Marjorie Evelyn Wiese, 99, of Mitchell, formerly of Fedora, passed away on Oct. 28, 2022, at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. 

Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 31, at Willoughby Funeral Home. Burial followed at Graceland Cemetery in Howard. Visitation was one hour prior to services.

Marjorie Evelyn Wiese was born on Nov. 16, 1922, in rural Fedora. Marjorie was married to George LeRoy Wiese on Jan. 15, 1955, at Pipestone, Minn. The couple lived on a farm northwest of Fedora. Marjorie enjoyed traveling with George throughout the country.

Marjorie was an active member of Endeavor Presbyterian Church, Fedora. She loved being out on the farm. After George passed away in 2003, Marjorie continued living on the farm. She later lived with her daughter, Marilyn, due to her daughter’s health problems.  Marjorie was the sexton of Fedora City Cemetery for many years. She enjoyed the country and relative get-togethers. A few years after Marilyn passed away in 2013, Marjorie moved to Firesteel Healthcare Center, Mitchell.

Marjorie is survived by her son, John Wiese of Spencer.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George LeRoy Wiese; daughter, Marilyn Wiese; two infant sons; and ten siblings.

Jill Krietlow, 65, of Mitchell, passed away Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, at Firesteel Health Care. 

Mass of Christian burial was Thursday, Oct. 27, at Holy Family Catholic Church. Burial was in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation was Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Will Funeral Chapel. 

Jill was born Oct. 14, 1957, to Lawrence George Wermers Jr. and Barbara Jean Lutz in Mitchell. She attended school in Mitchell.  She most recently worked at Kwik Phil, where she loved meeting new people and talking politics with the coffee crew. She enjoyed shopping, cooking, word searches and spending time with family.

Jill is survived by her daughters, Bridget (Wade Eldeen) Larson of Letcher and Cassie (Brian) Krietlow-Curl; sister, LaRee Rumbolz; brother, Larry Wermers; five grandchildren; and four bonus grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; and sister, Jackie Wermers-Brink.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial tributes be directed to Jill’s memorial fund. Memorials may be sent to PO Box 23, Letcher, SD 57359.

Gerald “Jerry” W. Klaas, 83, Woonsocket, passed away Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at Prairie View Care Center, Woonsocket, under Hospice Care, with his family by his side.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Nov. 4, at 1 p.m. at the Spirit of Faith Church, Woonsocket, with inurnment at Eventide Cemetery under the direction of Basham Funeral Service. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Lunch will follow at Woonsocket Community Center.

Gerald “Jerry” was born Dec. 5, 1938, to August and Elizabeth (Renner) Klaas at Woonsocket. He was baptized and confirmed in Bethany Lutheran Church.  

Gerald attended Woonsocket High School, graduating in 1957. His career in the newspaper business started at the young age of 14 when he wandered into the Woonsocket News printing plant to watch the press run. Then publisher, Oliver Freed, asked him if he would like a job sweeping floors. That was the beginning of his 50-year career.

He married Gloria Nickelson on July 8, 1961, in Forestburg. They had two children, Timothy and Kimberley.

They purchased the Woonsocket News-Artesian Commonwealth newspapers in 1968 and retired in 2003 after 35 years in the business. 

Gerald was a 25-year member in the Woonsocket Wide-Awake Hose Company, serving in the capacity of Fire Chief for six years, and a 50 plus-year member of AM-FM Lodge No. 79 holding the position of Worshipful Master two different times. He was secretary of the Woonsocket Development Corporation, the Lions Club, the Woonsocket Community Club, and the Sanborn County Extension Board, for which he was chairman one year and a board member four years.  He was also a charter member of the Company A-153rd Battalion National Guard, having joined in 1957. He served eight years, receiving his honorable discharge in 1965.  He was also a member of the Mitchell Elks Lodge.

Jerry loved being with his family and especially going to Jacob and Emma’s farm to feed the tame cows. He also loved camping and fishing.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Gloria; two children, Timothy (Lynn) Klaas and Kimberley Wells, both of Woonsocket; grandchildren, Jacob (Emma) Klaas, Chelsea (Chad) Abrahamson, Gabriel (Maria) Wells and Nathan Wells; great-grandchildren, Elsie, Amelia, and Anna Klaas, Jennings Abrahamson and Lina and Aliana Wells; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Audrey Schimke; and brother-in-law, Terrence Schimke.

Honorary pallbearers are all his grandchildren.