BELLE FOURCHE | Martha R. Graf, 81, passed away June 12, 2016 at the Belle Fourche Healthcare Community Nursing Home with her loved ones at her side. She was the last of 11 children to be born at home on November 27, 1934, to Charles and Francis (Moye) Cox in Cash, Arkansas.

On June 23, 1954, she married Joe Graf. She met Joe while working in Burbank, California. After marriage, Joe worked in the oil field and they traveled and lived in many places, including Turkey. They moved back to the home ranch in Wyoming, only to return to the oil fields. Upon drilling and living in Alaska, they started up a drilling business: Graf Drilling in Wyoming. In 1972, they moved to Belle Fourche, SD. It was then that LeRoy Brown, who had worked in the oil field with Joe, joined the family in their drilling business.

Besides helping with the drilling business, Martha was to hold many positions such as a nurse's aide, meter-maid, and bus driver for Black Hills Special Services.

Most important in her life was the love of her family. She was a wonderful wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many special people.

She is survived by her daughters, Sandy Bartsch, Herndon, KS and Pamela (Ken) Hansen, Fruitdale, SD; a step-daughter, Denice White, Santa Barbara, CA; eight grandchildren; one step grandchild; 11 great grandchildren; six step-great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and a sister, Jane Buchannan, Toad Suck, AR.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, Joe Graf; a daughter, Vicki Lynn Hansen; a step-daughter, Vick B. Graff; and two brothers and seven sisters.

Cremation has taken place upon her request. A private family burial will be held at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

Memorial donations can be made in Martha's name and directed to the Hospice of the Northern Hills, 1440 N Main Street, Spearfish, SD 57783.