David Singsaas, age 77, of Sioux Falls died October 7, 2019 at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls. Funeral services were held on Friday, October 11, 2019, at East Nidaros Lutheran Church, Baltic. Interment was in the church cemetery.
David Lee Singsaas was born on December 21, 1941 to Gilbert and Gertrude (Brende) Singsaas in Sioux Falls. He grew up near Baltic where he attended grade school and high school, graduating in 1959. He attended SDSU for a year before enlisting in the US Air Force. After serving 4 years in the military he started his own trucking company. Later he began working for Carter Elevator Company in Sioux Falls. He traveled around South Dakota installing elevators.
David married Darla Albers on December 3, 1977. In 1985 they moved to Bismarck, ND where he serviced elevators throughout the state. In 1996 he retired from Otis Elevator. They moved to Montrose in 1997. In retirement they traveled and enjoyed fishing and spending time with family and friends. Unique to his hobby was his large collection of model John Deere tractors, many that he rebuilt himself. They lived in Renner before settling in Sioux Falls. David was a lifelong member of East Nidaros Lutheran Church.
He was a member of the Baltic Legion for several years and was a lifetime member of the VFW.
David is survived by his wife, Darla; her sisters: Darcy (Duane) Myrmoe and Danita (Jeff) Foss and their families; and his sister, Sharon. He was preceded in death by his parents.
James (Jim) Martin Huntimer, 91, of Dell Rapids, passed away from lung cancer on October 10, 2019 at home surrounded by his children.
Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 AM Monday, October 14, 2019 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Dell Rapids. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 PM followed by a Wake Service at 4:00 PM Sunday, October 13, 2019 at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids.
Jim was born October 22, 1927 in Chester, SD to Joseph and Regina (Elskamp) Huntimer. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Foresters, St. Mary Mother Cabrini Alter Society group, Dell Rapids City Council, and the South Dakota Pilots Association.
After family, Jim’s love was flying having logged over 8000 hours. He was Plant Super Intendant at LG Everest, Service Manager at Doyle Lunstra, Equipment Operator at Myrle & Roys Paving Inc. and flew delivering mail to Minneapolis. Additionally, he owned the Dairy Queen in Dell Rapids from 1969-1982. He volunteered for Shriners which included flying burn victims to Mayo Clinic.
Grateful for having shared his life are his eleven children, Linda Huntimer, Albany, OR, Peggy (Ron) Smith, Lincoln, NE, Mary Kay (Robert) Fuglsby, Garretson, Lois (Dave) Lenth, Dell Rapids, Paul (Julie) Huntimer, Omaha, NE, Joan (Richard) Murphy, Dell Rapids, Marie (Scott) Chamley, Arlington, WA, Michael (Becky) Huntimer, Wichita, KS, James (Karen) Huntimer, Honolulu, HI, David (Ginni) Huntimer, Big Springs, NE and Pete Huntimer, Canton, SD; thirty grandchildren, forty two great-grandchildren; brothers, William Huntimer, Dell Rapids and Joe Huntimer, Beulah, ND; sister, Kay Sorken, Las Vegas, NV and companion Pat Hansen, Dell Rapids.
Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Alverda; son, Jimmy; parents, Joseph and Regina Huntimer; brothers, Robert, Charles, Fred Huntimer and sister, Marian Goodrick.
Tessa Pederson of Garretson will be competing as Miss Teen Rodeo South Dakota 2020.
Miss Rodeo South Dakota Inc. is proud to announce the contestants for the 2020 Teen and Miss Rodeo South Dakota pageant.
Alexis Tilton of Mitchell, Shannon Rebelein of Brookings, Camy Anderson of Huron, Tessa Pederson of Garretson, and Miranda Vines of Eagle Butte will be competing for Teen Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2020.
Martina Loobey of Whitewood and Victoria Hagg of Rapid City are the contenders for Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2020. This title is currently held by Jordan Tierney of Oral, SD, who will be competing for Miss Rodeo America in Las Vegas during the National Finals Rodeo this December 1-8, 2020.
The Miss Rodeo South Dakota and Teen pageant will be held in Brookings, SD October 31st -November 2nd in conjunction with the First Chance Bonanza PRCA Rodeo. Events open to the public will include: Friday, November 1st- contestant open interviews at 9:00am in the Brookings Innovation Center, horsemanship at 2:30pm in the Swiftel Center, and the 1st performance of the First Chance Bonanza PRCA Rodeo at 7:30pm in the Swiftel Center; Saturday, November 2nd- modeling, speeches, and impromptu questions program in the Brookings Innovation Center at 11:00am, and Children’s Museum of South Dakota event at 1:00pm.
