Heartland Funeral Home and Cremation Services

01/09/2026

01/09/2026

In Loving Memory of:

Jane Elizabeth Schultz
September 21, 1948 ~ January 5, 2026

Jane E. Schultz, 77, Brandon, SD, died Monday, January 5, 2026, at Bethany Home in Brandon.

September 21, 1948 ~ January 5, 2026 Jane E. Schultz, 77, Brandon, SD, died Monday, January 5, 2026, at Bethany Home in Brandon. As per Jane's wishes, her family will celebrate her life together at a later date. Jane Elizabeth Douglas was born to Elmer L. and Florence M. (Mitchell) Douglas

01/05/2026

In Loving Memory of:

David Cline O’Banion
April 12, 1940 ~ January 3, 2026

David C. O’Banion, 85, Sioux Falls, SD, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Ava’s House Hospice in Sioux Falls, surrounded by his cherished loved ones.

April 12, 1940 ~ January 3, 2026 David C. O’Banion, 85, Sioux Falls, SD, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Ava’s House Hospice in Sioux Falls, surrounded by his cherished loved ones. A Celebration of Life Open House will be held from 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6,

01/05/2026

In Loving Memory of:

Donna Jean Nichols
August 29, 1954 ~ January 3, 2026

Donna J. Nichols, age 71, Brandon, SD, went home peacefully to Jesus on January 3, 2026, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, SD, following a long and courageous battle with chronic pain and COPD. Donna’s faith was an important part of her life, and her family finds comfort knowing she is now healed and resting in the arms of her Savior.

August 29, 1954 ~ January 3, 2026 Donna J. Nichols, age 71, Brandon, SD, went home peacefully to Jesus on January 3, 2026, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, SD, following a long and courageous battle with chronic pain and COPD. Donna’s faith was an important part of her life, and her family finds c...

01/01/2026

It’s the first day of a new month and the beginning of a new year.

For many, a new year brings talk of fresh starts, resolutions, and hope for what’s ahead. It can feel like a time to celebrate and look forward.

But when you are grieving someone you love—whether the loss was recent or years ago—the start of a new year can feel heavy. It may highlight the passage of time without them. It may remind you of the plans you once imagined, the moments you expected to share, and the life that feels changed forever.

You may not feel hopeful. You may not feel ready to “move forward.” And that is okay.

As this new year begins, give yourself permission to do what you need to do in order to get through it. It’s okay to take things one day at a time. It’s okay if your heart isn’t ready for resolutions or big expectations. And it is more than okay to grieve.

If you are grieving as this new year begins, here are a few gentle suggestions that may help:
• Stay true to your feelings. You don’t have to force optimism or excitement if it doesn’t feel genuine.
• Go at your own pace. There is no timeline for healing, and no deadline for grief.
• Be kind to yourself. Grief is exhausting, and rest is not a weakness.
• Seek connection. Whether through trusted friends, family, faith, or support groups, you don’t have to walk this year alone.

And on this first day of the month—and this new year—remember this: the love you have for them did not end when the year changed. Their life mattered. Their story matters. They were deeply loved, and they are still remembered. And as always, speak their name, tell their story, remember their love.

12/31/2025

In Memory Of:

Janice Elaine Chatfield
July 30, 1959 ~ December 18, 2025

Janice E. Chatfield, 66, Harrisburg, SD, entered the loving arms of her wonderful savior, Jesus, after a short battle with cancer on Thursday, December 18, 2025.

July 30, 1959 ~ December 18, 2025 Janice E. Chatfield, 66, Harrisburg, SD, entered the loving arms of her wonderful savior, Jesus, after a short battle with cancer on Thursday, December 18, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2025, at Central

12/26/2025

Merry Christmas from your Heartland Funeral Home family!

12/24/2025

Live for me.
Down there.

I see you struggling.
Coasting on autopilot.
The hardships of everyday life…

Especially during the holidays.

I know you miss me.
You long for the past.
When we were…Us.

Some of the best chapters of my life.

I want you to know. I’m safe and sound.
Warm. Encompassed by light. And your love.

With that said…
Please live for me.

See…to have the human experience..
A whole lot of emotions must be involved.

What makes a great story of someone’s life?

Think of your favorite movie minus love, heartbreak, laughter, adventure, grief, surprising twists and devastating emotions.
It wouldn’t be a story at all. Just a mundane plot line. Safe.
But incredibly mundane.

This is the heartbreaking part of your story. Where grief and darkness move in for a while.

But I want you to know…there is so much more living left for you. And someday when you least expect it..you will laugh again. Promise.

And i will smile.

When you put one foot on the floor each morning..
Picture me cheering you on.
When you laugh…take a chance…figure something out on your own…dive into the ocean…sing in the car…dance to our favorite song…LIVE..

Picture me smiling.
Because you are living.
And I want nothing more than to see you happy.

When your story is completed down there..

I will see you on the other side of the sunset.
To catch up.
To tell you how proud I am of you..
For trying. For taking chances. For loving yourself through..

For continuing to Live.

Credit: The After Glow

12/22/2025

Today is the Winter Solstice. The longest night of the year.

When you think about it, the longest night is the perfect metaphor for grief. When you are grieving, it feels like your world is always dark.

Many churches offer a Longest Night or Blue Christmas service on this day. This service is for those who are grieving. If you need extra comfort this year, find a church near you that offers this service tonight.

Some perfect words from Donna Ashworth.

The winter solstice just happened, at 8.21am … from this point onwards, more light becomes ours.

And though it won’t always feel that way, when the day barely seems to begin before darkness wraps everything in its depth, remember… light is coming back for you. It is ALWAYS coming back for you.

And if you begin to stockpile the light when you can, take a screenshot in your mind of the moments in this life that fuel you…

If you gather all the glimmers and stitch them into the pockets of your soul to be viewed when you feel the murky waves have washed you out to sea again.
You will float. On the hope. For more.

Winter is hard. Christmas can be harder still, if your stockpile of hope and joy is running low. Or if it has been erased entirely by the storm of grief.

So, do whatever you need to do to pile some more on that stash.
Light is coming back for you. Always.

Use your memories, and your little wins, to keep your fire bright until then.

These little fires are visible from heaven, I so very much believe.

And someone is looking for it there. Keep it lit.

12/21/2025

Naomi “LeAnn” VandenBussche
December 18, 2025 ~ September 17, 1958

(and yes—she would absolutely roll her eyes at her middle name being included)

Naomi “LeAnn” VandenBussche , 67, Valley Springs, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2025, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD, with her daughter and two oldest grandchildren at her side.

December 18, 2025 ~ September 17, 1958 (and yes—she would absolutely roll her eyes at her middle name being included) Naomi “LeAnn” VandenBussche , 67, Valley Springs, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2025, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD, with her daughter and two o