Local veterans were honored with two stellar programs this past week; a student was expelled from school and parents aired grievances about supervision policies at sporting events at the most recent school board meeting; a GHS oral interp competitor has qualified for State; and the holiday season is beginning with the Shop Garretson First punchcards and a holiday coloring contest!
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Palisades Art Gallery is sponsoring a community-wide coloring contest to encourage a love of art! This holiday season, express yourself and color the image below, grab a copy from the Gazette lobby at 506 N Main, or print your own copy below.
Everyone is encouraged to enter, as there are contest categories for the following ages: 1-4, 4-8, 8-12, and 12+ (including adults!).
All submissions are due by December 8 so they can be featured at Palisades Art Gallery during Hometown Christmas on December 9. Category winners will win an art supply package worth up to $25. Submissions can be dropped off at the Gazette office or mailed to PO Box 327, Garretson, SD 57030. Please include contact information with the submission (on the back or on a post-it note). For minors please include parent/guardian name and phone or email.
Clayton Solheim, 51, of Garretson, SD, passed on at Sanford USD Medical Center Friday, November 10, 2023, of a cardiac arrest. Visitation and a lunch will be at the United Church of Garretson from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
A celebration of his life and memory sharing will be held at 1:00 PM. Interment will follow at Norway Cemetery, rural Garretson.
Clay was born on a stormy night at Dell Rapids Hospital on September 12, 1972. He went on to love horses, dogs, cats, cattle, and anything with a motor! He was baptized and confirmed at Garretson United Methodist Church.
He graduated from Garretson Public School and Watertown Vo-Tech. During that time, he worked summers at Palisade State Park.
He and Wendy Olson were married in August of 1998. He worked his way up the ladder at Menards until he became an assistant store manager with over 200 people under him.
He was the problem solver, and his ready smile calmed any customer with an issue. He went on to be a sales rep and general manager for Young America (all big-boy toys with a motor).
He then went on to do his favorite job of all: a stay-at-home dad to his favorite person in the world, his son, Sage, while also helping his parents farm.
He is survived by his son, Sage; parents, James and Virginia (Brandsma); his sister, Josie (Kevin); his brother, Ed (Christine); his significant other, Janel Schwartz; his ex-wife, Wendy; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was always a giver, as even in death he was a donor. May he rest in peace.
Bob Schreurs was born on June 4, 1933, in Garretson, South Dakota to Mathew and Frances Kuhl Schreurs. He grew up on the family farm near Garretson and attended Country School District 101 and graduated from Garretson High School in 1951. Following high school, he farmed with his father until November 26, 1955, when he enlisted in the United States Army. Bob served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. Following his honorable discharge on February 24, 1956, Bob returned to the family farm and attended South Dakota State College graduating in 1960. On December 30th, 1957, he and Mariann Gacke were married at St. Mary’s Church in Larchwood, IA. Following their marriage, they made their home in Castana, IA and Madison, SD where Bob taught Agriculture Classes. In 1965 they moved to Alden, MN and in 1966 they moved to Slayton, MN, where Bob worked for USDA Farmers Home Administration (FmHA). Mariann passed away on December 10, 1973. Bob and Sandra Shore Taylor were married on June 20, 1980, in Slayton. They continued to make their home in Slayton raising their blended family of six. Bob retired in 1994. In 1996 Bob went to work for the Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton until his retirement in 2012. Sandra passed away on August 11, 2007. Bob moved to Lindenwood Assisted Living in Slayton on October 27, 2023, and passed away there on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at the age of 90. He was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton and served on the St. Ann’s Cemetery Board and was caretaker of the St. Ann’s Cemetery for many years. Bob enjoyed time with his family, bowling, golfing, fishing, hunting, dancing, and attending Polka Fest. Bob was somewhat of a local celebrity appearing many times on the PBS Funtime Polka Party.
Survivors include his two children, Todd Schreurs (Heidi Ashby) of Park Rapids, MN, Lisa (Roger) Opdahl of Fulda, MN, four step-children, Kevin (Roxie) Taylor of Coon Rapids, MN, Pat (Pam) Taylor of Burnsville, MN, Kate (Brian) Harmsen of Slayton, MN and Jane (Tom) Peterson of Orlando, FL, five grandchildren, Eric (Sarah) Schreurs, Ben (Erin) Schreurs, Matt (Jayden) Schreurs, Sarah (Loren) Clarke, and Tyler Opdahl, 12 step-grandchildren, Kelsey (Josh) Syverson, Alicia (Zach) Fuchs, Nick (Caitie) Harmsen, Isaac Harmsen, Emily Peterson, Zachary Peterson, Aaron White, Missy (Jon) Henthorne-Larson, Marco (Jenny) Henthorne, Danny (Dawn) Saukkola, Tammy (Jesse) Saukkola-Smasal, Billy (Nicole) Saukkola, four great-grandchildren Levi, Ellie, Maverick and Kennedy, 14 step great-grandchildren, Logan, Miyah, Miles, Piper, Stella, Hannah, Grace, Parker, Lincoln, Marco, Lexi, Nicky, Taylor and Colton, one sister, Mary Schreurs of Garretson, SD, one sister-in-law, Wilma Schreurs of Sioux Falls, SD, and special friend, Irene Matson of Sioux Falls, SD. He is preceded in death by his parents, wives, Mariann and Sandra, son, Kevin Schreurs, four siblings and their spouses, Lorraine (Jim) Bunkers, Ralph Schreurs, Dorothy and (Don) Vandersnick, and Bernadine (Art) Carlson.