Coronation for Teen MRSD and MRSD Lady-in Waiting will take place at 7:05pm on November 2nd prior to the 2nd performance of the First Chance Bonanza PRCA Rodeo in the Swiftel Center.
Good luck to these young women who are eager to represent South Dakota’s #1 sport; Rodeo!
SIOUX FALLS – A short county commission meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8, finalized some business started at the previous meeting.
Minnehaha County Auditor Bob Litz added two properties the county listed as “surplus.”
This split foyer home at 2308 E. Sioux St. in Sioux Falls will be among eight properties auctioned on Saturday, Oct. 26, for a minimum bid of back taxes owed Minnehaha County. This property, assessed at $142,000, will have a minimum bid of just over $10,500 for taxes; however, it will also come with a $19,000 federal tax lien that will be “purchased” by whoever buys the house and land. (Photo by Dave Baumeister)
One parcel at 2308 E. Sioux St. in Sioux Falls was added to the list for the Oct. 26 auction, which will include 7 other parcels that might sell as low as what is owed for back taxes.
The Sioux Street property includes a split foyer house with a two-car garage, valued by the county to be worth $142,000.
Currently, the owner owes the county $10,518.67 in back taxes, fees and interest, and that is where the auction bidding will start on the 26th.
Litz, who believes the house to be occupied, said he has tried to reach out to the occupants, but as of the meeting on Oct. 8, no one had made any attempt to contact the county about the tax bill.
The reason this property hadn’t been on the list from the previous meeting was that commissioners wanted more information about a $19,000 federal tax lien against the property.
But Maggie Gillespie with the state’s attorney’s office was quick to add that whoever wins the bid with the county will also be “purchasing” the $19,000 federal debt.
In their discussions, commissioners were hoping the property would pick up more than the minimum bid, but they thought the federal tax debt might preclude that.
However, there was still discussion about any people living on the premises.
Members of the commission were concerned about having to evict people, but the lack of contact with the county made the situation unavoidable.
Litz believed that three of the properties to be auctioned were occupied.
The land auction on Saturday, Oct. 26, is scheduled for 10 a.m. on the first floor of the Minnehaha County Administration Building at 6th an Minnesota in Sioux Falls.
The other piece of property added to the list was also one discussed at the Oct. 1 meeting, a small piece of land on State Street in Dell Rapids.
While the land is owned by the Minnehaha County, it has been mowed and cared for many years by the adjoining neighbor, Litz said.
To get the land back on the county tax rolls, commissioners voted unanimously to transfer the land to the neighbor for only the $30 transfer fee.
In other property tax related business, the commission voted 4-1 to deny the disabled veteran exemption to 10 properties in the county.
County Equalization director Chris Lilla explained he recommended them for denial on the 2018 taxes (payable in 2019) because none of them were owned by the veterans requesting exemptions as of Nov. 1, 2017, which is when land was assessed for the following year.
While state law establishes that date for assessment, Commissioner Jeff Barth said it was still within the power of the county commission to abate those property taxes.
He originally made the motion to honor the veteran’s abatement, but it died for lack of a second.
Commissioners Dean Karsky and Cindy Heidelberger both said they felt it was important to follow the deadline established by state law in these matters.
But Barth, who has been on the county commission since 2007, said, “If it isn’t in our ability to vote to change something like this, then why are we included in the appeals process?”
His was the only vote against the denial.
Lilla said all 10 properties would be receiving the veteran’s exemptions for their 2019 taxes, payable in 2020.
The Minnehaha County Commission has its regular meetings each Tuesday at 9 a.m. on the second floor of the county administration building at 6th and Minnesota in Sioux Falls.
These meetings are open to the all, and public comment is always encouraged.
The October meeting of the Garretson City Council brought up a contentious issue with regards to pets, with a council member wanting to severely limit the number of domesticated animals allowed on personal property. They also gave final approval to a septic system that has been debated for three months, and re-iterated why the camper ordinance is necessary when a community member addressed the nuisance board.
The meeting had all council members in attendance, and began with reports from the pool and the fire department.
The pool had another successful season, with 153 family and individual passes sold, and a new swimming lesson structure that was well-received. The pool board was also able to install new flooring and toilets in the bathhouse, and feels the facility is really getting up to date again.
