Obituaries

Charles Ballinger

Published by admin on Wed, 10/14/2026 - 1:01pm

Charles Robert Ballinger (Chuck Ballinger) was born in Polk County Mo., on April 29, 1931 to Mary Ella Human and John P. Ballinger during the Great Depression.  He was born just before the Japanese invaded Manchuria in September 1931. 
This event and his time during the Great Depression would lead for him, like most people of that time, to believe in caring for others.

Virginia Jones-Newton

Published by admin on Wed, 10/14/2026 - 1:00pm

Rebecca McCann

Published by admin on Wed, 10/14/2026 - 12:58pm

Beckie was born to Joseph and Verda Lollman Aug. 6, 1949, in LaPorte, Ind.  She married Gene McCann in LaPorte June 21, 1969.  They traveled throughout Europe and the United States for 12 years. 
Beckie became a Registered Nurse in 1981 and worked at LaPorte Hospital, retiring in 2008.  In 2010 they sold their home and belongings and RV’ed all over the 48 states for eight years.
They bought property in South Dakota in 2013, then built a house in 2018.  She enjoyed living in the Custer Highlands until her death Oct. 5. 

Matthew McCaskell

Published by admin on Wed, 10/07/2026 - 9:50am
Matthew M. McCaskell, aged 37, a lifelong Black Hills resident, passed away Sept. 3, 2026, after a battle with stomach cancer. His mother and father were blessed to be present at the time of his death. His brother and best friend, Michael, was able to speak with Matthew by telephone. Matt’s last words to his brother were “see you later,” not “goodbye.”
Matthew was born April 28, 1989, in Guatemala and adopted into the McCaskell family Dec. 7, 1990.

Fred Knuth

Published by admin on Wed, 10/07/2026 - 9:29am

Fred Carl Knuth, 101, of Hot Springs, S.D., passed away peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Fall River Health in Hot Springs.
Fred was born July 3, 1925, the third of 10 children, to William and Minnie (Poppe) Knuth on the family farm in Lake Belt Township, rural Dunnell, Minn. Fred once said, with a twinkle in his eye, that he was born breech on the dining room table.

Betty Jo Nicholls

Published by admin on Wed, 09/23/2026 - 10:51am

Betty Jo Nicholls, 92, of Custer, S.D., passed away Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. 
She was born in Marshall, Mo., to John William and Elsbeth Bernice Gillam. She was the eldest of three girls and one boy. Her father worked for the Corps of Engineers, resulting in numerous moves throughout her childhood. Her most notable years were in the idyllic town of Pickstown, S.D., during the building of the Ft. Randall Dam, and this is where she graduated high school.

Agnes Baumann

Published by admin on Wed, 09/23/2026 - 10:50am

Agnes Esther (Sogge) Baumann was born May 20, 1963, in Sturgis, S.D., to John and Anna Sogge.  “Aggy” arrived six minutes before her twin brother, Keith and joined other siblings, Laura, Dale and Neil.  
Home was on a farm near Fruitdale, S.D., for six years before the family moved to Spearfish, S.D.  Many hours were spent playing football with the boys and running “cross country.”
After graduating from Spearfish High School in 1981, she attended college at Black Hills State and Northern State and received a BS in Special Education.  

Rudolph Stender

Published by admin on Wed, 09/23/2026 - 10:49am

Rudolph James “Jim” Stender, 91, of Custer, S.D., passed away peacefully Sept. 18, 2026, in Rapid City, S.D.
Jim spent his childhood between Custer and Edgemont, S.D. After graduating from Edgemont High School in 1953, he proudly enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany.  

Dennis Wicks

Published by admin on Wed, 09/16/2026 - 2:37pm

Dennis Ray Wicks, 84, of Custer, S,D., passed away Sept. 10, 2026.
Dennis was born Feb. 28, 1942, in Montrose, S.D., to Morris and Ruth Wicks. He grew up on the family farm in Montrose and graduated from Montrose High School in 1960. He continued his education at Augustana University before attending medical school at the University of South Dakota.

Herb Pavlisick

Published by admin on Wed, 09/16/2026 - 2:37pm

Herb Pavlisick, age 85, passed to Heaven May 24, 2026, following a battle with dementia.
Herb was born Oct. 30, 1940 (10/30/40 like a quart of oil) to Adolph “Otto” Pavlisick and Mary (Delost) Pavlisick in Paonia, Colo. 
The family lived in Bowie, Colo., before moving to Paonia permanently. 
Herb graduated from Paonia High School in 1958. He married the love of his life, Carol Lynn Bieber, in 1961. Together they raised their children, Denise and Michael.