Vera was born on the Collins Homestead near Plainview, SD, on January 3, 1927, to William and Ida Collins. She graduated Valedictorian from Faith High School in 1945, then went on to receive her teaching certificate from Black Hills Normal School later that same year. Vera taught in a one room school house for the next three years, riding horseback 18 miles to school every week.

In 1943, she started "going steady" with her classmate, Harold Dutton, and in the summer of 1945 they were engaged, and were married on June 25, 1947. After their wedding, the couple made their home on the Dutton Ranch, where they lived until moving to Spearfish in 2007.

Vera was proud of their time on the ranch and took an active part in the day-to-day operations. Their stewardship was recognized in 1989 when they were selected as the State Range Managers of the year. In 2015, Vera traveled to the State Fair in Huron to receive recognition as a Centennial Ranch. She loved animals and horses, even reminiscing of how she rode a bronc for the full 8 seconds at the Faith Stock Show when she was just 18. Vera liked to garden and loved to cook, especially seeing others enjoy her food. Vera was a tender loving person, always thinking of others before herself. She was extremely sharp minded and could recall facts and details because she truly cared about others. Vera was an accomplished musician, playing the piano, accordion, harmonica, violin, and guitar, all by ear. She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church at Zeona, and taught Sunday School and Bible School and was active in the Ladies Aide group. She served her church eagerly with honor and praise, and later served on the Resident Council at Edgewood Vista and faithfully played the piano for Edgewood chapel services up until three weeks before her death. She said playing the piano was good for her spirit and kept her fingers nimble. She also provided her musical talents as an RSVP volunteer.

Family was important to her. She rarely missed any family event or activity. Her last request was to insure her kids were OK and to tell us to hug and kiss our kids every day.

Vera Marie (Collins) Dutton, 90, Spearfish, died Saturday, February 4, 2017, at the David M. Dorsett Healthcare Center in Spearfish.

Vera is survived by her sons, Melvin (Marcia) Dutton, Faith, David (Bonnie) Dutton, Spearfish, and Daryle (Stacey) Dutton, Tempe, AZ; daughter, Linda (Dennis) Anders-Hathaway, Mud Butte; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ida; her husband, Harold; one daughter, Sheree' Dutton; six brothers, Leo, Lloyd, John, Tom, Ralph, and Elmer; one sister, Alyce Johnson; and a great-grandson, Gabriel Dutton.

Visitation will be Friday, February 10, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 11, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spearfish with Pastor Marcia Brennan officiating. Burial will be at the Dutton Family Ranch Cemetery at a later date.

A memorial has been established in her name to the Immanuel Lutheran Church at Zeona, SD.

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