Vern Edward Armstrong, a loving family man and devout follower of Christ, left us on March 29, after an intense battle with COVID-19.  

Born in Julesberg, Colorado, on September 23, 1952, Vern was welcomed into the world alongside his twin brother Vaughn. Vern and Vaughn were the youngest of five children born to Eugene and Irene Armstrong. Vern’s sisters JoAnne, Jan Sue, and Barbara doted over their new baby brothers. Vern often said that he and Vaughn were never afraid of anything because they had each other. When Vern was twelve, the Armstrong family relocated to the Midland/Hayes farming community. Vern and Vaughn attended T. F. Riggs High School in Pierre. Boarded out and left unsupervised, the boys discovered their love for fast cars and back roads.  

Vern’s world forever changed when Vaughn was accidentally shot and killed in a hunting accident in 1970. This event created a hole in Vern’s heart that would be mended years later through his relationship with Jesus.  

In 1986, Vern married the love of his life and his best friend, Hope Harrison Higgins. Through 35 years of friendship and faith, they were inseparable to the end. Together they had three children, Adam Eugene, Bailey Hope, and Harrison Rose. It was important to Vern as a conscientious father to instill in his children his deep faith in God. Vern was a gentle teacher who taught his children how to think, not what to think. Vern also had two children from a previous marriage, Sarah Gail and Kristin Patricia. His six grandchildren brought him incredible joy. Boat rides, ice cream, and snuggles were never so much fun.  

As a farmer of nearly 60 years, he had a deep respect and love for the land. He always considered his tractor time a chance to recharge spiritually. Vern considered himself a steward of the land, a protector of the soil. After transitioning into crop insurance, he soon found it wasn’t a good day unless he got his hands dirty, leading to an enormous vegetable garden that he shared with friends and family throughout the years. His harvest was often turned into his famous pico de gallo which he also shares with you today. 

With the creativity and passion of a mechanical engineer, Vern was known to draw, build, weld, repair, maintain, and produce dozens of original metal creations. He wasn’t limited by preconceived notions; finding a solution was always the driving force.  

Vern had such a trusting relationship with his Savior that he managed to work into every conversation a witnessing aspect. No matter the topic, he was driven to incorporate his faith and its power to change a life. He was known to wake up every single day and say, “One day closer to Jesus.” 

Prayer Service and Fellowship, Thursday, April 1, 5-6:30 p.m., at Capitol Heights Baptist Church. Funeral Service, Friday, April 2, 11 a.m., with luncheon to follow at Capitol Heights Baptist Church. A Live Stream of the funeral will be posted by Isburg Funeral Chapels at the top of Vern’s obituary. Burial will follow at a later time.  

Vern’s family asks that guests wear a mask and bright colors. Vern requested that this be a celebration of his heavenly birth. Condolences can be sent to the family’s home.  

In the latter years of the last century…March, 1988 – to be exact…
the Club was originally named “Central South Dakota Street Rods“.
This name was not a favorite of the members and John Noyes proposed
“Pierre Area Cruisers“…this did not please the group,
whereupon Tom Tillman suggested that the name change
should be something that all members approved.
Sean Billet offered up “Pierre Street Machines“, roundly opposed by the group and rejected.
Bob O’Day was next up with “Pierre Auto Club“…that proposal went down in flames.
Lacking a better proposal, the Club stood as “Pierre Area Cruisers” for the time being. 

The goal of the Club was to finalize a name as soon as possible
in view of the fact that there could be no legal business transacted
without  an official name.  

The following names were to be placed on the ballot:

Push Rods
Bent Axles
River City Rods and Machines
Street Masters
Dakota Rods and Machines
Road Rebels
Dam Rodders

Club members would approve
“Street Masters“
as our moniker in April 1988.

Monday, March 15, 2021
March Meeting
Street Masters
Dinner 6pm
Meeting 7pm

RMS Screen Printing and Embroidery, once again, blows it out of the park with our
2021 graphic.  The design will be printed on black and should really makes 
Jerry Whitney’s Ford COE Crew Cab pop!  Whitney’s latest creation was chosen as 
the “People’s Choice” during our 2020 Dam Run.  The graphic also pays tribute 
to another Whitney hot rod, a Creamsicle ’39 Ford COE, our 2019 “People’s
Choice”.  Whitney is the first double winner in Dam Run history.

Order Forms and Registration Forms for the 2021 Dam Run
will be posted soon.

Please submit Application and supporting documents by April 15th, 2021

Street Masters Car Club is offering a $500.00 Scholarship to a qualified and accepted High School graduate
intending to enroll in coursework in the automotive trades.

Qualifications:
Applicant must be a senior at a South Dakota High School.
Applicant must have maintained a 2.5 GPA or better over his/her high school career.

Applicant must be enrolling in an institution of higher learning with the intention
of preparing for a career in a field related to the automobile industry.

      Applicant must submit a letter explaining:

1. What segment of the auto industry he/she intends to prepare for.
2. What his/her career goals are. 
3. Why he/she feels he/she will be successful in the course of study chosen.
4. What has he/she done previously which demonstrated an interest in field of work he/she intends to pursue.