The fire department fielded 11 calls in June, 7 in July, and 10 in August. They’ve put in many hours of continuing education, including an entrapment and collapse training and swiftwater rescue training, both with Sioux Falls Fire Department.
The council then approved rates for natural gas, which City Finance Officer Anna Uhl stated remain steady. The reasoning behind why the City does not lock in a certain amount prior to the change in seasons to help save money was brought up, and Uhl and City Maintenance Supervisor Craig Nussbaum addressed the lack of storage ability, and if the locked in amount is not used, any overage is sold back at a substantial loss.
“If we did lock in an amount,” said Nussbaum, “we wouldn’t want to do more than 75% [of projected need], we haven’t ever done more than 60%.”
Temporary Septic Systems Allowed
The council then moved on to ordinances and resolutions with a variance request from Jay and Cindy Bobb with regards to placing a temporary septic system on their property. This was the third appearance for the Bobb’s, with no decisions made by the council at meetings prior (in September, the request for a variance died for lack of a majority). If they were to run a septic line out to the front of their property, it would have to be prohibitively long, plus would not have enough use to keep it from plugging up and would have to be a forced system. The lay of the land is more amenable to a line going west, which the Bobb’s would like to do once the area to the west of them is developed.
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"Scarretson" is coming back this weekend on both Friday and Saturday! The City Council discusses limiting pets to 3 per household, GHS Volleyball has two wins while football and soccer have a couple disappointing losses.
There's a lot going on in our community. Keep up with all of it with the Community Events Calendar on page 4. With your on-line subscription, you can download it here and have it easy to hand! Community Events Calendar 10-17-19
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What a spring and summer our farmers have had! But that is not going to stop the state hand corn picking contest, sponsored by the Dakota Heritage. The horse-drawn wagons are ready as well as their driver, corn is ready to be picked, equipment is in place. The event will be held on Sunday, October 13 near Colton, at 464th Ave and 1/2 mile east on 248th St (elevator grounds).
Registration starts at 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.though pre-registration is available.
The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. and announcer Todd Kringen will begin the contest at 11:00 a.m.
There are Picking Divisions by ages 4-100, and 4-H and FFA members are encouraged to attend and take part, so hand corn picking can go on for years. A good pair of gloves or a corn hook are highly recommended, as is practice! The top three in each division will go to the National Contest on October 19-20 in Gothenburg, NE.
Questions and pre-registrations can be done by calling Karl at 605-759-2756, Verna at 605-270-1056, or Brian at 605-659-0304.
Health care costs too much. The U.S. spends twice as much as other wealthy nations and yet we have poorer outcomes. Patients in this country visit physicians less frequently and spend less time in hospitals than residents of other wealthy countries. So, why such high costs? It's a complex issue with no simple answer.
Experts have identified three major factors contributing to this situation. The most significant is higher prices, followed by costly administrative complexity and finally, the use of ineffective or overly aggressive medical interventions that provide little benefit to patients.
What about prices? The average U.S. hospital discharge costs over $29,000 compared to $18,000 in the Netherlands and $16,000 in Canada. The average MRI price in Australia is $350 compared to $1145 in the U.S. Prices, especially drug prices keep going higher. Lantus insulin introduced nearly 20 years ago at about $35 per vial now sells for $260. The U.K. price is $26. Gleevec, a remarkably effective drug for leukemia, introduced in 2001 at $26,000 per year, more recently sells for $120,000. The generic form sells for $96,000.
Trying to control costs in the U.S., both the government and insurance companies have applied complex regulations resulting in the addition of administrative staff and steadily increasing expenditures. Studies show that 20 to 30 percent of health care expenditures now go to cover admin costs, a much higher rate than other countries.
What to do? As a society we have depended on market forces to control prices. This is effective when selling groceries and gasoline but in health care it has failed. The simple explanation is that health care providers do not compete based on price. Even when patients have comparative cost information, they all too often do not select the most cost-effective approach.
Too little incentive exists for providers, especially physicians, to seek out the most efficient approach to care. In fact, existing financial incentives often push physicians and other providers in the opposite direction – the more you do the more you are paid.
Bottom line: As a society we in the U.S. have never figured out where health care fits in the spectrum of economic activity. Is it a commercial product like automobiles and blue jeans where those with more resources can purchase more elaborate products, or is it a basic human service like public education or fire protection to be made available to everyone?