Memorial Services were held at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton, MN on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Peter Schuster officiating. The organist is Judy Andrews. The song leader is Wes Biren. The honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren. Interment is at St. Rose Lima Cemetery in Garretson, SD.
Visitation will be on Friday, November 10, 2023, at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton from 4-6 p.m. also one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
Royce G. Quamen, age 72, of Garretson, passed away on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at his home. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Garretson. Interment was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be directed to any Garretson non-profit organization.
Royce was born on October 25th, 1951, to his parents, Raymond and Lucille. He moved several times throughout his elementary years, but spent his middle school years in Garske, ND, where he was the drummer in a band called the “Pink Panthers” and began his journey of becoming an athlete.
Royce graduated from Garretson High School in 1970. While there, he was competitive in football, wrestling, and track, excelled in choir, and created many lifelong friendships. Following graduation, he attended Sioux Falls College on scholarships for football and wrestling. Despite his success in athletics, Royce was anxious to get on with life and marry his high school sweetheart. In 1973, Royce married Peg Vandersnick, and together, they raised their 4 children in and around Garretson. He took the family camping at least once every summer to Lewis & Clark and other South Dakota State Parks.
In 1972, his motivation to begin a career brought him to Raven Industries, where he remained for 20 years, concluding his career as a production manager having developed many new manufacturing strategies. Royce and three co-workers left Raven Industries and started Integra Plastics in Madison, SD in 1991. Royce served as Vice President until 2014, when the company they built was then, ironically, sold to Raven.
Royce could fix nearly anything. He was skilled at many trades, including electrical, mechanical, and plumbing. If he didn’t know how to fix it, he would figure it out. Things that we will forever remember about him include his strong work ethic, humming, changing words to songs, dancing the jitterbug, dad jokes, and just having fun. Throughout his life, Royce loved cars, hunting, fishing, and cowboy TV shows and movies. Royce and Peg enjoyed long road trips in retirement, and most recently got to travel in their new Camaro to many new places – always with the top down!
As a young child, Royce treasured his time at Roy Lake. In 2009, fulfilling their dream, he and Peg purchased a cabin on Lake Poinsett. It is here he generously provided a place where many fun memories are and will continue to be made with family and friends.
Royce was preceded in death by his father, Ray Quamen; mother, Lucille Albers; stepfather, Erville Albers; and brothers-in-law, Paul, Jerry, Bob, and Wayne.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Peg Quamen, his older sister Shirley Stangeland, younger brother David (Janet) Quamen, younger sisters Karen (Joe) Vandersnick and Ona (John) Reker, and many brothers- and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Royce will be sorely and forever missed by his daughter Shawn (Shannon) Frewaldt, sons Frank, Jeremy (Lana), and Brady (Shayna) Quamen, four granddaughters: Kelbi, Hannah, Lucie, and Stella; two grandsons: Koy and Kade; and two great-grandsons: Levi and Mason.
Laura M. Boese, 64, of Jasper, SD, passed away on Monday, November 6, 2023 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Her funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2023 in Zion Lutheran Church, Garretson. Visitation will be one hour prior to the start of the service. Interment will be in the St. Paul Cemetery, rural Garretson. Funeral arrangement are under the care of Kahler-Brende Funeral Home. http://www.kahlerfh.com
Laura was born on October 29, 1959 at Dell Rapids, SD, the daughter of Palmer and Lorena (Halvorson) Berg. She grew up on the family farm near EROS. She attended Garretson School and graduated from Garretson High School in 1977. She then started working for Hiland Potato Chip. She married Mark Boese. They moved to the Avon area where they raised dogs and pigs. The couple later divorced. Laura moved back to the Garretson area where she started working at Hutchinson Technology where she worked until they closed. She then went to work for StarMark Industries. She retired in July of 2022. She enjoyed her time off with her family and her many cats. She always had a love of horses.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Paul.
She is survived by her sons, Joel Berg of Jasper and Jay Boese of Tyndall; her grandchildren, Zoey Berg, Chloe Boese and Ethan Boese; her siblings, Danny (Ellie) Berg of Dell Rapids, Patti (Dan) Stensland of Garretson, David (Laura) Berg of Garretson; Amy (Tracy) Kirk of Centerville; her many nieces, nephews and her extended family.
Wife of the Rev. Ronald Dybvig, Mary Dianne Bly Dybvig died at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
With her husband, a Lutheran pastor, Mary Dybvig was a co-founder of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, which now shares facilities and services with St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Santa Paula. Ronald Dybvig was pastor to both congregations before his retirement.
