Vernon (LeRoy) Ekedahl, 91
Vernon (LeRoy) Ekedahl, 91, beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother, passed away on March 20, 2019 in Brandon, S.D.
LeRoy was born on May 7, 1927 in Chicago, Ill. He moved to Malta, Mont., in 1927 where he graduated from Malta High School. After two years of service in the United States Marine Corps, he married his sweetheart, Doris Marie Miller, in 1948.
LeRoy began his career as owner and operator of a bulk oil plant and service station in Malta. He moved on to become a district manager with Husky Oil. In 1962 he was instrumental in the start-up of a charcoal briquette business. That company later become Royal Oak and LeRoy, in his 32 years with them, advanced to the position of Executive Vice President and Director.
LeRoy’s business took him and his family across the country – Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Minnesota and Georgia. LeRoy and Doris lived in Atlanta, Ga., for 22 years where he retired. Shortly after retirement, LeRoy and Doris moved to Fort Collins, Colo. Beloved wife Doris passed away in 2009 and LeRoy later moved to Brandon, S.D., in 2014.
Obituaries
Tuesday, March 19
Jerome Andersen, 81, Sioux Falls
Wallace Anderson, 91, Sioux Falls
Pamela Buchholz, 58, Sioux Falls
LeRoy K. Butenschoen, 89, Sioux Falls
Navis Dybedahl, 82, Dell Rapids
Kathleen Anne Fitzgerald, 85, Plankinton
Charles Fogelman, 90, Sioux Falls
Kathryn “Kay” Hockett, 85, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Helen Hollingsworth, 101, Pipestone, Minn.
Wesley Holter, 81, Brookings
Paul Hoven, 67, Colton
Diana Kitterman, 69, Sioux Falls
Rena Kroon, 84, Sioux Falls
Funeral services for Hazel Alice Eggers, 103, of Brandon, were held Saturday, March 23, 2019, at George Bom Funeral Chapel in Brandon.
Mrs. Eggers died Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at the Bethany Home in Brandon.
She is survived by her four children, Gary Eggers of Sioux Falls, Thais “Kay” (Dennis) Renli of Sioux Falls, Kathy Potratz of Lincoln, Neb., Susy (Wendel) Potratz of Brandon; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren plus one more on the way; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
For online condolences, visit georgeboom.com.
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Memorial services for Sally Graff, 88, of Sioux Falls, were held Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Brandon Lutheran Church in Brandon. A graveside service preceded the memorial service at Brandon Lutheran Cemetery.
Mrs. Graff died Monday, March 18, 2019, at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls.
Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation to Brandon Lutheran Church, Brandon Historical Society, or a charity of your choice.
Jeanne Marie (Mehlhaff) Bonander met her heavenly Father on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at Ava’s Hospice House surrounded by her family.
Jeanne was born Jan. 24, 1929 in Bismarck, N.D., to Dr. and Mrs. Wallace H. Mehlhaff. She grew up in Wishek, N.D., where she received her elementary and high school education. She went on to graduate from Sioux Falls College in 1952 with degrees in chemistry, biology, and German. She also received her certification degree from the American Society of Clinical Pathology from Sioux Valley Hospital.
On Sept.16, 1955, she was united in marriage with L. Richard “Rich” Bonander at the First Baptist Church in Wishek. Jeanne and Rich lived in Colorado Springs, Colo., where she worked at Penrose Hospital while Rich was stationed in the U.S. Army at Fort Carson.
Gordon Lyle Ode, 88, of Brandon, died Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at Avera Hospital surrounded by his family.
Gordon Lyle Ode was born in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Aug. 25, 1930 to J. Henry Ode and Ida Ode. He and his sister Dorothy grew up on the family farm in the hills of the Big Sioux River west of Brandon. Not long after graduating from Brandon High School, Gordon married Mila Heggen (1952) and they built a home on the farm and joined his parents in farming the land and caring for the livestock. Gordon and Mila raised five children—David, Mark, Bruce, JoAnn and Dianne. Gordon was an excellent farmer and steward of the land being named as County Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1962.
