Elmer Leach Bryant was born in Rapid City, SD, on January 5, 1945. He was one of nine children born to Seibert Leach & Edna Ellen (Farnsworth) Bryant. He was raised on the Bryant Ranch on Tilford Road. He attended Piedmont & Sturgis schools and graduated from Sturgis High School in 1964. He grew up working hard and tending cattle on the family ranch.
Elmer moved briefly working for a dairy in St. Onge before returning to the family ranch and beginning his own herd. He inherited & purchased part of the Bryant ranch in the early 90's and loved being a rancher the entirety of his life.
Elmer was in the SD National Guard, 842nd Engineering Company. He retired in 1993 as a Sergeant First Class/E7 Rank. Elmer was active on the National Guard rifle team and a Sr. coach for Jr. Guards. He had many friends and mentored many young shooters throughout his time. Elmer was always joking and telling stories about his travels with the National Guard and taking the shooting team to Camp Perry National Matches.
Elmer was a gifted large equipment operator from the skills he gained through the guards. He worked for a private road construction company for many years and enjoyed the work he did both there and on his ranch. He was an avid fisherman, taking the trip of a lifetime to Canada on a fishing expedition. He also loved spending time with his family touring the Black Hills, fishing local lakes, and camping.
Elmer passed peacefully from this world on April 12, 2020, after a long battle with health issues.
He is survived by three children; Lorrie Behl, Scott (Amber) Bryant, AND Genetie (Dean Szymanski) Hendrix; grandsons, Steffan & Michael Smith, Elliot & Ethan Hendrix, Tristan & Talon Bryant; step-grandchildren, Kaycee Szymanksi, and Alyssa, Canin, & Savannah Jones; brothers, Roy, John, Paul, and David Bryant; and numerous nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leach and Edna Bryant; brothers, Louis and Dale Bryant; and sisters, Mary Baker and Ida Tryon.
Memorial services will be held 11:30 am on Monday August 3. 2020, at Grace United Methodist Church in Piedmont with Pastor John Britt officiating. Visitation will be an hour prior to service. Private family Inurnment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery. Friends are invited to listen Drive-In' style in their vehicles in the church parking lot. The service will be transmitted to their radio at FM 101.5.

Click on link to view service folder