Ardessa Moser

Ardessa Moser, age 84, formerly of Miller and rural Wessington, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 6, 2020, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s at the Avera Weskota Manor, Wessington Springs, S.D.
Due to the current threat of the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions, public services will be held at a later date. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, rural Wessington, S.D.
Several years ago, Ardessa designated the following six men to be her honorary pallbearers: Tom Koth, Brian Winter, Merle Harvey, Byron Woodruff, Marlen Winter, and Dustin Hass (deceased).
Ardessa Joan Yost was born in Miller, South Dakota, on February 4, 1936, the third daughter and fifth of seven children born to Charles and Hazel (Campbell) Yost. She was baptized at the Pleasant Valley Church in September of 1937. She grew up on her parents’ farm in Mondamin Township in southern Hand County, where she attended country school, first through the eighth grade. She attended her freshman year of high school at Wessington Springs, 1950-51, and then transferred to Miller High School. She graduated as MHS Class Salutatorian in 1954. She attended one year at Huron College to earn her teaching certificate, 1954-55, and then taught all of the elementary grades, grades 1-8, at Pleasant Valley rural school for one year. She worked three years as a bookkeeper and teller at the First National Bank of Miller.

Ardessa married Richard Moser on September 6, 1959, at the First Presbyterian Church of Miller. They resided one year in Miller and then moved to the farm where Richard was raised, in Rose Hill Township. To this union were born four children: Mary Jo, Jeffery, Wendy and Gregory. After Greg was born Ardessa resumed to teaching fulltime in rural schools in Hand County and she went back to college to finish her bachelor’s degree, taking night classes and summer school sessions. She received a BS in Education from Huron College in 1973.

Ardessa’s teaching career spanned 35 years. After teaching in the rural schools in the 1960s and early ‘70s, she began teaching first graders, along with her sister, Patricia Waters, in Miller, beginning in 1975. For over a generation, no one passed the First Grade in the Miller School District without being taught by Mrs. Waters or Mrs. Moser. Ardessa earned her Master’s Degree in Education, with an emphasis in Elementary School Administration from Northern State University, in 1982. She earned her Certificate of Public Administration in Elementary Education from Northern State in 1983. While she was teaching, Ardessa was an active member and local officer of the Miller Education Association; member of Miller Business and Professional Women; State BPW Treasurer; and a delegate for the Miller teachers to the South Dakota Education Association annual state conferences for many years.

During the school year of 1979-80, Ardessa and Richard’s family hosted George Gitonga Gitahi from Kenya, East Africa, through the AFS student exchange program for his senior year at Miller High School. In 1984 Ardessa became elementary principal of the St. Lawrence School. Then she was named elementary principal for Ree Heights and all of the Miller School District’s rural elementary schools. She retired as Elementary Principal for the Miller School District in May of 1996, but assisted the district for two more years to oversee the gifted and talented program and to assist other teachers who had students with special needs. Ardessa and Richard moved from the farm to Miller in April 2000.

Ardessa was an ordained Church Elder, and she became Clerk of Session for Rose Hill Presbyterian Church in 1984. She served as Clerk for 25 years, until 2009. She served many years at the Presbytery level to review records and session minutes of churches across the state of South Dakota. In 2002, she was elected as Moderator for the Presbytery of South Dakota, and she served the following year as the Moderator for Presbytery Council, at Sioux Falls.

She was also active in the VFW as a member from Miller Auxiliary #3214, and served in every office position at the local, district, and state levels for the Ladies Auxiliary including, member of the Auditing Committee for the State Auxiliary, State Cancer Fundraising Chair, and State Hospital Chair. She was chosen VFW State President of the Ladies Auxiliary, Department of South Dakota, in 1994-95. She led the state’s delegation to the 81st National Convention of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Las Vegas, Nev., in 1994. Ardessa also shared her education skills as a teacher, youth leader, and officer of the Hand County Farmers Union for 35 years, serving many years as the elected Secretary/Treasurer for District 7 Farmers Union in north central South Dakota. In 2008, South Dakota Farmers Union awarded Ardessa with its Lifetime Meritorious Service Award for Education.

Ardessa and Richard enjoyed taking their family on summer vacations, especially to the Pacific Northwest for salmon fishing, joined by relatives and friends through the years. Ardessa moved to the Golden Living Center Alzheimer’s Care Unit at Redfield in January of 2012, and then became a resident of Weskota Manor Avera Nursing Home in December of 2014. Richard joined her there in January of 2018, until his passing on Sept. 7, 2019.

