October 3, 1931 ~ August 16, 2017

Marion Higgins went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at the age of 85.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM, Saturday, September 16, 2017, at First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls. Inurnment will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Sioux Falls.

Marion was born October 3, 1931 to William H. and Alta (Young) Bigwood in St. Thomas, ND. Marion grew up on a farm in St. Thomas, ND, and graduated from St. Thomas High School. She then went on to graduate from Minot State Teacher’s College and taught in Fargo, ND. In 1959 Marion married Robert Higgins. They had 2 children. In 1971, the family moved to Sioux Falls, SD to open their business, Sioux Falls Hearing Aid Service. Marion and Bob were active members of First United Methodist Church PEO, and the Y’s Men Service organization. Marion loved to travel and made trips to Alaska, Europe, Australia and Denmark. In her later years, she moved to Wisconsin and then Florida with her daughter’s family. As in everywhere she went, she made many dear friends with her cheerful, kind spirit.

Marion will be lovingly remembered by her children, Julie (Mark) Scott, Jacksonville, FL, and Joel Higgins, Brandon, SD; by her five grandchildren, Meg and Graham Scott, and Erin (Austin) Hendricks, Jessica and Luke Higgins; her three siblings, Roy (Karen) Bigwood, Margaret Smith, and Betty (Leonard) Wolfgram; other special people who will remember her are Leslie Black, Dr. and Mrs. Ken Hansen and many precious friends, nieces and nephews.

Marion was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents, William H. and Alta (Young) Bigwood; and 7 siblings.

In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials be made to Sidewalk Funday School. (A children’s church).

March 19, 1927 ~ August 15, 2017

Janice Edna (Strassburg) Hanson, 90, Brandon, died Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, MN.

Visitation with family will be 1-3pm, Sunday, August 20, 2017, at Heartland Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be 11am, Monday, August 21, at Palisades Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Janice Edna Strassburg was born March 19, 1927 at Valley City, ND, to James and Edna (Lorenzen) Strassburg. She moved with her family to Minnesota in 1936, and graduated from high school at Luverne, MN. Janice married Robert Hanson in 1945. They lived in California during World War II. While Robert served in the Navy, she worked in a department store. The couple returned to South Dakota and lived in the Valley Springs area where they farmed the same place for 45 years. Upon retirement, both Janice and Robert managed apartments for 13 years in Brandon.

Janice loved to cook and sew, making many quilts for the family, church and World Relief. She enjoyed camping, fishing and playing cards. Janice was an Elvis Presley fan. She was a member of the Palisades Lutheran Church, life member of the ELCW Hannah Circle, and the Valley Springs American Legion Auxiliary. She served as President of Lutheran Brotherhood Branch 8607 for 17 years, serving nine area churches. She was State Fraternalist of the Year in 1992, and was a delegate to the Lutheran Brotherhood National Convention in 1990.

Janice will be deeply missed by her two sons, Jim Hanson, Valley Springs, and Joel (Linda) Hanson, Valley Springs; three granddaughters that were very special to her, Shauna (Jason) Allmon, Brandon, Kylie (Rick) Murray, Brandon, and Heather (Aaron Andrea) Hanson, Corsica, SD; three great-grandchildren, Max, Ian, and Storey; one sister, Viola Lafrenz, Minneapolis, MN; one sister-in-law, Delores Strassburg, Luverne, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

Janice was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Hanson; two infant daughters, two granddaughters; Missy Jo Hanson and Nicole Howlett; her parents, James and Edna (Lorenzen) Strassburg; four siblings, Al Strassburg, Bill Strassburg, Lucille Claussen, and Gladys Scott.

April 12, 1951 ~ August 11, 2017

Lucy Knutson, 66, Beresford, passed away peacefully at her home, on Friday, August 11, 2017.

Visitation with family present, will be Tuesday, August 15, 2017, from 5-7pm. There will be a Prayer Service at 7pm following the visitation, at Skrefsrud Lutheran Church, rural Beresford. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, August 16th, at 10:30am, also at Skrefsrud Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Skrefsrud Lutheran Church building project in her honor.

