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.

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. 

Lon Lemme, 66 of Freeman, S.D., passed away on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020 at Avera McKennan Hospital.

‘Zeke’ Bittner Sichard “Zeke” Bittner died Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls, S.D. Zeke was born Sieghard Bittner in Harxbuttel Germany on May 2, 1948.

Violet (Vi) Engbrecht, daughter of Dr. Edward. D. Tieszen and Linda Thomas Tieszen, was born in Marion, Turner County, S.D. and spent her entire life in Marion. She passed on Nov. 20, 2020 at the age of 89. On March 28, 1948 she was baptized in the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church and was a current member. She received her education at Marion Elementary and High School with additional credits from USD.

Randy Wieman, 64, passed away Nov. 20, 2020 at the Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion, S.D. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov,. 25 at Walter Funeral Home in Marion with a grave-side family service at Monroe Cemetery immediately following. Randy Mark Wieman was born on Dec. 23, 1955 to Hilbertus and Goldie Wieman of rural Monroe, S.D. Randy will be missed for his gentleness and his loving spirit.