Grateful to have shared Ardessa’s life and love are her four children, Mary Jo of Newport, Oregon, Jeff of Aurora, Colorado, Wendy (Scotty Hofer) of Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Greg (Lynn) of Yankton, S.D. Other survivors include seven grandchildren, Bradley (Tessa) Koschel and children, Avery and Aralynn, of Evergreen, Colo.; Jared (Amanda) Hofer and sons, Antonio, Tacoma, and Dane of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Kelsey Moser of Woodbury, Minn.; Bethany Koschel (Brian Groover) of Albany, Ore.; Zachary Hofer of Thornton, Colo.; Alexandra Koschel of Maryville, Mo.; and Rebecca Moser of Minneapolis; one brother and sister-in-law, Wilson (Iona) Yost of Wess. Springs, S.D.; five sisters-in-law: Norma Yost of Miller, S.D.; Kathy Yost of Gann Valley, S.D.; Erma Woodruff of Wolsey, S.D.; Evelyn Moser of Des Moines, Wash.; Ida Moser of Huron, S.D.; two sisters- and brothers-in-law: Elaine (Darrell) Peterman and Sherry (Larry) Van Zee of Miller, S.D.; and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.

Ardessa was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, in 2019; her parents, Charley, in 1961, and Hazel in 1984; infant granddaughter, Brooke Ann Moser, in 1994; three brothers: Edwin, Wesley, and Charles Yost; two sisters, Charlotte (McCartney Smith) Pope and Patricia Waters; and 12 additional brothers- and sisters-in-law: Dale McCartney, Ralph Smith, Ken Pope, Dale Waters, Leta Yost, Leroy, Clarence, Robert, and Eldon Moser, Eldon’s wife Norma Moser, James Purrington, and Victor Woodruff.

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

Leona M. Schilling

Leona M. Schilling, 90, of Miller, passed away peacefully Friday, April 3, 2020 at her son’s home near Wessington, S.D., under hospice care.Due to the current threat of the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions, a private family funeral service will be held. Burial will be at the Wessington Cemetery with Rev. Brian Jones officiating. A public service will be held at a later date.
Leona was born May 25, 1929, to Leo A. and Wilhelmina (Heitman) Murphy in Wessington, South Dakota. She spent most of her life living in the Wessington area. She graduated from Wessington High School in 1947. On October 1, 1949, she married the love of her life, Gerald Schilling. They spent 66 years together until his death in 2016. During those years, they raised four children: Debra, Jerry, Jane, and Dan.

Leona always knew how to make a house a “home” for her family. She spent many hours making sure her family was “taken care of”. As a grandmother, she was loving and supportive in every sense of the word. She was strong, independent, and courageous; and in her words, “so blessed”.

Although she would never admit it, she was a multi-talented woman. She spent many hours sewing, doing ceramics and painting; gifting many of her creations to her family, friends, and community organizations. In her most recent years, she took up the art of coloring.

She and Gerald created many cherished memories for their grandkids, nieces, nephews, and others who visited them on “the farm”. Leona was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Miller. Her faith was steadfast throughout her life.

Grateful for having shared her life are her four children: Debra (Bob) Zeidler of Rapid City, Jerry (Sherryl) Schilling of Centerton, AR, Jane (Dave) Heard of Rapid City, and Dan (Patty) Schilling of Wessington; 18 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; three sisters: Colleen Wiles of Anaheim, CA, Alice Boeding of Gilbert, AZ, and Anita (Pat) Peterson of Seal Beach, CA; one sister-in-law, LaVonne “Bonnie” Murphy of Arizona City, AZ; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald; parents; one brother, Donald Murphy; two brothers-in-law, Richard Wiles and Donald Boeding; and son-in-law, Reno Veskrna.

Memorials can be directed to the First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 63, Miller, S.D. 57362

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

Kent Atkinson

Kent Atkinson, 83, of Highmore, passed away March 26, 2020 at Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller.

Due to the current threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, immediate family will gather for a private funeral service.  Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Blunt.

Kent Atkinson was born October 31, 1936 in Havana, Kansas to John and Josephine (Lovelace) Atkinson.  He attended school in many different states including Texas, Kansas, and Kentucky.  During his senior year at Clinton High School he met the love of his life, Jacque Corley, accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and gave his first sermon at a youth Sunday.  He graduated from high school in 1954. He and Jacque were married on June 8, 1957 and spent 62 wonderful years together.

