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Earl Eugen McPherson
December 14, 1909 - April 22, 2011
Earl Eugene McPherson died
Friday, April 22, 2011 at the Sturgis Senior Care Center at the age of 101. He was born December 14, 1909 in Sturgis and made his first trip home, 27 miles by horse and buggy to the family ranch on Alkali creek in the middle of winter. He was the oldest son in a family of 8 children born to Eugene H. and Ida (Theirs) McPherson. Earl grew up on the family ranch helping his father raise working horses and cattle on their Alkali Creek ranch. He used to take horses with his Dad to many places east of the Missouri River to sell as well as driving cattle to the train for shipment. He attended the McPherson school and graduated from 8th grade when he was 13. Earl was very studious so nobody suspected that he was the one who put the bull snake in the teacher's desk and the one that put a frog in a girl’s syrup pail that she used for her lunch box. Five years later he went to South Dakota State Aggie School and graduated in 1932 where he felt that he really learned what the needed to help him in life. He was the senior class president.
Earl played the banjo by ear and his brother Arnold played the drums and they made a little money at school playing for dances in Brookings. While at school Earl also completed ROTC, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He then returned to the family ranch and worked with his father and brothers raising horses, cattle, and crops during the very dry Thirties battling drought, anthrax and a poor economy. Earl bought his first tractor, a used 1937 John Deere Model B, which his dad didn't think was at all necessary since he raised working horses. He was also starting his first herd of Hereford cattle. He still played for dances which sometimes lasted all night as people couldn't go back home till daylight so the horses could see. At one of those dances he met a school teacher that became his "little wife" Celeste C. Karrels. They were dating for some time until World War II intervened. With war clouds gathering Earl was called up in September of l941 to join the Army but failed his first physical because he was under the weight minimum by 13 pounds. He went back home and gained a little weight and asked for another physical. The day of the physical he ate five pound of bananas, drank a gallon of water, and didn't stand up very straight and this time he passed. He was sent to Fort Crook, Nebraska which was a great assignment but Earl wanted to go overseas. He was then assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington awaiting overseas deployment. In November of 1942, they were notified of pending departure so Celeste came out by train to see him off. They had been engaged 11 months at that point and decided to get married while she was there. His unit didn't actually leave until January 1943 and made the 18 day voyage to Sydney, Australia on the "James O'Hara" a new ship, making her first voyage. Earl was assigned to the Headquarters of the Advanced Base at Port Moresby, New Guinea, the Philippines, and for duty as an air courier. He flew over 2,000 hours and made daily flights after memorizing messages and other highly classified materials from General MacArthur's Headquarters to all the islands in the Southwest Pacific. Earl was overseas 33 months and left the service at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas at the rank of captain. Celeste had continued to work in Sturgis the entire time he was gone.
Earl and Celeste bought the ranch adjoining his father's ranch which used to belong to his Uncle Bert in the spring of l946. There was so much work to do those first few years replacing buildings, planting wind breaks, fencing and growing crops for an ever increasing cattle herd. Getting electricity in 1949 made such a huge difference in life on the ranch. Earl and Celeste had four children, Kathleen in l947, Mary in l950, Wayne in l951 and Larry in l957. They family moved into the garage and the family home was rebuilt on the same spot in l956. As soon the basement was finished, they moved into the basement and then Earl completed as much of the work as he could. Earl was an equal opportunity employer of children, who were expected to milk cows, work in the fields, 'pick rocks’, move cattle on horseback and on rainy days, oil the saddles. Many a time he would be milking and making up math problems in his head for the children to solve. He was a very patient teacher but wanted things done right with appropriate effort.
Earl continued to be very involved in school activities. He served on the local board of education for 11 years for the Alfalfa school and was a moving force in helping establishing the two room school that his grandchildren completed their elementary schooling. He then was elected to the Meade County 46-1 school board for 9 years primarily on the budget and negotiations committee. He spent many days and trips to Pierre over many years testifying about the equalization funding for education and the impact on family ranches and farms. He was so passionate about this subject that it lead him to run for the State Senate twice. He was determined that all his children would go to college at South Dakota State and they did.
Earl was very involved with the Bear Butte Catholic Church as was his wife, Celeste, serving in several capacities on the church boards. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus in Sturgis after the Bear Butte church closed. He was a faithful servant of the Lord and truly practiced what he preached.
