Steven Frank Jackson, 69, of Lane, passed away on April 19, 2023.

A memorial Mass was held on Monday, April 24, at St. Wilfrid Catholic Church in Woonsocket; burial was in St. Wilfrid Catholic Cemetery. 

Steve was born Aug. 5, 1953, in Huron, to Mary Ann (Bradley) and Darrel Frank Jackson. He was the start of the Jackson family that grew to become 11 children. Steve attended school in Lane and finished his high school years in Wessington Springs, graduating in 1971 as part of the first class from Lane to graduate in Wessington Springs. His highlight was playing basketball. He spoke often about how they defeated Wessington Springs and how he was a valuable player.

After graduating school, Steve continued his farming and ranching career on the family farm, continuing the legacy with his brothers. Steve was a dedicated farmer – even as a young boy, it was in his heart. He took an active role in the farm until his last days, even when he could not be present. Steve was also an avid fisherman who enjoyed going out on the boat, floating the river, and catching walleye.

Beyond farming, Steve was a family man. His favorite job was being an uncle to many nieces and nephews. Steve was known for his joking and belly laughs.

Steven is survived by his mother, Mary Ann Jackson; sister, Mary Ellen (Bill); sister, Sandy (Mike); brother, Tim (Laura); sister, Lori (Bob); sister, Linda (Tim); brother, Kelly; sister, Michelle; brother, Travis (Karen); many nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews; and friends.

Steven was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Mary Jackson and Florence and Donald Bradley; father, Darrel Jackson; brothers, John and Mark Jackson; sister, Rita Kubal; and niece, Jennifer Reed. 

Arlene Hall, 101, of Brookings, died Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at The Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings. 

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 26, at the Beach United Methodist Church in Howard. Burial followed at the Fedora Cemetery. Visitation was one hour prior to services.

Arlene Marcella Slemmen was born on the farm in Fedora to Torsten Anderson Slemmen and Alice “Allie” Kelsey Prindle Slemmen on April 4, 1922. She was raised in a loving home with four siblings and eight cousins who Allie and Torsten helped raise at various times. She attended Fedora schools, and at high school graduation, she earned the honor of Salutatorian. During World War II, she went to General Beadle College in Madison and got a two-year teaching certificate. She taught school for most of six decades, including rural schools, and into her late 70s, she finished as a teacher’s aide in Howard. 

On Jan. 11, 1946, she married Frederick Samuel (Sam) Hall at her parents’ home on her parents’ 25th wedding anniversary. They met at a dance and became engaged while Sam was in the Army in World War II. Sam and Arlene farmed together for over 50 years; on a farm located northeast of Howard. Sam and Arlene were lifelong members of the United Methodist Church. They enjoyed traveling. After farm life, they moved to a home in Howard.

Arlene’s trademarks were hospitality, cooking and baking and growing flowers and gardening.

Arlene is survived by her children, Kirk Hall (Debbie) of Shawnee, Kan., Colene Hall Reiser (Wayne) Brookings; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Ione Slemmen Sandene; and many nephews, nieces, and long-time friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of sixty years, Sam Hall; a sister, Vergene Slemmen Klatt and her husband, Morris Klatt; sister, Iva Prindle; brother, Clayton Prindle and his wife Beulah (Beddow); and brother-in-law, Art Sandene.

Raymond “Ray” Berlin, 75, of Mitchell, died Sunday, April 16, 2023, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell. 

A Celebration of Life was held Friday, April 21, at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Interment will be at South Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls at a later date.

Raymond DeWayne Berlin was born Oct. 25, 1947, to Harold “Pat” and Frieda (Frederick) Berlin in Wessington Springs. He attended school in Woonsocket before enlisting in the U.S. Army and serving in Vietnam.

In May of 1976, Ray married Dorthea Nielson. To this union, two daughters were born.

Ray worked various jobs, with his longest at D&E Music in Mitchell and, later, as a field engineer at Martin Group in Mitchell. Ray retired early due to disabilities, and spent his last years with family, friends, and his buddy, a pug named Max.

Ray is survived by his wife, Dorthea; daughters, Callie (Jess Boysen) Berlin and Trina (Luke) Bruske, all of Sioux Falls; seven grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Roberta Cunningham; and nephew, Jason Berlin.