Obituaries

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.

Craig Alan Welliver, 73, of Lead, SD passed away at home on Saturday, May 20, 2023. Craig was born in Lexington to Vernon and Elleanor (Dodge) Welliver on February 18, 1950.

Ralph Elden Salyards passed away on Thursday May 11, 2023 at Gordon Countryside care at the ripe old age of 77. He was born on February 9, 1946, to Elden and Fern (Papke) Salyards in Sterling, CO. He was the oldest of three children and attended school in Haxtun, CO where he graduated. He was shortly thereafter drafted into the US Army on December 22, 1965. He was honorably discharged into reserves in November 1967 and was honorably discharged completely from the Army in 1971.

Viola Louise Nollett was born on June 13, 1934 to Peter N. and Rosetta (Robertson) Nollett at her parents rural Todd County, SD home where she grew up. As she was the only child, she spent a lot of quality time with her Dad and became his “hired man”, helping with the farming, haying and caring for the cattle, sheep and hogs. She attended grade school at Bull Creek Country School. She graduated from Valentine High School in 1952. The last semester of High School she worked mornings at the Nebraska State Bank and then full time after graduation. Duties were teller, posting machine operator and proof machine operator for two years as that was a new machine in the banking industry.

Arline J. Lurz, 83, formerly of Beemer, died Monday, May 8, 2023 at Parson’s House in Omaha. Funeral service was Tuesday, May 16 at United Methodist Church in Wisner with Rev. Chuck Rager officiating. Private family interment will be at a later date at Harmony Cemetery, rural Valentine. Memorials may be made to the Beemer Senior Center and Beemer American Legion Auxiliary. Arrangements by Stokely Funeral Home.

Earlene ( Ruff) Kuhl, 100, of North Platte, formerly of Valentine, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at Linden Court. Earlene was born on December 16, 1922 in North Bend, the daughter of Earl and Lula (Settles) Ruff.