Empty Saddles – SDHSRA.com (2024)

Jeff Thorstenson

Jeff Thorstenson Funeral services for Jeff Thorstenson 52 of Morristown, AZ and formerly of New Underwood, SD will be held Monday, April 8th at 2:00 PM at James P. Kerstad Event Center Central States Fairgrounds in Rapid City, SD. Burial will be in the View Field Cemetery Rural New Underwood, SD. Rev. Harold Delbridge officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday, beginning at 3:00 PM at the Calvary Lutheran Church, 5311 Sheridan Lake Rd, Rapid City, South Dakota, with a prayer service and time of sharing to be held at 5:00 PM. Jeff passed away March 28, 2024, at the Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, AZ. West River Funeral Home of Rapid City is in charge of arrangements with cooperation of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. In Lieu of Flowers Memorial Contributions can be made to The Jeff Thorstenson Memorial Fund, PO Box 9189, 2001 W. Omaha St.

Francis Knippling

Francis Knippling Francis Knippling, age 85, of Wessington Springs, passed away Friday, March 1, 2024, at Weskota Manor in Wessington Springs. A celebration of life will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wessington Springs. Burial will follow at St. Placidus Catholic Cemetery, rural Gann Valley. Visitation will be 5-7 PM, Tuesday, March 5, also at the church, followed by a prayer service at 7. He was born October 7, 1938, the fifth of nine children to Lambert and Alice (Kintigh) Knippling in Huron. He grew up in Buffalo County on his family ranch where he enjoyed roping, riding and raising hell with his siblings. He attended Grey Hill grade school, on the family ranch. Due to his mother’s insistence, he sought to become a priest, he attended a catholic school in Indiana. It only took two weeks for him to decide he wasn’t

Lori McCormick

Lori McCormick Lori K. (Fossum) McCormick, 46, of Salem passed away at her home under hospice care surrounded by her family on Friday, February 9, 2024. Funeral services will begin at10 am on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at the McCook Central Auditorium. Visitationwill be from 5-7 pm on Wednesday also at the auditorium. Please use the east doors to enter the auditorium. Lori K. Fossum was born December 7, 1977 in Sioux Falls to Arlyn and Joann (Ramstad) Fossum. She grew up in Canton and attended Canton Lutheran Church whereshe was baptized and confirmed. Lori graduated from Canton High School and went onto Augustana in Sioux Falls where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physicaleducation and health. While attending Augustana College, she played volleyball as amiddle hitter and had a wonderful career, earning 2nd team All-American honors andRunner Up National Champion in 2000. On July 28, 2001 Lori married

Shaun Ruland

Shaun Ruland Shaun Joseph Ruland passed away suddenly as a result of an accident. He was 58 years old. Shaun was born to Larry and Lenora (Bloom) Ruland on June 6, 1965, and lived his entire life on the Bloom/Ruland Ranch. He was born a true cowboy who was roping chickens as soon as he could walk and sleeping with his rope next to his bed. He ranched alongside his Grandpa Bud, father Larry, and his siblings. His older sister Kelly was thankfully there to make sure Shaun would make it to adulthood. Younger sister Lorie took a lot of teasing and he referred to her as the toughest cowgirl he ever knew. TJ came along and despite their age difference, Shaun had his younger brother to ride and rope with. Shaun grew up competing in youth rodeos as well as jackpots and playdays that the whole family competed in.

Delbert “Pete” Longbrake

Delbert “Pete” Longbrake of Dupree, South Dakota June 27, 1932 – August 28, 2023 A Celebration of Life service for Delbert Francis “Pete” Longbrake, 91, of Dupree will begin at 9:45 AM (MT) with four Bronc Riders in memory of Pete, followed by the service at 10:00 AM (MT) Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at the Dupree Rodeo Grounds. Burial will be in the Dupree Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM (MT) Monday, September 4, 2023, followed by a prayer service at 6:30 PM (MT) at The Pioneer Hall in Dupree. Pete passed away Monday, August 28, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Center in New Underwood, South Dakota. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to The Dupree Rodeo Committee, PO Box 92, Dupree, SD 57623. Delbert Francis “Pete” Longbrake was born June 27, 1932, on Rattlesnake

