Gladys Kieser, 96, of Wessington Springs, passed away Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, at Weskota Manor Avera in Wessington Springs. 

Funeral services were Monday, Nov. 25, at Wessington Springs Methodist Church. Burial was at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Wessington Springs. Visitation was Sunday at Wessington Springs Methodist Church with a prayer service. Arrangements were by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Gladys Darlene (Leischner) Kieser was born to Edward and Esther (Hoffman) Leischner on May 28, 1928, at the Marie McVey Maternity Home in Wessington Springs. She was baptized Oct. 14, 1928, in the New Zion German Congregational Church in Bates Township, Hand County and confirmed in 1942 in the Congregational Church of Wessington Springs. Gladys graduated from the Wessington Springs High School in 1946. After graduation, she was employed in the office of the South Dakota Health Department in the Capitol in Pierre.  She then took an office position in the AAA (now FSA) Office in the Jerauld County Courthouse. Two years later, she served as Teller and Bookkeeper at the Bank of Wessington Springs until August of 1950. 

Gladys married Kenneth L. Kieser on Aug. 27, 1950.  They lived on the Kieser homestead farm southeast of Wessington Springs until 1993. At the age of 60, she joined the work force again and was hired by the Soil Conservation Office to help with the Wetland Inventory in Jerauld and Sanborn Counties. In 1988, she began working part-time for Bridgman Law Office and worked there until 2000.

Gladys’ passion was music, and she loved to sing. She loved the Lord, and her church was a priority in her life, serving in various positions, was a member of UMW, and sang in church choirs for 48 years. At the age of 75, she was introduced to painting, which became another passion. Ken and Gladys enjoyed traveling.

Gladys is survived by children, Randy (Linda) of Torrington, Wyo., Debbie (Dale) Kunkel of Loveland, Colo., and Jeffry “Hub” (Laura) of Wessington Springs; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and her brother, Dale Leischner of Buffalo, Wyo.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; parents; parents-in-law, Ward and Lulu Kieser; sisters, Rella Beaudoin, Jean Jones, and Betty Klaus; three brothers-in-law; and one sister-in-law.

Carl Olson, 69, of Mitchell, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. 

Funeral services were Tuesday, Nov. 19, at First United Methodist Church in Mitchell. Burial was at Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation was Monday at Bittner Funeral Chapel, with a prayer service.

Carl Alfred Olson was born on July 27, 1955, to Clyde and Esther (Weber) Olson in Mitchell. He attended school at Plano and graduated from Artesian High School in 1973. In 1958, when Carl was three years old, he made his first visit to Mayo Clinic. At the age of 14, he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Carl received three kidneys and a pancreas.

Carl worked at 3M in Mitchell until a torn retina in his left eye left him blind in that eye. His kidneys were also failing, and he was put on dialysis and the transplant list. In 1979, he purchased an acreage east of Mitchell and called it home for 45 years. He loved working on the acreage and was particular about his fence. Even with little eyesight, he mowed weeds, pushed snow and enjoyed wildlife down by the creek. Carl always had an interest in cars, trucks motorcycles, and snowmobiles. He liked to tinker and work with his hands. Carl was very proud to talk about his skydiving experience in California and his Alaskan Cruise.

Carl is survived by his siblings, Jeanie (Eugene) Wohl of Lodi, Calif., and Mary (Larry) Crane and Robert Olson, both of Mitchell.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents and nephew, Adam Crane.

Howard Moore, 92, of Mitchell, formerly of Artesian, passed away Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab in Mitchell. 

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, at Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian. Visitation was Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at Bittner Funeral Chapel, with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service.