Jules Edwin Butler
Aug 28, 2019
Jules Edwin Butler, known to many as "Jay" or "Biz," 91, Spearfish, died Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Fort Meade. Jules was born August 7, 1928, in Mount Clemons, MI, to Ferrell and Marjorie (Anderson) Butler. At 15 years of age, Jules entered the Merchant Marines. After he was released from duty, he returned...
Rollie Dean Schlenker
Aug 27, 2019
Rollie was born July 10, 1952, in McLaughlin, SD, the fourth of seven children of Reuben and Ruth (Hinsz) Schlenker. Rollie's childhood was spent fishing, shining shoes, and delivering papers to earn extra money. Throughout his life, his strong work ethic made him a valued family-man, friend, and employee. Rollie worked in construction most of his earlier life and...
Carla Wynn Erfman
Aug 26, 2019
Carla was born in Hollywood, California on January 25, 1936. From Hollywood to Deadwood, where she roamed the hillsides on her horse followed by her faithful dog, gathering berries to sell to afford the horses that she loved. Mount Moriah didn't only house the resting place of her beloved grandfather, but also her horse pasture as well. Carla loved...
Roger Dean Schuelke
Aug 25, 2019
Roger Dean Schuelke was born in Sturgis, SD, to Everett Warren and Evelyn Helen (Talley) Schuelke on November 6, 1950. He was the third in what would be six children. He attended local schools and graduated from Sturgis High School in 1968. He attended the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in 1969-70. In 1972 Roger joined the...
Charles Franklin Henry, Jr.
Aug 25, 2019
Charles Franklin Henry, Jr., passed away on August 25, 2019, after a short battle with cancer. He was 75 years old. He was born on January 15, 1944, in San Mateo, CA. He was a Marine and served in the US Marine Corps from June, 1961 to March, 1966. He did two tours of duty in the Vietnam War....
Erma Lavonne Draine
Aug 22, 2019
Erma Lavonne Draine was born June 1, 1934, in Chance, SD, to Clifford and Estella (Knittel) Reese. She was the youngest of three children. Erma grew up on a homestead in the Maurine area. Erma graduated from Faith HS, and shortly thereafter married Robert Emo Draine on January 24, 1953. To this union, three children were born; Gerald in...
Billy Rae Powers
Aug 22, 2019
Billy Rae Powers passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 22, 2019. He is survived by his wife Susan, and two sons, Drew and Zachary Powers. Billy was a man who knew the definition of hard work. He was the definition of hard work. There was no man who could love as greatly as he. Bill was the father of...
Florence Elizabeth (Secrest) Swesey
Aug 18, 2019
Florence Elizabeth Swesey was born October 30, 1932, to Fred and Minnie (Wilson) Secrest in Gunnison, CO. She was the oldest of 4 siblings. Joining her was a brother, Gene, and two sisters, Effie and Punky. Florence's father was a logger, so the family moved from Colorado to New Mexico, and then to Idaho, settling in Sturgis, SD, in...
Francis Martin Langan
Aug 16, 2019
Francis was born October 23, 1927, in Clear Lake, SD, to Frank Martin and Margaret Theresa (Dailey) Langan. He attended school in Gregory, SD. He proudly served in the U.S. Army enlisting on October 9, 1952. He was stationed at Fort Riley as a mechanic, when he received orders that he was being transferred to France. On March 13,...
Curtis William Clark, Jr.
Aug 16, 2019
Curtis W. Clark, Jr., age 90, of Spearfish, passed away at his home on Friday, August 16, 2019. He was born September 12, 1928, in Hazelton, ND, to Curtis W. and Sarrah (Smith) Clark, Sr. He grew up on his parent's farm and attended grade school in Camp Crook, SD, and high school in Buffalo, SD. He served in...
Bernice Aileen Langin
Aug 14, 2019
Bernice was born August 3, 1917, at Boneita Springs, SD, to John L. and Emma (Hodson) Baker. She graduated from Sturgis High School in 1935. She married Francis Langin in Sturgis on August 14, 1939. She worked as a bookkeeper for her husband's auto salvage business, and later for her son. Bernice was a member of United Methodist Church....
Elmer Issac Alan
Aug 13, 2019
Elmer Isaac Alan passed away on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, in Spearfish, SD, at the age of 92. Born on the 5th day of February, 1927 to William and Lempi (Metsala) Alan, he was baptized and later confirmed by the Lutheran Church. He joined a brother, Gilbert, and sister, Miriam, and lived his young life on a ranch near...
Regina Pierre Cooper
Aug 13, 2019
Regina was born December 4, 1932, in Arlee, MT on The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation to her parents Pete and Mary Pierre. Regina Pierre Cooper took her final journey on August 13, 2019, at her home in rural Sturgis, SD at the age of 89 years. Regina was an enrolled member of the Confederated...
Wanna Ruth Young
Aug 12, 2019
Wanna (Speed) Young was born November 10, 1923, at Clough, SD, to Lawson and Mable (Ferguson) Speed. She attended high school at Stoneville, SD. She married Robert J. Young January 3, 1945, at Sturgis, SD. To this union, two children were born, Linda and Bob. Wanna was a member of Eastern Star (Matopaha Chapter #98 of Sturgis), Ladies Auxiliary...
Roger Duane Jensen
Aug 11, 2019
Roger Duane Jensen was born in Millboro, SD, to Christian DeWitt Jensen and Marvel Belle (Painter) Jensen on September 17, 1933. He was number three in what would be nine children. As a young boy, they moved to the Eagle Butte, SD, area. He attended country schools and graduated from Eagle Butte High School in 1952. In March of...
Dorothy Virginia Roseland
Aug 10, 2019
The last of the Hobbits has returned to her final resting place in the Shire where she has been reunited with those whom she has dearly missed. We who are left behind feel the loss of her presence, but rejoice that she is no longer in pain. Dorothy passed from this earthly world on August 10, 2019, at the...
Allen Leroy Oedekoven
Aug 9, 2019
Allen Leroy Oedekoven was born September 27, 1924, in Sturgis, SD, to Albert and Ella (Linstrom) Oedekoven. He lived on the farm 17 miles northeast of Sturgis. He went to Nine Mile Grade School and worked with his family, especially his two brothers, Standly and Vernon and with his dad as he got older. He and his dad bought...
Mark Allen Lewis
Aug 7, 2019
Mark was born November 17, 1956, the third child of ten, to Dwane and Justine "Gussie" (Adams) Lewis in Sioux Falls, SD. He grew up in Sioux Falls and moved to Sturgis with his parents and siblings in 1972. He graduated from Sturgis High School in 1975, and from BHSU with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology in...
John H. Overholt
Aug 6, 2019
John H. Overholt was born October 25, 1927, to Ralph and Ellen (Clarin) Overholt in Creighton, SD. At a young age, they moved to Quinn, SD, and in 1941, the family moved to Rapid City. On June 21, 1947, John married Marjorie A. Deseive. They spent over 53 years together until she passed in March of 2001. They resided...
Ralph Charles Hoggatt
Aug 5, 2019
Ralph lead a full life of quiet service to his state, local municipalities, and community as a lawyer and as a leader / volunteer. Ralph has served as the Lead Deadwood Kiwanis Club President in 1999-2000 and served as the third longest serving Kiwanis Club Secretary from 1969 - 1976. Ralph was a strong civic leader and he volunteered...
