Floyd Charles Colwell, 81, Rapid City, passed away Friday, March 4, 2011, at the Hospice House in Rapid City after an extended illness.

Memorial services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 15, 2011, at Knollwood Heights United Methodist Church, 320 E. College St. in Rapid City with Pastor Gary Walters officiating. Inurnment with military honors by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard follows at 2 p.m. at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Floyd was born October 31, 1929 in Geddes, SD to Lloyd and Mabel (Collinge) Colwell. He worked the family farm until he was drafted.

Floyd served in the United States Army during the Korean War as an ambulance driver. He earned the Korean Service Medal, Bronze Service Star, United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He also served 8 years in the Army Reserves and is a member of the American Legion Post 22 in Rapid City.

A quiet and private man, Floyd exhibited a strong work ethic, a patriotic spirit, and a deep love for his family

His pride and passion was in raising and training horses, and he excelled at any job he took on, including trucking, maintenance work, electrical work and farming.

Floyd married Arlene Van Buskirk on January 5, 1973, in Scotland, SD.

Floyd and Arlene moved to Rapid City, SD in 1996 and Floyd worked for Rodeway Inn until June 2010.

Survivors included his wife Arlene Colwell, Rapid City; Children, Christy Baumiller (Scott), Piedmont, SD, Bruce Van Buskirk (Roxanne), Lee's Summit, MO, Lisa Thompson (DJ), Box Elder, SD; Sisters Bonnie Losing, Beulah Petzoldt, Ruby Fisher (Helmuth), all of Scotland, SD; Grand Children, Catherine Baumiller, Bend, OR, Craig Baumiller (Emily) Piedmont, SD, Jennifer Van Buskirk , Brett Van Buskirk, Alex Van Buskirk, all of Lee's Summit, MO, Cole Thompson and Cooper Thompson, both of Box Elder, SD; Great Grand Child Ryan Baumiller, Piedmont, SD.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Lloyd and Mabel Colwell and his first wife, Sally J (Hall) Colwell, Jeromesville, Ohio.

The family requests memorials to be directed to Hospice House of Rapid City.

What the caterpillar perceives is the end, to the butterfly is just the beginning.