KATHY GERKEN

The visitation service for Kathy Gerken will be 4:00-6:00 p.m. Monday, July 7, 2025 at Olson Funeral Chapel in Britton, concluding with a 6:00 p.m. prayer service.

A full obituary will be in next week’s edition.

Kathy passed away Monday, June 30, 2025 at Marshall County Healthcare Center, at the age of 68.

Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Tina Novak – PO Box 16 – Blunt, SD 57522.

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Poll: REGIONS FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE? A legislative task force is considering a plan to organize South Dakota’s ambulance services into eight to 14 regions, potentially with state oversight and funding to help keep emergency medical services sustainable. The proposal comes as many ambulance services face financial challenges, low reimbursement rates and an aging, often volunteer workforce. Lawmakers say the goal is to ensure an ambulance can respond when someone calls 911, but establishing the regions and determining how they would be funded could take years. Do you support creating regional ambulance service systems with state oversight and potential state funding?

Yes, regional systems could help ensure reliable ambulance service.

No, ambulance services should remain organized locally.

Unsure. I would need more information about how it would work.

10/27/2026 – 11/27/2100