Rapid City Journal from Rapid City, South Dakota • 10

Rapid City Journal Monday, January 22, 1996 B2 Records We can help prevent edicare fraud, waste Today's obituaries Sam Ruzick 81 Spearfish James W. Hamer, 79 Rockerville Dorothy Lauer, 72 Sturgis Jean Higgins, 95 Scenic Bernice C. Brownson Higgins, 80 Rapid City Emma M. Smith, 88 Rapid City Hazel B. Meidell, 92 Rapid City Don L.

Grable, 57 Custer Walter Carlson, 58 Rapid City Vernon 'Sonny' Schmidt, 69 Custer Renee Nichole Zirgibel, infant Belle Fourche Harold W. Haux, 74 Spearfish Don Grable CUSTER Don Grable, 57, Custer, died Saturday, Jan. 20, 1996, at Custer Community Hospital. Survivors include his mother, Bessie Grable, Highmore; two sons, Robert Grable, Rapid City, and Rodney Grable, Custer; one daughter, Rhonda Grable, Rapid City; one brother, Ron Grable, Albuquerque, N.M.; one sister, Verna Compton, Arvada, and four grandchildren. Visitation will be from 2 p.m.

to 5:30 p.m. today at McColley's Chapels of the Southern Hills in Custer and for one hour before services Tuesday at the church. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Custer Community Church with the Rev. Chuck Hazlett officiating.

Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Walter Carlson Services are pending at Campbell, Paula and Qulnn Funeral Home in Rapid City for Walter Carlson, 58, Rapid City, who died Sunday, Jan. 21, 1996, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include his wife, Alice Carlson, Rapid City. Vernon 'Sonny' Schmidt CUSTER Services are pending at McColley's Chapels of the Southern Hills in Custer for Vernon "Sonny" Schmidt, 69, Custer, who died Saturday, Jan.

2b, 1996, at Custer Community Hospital. Survivors include his wife, Emalee Schmidt, Custer, one son, Clarence Schmidt; one daughter, Mona Bet-tiyoun. Rapid City; one brother, Robert Schmidt, Salisaw, and two sisters, Elinor Burnette, Rapid City, and Lorene Gullikson, Wagner. Renee Nichole Zirgibel BELLE FOURCHE Renee Nichole Zirgibel, infant daughter of John and Kari D. Zirgibel, Belle Fourche, died Tuesday, Jan.

16, 1996, at Lookout Memorial Hospital in Spearfish. Survivors include her parents, John Zirgibel and Kari D. Zirgibel, both of Belle Fourche. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at United Methodist Church In Belle Fourche with the Rev.

Tom Haggar officiating. Burial will be at Pine Slope Cemetery in Belle Fourche. Fidler Funeral Chapel in Spearfish is in charge of arrangements. Harold W. Haux SPEARFISH Harold W.

Haux, Bernice C. Brownson Higgins Bernice C. Brownson Higgins, 80, Rapid City, died after a long illness Saturday, Jan. 20, 1996, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. She was born June 8, 1915, in Rapid City to Merl and Opal (Bush) Wamer of Qulnn.

She attended Quinn High School, graduating in 1933. On March 18, 1935, she married Lynn Brownson. The couple resided at Quinn until moving to Custer in 1941. In 1948, they moved to Hot Springs, and in 1956 they moved to Rapid City. Her husband died in 1972.

In 1981, she married Lloyd Higgins. He passed away later that year. In 1987, she moved into Valley View apartments. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, and Canyon Lake and Minneluzahan Senior Citizen Centers. Survivors include one daughter, Gwendolyn Graves, Rapid City; one grandson; Wesley Graves, Denver, and one sister, Lucille DeLuca, Grayland, Wash.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Lynn Brownson (1972) and Lloyd Higgins (1981); two infant sons, Eugene and George; and one foster brother, Robert Cusick. Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. today and for one hour before services Tuesday at Behrens Mortuary in Rapid City. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Behrens Mortuary with the Rev.

Greg Kroger officiating. Burial will be at Mountain View Cemetery. A memorial has been established. money lost each year because of fraud and mismanagement range from $25 billion to $270 billion. It would be impossible to arrive at a true figure, but experts agree that there is significant pilferage and waste, and the bright side is that legislation is being worked on to stem this outflow.

