Dorothy Dicus, 93, of Mitchell, passed away Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. 

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial was in the Servicemen’s Memorial Cemetery in Mitchell.

Dorothy Mae Dicus was born to Sam and Edith (James) Hornback in Spencer, Neb. on Jan. 29, 1929. The family moved several times during her childhood, but eventually settled in Mitchell, where she graduated from high school in 1946.

Dorothy married Calvin (Bud) Dicus on Sept. 14, 1946. She began her career with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1951 and served there in several capacities until her retirement in 1976. She worked part time for Culhanes Dairy for a time after that.

Dorothy enjoyed camping, and she and Bud always had a grandchild, or two, along for the weekend. After Bud’s retirement, they wintered in Mesa, Ariz., until Bud’s illness prevented travel. Dorothy enjoyed league bowling, her sister trips, volunteering, cooking Sunday family dinners, gardening, and playing cards.

Dorothy is survived by her sons, Dennis (Pat) Dicus of Mitchell and Kent Dicus of Woonsocket; seven grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bud, in 1990; daughter, Debra Lynn Lang; infant son, Gary Lee; her parents; and her siblings, Gerald Hornback, Delores Collins, Marjorie Placek, and Beulah Summers.

Charles “Chuck” Stanwyck, 89, passed away Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Woonsocket.  

He was a retired Air Force flight communication specialist. His family will have a private ceremony at a later date. 

Daun Whetsel, 90, of Mitchell, died Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2022, at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. 

A memorial service honoring Daun’s life will be held at Bittner Funeral Chapel on Oct. 1 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers or monetary donations, please donate to www.alz.org or parkinsonhope.org.

Marnys “Daun” Rodee Whetsel was born March 28, 1932, in Mitchell, to Floyd and R. Grace (Smith) Rodee. Daun was the second of three children. Daun graduated from Garden City High School in 1950.

Daun started at South Dakota State University in 1950 and graduated with a two-year degree in home economics and education in 1952. On July 20, 1952, she married her high school sweetheart, Roland Whetsel, of Garden City. Daun and Roland moved to Pierre, and she began her teaching career. Daun lived in several South Dakota towns, including Pierre, Platte, Wagner, Black Hawk, Sioux Falls, Hurley, and she retired in Artesian.

Daun was active in childhood education throughout her life. In 1973, she completed a BS at the University of South Dakota – Springfield, and in 1976, she completed a master’s degree in special education at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Daun was a mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, education consultant, mentor, and active in church and civic organizations.

Daun is survived by her three children, Raleigh of Frederick, Colo., Heidi Dorsey of Mitchell, and Gretel (Rocco) Baird of Belvidere, Ill.; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Daun was preceded in death by her husband, Roland Whetsel; son, Cameron; infant son, Dirk; sister, Donna Rodee Steichen; brother, Burton Rodee; and both of her parents.