600. It’s not a presidential electionyear, and I think that makes a majordifference.”

In three counties, early votinghas been running at the normalpace.

Charles Mix County DeputyAuditor Jessica Nielsen said heroffice has seen about 500 absenteeballots, while Hutchinson CountyAuditor Jeanie Simonsen hasreceived 446 so far. Union CountyAuditor Carol Klumper hasreceived requests for 746 earlyballots, with 670 returned.

In contrast to the statewidetrend, Douglas County AuditorDiane Christensen has seen 229absentee ballots for an increasefrom the last general election.

“We probably have twice asmany absentee ballots as we didin 2008. A lot of people came inand said they were going to be outof town that day, or they were hav-ing surgery, and wanted to get(their voting) done,” she said.

“I also think that our (auditor’s)office is located next to the treasur-er’s office, where they just paid theirtaxes, and people thought theywould just come in to vote and thenwouldn’t have to worry about it.”

Tuesday’s election marks aswan song for Christensen, who isleaving office after this week.

Christensen won the GOP pri-mary. However, she and her hus-band are now moving to RapidCity. That left the question of hersuccessor, as no Democrats orindependents ran for auditor.

The Douglas County Commissionappointed Gary Denke of Delmont,one of the Republican primary can-didates, to the position.

Christensen had resigned effec-tive last month. However, shedecided to remain in officethrough the general election and

canvass. Denke will then assumethe auditor’s office until the 2012election. At that time, an electionwill be held for the remaining twoyears on the four-year term.

Not all of Tuesday’s ballotchoices involve candidate races.

• Hutchinson County voterswill decide whether to withdrawfrom the James River WaterDevelopment District (JRWDD). A“yes” vote is for withdrawing fromthe district, while a “no” vote isfor remaining as a member.

Voters in Area 9 of the JRWDDwill choose between Dave Benderof Menno and Clinton Bauer ofFreeman for a seat on the board ofdirectors. Both men currentlyserve on the board but face eachother because of redistricting.

However, the race becomesmoot if Hutchinson County with-draws from the district. In thatcase, the winner would not beseated, and the JRWDD boardwould be redistricted to reflect thedeparture of Hutchinson County.

• Tripp-Delmont schoolpatrons will decide whether tokeep the current school boardcandidate districts or change to anat-large system.

The school board put the ques-tion on the ballot, said schoolbusiness manager Sherry Hansen.

“We started with districts whenwe reorganized as Tripp-Delmontwith the 1991-92 school year. Theidea was to ensure representationfor the entire district,” she said.“But we have had a hard time get-ting people to run in each district.We have appointed people whohave been on for so long that theywant off the board. We might havemore people who want to run if weelected board members at large.”

The question of an at-largeschool board isn’t new, as Tripp-Delmont patrons narrowly defeat-ed the measure several years ago,Hansen said. But voters didchoose to reduce the school boardfrom seven to five membersbecause of the difficulty in findingcandidates, she said.

The following is a round-up ofraces in area South Dakota coun-ties. The polls are open from 7a.m. to 7 p.m.

• BON HOMME: In the Register ofDeeds race, Democrat Sandra Frasier-Shaffer of Tyndall faces independentAmanda Boden of Tyndall. In the District3 county commission race, Democraticincumbent John Pesek of Tyndall ischallenged by Republican DuaneBachmann of Tyndall.

• CHARLES MIX: The auditor’s racepits independent Sherri Elaine Fuchs ofWagner and Democrat JenniferRucktaeschel of Lake Andes. The sher-iff’s race features Republican JamesChaney of Platte, Democrat RandyThaler of Lake Andes and IndependentOitancan Zephier of Greenwood.

In the District 1 county commissioner,Democrat Jack Soulek of Lake Andesfaces Republican Francis Doom ofWagner.

• CLAY: Voters will choose two candi-dates for at-large seats on the countycommission. The field includesDemocrats Les Kephart and PhyllisPackard, independent Grant Sammelsonand Republicans Leonard Rasmussenand Jere Chapman, all of Vermillion.

• DOUGLAS: For District 1 county com-missioner, Republican incumbent MartinDrefs of Harrison faces independent chal-lenger Merlin VanZee of rural Platte.

• HUTCHINSON: In the auditor’srace, Republican incumbent JeanieSimonsen of Menno faces independentchallenger Vicky Fitzpatrick of Olivet.

• TURNER: In District 3, Democrat RonGlobke and independent Greg Larsen,both of Marion, are running for the seatheld by long-term commissioner LuverneLangerock, who did not run for re-election.

In District 5, Republican WilliamWeegar and Democrat Gary Hansen,both of Parker, are seeking the seat heldby Steve Schmeichel of Hurley, whochose not to run for another term.