Gordon gave of himself and shared his gifts with his family, his church, and his community. Active in 4-H as a youth and adult, Gordon served as sheep superintendent at the Sioux Empire Fair for decades. Gordon also served on the Minnehaha County Co-op Board of Directors from 1966 to 1996 and on the Farmland Industry National Board of Directors.
Mass of Christian Burial for Karolyn A. Freking, 78, of Le Mars, Iowa, was held Monday, March 25, 2019, at All Saints Catholic Parish-St. Joseph Church in LeMars, with burial in Calvary Cemetery.
Mrs. Freking died Thursday, March 21, 2019, at the Brentwood Good Samaritan Village in Le Mars.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Larry Freking, Le Mars; son, Steve (Lauri) Freking, West Des Moines, Iowa; daughter, Judy Freking, Le Mars; eight grandchildren, Jordan (JC Reyna), Solomon, Roman, Elijah, Virginia, Benjamin, Maya and Jack; brothers, Dick (Gail) Kummerfeld, Rockwell City, Iowa, Chuck (Lila) Kummerfeld, Sutherland, Iowa; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ron Uhrich, Sheldon, Iowa, Colleen Ortmann, Windom, Minn., Jim (Sally) Freking, Le Mars; Pat Wurth, Marcus, Iowa, Carol Freking, Topeka, Kan.; and several nieces and nephews.
For online condolences, visit mauerjohnsonfh.com.
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Gordon Lyle Ode, 88
Gordon Lyle Ode, 88, of Brandon, died Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at Avera Hospital surrounded by his family.
Gordon Lyle Ode was born in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Aug. 25, 1930 to J. Henry Ode and Ida Ode. He and his sister Dorothy grew up on the family farm in the hills of the Big Sioux River west of Brandon. Not long after graduating from Brandon High School, Gordon married Mila Heggen (1952) and they built a home on the farm and joined his parents in farming the land and caring for the livestock. Gordon and Mila raised five children—David, Mark, Bruce, JoAnn, and Dianne. Gordon was an excellent farmer and steward of the land being named as County Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1962.
Gordon gave of himself and shared his gifts with his family, his church, and his community. Active in 4-H as a youth and adult, Gordon served as sheep superintendent at the Sioux Empire County Fair for decades. Gordon also served on the Minnehaha County Co-op Board of Directors from 1966 to 1996 and on the Farmland Industry National Board of Directors.
Jeanne Marie (Mehlhaff) Bonander, 90
Jeanne Marie (Mehlhaff) Bonander met her heavenly Father on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at Ava’s Hospice House surrounded by her family. Jeanne was born Jan. 24, 1929 in Bismarck, N.D., to Dr. and Mrs. Wallace H. Mehlhaff.
Jeanne grew up in Wishek, N.D., where she received her elementary and high school education. She went on to graduate from Sioux Falls College in 1952 with degrees in chemistry, biology, and German. She also received her certification degree from the American Society of Clinical Pathology from Sioux Valley Hospital.
On Sept.16, 1955, she was united in marriage with L. Richard “Rich” Bonander at the First Baptist Church in Wishek, N.D. Jeanne and Rich lived in Colorado Springs, Colo., where she worked at Penrose Hospital while Rich was stationed in the Army at Fort Carson.
Sally Graff, 88
Sally Graff, 88, Sioux Falls,xdied Monday, March 18, 2019, at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls. Memorial visitation with family present to greet friends will be Friday, March 22, 2019, from 5 to 7 p.m. at George Boom Funeral Chapel in Brandon. Memorial services begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Brandon Lutheran Church in Brandon. A graveside service will precede the memorial service at 10 a.m. at Brandon Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation to Brandon Lutheran Church, Brandon Historical Society, or a charity of your choice.
