Heritage Funeral Home

Rich Lee Lafrentz, 53, passed away at the VA Medical Center on Saturday, November 25, 2023. Funeral services will be at Faith Lutheran Church at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, December 1, 2023 with burial to follow at the South Dakota State Veteran's Cemetery. Rich's family invites you to join them for lunch after the burial at Faith Lutheran Church at approximately 11:45 a.m. Rich's family will be present for visitation at Heritage Funeral Home on Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. with a prayer service and time of sharing at 5:30 p.m. www.heritagesfsd.com

Randy Blayne Ahrendt, 72, passed away on November 21, 2023, surrounded by his family at Avera McKennan. Randy was born on November 20, 1951 in Pierre, SD and was raised by his mother Mary Perryman (Hand) in Onida, the oldest of four children. He was a part of the last graduating class from Onida High School in 1970 and joined the Army. He graduated from SDSU in 1978 with a Park Management degree. He lived in Watertown working for the Park & Forestry Department until 1990. He married Anita (Carlson) on April 25th 1981 and raised three children. They later moved to Mitchell and he served as Director of Parks and Recreation for 20 years. Randy was preceded in death by his grandparents...

Randy Blayne Ahrendt passed away peacefully on November 21, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services took place on Sunday, November 26, 2023, with burial in Watertown, SD. Randy was born on November 20, 1951, in Pierre, SD and was raised by his mother Mary Perryman (Hand) in Onida,SD. He then resided in Watertown working for the Park & Forestry Department until 1990. No one is surprised to know that Randy was late for an important blind date with his future bride because he was working on antiques. He married Anita (Carlson) on April 25, 1981. Together they raised three children, Trevor, Christina and Nolan. They initially made their home in Watertown where he...

Delores Judy (Wilkerson) Schwartz died at the age of 84 on November 20, 2023. She was born on July 30, 1939, in Hot Springs, SD. Her parents were Floyd and Dollie (Dryden) Wilkerson. She grew up in Rapid City, SD and Huron, SD and graduated from Huron High School in 1957. Judy attended Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, graduating in 1961, with a B.S. degree in nursing. Following graduation, Judy married J.I. Milton Schwartz, a high school classmate, on September 9, 1961. They were married for 63 years and were the proud parents of two children, John and Steven and the proud grandparents of four grandchildren, Jack, Benjamin, Samantha, and Emily. Her professional career began at...

J.I. Milton Schwartz II died at the age of 85 on November 11, 2023 J.I. Milton Schwartz II was born on June 17, 1938, at Sioux City, IA - the first and only child of Elizabeth C. (Brooks) & J.I.M. Schwartz. The family spent the first 12 years of Milt's life in Iowa and California. In 1950, the family moved to Huron, SD, where Milt graduated from Huron High School in 1957. His future bride graduated within the same class. Milt attended the SD School of Mines, but transferred to the University of South Dakota, where he graduated with a B.A. degree in history in 1961. He and D. Judy Wilkerson were married in Huron on September 9th, 1961. They spent the first two years of their marriage as...

Valerie Anne Jennings, 93. Passed away October 30, 2023 at Sanford Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. Survivors include her husband, Gary Hotchkin; children, James (Nicole) Jennings, Missy (Chad) Robinson, Megan Hotchkin; seven grandchildren, Cody, Masen, Asher, Corvin, Olivia, Gracelyn, and Carson. Funeral services will held 11:00am Monday, November 6, 2023 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held Sunday November 5, 2023 from 5:30pm - 8:30pm at Heritage Funeral Home.www.heritagesfsd.com

Layne Huffman, 71, of Mitchell, SD, passed away October 4, 2023, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls after succumbing to cancer. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Mitchell. Layne was born in Mitchell, SD, on January 19, 1951, to Harry W. and Marilyn (McLean) Huffman. He grew up and attended school in Mitchell. Layne began his career as a buyer for Herters traveling overseas with regularity. He later became a police officer for Mitchell, worked as a firefighter and then as an EMT. Layne loved the Black Hills working there for a time, and upon returning to Mitchell, he became involved in construction completing many projects of which he was proud. His love of the...

