The sad news comes this week of the passing of Don Barnett, on January 12, aged 83. Barnett was a … More
Tag: obit
Frank Brost, chief of staff to two governors, dies at 88
The sad news comes today of the passing of Frank Brost. Brost never served in elected office, but he was … More
Harvey Krautschun, former house speaker, passes on
The new year brings the sad news that former House Speaker Harvey Krautschun of Spearfish has died, age 76. Krautschun, … More
Farewell to Orv Smidt
The holiday weeks brings news of the passing of Orville B. “Orv” Smidt, who died on December 23, aged 82. … More
South Dakota was Cheney’s “undisclosed location”
The news comes of the passing of Vice President Dick Cheney at the age of 84. For Cheney, South Dakota … More
Charles Droz, former House Speaker, dies at 101
Charles Droz, a World War II veteran and former speaker of the SD State House of Representatives, died on July … More
Remembering Karen Soli
Karen Soli, a Lutheran minister who served in the State House from 2013-18, passed away last week after a battle … More
Rep. Richard Vasgaard dies in farm accident
Richard Vasgaard, a second-term Republican state representative from Turner County, died yesterday in a farming accident. As I said online, … More
Farewell to Mike Diedrich
The sad news comes today that Mike Diedrich, a former state senator from Rapid City, has died after a battle … More
Farewell to Mac McCracken
The sad news comes that Royal “Mac” McCracken died late last week, aged 83. McCracken was an eight-year state senator … More
Jimmy Carter 1924-2024
James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th President of the United States, has died. Known always as “Jimmy,” the Georgia governor … More
Arnold M. Brown, former president pro tempore, passes on
The sad news comes that Arnold M. Brown died this week, aged 93. Brown was a 12-year legislator from Brookings … More
President Biden remembers Tim Johnson
President Joe Biden issued the following statement today, on the passing of former U.S. Senator Tim Johnson. Biden and Johnson … More
U.S. Senator Tim Johnson dies
Timothy P. Johnson, who served in the State House, State Senate, U.S. House, and U.S. Senate, died last night, on … More
Farewell to Jan Nicolay, a trailblazer for women in SD politics
The sad news comes that Jan Nicolay, a longtime Sioux Falls educator and state legislator, died this morning, aged 82. … More
Farewell to Jim Burg
The news comes that Jim Burg died last night, at the age of 82. Burg spent 30 years in state … More
Kenneth Stofferahn, Democratic gubernatorial candidate and PUC commissioner, passes on
Longtime political figure Kenneth Stofferahn passed away on March 18, 2024, aged 89. A three-term public utilities commissioner, Stofferahn also … More
Tim Kessler passes on
The sad news comes that Tim Kessler, 66, passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. Kessler was a prominent businessman … More
Gene Lebrun, lawyer and Democratic leader, passes on
The sad news comes that Gene Lebrun, age 84, died on Sunday, July 23. Lebrun, a Rapid City attorney, served … More
Ron Schmidt, 1998 US Senate nominee, dies
The news comes that Ron Schmidt, a longtime politico who was the 1998 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, died on … More
Farewell to Jim Hansen
Dr. James O. Hansen, a longtime educator and public servant, died on Tuesday, aged 94. Jim’s first career was as … More
Jim Beddow 1942-2023
The sad news comes that Jim Beddow, the 1994 Democratic nominee for governor, passed away on Sunday. Beddow, a native of Woonsocket, … More
Governor Noem pays tribute to Sheila Bonrud
Governor Kristi Noem’s weekly column today is a remembrance of Sheila Bonrud: Remembering Sheila By Gov. Kristi Noem It is … More
Remembering Sheila Bonrud
Sheila Bonrud passed away on Wednesday morning, May 17, 2023, at the age of 81. Sheila wasn’t a public figure … More
Farewell to Randy Seiler
The sad news comes that Randy Seiler, the former United States Attorney and outgoing chairman of the South Dakota Democratic … More
