Class Obituaries
A special thanks to friends, family, and classmates for contributing to our obit files.

Briggs, Dennis ... (Family Correspondence - 2004)

Arthur Dennis Briggs, Jr. Born November 20, 1937 at Watertown SD. Arthur was the son of Arthur and Margaret Hall Briggs. He grew up on a farm northwest of Florence, SD, and attended a country school in the Florence area. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1955. He worked at Old Home Bakery for a number of years. He then moved to Spokane, WA and to Anaheim, CA. He returned to Watertown in 1966 and returned to farming. Arthur loved sports, hunting and fishing. He married Barbara Enger who passed away in 1973 and then married Kathy Amundson.

Arthur passed away on May 27, 1997 at the age of 59 years, 6 months and 7 days. Surviving are his parents, Mr. And Mrs. Arthur Briggs, Sr. of Watertown; one sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Harold Ziegler of Milbank, SD; four sons and two daughters-in-law, Rick and Julie Briggs of Watertown; Randy and Judy Briggs of Ely, NV; Kelly Briggs of Sioux Falls; and Ronnie Cordell of Watertown; one daughter, Carie Balster of West Fargo, ND. Arthur had ten grandchildren.

Davis, Leola Boomgaarden... (Watertown Public Opinion)

Former Watertown, SD resident Mrs. (Donald) Leola Fern Boomgaarden, 57, Braham, MN, died Saturday, July 9, 1994 in Cambridge hospital. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Grace Baptist Church in Pine City with the Rev. Bill Messer officiating. Burial will be in the Birchwood Cemetery at Pine City. Honorary pallbearers will be Donovan, LeRoy, S. Michael, Ira and Mark Davis. Active pallbearers will be Bill Boomgaarden, Lee, Jesse, and Jeff Davis and Bernie and Ronnie Rimnac. Special music will be presented by LeRoy Davis, Sara Ladd and Tina Tramp. The Rock-Randall Funeral Home of Braham is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Boombaarden was born September 12, 1936, in Watertown to Ira and Viola Davis. She attended school in Watertown and graduated from high school there in 1955. She worked for AT&T as a telephone operator. On December 22, 1962, she married Donald Boomgaarden in Sioux Falls, SD. They made their home in Inver Grove Heights until 1974 when they moved to a farm near Braham. In 1981 Mrs. Boomgaarden received her associate of arts in business administration. She then commuted to St. Cloud State College where she received a bachelor of arts degree in business administration in 1985. Following college she returned to work as a service representative for AT&T. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband of RR2, Braham, MN: four daughters, Mrs. (Thomas) Lori Miller and Lisa Boomgaarden, both of Richfield, Lynae Boomgaarden of Racine,Wis., and LeAnn Boomgaarden of Braham; five brothers, Donovan Davis and his wife, Gail, S. Michael Davis and his wife, Margaret, and Ira Davis and his wife, Virginia, all of Watertown, LeRoy Davis and his wife, Judy , of Cottage Grove; and Mark Davis and his wife, Anita, of Omaha, Neb.; and three sisters, Luann Kroschel and Mrs. (Pat) Linda Walsh, both of Watertown, and LaVae Schwalm of Prescott, Wisc.
DeWall, Sharon Andre'... (Family Correspondence - Feb. 2005)

November 10, 1937 - January 30, 2005. Devoted mother of Victoria Andre' Phipps and Jeffrey Andre's, Sr., son-in-law, Jason Phipps, daughter-in-law, Stacey Andre', grandson, Jeffrey Andre' Jr., and step-grandson, Justin Salter. Sharon also left behind two sisters, Jackie Weaver and Barbara Menzler, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Sharon was born in Watertown, SD, where she graduated from Watertown High School, class of 1955. Sharon moved to California in 1956, where she married and raised her two children. Sharon worked as teacher's assistant and later worked for over 23 years as an administrative clerk for the Concord Police Department. After she retired, Sharon graduated from Diablo Valley College with her Associate of Arts Degree. Sharon will be missed by her many family members and friends. Sharon will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor, her lively spirit, and her consideration and generosity towards others. You touched us all, Sharon, in a very special way. A celebration of Sharon's life will be held on Friday, February 4, 2005, anytime from 4-8PM at the Concord Police Academy, located at 5060 Avila Rd. in Concord. Family and friends are invited.
Fox, Joan Smisson... (Letter from Joan's husband in Oct. 2004)

Kermit;

Your letter came to the correct address for Joan (Fox)Smisson. She had graduated from Watertown High in the Class of 1955.