Lucille Ustad was born in the back of a 1949 Packard on April 12, 1951, to Bernt and Anna Louisa (Bratt) Ustad. Lucy was raised on a farm north of Beresford.

On August 10, 1969, Lucy married Dean Knutson at Skrefsrud Lutheran Church. The couple was blessed with four children. Lucy worked for the Alcester and Beresford nursing homes as a Certified Nurse’s Aid. She enjoyed taking care of the residents and sharing stories with them. She retired in 2015 due to poor health.

Lucy was especially proud of her family. She loved being with her children and her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her giving heart and was “Grandma Lucy” to many. She enjoyed people and was always willing to help where needed. Lucy enjoyed making quilts and made one for every one of her children and grandchildren. She was also known for her delicious cakes. If there was an occasion to have a cake, she was usually involved with baking and decorating it. Lucy was also a loyal Twins fan and enjoyed watching their games.

Lucy will be deeply missed by her husband, Dean; four children, Shellie (Mike) Sveeggen, Beresford, David (Katie) Knutson, Tea, Becky (Brandon) Peterson, Alcester, and Kristy (Stuart) Sveeggen, Beresford; eleven grandchildren, Timothy, Hailey, Sarah, Ryan, Corey, Jordan, Kara, Blake, Brady, Carter, and Kindra; two sisters, Bea (Cliff) Dvoracek, Sioux Falls, and Eleanor (Gary) Knutson, Centerville; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Lucy was preceded in death by her parents, Bernt and Anna Louisa (Bratt) Ustad.

February 27, 1961 ~ August 2, 2017

Lynnae D. Clark, 56, Sioux Falls, died Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at Avera McKennan Hospital after a lengthy illness.

Family visitation will be 1-3pm, Sunday, August 6, 2017, at Heartland Funeral Home.

Lynnae Dorene Thompson was born February 27, 1961 in Sioux Falls to Charles Sr. and Irene (Neve) Thompson. She was raised and attended school in Sioux Falls before she went to work for several different business throughout her life, including Taco Johns, Lewis Drug, and Bonanza. On December 11, 1981, Lynnae married Sheldon Clark in Sioux Falls and to this union three children were born.

Lynnae was a very caring and generous soul. She loved to volunteer at her kids’ school and played “Mrs. Claus” at several seasonal gatherings. She also started the Santa Claus Lane in Sioux Falls by gathering the neighbors to make the designs, paint and then place them in the front lawns of E First St in Leaders Edition. Lynnae also loved to sew and embroidery and made many clothes for herself and her children as well as several blankets. Her favorite hobby was to collect angels of all types which becomes fitting as now she is an angel watching over her family today.

Lynnae will be deeply missed by her children, Kailyn (Jeremy) Clark, Stacie Clark, and Abigail (Joshua) Mindeman; eight grandchildren, Dylan, Hunter, Alexis, Allyn, Anthony, Austyn, Andrew, and Zachary; her mother, Irene (Hank) Ishida; three siblings, Mark (Paula) Thompson, Chuck (Michele) Thompson, and Jodie (Mark) Lundy; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and her best friend, Angie Langley.

Lynnae was preceded in death by her father, Charles Thompson Sr., and one brother, Charles Thompson Jr.

July 26, 1950 ~ July 21, 2017

Rene L. Swanson, 66, Valley Springs, died Friday, July 21, 2017, at her home.

Memorial Services will be 1pm, Friday, July 28, 2017, at Heartland Funeral Home.

Rene Lorraine Van Beek was born July 26, 1950, in Hendricks, MN, to Jake and Louise (Fountain) Van Beek. The family moved to Sioux Falls where she was raised. Rene graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy, Omaha, NE, in 1968. Rene married Gene Swanson in 1970 and eventually moved to Valley Springs, SD. The couple had three children. Rene worked at John Morrell for a few years and then became a sterilization tech at Sioux Valley Hospital for over 25 years, before she retired. In 1998, Rene married Tim Den Herder, and they merged their families to include two more children; Sadie and Nate.

Rene loved her morning TV game shows and her animals; especially her cat. Camping at Oakwood Lakes and hanging out with her children and grandchildren were her favorite pass-times. She also could usually be found at the “C.B.” in Valley Springs with her friends.

