South Dakota lawmakers pay tribute to their own

Annual memorial service commemorates 13 members who passed away in 2024

Jan 23, 2025

PIERRE — After South Dakota lawmakers finished their work Thursday, they transitioned into a yearly tradition of paying respects to their predecessors who passed away in 2024.

In all, 13 former state legislators who represented constituents from across the state were honored during the Joint Memorial Service of the House of Representatives and Senate, held in the House chamber.

(Excerpts below pulled from the official program)

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Arnold M. (Arne) Brown

March 5, 1931 - Dec. 27, 2024
(R) House of Representatives 1993-1996, Senate 1997-2004

Arne was born on March 5, 1931, to John and Carrie (Berdahl) Brown in Sherman.

He attended country school until moving to Baltic, where he graduated high school. He was homecoming king, played basketball, and was quarterback of the school's first football team.

Arne married Doris Krogstad in 1952. He served four years in the United States Navy aboard the USS Menifee during the Korean War. After the service, he worked as an electrician in Baltic, then moved to Sioux Falls where he worked for the city’s Health Department. He was the district director with the Indian Health Service (IHS), living in Velva, North Dakota and Rhinelander, Wisconsin, working with many reservations to improve their water facilities.

The family moved to Brookings in 1972. As a 42-year-old father of six children, he became a college student, graduating with a master's degree in public health from South Dakota State University in 1982, to advance his career with the IHS. Upon retirement from the IHS, he continued his passion of caring for others as the administrator of the United Retirement Center in Brookings. He served on the board of directors for the Brookings Health System and was instrumental in thoughtful design features of the Brookings Hospital addition and The Neighborhoods at Brookview. Arne believed in service to others, his country, and community, and began his political career as a Brookings City commissioner. As a lobbyist for the city of Brookings, he was a strong advocate for local business development and SDSU growth projects. He and Doris were fundraising chairpersons for the United Way campaign.

He also served on many church committees at Ascension Lutheran Church, where he had been a member since 1972. Additionally, they were active in the Brookings Chapter of Sons of Norway.

Arne was known to save everything and could fix or rig anything. He enjoyed fishing, and was proud to be included in the Governor's Hunt and Buffalo Round Up.

James A. (Jim) Burg

April 22, 1941 - April 16, 2024
(D) House of Representatives 1975-1984, Senate 1985-1986

Jim Burg was born April 22, 1941, to Albert and Pearl (Linafelter) Burg. He was the oldest of seven children, and grew up on the family farm in Jerauld County.

As a high school student at Lane High School, he was elected State 4-H president.

Following high school graduation, he continued his education at South Dakota State University, earning a bachelor's degree in animal science. His first job after college was with the Federal Land Bank in Yankton.

Jim married Bernice Kaiser on July 22, 1967, and the couple moved back to Wessington Springs where they farmed, operated the Ben Franklin Store in Wessington Springs, and raised their children. After his service in the House of Representatives and in the Senate, Jim was elected to the Public Utilities Commission and moved to Pierre. Jim served in the South Dakota Army National Guard for 27 years and achieved the rank of Lt. Colonel.

Jim was a servant leader at the local, state and national levels through agriculture, politics, and the military. Jim had a lifelong association with South Dakota 4-H. He served as a board member for Horizon Health Foundation, South Dakota Corn Growers, and many others. He was named the SDSU 2012 Eminent Farmer/Rancher, South Dakota Farmers Union 2023 Ag Ambassador, and 2024 Horizon Outstanding Philanthropist. Locally in Wessington Springs, Jim was mayor, a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, school board, and Farmers Union.

During the last decade, Jim focused his efforts on serving through philanthropy, contributing to many local and statewide organizations. He was passionate about giving locally through the Wessington Springs Area Community Foundation and keeping rural healthcare accessible and affordable for all through the Horizon Health Foundation.

Burton B. (Burt) Elliot

July 23, 1947 - Jan. 27, 2024
(D) House of Representatives 2001-2008

Burton "Burt" Bruce Elliott was born July 23, 1947, to William "Bill" G. and Elizabeth

"Betty" (Beers) Elliot in Aberdeen, South Dakota. His mother died when he was young and he was raised by his stepmother, Isabelle "Sue" Hedman-Staph. He graduated from Riggs High School in 1965, and went on to graduate from Northern State College in 1970.