Unfortunately, it Is the providers of health care (HMOs, hospitals and doctors) who are violating the provisions of the health care system and we, as 'he unwary recipients, are unaware of what these providers are doing. The handling of paperwork and notifications of benefits is too often out of the patients' hands and the indecipherable reports we receive do little to enable us to keep track of what is being billed. The good news is that there is growing awareness of the activity, and steps are being taken, both by the inspector general of the United States and the Health Care Financing Administration, to investigate and cure the problem. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is also joining in the battle, and has offered suggestions whereby seniors can help in the fight against ignorance, waste, fraud and abuse. Actually, it is we, the patients, who become the first line of defense in a battle such as this.

Only we can start the action that will halt the abuse. Following some suggestions offered by AARP, if you suspect that your doctor or hospital is making incorrect claims in your name to Medicare, there is a 4 Bt OkMt lit JF (IT number in the government you can call: 800-447-8477, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. MST. Further, certain tell-tale actions may indicate that a provider is not using the system as intended: I Free testing or screening offers that require that you furnish your Medicare number.

Salesmen trying to sell items or services, claiming that they are from Medicare or some other branch of the government. Free medical-equipment offers that require you to furnish Medicare numbers. Services offered by providers who say that if you purchase the products you won't have to pay the copayment or deductible that is required by Medicare. The bottom line on these scams Is that we should be suspicious of any offer of free medical or health equipment and not be Influenced by high-pressure sales pitches and scare tactics. And, above all, be wary of any proposition that is offered as "free" but requires that you furnish your Medicare number.

On the positive side of this problem, Congress is aware that these practices exist and is working on ways to curb them. However, as we all well know, "the wheels of government grind slowly," so It behooves each of us to do whatever we can to stop the fraud and to hasten a favorable solution of the health-care brouhaha. Win RoMwnon of Roeld City It retiree Irom In Milltftlnt butlnttt and It a tr-lanct writer, To contact Roeberion, writ nor at Hit Roold City Journal, Bo 450, Ropld city, to inn. MK "I- 1 J. 1 It is incredible that here we are, three weeks into the new year, and Congress is still fiddling while Americans are burning! We are being inundated with rhetoric, frightened by dire predictions of increased costs and decreased benefits in our health insurance, and totally confused by the whole business.

However, there is one way to view the whole mess that might be considered desirable. For the first time since the beleaguered entitlements went into effect, we are more involved and aware of what the programs are all about. Many of us coasted into retirement and advancing age, confident that we were well covered in handling our health and medical costs. Now there is some question, and we are investigating the programs and considering what should be done about them and about the legislators who have the outcome in their hands. Another positive fallout from the budget battle being waged in Washington is that seniors are becoming aware of the fact that there Is a great deal of waste and actual fraud in our Medicare system.

Estimates of the amount of Felony alert Rape suspect sought by authorities Law enforcement authorities are searching for a man charged with rape. A felony warrant has been Issued tor David Eugene Hill charging him with second-degree rape stemming from an incident in July. The 32-year-old Hill is described as a white male standing 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. Hill is thought to have left the Rapid City area. If you know where Hill is, do not contact him.

Contact the Pennington County Sheriff's Office at 394-6117, the Rapid City Police Department at 394-4131 or the nearest law enforcement agency If you have any information about Hilt. Grant program deadline Jan. 31 Classroom teachers have until Jan. 31 to enter their proposals for the second annual West "Connecting Teachers with Technology" grant program. The program, sponsored by the West Foundation, encourages certi I Hill Sam Ruzick Sr.

SPEARFISH Sam Ruzick 81, Spearfish, died Wednesday, Jan. 17, 1996, at Lookout Memorial Hospital in Spearfish. He was born March 17, 1914, at Lead to Walter Ruzick Sr. and Mary Ruzick. He lived all of his youth and young adult life in Lead.

He worked for Homestake Gold Mine until 1951 and then for Homestake Sawmill in Spearfish while pursuing a degree at Black Hills State College. On June 20, 1940, he married Frances E. Har-graves in Spearfish. Sam's life was dedicated to education. He taught school in Winner, Pierre and Hem-mingford, Neb.

After 21 years of teaching in Pierre, he retired in 1979. He was named South Dakota Teacher of the Year in 1973. In the interest of strengthening his abilities as a teacher, he also did postgraduate work at Carnegie Mellon University and Stanford University, among others. The Ruzicks moved to Spearfish in 1980. Sam was an avid outdoors-man and was active in Spearfish Rod and Gun Club.

