Rose Danburg

Rose Danburg, 93, of Miller, passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital, Miller.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 2, 2015 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller with Father Chester Murtha, celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Miller. Visitation with family present will begin at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, March 1, 2015 followed by a 7:00 p.m. wake service, all at the church.

Rose Marie was born October 2, 1921 in Orient, South Dakota to Gerhard and Josephine (Hemetsberger) Martinmaas. Rose attended grade school at St. Liborius in Polo and graduated from Fairview High School in Polo. She began her teaching career after one year of college at The Notre Dame Academy in Mitchell, SD. She taught in the rural area school, all the while attending night class workshops and summer school, graduating from Huron College in 1972 with her B.A. degree in education. She taught all grades for 14 years in rural schools and 23 years in the Miller School System, first teaching 5th grade and then 4th grade until her retirement in 1987. During those 37 years as a teacher, she touched the lives of 500 students and felt they touched her life even more. She left them with these words of wisdom, “Yesterday is Experience; Tomorrow is Hope; and Today is getting from one to the other as best I can.”

While teaching in the rural schools, she met and married Raymond Danburg on June 20, 1944. Rose and Ray were the parents of five children: Jerry, Larry, Marilyn, Dan, and Roxanne. Rose was very active following her children’s activities; she was an avid bowler; sang with the Drifters and Dreamers; enjoyed playing bingo; gardening, playing horseshoes and of course watching sports. Rose was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church and attending Mass was a very important part of her life.

Rose joined the angelic choir in Heaven on February 25, 2015 after a brief illness.

Blessed to have shared in her life are her three sons: Jerry (Barb) of Pueblo West, CO, Larry (Dee) of Miller, Dan (Kelli) of Aberdeen; 26 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; one sister, Betty (Forrest) Dalton of Pierre; three sister-in-laws, Lenore Ufen, Deloris (LeRoy) Danburg, and Derla (David) Simons, all of Miller; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ray; two daughters: Roxanne and Marilyn; three brothers: Tony Martinmaas, Joseph Danter, and Herman Martinmaas; four sisters: Francis Schlichte, Mary Pawlovich, Josephine Pawlovich, and Ann Treinen; and a granddaughter, Kelly (Danburg) Hess.

Rose was blessed with the love of her family and her good health for 93 years, she was always ready for an adventure whether it was going somewhere, being with her friends, playing a game of cards, or watching a sports event. But her greatest joy of all was, loving and spending time with her family.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Rose’s arrangements.

Jimmie Davis

Jimmie Davis, 73, of Rockham, passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital, Miller.

Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 7, 2015 at the St. Lawrence Community Church with Pastor Scot Tutt officiating. Burial will take place at a later date.

Jim was born on May 26, 1941 at the Miller hospital to Irvin and Melva (Carl) Davis. He attended grade school at Hand City School and graduated from Miller High School in 1959. On April 27, 1962 he married Sharon Sell in Miller.

After their marriage, he was a ranch hand for six years before moving to Rockham, South Dakota where he worked as a mechanic for his brother-in-law, Marvin Becker at Rockham Motors until 1970. Jim and Sharon then moved to the family farm in northern Hand County. Jim farmed and drove bus for Foreman Bus Service for 15 years, while working road construction during the summer months. He looked forward to the harvest season and helping the neighbors harvest.

He was a member of the Carlton Township board for several years. After retiring from farming, he continued to enjoy the harvest season by helping family with harvest. He also enjoyed hunting with family and friends.

The highlights of his life were his grandkids’ visits, especially while taking them deer hunting. His proudest moment was the opportunity to teach each of his grandkids how to drive a manual well before they were old enough, with plenty of practice in the pasture.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sharon of 52 years; daughter, Deborah Davis of Rockham, son, Douglas Davis of Miller, and daughter, Janet (Kent) Bertsch of St. Lawrence; six grandchildren: Danielle Davis, Chelsea Davis, Heather Davis, Kayla (Charles) Fawcett, Kyle Bertsch, and Ashley Bertsch; sister, Marilyn Williams; several nieces and nephews; and his best friend and beloved dog, Emmett.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marion Becker; and brothers, Wilbur Davis and Daryl “Sam” Davis.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Jimmie’s arrangements.

Betty Crackel

Mary Betty Crackel, 91, of Miller, passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital, Miller.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 28, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church, Miller with Rev. Brian Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Morningside Cemetery, Ree Heights. Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Friday, February 27, 2015 at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.