Burt married Patty Graber in Aberdeen and together they had one son. Burt taught at Central High School for 37 years and coached tennis for 35 years.

On July 7, 1979, Burt married Elaine Marie May in Aberdeen where they made their home.

Elaine passed away on Sept. 26, 2016.

Burt married Sherrie Gray on Feb. 17, 2017, in Aberdeen.

Burt was a member of Plymouth Congregational UCC. He was also a member of the Aberdeen Masonic Lodge #38 A.F. & A.M., and the Brown County Democrats. He served as a Brown County Commissioner, and a board member of the Aberdeen Credit Union.

Burt enjoyed hunting, fishing, tractors, farming, and motorcycle riding. He also enjoyed collecting guns. He enjoyed lunches out and car rides with Sherrie to Wylie and Melgaard Park. He loved teaching high school students and coaching tennis. Under his coaching, they were the South Dakota State Tennis Champs in 1972, 1973, and 1974.

In 1995, he received the "Lifetime Award" from the South Dakota High School Coaches Association.

Burt was named South Daktota Tennis Coach of the Year three times and Region 6 Coach of the Year two times. In 2005 he was awarded the South Dakota Tennis Achievement Award. He was inducted into the Central High School Hall of Fame in 2017 and 2022 with his tennis team.

Arthur (Art) Fryslie

Oct. 25, 1941 - Dec. 1, 2024
(R) House of Representatives 1999-2006, Senate 2009-2012

Arthur (Art) Fryslie was born on Oct. 25, 1941, in Watertown to Lloyd and Elvera Fryslie. In 1975 he married Jane Claus in Wayne, Nebraska. They had two children, Tara and Jess.

Art graduated from Vienna High School and attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. He was a member of Good Hope Lutheran Church and was involved in several organizations including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Willow Lake Lions Club, the Watertown Gideon Camp, South Dakota Trappers Association, Ducks Unlimited, and the South Dakota Historical Society.

Art was in the Polled Hereford cattle business for many years with his uncle Marvin and father Lloyd. Arthur owned a steam engine for several years that had belonged to his grandfather Alfred and his father Lloyd. He eventually sold it to the Kevin Anderson family of the James Valley Threshing Association. He wanted it to go to a good home and be used.

Art was proud of his heritage and considered himself a true son of South Dakota. All four sets of his great-grandparents homesteaded throughout Dakota Territory in the early 1880's. He loved the outdoors and spent many hours hunting, trapping, and fishing. Most of all, he loved his family.

Dayle D. Hammock

Aug. 9, 1947 - July 21, 2024
(R) House of Representatives 2019-2020

Dayle graduated from South Park High School in Beaumont, Texas, in the mid-60s. He then studied English Language and Literature at the University of Texas in Austin. His career in law enforcement began shortly after that, serving communities in Texas, Colorado, and South Dakota.

In Texas, Dayle served with the Travis County Sheriff's Department in Austin. His dedication to public safety continued as he moved to Colorado in 1975, working with the Fort Collins Police Department and then the Routt County Sheriff's Department. Dayle became well-respected for his commitment to justice and his community, notably serving as the Routt County Coroner from 1985 to 1997. He owned and operated a fire and security alarm business, Western Security, and an answering service, Contact Communications, from 1984 to 1997.

In 1997, Dayle sold the businesses and relocated his family to South Dakota, where he continued his public service as an elected official in Meade County (County Commissioner) and Lawrence County (Representative to the South Dakota State Legislature). His expertise and dedication led him to become a firearms instructor, sharing his knowledge and experience with church security teams and fellow firearms enthusiasts for many years.

Dayle was passionate about hunting, ranching, and firearms, with a particular focus on firearm safety, teaching classes throughout his life. His dedication to these pursuits were matched by his deep and abiding faith, which guided him in all aspects of his life. He was a steadfast believer in the teachings of the Bible and found solace in his favorite scriptures, including Philippians 4:8 and Psalm 23.

Tim P. Johnson

Dec. 28, 1946 - Oct. 8, 2024
(D) House of Representatives 1979-1982, Senate 1983-1986

Tim was born in Canton, South Dakota. He graduated from Vermillion High School, where he held the record for touchdowns scored in a single season. He attended the University of South Dakota, earning a BA, MA, and JD. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

Tim met his wife, Barbara Brooks of Sioux Falls, while both were freshmen at the University of South Dakota. They were married for 55 years. Together, they raised three children: Brooks, Brendan, and Kelsey. Despite a demanding career, he seldom missed their activities.