Survivors include one son, Sam Ruzick Millbrook, one daughter, Barbara J. Nail, Wellington, one granddaughter, Lily Ann (Ruzick) Sheehan, Batavia, two grandsons, Sam Benjamin Ruzick, Millbrook, and Christopher S. Nail, Wellington; one brother, Walter Ruzick Spearfish; and seven sisters, Dorothy Ruzick, Dolly Cross, Florence Thompson and Lillian Caropino, all of Lead, Elsie Hadorn, Aberdeen, Mary Jones, Rapid City, and Evelyn Sage, Cheney, Wash. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Evelyn Ruzick on Sept. 17, 1984, and one brother in infancy.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until services Tuesday at Fidler Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Fidler Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Ron Hennies officiating.

Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish. James W. Hamer ROCKERVILLE Services are pending at Behrens Mortuary in Rapid City for James W. Hamer, 79, Rockerville, who died Sunday, Jan. 21, 1996, at his residence.

Survivors include two sisters, Charlotte Grav, Hermosa, and Margie Cox, Rapid City. Dorothy Lauer STURGIS Dorothy Lauer, 72, Sturgis, died Friday, Jan. 19, 1996, at Sturgis Community Health Care Center. Survivors include two sons, Harold Lauer, Sitka, Alaska, and Richard Lauer, Gillette, one daughter, Dottie Milhoff, Bowie, two foster children, Carta West and Maria West, both of Sturgis; four sisters, Gladys Woods and Bertha Orr, both of Sturgis, Hazel Morre, White Plains, and Shirley Mullins, Springfield; four grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. Services will be at 2 p.m.

Tuesday at Carlsen-Jolley Funeral Home in Sturgis. Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Jean Higgins SCENIC Jean Higgins, Scenic, died Sunday, Jan. 21, 1996, In Rapid City. She was born Aug.

30, 1900, in Scott City, Mo to William and Melinda (Lee) Arnold. She danced with her own dance troupe, traveling to Casper, where she met and married Maurice Higgins in 1922. They moved to his family ranch in Scenic then later moved to Rapid Valley where she ranched and farmed until the last few years of her life. Survivors include three daughters, Jean Bradley, Aurora, Joan Mumford, Rapid City, and Jaynell Higgins, Scenic; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Janet Thompson, and one grandson.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Osheim-Catron Funeral Home in Rapid City. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Osheim-Catron Funeral Home with the Rev.

Richard Harm-eson officiating. Burial, following cremation, will be at Mountain View Cemetery in Rapid 1 Emma M. Smith Emma M. Smith, 88, Rapid City, formerly of Sturgis, died Saturday, Jan. 20, 1996, at Black Hills Retirement Home in Rapid City.

She was born Oct. 18, 1907, in Canton to Harold and Martha (Johnson) Sletten. She lived many years in the Zeona area where she farmed and ranched with her husband until 1952 when he died. In 1954, she moved to Sturgis where she lived until 1994 when she moved to Rapid City. She was a member of St.

Francis Assist Church and Altar Society and St. Rita's Circle. Survivors include two sons, Joe Smith, Belle Fourche, and Mike Smith, Chicago, three daughters, Margaret Biggs, Pierre, and Hazel Smith and Gladys Smith, both of Rapid City; one sister, Selma Storm, San Diego, 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1952; three brothers, John, Conrad and Hjelmer; one infant sister; and one grandchild, Mary Ann Smith Hammond in 1988. Rosary and Christian prayer service will be at 6:30 p.m.

Monday at Kin-kade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. Francis of Assist Church with Father Dan Juelfs officiating. Burial will be at Pine Slope Cemetery in Belle Fourche following services.

Hazel B. Meidell Hazel B. Meidell, 92, Rapid City, died Saturday, Jan. 20, 1996, at her home. She was born Oct.

13, 1903, in Curtis, to Pllney and Bertha Powers. She was raised in Cheyenne, Wyo. She married Byron W. Hastings in 1920, and they lived In Ravenna, until his death. To this union were born Byron W.

Hastings Jr. and Rose Mary. In 1943, she married Donald F. Meidell. They lived in Ravenna until 1965.

