Obituaries

Barbara Joan (Olson) Diedrich, 94, passed away peacefully on Feb. 24, 2026.

Wanda Fay Wirtz, 78, of Brookings, South Dakota, passed away Saturday, March 7, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Private family services will be held at a later date.

Alice Marie Gehrke, 90, of Brookings, SD went to her heavenly home on Feb. 9, 2026.

Betty Jensen, 98, formerly of Oldham, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, surrounded by her family at Brookings Hospital in Brookings.

Leah Benson, 67, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away on Feb. 23, 2026, at Ava’s Hospice House. She will be remembered for her warmth, resilience, and the deep care she showed to her family and friends throughout her lifetime.

Grace M. Wangberg, age 98, of Sinai, SD, passed away Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Ardis Pauline (Rovang) Dragsten entered heaven on Feb. 15, 2026.

Gwendolyn Carol Bokker-Olesen 87 passed away peacefully on February 20, 202 at Peaceful Pine Assisted Living in Madison, SD. A beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Gwen will be greatly missed.

Eugene D. Clark, 86, of White, died Friday, Feb., 20, 2026, at the Canby Nursing Home in Canby, MN. Gene is survived by his children: Matt (Jackie) Clark, Adam Clark, Lisa Marie (Kevin) Rybinski, Joseph Clark, and Angel (Curt) Ahmann, along with his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by…