George Stanley McGovern, husband and father, teacher and politician, proud South Dakota Democrat, author and advocate for the poor, lived a life of service through decades of American history he also strongly influenced.
Born in Avon, South Dakota on July 19, 1922 to the Rev. Joseph and Frances McLean McGovern, George left Dakota Wesleyan University DWU), in Mitchell, where he excelled in debate, to join the Army-Air Force in 1943.

A celebration of life was held for Michael G. Tavernier, 60, of Coos Bay, Ore., at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Bastendorff County Park pavilion.
Mike was born August 25, 1952, in Pierre, S.D., the son of Raymond and Betty (Sommers) Tavernier. He passed away September 26, 2012, in Coos Bay.
He moved to Oregon as a child with his family and graduated from Marshfield High School.
He worked several years at Weyerhaeuser, and the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay. He also worked in tunnel construction. He helped build the Portland Zoo tunnel.

Gertrude E. Woodden, age 95 of New Underwood, S.D. died Friday, October 12, 2012, at the Good Samaritan Center in New Underwood.
Gertrude E. Doughty was born February 23, 1917, in Rapid City, the daughter of Phillip and Clara (Evenson) Doughty. She grew up north of Quinn and graduated from Wall High School. She then attended Spearfish Normal and earned her teacher’s certificate. She taught at rural schools for 21 years.

Mary Pekron, age 80, of Philip, S.D., died Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Funeral services for Duane A. Thomas, age 89, of Faith, SD were held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Faith, SD with Rev. Wayne Olson officiating. Burial with Masonic graveside rites and full military honors followed at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9 at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.

Margaret Alice (Peggy) Roghair was born to Frank Henry and Crystal Swearingen Bowder October 14, 1916 in Timber Lake. She was the third of seven children. She died in Coos Bay, Ore., September 20, 2012.
With a two-year certificate from Northern State Teacher’s College, she began teaching primary school in Okaton in 1940. There she met Ed Roghair the oldest brother of two of her elementary students, Ted and Bob. On June 8, 1941, Ed and Margaret they were married. Margaret was a farm wife and had four children.

Marilyn Walker, age 78, of Wall, S.D., died Monday, October 8, 2012, at the Hospice of the Hills in Rapid City.
Marilyn Lytle Walker was born August 1, 1934, the second of six daughters born to Don and Zohn (Amiotte) Lytle. She was born in Pine Ridge and raised in old Washabaugh County. She attended Lone Tree rural school through grade school and Interior High School.

Nancy Holub, age 53 of Wall, S.D., died Sunday, October 7, 2012, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Nancy G. Pederson was born November 26, 1958, at Ft. Benning, Ga., the daughter of Gordon and Betty Lou (Ballard) Pederson. The family moved to Panama until 1963, then to Rapid City, when her father served in Vietnam. In 1966, the family moved to Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., until 1968 when they moved to Taiwan. In 1970, the family moved to Wall where Nancy finished her schooling, graduating from Wall High School in 1976. After high school, Nancy moved to New York.

Earl E. Helms, age 61, of Rapid City, S.D., died Wednesday, October 3, 2012, in Rapid City.

Joyce F. Dykema, age 79 of Murdo, S.D., died October 3, 2012, at the Golden Living Center in Pierre.
Joyce Finck was born to Waldo and Clara (Jordan) Finck on February 12, 1933, in Okaton.
She married Herman “Boyd” Dykema on November 27, 1953, and to this union three daughters were born, Sherry, Cindy and Lora.