Alec T. M. Schmidt, 28, of Wessington Springs, died suddenly at his home on Dec. 27, 2023.  

A private family service will take place at a later date.  

Alec Todd Michael Schmidt was born April 9, 1995, to Todd and Laurie (Young) Schmidt in Sioux Falls. He started work at 16 for L.S.I. in Alpena while growing up in Jerauld County and obtained his high school diploma from Sanborn Central in 2013. He worked for a pilot car company for one year, then started his own business in 2019, Schmidt Pilot Services, LLC.

Alec’s favorite job was piloting wind power blades. He traveled to and visited many places while in the piloting industry.

Alec is survived by his mother, Laurie Schmidt (Stacey) of Rapid City; father, Todd Schmidt of Wessington Springs; stepsister, Nicki Linn (Charley) of Dimock; brother, Trever Schmidt (Heather) of White Lake; grandparents, Jim and Judy Vaughn of Naugatuck, Conn., and Elvin and Sharon Schmidt of Sioux Falls; one aunt, two uncles, two nieces and one nephew.

He was preceded in death by grandparent, Ben Young.

Jack Case, 94, of Plankinton, died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at Prairie View Healthcare Center in Woonsocket. Funeral arrangements are pending under the direction of Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Monsignor Edward Burian, 90, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Kimball, died Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, at his home in Avera Prince of Peace Independent Living in Sioux Falls.

Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, Dec. 19, at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Kimball. Burial was at St. Margaret’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation was Monday, Dec. 18, at the church with a prayer service. Arrangements were made by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Edward Paul Burian was born on April 13, 1933, in Mitchell, to Adolph and Della (Brady) Burian. He was raised in Kimball. He graduated from Kimball High School in June of 1955. He attended the University of South Dakota and graduated from the business school in June of 1955. He loved music, played trombone in the college band and played in a dance band. He went to the US Army in January 1956 for six months. After that, he began teaching in the Bonesteel school system. He taught math and bookkeeping for three years. He started the first instrumental band for grade and high school. He entered the Seminary at Saint Jerome’s College in Kitchener, Ontario in 1959, studying Philosophy and Latin. In 1961, he entered the Saint Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. On May 29, 1965, Edward Burian was ordained to the Priesthood in Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell.

After Ordination, Msgr’s first assignment was June 15, 1965, as Associate Pastor of Holy Family Parish in Mitchell. His next assignment was to Roncalli High School in Aberdeen, teaching and directing the high school band and helping at St. John the Baptist Parish in Groton and Andover. In June 1970, he moved to Saint Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls and was Associate Pastor. In January 1975, he moved to Saint Mary’s Parish in Sioux Falls, teaching at the grade school and helping with the Parish work. In March 1977, he moved to Sacred Heart Parish in Aberdeen. In August of 1977, he moved to Mellette, Conde, Turton and Chelsea. In June, 1978, he moved to St. Michael’s Parish in the Clark and Doland churches as pastor. In May of 1981, he moved to St. Anthony’s Church in Hoven. In April of 1986, he went to St. Peter’s Church in Jefferson. In June of 1994, he moved to Holy Cross Parish in Ipswich and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Leola.

Father Edward Burian was ordained a monsignor June 10, 1996. In June of 1999, he moved to St. John de Britto Parish in Britton and St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Hecla. In January of 2003, he moved to St. Joseph Parish in Wessington Springs and St. Placidus Parish in Duncan.

In July of 2006, Msgr. Burian retired and went to be Chaplain of Sisters of Our Lady of Guadalupe Convent in Mitchell. In August 2007, Msgr. moved to St. Joseph Parish in Wessington Springs and helped with Wessington Springs, Woonsocket, Duncan and Artesian. August of 2011, he moved to Hawarden, Iowa to be near his sister, Virginia. He helped out with four different parishes. In 2015, Msgr. moved to Sioux Falls to live with his sister, Connie. On Sept. 26, 2016, Msgr. moved to Avera Prince of Peace Independent Living, Sioux Falls. On May 29, 2023, Msgr. celebrated 53 years being a priest.

Msgr. Edward was an avid hunter and loved to fish. He followed car racing, and different sports including Notre Dame, the USD Coyotes, SDSU and NDSU, the Vikings and the Twins. He was a musician and enjoyed playing the keyboard for his family. He was a third- and fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, along with being a State Chaplain.

Msgr. Edward was the most kind, gentle, loving person and always saw the best in everybody. Msgr. was a man of deep faith. He devoted his life to God and to the service of the people. He enjoyed giving to charities of all types and was compassionate in anything he did. 

Survivors include two sisters, Connie (Jim) Reuland and Della (Larry) Mathis, and nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Preceded in death were his parents, Adolph and Della (Brady) Burian, and one sister, Virginia McCarthy Sederstrom.