Fritzgerald Tom Yazzie

KYLE — Fritzgerald Tom Yazzie, 24, Kyle, died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, near Kyle.

Survivors include his daughter, Mariah Yazzie and his son, Kyan Yazzie, both of Dallas, Texas; four brothers, Brent Hunter, John Hunter, Ward Hunter Jr. and Memphis Hunter, all of Pine Hill, N.M.; two sisters, Bernadette Yazzie and Faith Hunter, both of Pine Hill; and his parents, Monica Yazzie and Ward Hunter Sr. of Pine Hill, and Ervin Jose, Ramah, N.M.

A two-night wake will begin at noon Thursday, Nov. 12, at Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Hall.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the church hall, with the Rev. Rick Abert and Harry Yazzie officiating. Burial will be at St. Stephen’s Catholic Cemetery.

Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements.

Lester D. Sierra

KYLE — Lester D. Sierra, 61, Kyle, died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, in Kyle.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Sierra and his son, Lester Sierra, both of Rapid City; his daughter, Selena Sierra, Austin, Texas; stepson, Ray O’Rourke, Pine Ridge; his brother, Bennett “Tuffy” Sierra, Pine Ridge; three sisters, Karlene “Jo” White and Glenda Sierra, both of Kyle, and Wendy Stabnow, Oakland, Neb.; and two grandchildren.

A one-night wake will begin at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at Little Wound School.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the school. Burial will be at St. Stevens Catholic Cemetery.

Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements.

Robert Harold David

RAPID CITY — Robert Harold David, 88, Rapid City, died Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, at Westhills Health Care.

Survivors include his wife, Lucille David, Rapid City; two sons, Robert “Tony” David, Tucson, Ariz., and Larry David, Black Hawk; his daughter, Jan Hopkins, Rapid City; one brother, Gerald “Bill” David, Independence, Kan.; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are pending with Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home.

Jeannie Turner

SPEARFISH — Jeannie Turner, 49, Spearfish, died Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, at David M. Dorsett Health Care Facility.

Survivors include her son, Robert Preston, Denver; her daughter, Barbara Reitler, Spokane, Wash.; and her brother, Chuck Atkinson, Toronto, Canada.

Memorial services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Kyle Maldacker-Marrowbone

RAPID CITY — Kyle Wade Maldacker-Marrowbone, 24, Rapid City and formerly of Eagle Butte, died Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, as a result of an automobile accident. Arrangements are pending with Stout Family Funeral Home of Mobridge.

Robert E. Rowley

SPEARFISH — Robert E. Rowley, 94, Spearfish, died Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, at Fort Meade Veterans Affairs Medical Center. 

Survivors include his daughter, Nancy Robinson, Belle Fourche; two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at a later date in Greeley, Colo. Inurnment will take place at East Lawn Palm Cemetery in Tucson, Ariz.

Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche is in charge of arrangements.

An online guestbook is available at www.funeral homeofthenorthernhills.com.

Edna E. Lensegrav

MEADOW — Edna E. Lensegrav, 92, Meadow, died Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, at Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon.

Survivors include two sons, Dave Lensegrav and Gary Lensegrav, both of Meadow; one daughter, Kathy Otterberg, Washington, Iowa; one sister, Vivian Dougherty, Seattle, Wash.; one brother Fritz Wolff, Whitewood; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Indian Creek Lutheran Church near Meadow, with the Rev. Harold Delbridge officiating. Burial will be at Gallaway Cemetery.

An online guestbook is available at www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com.

Donald F. Tracy Sr.

RAPID CITY — Donald F. Tracy Sr., 82, died Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. 

He was born Jan. 24, 1927, in St. Joseph, Mo., to Thomas and Ella Tracy. 

Donald joined the U.S. Air Force in April 1949.  He married the love of his life, Aileene Brady on Aug. 17, 1949. They lived at various bases throughout the U.S. before being stationed at Ellsworth AFB in 1964, where he retired in 1969. He worked several jobs before fully retiring in 1981 to devote his time to his family, taking care of the yard and flowers. This also provided him time to go fishing or hunting with his children and grandchildren. Donald was a very loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His family came first and he loved every one of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. With each addition to the family he always told the others there was room in grandpa’s heart for another one. His warm greetings and smiling face brought joy to those around him. He was liked by friends and very loved by his family. He will be missed greatly and will forever be in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Aileene; four sons, Donald Jr. of Sturgis, Richard (Carla) of Box Elder, Michael (Toni) of Gillette, Wyo., and John (Leann) or Oak Harbor, Wash.; two daughters, Theresa Tracy-Schutz (Michael) of Box Elder and Cheryl (Chuck) White-Hamrick of Park City, Utah; daughter-in-law, Judy Soenksen of Rapid City; 19 grandchildren, Jamie (Kelly) Tracy of Rapid City, Aryan (Nycole) Tracy of Greeley, Colo., Shawna Gray of Rapid City, Tommy (Amber) Gray of Kingsland, Texas, Amanda (Harley) Baker of Sturgis, James (Candace) Gray of Quantico, Va., Alicia and Chase Tracy of Rapid City, Leslie, Lyndsy, Lori and Amy Tracy of Gillette, Ashley, Eric, Emily and Andrew White of Park City, and Justin, Kristin and Samantha Tracy of Oak Harbor; 11 great-grandchildren, Ireland and Ryley Tracy of Rapid City, Tanner Wells of Philadelphia, Miss., Destiny Wells, Savannah and Jayden Gray of Box Elder, Kamry and Easton Gray Kingsland, Iziah and Tytus Baker of Sturgis, and Autumn Tracy of Greeley.

He was preceded in death by his son, Patrick; his parents; his brother, Thomas; and his sister, Bobbie.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Kirk Funeral Home and one hour before services. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov 12, at Kirk Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, with military honors by TREA Chapter 29.

