Joe Oligmueller

Joe Oligmueller, 89, of Miller, passed away Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller with Father Paul Josten, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery. A prayer service and rosary will be 7:00 p.m., Monday, September 2, 2019 at St. Ann’s Church, Miller.

Jerome “Joe” Oligmueller was born September 21, 1929 to Herman and Rose (Koeck) Oligmueller in Hand County South Dakota along with this twin brother Herman Oligmueller, Jr. Joe was one of 10 children born to Herman and Rose. As a boy he attended rural Hand Co. schools and was family friends with the Grogan’s that had a daughter Sharon that was close with Joe’s sister Rose Mary. Joe worked around his parent’s farm in the York Township while attending St. Lawrence High School graduating in 1947.

In December of 1950 Joe joined the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict. He served as an aircraft mechanic on the iconic P-51 Mustang and often spoke of how he knew every bolt and rivet on the aircraft and could have the plane back in the air just as fast as they could stop the engine.

In 1953 he married his childhood friend Sharon J. Grogan and was discharged from his service in December that year. While in Seattle, Washington Joe took a position with Boeing Company. At the time, he was working in the experimental department for a new bomber known as the B-52 Stratofortress; still flown by the U.S. Air force today. There they had their first two sons Jerome “Jerry” and Greg.

In 1955 Joe and Sharon moved back to a farm North of Miller where they had two more sons, Brad and Dan. They farmed and raised cattle on the same farm until 1993 when Joe and Sharon “retired” moving to Miller in a home next to Crystal Park.

Joe was an active member of his parish at St. Ann’s Catholic Church and in the Miller community service on various Boards including the American Legion, Miller Country Club, the Florence Township, Propane Co-op, Dakota Ag, Hand Co. Livestock and Crop Improvement, Hand Co. Extension, and St. Lawrence Grain Storage ltd. He was an active knight of the 4th degree of the Knights of Columbus at St. Ann’s Parish.

Joe continued to work the farm and drive implements up through the farm auction in 2016. Even the sale didn’t stop him from climbing into a tractor and he could be found planting and tinkering well after that.

Joe is survived by his wife Sharon of 66 years; their four sons: Jerry (Jim) Redfield SD, Greg (Sue) Houston TX, Brad (Nancy) Rapid City SD, and Dan (Suzy) Colorado Spring CO; two brothers Duane and Fred (Beverly); four sisters: Mary, Helen, Donna, Joyce; seven grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.

Preceding in death are his parents Herman and Rose; brothers: Herman Jr. and William; and sister Rose Mary.

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

Gary D. Russell

Gary D. Russell, 66, of Miller, passed away Friday, August 23, 2019, surrounded by his family, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.Funeral service with military honors will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 29, 2019 at the First Presbyterian Church, Miller with Rev. Brian Jones officiating. Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 28, 2019 followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.   Gary will be cremated after the funeral service and burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis at a later date.

Gary Dale was born August 21, 1953 at Jackson, Michigan to William “Bill” and Beverly Mae (Rickard) Russell. His family moved around; eventually settling in Miller where Gary graduated from Miller High School in 1971. Gary married Vicky Lanz at Stirling, Colorado on SJune 11, 1971. Gary enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Carson and their first child, Jennifer Ann, was born at Fort Carson on March 5, 1973. Gary and Vicky lived in Fort Carson, CO and then moved to Mannheim, Germany along with their one year old daughter, Jennifer, where Gary served in the Vietnam War for three years before returning back to the states. Gary and Vicky moved a number of times and he held different jobs. Their second child, Mason Lanz was born on May 2, 1979 in Miller. The family enjoyed being back in Miller around family and friends. Gary and Vicky lived in the same house for 30 years before moving to the farm near St. Lawrence.

Gary loved his family and cherished his pets. Gary and Vicky were always together, holding hands. They were a pair that belonged together. He was always busy working on projects whether it was working on the home renovation, yard work or wood working. Gary’s “man cave” was very organized and meticulous. For 36 years, Gary worked at Tucker’s SuperValu. If you ever shopped at the store, you knew Gary for sure. He was known for his gentle personality.

