Herbert “Herb” G. Townsend, 72, Brandon, died Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, after dementia slowly stole away the pieces that he needed to be whole.
Obituaries
Funeral services for Jean Audrey Den Herder, 87, of Valley Springs, were held Monday, March 16, 2026, at First Lutheran Church, Valley Springs.
Linda Craft, 75, of Sioux Falls, died Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls. Her memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2026, at Memorial Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Visitation with the family present will take place one hour prior, also at the church.
Janet Rae Sunde, 91, Brandon, died Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Sanford Centennial Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls.
Shirley Laird, 84, of Sioux Falls, died Saturday, March 14, 2026, at her home. A service will be held at a later date.
Sharon Sue Budd was born on Oct. 1, 1946, in Fort Wayne, Ind., to Robert and Helen (Mehlbrech) Budd. She grew up outside of Canistota, S.D., where she attended country school and later Canistota Public School. During her childhood, she enjoyed spending time with her horse, Lighting, and her dog, Rocky. Sharon was a member of the 4-H Club and learned many of the skills she loved – sewing, gardening, and baking – from her grandmother, Edith Mehlbrech.
Sharon worked at John Morrell’s, which she fondly referred to as the “Pig House,” in the pork trim department trimming neck bones. After the major strike in 1987, she worked as a waitress, always going above and beyond to make ends meet. In 1991, she began driving semi-truck over the road for Bibb’s, traveling across the country, most often to the West Coast. Even while trucking, she continued working part-time at the Brandon Steakhouse for many years during her days home from the road.
Marion A. Timm, 76 of Brandon, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Sanford Hospice Centennial Cottage in Sioux Falls. Her funeral service will be 1 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2026, at Sure Foundation Lutheran Church, 617 E. Redwood Blvd., Brandon. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. at the church with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls. Visit georgeboom.com for the guestbook and livestream link.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Marion’s memory may consider sending a donation to the Sure Foundation Lutheran Church Endowment Fund or to a foundation created in her name, Marion’s Song, to First Bank and Trust, c/o Marion’s Song, 110 N. Minnesota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104.
Marion was born to Eldern and Margaret Bleck in Fairfax, Minn. She grew up alongside her five siblings – Ruth, Jeanine, Gerald, Dianne, and Grace – and her beloved grandfather, Gustave aka “Grandpa Gust”, whose presence and influence were deeply meaningful in her early life. Those early years helped shape the values of faith, family, and hard work that would define the incredible woman we know and will forever love.
Jennifer Ames, 50, of Baltic, died Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Memorial services were held Monday, March 9, 2026, at George Boom Funeral Home-Brandon Valley Chapel in Brandon.
Marion A. Timm, 76, of Brandon, died Monday, March 9, 2026, at Sanford Hospice Centennial Cottage in Sioux Falls. Her funeral service is planned for 1 p.m. Friday, March 13, at Sure Foundation Lutheran Church, 617 E. Redwood Blvd., Brandon. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. at the church, with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls.
