Loretta Gifford, 74, of Piedmont, passed away October 29, 2011, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Loretta L. Olson was born November 24, 1936, in Hot Springs, SD, to Winston and Shirley Viola (Freeland) Olson. She attended school at Newell High School and graduated in 1954. After graduation, Loretta married James Gifford in Rapid City on September 10, 1954. She went on to work several places including the Newell Corner Café in 1964, at Neil Tire in Rapid City, and as a secretary and bookkeeper. She then got her real estate license and began to work with Conrad and Ham, and eventually with Coldwell Banker.

Loretta was an active member of the Piedmont Senior Citizen Center, Grace United Methodist Church, and the Happy Ten Sewing Club.

Survivors include her sons, Alan Gifford and Bill (Judy) Gifford, all of Piedmont; a granddaughter, Lynda (Corey) Frasier of Belle Fourche; grandsons, Lynn Uhrig, Brandon Gifford, Carl Gifford, and Casey Gifford; great-grandchildren, Kiana Frasier, Marni Uhrig, and Bodhi Uhrig; one sister, Dorreen (Ed) Lassiter of N.C.; a brother, Wayne (Sandy) Olson of Grandview, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James; a brother, Roy; a grandson, Carson; and two great-grandsons, Tyler and Johnny Frasier.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 1, 2011, from noon to 7:00 p.m. at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 2, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at the Grace United Methodist Church in Piedmont with Rev. Howie Baird officiating.

Memorials have been established to the Leukemia Research Foundation at 3520 Lake Avenue, Suite #202 in Wilmette, IL 60091 and the Happy Ten Sewing Club.

Click on link to view service folder