STURGIS - Chet Garrett, 92, Sturgis, died Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, at his home in Sturgis.

Edward Chester Garrett was born June 2, 1917, in Cheyenne, Wyo., to Edward and Francina Garrett. He grew up in Cheyenne with his two brothers, Jimmy and Elmer. In his early 20's, he served in the U.S. Army during WWII. During the war, he participated in multiple beach landings and was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for exemplary conduct during combat in The European Theater. Chet was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army at the rank of Captain. After returning from Europe, Chet attended the University of WY in Laramie, where he received a Bachelors' Degree in Animal Husbandry. After college, he worked as a game warden in Jackson, Wyo. He later taught high school Agriculture at Sundance, Wyo. While teaching in Sundance, Chet met the woman who would become his wife of 57 years, Mae K. Pedersen. Chet and Mae were married July 10, 1950. In 1959, Chet and Mae purchased a ranch north of Sturgis and Chet began to live his passion of cattle ranching. In 1961, Chet and Mae began their family with the birth of their first of three children: daughter, Linda, followed by a second daughter, Nancy in 1963, and a son, Bill in 1967.

Chester and Mae moved to Sturgis from the ranch in 1967. Chet managed the greenhouse at Fort Meade VA, then later transferred to the Forest Service station at South Dakota School of Mines where he worked in the range science office. After retiring from the Forest Service, Chester worked as Meade County Civil Defense Director. Chet treasured spending time at the "place" and was a very successful cattle rancher. He also loved hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors. Chet was a very involved member of the community of Sturgis. He was a member of the Masonic Temple in Sturgis, a member of the Lions Club in Sturgis, and served in numerous capacities within First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis.

Survivors include his children: daughter, Linda Bachand and her husband, Hunter, of Federal Way, Wash., daughter, Nancy Ulrich and her husband, Herb, of Sturgis, and son, Bill Garrett and his wife, Tina, of Pittsboro, N.C. Also surviving are Chet's four grandchildren, Tim and Jeanny Ulrich of Sturgis and Claire and Jake Garrett of Pittsboro, N.C.; two great-grandchildren, Kaydence and Kamea Ulrich of Sturgis; a brother, Jimmy Garrett of Cheyenne, Wyo.; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Chet was preceded in death by his wife, Mae; his parents; and his brother, Elmer.

Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis, with the Rev. Denzel Nonhof officiating. Burial, with full military and Masonic honors, will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

A memorial has been established to the University of Wyoming Animal Science Department in Laramie.