In Memoriam: Notable locals who died in 2022
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This year saw the death of many famous celebrities and figureheads, such as Queen Elizabeth II, Olivia Newton-John and Leslie Jordan. But there are also a handful of Sioux Falls and South Dakota notables who died in 2022.
From a former South Dakota governor to a local activist, from coaches and a teacher to a Harrisburg high school student, these are the locally known people and public figures we’ve lost so far this year:
Mark Graham, owner of Bell Inc.
Mark Graham of Sioux Falls died Dec. 6 at the age of 77 after battling dementia for several years, according to his obituary. He the owner of Bell Inc., which became one of the largest independent manufactures of folding cartons in the country, until he retired in 2010. Graham was also a well-known philanthropist and the founding benefactor of the Graham Academy Preschool at the Washington Pavilion.
Bishop Paul Swain, Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls
Bishop Paul Swain was the former head of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls. He died in hospice care on Nov. 26 at the age of 79. Swain was the eighth bishop of Sioux Falls, having served as bishop from 2006 until his retirement in 2020. The Diocese of Sioux Falls serves a population of roughly 125,000 Catholics in the state, east of the Missouri River.
More:Eighth Bishop of Sioux Falls Paul J. Swain has died
Debra Anderson, first woman Speaker of the SD House
Debra Anderson served as the first and only woman Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives. She served in the House from 1976-1989 as a Republican representing Sioux Falls. After resigning, she served as the deputy assistant to the president and director of intergovernmental affairs for former President George H.W. Bush. She died in her home on Nov. 10 at the age of 73.
More:Debra Anderson, first woman speaker of SD House dies
Oliver "Larry" Anderson, former state representative
Former State Representative Oliver "Larry" Anderson died on Oct. 25 at the age of 92. He served in the South Dakota Legislature from 1971 to 1980 and moved to Sioux Falls with his wife in 1993. Anderson also served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged after receiving the Bronze Star Award, according to his obituary.
Harvey Wollman, former South Dakota governor
Former South Dakota Gov. Harvey Wollman died Oct. 18 at the age of 87. He was the 36th governor for the state, serving from 1978 to 1979, and was the state's last Democrat to hold the position. Wollman became the U.S. Ambassador to Singapore after his five months as governor. Before his time in office, Wollman also served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany before returning to South Dakota to teach history at Doland High School.
More:Former South Dakota Gov. Harvey Wollman dies at 87
Mark Senftner, former coach for Sully Buttes
Mark Senftner was the football and girls basketball coach for Sully Buttes High School for 17 years. He died Oct. 15 at age 60 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor in December 2020, after which he stepped aside from teaching and coaching. Senftner is also a member of the Sully Buttes/Onida Hall of Fame, having led the girls basketball team to four state championships.
More:Sully Buttes football, girls basketball coach Mark Senftner dies
Gordon Mydland, former attorney general
Gordon Mydland served as South Dakota Attorney General from 1969-1973. He also served as a state senator from 1963-1968 and as 3rd Circuit Court Judge in Arlington from 1973-1987. He died on Oct. 6 at the age of 100 in Brookings, according to his obituary.
Mason Jacobson, Harrisburg High School graduate
Mason Jacobson, a 2022 Harrisburg High School graduate, died Aug. 1 as the result of a motor vehicle accident. Jacobson, who was 18, was a former offensive lineman on the Harrisburg football team. According to his obituary, he had a passion for all things outdoors and was "an old soul with a heart of gold."
More:Former Harrisburg offensive lineman Mason Jacobson dies in vehicle crash
Tim Giago, Native American journalist
Tim Giago, Native American journalist and founder of the Lakota Times, died July 24 at the age of 88. Giago was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The Lakota Times was the first independently-owned Native American newspaper in the United States. It was eventually renamed Indian Country Today in 1992 and sold in 1998. Giago later founded the Lakota Journal and the Native Sun News, based in Rapid City, as well as the Native American Journalists Association.
More:Tim Giago, trailblazing Native American journalist in South Dakota, dies
Henry Carlson, Jr., former state senator
Henry Carlson, Jr., was a former state senator. He died on July 14 at the age of 97 in Sioux Falls. He served in the state senate from 1977-1978 and from 1983-1984. Carlson also led his family construction business for 45 years and was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2009, according to his obituary.
Annie Lanning, Lincoln High School teacher
Annie Lanning was a beloved English teacher at Lincoln High School who died earlier this year. She was described as being "one of a kind" by her former students, as well as a caring and brilliant person with a heart for social justice. Lanning died when a tree fell on a vehicle she was in during the severe May 12 storm. She was 43.
More:'She was like an angel on earth:' Lincoln High mourns the death of teacher Annie Lanning
Jennie Rosenbrahn, local LGBTQ+ activist
Jennie Rosenbrahn, an LGBTQ+ activist from Rapid City, died on March 23 at the age of 80. She and her wife, Nancy, helped lead the local fight for marriage equality in South Dakota. The were together for 38 years and married for eight. Nancy said she wants Jennie to be remembered as a kind, accommodating, "spitfire" woman who accepted everyone, "even the haters."
More:Lesbian activist mourns death of wife, reflects on fight for marriage equality in South Dakota
John "Joe" Reedy, former state representative and senator
John Reedy was a state representative and senator. He served in the House from 1991-1996 and in the Senate from 1997-2004. He grew up in South Dakota, having attended the Cathedral School in Sioux Falls for a time, and eventually served in the United States Navy during World War II, according to his obituary. Reedy died on March 22 at the age of 94.
Gary Gaspar, CEO of Interstate Office Products
Gary Gaspar, CEO of family-run Interstate Office Products in Sioux Falls, died March 8 at the age of 56. Gaspar was known as a person who lived by the Golden Rule, according to his obituary, and an active member of the community, having served on several boards including those at the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, Bishop O'Gorman Catholic Schools and Avera Health.
Mark Shlanta, former CEO of SDN Communications
Mark Shlanta was the CEO of SDN Communications for 21 years before he stepped down in late 2021. Having been with the company for a total of 23 years, Shlanta helped expand the state's fiber optic network and start a data center and cybersecurity services through SDN. He was also active in many leadership roles in Sioux Falls. Shlanta died Feb. 23, a week after turning 57.
More:Former SDN Communications CEO Mark Shlanta dies at age 57
Cecelia "Whiffer" Randall, owner of Whiffer's sandwich shop
Cecelia "Whiffer" Randall was the owner of longtime Sioux Falls deli, Whiffer's. Randall decided to close up shop in 2020 after being open 42 years because of the pandemic and road construction. She was very involved in the community and with her church, and family and customers describe her as humble, caring and personable. She died Jan. 30 surrounded by family at the age of 87.
More:Owner of legendary Sioux Falls deli, Whiffer Randall, dies at 87
Chad Garrow, Brandon Valley football coach
Former Brandon Valley football coach Chad Garrow died Jan. 21 following a 13-month-long battle with a brain tumor. The 55-year-old was the all-time winningest coach in the school's history, having led Brandon Valley to five championship games and two titles. Garrow was known for having a good sense of humor and forming strong relationships with his athletes and other coaches. Fundraisers for his treatment at the Mayo Clinic raised nearly $70,000 in total.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: In Memoriam: Notable locals who died in 2022
