Warren was born in Slope County, ND, on September 17, 1922, to Ellis and Miriam (Nichols) Van Vactor.

Warren married Grace Barber in November 1948, in Newell, SD. To this union his 4 children were born. He married Joan Calvert in November 1982, in Sturgis, SD.

He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII from 1942-1946 aboard the USS Gleaves, the USS Moore and the USS Cascade. He was honorably discharged on January 7, 1946.

Warren worked for Gate City Sunshine Dairies, Orville's Garbage Service, and Spearfish Canyon Golf Course as greens keeper. His hobbies included golfing, rock hunting, lapidaries, wood craft, and flea marketing. Early in his retirement he spent his winters in Arizona selling his handmade crafts and used books at flea markets. In his later retirement he enjoyed playing the slots in Deadwood.

Warren C. Van Vactor, 94, passed away October 15, 2016, at David M. Dorsett Home in Spearfish, SD.

He is survived by his wife Joan, Spearfish; his son, Jerry (Kathy), Rapid City; his daughters, Robin (Dave) Henrikson, Rapid City, and Carol (Lanny) Beach, Oregon City, Oregon; and their mother, Grace Van Vactor, Spearfish; a brother, Lloyd Van Vactor, Redmond, Washington; 5 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Karen; and three brothers, Glenn, Orville and Robert.

Graveside Memorial services will be held Friday, May 19, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with military honors.

A memorial has been established to the Veterans Wall in Spearfish Park.

Click on link to view service folder