Margaret S. Kessler, age 66 of Freeman, S.D., was called home early on Nov. 30, 2020 at Freeman Regional Health Services, Freeman. A memorial service was scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11 at Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel in Menno, S.D., with the Rev. Michael Hecht officiating. Burial will be in the Civil Cemetery, rural Lesterville, SD at a later date. There will be visitation for one hour prior to service time. Due to COVID-19 concerns, friends and family are encouraged to participate through live streaming of Margaret’s services at facebook.com/opsahlkostel/live.

Samuel Herbert Hofer, age 91, died Nov. 8, 2020, at home in Denver, Colo. Sam Hofer was born Nov. 18, 1928 in Hitchcock, S.D. to John JB Hofer and Katherine Kleinsasser Hofer. Sam became a Christian, was baptized and joined the Huttertal Mennonite Church in Freeman, S.D. in 1944.

(Alma) Freda Schamber, age 88, of Yankton, S.D., died on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020 at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton. A funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Yankton with Pastor Thomas Rockhoff officiating. Burial will be in the Freeman Cemetery in Freeman, S.D. Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton.

Donald Handel, age 88 of Menno, S.D., passed away Thursday evening, Nov. 19, 2020 at the Oakview Terrace in Freeman, S.D. A private family graveside service was held Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Menno Cemetery, with the Rev. Michael Hecht officiating. Military graveside rites were provided by the Rames-Bender American Legion Post # 152 Honor Guard and the SDARNGHG.

Bryce C. Miller, age 95 of Menno, S.D., passed away Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020 at the Menno-Olivet Care Center, Menno. Due to the current circumstances, there will be a private family service which will be held at a later date. Bryce Miller was born on Nov. 22, 1925 on a farm six miles northeast of Olivet, S.D. to Clifford and Edna (Steffen) Miller and was raised on the farm along with two other siblings. He attended grade school at the Wagner Country School and completed seventh through 10th grade in Olivet. 

The Freeman Public School Board made no change to its ineligibility policy at a special meeting held via Zoom Thursday night, Dec. 10, but may consider additional leniency because of COVID-19 challenges in the future.

According to a public notice printed on page 9B in this week's Courier, the city of Freeman will consider issuing an on-sale liquor license to Mimi’s Diner when it holds its second meeting of the month Wednesday, Dec. 16. The notice lists the location of Mimi’s Diner as 239 S. Main; that’s the building that is currently home to Doc’s Mess Hall and was Delicious Flavor Bakery and The Kairos before that. The Dec. 16 hearing will come less than three weeks after Josue “Sway” Torres announced he would be closing Doc’s Bar and Mess Hall Jan. 2.

Freeman Regional Health Services (FRHS) Oakview Terrace nursing home received a visit on Dec. 1 from a representative from the South Dakota Department of Health. These surveyors are being sent to SD health care facilities as part of the state commitment to take critical steps to ensure health care facilities are prepared to respond to the threat of COVID-19.

The area was treated to this spectacular sunrise Tuesday morning, Dec. 8. This photo was taken looking across the basketball court at the Freeman Elementary playground.

This was the scene inside the Menno High School gym Monday afternoon, Dec. 7 as technology coordinator Marty Sieverding records the middle school band playing their holiday selections. Sieverding spent all day recording various groups from Menno Public School singing and playing their Christmas songs for a YouTube showing that night. The district decided to move forward with a virtual Christmas concert rather than the planned in-person event scheduled for Monday night. The school's 7-12 concert scheduled for Thursday night, Dec. 10 is still on as planned as of today; it begins at 7:30 p.m.