Earl was preceded in death by his wife Celeste in 2003, his sister Edna, and brothers Arnold, Glenn, and Joe, and sister in law Elma McPherson.
He is survived by his children: Kathleen Aubert (Wayne), Denver, CO; Mary Millwee (Tom), Austin, TX; Wayne McPherson (Connie), Sturgis; and Larry McPherson (Ann), Denver, CO; his beloved grandchildren: Chris, Jenny, Nicole, Matt, Kari, Luke, Michelle, Jared, Amanda, Drew, and Sean; and great grandchildren: Jayden, Levi, and Caleb. He is also survived by his sister, Mae Keffeler, Sturgis; and brothers, Donald (Mabel), Sturgis, and Dale (Dorothy) McPherson, Rapid City; sister in laws, Rosalind McPherson, Piedmont, and Maxine McPherson, Sturgis; as well as many nieces and nephews and special friends.
Visitation will be noon until 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. A wake and scripture service will begin at 7 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 29, 2011 at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis with Fr. Arnold Kari officiating. Burial with military honors by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard follows at the St. Aloysius Cemetery in Sturgis.
Memorials have been established to the St. Martin's Restoration Fund and the St. Aloysius Cemetery.
Hugh Reichert
August 8, 1920 - April 22, 2011
Hugh Reichert, 90, of Hereford died Friday, April 22, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Center in New Underwood, SD. He was born at O'Neill, NE to George Reichert and Drusilla Boshart Reichert on August 8, 1920.
Funeral service will be Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian church in Sturgis with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery. Visitation will be noon to 9 p.m. on Monday, April 25, 2011 at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.
Hugh married Connetta "Connie" Winger on June 14, 1947 at Rapid City, SD.
Hugh lived in and was active in the Hereford community all his life. He was a member of several boards including the school board, church board, township board, fireman's board, hall board and Chairman of the Multi-County Predator Control Board for a number of years. He was the chairman of the school board when the new school was built.
Hugh liked to hunt, fish and trap. He also enjoyed competing rodeo events including calf roping, wild cow milking and received a buckle for old mans breakaway roping.
Hugh was a life long rancher and farmer and dedicated to raising good quality livestock.
He suffered a stroke in June of 2007. Hugh was baptized at the Hereford Church on July 13, 2008.
Hugh is survived by his wife of 63 years; three sons Bruce (Velda Widdoss) Reichert of Box Elder, Ross Reichert of Hereford and William "Bill" (Wanda) Reichert of Sturgis; four grandchildren, Lorena Reichert, Jacob Reichert, Colton Reichert and Jessie Reichert.
He was preceded in death by both parents, 2 brothers and 3 sisters.
A memorial has been established for the Hereford Community Hall and the Hereford Volunteer Fire Department.
Clifford Hardacre
March 31, 1921 - April 22, 2011
Clifford Hardacre, 90, passed away Friday, April 22, 2011 at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 26, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with a rosary service beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Father Arnold Kari officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the Sturgis Honor Guard will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.
Clifford was born March 31, 1921 on the family farm near Witten, SD. He grew up and spent many wonderful childhood years there. He then joined the military on December 16, 1942 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II until his honorable discharge on December 15, 1945. He served mainly in the western Pacific and attained the rank of Sargent.
After his service in the military he was employed at Fort Meade where he worked in the garage until his retirement. During part of his life he also worked at the Phillips 66 gas station and later hauled fuel for Moyle Petroleum for a number of years.
Cliff raised a small herd of cattle for many years at his home in Boulder Canyon. He would haul them to the farm by Witten for the summer. He always had one horse and sometimes more. Being a lover of animals he also had many dogs and cats through the years.
Cliff and Marilou enjoyed many Saturday night dances at the VFW in Sturgis. They also took many trips together, including to California, Oregon, Branson, Missouri, the East Coast and an Alaskan cruise in 2005.
He was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis and attended mass regularly until December 2009 when his health worsened. In November 2010 he and Marilou moved to Rapid City.