Steven Charles Madsen of Sioux Falls, SD passed away at his home on September 29, 2023, in the arms of his wife and children. Steve was a loving son, brother, husband, father of five, grandfather of six, and a friend to everyone lucky enough to know him. He was born September 21, 1953, to Maurice and Ruth Madsen of White, SD and his childhood on the family farm grew into a love of nature and wildlife. He spent 30 years at the Bureau of Land Management in Vernal, Utah and Salt Lake City, Utah as a Wildlife Biologist. He retired to Santa Fe, NM with his wife and their loyal rescue dog, Nina, where they explored their local trials and parks, and traveled the world in search of adventure. They...

Linda Jean Tronvold (formerly Winterringer/Olson) age 72, Yankton, SD, passed away Friday, September 1, 2023, at Sanford Hospital, Sioux Falls. Celebration of life will be held at 3:00 PM, Saturday, September 16, at the United Church of Christ (Congregational), Yankton, SD. Linda was born December 8, 1950, in Yankton at Sacred Heart Hospital to James "Fritz" Francis and Ruth Pauline (Hamilton) Winterringer. She graduated from Hartington High in 1969 and attended Creighton University to major in Occupational Therapy. Linda was united in marriage to Marvis "Marv" Tronvold on July 7, 1976, and was blessed to have daughters Marcie, Tami, and Kristi join her life that day. She loved caring for...

Diane Marie Obr, 78, passed away at her residence Sunday, July 2, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. Survivors include her children, Vicki (Clayton) Rentschler, J.B. (Michelle) Obr, Doug (Dianne) Hauger, Mark Hauger, Brian (Karen) Hauger, Kevin (Julie) Hauger; siblings, Dennis (Pat) Callaghan, Pat Callaghan, Mike (Chris) Callaghan, Mary Gearde, Kelli (Mike) Stanage; 11 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren. Diane was preceded in death by her husband, Norman; her parents; nephew, Craig Callaghan; and stepmother, Irene Callaghan. Memorials may be directed to the Contact Center, 321 W 3rd St, Yankton, SD 57078. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30am Friday, July 7, 2023 at St....

Darwin Britzman, 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 30, 2023, following many heartfelt goodbyes from his loved ones. Darwin Gene ("Dar") Britzman was born in Watertown, SD on May 13, 1931. His parents were Alvin and Pearl Britzman. He met his wife JoAnn ("Jo") in Watertown SD, and they were married on August 2, 1953. Dar and Jo had three children, Shari (Jeff) Platek, Steve (Lyndy) Britzman, and Mark (Rhonda) Britzman, seven grandchildren Jon, Jenna, Meghan, Garth, Katelyn, Kylee and Ali, and three great grandchildren Lucia, Simeon, and Lona. He is also survived by his sister Darlis (Merlin) Bunde of rural Watertown, SD. Dar's beloved wife, Jo, passed away in July, 2022. Dar...

In memory of Larry "Lawrence" Duane Ackerman, a proud Marine and devoted father, who walked among us for sixty-two years before making his final journey. He was born in Yankton, South Dakota on September 23rd, 1960 to Carol and Kenneth Ackerman. He was imbued with a spirit of patriotism and self-sacrifice from a young age, which led him to serve his country with honor and distinction. After completing his military service, Larry found solace riding his motorcycle with his friends on the open roads, his hair flying in the wind like a proud banner. In his youth, he was known for his exceptional baseball skills and unwavering focus. His passion for tinkering in his garage with his tools...

Phyllis Jean Nice (nee: Gleason) passed away on May 12, 2023. She was born April 8, 1937, to Harold and Dorothy Gleason in Princeton, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Richard Nice and her parents. Phyllis attended the University of Iowa where she earned her associate's degree in radiology. She met Richard when she and her parents lived in Sterling, Illinois. They married on June 12, 1960 and had two sons, Christopher and Kyle. Phyllis moved with her family to Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1970. She designed and had built the house in which the Nice family made their home. Phyllis was a proud wife and mother. She played tennis and loved flyfishing. Phyllis was an...

Gerald Keefe, 91, passed away on March 11, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Gerald's memorial service will take place at Heritage Funeral Home on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Gerald's family will be present to greet guests one hour before his service. Full obituary can be found at www.heritagesfsd.com

Shirley Ann Chambers (age 87), passed away at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls on February 11, 2023, due to acute myeloid leukemia. Grateful for sharing her life are son, Wade (Joan) Chambers, of Sioux Falls, SD; son, Kent Chambers, of Parker, SD; daughter, Marci (Daren) Smith, of Roswell, GA; grandson, Ben (Anne, Luke, and Veronica) Chambers, of Bismarck, ND; granddaughter; Kate Chambers, of Sioux Falls, SD; granddaughters; Emma Smith, Madeline Smith, and Leila Smith, of Roswell, GA. She is also deeply grateful for sharing her life with Thad (Chelsea and Henley) Giedd and Alyssa Giedd, as well as all her nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will take place at the Asbury...

