Marjorie Tallchief, renowned as the first Native American “première danseuse étoile” at the Paris Opera Ballet, died on Nov. 30, 2021 at her home in Delray Beach, Florida. She was 95. Ms. Tallchief was born Oct. 19, 1926, in Denver, Colo. Her parents were Alexander Joseph Tall Chief, a member of the Osage Nation, and his wife, Ruth Porter Tall Chief. Ms. Tallchief’s paternal great-grandfather had helped negotiate with the U.S. government for oil revenues that brought the Osage Nation incredible wealth.

Juletta M. Osterberg, 76, of Salem, S.D., passed away on Nov. 30, 2021 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D. A funeral service was held Monday, Dec. 6 at Trinity Community Church in Bridgewater, S.D.

Vernon Gall, age 87, of Scotland, S.D., formerly of Lesterville, S.D., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Society, Scotland. His funeral was held Dec. 6 at Scotland Community Church. Interment was in Rosehill Cemetery, Scotland, with military honors. Vernon Alvin Gall was born Wednesday, Jan. 31, 1934 to Alvin and Irene (Weidenbach) Gall on the home farm near Lesterville. He was raised on the family farm and attended Plum Country School through the ninth grade.  

Ruth Koerner, 101, passed away Thursday, Dec. 2 at Oakview Terrace. A memorial service will be Friday, Dec 10 at 11 a.m. at St Paul Lutheran Church. Visitation and viewing will be Thursday, Dec. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Walter Funeral Home in Freeman.    

James Renken, 49, of Menno, S.D., died on Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, at his home of natural causes. James’s wishes were that there not be a public service. He will be cremated and a private family gathering will be held to honor him. James was born on Sept. 1, 1972, in Aberdeen, S.D. to Jackie (Keena) and Jerry Renken. The family later moved to Menno, where James spent his formative years. The family relocated to Mitchell, S.D. in the late 1980s. Later as an adult, he moved back to Menno.

Cleo Friesen Cleo E. Friesen, age 90, of Mountain Lake, Minn., went to spend eternity with her Heavenly Father and Creator God on Nov. 11, 2021 at Champlin Shores Nursing Home in Champlin, Minn.

Amy Faye Scholl was born March 13, 1930 on the family farm west of Springfield, S.D. to Martin and Sarah (Oliver) Ferwerda and passed away Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton, S.D. on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, at the age of 91. A private graveside service will be held in the spring of 2022. She attended Hitt Country School through eighth grade, graduated from Springfield High School in 1948 and attended Southern State Teachers College. She taught in a rural school for two years.

Leonard Frey, age 83, of Kaylor, S.D., passed away Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in O’Neill, Neb. His funeral service was scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 26 at the Scotland Community Church in Scotland. Burial will be at 1 p.m., Friday, Nov 26 in the St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Kaylor. Visitation was scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 24 at the Goglin Funeral Home of Scotland, with a 7 p.m., prayer service.

Duane Schrag, 89, of Freeman, S.D., passed away on Nov. 10 at the Salem Mennonite Home. A memorial service will be held on Dec. 4 at 10:30 a.m. at the Salem-Zion Mennonite (North) Church of rural Freeman.   Duane C. Schrag, 89, passed away on Nov. 10, 2021, at the Salem Mennonite Home in Freeman, S.D. He was born March 30, 1932, on a farm near Marion, S.D. His parents were Charles (Speck) Schrag and Adina Preheim Schrag. In 1947 he was baptized upon his confession of faith into the membership of Salem-Zion Mennonite Church.

Theodore (Ted) Joseph Hofer, 95, was taken into the loving arms of Jesus on Nov. 10, 2021 at the Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion, S.D. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19 at First Baptist Church, 630 1st Ave, Emery, S.D. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 20 at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church. Ted was born on Sept. 7, 1926, to John and Kathryn Hofer on a farm near Hitchcock, S.D. Due to drought conditions during the Depression years, the family moved to a farm near Dolton, S.D., where Ted attended first through 10th grade.