Jean Elizabeth Tlustos, 67, of Sioux Falls, died Friday, May 18, 2018, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

Memorial services will be held at 8 p.m., Thursday, May 24, at Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, before the service at the Chapel. 

Jean Elizabeth Tlustos was born Jan. 10, 1951, to Curtis Abel and Mary Josephine (Morse) Talley in Brookings. She grew up in Forestburg, and graduated from Forestburg High School in 1969. She attended the University of South Dakota from 1969 to 1973, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in English. While at USD, she was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority and was president of the Young Republican’s Club. 

She lived in North Ft. Myers, Fla., from 1973-76, where she started her teaching career. She taught in Billings, Mont., from 1976-1984, before moving to Sioux Falls in 1984. 

On Aug. 7, 1980, Jean married Michael Tlustos in Waseca, Minn.

Jean taught in Sioux Falls from 1984 until her retirement in 2012. She had a lifelong love of teaching and was an advocate of learning. She desired to touch people’s lives in a positive way and made everyone she welcomed to her home feel like part of the family. 

In their retirement, Jean and Mike enjoyed wintering in Arizona and entertaining friends.

Jean is survived by her husband, Michael Tlustos of Sioux Falls; son, Samuel (Haley) Tlustos of Cottage Grove, Minn.; brothers, Curtis (Laurel) Talley of Mitchell, and Paul Talley of Northfield, Minn.; sister, Patricia Talley of Sioux Falls; mother-in-law, Joyce Tlustos of Sioux Falls; godsons, Andrew and Joseph Batt of Sioux Falls; and many students over the years. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her father-in-law, Harlan Tlustos.

Any memorial donations will be contributed to the Whittier Middle School Wolverine Club. 

John Grassel, 93, of Mitchell, formerly of Artesian, died Thursday, May 17, 2018, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab in Mitchell.

Funeral Mass was Tuesday, May 22, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery at Artesian. Visitation was Monday, May 21,  with a scripture service at 7 p.m. at Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. 

John Grassel was born May 22, 1924, in Sanborn County to Joseph and Mary (Maddox) Grassel. He grew up on his parents’ farm, attended country school in Afton Township and graduated from Artesian High School in 1942.

On May 10, 1947, he married Arlene Doyle. They started their first Hereford cattle herd with the purchase of six heifers and a bull. He did veterinary work for Doc Leider in Howard. An accomplished horseman, he moved and doctored cattle on horseback beyond his 80th birthday. He enjoyed giving rides with his horse and buggy and was often seen in local parades. 

John was a longtime member of St. Charles Catholic Church in Artesian, where he was the choir leader and soloist for many years. He became a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church when he and Arlene moved to Mitchell in 2010. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Hereford Association, Stock Growers and the Moose Lodge. 

He is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Grassel of Albuquerque, N.M., and Karen (Dan) Hilgenberg of Milbank; daughter-in-law, Wanda (Dave) Clarke of Howard; sister, Raeburn Moore of Mitchell; five grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene; sons, Mike and Bernard; eight infant children; brothers, Ted and Francis; and sisters, Mary Jo Vetter, Ruth Hinker, Eleanor Unterbrunner and Monica VanOverschelde. 

Delores Gross, 82, formerly of Huron, passed away Saturday, May 19, 2018, at the Prairie View Healthcare Community in Woonsocket. 

Her funeral service was Wednesday, May 23, at Mt. Olivet Church. Burial was in the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery, rural Huron. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Beadle County Humane Society or the Center for Independence.

Delores Darlene Gross was born Feb. 27, 1936, to Pete K. and Kathryn (Hofer) Gross at Redfield. She grew up on their farm in Antelope Township, Spink County. As a young child she suffered from seizures, and as a result, was only able to attend Ash Grove Country School through the third grade. She attended Emmanuel Church at rural Doland with her parents.

After her mother passed away in 1976, Delores and her father moved to Huron where she began attending the Adjustment Training Center, now Center for Independence, during the day. She flourished there and became involved in many new activities that she enjoyed.

After her father passed away in 1985, Delores became a full-time resident of the ATC and was eventually able to live alone in one of their apartments under their supervision. Declining health caused her to enter Prairie View Healthcare Community in the summer of 2016.

Delores loved animals, especially cats and dogs. She enjoyed going to the Beadle County Humane Society and playing with the cats there each week. She went on many trips while at ATC and enjoyed bowling and going to the ATC dances. In her spare time, Delores watched television and embroidered many towels, pillow cases and other things that she shared with others. She faithfully attended Mt. Olivet Church as long as she was able. 

She is survived by her guardian, Janet M. Gross, and several cousins.

Delores was preceded in death by her parents; uncles and aunts; several cousins; and her grandparents, Jacob M. and Rachel Hofer, and William and Kathryn Gross.