After Mr. Meidell died, she moved to Edgemont to be near her family. In 1985, she moved to Rapid City where she has maintained her own home. Grateful for sharing her life are her grandchildren, Byron W. Hastings, Sheridan, Jackie Peterson and her husband, Ned, Rapid City, and Mary Marsh and her husband, Tom, Edgemont; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and her brother, Wallace Powers, Cheyenne.

She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, one son, one daughter, one great-grandson and four sisters. Inurnment will be at Fort McPher-son, Neb. Behrens Mortuary In Rapid City is in charge of arrangements. 74, Spearfish, died Friday, Jan. 19, 1996, at Lookout Memorial Hospital in Spearfish.

Survivors include his wife, Gladys Haux, Spearfish; one son, Robert Haux, Spearfish; one daughter, Paula Blssell, Oklahoma City, five grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Carlsen-Jolley Funeral Home in Spearfish and for one hour before services Wednesday at the church. Services will be at 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Spearfish with the Rev. Kent Stillson officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery. Calendar Douglas Board of Education 7 p.m. today in the Douglas Central Office.

Agenda items Include: Open forum, a time when people can address the board on items not on the agenda. Update on the curriculum. Approve specifications for a bus bid. Second and final reading on a revised board policy concerning student due process. Final reading on a new federally mandated policy on bus driver examinations, training and drugalcohol testing.

Consider recommendation to reduce the district's talented and gifted staff from 2.1 full-time equivalent employees to one FTE. Executive session: student conduct hearing and conduct superintendent's evaluation. Records Births Rapid City Regional Hospital Dec. 22 A boy to Dave Mueller and Laurie Cadman of Rapid City. Jan.

5 A girl to Michael Hallor and Iris Braunesrether of Rapid City. Jan. 7 A boy to Rod and Amy Willam of Rapid City, and twin girls to Jason and Lisa Koppman of Rapid City. Jan. 8 A boy to Robert Jr.

and Mary Slaba of Murdo; a girl to Trevor and Amybeth Reed of Rapid City; and a girl Michael Mahle and Amber Hansen of Rapid City. Jan, 9 A girl to Shawn Pulllns and Candi Kosh of Rapid City, and a boy to Bud Lone Eagle Sr. and Gina Motah of Eagle Butte. Journal photo by Stovo MoEnroo Pet Of th3 Wdk: Max is a young adult male springer spaniel cross In search of a good home. The black and white pooch Is house-trained and playful, loves attention and is good with older children.

He and other dogs and cats available for adoption can be seen at the Humane Society of the Black Hills, 1820 E. St. Patrick St. fied teachers, working in teams, to develop communications technology projects for their own classrooms -and to share their techniques with other teachers. Five teams of South Dakota teachers will receive grants.

Top grant is $12,000 cash, plus laptop computers and training in the West Teacher Network program, which is a college-level course in how to use communications technology. Four other teams will receive $8,000 to develop their own classroom technology projects. Last year, a teacher team from Williams Middle School In Sturgis received the top prize. Four finalists that also received grants were the Jefferson Alternative Program in Rapid City, Mcintosh Public Schools, Flandreau Public Schools and Edison Middle School In Sioux Falls. Teams can involve teachers at any grade level, from kindergarten through 12th grade, and are encouraged to include a range of computer skills from beginning to expert.

The projects Bhould involve using computers and modems to gather information, exchange ideas and put Information technology to good use In the classroom. Information and application forms are available from Orie Rentschler at West Communications, (605) 339-5323. SOUTHDAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONCITY OF RAPID CITY NOTICE OF HIGHWAY HEARINGOPEN HOUSE Notlco It olvon that opubllo hearlngopon houi. will bo held Fob uan 8 Toon Ln 'ft "-img room lootod I oi nmliSin I RaoCltv SoSlh LpnSJy hou will bo lo and JSJ onawor your qullon Information will b. available ot, Ih.

acqultMon wa relocation aaalttanco tho environmental Impact! ol th prolecli an Mho KoniJnd i2 contact Jamta Noleon, Environmental Engineer at (806l wltWn 1 hour? ni th. SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT bF TRANSPORTATION Larry trVelia, Director Dlvltion ol Engineering rVJamoa D. Nelaon. Environmental Engineer Otl Ice ol Project Development 1.