Survivors include his lifetime partner, Marilou Yarber; two daughters, Lois Hardacre (Ed Trigg) of Rapid City and Jan (Walt) Cox of Whitewood; four grandchildren, Terry Hoey (fiancee Clovia Snyder) of Rapid City, Kerry Hardacre (Carson Stiles) of Billings, MT, George (Chris) Cox of Whitewood, and Denise (Paul) Faiman of Rapid City; and four great-grandchildren, Shea Hardacre-Stiles, Alec Faiman, and Bailey and Kody Cox; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by both parents; a brother, Ralph in childhood; and two sisters, Hazel Hardacre and Grace Bauld.
Memorials have been established to the Hospice of the Hills and the Sturgis or Rapid City Animal Shelters.
Joseph Graham Cox
November 1, 1946 - April 8, 2011
Joseph Graham Cox, 64, Rapid City, passed away Friday, April 8th, 2011 at his residence.
Graveside service will be held Thursday, April 21st, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with Chaplain Willard Olson officiating. Inurnment with military honors by the Rapid City VFW Honor Guard will be provided at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
Alta Arlene Michels
July 19, 1928 - May 3, 2011
Alta Arlene Michels, 82, Sturgis, died Tuesday, May 3, 2011, at her home in Sturgis.
Visitation will be noon until 9:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Family will be present from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 9, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis with Rev. Michael J. Fox officiating. Burial will follow at the Bear Butte Cemetery.
Alta was born at Raymond, SD, to Albert and Mary (Mehlberg) Tschappat on July 19, 1928. She was the youngest of five children and spent many wonderful summers in Iowa with her older sister, Mrs. Dorothy Johnson. She graduated from Clark High School in 1947.
Alta married Dean Michels at Clark, SD, in 1948. The couple farmed until 1951 when they moved to Lead, SD, where Dean worked for the Homestake.
Alta was an active member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, the ladies circle and quilting group. She was also a member of the Senior Center in Lead.
After Dean retired in 1991, they moved to Sturgis where they were members of Grace Lutheran Church. Alta was an active volunteer at the Sturgis Senior Center and the Thrift Store.
Alta always had her sewing tote with her. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, gardening, pinochle, bingo and playing online computer games and crossword puzzles.
She had fond memories of winters in Florida living in their 5th wheel. She also enjoyed snowmobiling, boating, camping, and spending holidays and summer vacations with the grandkids and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her son, Gary (Therese) Michels, Omaha, NE; two daughters, Jeanne (Larry) Hoffman, Sturgis, and Diane Will, Sturgis, SD; grandchildren, Jeremy (Holly) Will and their children, Cassidy and Addison, Hazelton, ND, Amanda Will, Austin, TX, Andy (Amanda) Hoffman, and their children, Kindina, Caleb, and Landon, Lead, SD, Heidi Hoffman, Sturgis, David Hoffman, Rapid City, Aaron (Nicole) Michels and their children, Audrey and Caitlin, Aurora, CO, Janel (Ben) Heitz, Tucson, AZ, and Laura Michels, Palmyra, PA.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean in 2009, two sisters, two brothers and one grandchild.
Three words sum up Alta's life: Faith, Perseverance and Prayer.
Memorials have been established to the Grace Lutheran Church Radio Ministry and Hospice of the Northern Hills.
William Wallace Pinkerton
June 15, 1929 - May 1, 2011
William "Bill" Wallace Pinkerton, 81, of Lead, died Sunday, May 1, 2011, at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center.
Visitation will be Friday from noon until time of service at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 6, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with Pastor Calvin Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard.
William "Bill" Wallace Pinkerton was born June 15, 1929, at Hill City, SD, to Ross W. and Josephine T. (Wichlacz) Pinkerton. He graduated from Custer High School in 1947.
Bill married Donna Jean King from Rochford, SD, in 1951. This union created six wonderful children, fourteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, who were all very special to him and brought him much joy.
He entered the US Army in 1951. Following his honorable discharge, he served 6 years in the Army Reserves.
Bill worked sawmilling with his father before and after his military service, also for Homestake Mine, The US Forest Service, Job Corps, and was Co-owner of King's Grocery in Lead. He enjoyed all the friends and customers while in business and his claim to fame was being "the oldest carry out (delivery) boy in town." After 36 years in the grocery business he retired in 2000. Bill and Donna enjoyed their 10 years of retirement.