I am Dr. David C. Smisson, her husband. Joannie died last April 14th of a massive heart attack. I am a cardiologist and we took her by air ambulance to Billings, MT where they did a heart catheterization and found that the opening into the main artery to her heart muscle was blocked down to pinhole size. She also had apparently had rheumatic fever as a child along with most of her brothers and sisters and her heart valves were severely damaged. Her aortic valve was barely moving with each heart beat. They were taking her immediately after the heart cath to the operating room but she died on the way to the O.R. and the doctors were unable to resuscitate her.

Joan had graduated from Nursing School at Kansas City, MO in 1958. We were married in Sept 1960. We had six children, the oldest of whom is David Jr. David is a Dentist and a Lt. Col. in the Army and is serving in Korea. He an his wife have 4 children. Fourteen months after David was born, we had a set of twins, Rick and AnneMarie. Rick is married and has two boys and a third child on the way. He is also a Senior Financial Analyst for Best Buy in the headquarters in Minneapolis. Anne Marie is not married and she takes care of quadriplegics, also in Minneapolis. Two and a half years after the twins were born, Joannie gave birth to triplet girls. They are all well and all three live and work in Orange County, California. They are Sherry, Vicky and Angela. When they were born, we had six children, the oldest of whom was 3 years old. Sherry and Vicky each have two children, a boy and a girl for each. Angela has no children but she and her husband plan to adopt. She is running in the San Francisco marathon tomorrow (Oct 24).

I have retired from the practice of medicine and am about to leave for my 50th College reunion in Charleston, S.C. Immediately after that, I will be driving to southern California where I will spend the winter with my three daughters there. I miss Joannie terribly. No one could ever take her place. We were married for almost 44 years at the time of her death.

Thank you for asking about her. I am just so sad about the circumstances.

Sincerely,
David C. Smisson, M.D.
smisson@midrivers.com   ...Note...David Smisson sent a few pictures of Joan to share with us... Family Photos

Gillies, Jeannene Hoffman... (Watertown Public Opinion)

Jeannene Gillies Hoffman, age 57, died Sunday, July 17 (1994) after a long battle with cancer.
Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Mrs. Hoffman was born April 25th, 1937 in Watertown to John A. and Bessie (Fairbanks) Gillies. She graduated from Watertown High School in 1955. She married Harold Hoffman Nov. 2, 1967 at Watertown. She was employed by Murphy Finance, later by AVCO Finance, and then by the Credit Bureau since 1980. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary.

Jeannene is survived by a son, Terry of Watertown, a daughter, Mrs (Tom) Cheryl Dorneman of Watertown, her mother Bessie Link of Watertown; two brothers, Terry Gillies and Leslie Gillies; a sister, Mrs (Charles) Sonja Welch of Watertown and five grandchildren.
Hayford, Sharon Rae Mooney... (San Diego Newspaper)

Sharon Rae Mooney, 66, formerly of Watertown, S.D., died Friday, July 25, 2003, in San Diego. CA.

Memorial services will be held at the Clairemont Mortuary, 4266 Mt. Abernathy Avenue, San Diego, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 2, at 2 p.m. Memorials may be sent to the San Diego Humane Society. Sharon Hayford Mooney was born in Watertown Sept. 3, 1936, to Vera and Ray Hayford. She married Ronald Mooney in 1954 and during the course of her life she lived in Brookings, S.D.; Minneapolis; Keiserslaughter, Germany; Huntsville, Ala.; and settled in San Diego in 1973.

She has worked at the San Diego Blood Bank for the past 30 years where she will always be remembered by the many blood donors she worked with daily and her co-workers who were always such an important part of her life. Sharon was a loved and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many.

She is survived by her son, David of Green Mountain Falls, Colo.; one granddaughter; and her sister JoAnn Landuyt of Fergus Falls, Minn.
Helle, James... (Tahuya, Washington Newspaper)

Former Watertown, SD resident James Thomas Helle, died December 19, 1998. Private family services were held. The family requests any memorials be designated to Mason County FPD # 8 Aid Department, Tahuya, WA 9858. He was born May 21, 1937 in Watertown to Robert and Mary Helle. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Carole Helle of Tahya; a son and daughter-in-law, Gregory and Arland of Snohomis, WA; a daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and John Connors of Mountlake Terrace, WA; three grandchildren; and two sisters, Elizabeth “Betty” McDaniel of Warsaw, MO, and Ruth Sargent of Ridgecrest, CA.