For Additional Info and Application
click here 

6:00pm ~ Dinner
7:00pm ~ Meeting

Carol Elizabeth Schmautz
January 9, 1958 – January 30, 2021

Please offer thoughts and prayers for the Schmautz family

Carol Schmautz, 63, of Pierre passed away January 30, 2021.
A celebration of life will be held at 1:00pm Thursday, February 4, 2021 at New Life Assembly of God.
Masks are requested for in person service attendance.

Carol’s service will be live streamed at www.feigumfh.com at 1:00pm on Thursday, Feb 4. at 1:00pm

Carol Elizabeth Davis was born in Dayton, Ohio on January 9th, 1958 to James and Eleanor Davis.
Carol would always say that her Mom was giving birth to her while her Dad was in traction
in the hospital due to an injury sustained in the Korean War.

Carol attended school in Dayton, Ohio and graduated from Colonel White High School at the age of sixteen.
She was married and divorced a few years later.
Carol joined the US Navy in 1981 and became a disbursing (payroll) clerk.
She served at the Navy Finance Center in Cleveland, Ohio aboard the USS Hunley
in Holy Loch, Scotland, and at the Naval Hospital in Great Lakes, Illinois. She was Honorably Discharged in 1988.

Carol married Duane Schmautz in October of 1987.
Duane and Carol remained in Illinois until Duane was discharged at which
time they moved to the Pierre, South Dakota area. Upon Carol’s first visit to rural South Dakota towns Harrold and Dupree,
her biggest question was “Where are the sidewalks?”.

Carol worked a few different jobs in Pierre but has worked for the State of South Dakota for over twenty years.
Carol was preceded in death by her father James Davis; mother Eleanor Shultz; brothers James Davis and Mark Simpson.

Carol is survived by husband Duane Schmautz; stepson Kurtis Schmautz;
brother Craig Simpson; sisters-in-law Joyce Davis and Debbie Simpson,
as well as numerous nieces, nephews, family members. Carol will be missed.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital.

January 18, 2021

January Meeting
at
Ramkota River Centre
6pm Diner
7pm Meeting

Please keep Bob, Roxie and the entire Thielen family in your prayers

  James Thielen, 63, passed away on January 5th, at Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home in Sioux Falls, SD.

Jim was born September 25, 1957 to Harry and Millie (Schumacher) Thielen and was the third of six boys. Jim was a lifelong resident of Pierre and graduated from TF Riggs High School in 1975. He was a proud member of the 1975 Pierre State Champion Tennis Team. Jim was married to Mandi Warnick of Pierre for 12 years and had one son, Damon.

Jim worked for the Forestry Service in his early years and would be sure to point out all of the trees he was responsible for planting in the region. He was an avid hunter and looked forward to pheasant season every year and the opportunity to annoy the occasional land owner while “road hunting.”

Jim had a passion for tennis, loved to watch and to play. He wore a permanent smile as his 60th Birthday found him on court hitting tennis balls with former World #1’s, John McEnroe and Andy Roddick. He is sure to be found riding his Harley Davidson on the other side.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Harry, and his mother, Millie. He is survived by his son Damon, his wife Jessica, and granddaughter Vada of Sioux Falls. Brothers: Robert (Roxie) of Pierre, SD, William (Robert) of Carbondale, IL, Jerry of Irene, SD, Mark (Michelle) of Springfield, IL, and David (Nancy) of Atlanta, GA; Nieces and Nephew.

Oliver (Ollie) Redden, 92, passed away December 30, 2020.  OIlie was not a Street Masters member, but he was a true auto enthusiast.  He will be remembered motoring around the Capital City in his 1949 Willys Jeepster or his 1947 Willys Panel Wagon.

Ollie was born on January 17, 1928 to Helen and Al Redden in Oahe, SD. Ollie graduated from T.F. Riggs High School in 1947. Following high school he worked in Alaska then served in the Korean War, stationed in France. Ollie married Angie Vogl on December 31, 1955 in Athens, WI. They made their home in Pierre where they were blessed with three children: Bob, Lori and Karen. While raising their family they managed rental properties. Ollie loved working with wood and restoring furniture. He enjoyed restoring his garage sale and auction finds back to their original beauty. Ollie loved old cars and restored a 1949 Willys Jeepster and a 1947 Willys panel wagon. He also helped run the original Oahe Speedway for many years. Ollie was very dedicated to veterans, driving veterans to the VA for over 30 years. While he wasn’t a fan of vegetables himself, he loved gardening and giving his bounty of vegetables to family and friends. He was a member of the Prairie Rattlers Antique Car Club and St John’s Catholic Church.

Grateful for having shared his life are his children: son Bob (Brenda) Redden of Pierre, daughter Lori Redden of Pierre, and daughter Karen (Wade) Pogany of Pierre; granddaughters: Jennifer (Brandon) Kirchner of Yankton, Sarah (Tanner) Wald of Yankton and Ashley Redden of Ocean Side, CA along with three great grandchildren: Nora and Thomas Kirchner and Andrew Wald. Ollie was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife Angie.