Howard Charles Ingalls, 78, of Opal, SD, died December 22, 2015, in Opal.

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at the Central Meade County Community Center in Union Center. Private family burial will be at a later date.

Howard was born March 27, 1937, to Walter and Margery (Bowlby) Ingalls on the ranch near Opal, SD. He attended rural grade school at Royal Center. Howard spent his young adult life working for numerous neighbors as a ranch hand and then road construction on Hwy 24 (Hwy 34 today) and Hwy 212 as a truck driver.

In 1957, he went into partnership with his parents and brother, Marlin, on the ranch until the late 1960's. On June 1, 1958, he married Kathleen "Kay" Simons in Sturgis. The couple lived on the home-place and started their family (consisting of Rita, Rodney and Robert). In 1997, they formed a partnership with their sons, Rodney and Robert, continuing to raise their Angus cattle herd, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Howard thoroughly enjoyed breaking horses and his hobby was hard work, done to the best of his ability.

Howard is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Kathleen "Kay" Ingalls; daughter, Rita (Roch) Bestgen; sons, Rodney (Tracy) Ingalls and Robert (JoDee) Ingalls; 38 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; a brother, Marlin (Ethel) Ingalls; 3 sisters, Catherine Tifft, Faye Fees, and Ann (Teddy) Mahaffy; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents; 3 grandsons; and 4 brothers-in-law.

A memorial has been established to the Opal Community Church.

Click on link to view service folder