Obituaries

Lillian Healy passed away at Bethany Home in Brandon on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017. Funeral mass was held Monday, Aug. 21 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Montrose. Lillian Jane McMartin was born in Canistota Sept. 7, 1926, to William and Marie (White) McMartin. She grew up in McCook County and graduated from Canistota High School. She was united in marriage to James Marvin Healy Nov. 7, 1946, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Montrose. They farmed in Montrose Township until his death in 2003. She continued to live on the family farm until 2014. Lillian was very proud of having lived on their farm for 67 years.  She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, the Altar Society, the Montrose American Legion Auxiliary. She also served on the Montrose Township Board many years. 
Wayne “Doc” Watson, 88, passed away while surrounded by his family on  Aug. 20, 2017, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Private interment preceded his memorial service on Aug. 22 at Brandon Lutheran Church.  Wayne J. “Doc” Watson was born to Wayne S. and Jenny (Slykhuis) Watson on March 21, 1929, in Brookings County, S.D. Soon after, the family moved to Sioux Falls, where Wayne lived until his mother died when he was 10. Wayne then moved to Brandon to live with his sister and brother-in-law, Blanche and Louie Hoyt. Following graduation from Brandon High School in 1948, he entered the U.S. Army. He served during the Korean Conflict and was stationed for a short time in Japan. After his honorable discharge, Wayne returned to Brandon. He was employed by John Morrell & Company for 37 years. Wayne was united in marriage with Ramona Ode on May 30, 1954 in Brandon. The couple has lived in Brandon since then.
Funeral services for Janice Edna (Strassburg) Hanson, 90, of Brandon, were held Aug. 21, 2017, at Palisades Lutheran Church. Interment was in the church cemetery. She passed away Aug. 15, 2017, at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, Minn.  Janice Edna Strassburg was born March 19, 1927, at Valley City, N.D., to James and Edna (Lorenzen) Strassburg. She moved with her family to Minnesota in 1936 and graduated from high school at Luverne. Janice married Robert Hanson in 1945. They lived in California during World War II. While Robert served in the U.S. Navy, she worked in a department store. The couple returned to South Dakota and lived in Valley Springs, where they farmed the same place for 45 years. Upon retirement the couple managed apartments 13 years in Brandon. 
Steven Taylor Beck, age 57, left to see what is on the other side on August 11, 2017. Now he knows and you don't. 
Mia-Michelle Lillian Mentzer, 12, of Valley Springs, died Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich. A memorial service celebrating Mia-Michelle’s life was held Aug. 12 at Celebration United Methodist Church in Brandon. Mia-Michelle Lillian Mentzer was a fighter. She began life with daunting challenges that were only exceeded by her willpower. She did not succumb to the odds given to her at birth and grew into an inspirational child who impacted countless lives in her 12 years here. People were drawn to her because of who she was: a personality so unique and loving, everyone who met her understood how truly special she was. 
Vincent “Vince” C. Bunkers, 95, of Brookings, formerly of Dell Rapids, passed away Aug. 3, 2017. His mass was Aug. 7, in St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids.  */ He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Phyllis of Brookings; children, Sharon (Randy) Ostraat, Buckeye, Ariz., Mary (Mike) Campbell, Brandon, Steve (Loreen) Bunkers, Brookings, and Anne (Gary) Schwartz, Renner; his brother, Terry (Emily) Bunkers, Buckeye, Ariz.; 8 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and many friends and family. Memorials may be directed to St. Mary Catholic Church.
NO PIC   Vincent ‘Vince’ Bunkers, 95 Vincent “Vince” C. Bunkers, 95, of Brookings, formerly of Dell Rapids, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017. His Memorial Mass was held Monday, Aug. 7, 2017 in St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Phyllis of Brookings; children, Sharon (Randy) Ostraat of Buckeye, Ariz., Mary (Mike) Campbell of Brandon, Steve (Loreen) Bunkers of Brookings, and Anne (Gary) Schwartz of Renner; his brother, Terry (Emily) Bunkers of Buckeye, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many friends and extended family. Memorials may be directed to St. Mary Catholic Church. For the complete obituary, visit www.kahlerfh.com.  
Betty Kolander, 91, of Brandon, died Monday, July 31, 2017.
Rene Swanson, Valley Springs, died Friday, July 21, 2017, at her home in Valley Springs. Funeral arrangements are pending with Heartland Funeral Home.

The Brandon Valley Journal

 

The Brandon Valley Journal
1404 E. Cedar St.
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-9999

Email Us

Facebook Twitter

Please Login for Premium Content