Lucy Froning

Lucy Froning, 90, of Polo, passed away Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 29, 2017 at St. Liborius Church, Polo. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Polo. A prayer and rosary service will begin at 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 28, 2017 at the church.

Lucy Mary Haneke was born July 14, 1926 northwest of Polo on the Sprenger farm to Fritz and Elizabeth (Kreiner) Haneke; she was the oldest of four children. She attended Orient school through 6^th grade and then attended St. Liborius School in Polo; graduating from Fairview High School in 1944. She then attended St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Aberdeen, graduating in 1947 as a registered nurse. While in nursing school, she joined the Nurse Cadet Corps. She worked at St. Luke’s Hospital as a charge nurse.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 1951, she married Leo John Froning at St. Liborius Church. To this union, nine children were born: Daniel Leo, Dolores Therese, Charles Frederick, Debra Catherine, Mark Robert, Diane Elizabeth, Doreen Marie, Donna Jean, and Denise Ann. In 1952, they moved to their first farm 3 ½ miles north of Polo until 1956 when they purchased the Ed Peterka farm 8 ½ miles west of Polo.

Throughout life, many organizations and jobs kept Lucy busy: Christian Mothers, Cook at Polo Hot Lunch, substitute teacher, CCD instructor, cook at the Miller Sale Barn with her sister, Elfrieda, and bakery assistant at the Highmore Bakery with Stella Forman. She was a lifetime member of St. Liborius Catholic Church. In her free time, she enjoyed music especially playing her accordion with her siblings, baking, cooking, planting trees, and watching birds.

Lucy will be remembered for her many one liners, quick wit, coffee and fresh baked breads and goodies, delivery of “to go” boxes full of baked items for neighbors and shut-ins, and teaching her grandkids manners.

Grateful to have shared in her life is her husband of 65 years, Leo; children: Daniel (Mary) of Mitchell, Dolores (Dennis) Volek of Highmore, Debra (Morris) Hoffman of Highmore, Mark (Diana) of Brookings, Diane Pazour of Highmore, Doreen (Daryl) Volek of Miller, Donna (Steven) Kubik of Hamill, and Denise (Mark) Winter of Hamill; daughter-in-law, Ellen Froning of Valentine, NE; grandchildren: Brian Froning (fiancée, Trish Weber), Steven (Jenn) Froning, Sarah (Jason) Sass, Jason Volek, Sheila Volek, Mychal (Jenn) Hoffman, Kristi (Dane) Dobesh, Robert (Kelly) Froning, Richard (Katie) Froning, Justin Froning, Jody (Rob) Herb, Caleb Pazour, Maria Pazour, Troy (Jessica) VanDerWerff, Bruce (Crystal) VanDerWerff, Tyler (Amy) Kubik, Trent (Shannon) Kubik, Scott Winter (fiancée, Mallori McCartney), Brandon Winter, and Grant Winter; 17 great grandchildren (#18 due in July); and brother, Robert (Jan) Haneke of Polo.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Charles; siblings: Bernard (Dena) Haneke, Elfrieda (Gerald) Martinmaas; son-in-law, Ken Pazour; grandchild, Raymond Froning; great granddaughters, Hadley Elizabeth Froning and Riley Marie Froning; In-laws: Alphonse Froning, Clarence (Lillian) Froning, Emil Froning, Richard Froning, Linell (Matilda) Haigh, Charlotte Schaefers, and Donald (Margaret) Gerdes.

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

Robert Roesler

Robert Roesler, 70, of Hotchkiss, CO and formerly of Miller, SD passed away Sunday, April 16, 2017 at Montrose Memorial Hospital, Montrose, CO.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Miller with Rev. Max Miller presiding. Burial will follow in Prairie View Cemetery, Orient. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 24, 2017 at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.

Robert Duane Roesler was born March 3, 1947 in Miller, South Dakota to Emil and Martha (Moos) Roesler. Robert attended Miller High School, graduating in 1965. Following graduation, he enrolled in the United States Navy, serving from 1965-1969. After his honorable discharge, Robert returned to Orient, SD and on November 28, 1970, he united in marriage to Mary Ellen Holt at St. Michaels Lutheran Church in Orient.

Together they farmed, raised cattle, and pigs. They had three children: Chadrick Lee in 1972, Traci Lea in 1979, and Tamara Rae in 1983. In 1990 he moved his family to Hotchkiss, Colorado where he outfitted for 14 years, and developed a construction company with his son. His illness forced him to retire in 2009.

Robert was an active member for many years in the Hotchkiss Elks Club and Delta Trap Club.