• UNION: For District 3 county com-missioner, Democratic incumbent DaleNeely of North Sioux City facesRepublican challenger Justin Boyd ofNorth Sioux City.

Mary SteckelbergMary “Pudge” Geraldine

(Welte) Steckelberg, 87, ofYankton, formerly of Elk Point,passed away on Friday, October29, 2010 at AveraYankton CareCenter in Yankton,SD.

Funeral masswill be onW e d n e s d a y ,November 3, 2010at 10:00 a.m. at St.Joseph’s CatholicChurch in ElkPoint. Burial willbe at St. Joseph’s Catholic ceme-tery following the service.

Visitation will be held onTuesday, November 2, 2010 from5:30-6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’sCatholic Church. There will be arosary at 6:30 p.m. with a wakeservice to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Mary was born on January 30,1923 in Danbury, IA to Dan andJosephine (Collins) Welte. Sheattended and graduated from St.Patrick’s Academy in Danbury in1941. Afterwards, she attendedNettleton Business College, andworked at Windcharger in SiouxCity, IA. She married ArnoldSteckelberg on November 22,1948 in Danbury, IA. Mary andArnold moved to the farm whereMary was a farm wife until Arnolddied of cancer in 1975.

Mary moved to Elk Point andworked for the Elk Point schoolsystem for many years. She was amember of the St. Joseph’sCatholic Church in Elk Point andalso participated in the AltarSociety at the church. Mary likedto stay active and could often beseen walking around the commu-nity of Elk Point.

Mary moved to Yankton in2002 to be closer to her family.She suffered a stroke in 2008, butdidn’t give up. As she wouldalways say, “I just keep going!” Upuntil her stroke, Mary alwayskept a diary. If you had a questionabout her past, she always knewwhere to look for the answer.Mary was a gentle little lady andwas loved by all. She will be sin-cerely missed by everyone whoknew her.

Mary is survived by her son,James (Joan) Steckelberg ofYankton, SD; grandsons, IanSteckelberg of Yankton, SD andWilliam Janssen in Japan; grand-daughters, Becky Janssen ofSioux Falls, SD, Brittany Janssenof Yankton, SD and Julie Sievers-McBride of Los Angeles, CA; 6great-grandchildren; sisters,Alice Paulson of Cushing, IA andMirium Cooper of Mapleton, IA;and brothers, Maurice Welte ofSgt. Bluff, IA and Larry Welte ofMN.

She is preceded in death byher parents Dan and JosephineWelte; husband, ArnoldSteckelberg; and brother, EarlWelte.

A n d e r s o n - S i e c k e - K o b e rFuneral Home of Elk Point is incharge of arrangements.

Condolences may be postedonline at www.koberfuneral-home.com.

Yankton Press & DakotanNovember 1, 2010

James KlempTABOR — James R. Klemp, age

67, of Tabor, South Dakota,passed away on Saturday,October 30, 2010 at Mount ViewCare Center in Wausau.

James was born on December16, 1942 in Portage, the son ofRussell and Betty (Schroeder)Klemp. He proudly worked forUnited ParcelService for 27years. James wasan avid sports-man, loved theoutdoors, huntingand fishing. Heespecially lovedblue gill fishing inSylvania andpheasant huntingin South Dakota.

He is survived by his children,Tammy (Mark) Ludgatis, Hudson,Michael Klemp, Rio, Rita (Chris)Rumbelow, Madison, Brenda(Scott) Kaufman, Rice Lake, andDouglas (Jen) Klemp, Yankton,SD; his grandchildren, Jessica,Aaron, Michael and DavidLudgatis, Tyler and Haley Klemp,Samantha and Kiersten Klemp,Sam and Anna Rumbelow, andMatthew Crotteau; his formerspouse, mother of his childrenand best friend, Pat Hamele;three sisters, Judy (Mel) Jacobs,Escondido, CA, Darlene Davis,Lime Ridge, WI, and Sally (Gary)Halvensleben, Wausau; his bestfriend and hunting partner, hisdog, Mo; many nieces, nephews,other relatives and close friends.

He was preceded in death byhis parents, Russell and Betty,

two brothers, Tom and DonaldAllen, a very special fishingbuddy and nephew, Eric Fichtel,and a niece, his god-daughter,Marcy Grosskruetz.

The family would like toextend a special thank you to hisspecial daughter-in-law, JenKlemp.

Funeral services will be held at3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November2, 2010 at the Pflanz ManteyMendrala Funeral Home inPortage. Inurnment will be pri-vate.

Visitation will be from 1:00p.m. until the time of the serviceat 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday at thefuneral home.