Tim won 16 consecutive primary and general elections to become the longest-serving public official in South Dakota history.

Tim was first elected to Congress in 1986 and retired from the Senate in 2015. Tim received numerous awards and honors from both South Dakota and national groups, including a special ceremony from the Lakota people where Chief David Bald Eagle honored him by giving him the name "Wacante Ognake," which means "holds the people in his heart," a name he cherished.

His public service was recognized with honorary doctorates from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, South Dakota State University, and the University of South Dakota.

Tim always believed that hard work, compromise, and a focus on helping people would yield lasting results.

Claire B. Konold

Feb. 13, 1938 - March 9, 2024
(R) House of Representatives 1997-2004

Claire Konold was born on Feb. 13, 1938, to Albert and Blanche (Kjelden) Konold in Clear Lake, SD. They lived in Watertown before moving to a farm by Brandt, SD. He went to County School by Brandt. He graduated from Brandt High School in 1956. In his younger years, Claire was a catcher for the Brandt American Legion Team and the independent town team.

Claire played the saxophone in the family band "Konold Orchestra." He worked construction and then ran the pool hall in Brandt for a year after an accident forced him to quit the construction business. In his spare time, he enjoyed flying his airplane.

Claire married Wylla Hicks on Aug. 11, 1962, in Luverne, MN. They had four children:

Brent, Dawn, Christine, and Randy. He worked for elevators in Toronto and Spencer, before returning to the construction business. Claire decided he wanted to better himself so he enrolled in college at SDSU, graduating in 1972. He then moved his family to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and worked for Golden Sun Feeds. He became a loan officer for the Federal Land Bank before transferring to Kearney, Nebraska, to become the Vice President. In 1980, he was promoted to President at the Aberdeen, SD, branch.

Claire and Wylla moved to Watertown in 1985. Claire worked for Helland Realty until he got his broker's license and started his own appraisal company which he ran until retirement.

While in Watertown, Claire was elected to the House of Representatives for eight years and was Chairman of the Commerce Committee. He enjoyed being in the Legislature and all the politics. Claire was the lobbyist for the building of the DCI building in Pierre, SD. He was also a board member at Reliabank. He sang in the Barbershop Quartet, loved playing cards, golf, fishing, hunting, bowling, and dancing. Claire was a lifetime member of the Elks and a member of the Watertown Rotary.

Jerome (Jerry) Mayer

Feb. 22, 1931 - April 28, 2024
(D) Senate 1973-1980

Jerry was born on February 22, 1931, to Joseph and Elizabeth Mayer near Dimock, South Dakota. He attended St. Peter and Paul grade school and later graduated from Parkston High School in 1949. After finishing high school he joined the U.S. Army Air Force and obtained a general teaching certificate from Southern State Teachers College. He was honorably discharged in 1951. Jerry went on to pursue further education, earning a bachelor’s degree from Augustana College and a master’s degree in education psychology from the University of Nebraska. He also completed additional studies at the North University of lowa, the University of South Dakota, and the University of Colorado.

Jerry worked in education for 38 years as a teacher, coach, counselor, and assistant principal. He retired in 1991 as the Director of Pupil Services in the Sioux Falls School District. Jerry's first year in education was spent as a teacher and coach in the Centerville Public Schools. In 1955, he started the McCrossan Boys Ranch and then returned to teaching. Jerry was a life member of the South Dakota Education Association, the South Dakota Beadle Club, and an I/D/E/A Fellow for five years. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Parish, Knights of Columbus, and the Elks Club. Starting in 1968, he was active in the Minnehaha County Democratic Party and the Democratic Forum.

Jerry and Berniece were the first directors of McCrossan Boys Ranch in 1955. In 1969, Jerry served on the Board of Directors of the United Way and the Family Service Organization. He was also the president of the South Dakota Easter Seal Society, the Sioux Falls Area Retired Teachers Association, and the Government Affairs Committee for AARP. Jerry received various awards throughout his career, including the Marvin Kemp Award from SD Personnel and Guidance, an organization where he served as president. He was also recognized for his work by the South Dakota Association of Children and Learning Disabilities, the South Dakota Association for Counseling and Development, and the National Association of School Psychology.

