Obituaries

Arthur Hagen

Published by admin on Wed, 03/11/2026 - 11:02am

Arthur Ainsworth Hagen, 92, passed away peacefully Friday Feb. 6, in Tallahassee, Fla., with his four daughters by his side. 
Ainsworth was born Oct. 9, 1933, in Hot Springs, S.D., where he grew up.  He attended the University of South Dakota where he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree.

Bruce Many

Published by admin on Wed, 03/11/2026 - 9:44am
Bruce Scott Many passed away March 4, 2026. He was 77 years old.
Bruce was born to Mabel Rose Ziemer and Alfred Louis Many in Hackensack, N.J. He graduated from Pascack Hills High School in Montvale, N.J., and worked for a short time in the emerging computer industry. He then became a heavy equipment operator and demolition specialist in the construction industry.

Donna Hesnard-Starr

Published by admin on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 2:52pm

Donna Hesnard-Starr passed away early Sunday morning, Feb. 22, 2026, surrounded by family at West Hills Village Nursing Home (Rapid City, S.D.) after a brief stay in the hospital. 
She was born Aug. 6, 1930 on a ranch near Belvidere, S.D. to Glen L. and M. Madge (Cain) Shorb.
After moving the family to the Hermosa, S.D., area in 1945 she attended Rapid City High School, graduating with the Class of 1948.

Tracey Harley

Published by admin on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 2:52pm

Tracey L. Harley, 65, formerly of Custer, S.D., passed away Feb. 22, 2026, in Huron, S.D.  She was born July 20, 1960, in Hot Springs, S.D., to Orvile and Delores (Petrik) Harley. 
Tracey obtained her education in Custer. She worked as a lunch lady in the school lunch room and she was a domestic engineer. Her hobbies included latch hook, paint by numbers and scratch pictures.
Tracey will be remembered for being a free-spirit and for walking her own path.

Dean Schrempp

Published by admin on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 2:52pm

Dean Schrempp, 90, of Eagle Butte, S.D., died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. 
Service will be at All Saints Catholic Church in  Eagle Butte. Visitation is Friday, March 13, 5-7 p.m., Rosary at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, March 14 at 10 a.m.
Burial to follow at Lantry Cemetery. 
Arrangements with Kirk Funeral Home.

Gerldine Anderson

Published by admin on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 2:51pm

Gerldine (Pooley) (Woodward) Anderson passed away to be with our Lord Jesus Christ Feb. 23, 2026, in Custer, S.D. 
She was born in Fedora, S.D., June 27, 1925, to Will and Mazie Pooley. Her family moved to Dupree, S.D., when she was 2 years old. She was number seven in a family of 11 children.
Gerldine married Beverly Woodward Oct. 14, 1940. They had three girls and four boys: Colleen, Carleen, Patsy (Bill Anderson), Jerry (Peggy), Bill (Jenilee), Jess (Connie) and Buck (Cathy).

Lois Massa

Published by admin on Wed, 02/25/2026 - 2:49pm

Lois Lavon (Anderson) Massa, 87, of Custer, S.D., passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Monument Health in Rapid City, S.D., Feb. 22, 2026.  A woman that embraced all of life’s “adventures.” Lois lived a life dedicated to her Catholic faith, her family, her students and her friends.
Lois was born July 30, 1938, in Madison, S.D., to Laurence V. and Irma Belle (Potter) Anderson.  She was the first of four children.  

Wanda Maloney

Published by admin on Wed, 02/25/2026 - 2:45pm

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Wanda Sue Maloney of Hay Springs, Neb., on Feb. 17, 2026. She was born Nov. 27, 1965, to James and Lois (Childers) Wood in Lead, S.D.
Wanda was an exceptional woman whose love, kindness and laughter touched everyone she met. She was a mom to everyone, a safe place, steady voice, and comforting presence to all. Family came first by blood or by choice, she devoted her life to caring for those she loved, often putting her needs aside.

Gary McLaughlin

Published by admin on Wed, 02/25/2026 - 9:34am
Gary Lee McLaughlin, 70, of Saginaw, Texas, passed away Jan. 26, 2026, in a Fort Worth , Texas, hospital.
He was born July 13, 1955, to Edward Ralph and Donna Gail (Heinbaugh) McLaughlin. Highlights of his Stevens High School years were finishing first in the 32-mile Hunger Hike from Rapid City, S.D., to Mount Rushmore two years in a row and qualifying for the state wrestling tournament in his senior year. 

Don Mitchinson

Published by admin on Wed, 02/18/2026 - 12:46pm

Donald (Don) Mitchinson, 92, passed away Feb. 10, 2026, at Monument Health Custer Hospital in Custer, S.D.
Born in Cortland, N.Y., he was a longtime resident of Pringle, S.D. Don served in the United States Army and spent his career as an educator. He also worked as a seasonal interpretive ranger with the National Park Service at Wind Cave and Jewel Cave.
After retirement, he enjoyed woodworking, traveling and volunteering at the 1881 Custer Courthouse Museum, the Pioneer Museum and the Cold Springs Schoolhouse.