His life was changed for the better in 1967 when he received Jesus Christ as his savior. This relationship with the Lord brought him much comfort and peace after the sudden death of their son, Danny, in 1984. Bill was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lead/Deadwood and New Hope Chapel of Lead where he faithfully served the Lord. Bill sought out every opportunity to study the Bible and share God's Word.
Bill, 81, of Lead, died Sunday, May 1, 2011, at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center.
Bill is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Donna, Lead; two sons, Wesley (Chandra) Pinkerton, Gillette, WY, and Dale (LouAnn) Pinkerton, Sturgis; three daughters, Catherine Andrews, Michigan, Deanna (Mike) Makousky, Gillette, and Fawn (Jeff) Hadlock, Gillette; fourteen grandchildren, Shannon, Jessica, Nathan, Matthew, Mindie, Keef, Keelia, Roxanne, Crystal, Jewel, Joseph, Maggie, Olivia, and Max; and three great-grandchildren, Macie, Maddie, and Colin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, John; three sisters, Josephine, Mary, and Clara; one son, Daniel Pinkerton; daughter, DeElaine Pinkerton; and son-in-law, Robert K. Andrews.
The family is grateful for the wonderful care he received while at the VA on E ward.
Memorials may be made to: Black Hills Children's Home, 24100 S Rockerville Rd., Rapid City, SD 57702.
Wanda Mae Raye
February 13, 1946 - April 30, 2011
Wanda Mae Raye, 65, Rapid City, died Saturday, April 30, 2011, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rapid City with a Christian Wake Service beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, May 6, 2011, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help with Father Tyler Dennis officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
Wanda was born February 13, 1946, in Rapid City, SD, to Kenneth and Delores (McDonald) Douglas. She completed her education in Rapid City. She met William Raye and they were married December 23, 1962, in Rapid City. They lived in Lockbourne, OH, Okinawa, Ellsworth, Germany, France, and the Netherlands returning to Rapid City where they raised their family.
Wanda was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. She was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was known to love pigs, frogs, turtles, chickens and a deep admiration of Betty Boop.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Raye, Rapid City; four sons, Sam Raye, Anchorage, AK, Jason Raye, Rapid City, John Raye, Fairfax, VA, and Michael (Krista) Raye, Rapid City; one daughter, Rebecca Raye (Drew Beach), Rapid City; one sister, JoAnn (Tom) Bennington, Rapid City; eleven grandchildren: Suzanne, Amanda, Joshua, David, Jessica, Kiara Lynn, Makai Lynn, Dai-Ana, Jaxon, Kylie Anne and Sawyer; and one great-grandchild – Ivan. Numerous nieces and nephews which are all truly loved by our wonderful mother. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Delores and two sisters, Bonnie Horton and Dixie George.
Our mother was a person who accepted everyone for who they were and not judging them. She was and will remain in our hearts, loved and deeply missed. She was a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day and always available for a warm hug. She was not only our mother but our friend and we will take this last lesson she taught us, that all family and friends must be kept close to the heart. Our mother passed away while trying to get her heart fixed and we believe she gave so much of her heart to everyone else that she forgot to save some for herself.
Marjorie L. Burk
April 14, 1928 - April 30, 2011
Marjorie Lois Burk, 83, Vale, died Saturday, April 30, 2011, at the Deadwood Regional Hospital.
Visitation will be noon until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, 2011, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Pastor Truman Savery officiating. Burial will follow at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
Marjorie was born April 14, 1928, at Gustav, SD to George and Clara (Everetts) Hawley. She grew up in the country helping her father on the farm and ranch. She also worked in the timber and helped at the family sawmill.
Marjorie married Willie Burk at Belle Fourche on February 6, 1952. The couple lived in Wyoming and moved to Lead in 1953. Marjorie taught Sunday School at the Berean Baptist church in Lead for many many years. Willie worked at Homestake until retiring in 1979. They moved to Vale where they farmed.
Survivors include her son, Delmer (Kelly-Jean) Burk, Troy, ME; daughters, Norma (Herb) Peckham, Rapid City, and Mabel Anna (Earl) Martin, Albion, MI; brother, George (Jeannette) Hawley, Rapid City; sisters, Naiomi Terhune, Alzada, WY, Jean (Bud) Lynn, Coffee Creek, MT, Joan Anderson, Bozeman, MT, Judy (Jim) Keil, Katy, TX, and Betty (Elden) Nielsen, Alva, WY; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four sisters, an infant brother, and two sons.
