz of Bangor, Maine, and Kurt (Suzanne) Lyman of Dakota Dunes; 20 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; his brothers, Allan (Gloria) Tuffs of Garretson, and Marvin Tuffs; and a brother-in-law, Leroy Sheppard of Mitchell. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Stephani Lyman; a sister, Pat Sheppard; a sister-in-law, Martha Hanson; and brothers-in-law, Garry Tollefson, Randy Tollefson and Jim Hanson.