In the words of the late Professor Uwe Reinhardt, one of the giants of health policy analysis, what we have is a philosophical and ethical challenge not an economic one.
Tom Dean, MD of Wessington Springs, South Dakota is a contributing Prairie Doc® columnist who has practiced family medicine for more than 38 years. He served as a member of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. For free and easy access to the entire Prairie Doc® library, visit www.prairiedoc.org and follow Prairie Doc® on Facebook featuring On Call with the Prairie Doc® a medical Q&A show streaming on Facebook and broadcast on SDPTV most Thursdays at 7 p.m. central.
October 9, 2019 – AAA South Dakota and Southeast Technical Institute are partnering to present ‘Technology Takes the Wheel®,’ an educational seminar on Oct. 21, 2019.
This seminar will address the future impact of self-driving cars on South Dakota roadways and communities and address preparations underway to ensure South Dakota’s autonomous vehicle future is manageable for our communities, while providing traffic safety for all using the roadways.
“The technology to provide fully self-driving vehicles is under development and testing and is advancing toward future reality on our roadways,” said Marilyn Buskohl, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA South Dakota. “As the nation’s foremost advocate for motorists, travelers and traffic safety, AAA is pleased to partner with Southeast Tech to provide this informative forum to educate and engage with transportation and government officials, community business leaders and the public on the future of our transportation system, so we are prepared when autonomous vehicles become reality in South Dakota.”
This seminar is free and open to the public, and takes place in Sioux Falls on Monday, Oct. 21.
WHAT: Transportation Transformation: An Overview of Autonomous Vehicles
WHEN: 9-11:30 a.m. – Monday, Oct. 21, 2019
WHERE: Southeast Technical Institute
HUB Auditorium
2001 N. Career Ave.
Sioux Falls, SD 57107
WHO: Scheduled Speakers:
Dave Huft – Research Program Manager and Intelligent Transportation Systems Coordinator at South Dakota Dept. of Transportation
Bob Kazmierczak – Director, AAA Approved Auto Repair for Central & Great Plains Regions
Dave Hobbs – Senior Technical Trainer & Course Developer for Delphi Technologies
RSVP: There is no fee to attend. Registration is required, as space is limited.
“Future transportation systems with connected and autonomous vehicles will greatly change and impact many aspects of society, including our cities, rural communities, commerce and even human interaction and mobility,” said Jason Merritt, STI automotive instructor. “As a technical school with a strong focus on advanced technology, innovation and applied learning, this is the type of forum and training we aim to provide our students and the community.”
Consumer Views on AV
Autonomous vehicle technology is in various stages of development and, in several locations across the country, pilot testing with applications such as driverless shuttles in limited areas. But consumer comfort with self-driving vehicles is slow to develop. AAA’s annual automated vehicle survey, earlier this year, found that 71% of people are afraid to ride in fully self-driving vehicles.
More promising, AAA found that Americans are receptive to the idea of automated vehicle technology in more limited applications. About half (53%) are comfortable with low-speed, short distance forms of transportation like people movers found at airports or theme parks while 44% are comfortable with fully self-driving vehicles for delivery of food or packages. However, once the passengers become more personal – in particular, transporting their loved ones – one in five remain comfortable.
AAA believes the key to helping consumers feel more comfortable with fully self-driving vehicles will be bridging the gap between the perception of automated vehicle technology and the reality of how it actually works in today’s cars. ‘Technology Takes the Wheel®,’ seminars are among the ways AAA is informing and educating key stakeholders and consumers about the emerging AV technology.
ABOUT SOUTHEAST TECH: Southeast Tech is a career-focused learning environment for determined students who expect a life-changing education that gets results. Our faculty and staff are passionate about student success, and more than 70 associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and apprenticeships provide pathways to professional accomplishment utilizing skills-relevant facilities and Sioux Falls as an extended classroom. Southeast Tech is a smart investment for students to launch their in-demand, technical careers in two years or less. Learn more about Southeast Tech at southeasttech.edu.
About AAA
AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 60 million members nationwide and over 100,000 members in South Dakota. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. AAA is a non-stock, non-profit corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit www.AAA.com.
Susan B. Anthony, a national leader in the woman suffrage movement, found a place to stay and probably friendship when she stayed at the home of John and Alice Pickler in Faulkton in 1890. Anthony was crisscrossing South Dakota in 1889 and 1890 to campaign for women being able to vote.