John Bailey Jones was born on March 30, 1927, and passed away on January 30, 2022, at the Inn on Westport in Sioux Falls. John grew up in Presho, SD, graduated from college and law school at the University of South Dakota and served as an attorney for many years in Presho. He later was appointed and then elected as a South Dakota Circuit Court Judge until 1981, when he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to be a U.S. District Court Judge. During college, John met Rosemary Wermers; they married in 1950 and together they raised six children - John (Shirlene), Bill (Ruth), Mary Lou (Don) Schuh, Dave (Gerry), Judy (Brian) Bauman, and Robert. Rosemary passed away after they had 54 loving...

John Bailey Jones was born on March 30, 1927, and passed away on January 30, 2022, at the Inn on Westport in Sioux Falls. John grew up in Presho, SD, graduated from college and law school at the University of South Dakota and served as an attorney for many years in Presho. He later was appointed and then elected as a South Dakota Circuit Court Judge until 1981, when he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to be a U.S. District Court Judge. During college, John met Rosemary Wermers; they married in 1950 and together they raised six children - John (Shirlene), Bill (Ruth), Mary Lou (Don) Schuh, Dave (Gerry), Judy (Brian) Bauman, and Robert. Rosemary passed away after they had 54 loving...

Donald Stoltz, 81, passed away at Sanford Health on January 6, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. Don's funeral mass will take place at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Friday, January 13, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch and burial at the South Dakota State Veteran's Cemetery. Visitation, with family present, will be at Heritage Funeral Home on Thursday, January 12, 2023, from 4:00- 6:00 p.m. Don was survived by his wife, Jane, three children: Laura McClellan (Jim) of Haiku, HI; Michael Stoltz of Anchorage, AK; Linda Meyer (Ryan) of Sioux Falls and grandchildren, Joshua Stoltz and Madison Meyer. www.heritagesfsd.com

Joe B. Silvers, 88, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at the VA hospital in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will take place at Heritage Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Burial will be in Blunt, SD at Pleasant Hill Cemetery on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at approximately 12:00 p.m. Joe is survived by his wife Elaine, daughters JoLee (Nigel) Duffet, Clearwater, FL; Janet (George) Fanger, Blunt; JoAnna (Dean) Gaikowski, Sioux Falls; grandchildren Amanda Fanger, Webster; Alexis (Dan) Timmons, Pierre; Amelia Gaines, Onida; George E. Fanger, Pierre; Geremiah Fanger, Blunt; Billy and George Gaikowski, Sioux Falls;...

Gary Clark Ivers, 75, passed away December 29, 2022. He was born February 15, 1947, in Watauga, South Dakota to Vernon and Gladyce (Skotvold) Ivers. The family moved to Belle Fourche, SD, where he graduated from high school in 1965. Gary is survived by Nancy, his "rock" for the past 23 years; daughter Bobbie Jo (Brian) Bogan; daughter-in-law Holly Ivers; granddaughter Britteny (Cody) Foster; grandsons Bubba Ivers, James Bogan, Ben Bogan; great grandchildren Adley Ivers, Chloe and Chism Foster; brothers Roger (Donna), Bob, Gordon (Jhane); sister-in-law Pearl Ivers and many nieces, nephews & friends. Gary was predeceased in death by his parents, son Steven Roy, and brother Kenneth. Gary...

Thomas D. (Tom) Steedle, age 86, passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 . After spending 18 years working for Kroger, Tom joined SuperValu Inc. as a Retail Counselor. This career change took the family to Des Moines, IA where they lived for 18 years. While living in Des Moines, Tom earned a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do at the age of 51, a pretty amazing feat for someone who on the eve of his 40th birthday had surgery for a brain aneurysm and was given an eight percent chance of surviving. Due to a job transfer, the family relocated to Sioux Falls, SD in mid-1995 where Tom lived until his death. Tom is survived by Nancy, his wife of 57 years, his sons Bobby (Sue), Pittsburgh, PA,...