Rene will be deeply missed by her two children, Zach (Tia) Swanson, Valley Springs, and Sony (Nate Den Herder) Swanson, Garretson; seven grandchildren, Max Reyna, Dominik, Savannah, Danny, Gavin, and Owen; four siblings, Roger Van Beek, Rebecca Anderson, Rachel Brower, and Rhonda Censky; and special nieces and nephews that Rene and Gene chose to take in as their children also at some point in their lives, Scott, Mark, Sage, and Tessa.

Rene was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Owen.

March 31, 1955 ~ June 26, 2017

Douglas W. Suss, 62, of Sioux Falls, SD died unexpectedly at his home on Monday June 26, 2017.

Visitation with family will be Sunday, July 2, beginning at 1:00 pm with a short time of sharing at 2:30 pm, at Heartland Funeral Home in Brandon, SD.

Douglas Wayne Suss was born March 31, 1955 in Windom, MN, to Paul and Louella (Bailey) Suss. After high school, Dugan graduated from St. Cloud State with a degree in marketing. On May 31, 1980 Dugan married JoAnn Heitkamp in Adrian, MN. To this union, two children were born; Nick and Holly. Dugan worked many years in radio, television and print media advertising, and was most recently employed by the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire.

Dugan truly enjoyed playing golf and watching sporting events. He looked forward to March Madness and the Final Four basketball tournaments, making many trips to attend the games. Dugan was gifted with a wicked sense of humor and was a wisecracker; he had a nickname for everyone. He was loyal to his friends, loved old cars, working on his lawn and gardening. But most of all he adored his family. Watching Holly run track and attending car shows with Nick were some of his most favorite times with his children. Dugan was excited to become a Grandpa in a few weeks to Nick and Emily’s son, Jaxton. Having the kids over for his famous homemade pizza created many of the memories that will be cherished by his family.

Grateful for having shared his life are his two children, Nick (Emily) Suss, Brandon, SD and Holly Suss, Sioux Falls, SD; his mother, Louella Suss, Waterford, WI; seven siblings, Roger, Beaverton, OR, Charlie (Crista) Brookfield, WI, Stanley, Sioux Falls, Frank (Nancy), Jacksonville, FL, Jeff (Mary), Luling, LA, Sharon (Verlin) Ailts, Yankton, and Michelle (Phil) Glembin, Waterford, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

Dugan was preceded in death by his father, Paul Suss; two siblings, Joan and Craig; and his sister-in-law, Christie.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Dugan Suss family.

November 7 1928 ~ February 20, 2017
January 4, 1930 ~ September 28, 2013

Richard “Dick” Hampton, 88, of Luverne, formerly of Adrian, MN, died Monday February 20, 2017, at the Veteran’s Home in Luverne.

Rosetta “Rosie” Faustina (Krahn) Hampton, 83, Luverne, formerly of Adrian, MN, died September 28, 2013 at the Sanford Hospice of Luverne, MN.

Graveside Services for both Richard and Rosie will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, June 29, 2017, at the Adrian Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

The Sunrise, June 14, 1976 ~ The Sunset, May 31, 2017

In loving memory of Ophelia Gaye, or as most people know her, Jocelia D. Shar. Ophelia, 40, of Sioux Falls, died Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at the Dougherty Hospice Home in Sioux Falls.

Visitation will be 6:00~10:00 PM, Friday, June 23, 2017, at New Hope Community Church, 1001 E. 6th St., Sioux Falls (6th and Cliff). Funeral Services will begin at 9:00 AM, Saturday, June 24, also at New Hope Community Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery of Sioux Falls.

Ophelia was born on June 14, 1976, in Gwein Town, Grand Gedeh, Liberia, West Africa, under the union of Mr. Jeremiah D. Shar and Mrs. Nancy T. Shar. She started her elementary in Gray D. Allison Elementary and JR High School in 1981-1990, at Barclay Training Center (BTC), Monrovia, Liberia, Africa. In 1990, Ms. Gaye left Liberia with her parents and her older sister, Sarah S. Gaye, and her nieces and nephews, to the Ivory Coast, as a refugee. In 2004, she was blessed to resettle in America with her two beautiful children, Cynthia and Victoria.

