The Platte Enterprise from Platte, South Dakota • Page 12

Platte Enterprise, Platte, Charies Mix South Dakota Page Twelve Thursday, March 11, 2010 By Sharon Cemetery Escort Duty From a marine on cemetery guard I just wanted to get the day over with and go down to Smokey's. Sneaking a look at my watch, I saw the time, 1655. Five minutes to go before the cemetery gates are closed for the day. Full dress was hot in the August sun. Oklahoma summertime was as bad as ever--the heat and humidity at the same levelboth too high.

I saw the car pull into the drive, '69 or '70 model Cadillac Deville, looked factory-new. It pulled into the parking lot at a snail's pace. An old woman got out so slow I thought she was paralyzed; she had a cane and a sheaf of flowers--about four or five bunches as best I could tell. I couldn't help The thought came unwanted, and left a slightly bitter taste: 'She's going to spend an hour, and for this old soldier, my hip hurts like hell and I'm ready to get out of here right But for this day, my duty was to assist anyone coming in. Kevin would lock the 'In' gate and if I could hurry the old biddy along, we might make it to Smokey's in time.

I broke post attention. My hip made gritty noises when I took the first step and the pain went up a notch. I must have made a real military sight: middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half a limp, in marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease about thirty minutes after I began the watch at the cemetery. I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk. She looked up at me with an old woman's squint.

'Ma'am, may assist you in any She took long enough to answer. 'Yes, son. Can you carry these flowers? I seem to be moving a tad slow these My pleasure, ma'am." Well, it wasn't too much of a lie. She looked again. 'Marine, where were you stationed? 'Vietnam, ma'am.

Ground- pounder. '69 to looked at me closer. 'Wounded in action, I see. Well done, Marine. I'll be as quick as I I lied a little bigger: No hurry, She smiled and winked at me.

'Son, I'm 85-years-old and I can tell a lie from a long way off. Let's get this done. Might be the last time I can do this. My name's Joanne Wieserman, and I've a few Marines I'd like to see one more 'Yes, ma 'am. At your She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone.

She picked one of the flowers out of my arm and laid it on top of the stone. 'She murmured something I couldn't quite make out. The name on the marble was Donald S. Davidson, USMC: France 1918. She turned away and made a straight line for the World War II section, stopping at one stone.

I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek. She put a bunch on a stone; the name was Stephen X. Davidson, USMC, 1943. She went up the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone, Stanley J. Wieserman, USMC, 1944.

She paused for a second. Two more, son, and we'll be I almost didn't say anything, but, 'Yes, Take your She looked confused. 'Where's the Vietnam section, son? I seem to have lost my way. I pointed with my chin. 'That way, she chuckled quietly.

Son, me and old age ain't too She headed down the walk I'd pointed at. She stopped at a couple of stones before she found the ones she wanted. She placed a bunch on Larry Wieserman, 1968. and the last one Darrel Wieserman, USMC, 1970. She stood there and murmured a few words I still couldn't.

make out. 'OK, son, I'm finished. Get me back to my car and you can go Yes, ma'am. If I may ask, were those your She paused. Yes, Donald Davidson was my father, Stephen was my uncle, Stanley was my husband, Larry and Darrel were our sons.

All killed in action, all marines. She stopped. Whether she had finished, or couldn't finish, I don't know. She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully. I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed it over to Kevin, waiting by the car.

'Get to the 'Out' gate quick. I have something I've got to do. Kevin started to say something, but saw the look I gave him. He broke the rules to get us there down the service road. We beat her.

She hadn't made it around the rotunda yet. 'Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost. Follow my I humped it across the drive to the other post. When the Cadillac came around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny's voice: TehenHut! Present Haaaarms! I have to hand it to Kevin; he never blinked an eye -full dress attention and a salute that would make his DI proud. She drove through that gate with two old worn-out soldiers giving her a send-off she deserved, for service rendered to her country, and for knowing duty, honor and sacrifice.