The family suggests memori-als may be made to theChristopher and Dana ReeveFoundation, 636 Morris Turnpike,Suite 3A, Short Hills, NH 07078,for spinal cord research.

Yankton Press & DakotanNovember 1, 2010

Clara HabererCROFTON, Neb. — Clara J.

Haberer, 91 of Crofton, Neb., diedSunday (Oct. 31, 2010) at the GoodSamaritan Center, Bloomfield,Neb.

Funeral services are at 10:30a.m. Wednesday at St. Rose of LimaCatholic Church, Crofton, with theRev. Michael Schmitz officiating.Burial will be in the St. Rose ofLima cemetery, Crofton.

Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Tuesday,with a vigil service at 7 p.m., atWintz Funeral Home, Crofton.Visitation will begin one hourprior to services on Wednesdayat the church.

To send online condolencesor to view the video tribute, visitwww.wintzrayfuneralhome.com.

Willa PeaseOMAHA, Neb. — Willa Dean

Pease, 88, of Omaha, Neb., andformerly of Niobrara, Neb., diedSaturday (Oct. 30, 2010) at theVia Christe Assisted Living,Omaha, Neb.

Funeral services are pendingat Wintz Funeral Home, Crofton,Neb.

Ronald FuksUTICA — Ronald A. Fuks, 66,

of Utica, died unexpectedly at hisresidence.

Funeral services are at 1:30p.m., Monday (Nov. 1, 2010) atthe Opsahl-Kostel FuneralChapel, Yankton, with the Rev.Paul Opsahl officiating. Burialwill be in the NikodymCemetery, rural Utica, atapproximately 3:30 p.m.

Visitations will be one hourprior to the service at the funeralhome.

www.yankton.net PAGE 3AYankton Daily Press & Dakotan ■ THE REGION ■ Monday, November 1, 2010

Leadership for YanktonElect Jay WilliamsElect Jay WilliamsElect Jay Williams

for the South Dakota House of Representatives from Yankton County

• Born and raised on a farm in rural South Dakota

• US Navy Veteran/Naval Aviator

• Owns and operates a high tech business in Yankton

• Dedicated Family ManPaid for byYankton County Democrats

RE-ELECT INCUMBENT

Clinton BauerFor Area 9 Of The James River Water Development

District Board of Directors“I will represent the rural residents and cities of Hutchinson County

and rural residents of Yankton County.”

Lifetime landowner & resident farmer on the James River

Remember, Voting Is A PrivilegePaid by Clinton Bauer, 27825 431st Ave., Freeman, SD 57029

Our care and concern does not end with the funeral service. This week we remember with family and friends the anniversary of the deaths of:

Our Thoughts And Prayers Are With The m

This remembrance is brought to you free of charge. If you have a loved one you would like remembered, contact us at

Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory.

Guiding and serving families with compassion and trust.

Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton Memorial Resource Center, Tyndall

Memorial Chapels, Tyndall, Tabor & Menno

665-9679 • 1-800-495-9679 www.opsahlkostelfuneralhome.com

Angeline M. Guentherwho passed away onNovember 1, 2009

Bobbie J. Taggartwho passed away onNovember 5, 2009

Bruce Kelly Van Osdelwho passed away onNovember 6, 2009

Kaye Lynn Elliswho passed away onNovember 7, 2009

Charles Hertzwho passed away onNovember 7, 2009

James Nedvedwho passed away onNovember 6, 1997

Blast From The PastBreakfast SpecialMonday-Friday 6am-11am

2216 Broadway

$ 3 25 $ 3 25 $ 3 25

Rose KocerSCOTLAND — Funeral serv-

ices for Rose Kocer, 85, will beheld Tuesday, November 2, at10:30 a.m. at St. George CatholicChurch in Scotland, SouthDakota, with a 1 p.m. gravesideservice at St. WenceslausCemetery in Tabor.

Visitation will be Monday,November 1, from 1-5 p.m. atthe Goglin Funeral Home inScotland with the wake servicefollowing at 7 p.m. at thechurch.

Online expressions of sym-pathy may be sent atwww.goglinfh.com.

Steckelberg

Klemp

O B I T U A R I E S

Ewing area most of his life.The 24-year-old Larson, an art

consultant and horse trainer,received his bachelor’s degree inpolitical science, theology andanthropology from GeorgetownUniversity in 2008.

Larson has served as thehead of business operations andrisk management for ArtResearch Technologies since2009. He also founded The RopeGroup, a company that doesmarketing and fundraising forsmall rodeo associations.

Larson grew up near WeepingWater, Neb., and moved to hisgrandfather’s ranch near O’Neillduring summer 2009.