Gary leaves his loving wife, Vicky, of 48 years; his children: Jennifer (Don) Herman of Miller, and Mason (Jaime) Russell of Miller; grandchildren: Shelby (Wade) Werdel of Miller, Haydn Herman (Brooke), Keeley Herman, Hunter Russell, Gage Russell, and Preslie Russell; two great grandsons: Rayne and Rowen Werdel; sisters: Linda (Steve) Ziegler of Miller, Frances (Jerry) Alumbaugh of Pierre, and Michelle (Robert) Hopper of Pierre; parents-in-law: David and Eleanor Lanz; sisters-in-law: Brenda (Daryl) Dedman and Leanna (Dale) Resel; nephews: Heath, Jeff, and Matthew “Todd” Ziegler; Clint and Christopher Alumbaugh; Charlie, Lenny, and Rob Hopper; Ryan (Padyn) Resel, Mick (Crystal) Resel; nieces: Elizabeth, Laura, and Anna Hopper, Trish (Scott) Teason, Kierston (Walter) Blake, Darcy Onaindia, Torie Wamser; Anna (Junior) Black; and many friends and co-workers.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and nephew, David Engle.

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

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Edward D. Sell

Edward D. Sell, 80, of Miller, passed away Thursday, August 22, 2019 at his home.

Funeral service will be 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church, Miller with Rev. Brian Jones officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service. Burial will be at a later date at St. John’s Cemetery, Tulare, SD.

Edward was born April 20, 1939 to Elmer and Helen (Chytka) Sell in Wagner, SD. He attended country school through the 8th grade. While in his teens, Ed helped build both the Gavin’s Point and Oahe Dams.

On July 14, 1970, he married Shirley Gortmaker in Huron, South Dakota. To this union are three children, Justin, Jodi and Lori. Ed loved farming and cattle and knew his way around any equipment and how to fix just about anything. He worked for several farmers in the Miller area before his retirement in 2016. In his past time, he liked to watch western movies and The Price Is Right.

Grateful to have shared in his life are his wife of 49 years, Shirley, Miller; his three children: Justin Sell, Miller, Jodi (Philip) Oechsle, Hitchcock, Lori (Stephan) Resel, Miller; five grandchildren: Wade (Kelsey) Oechsle and Tyler Oechsle, Hitchcock, Corey Resel and Heather Resel, Miller; one great grandchild due in October; siblings: Jean (Lloyd) Myears, Green Ridge, Missouri, Sharon Davis, Rockham, Shirley (Robert) Peterman, Miller, Linda (Rich) Clark, Gettysburg, Tina (Bob) Danielson, St. Lawrence and Diane (Tim) Goetz, Miller, and Robert Sell, St. Lawrence.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Larry; and brother-in-law, Jim Davis.

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

Eva L. Nissen

Eva L. Nissen, 91 of Plymouth, MN and formerly of Miller, SD, passed away Friday, August 16, 2019 in Plymouth, MN.

Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 5, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church, Miller, with Rev. Brian Jones officiating.  Burial will follow at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller.

Eva Melber was born February 20th, 1928 at her rural home in St. Lawrence, South Dakota, the eighth of nine children to Ursula (Lieske) and George Melber. She graduated valedictorian from St Lawrence High School in 1947 and maintained her lifelong passion for learning with constant encouragement to her children to succeed in school.

While working at the Hand County Bank in Miller, Alvin Nissen “danced” his way into her life, and they married in 1949. They were blessed with five children: Alan (Roxanne) Nissen, Vicki (Bill) Hawn, Rick (Nancy) Nissen, Shelly Nissen, Lori (Tim) Nissen. Lars (Britt) Engebretsen “joined” the family in 1968 as an AFS student, and never left the Nissen clan in heart, body and soul.

Eva was very active volunteering in church, school and community activities. She loved being out of doors and spent many hours gardening and doing yard work. She enjoyed playing bridge and other card games; and she belonged to both golf and bowling leagues. She never missed any of her children’s activities or sporting events. Her love of children expanded to her 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren who brought her great joy.

