Winston Hemminger

winston hemminger

October 13, 1983 ~ December 28, 2008

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Winston Hemminger, 25, of Highmore passed away Sunday, December 28, 2008 near Wessington due to a snowmobile accident.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 2, 2009 at the Hyde County Memorial Auditorium in Highmore with Pastor David Peterson officiating. Burial was in the Highmore Cemetery, directed by Luze Funeral Home of Highmore. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 1, 2009 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the Auditorium in Highmore.

Winston Ray was brought into the world on October 13, 1983 in Miller, South Dakota to the proud parents of Karen (Schaefer) Hemminger and Don Hemminger. Winston attended his elementary and high school years in Highmore.

Winston’s true home was in the country which led him to working on farm/ranches. He enjoyed each and every one of his jobs but he had a desire to explore all that life had to offer and kept moving forward. His recent employment was with Warren and Mike Solberg.

With his personable style, Winston could walk into any room and receive a handful of hellos, with everyone sure to feel his presence. He had a place in his heart for not only everyone he met but also for all animals as well. Winston could always be found with a four legged friend at his side and cell phone on his ear.

With his outgoing personality he enjoyed all outdoor activities including hunting, water sports, snowmobiling and four wheeling along with many recreation sports such as pool, darts, foosball and softball. No matter what time of day, if there was talk of a good time he was on his way. Winston had a loving demeanor that left a lasting memory with everybody who had the pleasure of meeting him and he will be missed dearly by all.

Winston’s memories will be cherished by his special friend, Ashley Martinmaas of Highmore; parents: Don (Sandi) Hemminger of Highmore and Karen (Greg “Birddog”) Swenson of Highmore; two sisters: Haley of Mitchell, Nebraska and Tia of Highmore; one brother: Blake of Hayes; two step-sisters: Angie Blair (Brian) Roberts of Highmore and Kayla Swenson (Jeff Stanley) of Miller; two step nephews: Bryce Roberts and Joseph Stanley; grandparents: Arlene Hemminger, Gerald (Lorraine) Schaefer and Sandra Hunt; aunts and uncles: Dixie (Mike) Volek, Rod (Susan) Schaefer, Cathy (Jim) Peitz, Jim (Gail) Schaefer, Jill Schaefer, Holly (Jim) Norgaard, Kevin (Linda) Schaefer and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Arlene Schaefer and paternal grandfather, Howard Hemminger.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Winston's arrangements.

MINSTER
Pastor David Peterson

CASKETBEARERS
Blake Hemminger
Tyler Peterson
Matt McCloud
Steve Chavez
Bronc McMurtry
Jake Kelsey
Brent Swaney
Beau LeGrand

HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Brandon Butler
Melvin Buchheim
Derek Juneau
Mark McCloud
Dennis McMurtry
Adam Cermak
All His Family &  Friends

USHERS
Mike Cowan
Joe Kelsey
Mike Solberg
Duke McCloud
Ken Hoffman

GUESTBOOK
Justina Fieldsend
Stephanie Cary

FLOWERBEARERS
Deb Cermak
Cheryl Cowan

ORGANIST
Katherine Hieb

SELECTIONS
"On Eagle's Wings"
"Amazing Grace"
"I Can Only Imagine"

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Don and Sandi
    There are no words at a time like this that say all we want them to or words that can express the depth of our feelings for both of you and Winston’s entire family. But we wanted you to know how very much we care about you and feel the depth of your sorrow. Although words are not perfect they give us the means to communicate at least on some level to let you know we are thinking of you and care deeply. Dave and Beatrice

  2. Don and Sandi
    There are no words at a time like this that say all we want them to or words that can express the depth of our feelings for both of you and Winston’s entire family. But we wanted you to know how very much we care about you and feel the depth of your sorrow. Although words are not perfect they give us the means to communicate at least on some level to let you know we are thinking of you and care deeply. Dave and Beatrice

  3. Don, Karen, Haley, Blake, and Tia,
    I am so sorry to hear of Winston’s passing. He was always such a fun person to be around. You are all in my thoughts.
    Michelle

  4. Don, Karen, Haley, Blake, and Tia, I am sorry for your lost. I have a lot of good memories of Winston. You are all in my prayers.