In addition to her husband of 57 years, Mary Dybvig is survived by their daughter, Shannon Dybvig; their son, Nathan (Nicole) Dybvig; and granddaughters Ember Dybvig and Brynn Dybvig; brothers Mark (Cat) Bly and David (Cheryl) Bly; and sister Ruth (Jerry) Casanova. She was predeceased by her brother Ronald Bly in 2021, and her best friend Pat Barrett in 2022.
Mary Bly, the daughter of Myrle and Lois Bly, was born May 18, 1944 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She was raised on a farm in Garretson, South Dakota, attended local schools and graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She married Ronald Dybvig on August 10, 1966.
Mary Dybvig taught elementary school, first in St. Paul, Minnesota, and then at various schools across the United States, ending her career in Lynwood, California. She became a homemaker following the birth of her daughter, Shannon, in 1980. Her son, Nathan, was born in 1982.
Dybvig worked with her husband to build and grow churches. The family moved to Ventura, California, in 1989 to found Emmanuel Lutheran Church as a mission congregation. She taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible school. She expressed her artistic side by making wreaths and selling them to bring income to the church.
Mary enjoyed reading mysteries and listening to classical music. She had a deep love for those closest to her in the church and friends in the community. Mary loved to travel by car and the family took many memorable road trips driving from California to South Dakota. Mary cherished her family.
Local veterans were honored with two stellar programs this past week; a student was expelled from school and parents aired grievances about supervision policies at sporting events at the most recent school board meeting; a GHS oral interp competitor has qualified for State; and the holiday season is beginning with the Shop Garretson First punchcards and a holiday coloring contest!
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On November 3-5, Susan Hartenhoff Haygood of Palisades Art Gallery joined twenty-six South Dakota artists at the 42nd Artists of the Plains Art Show held by Augustana University's Center for Western Studies.
Susan Hartenhoff Haygood took home first place last weekend at the Artists of the Plains art show. //photo submitted
According to the Center for Western Studies, "This show and sale is designed to educate the public about the cultural importance and variety of regional art and artists. As the largest and longest running show of its kind in the region, it functions as part of the Center’s Art Program and Educational Exhibits emphasis, which is supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities."
Several different types of mediums were showcased at the show, including oil painting, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, indigenous art, and ledger art, to name a few. Interested artists must apply to enter the show, and only a few are chosen. This was the first year Haygood has been in the show.
Haygood's oil paint piece, "Trying for a Hook," is a 72-inch wide by 52-inch high work of art that has been described as "popping off the canvas." It took home first place for two-dimensional art, one of only three high honors. The other honors were for three-dimensional art and Best of Show.
"Trying for a Hook" depicts two polo players attempting to hook another players' mallet, a common move in the game of polo, and was created specially for a show Haygood is currently attending in LaQuinta, CA, which has a large polo culture and community. She specializes in painting horses and western or rodeo scenes, though her artistic ability is wide-ranging.
Due to Haygood's art show commitments, Palisades Art Gallery will often be closed for the next few months, though Haygood may have some open hours during December. It will re-open for next season this spring after Haygood finishes the 10-week Arizona Fine Art Expo from January through March. Haygood's art, along with that of photographer Robb Long, was showcased this past summer during the Garretson Art Trail.
SIOUX FALLS – This week, the Minnehaha County Commission voted unanimously to move ahead to legally determine the extent of what they can do with the current WH Lyon’s Fairgrounds.
This action is something the Fairground’s Task Force suggested in their final findings last May.
In Jan. 2022, the taskforce was formed to look at things needed to be done with and for the fair.
One of those recommendations was to have a “clean title” for the land, as Commissioner Gerald Beninga said.
Beninga has been the commission liaison to the Fair Board for several years.
The land donated to the county by Winona Lyons came with stipulations attached, and the commission voted to pursue whether those stipulations still apply 90 years later. //Photo courtesy Sioux Empire Fair
Originally, the land for the fair was gifted to the county by Winona Axtell Lyon in 1938 to honor her deceased husband, William H. Lyon.
This gift came with a number of “restrictions and limitations,” according to county documents.
The main limitation is that the county cannot sell the land or use it for anything other than a regional fairground, or it reverts back to the Lyon family.
Although some commissioners have questioned in the past if that stipulation can still apply after almost 90 years.
And while the commission has no plans to sell the land, members said they want to know what their options are.
It is clearly spelled out in their resolution that any use of the land by the county would be “in the best interest of Winona Axtell Lyon’s original intent.”
In its May findings, the Fair Taskforce saw the problems of a facility completely surrounded by the city of Sioux Falls and questioned the ability of being able to do much, if any, expansion at the site.
The county’s new resolution makes it clear that the purpose of this legal action if “to seek judicial clarification and/or removal of the restrictions and limitations” placed the property.
And to “further clarify the existing deed restrictions so that the county can better understand what options it has at the W.H. Lyon’s Fairgrounds while still meeting the intent of the deed.”
The next meeting will be at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21, in the third-floor meeting room of the Minnehaha County Administration Building at 6th and Minnesota in Sioux Falls.
