Patricia Jo Robbins, 70, of Wessington Springs, passed away on Friday, July 28, 2023, at her home with family at her side after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

A memorial service for family only is being planned.

Patricia Jo Robbins was born in Wessington Springs at the old Memorial Hospital on May 29, 1953, to Keith and Marilyn Jo (nee Easton) Robbins. The family lived in Media, Cherry, and Anina Townships, and she attended Happy Hill School for seven years. As a young girl, Pat participated in the Anina Bell’s 4-H Club for eight years. She graduated from Wessington Springs High School in 1971. She attended South Dakota State University and graduated from there in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She remained a life-long fan of the Lady Jackrabbits basketball team.

Patricia moved to Denver, Colo., in the fall of 1975 to begin a 38-year career as a Registered Nurse. She brought comfort and care to thousands of patients and their families at the University of Colorado Medical Center, Swedish Medical Center, Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital, The Medical Center of Aurora, Colo., and at many other locations during her time as a traveling nurse. By the time she retired in 2013, she had earned multiple advanced certifications, numerous nursing awards, and became a cardiac rehabilitation specialist.  She was beloved by colleagues and known for her grace and calmness during calamity.

Pat became stepmother to a two-year-old son, Mitchell Kwame Williams in 1977, and gave birth to a daughter, Bett Jenaubu Williams, in 1983 in Aurora, Colo.

In 2015, she returned home to South Dakota to be closer to her parents, sisters, and other family and friends. True to her compassionate and animal-loving nature, she rescued a tiny kitten mewing at her doorstep during a snowstorm. Her cat was a constant companion and great source of comfort and joy, even in her final hours.

Pat is survived by her mother, Marilyn Jo Robbins (nee Easton); sisters, Kay (Darwin) Reindl of Wessington Springs and Nyla (Carl) Kappel of Woonsocket; her stepson, Mitchell Kwame (Joanna) Williams; her daughter, Bett (Malek Benmoussa) Williams; two step grandchildren; five cousins; seven nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and nephews; and her beloved cat, Babe.

Pat was preceded in death by grandparents, Elmer and Evelyn Easton, and Frank and Roxine Robbins; her spouse, Woodrow Williams; her uncles, Levi and Harold Robbins and Larry Easton; and her aunt, Mary Setterstrom (nee Robbins).

Pamela M. Winegar, 71, of Huron, passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at home surrounded by her family. 

Her Mass of Christian Burial was on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Huron, with inurnment at St. Martin’s Cemetery. Visitation was Tuesday, Aug. 1, at Welter Funeral Home, with a rosary service and time of sharing. 

Pamela Mae (Thomas) Winegar was born Aug. 16, 1951, to Audrey and James Thomas in Huron. She attended Custer Township Country School from Kindergarten through eighth grade. She then attended and graduated from Huron High School in 1969. Pam received her teaching degree from Huron College in 1974. Later, she earned her master’s degree in Teaching and Learning from Southwest Minnesota State in 2005.

On Aug. 24, 1973, Pam married Scott Winegar in Huron. To this union, three children were born. Adventures took them to Deer Lodge, Mont.; Clear Lake; Billingham, Minn.; and Sioux Falls, where Pam continued her teaching career. As their kids grew older, they returned to Huron to raise them closer to family, as this was very important to Pam.  

Pam began her teaching career at St. Martin’s Catholic School in Huron, continued in Billingham and Sioux Falls, before finishing her 37-year teaching career with the Huron Public School System. Over twenty of those years were spent teaching at Riverside Colony.

Her passion for gardening led to many amazing gardens throughout the years. With the help of her grandkids, one year, she grew seven gardens which spanned over two acres. After retirement, she spent a lot of time with her grandkids. From reading to the babies, baking, crafting, and attending their sporting events, she loved it all. 

Pam is survived by her husband, Scott Winegar of Huron; her three children, Taunya Martin and Jim (Kristi) Winegar, both of Huron, and Lisa (Corey) Baruth of Alpena; eight grandchildren; siblings, Claire Thomas of Huron, Bob (Becky) Thomas of Huron, Cindy Thomas of Tulare, Janey (Pat) Cronin of Huron, Betty Thomas of Huron, and Jay (Beth Shaffner) Thomas of Huron; in-laws, Terry Winegar of Rapid City, Randy (Jackie) Winegar of Huron, and Connie Winegar of Huron.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Danny; parents-in-law, Earl and Carol Winegar; sisters-in-law, Connie Thomas, Bev Thomas, and Marcia Winegar; and brother-in-law, Pat Winegar.

Donald E. Carlson, 92, of Mt. Vernon, passed away on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at Prairie View Healthcare Center in Woonsocket. 

Burial was at Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Mt. Vernon. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Donald was born April 24, 1931, to Edward and Hazel (Hull) Carlson in Mitchell. After high school, he joined the Navy and served on the Midway (flight deck). After returning from military service, he married Marilyn Carstens and returned to South Dakota, eventually settling in Mt. Vernon, where he farmed and operated a trucking business.

Donald is survived by his daughters, Cindy Carlson of Rapid City and Linda Lang of Pine Haven, Wyo.; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren with another on the way; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn; son, David; his parents; brother, William; and son-in-law, Bruce Lang.