I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac. Unknown This Was the Year 1956 President Vice President Dwight Eisenhower Richard Nixon Headlines Martin Luther King, Jr. Organizes Bus Boycott in Montgomery, Alabama Krushchev Denounces Stalin Polish Workers Demand Bread and Freedom Eisenhower Defeats Adlai Stevenson in Reelection Campaign First Transoceanic Telephone Cable Laid from Scotland to Newfoundland U.S. Federal Interstate Highway System of 42,500 Miles Launched New Law Pays Farmers to Stop Producing Crops Supreme Court School Desegregation Ruling Causes Southern Uproar Elvis Shakes Up America! Cost of Living New House $11,725 New Car $2,050 Gasoline a gallon Movie Ticket Average Income $4,454 per year Average Rent $88 per month Harvard Tuition $800 per year Postage Stamp Cost of Food Granulated Sugar per 10 pounds Ground Coffee per pound Eggs per dozen Fresh Bread per loaf New Food Products Whole Milk 9500 per gallon margarine Bacon per pound Tree fruit juices Hamburger per pound breath mints You can't do much about your ancestors, but you can influence your descendants enormously. Geneva Veurink Funeral services for Geneva Veurink, 84, New Holland, who died Satuday, March 6, 2010 at the Human Services Center in Yankton, were held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 10, at the Christian Reformed Church in New Holland.

Pastor Harry Koops officiated. Don Kuyper was soloist and Deb VanZee was organist. Casket bearers were Jade, Jared, Josh and Melvin Veurink, Jay De Waard and Adrian Landegent. A committal service followed at the New Holland Cemetery. Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m.' Tuesday, March 9 at the Mount Funeral Home in Platte with a 7 p.m.

prayer service. Mount Funeral Home of Platte assisted with arrangements. Geneva (DeVries) Veurink was born July 28, 1925 to Herman and Nellie (Rus) DeVries in Douglas County. She attended Grandview School and was baptized and made profession of her faith at Grandview Reformed Church near Armour. A faithful member of New Holland Christian Reformed Church, she was church organist and librarian for many years, as well as being a member of the Ladies Aid.

On February 11, 1949 she united in marriage to Tony Veurink. They lived and farmed together north of New Holland in Aurora County until 2006, when they moved to New Holland. In 2008 they relocated to Platte. She gave piano lessons to many students. Geneva will always be remembered for her enthusiasm for life, for her love of people and for opening her home to anyone.

She will also be remembered for the love she had for her Lord and Savior. She loved and adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survivors include her son, Harlan (Judy) Veurink of Platte; three grandsons and four great-grandchildren: Jade (Angie) Veurink, Grace, Gabe and Grayden of Sioux Falls; Jared (April) Veurink and son Bentley of Harrisburg; Joshua Veurink of Brookings and Jennifer Losey; a brother, Everett (Amy) DeVries of Omaha; two sisters: Katherine DeWaard of Armour and Pearl (John) DeLange of Yuma, AZ; along with several nieces and nephews. Geneva was preceded in death by: her parents, Herman and Nellie; her husband, Tony (2009); a grandson, John Veurink; and a brother-in-law, C.J. De Waard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Geneva's honor may be directed to: Golden Living Center, 106 Braddock Armour, SD 57313 or Dakota Christian School, 37614 SD Hwy. 44, Corsica, SD 57328. Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family through: www.mountfuneralhome.com. City, School Candidates Have Plenty of Time Prospective candidates for the Platte City Council or Platte-Geddes Board of Education still have time to make a decision. Petitions for the combined election which will take place on Tuesday, June 15 may pick up a petition on April 6 and it must be filed by May 7.

Up for re-election for two-year terms on the Platte City Council are Arnold Dalldorf, Joel Foxley and Jerry Overweg. Up for re-election to three year terms on the Platte-Geddes Board of Education are Richard Johnson, Mary Ringling and Tess Starr. Barbie In Mermaid Land, Boondock Saints Il: All Wednesday and Fridays Saints Day, Capitalism: A lachi Wednesday, March 10: La- and Love Story, Hachi: A Dogs sagna and a Breadstick. Tale, Planet 51, 9 Dead, Friday, March 12: Fried PolPrecious, Up in the Air, Possession, Old Dogs Fish lack, Fries and Hush Puppies. NEW MOVIES: Brooke's Noon Specials: VA Town Hall Meeting Set Here March 24 The Sioux Falls Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has an- Services March 15 for Bessie Johnson, 105 Funeral services for Bessie E.

