ABERDEEN — The Wessington Springs Spartans are honoring their No. 1 fan this weekend.

Wessington Springs is making its second consecutive Class B boys basketball tournament appearance in Aberdeen. The Spartan fans again showed out to support at Wachs Arena, but without their No. 1 fan — Lisa Bergeleen.

The Wessington Springs school teacher died in April 2024, but her memory is still strong this weekend. The Wessington Springs fans and players are sporting T-shirts that say “Love Big” and “Live Like Lisa” in honor of Bergeleen's zest for life.

The “Love Big” mantra is how Bergeleen lived her life, said her sister Erin Yost. 

“Her family was the Wessington Springs community, and she loved her students and they loved her,” Yost said. “The community has just been wonderful and the support that they have given our family and honoring her and just really embodied what life is. Live big, love big and support each other and that’s really the life she lived. She loved athletics and loved her students and really loved basketball.” 

Wessington Springs players and fans are wearing "Love Big" T-shirts in honor of No. 1 fan Lisa Bergeleen. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

In addition to the “Love Big” motto, Wessington Springs fans spray painted hay bales along SD Highway 281 that said “Live Like Lisa.”

“It’s really become a community mantra in a way,” Wessington Springs resident Kristi Hine said. “It’s just all about the love, the support, and giving our student-athletes that boost that really only Lisa could give. Because she was the biggest fan. It’s just a really neat way for the community to connect and also honor her memory, too.”

Bergeleen, who was 45, was a Wessington Springs graduate and later a teacher for 20 years in the school district. She was a regular at all things Spartans athletics, and was a die-hard Wessington Springs supporter. 

Yost said her sister developed a special bond with many of the current Wessington Springs boys basketball players. 

That makes this weekend a little bittersweet, said Yost, but the community’s support has helped keep her sister’s impact alive. 

“To see all the support from the community, it’s been great to see, but what we wouldn't do to wish to have her here because she would be front row in the stands and she cheered loud and she cheered often,” Yost said. “If she can’t be here with us it’s just great that we know she’s got the best seat in the house.”

Hine said the Wessington Springs support and honoring Bergeleen are a reflection of the community. 

“Wessington Springs is all about community,” Hine said. “We are a pretty tight knit crew that is quick to support, quick to lend a hand, quick to pick up somebody who might be down. But really the thing is Lisa kind of embodied all of that.”

Yost, who is attending the Class B boys basketball tourney, added the family can’t thank the Wessington Springs community enough for remembering her sister. 

“It just brought us a lot of pride to know that Lisa was loved and is loved and what she has done to really almost bring our community together and remembering what it is to live like someone who lived life to the fullest,” Yost said.