Obituaries

Jul 2, 2017

Constance "Connie" Gray was born March 31, 1919, to John and Jessie (Dryer) Bestgen on the family farm north of Sturgis, SD. She passed into the next life on July 2, 2017, at the Sturgis Regional Senior Care Center. The Valedictorian graduate, from St. Martin's Academy in Sturgis, went on to obtain her nursing degree from St. John's School...

Jul 2, 2017

Imogene "Jean" Rotert was born February 26, 1934, in Presho, SD, to Jess and Mabel (Harmon) Waldron. Jean married Dale Grosch and to this union they had two sons, Richard and Kenneth. She later married Marvin Sneesby and they had one daughter, Brenda. They later divorced. On August 6, 1976, Jean married James Rotert. After retirement they moved to...

Jul 2, 2017

Donald Joseph Oliver was born to Earl W. Oliver and Goldie (Liston) Oliver on August 20, 1931, in rural Meade County, SD. Donald had 4 siblings; sister, Deloris Smith; brothers, Dale (Lolita) Oliver; John Oliver; Bert (Barb) Oliver. Donald married his loving and supportive wife, Dottie, on February 21, 1954, in Sturgis. They welcomed 5 children into their lives:...

Jun 30, 2017

Wayne Percy Reynolds was born September 12, 1932, in Madison, SD, to Percy and Myrtle (Ness) Reynolds. He attended country school in many communities including Dewey County, Firesteele, and Timberlake just to name a few. Wayne graduated from Willow Lake High School at the age of 16. He served four years, much of that time in Korea as a...

Jun 29, 2017

Lyial Emroy Huber was born to Adolf and Martha (DeWald) Huber on May 11, 1939, in Mobridge, SD. Lyial had six siblings; three brothers; Ervin, Calvin, and Raymond and three sisters; Shirley, Loraine and Ramona. Lyial served in the Army. Lyail was an over the road Truck Driver for most of his life. He was a very kind hearted...

Jun 28, 2017

Darrell William Stymiest, 82, of Sturgis, SD, died June 28, 2017 at Sturgis Regional Senior Care.

Darrell was born in South Dakota to Glen and Agnes (Gomsrud) Stymiest.

Jun 28, 2017

Dennis Vern Gray, 72, passed away Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at Spearfish Regional Hospital, Spearfish, South Dakota.

Dennis was born, April 14, 1945 to Gerald and Emmaline Gray of Whitehall, WI. Dennis married Susan Amble on December 5, 1987. They raised 3 children together, David (Tanya) Amble of Fall Creek, Serena (Jeremy) Gray of Sturgis, SD, and Sadie Gray...

Jun 26, 2017

Herman VanDenBerg went to meet his maker June 26, 2017, at Spearfish Regional Hospital with his loving wife, Ruby, and family by his side. Herman was born to Neil and Gertie VanDenBerg at home on the ranch near Strool January 4, 1926. He attended school at Center School and Lemmon High School. Herman and Ruby married June 11, 1947. They...

Jun 24, 2017

Gloria was born at Winona, MN, on March 4, 1937, to Eugene and Vernola "Dolly" Roedeske. Gloria graduated from Dunkerton, IA, in 1955. After graduation, she modeled at Black's Clothing Store in Waterloo, IA. It was here that she met a handsome hat salesman named Tom Murphy. They were married in May, 1958. Immediately after their marriage, Tom enlisted...

Jun 23, 2017

Charles was born to Nannette & Ben Brackett at home in Banner, Arkansas, on September 3, 1939. He attended school in Modesto, California. Charles and Ursula married October 13, 1958, 59 years ago. They welcomed four children into their home; Christine Coppola of Oregon, Sherrie VanVleet of Rapid City, John Brackett of Rapid City, and Susie Johnson of Dallas....

Jun 22, 2017

Kathleen Marie Raff, 66, of Sturgis, SD, Died June 22, 2017 at Sturgis Regional Hospital.

Kayhleen was born in Nebraska to Lloyd and Sally (Bowling) Gansebom.

Jun 22, 2017

Colette Kaye Hopson, 57, of Sturgis, stepped onto higher ground surrounded by her family on Thursday, June 22, 2017, at Rapid City Regional Hospice House. She was born August 11, 1959, in McLaughlin, SD, to Leo Wiest and Violet Anderson. Colette graduated in 1977 from Sturgis Brown High School. On August 7, 1977, she was united in marriage to...

Jun 20, 2017

Vicky Lee (Thompson) Waterland was born March 3, 1953, at Faith, SD, to Irvin and Marian (Howie) Thompson. She attended grade school in Timber Lake and high school in Faith graduating in 1971. She went on to BHSU and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. She then taught in various grades and positions over the course of 38...

Jun 20, 2017

Etta Margaret Johnson, 71, of Sturgis, SD, died June 20, 2017 at Rapid City Regional Hospital, Rapid City, SD.

Etta was born in South Dakota to Earl Patrick and Doris Mae (Gilberts) Conklin on May 14, 1946. Etta married Gene Leslie Johnson December 27, 2009. She is entombed, with her husband, at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis,...

Jun 20, 2017

Rory James Hise was born to Shirley and Leonard Hise on January 8, 1958, in Benton City, WA. His first four years were spent in Benton City until the family moved to Belle Fourche and then Fruitdale. The family then moved to Sturgis where he attended grade school and high school. Rory was very adventurous in his younger years....

Jun 20, 2017

Edwina "Eddie" Leah Whitaker, 78, Piedmont, passed away at home with family surrounding her this day June 20, 2017, after a heroic battle with lung cancer. Eddie was born in Belle Fourche, SD, and lived in South Dakota until her husband took her to Arkansas where she helped him work in a 7 state wide area for Southwestern Bell...

Jun 18, 2017

Mertie was born January 22, 1934, in New Underwood, SD, to Henry and Laura (Eveleth) Wildberger. On July 12, 1953, in Sturgis, SD, Mertie was joined in marriage with Eugene Edward Bowen. They were married 38 years until Gene's death in 1991. To this union were born two daughters and one son. Mertie spent her first four years in...

Jun 18, 2017

Margery Ione Bunney was born February 2, 1930, in Arlington, SD, to Clarence "Mike" Friedel and Abbie (Coy) Friedel. Margery attended elementary school in Wolsey and high school in Newell, SD. Margery married Frederick Bunney and they made their home in Newell. Margery and her husband owned and operated Bunney's Cleaners. After her husband's death, Margery worked at the...

Jun 18, 2017

Efstathia Elainie Ioanna Ackles-of Hill City, SD, passed peacefully Sunday, June 18, 2017 at Rapid City Hospice House with her family by her side. Efstathia was born on July 9, 1947 to James and Efstathia (Tgiros) Plympton in Charles City, Iowa. Efstathia was a beloved mother and grandmother. She is survived by her son, Ron (Jennifer) Alcott of Culpepper,...

Jun 17, 2017

Joseph Paul Hogan (aka Dog), 48, of Rapid City, SD, passed on June 17, 2017 at his home in Rapid City, SD.

Joseph was born in South Dakota to Paul and Willma (Major) Hogan. He is buried at Mountain View Cemetery, Rapd City, SD.