Janice K. (Jan) Nicolay

Jan. 4, 1942 - May 18, 2024
(R) House of Representatives 1983-1986

For nearly 40 years, Jan was involved in education in Sioux Falls. She became the first woman to be named a secondary education principal in Sioux Falls when she took on the top job at Washington High School in 1987. She also was the first woman to take a leadership role when she served as the head of the House Appropriations Committee in the South Dakota Legislature. Early in her career, she was well aware of a resistance to women's leadership abilities when it came to being a principal at the secondary level. It was much more than an unconscious bias.

"I had been a teacher, then became an assistant principal at Patrick Henry in 1983. When I accepted the position at Patrick Henry, many raised concerns and objections," Jan said.

"Secondary administrators had always been men who were perceived as physically strong. There was a common belief that if you were a woman, you couldn't handle the discipline necessary in a school." Embracing risk as the Washington High principal, Jan created a day care near the old Washington High School for children born to students. Jan was Washington's principal for nine years and was actively involved in the transition from the "old" Washington to the new.

As an educator, Jan became involved in the South Dakota State Education Association and discovered that the organization had no educators in the Legislature. She ran for election and served 14 years. She also was appointed to the State Board of Education in 2004 and served for four years. The school district and Superintendent Jack Keegan liked Jan's leadership style. He appointed her as the director of at-risk programs and she served as the principal of Irving, the first alternative high school for at-risk kids. She then moved to Roosevelt for two years as principal. In 2001, she was interim director at Southeast Technical Institute. She said her "official retirement" began after her one-year stay at STI. "Education and politics run together," said Jan. "Education needed representation."

Jan's passion for South Dakota and its great outdoors were important as well. She loved hunting, fishing, and riding Harleys. She especially loved bow hunting. Jan spent much of her time at The Outdoor Campus, a facility for which she championed the creation of in Sioux Falls.

Dennis R. Pierson

March 23, 1945 - Oct. 20, 2024
(D) House of Representatives 1979-1982, Senate 1993-1994

Dennis was born March 23, 1945, to Leonard "Swede" and Helen (Jorgensen) Pierson of Mitchell, South Dakota. Denny graduated from Mitchell High School in Mitchell in 1963, and from the University of South Dakota in 1967 with a degree in mathematics. He received his Master of Mathematics from Bowling Green State University in 1971.

Dennis lived a life full of ambition and curiosity. As a young boy, he started his own fireworks business and delivered the morning newspaper. As a young teacher, he supplemented his income with his passion for music, playing as the drummer and lead singer in many local bands, including Denny Pierson and the Country Sons. Denny would also sit in with many of his father Swede's dance and polka bands. Over the years, he had stints as a local radio DJ and TV weatherman. Denny owned and operated his own business as an American Family Insurance Agent for over 40 years, receiving multiple industry awards and accolades.

Dennis had a strong sense of civic duty. He was a Rotarian, an Elk, a member of the South Dakota Democratic Forum, and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Sioux Falls. He was an avid golfer and counted many members of the "Old Coots Golf League" as dear friends, taking his role as secretary and permanent cheerleader very seriously. He also loved to bowl and, from a young age, would spend his time at the lanes perfecting his craft, eventually scoring a 300-game multiple times over his career.

Bernard (Bernie) Stoeser

Oct. 23, 1930 - March 9, 2024
(D) House of Representatives 1973-1974

Bernard was born on Oct. 23, 1930 in Pierre to Albert and Hatta (Wiseman) Stoeser. As a young child the family homesteaded in Hayes, where he attended school for six years at Sansarc Country School, then went to the St. Liborious Catholic Boarding School in Polo for two years. After his Uncle Leo died, he spent two years helping his Aunt Mary on the farm and going to school in Fowler, Indiana.

Bernie returned to Pierre for his last two years of high school where he met Pat Pashby.

After graduating in 1949, Bernie and Pat were united in marriage at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church on Oct. 2, 1950. As a couple they moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado where Bernie was stationed with the South Dakota National Guard at Camp Carson. It was there that their first son Steve was born. Bernie was then stationed in Alaska until his discharge in 1952. He and Pat moved to the "Hole in the Ground" near Hayes in 1953 where they farmed and four more children were born.

They eventually moved to Pierre. Bernie was a member of the St. John's Catholic Church, Ss. Peter & Paul Church, 4th Degree Knight, and V.F.W. He was President of the Hayes Grazing Association and was named Outstanding Young Farmer in 1965. He was a South Dakota State Representative 1973-1974. In his later years, he was the head groundskeeper, along with numerous other titles at Willow Creek Wildlife.