Hemstock, Cliff... (Watertown Public Opinion)

Memorial services for former Watertown resident Clifford Ernest Hemstock, 58, Springdale, Ark., will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the First United Methodist Church with the Rev Jim Pomeroy officiating. Private burial will be in the Mount Hope Cemetery. Mr.. Hemstock died Tuesday August 8, 1995 in a Springdale hospital from injuries he received in an automobile accident in Springdale. Honorary pallbearers are Richard Lee, Stuart Ables, Dennis Ashley, Troy Schmidt, Bob Payne, Kendall Proctor, Steve Belatti, Joe Hemmer, Harley Hansen, Dick Yetter, Chuck Sheehan and John H. Johnson.

Mr. Hemstock was born July 17, 1937, at Watertown to Ernest and Phyllis (Momyer) Hemstock. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1955 and the University of South Dakota in Vermillion in 1959. He served in the US Army. He moved to the Springdale area in 1980 from North Little Rock, Ark. He married Irene Hunter September 4, 1965, and operated Rainbow Fireworks in Arkansas and was a member of the United Methodist Church in Springdale. He is survived by his wife of Springdale; a daughter, Billie Watson of Springdale; his mother of Watertown; a sister and her husband, Carol and John H. Johnson of Florence SD; and three grandchildren.
Keller, Hilda "Skip" McRoden... ( from Memorial Services )

Hilda "Skip" Marie McRoden, daughter of Gordon W. and Nettie J. (Bale) Keller, was born March 10, 1937, at Bradley, SD, moving with her family to Watertown shortly thereafter. She was confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church. In 1955 Skip graduated from Watertown High School where she was active in acrobatics and cheerleading.

On August 24, 1957 she married Leigh McRoden at Grace Lutheran Church. Following her marriage, she moved to Davenport, IA where she lived until moving to Florida about seven years ago. Skip was employed by Albertson’s Store in West Palm Beach. She enjoyed working with crafts and watching baseball.

Hilda “Skip” McRoden passed away Tuesday, June 13, 1995, at a West Palm Beach hospital as a result of injuries suffered on May 22 after being hit by a van as she was crossing a street. She had reached the age of 58 years, 3 months and 3 days at the time of her death.

Skip is survived by her husband, her mother, she has two daughters: Kerri Bollman of West Palm Beach, Fl and Laurie Reeves of Davenport, IA. Her sister June Boadwine of St. Paul, MN and 4 grandchildren, Jessica and Michael Bollman of West Palm Beach, FL, and Travis and Daniel Reeves of Davenport, IA., a niece, Pastor Kathy Boadwine of Burlington, WI, and a nephew Clark Boadwine of Shoreview, MN. .
Marquardt, Helen... (Family Memorial Service)

Helen was born in Watertown on January 5, 1937 in a household of "three Helens"--Grandma Helen, Aunt Helen and "little Helen".  She died in Sioux City, IA on June 4, 2002 after five years of Alzheimer's dementia.  After graduating from WHS, she attended Macalester College in St. Paul where she earned a B.A. in elementary education in 1959.  That same year she married Ted Roman.  For the next nineteen years she moved around the country with Ted who was in training and practicing medicine.  They lived in New Jersey; Rosebud and Martin, SD; Rochester, MN; Iowa City and Waterloo, IA; and finally to Sioux City where they lived until Helen's death.  Along the way, she taught elementary students and worked in medical office administration. 

For the last twenty years, Helen focused on the Sioux City First United Methodist Church activities singing in the choir, being co-lay leader of the congregation, and holding offices in many church organizations.  This church in many ways resembles the Watertown First Methodist Church in design, rich wood and beautiful music.  When Helen was attending school in Watertown, the church activities were very important to her.  She loved especially the music.  This was evident at her funeral where the congregation honored her with the music she liked best.

Helen's survivors include her husband, Dr. Ted Roman; three daughters and sons-in-law; six grandchildren; and two sisters.  Among her many cousins include Chuck and Ruth Olson and Mary Marquardt.
Middleton, Dick... (Letter from Dick's wife in Feb. 2004)

Hi Kermit, I found your letter; yes, Dick was sort of a quiet guy who did not care for reunions even though I encouraged him. He just passed away at 66 on Feb. 3rd from cancer and brain tumors. He went to the other side where hopefully he can keep golfing and fishing and hunting. He loved life and had 3 wonderful sons and 2 grandsons and I love him for 37 years. I am Swiss.

He just finished building a place in the mountains of Idaho on 10 acres and we have lived here in Arizona during the winter for the past 7 years. We were so happy that he took early retirement at age 57.

Mark (his son) has made a web site for his Dad that you may visit and see our memories of Dick before he " disappeared from the face of the earth". Never a dull moment!!!

