Loretta (McFarland) Hill, 86, of Rapid City, South Dakota, died early Monday, October 31, 2023.

Born April 26, 1937, at St. John's Hospital in Rapid City, Loretta was the fourth daughter of John F. & Elleene (Allison) McFarland.  She grew up on her parents' ranch north of Rapid City and graduated from Rapid City High School in 1955.

Her lifetime of service and dedication to her family, career, and community was monumental.

She attended USC, where she met her first husband, Richard Spencer of Minneapolis, Minn.  Married in April 1957, and their journey began, mining gold in northern California, establishing Black Hills Pulpwood Company, joining the Plumas National Forest Civil Service ranks, and transferring to the Department of Defense, USAF, SMAMA, in support of the F-105 Aircraft during the Vietnam War.

In 1969 they welcomed a daughter, Coli Jo.  Loretta combined motherhood with her career shift to the health care industry, assuming temporary management of a General Practice and Surgery Clinic in Quincy, CA. Her 27-years in clinic and hospital administrative management culminated as Senior Vice President and COO of Health Management Services, Inc. of Santa Rosa, CA.  Her last six years were as the HMS representative and liaison of the firm's affiliation with Eastman Kodak of Rochester, New York (Radiology and Cardiology Divisions).  Following Richard's passing in 1996, she retired in February 2001 and returned to Rapid City.

Back in the Black Hills, she happened upon an old friend and classmate, discovering the second soulmate and love of her life, Lamont Hill of Onida (formerly Rapid City).   Married in June 2002, they adopted Highway 14 as their new home as they traveled weekly between the Hill Ranch near Onida and Rapid City.  In 2004 they built their true home "oasis" on a small portion of the original McFarland 1878 Homestead.  August 2008 brought a tragic end, with Lamont's unexpected horse accident during the Ft. Pierre-to-Deadwood 100th Anniversary Trail Ride.   Loretta stayed on the ranch until March 2013, when she moved into town to be more closely involved in her daughter and granddaughter's lives.

Music and singing were always driving forces in Loretta's life.  Starting at age seven as part of a group entertaining soldiers returning from WWII until her passing, she sang, danced and played the piano.  Through her school years she sang for weddings, funerals, and social gatherings, memorably as a soprano soloist for the Rapid City High School Choir for four years.  A member of the Sacramento Symphony Choir and the McClellan Aires, a select choral ensemble at McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, CA, Loretta's musical presentations at Feather River College and University of Nevada, Reno, included leading and supporting roles in Carousel, The Desert Song, South Pacific, The Wizard of Oz.  When she discovered karaoke, her penchant for classic country music allowed her to sing Patsy Cline and Anne Murray repertoire selections for the rest of her life.

Loretta served on directorships on the Black Hills Stock Show Foundation Board until retiring at the age of 85 and was part of the Youth and Family Services Legacy Board.  She was an active member of the Society of Black Hills Pioneers, Dakota Choral Union, and Health Care Financial Managers Association.

Thankful and blessed for having shared in her life are her daughter, Coli Jo Spencer of Rapid City; granddaughters, Natalia and Kira; bonus children, Jody and Cherie Hill of Onida; their children, Jacobi, Brady, Blaine and Lydia; Kim and Mike Burge of Valentine, their children Aspen, Timber, Birk and their families;  Ross and Angie Hill of Onida,  their children, Chase, Shane, Dylan and Travis and families; sister, Marilyn Lemaster of Rapid City;  her children and families, and many and dearly treasured McFarland nieces, nephews and 12 great grandchildren and extended Hill family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, her twin sisters, Marietta Cleary (Bill) and Marianne McFarland McNeil (Claude); brother, Fred McFarland; and nephew, Dan McFarland.

As a remembrance for Loretta, the family suggests donations to the Black Hills Stock Show Foundation and/or Youth and Family Services.  A farewell celebration will be held in her honor at the Youth and Family Services Community Room, 120 East Adams, Rapid City, on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at 1 p.m.  Please bring your favorite stories of Loretta to share with friends and family.