Custer County Chronicle

Ernest Hezlitt, Jr.

Published by admin on Wed, 08/14/2024 - 11:26am

Ernest Montgomery Hezlitt, Jr., age 81, of Custer, S.D., passed away peacefully July 29, 2024, at Fountain Springs Nursing Home in Rapid City, S.D.
Ernest had been a cherished member of the Custer community for 18 years before his recent move to the nursing home in April.
Born Oct. 2, 1942, in Denville, N.J., Ernest was the son of Ernest Montgomery Hezlitt Sr. and Flora Bell “Louise” French Hezlitt. He grew up in Morrisville, N.J., and graduated from Boonton High School.

Lynelle Brown

Published by admin on Wed, 08/07/2024 - 9:34am

Lynelle Brown was born on May 18, 1950, in her childhood town of Billings, Mont. to the late John Richmond Hartpence and Bernice Elnore Olsen-Hartpence. Lynelle became a devoted member of the Baha’i faith in her youth. At the age of 21 Lynelle traveled to British Honduras as part of a service project.

Marinka Ziolkowski

Published by admin on Wed, 08/07/2024 - 9:30am

Marinka Ziolkowski 63, the youngest child of Korczak and Ruth Ziolkowski, died Aug. 5, 2024.
She leaves behind four brothers, John, Adam, Mark and Joel, and two sisters, Jadwiga and Monique.
Marinka was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Dawn, Casimir and Anne.
No funeral arrangements have been established at this time.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer, S.D.

Mardel Jonson

Published by admin on Wed, 07/24/2024 - 9:17am

Mardel Hazel Jonson was born Sept. 23, 1938, in Little Fork, Minn., the youngest of four children.
She enjoyed her early years on the family farm, spending time with her parents, both sets of grandparents and her three older siblings. It was there that she learned the many Swedish traditions and talents of which she was so proud. Mardel was fond of all of the animals her family raised, especially the barn cats.  She attended school in Little Fork, graduating in the Class of 1955.

Lyle Ness

Published by admin on Wed, 07/24/2024 - 9:16am

Lyle Richard Ness was born Oct. 4, 1938, to Omar and Irene (Stengel) Ness. He enjoyed being self-employed at Custer  (S.D.) Tractor and Ness Stump Grinder and Storage.
Lyle, of Custer, passed away July 13, 2024, at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital in Rapid City, S.D. He was 85.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sons, Jeff, Jim and Robert; grandson, Josh; and his brothers, Gale and Donnie.

Dale Houstman

Published by admin on Wed, 07/24/2024 - 9:15am

Dale Francis Houstman was born July 31, 1962, in Duluth, Minn., to Francis Houstman and Lois (Short) Houstman Bester.
He graduated high school from Duluth East in 1980 and earned a BS degree in wildlife management in 1984 from Eastern New Mexico University.  He served two years in the Peace Corps in (what was then) Zaire, Africa.

Ruth Baer

Published by admin on Wed, 07/17/2024 - 12:23pm

Ruth I. Baer was born Dec. 2, 1930, to William and Lydia Feickert at their homestead in Leola, S.D. Following graduation from Leola High School (Class of 1948) she married Andrew Baer in 1951.
Anxiously awaiting her arrival “on the other side” are husband of (62) years, Andrew; Jan Baer and Mike Baer.

Angie Wager

Published by admin on Wed, 07/17/2024 - 12:21pm

Angie Dee Wager was born in Aurora, Colo.,  Sept. 27, 1964, to Donald L. and Barb (Dulin) Craig. Angie attended schools in Buffalo Gap and Hot Springs, S.D. She was the proud mother of Justin Craig of Fort Collins, Colo., and Josh Wager of Box Elder, S.D.

Carmen Keupp

Published by admin on Wed, 07/17/2024 - 12:20pm

Carmen Rae (Griffiths) Keupp was born May 10, 1936, to Evan and Helen (Donegan) Griffiths. She graduated from Custer  (S.D.) High School in 1954. She loved reconnecting with her classmates over the years, always making a point to plan their class reunions to make sure they stayed in touch.

Joan Kirkham

Published by admin on Wed, 07/17/2024 - 12:19pm

Joan Kirkham was born Aug. 19, 1934, in Frederick, Ill., the daughter of James Ezekiel and Margaret Caroline Irvin Bishop. She married Edgar Kirkham April 8, 1952, in Beardstown, Ill., and he preceded her in death Jan. 10, 2016.
Joan grew up near her husband’s family in Frederick, and they had quite the village between both big families. She attended Brick School where she met Helen Litner, Patricia Schwalb, and Marilyn Seymour and they all remained close lifelong friends.
Joan then attended Beardstown High School class of 1953, and soon after was married to Edgar.