The Picklers were advocates of women’s rights. Major Pickler, a Civil War veteran, came to Faulk County in 1882 and established a law practice and land development business. He was elected to the Dakota Territorial Legislature in 1884, and after the Dakotas were granted statehood, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and served there until 1897. Alice was a leader in the Women’s Relief Corps of the Grand Army of the Republic, Women’s Christian Temperance Union and the South Dakota Equal Suffrage Association.
When South Dakota became a state in 1889, its constitution required that the first legislature submit a constitutional amendment that would give every qualified person the right to vote. This extended the right to vote to most women. The election was to take place on Nov. 4, 1890.
The Picklers traveled to Washington, D.C., in February 1890 to attend a banquet given in honor of Anthony turning 70 years old on Feb. 15 and to attend the National American Woman Suffrage Association Convention.
The status of woman suffrage in South Dakota was discussed at the convention, and Anthony announced the members of a finance committee to work in South Dakota.
Both Picklers spoke briefly at the convention. As reported in the Washington, D.C. Evening Star, Alice said that “one of the facts most regretted in her new state was that the university and agricultural college, in both of which women had equal rights with men, were governed entirely by men.” Women should have a hand in the management of public institutions, she concluded.
John thanked those attending for their interest in woman suffrage in South Dakota and delivered a few arguments in favor of women suffrage.
According to Pickler family lore that was told to Faulkton resident Jody Moritz, Anthony stayed with the Picklers for four days resting and speaking in the fall of 1890. The Pickler home wasn’t just a home; it was a 20-room, three-story Victorian mansion that was the center of social life for the community. The house was painted a color between salmon and coral, giving the mansion the nickname “The Pink Castle.”
A copy of a poster in the Pickler Mansion states that Anthony spoke at the courthouse in Leola on Sept. 20, 1890. According to letters from Anthony, she and other leaders in the suffrage movement spoke at Leola and other communities in north central South Dakota in September and October 1890. According to the family, Anthony returned to Faulkton after this tour and rested two days, then went to the Black Hills for two weeks of campaigning for woman suffrage.
She returned to Faulkton and stayed another two nights before going to her brother’s home in Kansas.
She reportedly found the rose wallpaper in the room in which she stayed restful.
Despite the efforts of Anthony and other national and state speakers, the amendment for woman suffrage in South Dakota was defeated 45,632 to 22,972 in the November 1890 election.
In a letter dated Feb. 27, 1901, Anthony addresses Alice Pickler as “My dear friend” and congratulates Alice Pickler on being elected president of the South Dakota Equal Suffrage Association. “I hope that you will stick to the helm of the ship come what may. We want the right woman in the right place when the next submission comes and you are that woman in my opinion,” stated the typed note.
Anthony inquired after Mr. Pickler and the four Pickler children, and requested that Alice Pickler write “and tell me all about yourself and about South Dakota, and what are the chances for getting enfranchisement there.”
Anthony added a handwritten note stating, “I see Pierce has died. He cheated us out of suffrage for women in both the Dakotas.”
Anthony was referring to Gilbert A. Pierce, who died on Feb. 25, 1901. Pierce served as governor of Dakota Territory from 1884-1887. As a territorial legislator, John Pickler had promoted a bill for woman suffrage which passed both houses of the legislature. It was vetoed by Pierce.
Anthony wrote several more letters to Alice Pickler, which are contained in the Pickler papers at the South Dakota State Historical Society – State Archives, located at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.
Anthony returned to Faulkton, probably in 1896, and again stayed with the Picklers, according to Pickler family lore.
Anthony died in 1906 and John Pickler in 1910, both without seeing women granted the right to vote. Alice Pickler, however, did live to make her voice heard at the ballot box before her death in 1932. The 19th Amendment to the U.S Constitution was ratified and took effect in 1920, giving most women throughout the country the right to vote. Alice was secretary of the South Dakota Equal Suffrage Association at the time of her death.
The Pickler Mansion still stands in Faulkton. Visitors can tour the mansion in the summer and see the room which Anthony found so restful, now called the Susan B. room, and learn about the history of three people who played roles in the suffragist movement.
This moment in South Dakota history is provided by the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising partner of the South Dakota State Historical Society at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. Find us on the web at www.sdhsf.org. Contact us at to submit a story idea.
WHEN: 9-11:30 a.m. – Monday, Oct. 21, 2019