Jerry Hanson

Jerry Hanson Jerry Hanson of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at the Kadoka Nursing Home at the age of 75. On April 17, 1948, a little cowboy was born to Elmer and Martha Hanson (of Norris, South Dakota) in Valentine, Nebraska. The boots were ready, and the first horse was a little Shetland pony named Jewel. In 1955 the family moved to the Kadoka area where Jerry attended school. He became involved with the high school rodeo club, football and basketball as well as church activities. Jerry made many lifelong friends and was crowned High School King his senior year. Music was all around him growing up in the Hanson house so it was a natural for him to pick up a guitar and play and sing along with the family. Jerry competed in every event in rodeo (rough stock and timed). He was the all

Carol Jennings

Carol A. Jennings Carol Ann Jennings, a loving, gentle, and intelligent woman, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2023, in Sioux Falls, SD. Born on May 30, 1934, in Highmore, SD, she lived a life filled with love, service, and dedication to her family and community. Funeral Services for Carol will be held at 10:30am, Saturday, July 8, 2023 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Pierre. Interment will follow at G.A.R. Cemetery in Miller, SD. Carol was a proud graduate of Highmore High School, class of 1952, after attending East Eagle and North Eagle Country Schools. Her dedication to education and hard work was evident in her professional life. She began her career at the First State Bank in Highmore in 1952, where she worked until 1967. After a brief hiatus, she returned to the workforce going to work at Garrigan Chevrolet in Highmore. In 1999, Carol

Donna Leah Jensen

Donna Leah Jensen Funeral Services for Donna will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, March 23, 2023 at the White River Community Event Center. Private burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Pierre. You may also click HERE to watch a live broadcast of Donna’s service. Donna was the first of four children born to Howard and Evelyn Hansen. She grew up on a ranch in the hard ‘30’s along the river east of Pierre. Her work ethic and love of horses began early when she helped at the ranch on horseback. She rode her horse Strawberry four miles to school for eight years. She remembered It was often a cold ride, and involved a race now and then. The family bought a house in town so Donna could go to high school. She graduated from Pierre High School, went briefly to business college, went to work for Governor

Remi Brunson

Remi Brunson Remi Jane Brunson was born January 8, 2019 to Louie and Amy (Holmes) Brunson and welcomed home by big sister, Bryndel. Surrounded by her family and friends, Remi was baptized in Christ Easter weekend in 2019. Early on, her amazing team of doctors diagnosed Remi with Muscular Dystrophy LAMA 2. Remi, her family, and her medical team faced and conquered many unique challenges with unwavering courage, grit, and determination. Her therapists and doctors did so much for her and loved Remi as their own. There were hard times, but she taught everyone to see past the difficulties and find the beauty- and there was no one more beautiful than Remi. As she grew older, it became clear she was an angel sent from heaven, an angel bringing joy and light to the world and all of those who knew her. Louie and Amy were clearly chosen by God

Paul Grace

Paul Grace Paul D. Grace, 46, of Salem passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am on Monday, February 6, 2023 at the McCook Central Auditorium. Guests are asked to use the east doors to the auditorium. Visitation will be from 5:30 – 7:00 pm with a 7 pm prayer service on Sunday, February 5, 2023 also at the auditorium. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the McCook County Fairgrounds (PO Box 294, Salem, SD 57058). Paul Grace was born October 20, 1976 in Sioux Falls, SD to Gerald and Carmen (Fines) Grace. He grew up near Hartford and graduated from West Central High School. Paul studied a year at South Dakota State University before he entered his life long career in the livestock show industry. For the last 13 years he worked

Jim O’Dea

Jim O’Dea 1/20/2023 James Stanley O’Dea was born on July 9, 1941, in Philip, South Dakota to John and Edna Bennett O’Dea. Jim was the 11th of 15 children and grew up on the family homestead near Ottumwa. He attended several rural schools in Haakon County where his mom often taught. Jim attended Philip High School while working at various jobs in the community. During his early years, he worked for different ranchers, the building of the Oahe Dam, and area missile bases. On July 16,1962, he married the love of his life, Vonnie Buchert. To this union were born three daughters: Sheryl, Susan, and Holly. During the first years of marriage, Jim and Vonnie worked for a few different ranchers in the area. In 1970, Jim and Vonnie leased the Bierwagen place at Milesville, South Dakota for 20 years before purchasing the Nuzum ranch south of Plainview. Jim had

