By Bill Anderson

Step, pause, step, pause, step, pause, the inexorable march on the down staircase from Summer into Winter is under way. A fast-moving front brought a change in the weather on Thursday, October 6, bringing with it a hard freeze on Friday, October 7. Afternoon highs got back up into the 60’s & low 70’s by Saturday afternoon, but the morning lows hovered near the 32-degree mark through Monday, October 10. Another fast-moving front warmed things up to near 80 on Tuesday the 11^th, but the temperature was predicted to plummet by Wednesday morning, with highs sliding into the 40’s & 50’s and lows below freezing for the rest of the week. No rain has accompanied these changes in the weather, and none is being predicted for the foreseeable future. Well, that just means that every day we are getting one day closer to a day that will bring rain to the area. Local farmers are now transitioning from harvesting 40 bushel $14.00 soybeans to 175-bushel $7.00 corn, with yields varying from field to field and prices varying from day to day. They would just as soon have the rain hold off until the crop is harvested and either the grain is in the bin or the check is in the bank. As the late Lou Sanderson once wrote in his Sanderson Sez column many years ago, “The frost is on the pumpkin, and the corn is in the shock; the wheat has all been threshed, and the cash is in the sock.”

Friends here were saddened on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, when it was learned that Terry Price, owner & operator of Price Funeral Chapel of Britton & Forman, successor to Franzen Funeral Home, had passed away in Milbank SD at the home of his daughter and under the care of hospice, at the age of 67 years, 9 months, and 9 days. He had been battling cancer for several years. Terrance J. Price was born December 18, 1954, in Milbank SD to John Francis and Marjorie Twilight (Anderson) Price. He attended his K-12 schooling in Milbank, graduating from Milbank High School in 1973. He soon found his passion for music, and expanded his talents by participating in chorus, playing the trombone in the Milbank School band, and performing roles in school plays. Terry had a natural gift for playing by ear, and later honed his skills with years of lessons. Following graduation, he took a year off before college and worked for Jim Emanuel at the Emanuel Funeral Home in Milbank. Working for the Emanuel family helped him realize his calling to the funeral business. He began the process of becoming a funeral director by first attending Northern State College in Aberdeen from 1973-1976 studying pre-mortuary science. From there he went to San Francisco College of Mortuary Science and earned his mortuary degree in June of 1977. He became a licensed funeral director/embalmer in August of that year. Terry always said that he acquired his greatest treasure when he met Pamella Puetz, the love of his life. They were married on September 19, 1981, at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Sioux Falls SD. Their first child, Katie, was born in September 1986. Katie passed away from SIDS at the age of 6 weeks. Two years later their twins, Robb and Betsy, were born. Their fourth child, Scott, arrived 18 months later. In 1993 Terry was offered a job with Franzen Funeral Chapel at Britton by the owner, John Scott. Terry’s lifelong dream of owning his own funeral home became a reality in January 1999. He operated Price Funeral Chapel for over 23 years, and will be remembered for his kind, compassionate services, and his generous nature by all the families who entrusted him with their loved one’s final services. Terry shared his musical talents by singing in choirs, playing organ for many churches, singing at funerals, and was always willing to share his musical gift with others in any way he was able. He was a member and director of a 42-man barbershop group for many years! Along with his musical talents, he was an overall creative person. He found comfort in working on Tunisian crochet afghans (taught to him by Grandma Emanuel), needlework, baking pies, word games, and handmade projects for loved ones. Terry loved to make others laugh and always had a funny story or a good joke ready to go. His willingness to serve others was evident in his community involvement and his service on many charitable & community boards. He had a naturally generous spirit and caring heart that will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Pamella, of Britton; their children and their spouses: Robb (Gabbie) of Harrisburg SD, Betsy (Andrew) VanLith of Milbank SD, and Scott (Ashley) of Castlewood SD; his grandchildren: Lincoln and Myah Price and Wyatt and Claire VanLith; his sister, Jamey Price of Columbus NE; and his brothers: Tom (Pat) Price of Sioux Falls SD and Todd Price of Minneapolis MN. He was preceded in death by his parents; his infant daughter, Katie; his brothers: John “Jackie” (Mary) Price and Tim Price; his in-laws George and Mavis Puetz; and, by his brother-in-law, Scott Puetz. The Mass of Christian Burial for Terry Price was at 10:30 am on Friday, October 7, 2022, at the Abbey of the Hills, 46561 147th St., Marvin SD. Rev.Fr. Mike Kelly officiated, and interment was in the Milbank City Cemetery in Milbank SD. Visitation was from 4-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at the Price Funeral Chapel in Britton, and continued for one hour before the service at the Abbey of the Hills on Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be given to one of the following charities: Special Olympics South Dakota, 800 E I, 90 Ln, Sioux Falls SD 57104, www.sosd.org; Marshall County Ambulance, PO Box 130, Britton SD 57430; Marching Medics Cancer Walk Team, 301 Flynn Dr., Milbank SD 57252; and, Marshall County Pantry Shelf, PO Box 734, Britton SD 57430. Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Pam Price, PO Box 216, Britton SD 57430. The Rutland community extends condolences to the family and friends of Terry Price, a loyal friend who served the community with kindness, compassion and grace. He always enjoyed Uff-Da Day in Rutland, and those Rutland scalloped potatoes were among his favorites.

Workers employed by Western Area Power were replacing power line poles along the Wild Rice River south of Rutland on Wednesday, October 5. The double pole setting adjacent to the River two miles south of town was in danger of being washed out and falling into the Wild Rice. The men made arrangements to join diners at the Rutland Seniors’ Center for Wednesday’s Noon meal: barbecued chicken breast, green beans, au gratin potatoes and a baked apple. A good time was had by all.

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