Obituaries

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.

Jun 16, 2017

Lyle Fay Martin was born March 26, 1926, in Erwin, SD, to Joseph and Hannah (Munger) Martin. His father was an Irish orphan who came out west on an orphan train, and Fr. Lyle spent many years searching for his ancestors. After graduation in 1944, he enlisted in the US Army, and his very first combat experience was in...

Jun 16, 2017

Bob was born September 29, 1946, at Sundance, Wyoming, to Wesley and Dorothy Stallbaum. Bob retired from the Ft. Meade Fire Department as a captain in 1999. He loved motorcycles, fishing, woodworking, and visiting with friends and family. He was an avid pool player and he never met a stranger. Robert Louis Johnston, 70, Sturgis, died Friday, June 16,...

Jun 14, 2017

Ramsey Lee Kendall was born in Westover, SD, to Nordine and Carrie (Smith) Kendall on January 16, 1931. As a youngster, he moved to Custer where he graduated high school, achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout, and joined the Custer National Guard in 1947 at the young age of 16. In August of 1950, his unit was alerted...

Jun 13, 2017

Bonnie Coleman-Herrmann, 74, was born December 23, 1942, near Seneca, SD. She passed away June 13, 2017, at Henderson, NV. Plans for services are for November 4, 2017, at Spearfish, SD.

Jun 12, 2017

Brenda Mae Cline, 56, of Gillette, WY, passed away on June 12, 2017.

Jun 12, 2017

Jans Gustav Melby was born November 29, 1963, in Fargo, ND, to Peter and Carole Melby. In his early years, the family lived in Minnesota where Jans enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, and living life to its fullest. The Melby family moved to Pierre, SD, in 1976 where Jans graduated from Riggs High School in 1982. Jans' teen years were filled...