His political experienceincludes working for U.S. Rep. JeffFortenberry (R-Neb.) and then-U.S.Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) and ascampaign coordinator for currentThird District Congressman AdrianSmith (R-Neb.).

While the District 40 race hascaptured attention, other raceshave garnered local interest.

In Knox County, Fischer pointsto high interest in the sheriff andDistrict 3 supervisor races.

The sheriff’s race featuresRepublican Don Henery of Centerand Democrat Mark Krepel ofCrofton. Henery, a Knox Countydeputy sheriff, was appointedsheriff earlier this year whenJanecek retired from office. Krepelserves as Crofton police chief.

The District 3 supervisorrace, which represents theVerdigre area, finds Republicanincumbent Virgil Miller facingDemocratic challenger Jeff Uhlir.

Knox County has 3,118Republicans; 2,014 Democrats;and 822 non-partisan for 5,954registered voters.

“Early voting has gone verywell so far. We have almost 300people who have already voted,”Fischer said Thursday afternoon.“That’s about average for off-presi-dential election years. Back in thepresidential election of 2008, wehad almost 700 early ballots.”

The demand for early ballotshas in Cedar County has not metthe pace of past years, Dowlingsaid Thursday afternoon.

“The early voting is actuallyslower than I thought it would be,”he said. “We have 360 early ballotsso far. That’s down from 670 in2008, 654 in 2006 and 523 in 2004.”

At the county level, the clerk’srace is the only contest withDowling, the Democratic incum-bent, facing Republican challengerBrian Steffen.

Despite the slower early votingDowling expects a good turnoutfor Tuesday’s election.

“Our general election averagefor the past dozen elections hasbeen 68 percent voter turnout,” hesaid. “We should get close to that,in the 65 to 68 percent range.”

Cedar County has 3,072Republicans; 2,231 Democrats; and886 non-partisan voters for a totalof 6,189.

“We have had quite a swingfrom Democratic to Republican inthe last year,” he said. “A fewyears ago, we had more registeredDemocrats.”

Because of the wide variety ofraces, Cedar County has 64 differ-ent ballots, while Knox County has88.

Fischer recommends that vot-ers review the sample ballotsfound in local newspapers beforeheading to the polls. “Voters areable to take notes to the pollingsites, if they want to clip out thesample ballots,” she said.

The following is a round-up ofcontested town and school racesin Knox and Cedar counties. Write-in candidates are possible inraces.

The polls are open from 8 a.m.to 8 p.m. Election results are post-

ed online at www.co.knox.ne.usand www.co.cedar.ne.us.

BLOOMFIELD: In the schoolboard race, Kristi J. Hauger, Keith A.Koertje, Jeff Fehringer, ShannonJohnson and Brian Eisenhauer arerunning for three, four-year terms. Forcity council, Brad Eckmann, JoeKauth, Alan Lemke and Raymon W.Lush are running for two, four-yearterms as at-large members.

COLERIDGE: In the village race,Terry Julesgard, Greg Meier andGeorge Hefner are running for twoseats.

CREIGHTON: In the school boardrace, Colleen Kay O’Brien-Farnik,Mark Wilmes, Cory Adams and JodyFuchtman are running for three, four-year terms.

CROFTON: In the school boardrace, Terry Thunker, Bob Evans, KiethZimmerman and Jason Arens are run-ning for three, four-year terms.

DOLPHIN TOWNSHIP: Voters willdecide whether to allow a property taxlevy, not to exceed 28 cents per $100of taxable valuation and not to exceedlimits under the law, until 2014-15.

HARTINGTON: In the city elec-tion, the mayor’s race pits Bill Yatesagainst Brad Peitz, while GeraldThoene faces Cody Christensen inWard One.

LAUREL: In the city race, JasonSwanson faces Jerry Wiemers in theWest Ward, while Keith Knudsenfaces Brad Chapman in the EastWard.

NIOBRARA: In the schoolboard race, Gerald Kemp, KyleCrosley, Orvil W. Holz and MistyThomas are running for three, four-year terms. In the village race, JohnMoore, Josef E. Hastings andStephen W. Hrbek are running fortwo, four-year terms.

RANDOLPH: In the city elec-tion, the mayor’s race featuresDwayne Schutte and Neil Kluver. InWard 2, Marlin Van Slyke facesVirgil Podany. In addition, voterswill decide whether Wards I and IIshould be dissolved and one votingprecinct created to elect city offi-cials at large.

SANTEE: In the school boardrace, Waylon LaPlante, Kellie Pike,Diane LaPointe, Susie Kitto,Christopher G. Swalley and LilaMechaley are running for three,four-year terms.

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