Peter John Verhulst, 84, of Spearfish, went peacefully from his home to be with the Lord on the morning of Nov. 29, 2009. A vigil will take place on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Spearfish. On Dec. 4, mass and Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, followed by burial at St. Aloycious Cemetery in Sturgis.

Peter John Verhulst was born Oct. 21, 1925 at their ranch home in Reva. Son of Emma "Susan" DeJager and Peter Verhulst, he was the youngest of two children joining his sister Larine. Peter attended Slim Buttes grade school through ninth grade followed by Sorum High School for two years and then graduated from Spearfish High School in 1943.

As a child, he loved baseball. He played the sport until the age of 45. He loved animals and shared many stories of his pets on the ranch. He enjoyed hunting and bowling with family and friends until the age of 83. He also loved riding horses and pitching horseshoes. Peter became a man before his time at the age of 17, when he took over the family ranch following the death of his father. He was known for his storytelling and never denied an audience. "Papa Pete," as he was known by family and friends, never met a stranger and always had a smile on his face.

Peter married Ilean Clark on Sep. 15, 1948 in Belle Fourche. Together they made their home on the family ranch in Reva. They were blessed with six children: LaVea, Paul, Peter "Clark", Zane, Harley and Lance. They lived on the family ranch until 1979 when they moved to Casper, WY to join his sons Paul and Clark working for Verhulst Construction, leaving his son Zane to run the family ranch. Following the death of Ilean in August 1984, Peter returned to Harding County until the ranch was sold and his youngest son, Lance, graduated from high school.

Peter then moved to Spearfish in 1987, when he met Cora Kerwin at the Spearfish all school reunion. They were united in marriage on Dec. 18, 1988 in Spearfish. At that time, the Verhulst's gained an extended family of Jeannette, Tony, Nick, Pat, May-lynn, Janet, Kellie and Kim. They made their home in Spearfish until the time of his death. During their time together, they owned Cora's Creations in Spearfish where he enjoyed helping out and delivering flowers (especially to Deadwood).

Peter is survived by his wife Cora, his children LaVea, Paul (Laura), Peter "Clark" (Cindy), Zane (Janet), Harley (Ronda), and Lance (Daina). Cora's children Jeanette, Nick (Patricia), Pat, May-lynn (Howard), Janet, Kellie and Kim (Mark). One sister, Larine (Ken) Clyde and nephew Shane (Maggie) Mott.

His 24 grandchildren, Toni (Lenny) Cottril, Tona (Justin) Hand, Thad (Erin Wolf) Martin, Wendy (Brian) Blankenship, Brian Verhulst, Simone Verhulst, Michael (Kersten) Verhulst, Kalene (Brock) Anundson, Stene Verhulst, Serene Verhulst, Max (Kim) Flager, Angie (Mitch) Corwine, Tracy (Stacey) Flager, Meg (Tim) Spann, James Kerwin, Travis (Tiffany Kirkman) Kerwin, Janine (Tim) Dooley, Leigh Kerwin, Shilo Hall, Holly (Jason) Custer, Kay-Lynn Hall, Kealy (Jeremy) Branson, Kristopher (Jeanne) Kerwin, Payton Ginsbach, 26 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by Ilean Verhulst, his parents Peter and Emma "Susan" Verhulst, his step-son Anthony Kerwin, granddaughter Vallami Jo Kerwin, daughter-in-law Isabelle Kerwin, son-in-law Max Flager and brother-in-law Harley Mott.

Peter Verhulst will always be remembered for his blue eyes and bright smile. He left behind a legacy of honesty, integrity and a love of life and family.

A memorial has been established.