John Eli Hofer, son of Rev. Jacob B. Hofer and Barbara E. Hofer (Wipf), was born near Dolton, S.D. on Oct. 29, 1923. He received his elementary education in Freeman Public School and graduated from Dolton in 1943. As a young boy he grew up in a Christian home, where prayers and his studying of God’s word was a part of daily life.

Anita Neufeld, 70, of Freeman, S.D., passed away Sunday, Jan. 3 at Oakview Terrace. A visitation with family present will be held Saturday, Jan. 9 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Walter Funeral Home in Freeman.

Terry Auch, age 72 of Menno, S.D., passed away at home on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. Terry was diagnosed with brain cancer on Aug. 17. After three weeks of cancer treatments, he tested positive for COVID-19. He then spent three weeks at Avera McKennan Hospital and six weeks at Freeman Regional Health Services before returning home on hospice care.  

Karl Tieszen Karl A. Tieszen went home on Dec. 27, 2020 after a brief battle with COVID-19. He was born Sept. 21, 1931 to Abraham V. and Jacobina (Tiahrt) Tieszen. Karl attended and was baptized at Bethesda Mennonite Church in rural Marion, S.D., near the family farm.

Gene Elwood Kaufman was born to Walter and Anna (Miller) Kaufman on Oct. 16, 1939, on their farm near Freeman, S.D. He joined older brother, Duane, and was later followed by sister, LeAnne, and brother, Loren. Gene attended Fairview School District #96 country school, Freeman Academy, Freeman Junior College and Southern State College (Springfield, S.D.). As a teenager, he was baptized and became a member of Salem Mennonite (South) Church. Gene was a lifelong and active member of this congregation.

Esther (Waltner) Mandel, 85, died Dec. 16, 2020 in Oakview Terrace in Freeman, S.D. a public visitation and viewing will be from 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21 at Walter Funeral Home in Freeman, with a private committal service to follow.

Vincent Showers was born to Ronald C. Showers and Adelia “Dee” Ottinger Showers in Aurora, IL. At age six his family moved to California where he attended Whittier Elementary in Long Beach after which the family moved to Hawaiian Gardens where he and his brothers attended Furgeson Elementary and Artesia High School.

Joy Janssen, 87, of Marion, S.D., passed away on Dec. 8, 2020 at Freeman Medical Center. A private family graveside service was held on Dec. 12 at Greenwood Cemetery in Marion. Joy was born June 13, 1933 in Salem, S.D. to Melba and Lewis Keysor. She had two older siblings, Lester and Audrey. She was named Dagmar Joy after a girl who stayed at their house while she attended high school, she said to call the baby Joy.

V. Joyce Behl, 85, of Menno, S.D., died Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 at Menno-Olivet Care Center. A private family graveside service was to be held at Farwell Cemetery in rural Mitchell, S.D. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

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.