Mary Betty was born August 31, 1923 to Harry and Edith (Dicks) Snethen near Hammill, South Dakota. She attended and graduated from Winner High School. After high school, she moved to Omaha, Nebraska and attended night school while working as a bookkeeper for Baker Manufacturing. After several years there, she moved to Fargo, North Dakota where she attained a similar job as a bookkeeper.

On January 31, 1954, she married Raymond “Barney” Crackel where they lived on a farm south of Ree Heights. To this union, four children were born. Unfortunately, her husband passed away in July of 1964. Betty and her children moved into Ree Heights where she stayed home with her youngest and babysat her niece. After her youngest reached school age, she began working for Miller Plumbing and Heating in Miller. After one year of winter driving every day, the family moved to Miller. She worked in the Hand County Treasurer’s office for a few years, and then worked at the First National Bank for many years in the bookkeeping department. After retirement from the bank, she continued to work at the Miller Sale Barn, and then through Experience Works at the Soil Conservation Service and Job Service. She also worked as the First Presbyterian Church secretary for several years.

Betty was a member of the First Presbyterian Church serving as deacon and was a member of women’s circle. While living in Ree Heights, she was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by one daughter, Patricia of Miller; two sons: Philip of Rapid City and Robert (Andrea) as well as one grandson, Levi all of Minot, ND.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond; son, Jim; brothers: Harry and Philip (who was killed in the Korean War); sister, Louisa; mother and father-in-law, Joe and Pearl Crackel; brother-in-law, Wayne Crackel; and sister-in-law, Ida Crackel.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Betty’s arrangements.

Daniel Patrick Lawler

Dan Lawler, 92, of Miller, passed away Monday, February 23, 2015 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital, Miller.

Funeral service were held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, February 27, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church, Miller with Pastor Mark Johnsen officiating. Burial followed at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service at the church.

On December 11, 1922, Daniel Patrick was born at home south of Ree Heights to John and Louise (Blaseg) Lawler. On September 18, 1954, he married Harriet Barrett in Miller. He was a lifelong farmer, rancher, and carpenter. In 2006, the Lawler family farm became a Century Farm; being homesteading in 1906 by Dan’s father. In 2007, Harriet and Dan moved into Miller and in 2013 moved into the Courtyard Villa. Dan and Harriet enjoyed snowmobiling and camping at the state fair. He was a great fixer-upper; making do with what they had for repairs.

Dan served on the Sully Buttes Telephone Board of Directors for 30 years, the Cedar Township Board, school board, and was a member of the Greenleaf Methodist Church.

Grateful to have shared in his life are his wife, Harriet; son, Steven; sister-in-law, Bernece Lawler; brother-in-law, Jim Barrett; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ambrose; and sister-in-law, Charlotte Barrett.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Dan’s arrangements.

Keith Eugene Speirs

Keith Eugene Speirs, 84, and lifelong resident of Miller, passed away Sunday, February 22, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Society of Miller.

Memorial Services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 28, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church, Miller with Pastor Mark Johnsen officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller.

Keith was born to Ralph and Edith Belle (Leadbetter) Speirs October 9, 1930 joining a family that would include five brothers and six sisters on a farm outside Miller. After attending the Miller School and working on the farm he began working in construction for Hy Lily, he served two years of military service in the army, including a year in Korea. Upon returning, he married Geraldine Smith on Valentine’s Day February 14, 1958. Looking around the town and area of Miller, many homes and businesses were built by Keith; working for Boldt Construction until his retirement at age 65.

Keith was an avid bowler and enjoyed card parties with the neighbors. In retirement he enjoyed camping and golfing and was a member at Hart Ranch in the Black Hills. He was also active in the United Methodist Church, American Legion and VFW.

Survivors include his children, Dennis (Teri) Lyftogt of Austin, TX, Stephen (LaDonna) Speirs of Yankton, Francine (Steve) Blair of Houston TX, Bill Speirs of Tulsa, OK, Cindy (John) Arland of Miller, and Kevin (Lori) Speirs of Rapid City; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; three sisters: Blanche McClellan of Marienville, PA, Dorothy Fawcett of Miller, and Harriet Kopplin of Miller.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Edith Speirs; wife, Gerri (Smith) Speirs; brothers: Waldo, Glen, Leonard, Kenneth, and Willis; sisters: DeLila Tompkins, Mary Alice Downing, and Florence Phillips; infant son, Gary Lee; and granddaughter, Jill Suzanne Hunt.

In lieu of flowers, memorial funds may be donated to the Good Samaritan Society of Miller, 421 E. 4th St., Miller, SD 57362

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Keith’s arrangements.