Darrel Dean Wooledge was born June 1, 1926, Bijou Hills, SD, to Desmond Denver and Amy Olive (Burger) Wooledge. He grew up on the family farm at Gann Valley, SD. He attended country school and high school in Gann Valley.

Darrel worked on the farm until he joined the United States Army. He served in the United States Army 101st Airborne 10th Infantry known as "The Screaming Eagles." He was honorably discharged before returning to the family farm.

Darrel married Elizabeth Jane Kormendy on November 23, 1958, in Miller, SD. In this union, they were blessed with two daughters, Teresa Marie and Melanie Dawn. They remained on the farm until August 1963. They moved to Gann Valley, where Dean had an insurance agency. In April 1983, they moved to Pierre, where they managed a motel. During this time, they were blessed to help raise their grandson, Joshua James Wooledge. In August 1997, they moved to Whitewood, SD, and they moved to Sturgis in August 2006.

Darrel worked in various casinos in Deadwood. Darrel was a square dance caller for about 25 years, and because of this hobby, Darrel and Betty made a lot of friends in a four-state area. He was also an active member of the Masonic Lodge for 65 years and a lifetime member of the El Riad Shrine.

Darrel, 87, Sturgis, died September 4, 2013, while in hospice care at the Ft. Meade Veteran's Hospital.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, Sturgis; daughters, Teresa (Fred) Forton, Lander, WY, and Melanie (Scott) Fuerst, Pierre, SD; three sisters, Evelyn (Orv) Charlson, Pierre, SD, Neva Taylor, Port Orchard, WA, and Faye (Richard) Fink, Sutherlin, OR; two sister-in-laws, Janice Kormendy, Hobbs, NM, and Avis Wooledge, Sioux Falls, SD; seven grandchildren, Joshua Wooledge, Bismarck, ND, Wesley Stone, Lander, WY, Derek Stone, Dickinson, ND, and Josiah, Jennie, Jacob and James Fuerst, all of Pierre; and two great-granddaughters, Chloe and Sophie Fuerst.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Desmond Dale; and his brother-in-laws, Daryl Taylor, Ernest Kormendy, and Forrest Alldritt.

A memorial has been established.

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