Johnson-Henry Funeral Home

Lowell "Tuffy" Gisselbeck, 88 of Watertown, SD died on Sunday, December 25, 2022 in Watertown. Lowell "Tuffy" Gisselbeck was born on a farm northeast of Arlington, SD to Carl Ezra and Inez Johanna (Stolsic) Gisselbeck on February 18, 1934. He was the sixth of nine children. They lived at that farm until he was 3, when the family moved to a farm southwest of Johnsonville, SD. It was on that farm where he was given the nickname "Tuffy". They resided there until he was 8 years old, at that point they moved to the farm south of Watertown. Tuffy was very active in high school, participating in sports and Future Farmers of America. After graduation he was elected State FFA President in 1953. He...

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Friday, October 28, 2022 at the Arlington United Methodist Church in Arlington with burial in the Arlington City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at the Johnson-Henry Funeral Home in Arlington and preceding services in the church.

Darleen Ann Duffy, 92 a former Oldham area resident passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2022 at Avantara-Lake Norden. Darleen Ann Tunender was born February 9, 1930 at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. At 10 days old, she was adopted by John Sr and Rosella Tunender. She spent her early life on a farm near Tea. In 1942 the family moved to a farm southwest of Humboldt. Darleen graduated from Humboldt High School in 1948. She attended General Beadle College in Madison, earning a two year teaching degree. She moved to Oldham where she taught junior high classes for two years. During this time she met Louis Duffy, and they married on June 10, 1952 at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Humboldt. The couple...

Beatrice Krahn, 101, of Arlington died Monday, February 21 at Good Samaritan Care Center in DeSmet. Beatrice Saline Vedvei was born September 9, 1920, to Andrina and Samuel Vedvei on her parent's farm southwest of Hetland. She was always proud of her immigrant parents and her Norwegian heritage. Beatrice attended elementary school at District No. 44 in Denver township and graduated from Hetland High School in 1938. She attended Eastern State Normal School in Madison and taught schools in Kingsbury County. She married Ralph Krahn on June 6, 1942, and together enjoyed farming until retiring and moving to Arlington in 1980. Retirement included traveling on bus tours to 48 states, many hours of...

Renae Jacobsen (Jacobson), age 60, of Badger, SD, was called to her heavenly home on January 22, 2022, in her home after a hard-fought and courageous battle with breast cancer. Renae was born in Watertown, SD on August 15, 1961, to David & Dorothy (Ries) Jacobson. She grew up in Watertown with her three brothers. Growing up with these three, helped mold her into a very strong and spunky woman. Renae graduated from Watertown High School in 1979. Following high school, she began working at Bartron Clinic in Watertown. Renae found her "home" in the love of her life, Mark Jacobsen. Mark always said he "won the lottery" when he got her; and that he most certainly did. Renae was a kind,...

Myron James Pedersen, 87 of Arlington, SD died Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at United Living Community in Brookings, SD Myron James (Jim)Pedersen was born February 26, 1934 to Jens T. and Sylvia (Griffith) Pedersen in Arlington, SD. He attended District 14 in Kingsbury County and Badger elementary. He graduated from Arlington high school in 1952. Myron attended SDSC in Brookings for three years and then took the Civil Service test and joined the Postal Service in St. Paul, MN in 1956. He transferred to the Railway Post Office (RPO) and Highway Post Office (HPO) earning $1.92 an hour. He worked mail from Aberdeen to Miles City, MT (RPO) and Aberdeen to Granite Falls, MT (HPO). He was called...

Joanne Vedvei, 91 of Hetland, SD died Thursday, October 14, 2021 at the Brookings Hospital in Brookings, SD. Joanne Hesby ws born on November 12, 1929 to Kenneth and Hazelle (Weidenkop) Hesby. She grew up in the Hetland area and attended 12 years of school, graduating from Hetland High School in 1947. She married Dwaine Nelson in December of 1947, the couple farmed near Hetland and had four children. She was a stay at home mom, sewing, reading, crocheting, knitting, cooking and baking were some of her pastimes. She enjoyed playing the piano. In 1971 she was employed at Northwestern National Bank in Lake Preston, working there for five years. She married Vernon Vedvei in 1974. They farmed in...