Vreny (Middleton)   Dick's Memorial Service   and...   www.dickmiddleton.com
Mondloch, Richard Richard "Dick" Mondloch was born in Watertown, South Dakota on September 25,1937 to Edwin and Kathlyn (Wilcox) Mondloch. He had four siblings: three brothers, Robert, Johny and Arnie and one sister, Kay. Dick had three children; Scott, Vckie and Michael. He happily welcomed his daughter in law - Gail. He took great pleasure in spending time with his six grandchildren; Amber, Lacey, Samatha, Jessica, Sarah and Rachel.

Dick grew up in South Dakota and attended Watertown High School where he was a linebacker, center and team captain in his senior year for the Watetown Arrows. He graduated from high school on May 27, 1955. He then set off to college eventually earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 1960. He married Mary Ann MacDonald in 1957 and they started a family.

Over the years he traveled all over the world selling, and educating others on the wonders of operating computers. He worked for GE, Honeywell, and many start-up companies, Thomas Engineering and Tandem Computers where he retired.

After retiring, he resided in Lafayette/Walnut Creek, CA until he was asked by a friend (Steve) in 1993 to help him build a home in Murphys. Richard created the plans for the house and helped facilitate the construction. After completing the house, he enjoyed the area so much he decided to build his own home there. He bought his lot on Darby Russel Road in 1955 and started building.

In 1966, Richard opened his first internet account and was very excited about the possibiities the new techonology could offer, little to his knowledge this would be his new found hobby. This started his research into his family genealogy where he consumed many hours of research on the computer, in the library, on the phone and in recent years traveling to Utah, looking for names, dates and places people were born, thrived and died. He traced back all the way to the 1600's on his paternal side and the 1700's on his maternal side. He was on his way to publishing his research/work on his very own web page, so that others could continue his work in the future.

Dick lovingly welcomed his two teenaged grandaughters, Amber and Lacey into his home. "Grandpa" looked after them throughout high school and part of their college careers as a father would.

Over the last 7 years he has also helped his son, Michael, and his wife Gail, with their house additions. However, it wasn't all work and no play; they were able to explore the beautiful Sierras that Dick loved so much. Showing his adventurous side, he accompanied Mike on several off-road excursions.

Sarah and Rachel are honored to have enjoyed so much time with their 'Papa'. He would play from morning to night with them. At breakfast he always allowed them to have spoonfuls of sugar on their cereal (as long as they didn't tell mom) and before bed were given the famous horse back ride. The girls begged to go to 'Papas' house and play in the snow. His favorite phrase was, "I am going to get some button". They knew to run fast before he would tickle them.

He was also able to spend a lot of time with his son, Scott. One of his favorite outings was going to New Melones, and riding the wave runner, where yet again his adventurous side would lead him to explore the lake for hours at a time. Dick took pleasure in Scott's never ending gifts. Scott in the last few years bought him all the new and latest technology. He relished the challenges of his new 'toys' - a new digital camera, the DVD player and surround sound, and his X box which he spent hours playing, along with his computer fascination.

Although his daughter, Vickie, lived in Nevada with two of his younger granddaughters, he was still able to enjoy them. He spent memorable times with them such as rafting down the American River. Another favorite past-time with Sam and Jessie was visiting historic Columbia and the surrounding foothills.

Recently he attended his 50th High School Class Reunion. He was very ecstatic about going back to South Dakota, especially after creating the 1955 Class website which included bios and pictures of classmates, news, facts and information on Watertown and South Dakota.

Over the years, Dick had many hobbies. He enjoyed going back to South Dakota and other places to hunt and fish. In his younger years he played tennis, golfed and while his children were young, had annual houseboat trips with his family to Lake Shasta and camped. More recently, his computer and vidio games were his favorites.

Dick was a wonderful dad, a great 'papa', a dear friend, a builder, someone everyone enjoyed being around. He was loved for his personal humor, his contagious laugh, his stories and longggg conversations or long winded explanations, his emails, advice, and willingness to help. He will be missed deeply by all who knew him. XOXO!!

Pickert, Gar.....  

Notice was posted in the Minneapolis Tribune. Gar Pickert, Minneapolis, MN passed away on May 19, 2006.
Randolph, Denise... (Family Correspondence)

Denise (Jo) Randolph, After graduating, Jo moved to California and married Dick Gergen. They had two children. Deb Gergen, born in 1956 and Rich Gergen, born in 1957. She and Dick later divorced and she married William Krause. Jo & William lived in Fresno, Ca. where he worked for Dow Chemical. They have two children. Mike, born in 1961 and Jeannie, born in 1963.