Kent served in the army then worked in the St. Louis area before surrendering to the call to the ministry. He graduated from Mid-Western Baptist Theological Seminary and pastored churches in Camden Point, MO; Bernie, MO; Pierre, SD; and Blunt, SD.  While he was a pastor in Pierre and Blunt, Bro. Kent worked as a chaplain at St. Mary’s hospital.  Jacque and Kent retired to Miller in 2000. During his retirement he was interim pastor at numerous churches in North and South Dakota including First Baptist Church in Miller.

Kent loved golf, cribbage, the St. Louis Cardinals, and watching his grandkids activities. His faith in and love for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ were an example to his family, his congregations, and those he came in contact with. He loved to talk to people and touched the lives of many.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jacque; two daughters: Martha (Jeff) Patzlaff, Platte, and Suzanne (Dwight) Husted, Harrold; two daughters-in-law: Josie Atkinson, St. Louis, MO, and Susan Atkinson, Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren: Jessica Portell Atkinson, Abby Atkinson (Caleb Maftei), John Patzlaff, Amber Patzlaff, Ben Patzlaff and fiancée Sydney Kolb, Zeb (Abby) Husted, Tate Husted, Jett Husted, and Rachel Husted; great-grandchildren: Angelina, Nico, Ava Portell, and Iris Mae Husted; great-great grandchild, Dakota; sister-in-law, Nita Atkinson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Kent was preceded in death by a stillborn daughter, Sarah Lynn; sons: Bryan Atkinson and Jeff (Woody) Atkinson; parents: John and Josephine Atkinson; parents-in-law: WT and Mildred Corley; and brothers: Basil, Johnny, and Bill Atkinson.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Kent’s arrangements.

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Madonna J. Blachford

Madonna J. Blachford, 80, of Miller, passed away Friday, March 20, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller.

Funeral services are currently pending.

Family is requesting memorials in Madonna’s memory be directed to the Good Samaritan Society, 421 East 4th Street, Miller, S.D. 57362

Hugs from Home are available to be present at the service.  Email your name and note to info@familyfuneralhome.net or leave a memory on the guestbook link to her obituary.

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

Ross Graham

Ross Graham, 68, of Miller, passed away Monday, March 16, 2020 at his home.

Funeral services are currently pending.

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

Lawrence T. Hrdlicka

Lawrence T. Hrdlicka, 87, of Miller passed away Thursday, March 12, 2020 at his home.

Funeral service with military honors will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at the First Presbyterian Church, Miller with Rev. Brian Jones officiating.  Burial will be at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller.  Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, March 16, 2020 at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.

Lawrence was born April 11, 1932 to Theodore and Hazel Marie (Schroeder) Hrdlicka in Armour, South Dakota.  He attended grade school.  He enlisted into the United States Army on October 28, 1952, serving overseas during the Korean War.  He was honorably discharged as a private first class on September 22, 1954.  On August 23, 1955 he married the love of his life, Helen Chytka, in Luverne, Minnesota.

Throughout his life, he worked on the Gavins Point Dam, and later moved to Hand County, working for area farmers.  He drove a stack mover for Russell Anderson for many years along with random farm work.  He was known for his stack moving skills.  Larry had his own animals and farming operation where he raised a small cattle herd, pigs, and a large sheep herd.  He loved to go fishing when he had the chance, having unique animals running on the farm, from peacocks to Hawaiian sheep.

His memory will be cherished by his three children: Linda (Rich) Clark of Gettysburg, Tina (Bob) Danielson of Miller, and Diane (Tim) Goetz of Miller; stepchildren: Jean (Lloyd) Myears of Green Ridge, Missouri; Sharon Davis of Rockham; Shirley (Robert) Peterman of Miller; and Robert Sell of St. Lawrence; step daughters-in-law, Shirley Sell of Miller and Donna Sell of Redfield; siblings: Roger Hrdlicka of Edgewood, WA, Bob Hrdlicka of Lake Andes, Richard (Betty) Hrdlicka of Tripp, Karl (Jan) Hrdlicka of Benton, Louisiana, and Gloria (Kenneth) Alley of Ashland, NE; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren; and many grand dogs.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Helen; two stepsons: Larry and Ed Sell; and one step son-in- law, Jim Davis.

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

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Wayne Resel

Wayne Resel, 70, formerly of Miller, passed away Monday, February 17, 2020 at Ivy Lane Assisted Living in Surprise, Arizona with his son Mike and the Solace Hospice team by his side.

Memorial Service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 21, 2020 at Reck Funeral Home, Miller with Rev. Brian Jones, officiating. Burial will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 20, 2020 at Reck Funeral Home, Miller

Wayne was born March 29, 1949 to Orville and Phyllis (Winsell) Resel in Miller, South Dakota. He lived on a farm north of St. Lawrence and the family later moved to a home in St. Lawrence. He attended and graduated in 1967 from Miller High School. After graduating, he attended school in Denver to become an automotive mechanic. He returned home and started working as a mechanic and helping his cousins with farming. He was drafted in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and served his country supporting the war effort in Thailand.

