George Schmit, 89, of Mitchell, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017, at Firesteel Healthcare Center, surrounded by family.
Mass of Christian Burial was Saturday, Dec. 23, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell, with burial at the Church of Epiphany Cemetery in Epiphany. Visitation, with a prayer service and rosary at 7 p.m., was Friday, Dec. 22, at the Will Funeral Chapel.
George William Schmit was born Feb. 24, 1928, in rural Sanborn County, on “the farm” north of Artesian, to Michael and Lousia (Kersch) Schmit. George graduated from Artesian High School in 1947. He was drafted in the U.S. Army in April 1951, trained at Fort Hood, Texas, honorably discharged in 1952, and then transferred to the reserves from 1952 to 1956.
George married LaVonne Brutty on Sept. 5, 1951, in the Church of Epiphany. They farmed near Artesian until they moved to Mitchell in 1971. He also worked at Ross Laboratories starting in 1969, which became 3M, and finally retired from Toshiba in 1993.
He enjoyed going to auctions and spending time at the sale barns.
George is survived by his wife, LaVonne of Mitchell; two sons, Douglas (Roxy) Schmit of Spearfish, and Gregory (Dixie) Schmit of Sioux Falls; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Angeline Eining, Agatha Ebersdorfer, Raymond Schmit, Martha Stratman, and infant brother, Michael Schmit.

Phyllis Buehler, 87, of Sioux Falls and formerly of Forestburg, died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls.
Funeral services were 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 23, at Dow Rummel Village Halladay-Peterson Chapel in Sioux Falls. Burial was in Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Huron. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 22, at the Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell.
Phyllis Lucille Senska Buehler was born Oct. 1, 1930, to Loyd and Lucille (Kundert) Ellingson in Forestburg. She attended elementary school and graduated from Forestburg High School in 1948. She attended Augustana College for a year and a half.
On March 26, 1950, Phyllis was united in marriage to Boyd Senska at her parent’s farm near Forestburg, and to this union four children were born. The couple farmed north of Forestburg near the James River. Boyd passed away on Oct. 30, 1971.
On Dec. 18, 1987, Phyllis married Russ Buehler in Sioux Falls. They made their home there and wintered in Tucson, Ariz.
During her lifetime, Phyllis was a teacher’s aide at Forestburg School and worked at dress shops in Mitchell and Sioux Falls. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, baking, sewing and traveling.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, Russ Buehler of Sioux Falls; her children, Wanda (Dale) Swenson of Woonsocket, Gwen Senska, Cullen Senska, and Neil (Jeri) Senska, all of Forestburg; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Glenda (Senska) Thompson, Phyllis Senska, and Dianna Senska; three step-sons, Jack (Gog) Buehler, Barry Buehler, and Robert (Carol) Buehler; and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Boyd; her brother, Robert Ellingson; brothers-in-law, Avery Thompson, Eldon, Millard, Dean, and Edwin Senska; and sisters-in-law, Katherine and Selma Senska.
Memorials may be directed to Dow Rummel Village’s Financial Assistance Endowment.

Ronald Fouberg, 75, of Letcher, died Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, at his home under hospice care.
Funeral services were Friday, Dec. 22, at 11 a.m., at the Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. Burial was in Eventide Cemetery in Woonsocket. Visitation was one hour prior to the funeral service.
Ron was born Oct. 22, 1942, to Harold and Vera (Brewer) Fouberg in Mitchell. He lived in Letcher, graduating in 1960, and then attended Augustana University. After a year, he enrolled in Grand Canyon University at Phoenix, Ariz., where he met Kathryn Higgins. The couple wed on Aug. 28, 1965, and made their home in Phoenix, where Ron was employed for 15 years with Charlie C. Jones Battery & Electric Co. They were blessed with their daughter, Roxane, and in 1980, the family moved to Sheridan, Wyo., for a short time, before re-locating to Letcher.
Ron entered inactive reserves with the U.S. Air Force for a year to finish his last year of college before leaving for Lackland AFB for basic training. After completion, he entered the OCS and then received a medical discharge.
He was employed with Sheesly Plumbing and Heating, Sanborn County Highway as superintendent, Mitchell Plumbing & Heating, American Rim & Brake, Morris Inc., and Wheelco Truck & Trailer for 15 years before retiring in 2016.
Ron is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kathye of Letcher; daughter, Roxane Fouberg of Sioux Falls; sister, Sharon McGovern of Scottsdale, Ariz., mother-in-law, Catherine Higgins of Sun City, Ariz.; sisters-in-law, Kim (Gar) Maurer of Sheridan, Wyo., Mary Louise (James) Miller of Hurst, Texas, and Tracey Andrews of Peoria, Ariz.; brother-in-law, Rob Higgins of Sun City, Ariz.; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, John Russell Fouberg; his parents; step father, Russell Fouberg; father-in-law, John J. Higgins II; two brothers-in-law, John J. Higgins III and Tim R. McGovern; and sister-in-law, Cheryl Bassett.