A memorial has been established to Hospice of the Hills.

Friends may sign Don’s online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.

Geneice Short Bull

OGLALA — Geneice Short Bull, 56, Oglala, died Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, at Scottsbluff, Neb.

Survivors include one daughter, Pricscilla Burney, Oglala; four brothers, Fay Short Bull, Gering, Neb., and Regan Short Bull, Kevin Short Bull and Thearl Short Bull, all of Oglala; and three sisters, Judy White Dress, Scottsbluff, Neb., Myrtle Short Bull, San Angelo, Texas, and Gergene Short Bull, Oglala.

A one-night wake will begin at 2 p.m. today at Makasan Presbyterian Church.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at the church, with the Rev. Asa Wilson officiating. Burial will be at Makasan Presbyterian Cemetery.

Sioux Funeral Home in Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Helene Freeland

RAPID CITY — Mary Helene Freeland, 90, Rapid City, died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, at Golden Hills Living Center – Belle Vista.

Mary Helene Freeland was born Jan. 20, 1919, in Watertown to Frances (Flynn) and John Wagner. At the age of three, Mary’s father, John, passed away. Her mother Frances later married Isidore Hanten, who was a great blessing to the family. Isidore was special to Helene. She referred to him as “Daddy” throughout her life. In grade school, there were several girls named Mary in her class so the teacher started calling Mary, “Helene.”  From that day on, Mary called herself “Helene.”  After graduating from high school, Helene moved to San Francisco with a friend for employment.

She and the man of her dreams, Robert Freeland, were married Dec. 21, 1949, in Florence, S.D. Robert and Helene traveled much with Robert’s profession as a geologist. They lived in Colorado, California, Hawaii, and later settled in Spencer, S.D. On their travels they enjoyed many hours together deep sea fishing and later pheasant hunting. Although they traveled all over the United States, South Dakota was still their home as they cherished the open plains and the Black Hills. After moving to Spencer to manage the sand and gravel company, Robert passed away on Jan. 24, 1976.

After Robert’s passing, Helene relocated to Rapid City to be near her brother John, and his family. While in Rapid City, she started her own clothing company in her home called, “The Clothes Horse,” which she named after her mother, who had been nicknamed “the clothes horse.” With computerized sewing machines, she produced many fine clothing products and advertised them thoughout the midwest in her publications. 

Helene was a very prim and proper lady who valued etiquette. She enjoyed entertaining friends and family in her home. The table setting was always stunning. Helene learned from her mother the art of cooking and enjoyed creating sumptuous meals and elegant desserts from the many recipes she traded with friends. Being quick-witted and clever she always enjoyed a good joke. Watching birds and tending her roses and tomatoes brought Helene joy.

She was knowledgeable about current affairs and spoke passionately about politics. Helene was active in her Catholic parish, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral and was a dedicated member of the altar society. She strongly valued her Catholic faith.

Helene had a profound impact on the life of her niece Linda Williams of Watertown by teaching her proper etiquette as well as spirituality, kindness, compassion and the importance of being demure. As Linda would say, Helene was a “Classy Lady.”

Helene will be remembered by her nieces, Linda Schmeling Williams and family and Lana Schmeling Redlin and family of Watertown, Kathleen Wagner Meyer and family of Torrance, Calif.; nephews, Larry Schmeling and family of Watertown and John Wagner and family of Rapid City.

Helene was preceded in death by her husband, Robert and her brother, John.

A Christian Wake Service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at the Cathedral, with the Rev. Tyler Dennis presiding. Inurnment will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Friends may sign her online guestbook at www.osheimschmidt.com.

Madeline Claseman

ROSEVILLE, Ill. — Madeline Eunice Theresa Claseman passed away Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, at the Roseville Country Manor.

Madeline was born March 18, 1914, in Nowlin, S.D., to Elias and Antonette (Van Ham) Mercy. Her mother died of the Spanish flu when Madeline was 14 months old. Her father was killed in a railroad accident when she was 13 years old. She was raised by foster parents from that time on.

Madeline graduated from Wall (S.D.) High School, as Salutatorian of her class. She worked during her high school years at the famous Wall Drug Store.

She married Robert Joseph Claseman on Sept. 29, 1934, in Rapid City, S.D., where they resided their entire married life.

The highlight of Madeline and Bob’s career was the role of foster parents to mentally-challenged individuals from the Black Hills Sheltered Workshop. They were introduced to this career because of their son Joey’s various mental illnesses. They were named South Dakota Foster Parents of the Year (for their 17 foster children) sometime in the 1970s.

They suffered a setback when one of the dormitories was destroyed and their home severely damaged during the flood of 1972. They rebuilt their home and a new dormitory and continued to work with mentally-challenged individuals for many years.

Madeline was very active in Westminster Presbyterian Church, helping with weddings and funerals for 40 years.

Survivors include one daughter, Peggy McIntyre, St. Louis, Mo.; her brother, John Mercy, Tulsa, Okla.;  a foster son, Martin O’Laughlin, Rapid City; one grandson, William Jeffrey McIntyre, Fredericksburg, Texas;  one granddaughter, Jennifer LeGrand (Kevin), St. Louis, Mo; and great-grandsons, Matthew, Pevely, Mo., and Logan, Noah, Samuel, Elijah and Gabriel, all of St. Louis.

Preceding Madeline in death were her husband; one son, Robert Joseph Jr.; sisters, Marie Root, Selma Ziegenbein and Rosalie Beaton; and brothers, Charles and Frank Mercy.  

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today at the Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bob Jacobs officiating. Interment will be at the Mountain View Cemetery.

A memorial has been established to the Black Hills Sheltered Workshop.

Friends may sign the online guest register at www.osheimschmidt.com.