A memorial has been established to the South Dakota Children's Hospital and School.
Janet Marie Fearon
August 5, 1942 - April 30, 2011
Janet Marie Fearon, 68, Rapid City, died Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the VA Black Hills Health Care Center, Fort Meade.
Committal services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with military honors by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard.
Friends may gather at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery.
Janet was born August 5, 1942 at Huron, SD, to Orvel Maynard and Dorothy Lucille (Roberts) Schmit.
She grew up in Huron and graduated from Huron High School. She enlisted in the Navy and served as a clerk in administration. She was honorably discharged and returned home.
Janet lived in many places throughout her life. She worked as a waitress, telephone operator, bank teller and several other occupations.
She married Francis Fearon at Broomfield, CO on December 21, 1984.
Survivors include her daughter Renee (Scott) Kracht, Summerset; her parents, Orvel and Dorothy Schmit, Huron; one brother, Thomas Maynard (Cheryl) Schmit, Las Vegas, NV; three sisters, Leona (Bernard) Kowalke, Spearfish, Cindy Gabert, Rapid City, Linda (Donald) Schuetzle, Wittman, AZ; and granddaughter, Madison Lynn Marie Kracht.
Janet was preceded in death by her husband, Francis. She will be buried with him at the Black Hills National Cemetery.
Phillip Lee Love
March 14, 1939 - April 30, 2011
Phillip Love, 71, passed away at his residence in Sturgis on Saturday, April 30th, 2011 with his family at his side.
A memorial service will be held at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel on Saturday, May 7th, 2011 at 11:00am with Pastor Wes Labrier officiating.
Phillip was born March 14, 1939 at Waterloo, New York and was raised in Idaho. He had a strong work ethic and was employed as a logger, cowboy, heavy equipment operator, and truck driver prior to retiring to Sturgis.
After his retirement, Phillip kept busy helping friends with remodeling projects. He enjoyed worshipping at Union Center Baptist Church in Union Center, as his health would allow. He also loved to explore the back roads of the Black Hills.
He is survived by his wife Mary Lou Mattison of Sturgis; step-son, Danny Blake of Springfield, SD; step-daughter, Billie (Rick) Colson of Rapid City; and step-grandson, Brian.
Shirley Ford
January 7, 1939 - June 6, 2011
Shirley Ford, 72, Sturgis, died Monday June 06, 2011, at her home. Visitation will be Wednesday June 8, 2011, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday June 9, 2011, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis with Pastor Denzel Nonhof officiating. Burial will follow at Nemo Cemetery.
Shirley was born January 7, 1939 in Helena, MT to William and Velma Jo(Weiss) Spurlock. She was raised and educated in Helena. Shirley married Clayton Ford in 1955 in Coeur d'Alene, ID. She was a ranch wife and homemaker until 1974 when she moved to Nemo to work at the Nemo Guest Ranch. For a short time she worked in the food service at Fort Meade. She then became the food service manager at the Job Corps in Nemo until the time of her retirement. Shirley loved working with horses.
Shirley is survived by three sons, Clayton Ford Jr. of Rapid City, SD, Joe (Paula) Ford of Sturgis, SD and Dan Ford of Nemo, SD; one daughter Susan O'Dea of Nemo, SD; one brother Jerry Spurlock and four sisters, Connie Mayer, Bonnie (KC) Holman, Doreen Spurlock and Joanne Kaufman all of Helena, MT; 12 grandchildren, Charlie Ford, Justin Ford, Melissa Ford, Jean Ford, Clayton Ford III, J.D. Ford, Joe Ford Jr., T.J. Ford, Quincy Ford, Kelli Rankin, Klacy Wilson and Jason Ford; 14 great-grandchildren, Tyser, Lexi, Jase, Zade, Zeb, Lan, Ava, Jackson, Cashton, Jet, Sage, Brodie, Andrea, and Brandon.
She was preceded in death by both parents; two brothers Bill and Jim Spurlock; and a great-grandson Tate Rankin.
A memorial has been established to Hospice of the Northern Hills.
