vSANTA continued from page 11 “He has visited every grandchild until they are old enough to recognize his voice,” Terri Thunker said. “Then he visits their yard and waves at them through the window.” Over the years, as the children grew up, the Thunkers have expanded their Santa Claus visits to schools, charitable organizations, nursing homes and a limited list of family, friends and neighbors. “I’ve done it where my mom’s at, at Autumn Winds,” Thunker said. “Basically all I do is sing some songs, get some cheer coming out of them old people. They have fun with that; it just brings them back to life. They like to dance and we’ll get a little dance with them, have some cookies and play with them, have some fun with it, too,” By playing Santa, Dale has found that sometimes Santa can bring cheer when no one else can. Save up to 1950 $ “My first cousin’s wife was killed in an accident,” Dale said. “She was running — it’s been 20 years — she was out jogging and someone ran into her and killed her, and she left my first cousin with six children.” “It was in the fall, right before the holidays.” Terri Thunker added. Some of the children were older; the youngest was not yet two years old. Terri Thunker, or “Mrs. Santa” as she calls herself when she is helping Santa make his rounds, drives the car, drops Santa off and waits, out of site, while he goes and visits. On the walk from the car, Thunker said, he was confronted by the fact that he wasn’t sure what to say to these children who had just lost their mother. “I went in, and I remember the daddy holding the baby, and I said, ‘You know what, I was just coming down in the sleigh, coming down to see you guys, and your mom was with me, and she helps me get things ready for all the kids.” with manufacturer rebates and utility incentives Save Up To 30%* Now with 2018 Federal Tax Credits for All Solar & GEO Thermal Home Comfort Systems *certain restrictions apply HEATING & COOLING 2401 Broadway, Yankton • 605-665-9461 www.larrysheatingandcooling.com Serving the Yankton, Vermillion and Surrounding Areas For Over 36 Years 12vHISVOICEvNOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018