Arthur Fredrick Oedekoven, 87, Sturgis and formerly of the Vale area, died Monday, Jan. 9, 2006, at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center.

Visitation was Thursday from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel and Friday one hour prior to the services at the church. There was a public prayer service Thursday at 7 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Sturgis, with Pastor Keith Nelson officiating. Burial followed at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard.

Art was born April 30, 1918, in Whitewood, to Albert and Ella (Linstrom) Oedekoven. He grew up on 9 Mile and attended rural school. Art served in Europe in the U.S. Army from 1942 until his honorable discharge in January 1946.

Art married Leora K. Yuill on March 18, 1946, at Broadus, Mont. They were married for 32 years. They farmed west of Vale on Whitewood Creek for many years. Leora passed away in 1978.

Art married Edith Irene Truman at Douglas, Wyo., on Nov. 2, 1983. They lived on the family farm until the early '90's when they moved to Sturgis. They were married for 23 years.

He attended the Vale Lutheran Church, the Nisland Independent Church, and most recently the United Methodist Church in Sturgis. Art enjoyed playing cards. He also enjoyed the company of his dog.

Survivors include his wife, four sons, two stepsons,two step-daughters,two brothers and their wives, two sisters and 1 brother-in-law, two sisters-in-law, nine grandchildren; numerous step-grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

His parents' one son, Dennis; one daughter, Kathy Roush; two brothers, Myron and Vernon; and one sister, Lena Adams, preceded him in death.