  5. just want you to know how sorry i am about winston.you will be in my thoughts and prayers

    deb

  6. Karen and family – So sorry to hear about your loss. Your in my thoughts and prayers.

  7. Karen and family, I am so sad to hear of Winston’s accident. My heart goes out to all of you. I will keep you in my prayers.

    with love and blessings,
    Cindy and the Litwer family

  8. Angie (Wheelhouse) Harvey says:

    Karen, Don and families,

    My sympathy to you and yours during this extremely difficult time. Our thoughts are with you.

    Darren, Angie, Winston, Andrea, Bailey and Lacey Harvey

  9. Karen, Don, & Families.

    Our hearts go out to you during this very sad period in your life. You had a wonderful Son who always had time to say Hi and ask hows it going. He will be missed dearly. Your in our thoughts and prayers..
    Kathy, Tim, Matt & McKenzee

  10. Karen, Don, Haley, Blake, Tia- i am so sorry for your loss! Winston was a great person and will be deeply missed. Know that we will keep your family in our prayers during this difficult time! All our love, Danelle, Heath, Kassie, Dawson Hale

  11. Karen,Don,Haley,Blake and Tia.I’m so sorry to here about Winston. My heart goes out to all of you. I’m so glad I got to see Winston the last time I was home. I’ll never forget his smile he always had.
    GOD BLESS all of you.

  12. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU IN THIS SAD TIME. JUST LOOK TO THE LORD AND HE WILL HELP.

  13. Melissa (Kusser) Klemann says:

    My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

  14. Our deepest condolences to Winston’s family. You will be in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead as you deal with your. May God comfort you and give you strength.

  15. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  16. Roger and Vikki Day and family says:

    So sorry to hear about Winston. I know this is a very difficult time. Just want to let you know that all of you are in our prayers. I know that God will comfort you…just reach out to Him and He will see you through things that otherwise seem impossible. God bless you all.

  17. TO WINSTON’S FAMILY

    WE HAVE BEEN THINKING OF YOU GUYS
    ALOT. I WENT TO CHURCH AND LIT A CANDLE AND SAID A PRAYER FOR YOUR SON. WISH I COULD TAKE AWAY THE HURT YOU FEEL. AND TELL YOU WHY THIS HAPPENED. IT DOESN’T GO AWAY IT JUST GET’S EASIER. GOD ONLY TAKES THE BEST.STAY STRONG .
    GOD BLESS
    MARK & BONNIE
    BRADY

  18. Doug & Candi Boes and family says:

    Blake & family;

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time.
    The Boes’

  19. Don, Karen and family. We were very sorry to hear about Winston’s accident. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

  20. Donnie,

    Your family is in my prayers.

    Will plan to see everyone at the visitation and funeral.

    With love, Judy

  21. Karen, Don, Sandi and all. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May God comfort you in this time of sadness. You will be in my families thoughts and prayers.

  22. Karen,Don and Families–I am so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Remember God is good and he will help you through times that you think are impossible,all you have to do is ask. God Bless You All. Diana and Gordon Hettinger and families

  23. My family and I are deeply sorry for your loss and will miss Winston very much. He was a great person and will be missed.

  24. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Phyllis McKelvey

  25. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Allen, Shannon and Deidra Becker

  26. When I heard Winston’s name on the radio, I just kept praying that I had heard it wrong, that it must have been someone else. I am so sorry that you are having to go through this. There just aren’t words to tell you how my heart goes out to you. Let God’s love surround and hold you up through this difficult time. You are in my prayers.

  27. Words cannot express how sorry we are for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. We will keep you in our prayers.

    Nikki, Dillon, & Brooklyn Baloun

  28. Blake & family; we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Julie and Sheila Ricketts

  29. Don, Karen & families … I was so sad to hear of Winstons accident. I will always have fond memories of him both as a little kid and a grown up one

  30. Haley and Family. We are thinking of you. My family and I have you in are prayers.

    Dr. Kim, Lee, Sophia and Wyatt

  31. I am so sorry for your loss and sorry you all have to go through this. I always pray that another Mom and Dad will never have to go through what Scott and I did with Kyle.

    The huge void Winston has left will never go away and some days will be harder than others. Just try to remember the good times and keep the memories. No one can ever take away your memories and your love for Winston.

    I pray every night that God will give you strength, comfort and peace.

  32. Karen Don and Family,Our Prayers go out to you on your loss, Winston will be missed by all. He was always so nice to visit with and always had a smile to share.
    Thinking of you all.

