Riley Vander Esch, 21, of Sioux Falls, passed away Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, surrounded by her family at her home after a 15-month battle with Diffuse Midline Glioma. Her funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at St. Mary’s University Chapel, 2500 Park Ave., in Winona, Minn. Visitation with the family present will take place from 12 to 2 p.m., also at the University. On Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, the family will be present for a visitation between 1-4 p.m. at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls. A private family burial will be held on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, at Polish Cemetery in Lesterville, S.D.
Obituaries
During National Newspaper Week, we should all ask what would happen if our local newspaper suddenly disappeared.
Our community would lose more than headlines.
Alvin “Sonny” Cletus Wieneke, 87, of Luverne, Minn., passed away Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage, surrounded by his family after a brief battle with lymphatic cancer.
Funeral Mass was held Monday, Oct. 5, 2026 at St. Catherine Catholic Church, Luverne. Burial with full military honors was in the St. Catherine Cemetery.
Charles Edward Madison, 87, of Brandon, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at Heartland Funeral Home in Brandon. Family and friends are invited to gather to remember Charles, share stories, and celebrate his life.
Dianne Loraine Gustafson, 75, Sioux Falls, SD, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Good Samaritan Society in Howard.
A Celebration of Life is planned from 5-7p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, at Heartland Funeral Home in Brandon.
Freddy “Butch” Henry Cain, 73, of Sioux Falls, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, surrounded by his daughters. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, at George Boom Funeral Home in Sioux Falls.
Shonna Lynn Haugen, 56, of Sioux Falls, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
A private family service was held to celebrate Shonna’s life.
Gerald “Jerry” Wayne Mead, 75, of Brandon, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026.
Visitation will be held from 12-1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Augustana Lutheran Church, 921 11th Ave., Clarkfield, Minn. Funeral service follow at 1 p.m.
Aaron L. Gnadt, 54, of Fort Collins, Colo., passed away Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Banner Health North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, Colo. He had two plus years of health struggles, and eventually succumbed to his failing kidneys and liver. His sister, Marissa, was at his side for the last week, and was there to help assure that he didn’t pass alone and in pain.
Renee Lynn (Hennings) Brokaw, 56, of Sioux Falls, passed away Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at Avera McKennan Hospital, surrounded by loved ones.
A Celebration of Life for Renee will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Heartland Funeral Home in Brandon.