Bromley Roger Heath

Bromley Roger Heath 11/20/2022 Bromley Roger Heath is the 16-year-old son of Justin and Shelley Heath of rural Colome, SD. He was born on a cold winter day, January 6, 2006. He left his loving family to join Heaven on November 16, 2022, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family. Bromley always said he was the perfect middle child. His siblings made his world go around. They were his buddies, partners in crime, fort builders, movie watchers and caretakers. He was their leader, and they were his. Bromley was a detail kind of guy. From the time he was little, he liked things a particular way. As his ability slowly left, he accepted it with a grace that only God gave him. Bromley was diagnosed with duch*enne’s Muscular Dystrophy in March of 2011. At the time, we had hoped for ten years and we were blessed with

Vonnie O’Dea

Vonnie O’Dea Vonnie Lou O’Dea was born on May 22, 1945 in Marshall, MN, the second child of Loyd (Pete) and Vivian Buchert. At the age of 22 months, the Buchert family moved fifteen miles north of Philip, SD. She attended grade school at the Elbon School through the eighth grade and finished her education at Philip High School. On July 16,1962, she married James O’Dea at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Philip. To this union was born three daughters: Sheryl, Susan and Holly. During the first years of marriage, Jim and Vonnie worked for a few different ranchers in the area. In 1970, Jim and Vonnie leased the Bierwagen place at Milesville, SD for 20 years before purchasing a ranch south of Plainview. Over the years, Vonnie was involved in her community by being a 4-H leader and teaching youth religion class at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in

Rick Dennis

Rick Dennis Rick Dennis was born August 20, 1955 to Harold and Ruvonne Dennis in McLaughlin, SD. He joined a sister Dana. Later siblings Lesa and Dean joined the family. In 1957, Rick’s grandfather purchased the Dinkman place that is located between Belvidere and Kadoka and the family moved there from northern South Dakota. Rick attended elementary school in Kadoka. The family moved to Kansas and later Wyoming when Rick was in middle school. By his 8th grade year they moved back to the SD ranch. He graduated from Kadoka High School in 1973. During his senior year, Rick and his team roping partner, Mitch Olney, qualified for the National High School Rodeo Finals. They made their way to Ogden, UT where they participated in the team roping event. In 1975, Rick and his parents moved to Center, CO. There, he rode on several head of yearlings, calved cows, and

Joy Elshere

Joy Elshere Joy Moore Elshere was born June 25, 1930 at home on the farm in Texas to Ruby (Perkins) and Elbert Moore. Three years later her sister Colleen was added to the family. Because of her father’s job, they moved around a lot during Joy’s early life. She attended elementary schools in Paris, Honey Grove, and Bonham, Texas before graduating from Paris Texas High School in 1947. Joy later attended college and graduated from Paris Junior College in 1949. While in grade school, high school, and college, she was a member of the school band and was also a member of the City Band in Paris, Texas. After college Joy worked as a clerk typist for the housing authority of the City of Bonham. In 1951 Joy met Paul through close friends who were in the Air Force at Perrin Air Force Base. They were united in marriage on

Gary Nixon

Gary Nixon Gary Nixon was born in Chadron, NE on August 27, 1946 to Leo (Shorty) and Dorothy (Pete) Nixon. He grew up on the family ranch north of Cottonwood, SD. He was called home to work the cattle on the thousand hills of heaven, Wednesday, September 14, 2022. Gary attended elementary school at the Lincoln school north of the ranch. This and the ranch is where he developed his horse skills, riding to school every day. In 1964 he graduated from Philip High School. He was always very athletic and while in high school he participated in tumbling, gymnastics, boxing and rodeo. After high school Gary spent time on the ranch until he left for Basic Training in December 1965. While enlisted in the US Army he spent most of his time in Fort Bennig, GA and Fort Rucker, AL. Ironically enough, he was a helicopter mechanic while enlisted,