After serving his country, he returned and started working a variety of jobs while living in Aberdeen, Fargo, ND and Watertown. He became a maintenance clerk for the Watertown Post Office working on the mail trucks and assisting with other duties in the Post Office. Wayne retired from the United States Post Office after 25 years of service. He was an avid hunter, softball player, golfer and bowler. He achieved several milestones enjoying those activities and loved spending time with his grandchildren and family. Wayne was united in marriage to Judy Dehnert in October of 1987 in Aberdeen, SD. The couple moved to Arizona in 2012.

He is survived by his son, Mike (Rhonda) Resel, Mt. Washington, KY; daughter, Shantelle (Garrett) Engquist, Stirum ND; four grandchildren: Alex and Haley Resel, Watertown SD, and Adaline and Alayna Engquist, Stirum ND; stepson, Jason (Isabella) Dehnert of Phoenix AZ; sister, Kay (Robert) Haigh, Moville IA; nephew, Benjamin Nash; niece, Angela Nash and many cousins and relatives in the Miller area.

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Phyllis Resel; and his beloved wife of thirty-two years, Judy Resel.

Any memorials can be donated in memory of Wayne either online at apdaparkinson.org or mailed to Parkinson Foundation, 200 South East 1^st St., Suite 800, Miami, Fl 33131.

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

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Robert Anthony Taylor

MILLER ­— Robert Anthony Taylor, 80, formerly of Miller, passed away Friday March 6, 2020, at The Dougherty Hospice House.
A visitation will be held Thursday, March 12, 2020, at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls from 5  to 7 p.m., with a wake service to be held at 5 p.m.
A memorial mass will be held 10:30 am Friday, March 13, 2020, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Miller.
Robert was born May 25, 1939, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Jimmy and Margaret Taylor (Heim). He graduated from Faulkton High School in 1958, and attended the University of Nebraska on a football scholarship for one year before returning to S.D. to graduate from Northern State University in Aberdeen with a bachelor’s degree in education.  He was a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.  He was also an Executive Director of the SD Retail Liquor Dealers Association and State Director for USA youth wrestling. He was also an active member of Ducks Unlimited and Director of Hand Co. Pro Pheasants.
He was a history teacher in Evergreen, Colo., for 2 years. He returned to Huron, S.D. in 1966 and worked as a Liquor salesman for Midland Distributing for ten years.
On January 20, 1968, he married Sharon Hostetter at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen.
In 1976, he and his family moved to Miller, S.D. and purchased the Hi-Lite Bar and Grill which he operated until his retirement in 2001.
Robert will be remembered for his love of the outdoors whether it was camping and fishing with his family or spending time with his Draft horses and Mules. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family especially his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon; children, Brent A. (Sandra) Taylor, Chad A. (Jody) Taylor; brother, Jerry (Joyce) Lauritzen; sister, Katherine (Seth) Strinni; grandchildren, Morgan A. Taylor, Aspen R. Taylor, Jordan T. Taylor, Joe Lewellen and Ryan Lewellen, Carson Quigley, Cameron Quigley; and a host of relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother; and brothers, Richard, William and Harrold; and sisters, Elizabeth and Jeanne.
Visit www.heritagesfsd.com

Kenneth Pfeifer

AURORA — Kenneth Pfeifer, 73, of Aurora, passed away Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, with his loving family at his side.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aurora. The Rev. Loras Grell will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date.

Kenneth Francis Pfeifer, the son of Frank James and Helen Margaret (Jungwirth) Pfeifer, was born at Redfield, S.D., on Sept. 22, 1946, and passed away in Grand Island on Jan. 25, 2020, at the age of 73.

Kenny grew up in Orient, S.D., on the family farm. He was one of 11 children born to Frank and Helen Pfeifer. He went to school in Orient and Faulkton, S.D., where he finished the 10th grade.

In 1966, Kenny followed the love of his life to Nebraska. After working on a ranch in Valentine, they later moved to York, and put roots down in Aurora because Aurora had sidewalks. On July 29, 1967, Kenny was united in marriage to Sandra L. McGrath in Aurora. They had two children: Rodney and Shannon. Ken worked jobs over the years in Aurora and surrounding towns.

