Wayne Edward Ellingson, 91, of Federal Way, Wash., passed away on Aug. 5, 2022, after a long illness with Alzheimer’s.

His military committal service will be held on Monday, Sept. 26, at 3 p.m. at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash. Following will be services at Family Christian Church in Federal Way at 4:30 p.m. Arrangements are being handled by Edwards Memorial.

Wayne was born on Dec. 20, 1930, in Junius to Alfred and Forsta Ellingson, the second of four children. He grew up on the family farm near Forestburg, where he helped raise animals and crops.

After high school, Wayne worked a few jobs, including driving a dump truck for Sutton Construction, fumigating grain bins through the AFC Office in Huron and gold mining at the Homestake Mine in Lead. He enrolled in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in South Korea, driving jeeps around and moving officers, other dignitaries and supplies. During his service, he also spent time in Washington state.

After completing his U.S. Army service, Wayne married Marie Maxine Kopke of Wessington Springs on April 3, 1954. After the wedding, they resided on his family farm until they moved to Washington in search of employment.

Wayne worked at Pennwalt Chemical on the Tacoma, Wash., tide flats for over 30 years. He then worked seasonally for Lloyd Enterprises-Milton pit at the scale house and with the dozer.

Wayne and Marie purchased their SW Federal Way home in 1964, where they raised their three daughters. They lived there over 60 years. Marie became Wayne’s caregiver as the Alzheimer’s spread until her death from cancer three years ago. Wayne spent his last few years in northeast Tacoma, Wash., at Harbor Ridge Adult Family Home.

Wayne enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and outdoors, fishing, camping, hiking, and photography.

Wayne is survived by his brother, Arnold; sisters-in-law, Cheri Ellingson, Mae Ellingson and Kathryn Nord; brothers-in-law, Glen Nord and Robert Blasius; his three daughters, Cristy, Donna and Kay; son-in-law, Eric; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  

Clarence M. “PeeWee” Olson, 89, of Letcher, died Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. 

Visitiation and funeral services were held Monday, Sept. 12, at the Letcher Community Church with burial at Westlawn Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel.

Clarence M. Olson, son of Ole O. and Julia (Knutson) Olson, was born in Artesian on Jan. 17, 1933. He attended school in Forestburg and graduated from Forestburg High School. After his schooling, Clarence worked with his brother, Gerald, for a few years.

Clarence was united in marriage with Sally Ryan on June 1, 1951, in Artesian. He was employed with the railroad before starting in the well drilling business in 1958. In 1970, Clarence started his well repair and digging business, known as Olson Digging and Pump Repair. He retired in 2010.

In his retirement, Clarence enjoyed doing crafts with his wife, Sally. He also enjoyed carpentry work, wood crafts and car and truck restoration. Clarence enjoyed spending time with and traveling with his family.

He was a member of the Letcher Community Church and a former member of the Forestburg Lutheran Church. Clarence was also a lifetime member of the Moose Lodge.

Clarence is survived by his two daughters, Marlene Hoffman of Letcher and Linda (Todd) Francis of Mitchell; grandchildren, Eddie (Tiffany) Hoffman of Letcher, Missy Hobaugh of Letcher, Aaron (Angela) Olson of Wolsey, Andrea (Dan) Timblin of Mitchell, Sara (Dave) O’Connor of Mitchell, Amy (Cody) Poppen of Howard, Stephanie (Tony) Keller of Sioux Falls, and April (Collin) Spinar of Plankinton; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; sister-in-law, Colleen Sundstrom of Chester, Md.; brothers-in-law, Bob (Hazel) Sundstrom of Sheldon, Iowa, and Mike Sundstrom of Edgemont; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sally, on January 6, 2022; two sons, Rich and Jay Olson; two grandsons, Rob Francis and Brian Hobaugh; his parents; a son-in-law, Bill Hoffman; and five brothers, Russell, Gerald, Ed, Calvin and Art.

Roger Allen Wiltz of Wagner, 80, passed away on Sept. 5, 2022, after a short battle with brain and liver cancer.

Roger asked for his life to be celebrated. His family plans to have an intimate gathering of family and local friends in Wisconsin, followed by a Celebration of Life gathering in Wagner next summer. Well wishes and/or tributes can be left on Roger’s CaringBridge website at www.caringbridge/rogerwiltz.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Rotary International Foundation or American Cancer Society in Roger’s memory at https://www.rotary.org/en/donate or https://donate3.cancer.org. 

He was born on April 12, 1942, son of John and Lucille (Olsen) Wiltz. Although Roger was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, he loved his summers at Cedar Lake and ultimately left the city for South Dakota State University on a football scholarship. It was in Brookings where he met his wife, Betsy, and cemented his love for the outdoors.  Early in his education career, he taught and coached wrestling and/or football in Willow Lake, Parkston, and Burke. His career culminated as a high school principal in Wagner, and retirement was followed by time in Tripp as a guidance counselor and teacher. 

Roger continued to stay busy in retirement, hunting, fishing, and writing a weekly outdoor column in several local newspapers, including the Sanborn Weekly Journal, highlighting these outdoor adventures. With almost 50 years of weekly columns under his belt, Roger compiled a book of his most popular articles and published it. He went on to write two more books about his outdoor adventures and his childhood.  He also published articles and stories in numerous other literary outlets. 

Throughout his adult life, Roger was active in Rotary International and other civic organizations, in addition to volunteering his time with his local parish. He loved history and enjoyed travel, as well as black powder shoots with his buddies. His favorite times were spent with his family, especially fishing with his grandkids. Within just a few short weeks prior to Roger’s cancer diagnosis and quick decline, he had traveled to the Gulf Shores with his family and to Canada to fish with friends. In the end, he mentioned that, not only did he feel he was “going out in a blaze of glory,” but also that he was the happiest he’d ever been in his life, surrounded by the love of his family. He was reassured that his love of life and generous spirit was always larger than himself and that his spirit will continue to live on forever through the lives that he touched as an educator, author, father and friend.

Roger is survived by his wife, Betsy (Hodgson) Wiltz; his daughters, Laurie Fisher, Lisa Ladson and LuAnn Shay; six grandchildren; his brother, Mike; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Merlin and Evelyn Hodgson; sister, Janet Adams; brother, JB; and son-in-law, Rodney.