Eva helped Alvie run the Ford Garage in Miller until 1970, when they sold the dealership to allow them to follow their children’s activities and families. She continued to “work” part-time with Alvie at their successful craft business throughout the Midwest; making countless new friends and acquaintances, as well as bringing much joy to all with their custom-made windsocks and kites.

Eva’s energy, youthfulness, creativity and passion for life were an inspiration to all. She left an impact on everyone she met, and everyone both loved her and was better off for knowing her. This was exemplified by all the staff and aides at her memory care facility lining up in the long hallway to give her an “honor guard” farewell at her last departure.

Eva was in her 91st year, finally losing her struggle with Alzheimers. Family was very important to Eva, and she recognized and enjoyed her children and grandchildren to the end.

She is survived by her brother, George (Donna) Melber; her five children; 15 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.

She will be warmly welcomed into heaven by her loving husband of 58 years, Alvin Nissen; her parents, Ursula and George Melber; and eight siblings; Rosine Schwartz, Freida Porter, Lloyd Melber, Elsie Love, Mary Gaffney, Louise Rediger, and Arlene Templeton.

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

Dorothy Jean Brown

Dorothy Jean Brown, age 93, of Cedar Falls, died Friday, August 9, 2019 at Western Home Communities ’96 Windhaven Assisted Living.

She was born July 30, 1926 in Bonilla, SD, the daughter of Carl and Gladys (Rowen) Fritzsche. She graduated from Wessington Highs School in 1944.

On February 28, 1945 she married Edward Brown in Huron, SD. He preceded her in death on November 1981.

On June 21, 1988, she married Harold Brown in Wessington, SD. He preceded her in death on December 31, 2005.

She was a farm wife and mother early on and worked as a secretary and eventually business manager for the Wessington Public School District in South Dakota, retiring after 23 years in 1988.

Survived by: a daughter, Nola (Jerry) Roitsch of Bristol, SD; a step-son, Steve Brown of Cedar Falls; a step-daughter, Denise Brown of Cedar Falls; a brother, Don Fritzsche of Huron, SD; six grandchildren, Lt. Col Kip (Scott) Reitz, Christopher (Amy) Bates, Kelly (David) Gregg, Jody (Andy) Conley, Corrie (Matt) Vihstadt, Kimberly (Kevin) Usery; two step-grandchildren, Jamie (Joe) Rocha and David (Amanda) Haddock; and twelve great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by: her two husbands; a daughter, Connie Bates; a son-in-law, George Bates; a son, Lynn Brown; a step-daughter Cindy Flores; and two sisters, Alice Walker and Linda Harper.

Memorial services will be 11am Wednesday, at First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Falls. A gathering of friends and family will be from 4-7pm Tuesday, at Richardson Funeral Service, Cedar Falls.

Memorials may be directed to your local library.

Dorothy loved to read, sew, knit and quilt, gifting quilts to each grandchild. She loved music, playing organ and piano for church, and singing in the choir. She taught piano lessons after school to many kids in Wessington and Miller, SD. She was a 50 year member of the Order of Eastern Star. Dorothy loved traveling with both her husbands. She loved writing and arranging programs for Wessington celebrations.

Edith Elizabeth Croll

Edith Elizabeth Croll, 99, of Miller, passed away Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 16, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church, Miller with Pastor Brian Jones officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service. Burial will follow at GAR Cemetery, Miller.

Edith Elizabeth Croll was born August 12, 1919, the fourth of five children of George H. Steele and Fannie B. (Davis) Steele, on the farm her father homesteaded in Linn Township, Hand County, near Rockham, South Dakota.   Her father passed when she was 8 years old, and her mother chose to raise the children on the farm. They remained a close-knit family with frequent potlucks, picnics and outings. She attended East Linn School, a one-room schoolhouse and later taught there; graduated from Rockham High School, Wessington Springs Teacher’s College, and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Huron College. She experienced the Great Depression, Dust Bowl, rationing of World War II, prairie fires and was an elementary school teacher for 39 years in rural Hand and Faulk Counties and taught 5th grade in the Miller School.