Jo was an avid Rams (LA) football fan and loved to bowl and dance. She also enjoyed picnics and going to the lake. Jo worked for Catholic Charities as a secretary. She also worked at the Fresno County Credit Union until her death. Jo passed away from cancer in 1979.
Steinkogler, Larry... (Watertown Public Opinion Article)

Lawrence Steinkogler, 18, Watertown, a freshman student at South Dakota State College, was killed Monday night when his car left Highway 77 eight miles north of Brookings. He and his wife, married only five weeks ago, were returning to the campus from his home in Watertown. The car went into the ditch and hit a tree. Mrs. Steinkogler, the former Carol Schmeling, a senior in Brookings High School was not hurt. Deputy Sheriff John Moe of Brookings investigated the accident and said the cause was not known. Moe reported that the highway was wet and it was raining a little but the road was not too slippery. He said the accident occurred at about 9 p.m. Steinkogler, whose father is a Watertown alderman, was the 33rd person to die this year on a South Dakota highway. Last year at this date the figure was 39.

The Steinkogler’s lived at 1122 3rd St, Brookings, SD. They were married in Vermillion on February 25th. Time of the funeral service will be announced later. Burial will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery. The body is at the Shaw-Messer Chapel here until the time of the service. Larry Steinkogler was born on November 1, 1937 in Watertown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence W. Steinkogler. Besides his wife and parents, he leaves three sisters, Marjorie, Janice and Joan, all at home: two brothers, Gary Lee and Michael, also at home: and his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Rosalia Steinkogler, Watertown. His grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Yetter, and Anton Steinkogler preceded him in death.

(Larry’s high school graduation picture appeared along with the published article. Larry’s sister Marjorie Steinkogler Solem, who is living in Clear Lake, SD, provided the information for this WHS class history. She said Larry worked at Wolter’s Direct Service in Watertown during high school and on weekends while attending SDSU)
Zandra Thompson Chamley....Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Zandra Chamley of Sioux Falls, SD
Published: January 18, 2009

Sioux Falls - Zandra Faye Chamley, age 71, passed away Friday, January 16, 2009 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD after a very short battle with cancer. Visitation will begin at 12 pm Monday, January 19, 2009, with the family present from 5 to 7 pm at Miller Funeral Home, 13th & Main. A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, January 20, 2009, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church with burial at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

Zandra was born on August 19, 1937 to Dr. Marion and Illa (Stevens) Thompson in Sioux Falls, SD. She grew up in Aberdeen and Watertown, graduating from Watertown High School in 1955. In 1959, she graduated from South Dakota State University with a major in English and a minor in German.

After teaching for one year in Sioux City, IA, she was united in marriage to Gary Chamley on 6/7/60. They made their first home in Oldham, SD where they were teachers. They lived and taught for one year in Richfield, MN before settling in Adrian, MN. She went back to school for two summers to earn her librarian degree and accomplished the computerization of the Adrian School libraries. She was honored as Teacher of the Year in 1978 and again in 1997. After enriching the lives of students for 33 years, she retired in 1997. Although she retired professionally, there was nothing she loved more than answering the grammar questions of her daughters and grandchildren.

Zandra was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD. Throughout her life, she established and maintained numerous close friendships. She enjoyed playing Bridge and other card games with her friends and family. She loved to bake and was "into" whatever craft was popular including ceramics, knitting, crocheting, jewelry making, card making, scrap booking and more. She was an avid fan of her daughters and grandchildren´s school activities and sporting events, especially volleyball. She loved to travel, and time spent with friends and family was very important to her. There was nothing she loved more than to be needed.

Grateful for sharing her life were her husband, Gary, her daughters, Kelly (Steve) Rud, Sioux Falls, SD and Kristi Heitkamp, Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Cole Heitkamp, Dani Heitkamp, Chelsea Rud and Catelyn Rud, all of Sioux Fall, SD; a brother, Jerry (Diane) Thompson, Watertown, SD and a sister, Pat (Leon) Horst, Prior Lake, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Dr. George Thompson.


Tritz, Henry... (Family Correspondence)

Henry Tritz and Don (Tritz) farmed in a partnership after graduation from high school. The partnership continued until Henry’s death in 1963. Henry married Monica Solter in Slayton, MN in May of 1963. Henry died in October 1963 in a pheasant hunting accident on opening day of the pheasant season. Monica gave birth to a son Michael on July 9, 1964. Mike lives in Woodbury, MN. Mike is married and has two sons and a daughter. Monica remarried and had three sons from her second marriage. Monica’s second husband died from a heart attack a few years ago. Monica was widowed twice before she was 55 years old. Mike has kept the name Tritz and he still keeps in contact with Don’s family.

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