Rev. Elroy Spencer Skaar, 87
Rev. Elroy Skaar passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2009, at Sanford Health. 
Elroy Spencer Skaar was born on Feb. 12, 1922, near Gaza, Iowa, the son of Ben and Gladys (Hagen) Skaar. He grew up near Gaza and graduated from Gaza High School in 1940. Elroy attended Augustana College and graduated in 1944 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. He began attending the Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. Elroy married Lois Stangeland on May 27, 1945, in Paulina, Iowa. He graduated from the seminary in 1946. He served churches in Cameron, Wis., Glenwood City, Wis., Hudson, Dell Rapids, Sioux Falls, Britton and Renner. They retired in 1987 and later moved into Sioux Falls.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lois of Sioux Falls; his daughter, Joy (Randy) Bisping of Spring Lake, Mich.; his son, Jon (Jane) Skaar of Lake Wilson, Minn.; his mother, Gladys Skaar of Primghar, Iowa; his three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and his two brothers: Gene (Eleanor) Skaar of Mesa, Ariz., and Harlan (Shirley) Skaar of Spirit Lake, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ben and a niece, Peggy Jean.
Memorials may be sent to the Media Ministry Fund of First Lutheran in Sioux Falls or Augustana College in Sioux Falls.
A memorial service was held at First Lutheran Church of Sioux Falls on Monday, May 11, 2009, with Rev. John Christopherson and Rev. Eugene Eikanger officiating.
Casketbearers were Chris Skaar, Dan Skaar, Phillip Skaar, Randy Bisping, Arnold Leng and Gerald Leng.
Interment was in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Sioux Falls. Funeral arrangements were handled by Kahler Funeral Home www.kahlerfh.com.
George Fox Thoma, 89
George F. Thoma passed away Saturday, May 2, 2009.
George was born in Weekauken Heights, N. J. on Feb. 11, 1920 to Frederick and Gertrude (Fox) Thoma.  His family moved to Chicago, Ill. and he spent his youth and young adulthood in the Chicago area.   After serving during WW II in the United States Navy, he returned to Illinois and was graduated from The University of Illinois with a Master’s Degree in Journalism.
In 1946 George met and married Helen Crisp from Dell Rapids.
After marriage, George embarked on a long career in radio broadcasting that spanned 30 years.  He also served as adjunct professor of communication for several years at Chesapeake Community College in Maryland.  George and Helen moved to Dell Rapids in 1989 where George began a second career as a financial consultant for A.G. Edwards, CitiBank Financial, and after retirement as an independent broker.
Over his professional life George served numerous charitable organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International, and he was a long time member of the Dell Rapids Lions Club.
George was always well informed on world events and enjoyed discussions that centered on economics and finance.  George was a scholar and informed intellectual that enjoyed the discussion and debate of national and international affairs.  George also had a wonderful sense of humor and took great pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.  He loved to fish and he so enjoyed the South Dakota pheasant hunting season.
George is survived by his children: Jane (Dan) Kuper of Dell Rapids; Sue Thoma of Olympia Fields, Ill.; Ann (Dennis) King of Omaha, Neb.; and George (Margie) Thoma II of Eden Prairie, Minn; his eight grandchildren: Walter ( Karm) Wright III, Carol (Matt) Eddy, Margaret Hartmann, Jason (Dorie Budde) King, Kathryn Kuper, Jennifer Kuper, Laura Thoma and Elizabeth Thoma: six great grandchildren; Morgan, Monica, Will, Owen, Zoey and Dante’; two great-great grandchildren: Mason and Braxton.
George is preceded in death by his wife Helen in 2008, his parents and his brother.
Memorials may be sent to the Dell Rapids Library Expansion Fund, Dell Rapids, SD  57022 or visit www.Kahlerfh.com., to leave condolences.
A private memorial gathering will be held at later date.