Yvonne Marie Dobson, age 73, of De Smet, South Dakota passed away September 20 at the De Smet Good Samaritan Center after a 31-year battle with Parkinson's disease. Yvonne was born July 9, 1948 to Merle and Carol (Reed) Knutson. She grew up on a small farm near Oldham before the family moved to a farm in Arlington. She graduated from Arlington High School in 1966 before attending South Dakota State. In 1968, she transferred to Pillsbury Baptist Bible College where she reunited with her future husband, Dr. David Dobson, whom she had known since they were both in Junior High School. She and Dr. Dobson were united in Christian marriage on June 7, 1969 in Oldham, SD. The couple farmed in...

Yvonne Marie Dobson, age 73, of De Smet, South Dakota passed away September 20 at the De Smet Good Samaritan Center after a 31-year battle with Parkinson's disease. Yvonne was born July 9, 1948 to Merle and Carol (Reed) Knutson. She grew up on a small farm near Oldham before the family moved to a farm in Arlington. She graduated from Arlington High School in 1966 before attending South Dakota State. In 1968, she transferred to Pillsbury Baptist Bible College where she reunited with her future husband, Dr. David Dobson, whom she had known since they were both in Junior High School. She and Dr. Dobson were united in Christian marriage on June 7, 1969 in Oldham, SD. The couple farmed in...

Joel Ned Bergan, 68 of Badger, SD died Monday, August 2, 2021 at his home after a short illness. Funeral services for Mr. Bergan will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at the Badger Lutheran Church in Badger, SD with Pastor Brian Ricki officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Friday, August 6, 2021 at the Johnson-Henry Funeral Home in Arlington and preceding services in the church.

Steven "Steve" L Page, 69 passed away on Sunday, July 4, 2021 at his farm home near Erwin, SD. Steve was born on April 16, 1952 to Lysle and Bernetta (Kellar) Page and grew up on the farm and lived all of his life one mile from his childhood home. Steve graduated from Erwin High School in 1970. Steve's love was farming, from age 5 he helped his dad anyway he could and was the happiest when he could skip school to watch sows farrow, ewes, lamb and cows, calve. Steve is survived by his soul mate, Susan Aldrich, chilsdren, Spencer (Jenny) Page, Jessica (Marci) Page, grandchildren, Georgia, Ruby, Jonathon, and Nora, Susan's children, Casey Aldrich, Tony Aldrich Mickey (Mayumi) Aldrich and...

Steven "Steve" L Page, 69 passed away on Sunday, July 4, 2021 at his farm home near Erwin, SD. Steve was born on April 16, 1952 to Lysle and Bernetta (Kellar) Page and grew up on the farm and lived all of his life one mile from his childhood home. Steve graduated from Erwin High School in 1970. Steve's love was farming, from age 5 he helped his dad anyway he could and was the happiest when he could skip school to watch sows farrow, ewes, lamb and cows, calve. Steve is survived by his soul mate, Susan Aldrich, children, Spencer (Jenny) Page, Jessica (Marci) Page, grandchildren, Georgia, Ruby, Jonathon, and Nora, Susan's children, Casey Aldrich, Tony Aldrich Mickey (Mayumi) Aldrich and...

Leora J Johnson, 92 of Yankton, SD and formally of Lake Preston, SD, died Friday, May 21, 2021 at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton, SD. Leora Jean Christensen was born on August 2, 1928 to Carl Peder and Emma "Pearl" (Jepsen) Christensen. She graduated from Lake Preston High School in 1946. She graduated from Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, SD in 1948. She taught in the elementary level at Clear Lake, SD for five years and 3rd grade in Dell Rapids, SD from 1954-1957. She married Lyle S. Johnson on December 31, 1956 in Pipestone, MN and they farmed near Lake Preston, SD for over 40 years. She was a member of North Preston Lutheran Church and taught sunday school for...