On April 28, 1945, she married “Les” Leslie M. Croll, who was also a child of Hand County pioneers, L.B. “Ben” Croll and Minnie Andrews Croll.   They farmed north of Miller in Florence Township, and raised registered polled Herefords. Edith tended large vegetable and flower gardens, and later became known for her pies, making about 12 pies every Monday evening, to supplement the hamburgers and coffee at the Faulkton Sale Barn. Her hobbies and/or survival skills included sewing, darning, quilting, gardening, birdwatching, counted cross stitch, pencil drawings, embroidery, crochet, knitting, crossword puzzles and brain teasers and games, especially dominoes, bridge, and carroms.

She was active in the First Presbyterian Church and served as Sunday School teacher and Superintendent, Trustee, Deacon, Elder, and Clerk of Session, and was active in Circle, Sunday School, and Presbytery. She wrote weekly articles for the Miller Press under the headlines Lost Creek News, Friendship Center and Miller Manor. Edith enjoyed memberships including Hand County Extension Clubs (Modern Matrons, Merry Homemakers), the Friendship Center, Hand County Historical Society, and Toastmasters.

Edith married Wilford W. Hermann on October 7, 1989, and in their short marriage enjoyed travel, socializing, reading, raising Wilford’s sheep, blue squash and gladiolas, his gift of storytelling, their farms and nature.

Edith is survived by daughter, Kathryn Leslie (Gene) Stobbs, Minnesota; son, Larry Dean (Janne) Croll, Arizona; grandchildren: Steve (Julie) Stobbs, Matthew Croll, Tricia (Lorin Krause) Stobbs, Michael (Trina) Croll, Andrew Stobbs, Ty Stevens, Brianne Hill, great grandchildren: Cerulean “Ru” Croll, Grace Stobbs, Sam Croll, Orion Croll, Cole Stobbs, Abigail Olson, and Jill Krause; one great-great granddaughter, Elliana Nedzelski and nieces: Carola Kay (William) Croll Winkle, Idaho, Linda Steele (David) Broderick, Nebraska, Vicki Jonas Unger, AnnaLee Fields, Montana, Ron Merritt , Wyoming, Sherri Hullinger, Montana, and Linda (Mrs. Jim) Steele, Ft. Pierre, and Shirley (Mrs. Dan) Steele, Colorado.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; siblings: Kenneth (Betty Leno) Steele, Barbara Steele, Colin (Mildred Gamble) Steele, Stewart (Evelyn Merritt) Steele; nieces and nephews Jim Steele, Baby Emilie Steele, Dan Steele, Bryan “Bud” Merritt, grand-nephews: Michael Broderick and David Broderick, and many dear friends.

Elizabeth F. “Betty” Clement

Elizabeth F. “Betty” Clement, 91, of Miller, passed away Thursday, August 1, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller with Father Tom Clement and Father Paul Josten, celebrants. Burial following at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Miller. Visitation will begin 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 6, 2019 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the church.

Betty was born March 1, 1928 in Lake Henry, Minnesota to Joseph and Angela (Weidner) Gottwald. She married Hubert A. Clement in Miller, South Dakota on June 28, 1949. They lived in Miller, and while Hubert was in the National Guard, she moved to be with her family near Regal, Minnesota. Later, Betty and Hubert farmed in the Miller and St. Lawrence, South Dakota area. They moved to Miller in 1982.

Betty had been employed by Jones Drug, Pierson’s Greenhouse, and the Good Samaritan Center. She was an award-winning crafter, receiving recognition for her talents at the South Dakota State Fair for several years.

She is survived by her husband, Hubert of Miller; nine children: Dianne (Jim) Gropper of Huron, Mary (Mark) Wilson of Gilbert, AZ, Janet (John) Mastalir of Las Vegas, NV, Ken (Julie) of Presho, Lois (Thomas) Van Lent of Tallahassee, FL, Joan of Gettysburg, Charles of Madison, Brian of Mitchell, Brad of St. Lawrence; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two brothers: Phillip Gottwald of Minnesota and Leo Gottwald of Montana.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers; and four sisters.

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