Elbert M. Heinsohn, 87, Whitewood, died Monday, November 23, 2015, at Spearfish Regional Hospital.

Elbert was born February 5, 1928, in Fremont, NE, to Almida and Frank Heinsohn. At age 2 weeks, he and his mother moved to Orchard, NE, and then to Harrison, NE, to live with his grandparents. His mother married Cecil Hester, and Elbert attended elementary and high school in Harrison. During junior high and high school, he learned about automobiles, working at the White Eagle Station that grandpa Lushbough owned. He also learned movie projection and fishing and hunting techniques.

After graduation, he went to technical school in Milwaukee, WI, receiving a degree in welding. He moved with his grandparents to Sturgis in 1948. Elbert worked with his uncle in the shoe shop and then at Ft. Meade as an aide and in the custodial department for 28 years. Due to health issues, he retired. Elbert also worked for many years as the projectionist for the Dakota Theater in Sturgis. He married Alma Davis and they moved to Whitewood where he remained for the rest of his life.

Elbert was so proud of his first car that he went to Harrison to show it off, Christmas of 1949. He had to stay there for 3 ½ months during the "blizzard of 49." He was proud of the fact that he saw the first Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis as well as the 75th. Elbert was a volunteer firefighter in Whitewood until his retirement. He had the opportunity to move his mother and stepfather to Whitewood in the 70's and was eternally grateful to be a member of the Lushbough family. His greatest disappointment was being unable to drive the last few years. Elbert was a proud supporter of the community of Whitewood and always looked forward to the parade of lights.

The Hole in the Wall, Bullwacker's, the Caboose, Howdy's, Hide-A-Way, the fire hall, and Library are remembered as special places in the life of Elbert.

Elbert is survived by his brothers, Jim (Doreen) Hester, Cutbank, MT, John (Louise) Hester, Rapid City, and Dr. Bruce (Ila) Lushbough, Brookings; stepdaughter, Roberta Williams, Rapid City; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; and special friends, Jim McCaskey, Amber McConnell, and Mark Siedschlag, all of Whitewood.

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; his mother, Almita; father, Cecil; sister, Lynda Kay; wife, Alma; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 4, 2015, at the Whitewood Cemetery, with a time of remembrance to be held afterwards at The Hideaway in Whitewood.