Roberts life will be cherished by his wife, Mary of Hotchkiss; son: Chadrick Roesler, Orient, SD; daughters: Traci (Joseph) Stroh, Hotchkiss, CO and Tamara Roesler, Aurora, CO; four grandchildren: Lane, Kiera, and Chael Stroh and Dylan Hernandez-Roesler; brothers: Don (Joan) Roesler, Gettysburg, SD and Lynn Roesler, Savannah, GA; brothers-in-law: Clifford Volek, Highmore, SD, Lyle Nichols, Palisade, CO, and Theron Holt & Warner Holt (Donna Palmer), both of Orient, SD; sister-in-law, Janet Johnson, Miller, SD.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Verna Volek; and his brothers and sisters in-law: Sheldon and Mabel Holt, Phyllis Holt-Nichols, and Neal Johnson.

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

Art Cavenee

Art Cavenee, 75, of Wessington, passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller.

Funeral service were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church, Wessington with Rev. Brian Jones officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis with military honors. Visitation was held from  5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 7, 2017 at Reck Funeral Home in Miller.

Art was born March 18, 1942, at home in Nance Township, Beadle County, South Dakota to Lloyd and Mabel (McNeely) Cavenee. He attended kindergarten through 8^th grade at Tipton School just down the road from his home. He then started his freshman year at Wessington High School, but decided to forgo high school and went to work for various farmer in the neighborhood.

On May 14, 1959, at the age of 17, he joined the US Navy and was a boiler operator until his honorable discharge on April 4, 1963. While in the Navy he married Linda Spain in Huron, SD and to this union one child was born, Karla Jean. Then in 1973 he married Maxine Peterson and became father to her son Jason Everett and in 1976 Matthew Lloyd was born.

He enjoyed farming and ranching, so during his time in the Navy he was sending money back to buy land so he could pursue his dreams. He farmed and ranched until 1999 and then enjoyed retirement hobbies of fixing up his old tractors and restoring windmills. He liked to visit and drink coffee with the coffee crowds around Wessington and Miller. A highlight was getting together with family at holidays. He also enjoyed going to his grandson’s activities.

Art is survived by his son, Matt (Stephanie) Cavenee of Miller; daughter, Karla Hassett of Puyallup, WA; grandchildren: Allison and Amy Hassett of Washington; and Cole and Mark Cavenee of Miller; sisters: Bonnie Runge of Wessington, Sharon (Dave) Vitters of Rapid City, and Nedra (Gordy) Fliehe of Logan, IA; and brother, Wes Cavenee of New Mexico.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Joan Colling and Marilyn Meehan; and son, Jason.

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

Dorothy Lichty

Dorothy Lichty, 94, of Miller, passed away Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller, surrounded by her family.

Funeral Mass will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller with Father Chester Murtha, celebrant. Directly following the funeral, lunch will be held at St. Ann’s Parish Center followed by burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Wessington. A rosary and prayer service will begin at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller.

Dorothy Hope Johnson was born on May 27, 1922, in Lyons, Nebraska to Oliver and Anne (Lawless) Johnson, the fifth of eight children. When she was 2, the family moved by train to Miller, South Dakota. She and her siblings grew up in “the old brown house” on 2^nd street, just passed Rainbow Bridge

She attended Miller grade school and high school, graduating with the class of 1940, with the exception of attending eighth grade at Polo Catholic School. She attended Notre Dame Junior College in Mitchell, Northern State College in Aberdeen, and finally at age 50, she completed her BA degree in Education at Huron College. Throughout the years she attended night school and took correspondence classes to keep up her teaching certificate.

On June 15, 1949, she married Edward Lichty, in Miller, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. They began their life on a farm near Wessington, SD. They lived on the farm for 44 years, until Edward passed away. She remained on the farm with her grandson Nathan, until 1996, when she moved to Miller for the remainder of her life.

Her teaching career of 38 years included, 23 years in the rural schools of Hand and Beadle counties and 15 years in Miller, Wolsey, Ree Heights and St. Lawrence schools. Throughout her years of teaching she taught many families, including multiple generations of families.

She belonged to St. Joseph’s and St. Ann’s Catholic parishes. She was active in the Altar Societies, Choirs, Bible studies, and taught CCD classes and RCIA.

She was a member of the State Teacher’s Association during her teaching career. After retirement, she was active in the local Right to Life Chapter, Central Plains Arts Council, and in recent times enjoyed Red Hat Society activities.

Throughout her life she enjoyed music, especially playing her accordion at dances and family gatherings, her gardens, writing poems for family, sewing, traveling, playing cards, acting in local plays and caring for her grandchildren.

