John Harvey Pester, age 76, of Oldham, passed quietly March 8, 2021, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Memorial services will be held at a later date. John was born March 29, 1944 to George and Margaret Pester in Madison South Dakota. John grew up in the area until 1691 when he convinced his dad to let him enlist in the Navy at the age of 17. He served a couple of years. While home on leave John met Diane on a blind date set up by his friend. He returned home after the date and...

Kathryn Walter, age 86, of Arlington, VA, died Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, VA. Arrangements are pending.

Karen Fletcher, age 81, of Ortonville, MN, died Sunday, February 14, 2021, in Huntsville, UT. Private family funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Wentworth. Masks will be required at the funeral service. She was born February 10, 1940 in Ortonville, Minnesota to Everett and Constance Evans. She was the eldest of three daughters and leaves behind Jane Pansch and Linda Komis. She grew up...

Delores Elaine Oltman, age 87, of Richardson, Texas passed away on Friday, February 12, 2021. Burial will be 9:30 AM, Thursday, March 11, 2021, at Lake Madison Lutheran Cemetery. She was born January 20, 1934 in Pierre, South Dakota. Delores is survived by Children; Peggy, Sandra, and John; Grandchildren Brooke and Elizabeth; Great-Grandchildren Owen and Quinn; and Sister Marion.

Viola Feistner, age 92, of Madison, died Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. Private family funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 30, 2021, at St. John Lutheran Church in Madison. Burial will follow at the Oldham Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation open to the public will be 1 hour prior to the funeral service. Masks will be required. Viola May Taylor was born January 2, 1929, to Carlus and Minnie (Burki) Taylor at Harrold, SD. She was...

Darlene Jean (Smith) Phelps, age 87, of Colman, passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at the Bethany Home in Brandon. A private family funeral service will be 1:00 PM, Thursday, January 28, 2021, at the Ellsworth Funeral Home in Madison. Visitation open to the public will be from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, prior to the service. Darlene was born the first of five children to David and Alide (Carsrud) Smith on August 9, 1933, in Colman. She graduated from Rutland High School and and went...

David R. Meehan, age 43, of Madison, passed away suddenly Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at Madison Regional Health System. A Celebration of Life service will be 2:00 PM, Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at the Ellsworth Funeral Home in Madison. He was born to David R Meehan Sr and Letha A Meehan in Green Bay, WI, on October 25th, 1977. David grew up in Madison, SD and lived there his entire life.  He received his GED, and he married Jennifer Lynn Rezac on November 12th,...

Jerald "Jerry" Lee Heckenlaible, age 78, of Madison, died Thursday, January 7, 2021, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. A memorial service will occur at a later date. Jerry was born May 15, 1942 in Pierre, SD to Ronald Reinhold “Rhiney” and Katherine (Rath) Heckenlaible. His mother said she heard the noon whistle blow just as he took his first breath.  He spent his entire childhood on his parent’s ranch 2 miles south of Highmore, SD....

Larry Lewis Schaffer, age 80, of Ramona, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on January 6, 2021. Per Larry’s request, no funeral service will be held. Visitation will be 5-7 PM, Monday, January 11, 2021, at the Ellsworth Funeral Home in Madison. Burial will be 1:00 PM, Tuesday, at the Ramona Cemetery. Larry was born on January 31, 1940 in Milbank, South Dakota to Lloyd and Della (DeVaal) Schaffer. He moved with his parents from Milbank to Ramona SD in 1947....

Donna Lidel, age 86, of Madison, died Friday, December 11, 2020, at Bethel Lutheran Home in Madison. Private funeral services for family only will be 2:00 PM, Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Madison. The service will be live streamed on the Our Savior Lutheran Church Facebook page. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery at Wentworth. Donna Mae Diepholz was born October 24, 1934, near Wentworth to Chris and Alma (Kotte) Diepholz. She was raised...