    Betty and Curtis Gibson

  33. Karen, Don and Family, We are so sorry for your loss, Winston is always a joy to be around, he always had a smile and something to say. He will be missed by all. Our Prayers and thoughts are with you.

  34. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  35. Our love and prayers go out to you all now. May God hold you in his loving arms and surround you with peace.

  36. Gordon & Cynthia Sampson says:

    Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

    Gordon and Cynthia Sampson

  37. To Winton’s family, I want to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal. I know you will have many special memories.

  38. Ashley: Scott and I send you our sincere sympathy on your loss. We know that you and Winston were really good friends. A person your age doesn’t need this, but remember that we will be praying for you and if you need anything besure to contact us. Our thoughts and prayers.
    Marsha and Scott Hofer

  39. Don and family,
    I am so sorry to hear about Winston. I didn’t know him as an adult but he was a very sweet kid. My thoughts are with you.
    Marcie

  40. Peggy (Schuette) Schlechter says:

    Don and Karen and family, I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. My heart goes out to all of you and I pray that God gives you strength through this difficult time. You are all in my thoughts and my prayers.

  41. Don, Karen and families we are so sorry for your tragic loss.
    Winston was always a very happy young man and always made it a point to say HI and talk. His friendly personality made it easy to love him like a son.
    The memories you have of him will keep him always with you. As they will for all who loved him.
    We keep you all in our thoughts and in our hearts. Scott and Kathy

  42. Don, Sandi and Family

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Gerry and Peggy Sheridan

  43. Stephanie and Eli Litwer says:

    God Bless Winston and his dear family. Our prayers are with you!

  44. Haley and family, I just wanted to let you know I am very sorry about you loss. We are thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers.

    Jessi, Brian, Abby, and Kylee

  45. Karen and family- Sorry to hear about your son, Winston. May the Lord be with each of you at this difficult time. My prayers are with you.

  46. To Winston’s Family my thoughts and prayers are with you. May you hold on to the memories of him and hold them close to your hearts. I will remember his enduring laugh and smile. God Bless you all.

  47. We are saddened to hear of you loss, your family will be in our thoughts and prayers to gather strength to make through this difficult time in your lives.

    With deepest sympathy

    John, Tammy, Paxton, Morgan, Jordyn, and Colton Mewes

  48. we will never forget winston he was a joy in are family he will be miss

  49. Winston’s Family- May God’s Love comfort you in your time of sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The Knox’s Doug, Mary, Grace & Mason

  50. KAREN I WISH I WAS THERE TO HOLD YOU,,,I KNOW THE PAIN AND ITS NOT EASY GETTING OVER IT IN FACT YOU NEVER GET OVER IT,,BUT HOLD ON TO ALL THE FUN TIMES YOU HAD WITH HIM..HE WAS SUCH A FUN KID WHEN I WORKED FOR YOU AND HE WAS THERE,,ALWAYS HAPPY AND FULL OF ENERGY…LOTS OF CUTE LITTLE SMILES AND ALWAYS WANTING TO HELP…HANG IN THERE GIRL I KNOW YOU ARE A VERY STRONG WOMEN..LOVE,TRUDY

  51. Jacque and Kirk McDonnell says:

    Karen,Greg, Don and Sandy,

    I know word can not help you heal but I know time will. Our simpathy is with you at this time of sorrow.

  52. To Winston’s family-
    I met Winston through my little brothers and sister. He was a great guy although I only knew him for a short time. He was easy to get along with and could make you laugh without trying to hard. My brothers spoke highly of him. You are all in my thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.

  53. We are very sorry for your loss and prayers are with you, and are thinking of you. May God Bless you all and take care. Lyle & Myva

  54. When there are no words the heart speaks loudest. A kind smile and giving spirit like Winston’s can never be forgotten. God’s peace to you all. Nyla, Marty, Faye, Craig, Alex & Mariah Buchholz

  55. Tia~ Sorry to hear of your brother’s passing. You will always have the memories to remember your brother by. See you at school.

  56. Don, Karen and family:

    I am Loraines daughter Brenda-We are so sorry for your loss-we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. We did not know Winston but he sounds like a son you could be very proud of. Take care

  57. Don, Karen and family:

    I am Loraines daughter Brenda-We are so sorry for your loss-we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. We did not know Winston but he sounds like a son you could be very proud of. Take care-Dan and Brenda Furaus


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