Johnson, 105, who died Feb. 25 at the Platte Care Center, will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 15, 2010 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Daniel Daum officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Organist will be MayLou Stanforth and there will be congregational singing. Casket bearers will be Morris, Lee and Kirk Johnson and Don, Clarence and Ken Mason. Interment will be in the Platte City Cemetery with Platte Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements. Bessie was born June 5, 1904 at Remson, Iowa to Louis and Minnie (Postal) Hanno and moved to South Dakota at age of nine. She attended Springfield Normal School.

She was a teacher for many years. She married Sherman Johnson on August 18, 1926 at Pukwana. They farmed near Platte until 1955 when they moved into Platte. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and Extension Club. She enjoyed crocheting, needlework, quilting and crafts.

She is survived by her daughtersin-law: Ruth Johnson of Highlandville, MO and Lois Johnson of Rochester, MN; and five grandchilddren: David Johnson and wife Rebecca Sroge, Nora Schaeffer and husband Jerry Beckerson, Kirk (Camille) Johnson, Lee Johnson anda Holly (Dr. John) Wermager. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Sherman in 1984, two sons: Robert and Keith Johnson, two brothers and three sisters. Services Pending for Robert Cole, Platte Funeral services for Robert Cole, Platte, were pending at presstime. Mount Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Cole died at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls Tuesday. He lived in Platte for the past several years, most recently at the Platte Care Center. John Kuipers Funeral services were held Friday, March 5 at First Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, for John M. B.

Kuipers, 88, who died in Colorado Springs. Burial will be at a later date in Mitchell, SD. Mr. Kuipers was born Dec. 28, 1921 in Platte to Peter and Cora Kuipers.

He grew up in Mitchell and in 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Force. He served in Burma, India and China for four years with the Flying Tigers. He returned to Mitchell and married Phyllis Hasz. He worked with his father and brothers in Kuipers Construction Company. In 1968 he moved to Colorado Springs, where he and his brother did masonry construction.

He was a member of Masons, Shriners and First Lutheran Church in Mitchell and Colorado Springs. He is survived by his wife, two daughters: Cynthia (Michael) Smith and Barbara (Thomas) Muzzy and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant son, his parents, four sisters and three brothers. Katherine Kopplin Mass of Christian burial for Katherine F. Kopplin, 88, Rockford, Il was held Monday, March 8, 2010 at 10 a.m.

at St. Peter's Catholic Church with Father Jesudas Thaliyan as celebrant. Interment was in the church cemetery. Katherine F. (Thomson) Kopplin, formerly of Huron and Platte, died March 3, 2010 in Rockford, IL.

She was born January 28, 1922 in Platte to William F. and Katherine M. (Bechen) Kane. She married Harold L. Thomson on Jan.

19, 1941. He died on Jan. 30, 1976. She married Vernon E. Kopplin on March 17, 1984 and he died on Feb.

12, 1992. She helped her husband on the farm and clerked at Montgomery Ward and Randall Foods in Huron. She enjoyed bowling, cards, dominoes and square dancing. Katherine is survived by her daughter Barbara Portzer of Rockford, IL, son Larry (Cynthia) Thomson of Hanover Park, IL; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; one brother LeRoy (Gladys) Kane of Austin, MN and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, daughhter, Beverly Ann Thomson in infancy; great-granddaughter, Allison Thomson, brothers.

William, Alfred, Lawrence and Joe; and two sisters Viola Breuker and Marie Fuhrman. Conservation, Habitat Workshop Is March 15 A Conservation and Wildlife Habitat Workshop will be held Monday, March 15, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the 4-H Building in Lake Andes. A consortium of conservation agencies and organizations have come together to offer landowners, and the interested public, the latest information on programs and incentives dealing with land and water conservation and wildlife habitat management. Randall and the Charles Mix Conservation District are sponsoring the 2-hour workshop. Short presentations will be given from 1 to 3 p.m.

by personnel from the NRCS, Pheasants Forever, SD FSA, Randall the Charles Mix County Lake Restoration Organization and the Charles Mix Conservation District. All will be available to answer questions. Recent additions to the Lewis and Clark Watershed Implementation Project have made additional landowners eligible for cost share dollars and incentives under the Randall administered There are also a number of new initiatives and opportunities being offered by the NRCS and other agencies. The Charles Mix County Lake Restoration Organization will also give a short update on the progress being made on restoring Lake Andes Lake. nounced that a community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) will open for veterans in Wagner on Monday, March 29.

