Gary Lee Ames, 66, Sturgis, died Friday, June 7, 2013 at his home in Sturgis.

Rosary services will be 7 p.m. Wednesday evening at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2 p.m. Thursday, June 13, 2013 at the Church in Sturgis with Fr. Arnold Kari officiating.

In lieu of flowers The family suggests memorial to Hospice of the Northern Hills.

Gary was born June 27, 1946 at Hot Springs, SD, to Kenneth and Eileen (Merritt) Ames. He moved to Lake Andes as a child and was raised by his grandfather. He attended school at Lake Andes and Chamberlain.

Gary married Susan Ferris Conner at Armour, SD, on October 26, 1964. Gary worked construction for a short time before moving to Lead where he was a cageman and powderman for Homestake. The family moved to Sturgis in 1972 and Gary retired when the mine closed.

He enjoyed working in the yard and maintaining and fixing the cars and anything with a motor. He also kept busy raising a second family which consisted of Susan and Adrian, Dawn's children. He like to fish and camp and was a very loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be missed every day.

Survivors include his wife Sue, Sturgis; one son Gary (Jana) Ames, Winner; daughter, Roxann (Bill) Rauckman, Sturgis; brother Donald Peterson, Wabasha, MN; two sisters, Diane (Roger) Strand, Billings, MT, and Rita, Yankton, SD; also nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter Dawn.