Harley Schultz, 96, of Sioux Falls, S.D., passed away on Dec. 14 at the Luther Manor in Sioux Falls. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. at Faith Temple Church of Sioux Falls (2121 W. 33rd St.) on Monday, Dec. 20. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday at the church prior to the service.  Harley is survived by sons; Ron (Diane) Schultz and Larry (Kathy) Schultz, daughters; Jolene (Bill) Welker and Cheryl (Mike) Wheeler all of Sioux Falls, 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. 

Ruth L. (Graber) Koerner, 101, died on Dec. 2, 2021 at Oakview Terrace in Freeman, S.D. She was born to Ben and Minnie (Wilde) Graber on Oct. 31, 1920 in Freeman. Ruth attended St. Paul Lutheran Day School and Freeman High School, graduating as the salutatorian in 1938.

Phillip Berent Gunderson, 79, of Platte, S.D., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. A memorial service will be held Friday, Dec. 10 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Menno, S.D., with Pastor Theresa Jacobson officiating and Barb Ulmer playing organ. Honorary pallbearers are Shaun Gunderson, Enjoli Gunderson, Brian Gunderson and Xaviera Gunderson. Mount Funeral Home of Platte is assisting with arrangements. 

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.