The simple sweet story of the Endres family brings to mind the opening vintage-styled film shots of the T.V. show “The Wonder Years.”
Ryan, Ashley, and their four children Olivia, 13; Owen, 7; Onna, almost two; and baby Oliver, four months; live a feel-good idealized American family life reminiscent of simpler times.
Olivia is an 8th grader at Mitchell Middle School; she loves to make TikTok videos adding her creative touches.
Owen, their 7-year-old son, is in the first grade in Mrs. Hofer’s magical classroom at Longfellow School. He loves everything that happens outdoors.
Onna is almost two and loves everything babies, especially her new baby brother Oliver.
Ryan often works long hours for his family at Dakota Plains Ag, just south of Parkston. Ryan personifies the mid-western characteristic of hard work, caring for community, a sense of humbleness, close family ties and doing what is right for family. He is a modest man who is not afraid to get his hands dirty. His mid-western values shape his character. Work, family, and friends are what his life centers around.
Ashley met Ryan when they were both students at Mitchell Tech. Ryan studied Electrical Construction Maintenance, and Ashley earned her degree in the Medical Laboratory Technology Program.
Ashley said that Ryan came recommended to her by an aunt as a “good guy to date,” who knew Ryan’s family. They dated for three years before marrying and settling in Mitchell.
Both Ashley and Ryan agree that they will never leave Mitchell. They love their life here. They love the sense of community they share with their neighbors. Their neighborhood is one you could call nostalgic. Kids go out to play, and everyone in the area looks out for them.
It is not uncommon to gather at the end of the day for a nice bonfire and beverage to cap off the day. Neighbors check on neighbors here. Safety, security, and community abound.
“We love to travel and have seen many, places, but home is always best.” Ashley emphatically states.
Ashley, a busy mother is also the Director for Mitchell Main Street and Beyond. She loves working for the organization and believes that Mitchell’s downtown is improving and increasingly becoming a unique place to do business, shop, dine, and experience family activities. The Endres loves to attend as a family the activities that mom Ashley organizes. She is also interested in promoting the unique and rich history of historic downtown Mitchell.
Ashley says she has so much enjoyed getting to know new people in her new position. She has a great vision and dream of what Main Street could be in Mitchell as she works with businesses to revitalize and re-charm Main Street Mitchell.
And as if Ashely wasn’t busy enough, she also maintains a relationship with her former employer at Avera Grassland, working PRN in the lab.
The Endres is just one of the many families in Mitchell that find a charming and old-fashioned life the best of what Mitchell has to offer.
