Members of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society are finding historic buildings in De Smet, S.D. date back to the days when the pioneer author lived in the area.

Eureka’s own Kitty O’Neil held the women’s land speed record for over 40 years—until fellow South Dakotan Jessi Combs posthumously claimed the title in 2019, earning a Guinness World Record for the Fastest Land Speed (Female).

In 2017, SDPB caught up with Janine Ellis of the Royal Bake Shop of Centerville, now known as Ellis Donuts, for a world famous zebra donut and to find out what has kept people coming back for generations.

Back in 2018, Dakota Life visited Mushy’s Bowling Alley in Centerville, SD — a place where strikes and stories came together. Though the lanes went quiet in 2024, owners John and Kim Limoges left behind more than just memories. They shared what made Mushy’s a community treasure.

We can smell the strudla, schupfnoodla, knoephla, borscht soup, and kuchen from here. Take your taste buds to Eureka Fest with Dakota Life.

We sit down with Ila Rae Riech, a traveling nurse whose remarkable career spans decades. From serving in the military during the Vietnam conflict to a lifetime of caring for others.

We’re diving into the history of Eureka and the Germans from Russia who made it home. They brought their agricultural know-how and rich traditions to the Dakotas—and still celebrate that heritage today.

Meet Joel and Janice Sayler. High school sweethearts whose relationship took a 50-year hiatus while each was happily married, separately.

We’re in Eureka for Homecoming! From the parade and pep rally to stories of Eureka School’s early days—we even hear of a student’s chance meeting with Sitting Bull in 1888. Plus, we meet Mayor Wendy Brockel, Eureka’s first female mayor!

Meet Hunter Heinrich, who collects Eureka area advertising trinkets from yesteryear and learn how he’s carrying on Germans from Russia heritage through accordion playing.