Lawrence "Ed" Lesselyoung, 84, of Whitewood, died Wednesday, May 24, 2006.

A rosary will be 7 p.m. Monday, May 29, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis with the Rev. Bob Baden officiating.

Inurnment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with military honors provided by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard.

A memorial has been established to the Sturgis Center for the Arts.

Ed was born Nov. 17, 1921, in Ralph. He joined two brothers and his parents in his family that eventually grew to 14 children. He was baptized at St. Eulalia's Catholic Church Dec. 10, 1921. He grew up on a farm near Sorum. He graduated from Sorum High School, left his home and family to work at the CC Camp at Orman Dam with his brothers to supplement the family income during the depression years. Then he was drafted into the Army and served his country proudly during World War II.

When Ed returned to South Dakota he took a position delivering mail from Newell to Mud Butte, then on up north. During this time whenever he returned from his mail route he stopped by the Newell Café and ate his evening meal. When a cute little waitress at the café caught his eye he realized that he had found his soulmate and the love of his life.

He and Babe were married in December of 1948 and their marriage was blessed with five children. Ed and Babe made their home south of Newell for 26 years. Ed did some farming, ran a wrecking yard, then worked as city foreman for Newell. He was actively involved in both the Catholic Church and the community.

In 1974 they left Newell to pursue the next step in their lives, and moved to Belle Fourche. Ed worked at Northern Hills Homes. Ed worked for the City of Whitewood and served on the Whitewood City Council and the planning and zoning commission. In 1984 Ed and Babe moved to Whitewood and decided to enjoy semi-retirement by working as caretakers of the Homestake Mansion in Deadwood and then at the Carnegie Mansion in Wyoming. In 1993 they finally decided to retire at their home in Whitewood.

Ed is survived by his five children,four sisters and two brothers,10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He is preceded in death by Babe, his wife of 58 years; his parents, Stephen and Irene Lesselyoung; five brothers, Gordon, John, Leonard, Robert and Steve; and two sisters, Genevieve and Jean; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Belle Fourche Post and Bee