Ophelia loved music. She was an outgoing person who loved people and helping them. She was a loving and caring mother. Everybody loved her in our family and community. She was a strong believer of God. Jocelia D. Shar will be missed by everyone. We love you, but God loves you most.

Ophelia Gaye (Jocelia Shar) was blessed with three beautiful children; Cynthia Shar, Victoria Gaye, Michelle Gaye. Ms Gaye was the youngest of seven children; Lucy S. Shar — deceased, Nancy K. Shar, Sarah Shar Gaye, Josephe B. Shar, Benjamin L. Shar –deceased, Charles D. Shar, Ophelia Shar Gaye —deceased.

May your soul rest in perfect peace. We’ll miss you mommy.

May 21, 1952 ~ June 12, 2017

Cheryl Marie Mammenga, 65, Brandon, passed away Monday, June 12, 2017, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

Visitation with family present will be 2:00 – 4:00 pm, Sunday, June 18, 2017, with a short Prayer Service at 4:00 pm, at Heartland Funeral Home.

Cheryl Marie Simmons was born May 21, 1952, in Litchfield, MN, to William and Harriet (Hall) Simmons. She grew up in the area and graduated from Litchfield High School before attending Concordia College. Upon graduation, Cheryl moved to California where she managed several restaurants. Cheryl moved back to Sioux Falls in 1994, and began working in the banking industry. In August 2004, Cheryl married James Mammenga.

Cheryl loved her pets–the more, the merrier. She also loved to garden, cook, quilt, sew, and be surrounded by her grandchildren. Cheryl loved attending all of her son Anthony’s soccer games and her daughter Amber’s choir and theatre performances. She was known as a dedicated and hardworking employee, as demonstrated by the several trips to Mexico and the Virgin Islands she won by exceeding her company’s goals.

Cheryl will be deeply missed by her husband, Jim; her children, Amber (Matt) Christensen of Brandon, and Anthony Millar of Sioux Falls. Her stepchildren, Timothy (Brenda) Mammenga of Bristol, SD, Jon Mammenga of Sioux Falls, Robert (Melissa) Mammenga of Breckenridge, MN, Megan (Joey) Okroi of Webster, SD, Mari Mammenga of Sioux Falls, and Kelli Mammenga of Appleton, WI; eleven grandchildren, Lily, Peter, Summer, Logan, Lainey, Tate, Chloe, Ian, Jackson, Levi, and Julie; her mother, Harriet Simmons of Sioux Falls; and three siblings, Tom (Mary) Simmons of Sioux Falls, Carol (Denny) Boysen of Wentworth, SD, and John (Mary) Simmons, Texas.

Cheryl was preceded in death by her father, William Simmons.

December 18, 1942 ~ June 9, 2017

Carolyn Nelson, 74, Sioux Falls, beloved wife and mother, died Friday, June 9, 2017, at the Dougherty Hospice House, in Sioux Falls, SD.

Visitation will be held 4-7pm, Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon, SD. Per the wishes of Carolyn, there will be no formal funeral service.

Carolyn was born on December 18, 1942, in Baker City, OR. Shortly thereafter, she moved to a farm near Bonesteel, SD. She was engaged to Lyly Nelson in 1964 and the two were married on July 3, 1965, at First Lutheran Church in downtown Sioux Falls, SD. Their son, Keith, was born in January of 1969.

For nearly five decades the family called Mission Hill, SD, home. Carolyn was active in the local Lutheran church, and volunteered her time whenever needed. She enjoyed her family, church, gardening, planting flowers, and working the grounds on their acreage. For the past nineteen years, Lyle and Carolyn had the privilege of avoiding the Midwest winters and were snow-birds traveling to their winter home in Mission, TX.

Carolyn was a stay at home mom when Keith was young, and then worked part time for the lunch program at the Yankton Public School System. In addition, she enjoyed working and visiting with people, and she also accepted a weekend position at a grocery store giving away food samples to customers.

In the fall of 2016, Lyle and Carolyn relocated to Sioux Falls, SD to be closer to their son, Keith.

Carolyn will be deeply missed by her husband, Lyle Nelson, and her son, Keith Nelson.