Jack Billion, 2006 Dem nominee for governor, dies
Dr. Jack Billion, the 2006 Democratic nominee for governor, passed away on Saturday. An orthopedic surgeon and U.S. Air Force … More
Jim Abourezk, 92 today, passes on
Jim Abourezk, a brash and outspoken attorney who served South Dakota in the U.S. Senate, died today on his 92nd … More
Kristin Anderson passes on
I was sorry to see news of the passing of Kristin Anderson, the only child of Gov. Sigurd and Vivian … More
Debra Anderson, SD’s only female House Speaker, passes on
Debra Anderson, a former South Dakota state representative and the only woman to serve as speaker of the South Dakota … More
Reaction to Gov. Wollman’s death
South Dakota political leaders have offered their condolences on the passing of Harvey Wollman, 26th Governor of South Dakota. Gov. … More
Tom Lawrence on Harvey Wollman
Tom Lawrence is a longtime political reporter and columnist in South Dakota. His current publication, The South Dakota Standard, is … More
Official statement from Gov. Wollman’s family
Note: This statement was issued on behalf of the Wollman family by Jody Severson, who served in Governor Wollman’s administration … More
Gov. Harvey Wollman 1935-2022
Harvey Lowell Wollman, twenty-sixth Governor of South Dakota, died Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at the age of 87. His death … More
South Dakota and the Queen
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II yesterday is major worldwide news. Although a constitutional monarch, she is a major world … More
Farewell to Red Allen
The news comes that Carrol “Red” Allen passed away on May 3, 2022. Allen, a Democrat, served a total of … More
Bob Dole, “South Dakota’s third senator,” dies
The news breaks that Bob Dole died this morning. Dole, a World War II hero, was a major figure in … More
Gov. Farrar to lie in state
The Office of Governor Kristi Noem today that former Gov. Frank Farrar, who died on October 31, will lie in … More
Gov. Wollman remembers Gov. Farrar
Bob Mercer has a nice interview on KELOLAND.com with former Governor Harvey Wollman, remembering his longtime friendship with former Governor … More
Terry Woster on Jim Soyer
Colleagues, friends, and family gathered today in Sioux Falls to bid a final farewell to Jim Soyer, a former chief … More
Jean Rounds: SD loses a true “First Lady”
South Dakotans were very sad to learn that Jean Rounds, former First Lady and wife of U.S. Senator Mike Rounds, … More
Gov. Frank Farrar 1929-2021
Frank Leroy Farrar, twenty-fourth Governor of South Dakota, has died. The former governor passed away early this morning in Rochester, … More
Jim Soyer: A Life of Service
Jim Soyer, a former chief of staff to Gov. Bill Janklow and longtime Governor’s Office staffer, has passed away. Jim … More
Remembering Les Jensen
Word came this morning that Les Jensen, son of Gov. Leslie Jensen, has passed away. Les, who was 90, was … More
Carv Thompson 1932-2021
The Governor’s Office announced today that flags will fly half staff at the State Capitol on August 28, 2021 in … More
Farewell to David Lust
The sad news broke this afternoon that David E. Lust has died. He was only 53. Lust, was an Aberdeen … More
Farewell to Justin Cronin
Former state legislator Justin Cronin of Gettysburg died yesterday, much too soon, at the age of 40. Cronin had served … More
Mark Meierhenry exits the scene
Former Attorney General Mark Meierhenry died on July 29, 2020. Meierhenry was a colorful figure in South Dakota’s political history. … More
More Tributes to John E. Miller
Dr. John E. Miller’s death on May 1 is being felt across the South Dakota history community. Several nice articles … More
Jon Lauck remembers John Miller
Jon Lauck wrote the following and posted it on his Facebook page. With his permission I am posting it here … More
In memory of John E. Miller
Dr. John E. Miller died today at age 75. Dr. Miller was a longtime professor of history at South Dakota … More
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