Obituaries

John Robert Longcor, born March 22, 1945, and passed away Sunday, September 29. John is survived by his four children, Lyn Longcor of Rapid City, SD, Tina Longcor of Denver, CO, Michael Longcor of Hornell, NY, and Bill (Brittny) Longcor, children Averie and Jett of Valentine; he is also survived by sister, Loleta (David) Kvien of Sioux Falls, SD.

Donald William Lowder was born in Glenrock, WY January 16, 1942, to Robert Joseph Lowder and Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Rodigger. He went to heaven September 23, 2024.

Jackson Lee Mayhew was the unique and wonderful creation of the LORD, whom He entrusted t o Norman Pratt and Ellen Marie (Cox) Mayhew. The LORD brought him into this fallen world on October 8, 1942 in Cody. He was the second of three such blessings to Norman and Marie, along with older brother Sidney and younger brother Daniel.

David Wayne Rodgers, age 76 of Ottertail, MN, died peacefully surrounded by family on September 27th, 2024 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Dave was born October 23, 1947 in Plainview, the son of Wayne and Miriam (Maple) Rodgers. He grew up on the Pine Canyon Ranch in the Sandhills of Nebraska along the Niobrara River near Valentine. While in high school in Valentine, Dave enjoyed all sports and was proud of placing in state in wrestling. After high school, Dave attended the University of Nebraska from 1966-1970 where he majored in Range Management and Agronomy and was active in AgMen Fraternity. In 1972, Dave graduated with a Master’s Degree in Animal Science from South Dakota State University. After graduate school, Dave was united in marriage to Jeanne Dugan and together they had five children. For five years, Dave worked at the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center before farming and ranching in the Strawberry Lake area of McLean County, ND, in the 80s and 90s. He served on the McLean County Fair Board, the Missouri Slope Irrigation Development Board, and was active with 4-H. On June 5, 1999, Dave was married to Teri Miller. Dave moved back to Valentine, where he ranched on his family’s Pine Canyon Ranch with Teri and her daughter Kristi before retiring to Ottertail, MN. During retirement, Dave spent time with Teri, his beloved dog Button, fished with his family, and attended his grandchildren’s sporting events. Dave will be remembered as a lifelong fisherman, for his love of dogs and horses, sports, hunting, and ranching. He was energetic, full of life, and enjoyed working hard. He had great love for his wife Teri, his dog Button, and all his children and their families.

Todd Martin ‘Marty’ Jordan was born July 5, 1971 to Willis Terry ‘Todd’ and Linda Jordan. He was the first of two boys with a younger brother John Michael ‘Mike’ Jordan. Marty attended Valentine Community Schools where he excelled with athletics, academics and socially. Marty had many lifelong friends from his youth. After graduating high school, he attended Colby College to play golf and spent time in Phoenix, AZ and Holdrege, but returned to Valentine to help care for his mother and help run their family restaurant.

Kenneth was born on New Year’s Day 1937 to Albert and Virginia Churchill and died at home September 7, 2024. He was married to Lila Drybread; they raised two boys, Brad and Linn, along with many others that would work for them over the years. Some of those became friends that might as well have been family.

Helen Maxine Stokely, 92, of Valentine, died September 9, 2024 at her home. Memorial Mass was Saturday, September 14 , 2024 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine. Burial at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation and Vigil Service was held Friday evening at the church. Memorials may be made to House of Mary Shrine, PO Box 455, Yankton, SD 57078 or Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska, 1316 Peger Rd., Fairbanks, AK 997095168. Arrangements by Stokely Funeral Home.

Robert “Bob” Walter Kluender, of Valentine, passed away August 31, 2024, at the age of 83. He was born n June 21, 1941, in Ainsworth, to Walter and Mary (Foster) Kluender.

Dorothy Ann Quigley was born in Valentine, October 23, 1941 to Garland “Gale” and Irene “Tiny” (Hutchinson) Lighthill. She passed away in Valentine, August 19, 2024 at the age of 82 years.

Rodney Allen Hockenbary was born July 23, 1937, in Rapid City, SD to Ralph and Adelaide (Boomer) Hockenbary. He was raised north of Allen, SD on the parents’ homestead and attended country school near Allen. He attended eighth grade in Brookings, SD and then high school in Kadoka where he met his future wife, Theresa. They were married November 22, 1958.