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Legislature holds memorial service honoring 13 former lawmakers
Summary
The 100th South Dakota Legislature paused to memorialize 13 former members from across the state. Lawmakers read biographies and offered prayers and remarks; families were invited to take roses in remembrance following the service.
Pierre — Members of the 100th South Dakota Legislature convened a memorial service on Thursday to honor 13 former legislators who died in 2024. The House and Senate read a joint resolution commemorating the public service of the deceased and invited family members to the floor.
The service included scripture readings, prayers and extended biographical remarks. Pastor Craig Wexler of the Pier Fort Pier Ministerial Association led opening prayers; the roster of deceased officials read in the joint resolution included Arnold "Arnie" Brown, James "Jim" Berg, Burton "Bert" Elliot, Arthur "Art" Friesley, Dale Hammock, Tim P. Johnson, Claire B. Knold, Jerome "Jerry" Meyer, Janice K. Nicolay, Dennis R. Pearson, Bernard "Bernie" Stoser, Kenneth D. Stoffron and Donald D. Van Eaton.
Representatives recounted each legislator's public service, community involvement and personal histories. For example, the resolution noted Tim P. Johnson's long public career, the military and civic service of Jim Berg, and Dr. Donald D. Van Eaton's medical career and work founding women's transitional housing. Representative Randolph read a commemoration for Dr. Van Eaton and highlighted his role with Passages Women's Transitional Living.
Speaker John Hanson and other members thanked families for the sacrifices that allowed the decedents to serve and invited relatives to accept roses presented during the service. The legislature printed the resolution in the House and Senate journals; the text was signed by the presiding officers and clerks.
The session closed with a benediction and an invitation for families to gather in the speaker's lobby for refreshments and to receive roses in remembrance.