Kenny was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Coffee Club at McDonald’s. He enjoyed spending time with family and giving them a hard time and being ornery. He also enjoyed camping and fishing. Kenny liked to work with wood and could make anything and fix anything.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sandy of Aurora; son, Rodney (Joy) Pfeifer of Chickamauga, Ga.; daughter, Shannon (Darren) Graves of Aurora; granddaughter, Cheyanne M. Graves of Aurora; two brothers, Joe Pfeifer of Orient, S.D., and Edward (Shirley) Pfeifer of Miller, S.D; five sisters, Dorothy Downing of Redfield, S.D., Mary Ann (Roger) Bent of Faulkton, S.D., Lucille (Les) Staufer of Watertown, S.D., Bobbi (Dick) Frank of Miller, S.D., and Rosie Hansen of Faulkton, S.D; and many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Esther Verbeck and Pearl Gerlach; and a brother, Vincent Pfeifer.

Bob Sheffield

Bob Sheffield, 76, of Highmore, passed away Sunday, February 23, 2020 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital, Miller.

Funeral Service with military honors will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 29, 2020 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Highmore with Rev. Brian Jones officiating.  Burial will be at a later date at Platte Cemetery in Platte, SD.  Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Friday, February 28, 2020 at the church.

Robert (Bob) Sheffield was born on September 13, 1943, the eighth of nine children born to William and Dena (Vander Heiden) Sheffield.  As a young boy he was called Bobby by his mother and siblings, and according to his sister Bonnie, in his mother’s eyes he could do no wrong.  Bob’s favorite childhood memories were the hours he spent hunting small game like rabbits with his brothers, and friends Dale and Ron. He graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1962.  Bob played football for four years. He was most proud to tell of his freshman team losing all their games, but then would go on to only lose one game combined his junior and senior years.  After his senior season he was selected first team all-state as an interior lineman by the South Dakota Sportswriters.  He attended Huron college for one semester where he was recruited to play football.

Bob was drafted into the United States Army in June 1965, he was a private stationed at Fort Irwin, California. He served his country for two years until his honorable discharge in 1967.  More recently he served as the Hyde County Veteran’s Service Officer for the past 15 years.  Not long after being discharged from the Army, he was united in marriage with his wife Laurie (Schultz) in December 1968 in Mitchell, SD.  Soon after he started as a salesman for the Mormon Feed Company, he had many customers who eventually became lifelong friends.  Bob and Laurie farmed near Madison, SD and later near Carthage, SD in the 1970’s and early 80’s before moving to Highmore in 1984 where they raised their four children.  After living in Highmore for a few years Bob and Laurie took over the bowling alley in 1986 and naming it Bob’s Thunderbird Lanes.  Even when you called him at home, most times he’d still answer the phone, “Bowling Alley.”  When things like pinsetters, wiring, or plumbing would break down or need maintenance around the bowling alley Bob never was afraid to try and see if he could figure out how to fix them or call in a favor from a friend with a little more expertise than him.  You could still find him daily at the bowling alley, up until the day before he passed away.  Over the years there were hundreds of loyal bowling alley customers he loved visiting and B.S.’ing with.  They were more than customers to him; they were great friends too.  Bob never wanted the bowling alley to be closed, he wanted to always be there when his customers needed coffee, a drink or food.

Family was important to Bob, he was the favorite babysitter amongst the grandkids because “No”, was not in his vocabulary.  He enjoyed watching and talking about the NFL, the NBA, and South Dakota state high school basketball tournaments with Robbi and Ryan.  He had a knack and the patience for fixing almost anything for his family, especially when it came to working on cars.  This included later in his life when he began collecting and rebuilding Willy’s jeeps.  One of Bob’s proudest accomplishments was raising four kids to go on and obtain a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university.  The family, especially Roxanne, always talked about closing the bowling alley and vacationing somewhere warm, but the closest we ever came to a family vacation was going to state track meets for a day or two.

Bob is survived by his wife, Laurie of Highmore; three daughters and two sons; Sarrah (Chad) Liedtke of Nunda, SD; Roxanne (Brett) Stevens of Miller; Rhonda Baloun of Highmore; Rob Sheffield of Rapid City; and Ryan Sheffield of Highmore; Nine grandchildren: Hailey, Preston, Cori, Sydney, Perri, Whitley, Lauryn, Chad, and Wesley Robert; his brother, Charles (Wanda) Sheffield of Madison; and sister, Clara McIver of Cheney, KS.

He is preceded in death by his parents; five brothers: John, Fred, Don, Ed, and Bill; one sister, Bonnie, her special friend Ron Finnerty; one brother-in-law, Walt McIver; and two sisters-in-law, Alice Sheffield and Norma Sheffield.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Bob’s arrangements.