Sharon Staffen, 81, of Fedora, died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at Diamond Care Center in Bridgewater. 

A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, Oct. 7, from 2-4 p.m. at the Howard Golf Course. A private family interment will be at Fedora Cemetery in Fedora.

Sharon Lee Walton was born on Aug. 26, 1942, in Mitchell, to John and Regina (Metzger) Walton. She was raised in Artesian and graduated from Artesian High School as class Salutatorian in May 1960. During high school, she was active in vocal music groups, served as librarian, appeared in plays and was on the paper staff.

After continuing her education in California, she returned home to Artesian, and on Feb. 17, 1962, she married Harvey Staffen in Artesian. To this union, three children were born. In 1978, they moved to the family farm in Fedora. There, she went to work at the Howard Good Samaritan Center for over 30 years as a CNA and Restorative Aid.

In 2021, she moved into Edgewood Memory Care in Mitchell, and then in 2022, she moved into Diamond Care Center in Bridgewater, where she lived the remainder of her life.

Sharon’s hobbies included sewing, crocheting, cross stitching, reading, crossword puzzles and family genealogy.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Harvey; daughters, Gibi (Dan) Page of Fedora and Brenda (Reggie) Suess of Sioux Falls; three grandchildren; one great-grandson; sister-in-law, Diane Walton of Wilmington, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son, Harlyn Staffen; parents; in-laws, Harvey and Mable Staffen; siblings and in-laws, Delbert (Millie) Walton, Carol (Gene) Bluhm, Joan (Leo) Melgosa, James Walton, Dwelda McKittrick, and Sherman Staffen. 

Charles “Charlie” Olsen, 81, of Mt. Vernon, passed away Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Mt. Vernon. 

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 22, at Salem Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon. Burial will be in Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Charles Richard Olsen was born on Aug. 4, 1942, in Mitchell, to Gilbert “Bud” and Pearl (Knox) Olsen. Charlie attended grade school at Hopper School in rural Plankinton. He graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1961. 

Charlie married Roberta “Bertie” Pollard on June 9, 1962, at the Salem Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon. From this loving, 61-year marriage came three children: Rick, Sherri, and Kristi. Charlie was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved attending his grandchildren’s events and rarely missed a game or event. 

Following high school, Charlie worked at Armour Creameries in Mitchell and then drove a milk truck. Beginning in 1966, Charlie worked for the South Dakota Department of Transportation in Mitchell, where he was the parts manager. He retired from the DOT in 2001 after 35 years. On top of working at the DOT, Charlie began selling Pioneer Seed in Mt. Vernon in 1975 and did so until 2009. Charlie took great pride in serving the farmers of the Mt. Vernon area and the trust they had in him to plant what was best for their fields. All this time, Charlie also operated the family farm. 

Charlie was an avid supporter of all Mt. Vernon athletics and was heavily involved in the community. He served on the Mt. Vernon Volunteer Fire Department for over fifteen years. He also served on the Mt. Vernon City Council, Salem Lutheran Church Council, and the Hopper Township Board at various times throughout his life. In 2015, Charlie and Roberta were inducted into Mt. Vernon’s Heroes’ Field Courtyard for their community involvement. Charlie loved being outdoors – farming, checking fields, hunting, and fishing.  

Charles is survived by his wife, Roberta of Mt. Vernon; son, Rick (Maria) Olsen of Mt. Vernon; daughters, Sherri (Eric) Denning of Mt. Vernon and Kristi Olsen of Wessington Springs; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; his sister, Darlene (Tom) Schultz of Freeport, Ill.; stepbrother, Duane (Mary) Malde of Mt. Vernon; brother-in-law, Robert Pollard of Mt. Vernon; and his nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters-in-law, Mildred Gritzmacher and Marian Powers.

Myrna S. Hjelm, 71, of Woonsocket, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, at Prairie View Healthcare Center, Woonsocket.  

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 14, at 2:30 p.m. at the Spirit of Faith Lutheran-Methodist Church, Woonsocket, Pastor John Anderson officiating. Arrangements are by Basham Funeral Service, Woonsocket.

Myrna Sue Hjelm was born on June 27, 1952, to Darwin and Verle (Skinner) Hjelm in Huron. She graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1971. She was the assistant manager and cook at Twin Lakes Resort. She then worked at Methodist hospital in Mitchell and took a nurse’s aide course. Her next job was at Storla Sunset Home. She became a medication aide and moved to Sturgis to work in the nursing home there. In January of 1979, Myrna moved to Kansas City and worked at Children’s Mercy Hospital. In 1992, she moved back to South Dakota and attended Dakota Wesleyan University, graduating in 1997. While in Mitchell, she worked at various places. 

She resided at Prairie View Healthcare Center for the past 12 years.

Myrna is survived by her siblings, Ruth Ann (Larry) Olinger and Paul (Jeannie) Hjelm, both of Woonsocket; nieces and nephews, Todd (Kari) Olinger, Tami Ziebart, Linda Turnbull, Tracy (Ryan) Altmann, Danny (Katie) Hjelm, Cassie (Jeremiah) Lindsay and Joe (Casey) Hjelm; great-nieces and great-nephews; one great-great niece; aunt, Elaine Cranston of Montevideo, Minn.; and many cousins. 

She was preceded by her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and one nephew-in-law, Tracy Ziebart.