James Ritter

James Louis “Jim” Ritter, age 86, formerly of Edgemont, SD, passed away on December 23, 2015, at the Brookstone Village in Omaha, NE.
Jim was born on June 29, 1929, near Dupree, SD, to Louis and Barbara Ritter. He lived with his family and attended grade school in Sturgis, SD, and graduated from Provo High School at the Black Hills Army Depot in Igloo, SD. From 1951 to 1953, Jim served our country in the US Army in Pusan, South Korea. On April 18, 1954, he was united in marriage to Shirley Jean Gunderson at the Saint James Catholic Church in Edgemont. Together they raised a daughter and two sons. Jim loved woodworking and spent much of his working career building and remodeling homes and businesses in the Edgemont area.
Jim enjoyed camping, boating and trout fishing in the streams of the Black Hills. He was a lifelong member of St. James Catholic Church in Edgemont. After his retirement, he enjoyed cooking and baking for his wife Shirley and their children and families.
Jim is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Donna Ritter of Clarksville, TN; Tony and Sharon Ritter of Omaha; 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Shirley; his daughter Cindy Zellner and his sister Doris Smith.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 28, 2015, at the St. James Catholic Church in Edgemont, with Fr. Kerry Prendiville as Celebrant. Interment will follow at the Edgemont Cemetery
A memorial in James’s name has been established to benefit St. James Catholic Church of Edgemont.

Shirley Barrett

Shirley Ann Barret, 79, of Sioux Falls, formerly a long time Edgemont resident, passed away December 18, at the Good Smaratian Village Nursing Home.
Shirley is survived by daughters, Pam (Jerry) Christopherson of Edgemont, Connie (Jim) Elliott of Gillette, WY, and Rhonda (Alan) Hagen, of Harrisburg, seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Shirley was precede in death by her husband, Carl “Pat” Barrett and daughter, Sandra A. Gates.
Per her request, there will not be any services. A private burial will be held at a later time at the Edgemont Cemetery.
Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Ann Tounsley

Mary Ann (Anderson) Tounsley, age 91, of Custer, SD, passed away on December 16, 2015, at the Custer Regional Senior Care Center where she had been a resident for the past 4 years.
Mary was born March 22, 1924, at home near Lake Preston, SD, to James and Etta (Boss) Anderson. She was the sixth child in a farm family of twelve children. Mary grew up on the farm near Lake Preston where her memories were of going to school in a sleigh behind a team of horses and picking corn by hand with her Dad and sisters. At the beginning of WWII, Mary went to Washington, DC, and worked as a review person, decoding letters from various battlefields to notify families of injuries and deaths. In 1945, she returned to Lake Preston and married Charles J. Tounsley and became mother to his sons, John and Jerry. A son, Alan, was born in July 1945. They lived in Lake Preston and Huron, SD, and then moved to Custer in 1954. A son, Gary, was born in March 1960.
Mary worked at various jobs during her years in Custer; the toy factory, the mica plant, Custer Nursing Home, Custer Ranger District, Soil Conservation Service, as Custer County Clerk of Courts, Crazy Horse, Senior Companion program and as an Avon representative. She was also involved in Cub Scouts, Eastern Star and the Custer Senior Center.
Mary had many interests throughout her life. She raised tropical fish, grew beautiful flowers and houseplants, she was an excellent photographer and a top notch cook. The family spent most weekends and vacations camping, hunting and fishing.
Mary is survived by her sons, Alan (Wanda), Sheperd, MT; Gary (Diane), Custer; Jerry (Marilyn),Chamberlin, SD; 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Charles; her son John; and 9 of her siblings.
Funeral Services were held Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer with Rev. Richard Behringer officiating. A visitation was held prior to services.