She is survived by her four daughters: Theresa Lichty of Miller, Anne (Don) Hartman, of Aberdeen, D. Pauline Hicks of Miller, and Pam (Craig) Van Zee of Miller; grandchildren: Shane Hartman, Nathan (Kristi) Lichty, Zachary Hicks, Desirae, Derick and Dexter Van Zee; great grandchildren: Shayna Hartman, Dillon Erickson, Jesse and Justin Hartman, and Kate Lichty; cousin, Evelyn Wahlen; sister-in-law, Helen Mullenberg of Zell; and many, many nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; her parents; all of her seven siblings and their spouses; her grandson, Sean Hartman; and two brothers-in-law: Raymond Lichty and Richard Mullenberg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to St. Ann’s Building Fund or Hand County Right for Life.

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

Lois M. Robertson

Lois M. Robertson, 86, of Lincoln, NE and formerly of St. Lawrence, SD, passed away Sunday, April 2, 2017 in Lincoln, NE.

Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 22, 2017 at the St. Lawrence Community Church with Rev. Jim Hofman officiating. A private family burial will be at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller.

Lois M. Caffee was born July 12, 1930 in Wessington Springs, SD to Raymond E. and Frances G. Caffee. Her early schooling was in SD, CA, and OR, and she graduated from Miller High School in 1948.

Lois married Robert T. (Bob) Robertson on May 30, 1948. Together, they farmed and raised cattle north of St. Lawrence. To their union of almost 54 years were born three children: Janet, Barb, and Robbi. Family was everything to Lois. She helped care for her younger siblings while raising her own children. She loved to cook and bake, and no one ever left their home hungry! She and Bob were avid sports fans and attended any event where their daughters were cheering or where Barb – the only athlete in the family – was participating. After Bob’s passing in 2002, Lois remained on the farm until she moved to Eastern Star Assisted Living in Redfield, SD in 2012 then to Clark Jeary Assisted Living in Lincoln, NE in 2014.

Lois was a member of Sunbeam Church in rural Hand County until it closed. She then became a member of the Community Church of St. Lawrence. She taught Sunday School and Bible School and was active in the Women’s Missionary Society. She also served on the Miller School Board. Lois sewed clothes for herself and her daughters and loved to knit and crochet. She also possessed the rare skill of tatting! She was an avid reader and always had a book or two going along with her daily Bible readings. Lois loved singing and playing piano. She also enjoyed listening to the classics, Christian music, or anything from the 40’s! She was a World War II history buff. Lois could talk for hours about politics, Nebraska football, the farm, and her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by two daughters: Janet (Mike) Morrow of Lincoln, NE and Robbi Siegling of Redfield, SD; seven grandchildren: John (Mollie) Morrow, Andrew (Trinidad) Morrow, Jacqueline (Adam) Christensen, Peter (Alicia) Siegling, Patrick (Mackenzie) Siegling, Priscilla (Matt Lueninghoener) Boon, and Frances Boon; nine great-grandchildren; and seven siblings.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister; one brother; her beloved husband, Bob; one daughter, Barb Boon; two sons-in-law, Frank Boon and Rod Siegling; and one infant daughter.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials be directed to the St. Lawrence Church Mission Fund.

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

Keiva Mae Rapraeger

Keiva Mae Rapraeger, a long-time resident passed away on Monday, March 27, 2017. She was born on August 3, 1923 to Albert and Flossie Moncur in Ree Heights, South Dakota. At age 3 her family moved to Miller, South Dakota. Her mother passed away during her childhood so she and her two brothers were raised on their grandparents’ farm. She graduated from Miller High School in 1942.

In 1943 she came to Oregon and began work as a telephone operator for Pacific Northwest Bell until she retired 28 years later. In 1952 she married the love of her life, Harold Rapraeger, in Smith River, California. He passed away in 1976.

She loved to cook, read and work word puzzles; and was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church in Corvallis and the Telephone Pioneers of America. She especially enjoyed living at Timberhill Place Assisted Living during the last years of her life.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her older brother Hugh Moncur of San Mateo, California and her younger brother Kenneth Moncur of Miller, South Dakota. She is survived by her niece and husband, Don and June Jones of Portland, Oregon and nephews Alan Rapraeger of Madison, Wisconsin and John Rapraeger of Brookings, Oregon.

A memorial service will be held at McHenry Funeral Home, 206 NW 5th St. Corvallis, on Friday, March 31 at 1:00 pm. Her family requested that memorial donations be made to Benton Hospice Service or The Missionary Fund at the First Baptist Church in Corvallis. Donations may be sent in care of McHenry Funeral Home.