The clinic will serve the health care needs of Veterans from ten counties, including Charles Mix, Aurora, Bon Homme, Brule, Davison, Douglas, Gregory, Hutchinson, Lyman, and Tripp. The clinic is located at 400 W. Hwy 46-50 near Boom's and the Indian Health Service Hospital. All veterans and their families are invited to attend Town Hall meetings to learn more about the clinic and the benefits available to Veterans. Town halls are scheduled in the following locations, This is also an opportunity for veterans to enroll for health care and apply for VA pension and compensation benefits.

Tuesday, March 23 Mitchell, 12:00 noon at the American Legion Post (lower level). Wagner, 4 p.m. at the American Legion Post. Pickstown, 7 p.m. at the Ft.

Randall Casino, Bingo Hall. Wednesday, March 24 Platte, 10 a.m., at the American Legion Hall. Tyndall, 4 p.m., at the American Legion Hall. Veterans are also invited to speak with VA staff at each location an hour before and after the town halls to enroll for health care and apply for VA pension and compensation benefits. Veterans should bring a copy of their DD214 discharge paper and their 2009 Form 1040 income tax form with them to assist in applying for these benefits.

Veterans who are currently enrolled for VA care and interested in transferring their care to the Wagner CBOC should call 605-335- 3230, and when prompted press Option It is not necessary for veterans who do not wish to transfer their care to Wagner to do anything. Plans are being finalized for a ribbon cutting and dedication of the clinic on April 8. For more information about this clinic, please contact Shirley Redmond, Public Affairs Officer, at 605-333-6889. Local News Sunday dinner guests in the Matt and Rachel Mueller home in Sioux Falls to help Annika celebrate her sixth birthday were Gene and Carol Mueller, Alexandria, MN, Nate and Sara Mueller, Shawn Travis, Katie Fitzgibbons, all of Sioux Falls and Tom and Barb Travis. On Saturday.

Annika treated her girl classmates to a dress up tea party at the Mueller home. Monday afternoon Alyce Hansum, Joann Kuipers, Virginia Kuipers and Marie Kuipers helped Bertha Kuipers celebrate her 87th birthday in her home. Rose Paulson of Colome and Kenny and LeAnn DeHaan went to Sioux Falls Tuesday and visited Ruth DeHaan in the Sanford Hospital. Jeanette Jacobsen, Shirley Dimick and Glorida Kok were afternoon coffee guests Saturday in the Jeanine Solheim home. Dennis and Sandy Plooster of Pukwana met David and Glorida Kok at Subway for supper Sunday before attending the prayer service for Jennie Kok at Mount Funeral Home.

Hilairee Griese Is Serving Internship This Semester Hilairee Griese of Platte and current senior majoring in public relations at Northwestern College in Sioux City, IA is serving in an internship this semester for Easter Seals in Chicago, IL. She is the daughter of Lance and Aimee Griese of Platte. Farm Machinery Equipment Auction Friday, March 19, 10:30 a.m. Sale Site: 2 mi. W.

S. of Platte, SD Tractors, combine, baler, tools, and misc. We are also taking machinery consignments for this auction. Please call early for proper advertising. Myron Reta Cole, Owners Guest Consignors Travis Auction Service Phone: 605-337-3764 or Tom's Cell: 605-680-3166 Pizza Specials: Take-N-Bake Cheese Veggie Only $5.99 Large Cheese and Veggie Only $12.99 sandwiches on Fridays during Winter Hours: Sunday Thursday: 5 a.m.

to 10 p.m. Friday Saturday: Lent. 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. 44 Road Stop Ph.

337-3304 Platte, SD.