Xina Michelle Renata, age 69, lived in the community of Belmont Shore in Long Beach, Calif. She passed away Sunday, October 31, 2021 with her family by her side. Xina was born and baptized in Rural Freeman, S.D. to June and Walfred Heckenlaible. She married and had 2 daughters.

Earla Kaye Strid, 76, went to her heavenly home Saturday, June 24 at Avera Bormann Manor. A funeral was scheduled for Friday, June 30 at 11 a.m. at Geddes Community Methodist Church, Geddes, S.D. Visitation was set for Thursday, June 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Geddes Community Methodist Church.

Darline Bezug was born on Jan. 11, 1937, to parents Ted and Alinda Guthmiller in Yankton, S.D. She went to be with the Lord peacefully after a short illness, surrounded by family, on June 5, 2023, in Lodi, Calif. She was 86. Darline grew up on the family farm in Menno, S.D., and graduated from Menno High school. After high school she worked for a short time as a telephone operator and for the Farmers Union.

Bertha Preheim was born on May 4, 1937 to Herbert and Annie (Engel) Mehlhaff in Hutchinson County, South Dakota. Her younger years were spent growing up in the Kaylor, S.D. area where she learned how to be a very hard worker at a young age.

Jonathan Andrew Mendel was born to Sam J and Mary (Wollmann) Mendel of rural Menno, S.D., on April 23, 1931. At a young age they moved to a farm northwest of Freeman, S.D., where he grew up as the oldest of three boys. He received his high school diploma from Freeman Academy in 1949.

Carrol Langeland, 75, of Menno, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes on May 23 at his residence. A funeral service will be held Friday, June 2 at 10:30 a.m. at Peace Christian Reformed Church of Menno. Visitation will be Thursday, June 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Walter's Funeral Home in Freeman, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.   

James Merk, 64, of Freeman, S.D., passed away Monday, April 4, 2022 at the Firesteel Nursing Home in Mitchell, S.D. A remembrance of life service will be held on Saturday, May 27 at 2 p.m. at Walter Funeral Home in Freeman.    James (Jim) Robert Merk was born Aug. 12, 1957 to Clifford and Ardis (Pankratz) Merk in Freeman. Jim attended Diamond Valley District 56 and Freeman High School. He graduated in 1975. Jim lived and farmed on the family land until ill health necessitated his move to Firesteel Healthcare Community in Mitchell. 

Myrdes Ruth Steffen, 103, of Menno, S.D., passed away Thursday, May 4, 2023, at the Menno-Olivet Care Center in Menno. A memorial service will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 10 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Menno with Rev. Brian Moseman officiating. Inurnment will be in the Menno Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.

Clellan Becker, 80 of Marion, S.D., passed away on May 5 at the Freeman hospital. A memorial service was scheduled for Wednesday, May 10 at First Church of God in Marion.

Kenneth (Kenny) Handel, 88, of Freeman, S.D., passed away at his home on April 28. A funeral service was held May 6 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Freeman. Kenneth Johannes Handel was born on Feb. 15, 1935, in Menno, S.D., to Gideon and Verlinda (Aman) Handel.