Monte Stekl, 81, Mitchell, died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, at the Veterans Medical Center in Sioux Falls.
A Celebration of Life will be Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the hospitality room behind Thirsty’s in Mitchell, using the mall entrance.
He was born May 2, 1936, in Mitchell, to Harry and Anna (Meier) Stekl. He went to country grade school until eighth grade and graduated from Letcher High School in 1954, where he played basketball and football.
He entered the Army in February 1958 and was stationed in Germany until February 1960. He was a life-long Minnesota Vikings fan. He loved his plants and garden; he could get anything to grow with his green thumb. He also loved spending time with his family, grandchildren and his great-grandchildren, and he loved the Black Hills.
He is survived by his four children, Lori Stekl (Scott Smith) of Dakota Dunes, Sandy (Ronnie) Long of Mt Vernon, Kristi (Marty) Moody of Mt Vernon and Jim (Tammy) Stekl of Harrisburg; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Roland Stekl of Mitchell; and one sister, Norma Parce of Woonsocket.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Duane Stekl.

Kenneth Clyde Ness, 93, of Mitchell, died Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, at Avera Brady Health in Mitchell.
Funeral services were 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Bittner Funeral Chapel. Burial was in Serviceman’s Memorial Cemetery in Mitchell with military honors. Visitation was Tuesday, Nov. 28, at the Bittner Funeral Chapel.
Kenneth “Kenny” Clyde Ness was born March 26, 1924, in Miner County, near Fulton, to John Edward and Vollie (Betchel) Ness. He attended grade school at Glee Lake School and graduated from Plano High School in 1942. After graduating, he served one term in the South Dakota House of Representatives as a Messenger. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942, and he took training as an Aviation Ordnanceman and Aerial Gunner’s Schooling. He was sent to Ford Island, Hawaii, Carrier Aircraft Service Unit No. 1, where he spent 18 months readying the fighter planes for carrier duty. He was discharged in February 1946.
On Dec. 1, 1946, Kenneth married Berthetta Fillmore of Mitchell. They lived on the same farm south of Artesian for 54 years. In March of 2000, they moved to Mitchell, where he kept active by helping his son, Mark, on the farm and also worked part-time at Mitchell Livestock.
He was a member of Mitchell Wesleyan Church, a 71-year member of the American Legion, served on the school and township boards in Ravenna Township, and for many years, was a member of the Artesian Saddle Club.
Kenneth is survived by his wife, Bert; four children: Bonnie (Dan) Kruse, of Nampa, Idaho, John Ness of Allegan, Mich., Mark (Donna) Ness of Artesian, and Paula (Doug) Northrup of Letcher; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Evelyn Thomsen of Mitchell; and a brother, Maynard (Shirley) Ness of Mitchell.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Elmon (Irene) Ness; sister, Millie (Norman) Holmes; brother-in-law, Melvin Thomsen; infant sister, Grace; daughter-in-law, Kathy Steffek; and a grandson, Kent Kruse.

Owen Robert Ruml, 62, of Letcher, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, at Lake Norden Care and Rehab Center in Lake Norden.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Letcher Community Church, with burial at Butler Cemetery in rural Letcher. Visitation, with a 7 p.m. prayer service, was Friday, Nov. 17, at the Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell.
Owen Robert Ruml, son of Robert and Shirley (Larson) Ruml, was born July 12, 1955, in Mitchell. He attended school in Letcher, graduating from Letcher High School in 1973. Owen then attended Mitchell Vo-Tech, receiving a degree in agriculture.
During his lifetime, Owen participated in and enjoyed watching baseball, basketball, softball and football games. He was proud to run the scoreboard for Sanborn Central High School basketball games for a number of years. Owen farmed and also worked at North Central Seed, Sanborn County Soil Conservation and the Mitchell Livestock Sale Barn.
He entered Lake Norden Care and Rehab in 2016 due to various health problems. While there, Owen made many friends with the staff and residents. He enjoyed playing Bingo and pinochle three days a week. In the summer, he was able to attend baseball games, as well as fishing at Oakwood State Park. Owen was proud to have gardens and loved sharing the vegetables he grew.
Owen is survived by his three siblings, Mark (Kathy) Ruml of Mitchell, Julie (Phil) Allred of Ephraim, Utah, and Scott (Susan) Ruml of Freeman; 17 nieces and nephews; and 20 great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Randy Ruml; a niece, Amber Ruml; a great niece, Brooklyn Howard; and grandparents, George and Anna Ruml and Olaf and Lizzie Larson.