Obituaries

Alma was born on February 19, 1939 in Pine Ridge, SD to Thomas and Jeanette (Ross) Conroy. Alma was the second eldest of five children. She grew up on the Pine Ridge reservation and graduated high school in 1957 from OCHS in Pine Ridge as Valedictorian of her class. She then attended the University of South Dakota, later transferring to St. Mary’s school of Nursing where she received her LPN degree.

Niel D. Stoecker Sr., 84, of Grand Island, passed away on May 30, 2023 at CHI Health St. Francis. Funeral services were held June 2, 2023 at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. Burial with military honors was in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Atkinson.

Robert “Bob” D. Tuttle was born on February 19, 1938, to Emily V. (Vaughn) and Robert C. Tuttle in Valentine. Bob was united in marriage to Mavis R. Patterson on April 28, 1956, at the Methodist Church in Springview. To this union eight children were born: Robin, Shari, Cindy, Breck, Chris, Kelly, Paige, and Heath.

Ivan Ray Reagle was born February 13,1947 in Valentine, to Arthur and Blanche (Howe) Reagle of rural Todd County, SD and passed away peacefully in his home on May 27, 2023. Ivan graduated from Todd County High School in 1965 and took one year of college in North Platte.

Rickie Lee Galloway, the second son of Walter R. and Margaret Morton Galloway, was born June 2, 1948 in Valentine, and died May 26, 2023 in Omaha.

Roger L. Studeny, age 75, of Hager City, WI passed away unexpectedly at his home on May 23, 2023. Roger was born on April 18,1948 to Henry (Hank) and Doris (Hutchison) Studeny in Valentine. Roger graduated from Valentine High School in 1966. He moved to Red Wing, MN in 1971. On May 17, 1972, Roger was united in marriage to Doris Spracken in Mitchell, SD. They were blessed with three children, John, Sarah and Ivy. For the past 26 years, Roger drove truck for Hager City Express where he received an award for driving six million accident-free miles. Roger was a member of the Church of St. Joseph in Red Wing, MN, the Knights of Columbus and the NR A.

Arvella Rae Foster was born July 25, 1935, at home to Floyd and Beatrice Polen Foster and passed away May 27, 2023 at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth. She received her education through the 8th grade in a little country school near where she grew up and graduated from Valentine High School in 1953.

Richard Daniel Reese, a cherished resident of Valentine, and beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away in Wicken burg, AZ at his home on May 14, 2023. Born in Valentine on September 22, 1952, Richard spent most of his life in the town he loved, where he made lasting connections and left an indelible mark on the community. Richard’s life was defined by his dedication to his family, his unwavering work ethic, and his passion for giving back to the community through his service with the Valentine Fire Department.

Karen Kay Fowler was born on July 17, 1954 in Ainsworth to Carloss “Gene” and Jacqueline Joan (Witt) Fowler. She passed away on May 22, 2023 in Valentine, at the age of 68 years old at the Cherry County Hospital in Valentine after a brave and courageous battle with Kidney Failure and Pancreatic Cancer.

Gary was born to G. Leonard and Mary (Clark) McCormick on February 13, 1943 in Ainsworth. He attended grade School in a one room schoolhouse northeast of Sparks and graduated from Keya Paha County High School in Springview. He married Carol Smith of Ainsworth in 1960, moved to Colorado, and became an accomplished bricklayer. From this union four children were born: Gerry, Sonia, Bruce, and Brandi. Gary started his own company in 1968 specializing in custom fireplaces. He loved the outdoors, running a small crew, and creating what he called beautiful works of art. He never had to advertise as his reputation of integrity, fairness, and professionalism was well known. His free time passions were fishing, hunting, camping, and exploring new entrepreneurial adventures. He bought a bowling alley in 1975 to balance the slow winter months. He and Carol divorced in 1988, he then moved back home to Sparks, continued masonry work, and bought some cattle. He loved returning to the broad grasslands. He married Barbara Pearson in May of 1990 in Valentine. Gary wholeheartedly embraced her three children Gina, Billie Jo, and Kent into his expanded family.