Bernie enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, playing “cheating” cards, and spending time with his family. Bern never met a stranger and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Kenneth D. (Ken) Stofferahn

April 5, 1934 - March 18, 2024
(R) House of Representatives 1975-1976

Ken was born on April 5, 1934 to Edward and Ida (Mundt) Stofferahn. Ken grew up on farms near Lakefeld, Minnesota and Humboldt. Ken graduated from Humboldt High School in 1952, enlisted in the Air National Guard, and earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture from South Dakota State University in 1957. After a brief stint in business in Milwaukee, he returned home to farm 480 acres with his parents. Perceiving the need for farmers to band together to ensure a fair return for their hard work and investment, and drawing upon a family tradition of activism, he joined the National Farmers Organization in 1961, quickly rising in the group's ranks to become a board member and, from 1968-1972, Director of National Membership in Corning, lowa. It was during his NO-related travels across the country that he met his future wife, Diane Henderson, in Colfax, Wisconsin. The couple wed on Aug. 7, 1965 and, after leaving the NFO in early 1972, moved back to Humboldt to raise their four children on the family farm until relocating to Pierre in 1979.

Ken's colorful political career began with a long shot bid in the 1972 Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. Though a loss, that experience initiated over two decades of public service in South Dakota, first as a local School Board member, then as a representative in the State Legislature (1975-1977), where he championed public education, an issue of enduring importance to him and Diane, an elementary schoolteacher. Changing party affiliation to more closely reflect his core beliefs, Ken ran as a Democrat the rest of his career, with notable yet unsuccessful primary and general election bids for the U.S. Senate (1978), U.S. House (1980), and Governor (1986). South Dakota voters, however, roundly endorsed his role as a Public Utilities Commissioner, awarding him successful races in 1978, 1984, and 1990, thereby making him one of the few Democrats able to win a statewide election after the party's brief dominance in the 1970s had waned. Having twice served as the commission's chairman, Stofferahn retired from the PUC in 1997.

Following several years as a financial advisor and insurance agent, Ken and Diane relocated to Lincoln, Nebraska in 2006. Although Ken certainly had a stubborn streak that family, friends, and allies could find perplexing at times, he was naturally affable, open-minded, and kind, and loved to bring people together. His prodigious memory made him a font of family history, and he was especially pleased when he was able to reconnect with relatives still living in Mecklenburg, Germany. Along with several lifelong friends, Ken shared a passion for the "sweet dance music" of the 1940s, with a special fondness for the Russ Morgan Orchestra. Above all, he loved spending time with his family.

Dr. Donald D. Van Etten

March 10, 1934 - Sept. 23, 2024
(R) House of Representatives 2001-2008

Donald was born on March 10, 1934, to Amos and Ruth (Cambier) Van Etten in Orange City, lowa. Don graduated from Orange City High School. One year of undergraduate studies was done at Northwestern College, Orange City, and he finished his undergraduate studies at Hope College, Holland, Michigan. Medical school found him at the University of lowa School of Medicine, lowa City, lowa, and a surgical internship and residency was completed at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The summer after his junior year of college, he met the love of his life, Verla Jean Vanderbush from Edgerton, Minnesota. They married in 1957, and Verla joined him in lowa City, where she was employed as a nurse at the V.A. Hospital. Upon completion of his surgical training, Don and Verla prepared to follow God's call to foreign missions in the Middle East, where they resided with their four children for three years. Returning to the United States, he joined a surgical group in Mason City, lowa, where he served for 10 years. Feeling drawn to solo practice, he moved his family to Rapid City, South Dakota, where he served for 20 years.

Upon retirement from his surgical practice at age 65, he served in the South Dakota House of Representatives for eight years. Don was a long-time member of the Christian Medical and Dental Association, a Fellow of the American College of Surgery, and a member of the state and national medical association. He served on the board of Bethany Christian Services for many years. He served on the board of Passages Women's Transitional Living and was instrumental in building their current home. He was always active in the churches they attended, serving in various capacities.

Don loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He always had a passion for wildlife and the outdoors, enjoying hunting, snowmobiling, and camping. He collected wildlife art, loved woodworking and bird watching. Over the years, he displayed his love for serving others by participating in seven short-term mission trips.

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