Frances Peterson, 101, of Mitchell, passed away at her residence on Saturday, March 9, 2024. 

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, at Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service and time of sharing at 12 p.m.

Frances Elaine Van Slyke was born in Detroit, Mich., on Oct. 4, 1922, to Frederich Cleveland and Margaret Elizabeth (Frazier) Van Slyke. She graduated from Farmington High School in Michigan. Frances met Ross Peterson in Michigan; they married on May 8, 1943 in Detroit. They farmed in Michigan and had three boys while living there. They moved to South Dakota in 1953 and lived and farmed in Letcher. Their daughter was born in 1958.

Frances went to work at White Drug in 1966 and worked until she was 72. She retired and enjoyed her family, friends, and traveling. She moved to Wesley Acres in 2017, where she enjoyed playing cards and sharing with friends.

Frances is survived by her children, Curtis (Jan) Peterson, Dustin (Glenda) Peterson, Gary Peterson and Noreen (Roland) Young, and 25 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Noreen; brothers, Wirt and Fredrich; and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces.

Helen Goergen, 71, of Inwood, Iowa, passed away Monday, June 24, 2024, at Fellowship Village of Inwood after a short battle with cancer. 

A graveside inurnment service will be held at Richland Cemetery of Inwood at a later date. Porter Funeral Home of Inwood is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Helen Theresa Goergen was born in Mitchell, S.D., on Oct. 9, 1952, to Aloysius and Joan (Hastreiter) Goergen. She grew up in Woonsocket and graduated from Woonsocket High School.

Helen attended Mitchell Area VoTech, graduating with an LPN degree in 1974. She spent her life caring for others in Olathe, Kan., Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Woonsocket, and Wessington Springs, and Inwood, Iowa. Most of these were in nursing homes.

She enjoyed reading, sewing, growing flowers, and spending time with her cherished “pups,” Cash, Sadie, and especially Bunny, her little shih tzu.

Helen is survived by her sister, Nancy Goergen of Canton, and brother, Bill Goergen of Woonsocket.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother. 

Claretta M. Cunningham, 84, of Mitchell, died Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at her home under hospice care. 

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26, at Holy Family Catholic Church with a rosary at 10 a.m. at the church. Burial was at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation was Tuesday, June 25, at Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service.

Claretta was born Nov. 25, 1939, in Howard, to Kenneth and Vivan (Hicks) Hansen. She married Daniel Cunningham on Jan. 8, 1958, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell. They made their home on the family farm, where they farmed together with her in-laws for 43 years. Early in their marriage, she also worked in Mitchell as a bookkeeper for Randall Foods. After raising their three children, Claretta started college at Dakota Wesleyan. She continued her education at the University of South Dakota and Mount Marty College. Claretta achieved, with honors, two bachelor’s and two master’s degrees. She pursued a successful career as a Licensed Addiction Counselor. After the untimely death of her husband, Claretta found her true passion of turning the family farm into a healing retreat. She became certified as a Healing Touch Practitioner.

Claretta is survived by her sons, Daniel “Skip” (Cheryl) Cunningham of McCook, Neb., and Doug (Ila) Cunningham of Mitchell; daughter, Dawn “Missy” (Scott) Barber of Chester; 10 grandchildren, including Maegan (John) Fenske of Woonsocket; 22 great-grandchildren; stepmother, Barb (Kasten) Hansen of Chester; brothers, Kenneth (Earline) Hansen of Ferndale, Wash., William (Lori) Hansen of Colman, Anthony (Debi) Hansen of Anchorage, Alaska, Kim (Lisa) Hansen of Chester, Skeet (Angie) Hansen of Wentworth,  John (Marlena) Hansen of Madison; sisters; Viola (William) Anderson of Chester, Betty (Rick) Rook of Madison, Linnette Oolman of Sioux Falls, Rhonda Wellman of Watertown; sisters-in-law, Louise Hansen of Zula, Mont., and Georgia North of Mitchell; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; in-laws, Albert (Bethel) and Gladys Cunningham; brothers, Robert (Bud) Hansen, Jerry Hansen, and James Hansen; sisters, Bonnie Hill and Jeannie Edwards; brothers-in-law, William North, Anthony Peta and Arthur Jennings; and sisters-in-law, Donna Hansen, Vera Peta, Grace Jennings and Joyce Cunningham.