Webster Area Dev. Corp.
Read the stories of our neighbors--those who have moved back after spending time away from Day County, South Dakota--in a series from Reporter & Farmer called "Coming Home" that began in 2013.
“You can’t get very far from the best hunting and fishing in South Dakota, " said Rodney Schlechter.
#ComingHomeDayCountySD #WebsterSD
'Big Wave Dave' (aka David Premus) returned to his roots in 2011 after spending time in California and traveling in the military. Dave now lives in Webster with his wife and three children, and it sounds like he couldn't be happier!
#ComingHomeDayCountySD #WebsterSD
“You can’t get the kindness (anywhere else) like you can here,” she said. “Where else can you get someone to come out and help you step up the curb or carry your groceries to your car for you?” she said. “I consider these gifts and blessings.”
#ComingHomeDayCountySD #BristolSD #WebsterSD
Christa Coyne was a traveling nurse for eight years before moving back to her hometown of Webster. Six years ago, she purchased a home in Webster and returned on the weekends to work on it. It became harder to leave each time, so she jumped at the chance to work in Aberdeen in 2001. Today, she commutes from her home in Webster to Sanford in Aberdeen.
#ComingHomeDayCountySD #WebsterSD
Kelli (Kuecker) Bullert came home in October 2012 to take on a new challenge in her hometown of Webster. While her bachelor's degree is in criminal justice and master's degree in public administration, Bullert was excited for a new career in mortgage banking. She lives in town with her husband Joey and one-year-old daughter, Penelope.
#ComingHomeDayCountySD #WebsterSD
“I convinced her this was the best place for us,” Alice Donat said. “It’s always been in the back of my mind to return.”
#ComingHomeDayCountySD #WebsterSD
“It’s the safer living” of this area, Russell Larson said. “Every other place I’ve felt the need to have a gun for protection.” Looking back, Monica says, “I don’t know where our kids would be now it we weren’t living here. They had 4-H and FFA... they weren’t really sports kids, but because we lived here we were comfortable with letting them go to a neighbor’s house alone or to hang out with friends and knowing they were going to be safe.”
#ComingHomeDayCountySD #BristolSD #DayCountySD
“Living in Webster is like having a really big family. You get to know people and hear their stories,” Darin Waldner said. “People from town stop me all the time and ask what I'm up to now, and they genuinely care.”
#HomegrownDayCountySD #WebsterSD
“It was a decision to raise our kids here,” Suzanne Olawsky said. “We definitely wanted South Dakota in their blood, and to be able to raise them in a small school.” Read More >
#ComingHomeDayCountySD #WebsterSD
Paul Moxness says, “We’ve lived near Chicago, near Minneapolis and by comparison, this area in South Dakota does a great job of providing opportunities for people.” Paul said. “Sometimes we forget the opportunities we have in this area. The Coteau Hills really have some interesting things.”
#ComingHomeDayCountySD #BristolSD #LakeEnemySwim
“Florida is a very expensive place to live,” Leon Herrick commented. “Even with both of us working in good jobs, we found that each month we were falling further and further behind financially... luckily, we still owned a home in rural Bristol, so we made the decision to return to South Dakota.”
#ComingHomeDayCountySD #BristolSD
“I always liked the outdoors and hard work,” Larry Ewalt said. “Even today, I’m not afraid of pitching manure by hand (or some other labor-intensive job at the farm).”
#ComingHomeDayCountySD #WebsterSD #GrenvilleSD
“There are a lot of things you can do within driving distance," commented Mary Halbkat.
#HomegrownDayCountySD #WebsterSD
“I feel very lucky to have had good jobs all these years,” Linda Hoberg said. “I’ve worked for some good people and have had good co-workers too. I’ve worked with some great people who take pride in their work.”
#HomegrownDayCountySD #WebsterSD
“There are not many places you can put in a full day’s work, then go hunting and fishing – all in one day,” Jennifer Nelson said. “The area of Webster is great. It’s been nice coming back, people have just welcomed me,” she said. “I’m looking forward to becoming more involved in the community.”
#ComingHomeDayCountySD #WebsterSD
In the other small towns she’s lived, Tammy Block says, “We became part of their family.” She took that as a lesson and now says, “I hope to be able to show that type of kindness to those who are new to our community now.”
#ComingHomeDayCountySD #WebsterSD
“I just thought, I’m going to get involved and I haven’t regretted it since,” Nancy Porter said.
#ComingHomeDayCountySD #DayCountySD #LilySD
“I want to keep the money in Day County. When you leave the area to spend your money, it doesn’t help anybody out,” Johnson remarked.
#HomegrownDayCountySD #DayCountySD
“In the summer, we’re up at the lakes almost every weekend,” Loren Schoenbeck said.
#ComingHomeDayCounty #WebsterSD #RoslynSD
“I’m really proud of what my children have done,” Kathy Sannes said. “It’s good to know your children believe in the community enough to come back and make it a better place than where they grew up.”
#HomegrownDayCountySD #WebsterSD
“I like the rural setting with the hunting and the fishing opportunities,” Loren Hoberg said.
#HomegrownDayCounty #DayCountySD
“I don’t regret coming back at all. It’s a lot easier to raise kids in a small town. You can let them go play in the front yard and know they’ll still be there the next time you look out the window, or that they won’t be very far," said Leanne Harrington.
#ComingHomeDayCountySD #WaubaySD
“That’s why you travel, to see other places, other things... but the best thing about traveling is always coming home,” Robert Kwasniewski said.
#HomegrownDayCounty #WebsterSD
“I have 10 acres here, so there’s room for lots of gardening,” she said with a laugh. In fact, she has help through locals Erik Seppanen and Carly Stoneman. “They help out around here,” she said. “I couldn’t do it without them. There’s so much to do here.”
#ComingHomeDayCountySD #WebsterSD #RuralDayCounty
“I keep busy in the community, I keep busy with my family,” Peterson said. “I’m grateful. I’m pretty well hooked to this area. This is a nice place to live in.”
#HomegrownDayCountySD #AndoverSD #RuralDayCounty #WebsterSD
