"Old ranchers never die, they just go to seed and new
life will spring from the seeds they planted."
-Larry Gabriel

Born on February 20, 1924 George Leonard Erk was the third of five children born to Ludwig L. and Anna T. (Jestl) Erk. George was born in a farm home near Newell, SD, grew up on his father's homestead approximately ten miles east of Castle Rock, SD, and spent his entire life on the windswept prairies of northwest SD.

George was baptized as an infant at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Newell and remained a dedicated member of the parish for his entire lifetime.

George attended grade school at the one room Deermont country school located 1.5 miles northeast of the family ranch. Going to school meant walking that distance each day, along with his siblings, whatever the weather might be. He graduated from the eighth grade there and went on to attend high school at St. Martin's High School in Sturgis, where he graduated in 1943. While in high school George roomed at the Bruch family home in Sturgis, going home whenever possible. He enjoyed his high school years and learned to play the trumpet for the school band. This musical training made it easier to learn to play the accordion, which he later taught himself to do.

After high school George returned to the family homestead to continue in the work he knew and loved, sheep ranching. About 1948 he and his brother Joe moved a few miles north of the family homestead to the Mac Doody ranch home where they continued ranching on their own.

George married the love of his life, Helen Ruff, of Vale, SD on Aug. 16, 1950. They were married at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Rapid City, SD and then returned to the ranch where they settled in to raise three sons, Gregory, David and Mark. Joe remained with them for a year or so and then moved to his own farm.

In the 1950's George and his brothers, Joe and John, partnered in the sheep industry and began raising registered Rambouillet sheep in an ongoing effort to improve the sheep industry by developing quality fine-wooled sheep. They began their venture by purchasing 13 registered ewes from a rancher in Wyoming. Through much hard work and careful selection of stock their efforts paid out. By 1978 the three brothers topped the market at the national Rambouillet Show and Sale in San Antonio, TX. George continued in the sheep and cattle business until just the past few years, when poor health and drought farm conditions caused him to sell off his livestock.

Over the years George experienced many changes in his ranch operation but his dedication and love for ranching never changed. Beginning in the 1960's wheat farming and long hours in the tractor were just another part of what he enjoyed. Despite his failing health, he was still actively helping with the field work into the spring of 2007 and he still looked forward to seeing what this year's bountiful rainfall would produce.

As a part of ranching George embarked on water conservation early on. He designed and built a dike / dam system to catch, hold and direct water runoff in an effort to get as much benefit from rains and snow as possible. Those early dikes and dams are still providing beneficial water conservation resources today throughout the ranch.

In his early days, George enjoyed playing his accordion in a small 4-piece band. The group provided music for local dances and other events. George loved to play the accordion for all the polka and country music lovers to dance to. He never lost his love for music and even in later years he would delight in playing his accordion for the cake walk during St. Mary's annual Turkey Dinner event each fall.

Although George spent most of his time working, he enjoyed the pastimes of hunting, trapping and fishing, as well as playing cards and cribbage. He was well-known for his dedication to Sunday afternoon card games at the Hoover Store, and he was always up to the challenge of a game of cribbage when one of his brothers-in-law stopped by. Family gatherings, whether for work or for fun, were welcome moments for him especially in later years. Despite his late introduction to the world of technology George developed a fascination with computers and email in his later years, which increased his contact with many people that he enjoyed.

George's dedication to his rural lifestyle and his community could be seen in his involvement with local and national organizations. George was a founding and ongoing member of the Castle Rock Fire Department for 44 years. He also served one term as the President of the National Rambouillet Association in the 1970's. George served as a Butte County Commissioner as well as a board member to the former ASCS Office. He was a member of Board of Trustees at St. Mary's Church and was an active member of the Butte County Historical Society, assisting with the building and placement of many cement markers of historic post office sites in Butte County. Along with these activities George was an outspoken advocate for the right to life of unborn children.

After decades of heart problems and failing health in recent years, George L. Erk left the burdens of this life behind on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at the Sturgis Community Hospital surrounded by loved ones, including his wife of over 57 years. With the exception of spending the last two winters in Newell, he lived his entire life at the ranch and although the last few months were physically very challenging for him, his continued hope and dream was to return to the ranch he loved.

In looking back at the life of George L. Erk one sees the reflection of a man, dedicated to practicing his faith, providing for his family, and holding tight to the land and the work he knew and loved so well. For George, a cowboy hat, hard work and a man's dignity were essential; vacations, undisciplined lives, and tennis shoes were unnecessary things to be avoided; a good joke or story was as appreciated as a big slice of pie; and a perfect day was seeing an inch of rain fall on the wheat field just AFTER all the docking or branding got done so that he and Helen could head off to church on a Saturday night.
"Good night, George. We'll miss you always."

George is survived by his wife, Helen, of Newell, SD; sons, Gregory (Reni) Erk, Aurora, OR; Dr. David (Phyllis) Erk, Casper, WY; Mark (Candy) Erk, Rapid City, SD;
2 sisters, Sr. Celine Erk, Rapid City, SD; Elizabeth (Neil) Chauncey, Denison, TX; 1 brother, John (Mary) Erk, Newell, SD; seven Grandchildren; nine Great-Grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Ludwig and Anna Erk; and his brother, Joseph Erk.

Wake and Christian Prayer services will be Monday, June 30, 2008 at the St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newell.

Funeral services for George will be July 1, 2008 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Newell, SD with internment at the Newell Hope Cemetery.

Arrangements by Kinkade Funeral Chapel.