Alfred (Al) Miles Satterlee passed away December 31, 2025, surrounded by his family in the same hospital he was born on September 21, 1936, to Clair and Helen (Johnson) Satterlee. He excelled at anything mechanical and graduated from Lead High School in 1954 and immediately began employment with Homestake Mining Company as an apprentice machinist.

On June 5, 1960, he married Leatha Heinrich, beginning their married life together in Denver, CO. His Colorado years were spent working as a precision machinist for various companies in the space, computer, and recreation industries eventually owning his own machine shop in Boulder, CO. In 1976, he changed careers and with his wife and family, moved back to the Black Hills where he built 17 log structures. With a partner, Al also built recreational bridges on the Mickelson, Silver City, and Roughlock Falls trails, as well as 3,000 feet of handrail at Veteran’s Point at Pactola Lake. In his early 20’s he rebuilt and modified a 1927 Model T roadster, the winner of 3 awards at the Counts of the Cobblestone Car Club Show. His numerous innovative and creative passions and pursuits were recognized in his induction into the Lead-Deadwood High School Hall of Fame in 2016.

Al’s love of music in genres from classical, to bluegrass, to old time country and folk was evidenced by the instruments he owned, including his prized Martin guitars reflecting as well in the music he listened to and instilled in the hearts of his wife and children. He frequently jammed with his family and friends affectionately known as the “Custer Peakers” in reference to his childhood home. He loved being outdoors in God’s creation in fearless adventure of off-roading in the Colorado High Country and a six-week camping trip in U.S. and Canada in a VW camper bus.

Al was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, he reaffirmed his infant baptism as an adult in a believer’s baptism in 1966. He devoted many years of service to his Lord at Mesa Baptist Church in Boulder, Colorado and First Baptist Church of the Northen Hills in Deadwood, SD, serving on the Church Boards at both churches. He served his country with seven years in the South Dakota National Guard with the 109th Engineers Company with a special commendation from Governor Joe Foss for three years of perfect attendance.

In October 2023, he suffered a major heart attack when cancer was then discovered, putting forward a valiant fight against the disease until the time of his death.

Al will be forever cherished and is survived by his wife of 65 years, Leatha; children, Jayna(Roy)Watson, Julie(Jim Foster)Satterlee, Stuart (Jacqi) Satterlee; grandchildren, Sawyer Shewak, Riley Shewak, Sophie (Alex) Occhi, James (Allison Vitkus) Foster, Amanda (Michael) Demory, and Tony Simons, and six great-children. He is survived by siblings, Warren (Suzy) Satterlee, Sandra (Jerry) Newman, brother-in-law, Ray Matthies; sisters-in-law, Delores (Gene) Trump, Carol (Wayne) Burchett, Linda Osborn, Ruth (Tom) Nowell; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close friends and neighbors that were like family to him. Preceding him in death were his parents, Clair and Helen Satterlee; brother, Doyle Satterlee, and sister, JoAnn Matthies.

Arrangements are with the Kinkade Funeral Home, Sturgis, SD. Visitation will be at the funeral home Tuesday, January 6th, from 4 pm – 6 pm. The funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church, Deadwood, at 2 pm on Wednesday, January 7. A private family burial service will be held before the funeral. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be forwarded to the First Baptist Church of the Northern Hills, 110 Sherman Street, Deadwood SD 57732.