Roger Lee Garlock entered this world on July 26, 1945 on the southwest side of Chicago, and exited April 7, 2021 in Arrey, New Mexico. He was 75. In his younger years he wanted to be with his older brother Dennis, who always tried to "ditch" him. Later in life Roger described Dennis as "no Wally" if you remember "Leave it to Beaver". Rog played football at Bogan High School as a lineman. As a youth, he spent his summers in South Dakota working on his Uncle Gene Field's farm near De Smet. Rog loved the farm work. After graduating in 1963, he began his adult life working in Indiana steel mills and moved on to the open road behind the wheel of a tank truck for his father's (Ronald Garlock)...

Charles Eugene Purcell, 85 of Lake Norden, SD passed away on Monday, February 22, 2021 at his residence. Charles Purcell was born on May 8, 1935 in Watertown, SD to Lester and L.Mae (Sievert) Purcell. He was the youngest of five children. After surviving polio and learning to walk again, he attended school for airline station agents. He met Beverly Fenske in Watertown and on October 23, 1956, they were married in Arlington, SD. Throughout their marriage, they lived in Farmington, New Mexico, Bismarck, North Dakota, Rapid City, South Dakota, Huron, South Dakota, Norwalk, Iowa and then retired to Crooks, South Dakota. After Beverly's passing in 2019, Chuck moved to Brookings, SD and then...

Charles Eugene Purcell, 85 of Lake Norden, SD passed away on Monday, February 22, 2021 at his residence. Charles Purcell was born on May 8, 1935 in Watertown, SD to Lester and L.Mae (Sievert) Purcell. He was the youngest of five children. After surviving polio and learning to walk again, he attended school for airline station agents. He met Beverly Fenske in Watertown and on October 23, 1956, they were married in Arlington, SD. Throughout their marriage, they lived in Farmington, New Mexico, Bismarck, North Dakota, Rapid City, South Dakota, Huron, South Dakota, Norwalk, Iowa and then retired to Crooks, South Dakota. After Beverly's passing in 2019, Chuck moved to Brookings, SD and then his...

Wendell Nelson, 94 of Brookings, SD and a former Lake Preston resident passed away on Monday, November 2, 2020 at StoneyBrook Suites in Brookings. Private family graveside services will held at the North Preston Lutheran Cemetery rural Lake Preston. The Johnson-Henry Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements

Alice Severson, 99 of Arlington, SD passed away on October 30, 2020 at the Avantara Arlington. Funeral services for Alice Severson will be at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 in the Johnson-Henry Funeral Home at Arlington with burial in the Arlington City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 in the Johnson-Henry Funeral Home. The wearing of masks is requested.

Donald Lee Swanson, 89 of Brookings and a former Arlington area resident died Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at The Neighborhood at Brookview in Brookings, SD Donald Lee Swanson was born December 1, 1930 on a farm north of Arlington, SD to John and Lena (Zorn) Swanson. He was the youngest of five children. Don was baptized in the German Lutheran Church in Arlington. In 1951 he joined the Arlington Methodist Church were he was a member until his death. Don attended country school and graduated from Arlington High School in 1948. After graduation he farmed with his dad until February 26, 1952 when he was drafted into the Army. On February 25, 1951 he married Doris Best. They moved to the farm and...

Mavis Carol Sorenson loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away at the age of 89. Mavis was born in Hetland, SD on July 19, 1931 to Carl and Martha (Seim) Melstad. She grew up west of Hetland with two older siblings, Ardell and Howard. Mavis graduated from Lake Preston High School where she met Harold Sorenson. Mavis and Harold were married in January of 1950 and then shipped off to Germany. Mavis and Harold moved back to South Dakota, giving birth to their first daughter, Carla Kay, in Rapid City. Later, moved back to Kingsbury County to take up the family farm and raise their children, Scott, Craig and Betsy Jo. Mavis was a lifelong member of the Lake Whitewood...