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Viola Herrman, age 95, of Philip, died Monday, June 12, 2006, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
Viola Herrman was born on May 31, 1911, in the sod house on her parents’ homestead near Hartley, South Dakota, some 35 miles north of Philip. She was the fifth and last child of Leonodos (Lee) Edwards and Louisa (Jennie) Jane Painter Edwards. Viola attended various grade schools and the first two years of high school in the Hartley, Moenville, Nowlin, Elbon, Harding Grove, Milesville, and Marietta areas. She attended Philip High School her junior year and then attended school in Alliance, Nebraska, her senior year, where she also received normal training that prepared her for teaching. After graduating from high school she went to Chadron Teachers College and taught in rural grade schools in the Alliance vicinity for several years.
Viola married
Reuben Herrman on June 3, 1936, in Torrington, Wyoming. They lived on their ranch near Hilland, 30 miles northwest of Philip, until Reuben’s death in 1974. Viola taught in various rural schools in Haakon County for a few years in the 1960s, maintaining her credentials by attending summer school at Black Hills Teachers College. Viola was an active member of the Hilland Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid, the Hilland extension club, and other community activities. Viola was a caring and delightful hostess, always making others feel most welcome to her home. Viola moved to Philip in 1974. She learned to use a computer at age 83. Despite failing eyesight and hearing, Viola remained active until recently.
Viola was a great listener and mentored several girls in the community on the art of homemaking. She was well-liked and was an inspiration to many people.
Music was a big part of Viola’s life. She learned to play the piano by ear listening to songs on the radio, then learned how to read notes while watching her children practice. After moving to Philip she took organ lessons and played at First Lutheran Church. She enjoyed listening to her children play the piano and sing and she encouraged them to participate in musical activities in their respective communities.
Grateful for having shared her life are four children, Jerry of Hayward, California, Barbara Wentz and her husband Terry of Ambler, Alaska, John of Placerville, California, and Marilyn Millage and her husband Ron of Philip; grandchildren Lee Wentz and his wife Gigi, Laurie Wentz and her friend John Welling, Jim Blake and his fiancée Leah Smith, Robin Harris and her friend Gary Ludlow, Craig Millage and his wife Tamara, Michael Millage and his wife Julie, Amy Buffalo and her husband Bo, and Jody Millage; 22 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband Reuben, Viola was preceded in death by her parents, one brother Raymond Edwards; three sisters Chloe Carlson, Leona Sandal, and Martha Jewel Ferguson; and one half-brother Amon Durley.
Visitation was held 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Thursday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 15, at the First Lutheran Church in Philip, with Pastor Tim Solberg officiating.
Interment was in the Masonic cemetery, Philip.
A memorial is established.
Doris Mae Jeffries, age 79, of Quinn, South Dakota, died Monday evening July 17, 2006 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Doris Mae Day was born in Dupree, SD on April 6, 1927 the daughter of Delbert C. Day and Bernice (Griffith) Day. Doris was educated in rural Ziebach county and graduated from Dupree High School in 1945. While going to high school in Dupree Doris boarded with the Rev. Sam and Mrs. Cushing. They were very influential and helpful following the loss of her mother.
Doris attended Springfield Normal Teachers College where she received her teaching certificate. She taught at rural schools in Ziebach County.
Doris’s mother passed away on March 26, 1945 in childbirth. This left the family with several small children including a newborn. Doris’s father traveled shearing sheep and Doris kept the children with her while she taught.
Doris was united in marriage to Robert Oakley Jeffries on May 22, 1947 at Timber Lake, SD, and they raised her siblings together, beginning her life’s work as a caregiver. It was a role she cherished very much. Doris kept her house and yard in immaculate condition and her homes were always beautifully decorated. She still canned every year giving her treasures to family and friends. She took great pride in her appearance and was always "done up".
The theme of her life was giving, caring and loving. She had a generous heart and gave to us all. It is not what you take with you when you go but what you leave behind. We all have her spirit in our hearts.
In their 59 years of marriage Doris and Bud moved many times living in Dupree, Faith, Eagle Butte, Provo, Edgemont, and Milesville, South Dakota, Washington, Wyoming, and Montana.
Grateful for having shared Doris’s life are her husband, Bud of Quinn; three daughters, Janie (Lee) McLean, Lake Elsinore, CA, Julie (Gary) Nixon, Philip, SD, Joy (Rodney) Bull, Dayton, Wyoming, two sons Zane (Beth), Milesville, SD, Kevin (Julie), Rapid City, SD, thirteen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; three brothers, Bud (Iris) Day, Meadow, SD, Kenny (Debbie) Day, Howes, SD, and Sammy (Jlyn) Day, Kansas City, MO; two sisters, Helen (Dale) Packer and Mary (Dick) DeYoe, Belle Fourche, SD; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Doris was preceded in death by her mother, father, two brothers Lloyd Alvin "Tiny" Day and a brother in infancy, a sister Bernice and a granddaughter Rhian Caywood.
Visitation was from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday July 20, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip and one hour before the services at the church on Friday in Dupree.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Friday July 21, at the United Church of Christ in Dupree, with Pastor Fay Garreau and Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating.
Interment was in the Dupree cemetery.
A memorial is established.
Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip, South Dakota.
Donald W. "Donnie" Jacobson was born May 18, 1929 at Powell, South Dakota, the son of Stanley and Loleta (Ziegenbein) Jacobson. He attended grade school at Nowlin, South Dakota and graduated from Midland High School in 1946.
In 1949, Donald was united in marriage to Bonnie Jean Koch in Midland. This marriage was blessed with four children, D.D., Jeff, Jerry, and Dawn.
On June 3, 1976, Donald was united in marriage to Myrtle Nelson in Newcastle, Wyoming.
Donald worked on many ranches and spent his lifetime enjoying ranch lifestyle. He worked on ranches from the area of Cottonwood to Ft. Pierre. Don spent nearly twenty years on the Kenny McIlravy ranch. He enjoyed his time at the Cheyenne River breaks during calving season until the time of his retirement in 1993.
After his retirement, Donald enjoyed playing cards, shooting pool, and visiting with friends and family.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Myrtle Jacobson of Philip; three sons, Donald D. Jacobson and his wife, Gail of Ft. Pierre; Jeff Jacobson and his wife, Gayle; and Jerry Jacobson and his wife, Karen, all of Little Falls, Minnesota; one daughter, Dawn Jacobson of Lincoln, Nebraska; seven grandchildren, Travis, Joyel, Tory, and Tyler Jacobson, Mindy and Gunner Rush, and Bryce Ritchie; seven great-grandchildren, Zack, Hunter, Hayden, McKenzey, Morgan, Skylar, and Heaven; his parents, Stanley and Loleta Jacobson of Philip; four step-children, Karen Pinney and her husband, Terry of Philip; Larry Fite of Kadoka; Robert Fite and his wife, Lou Ann of Philip; Vickie Fite and her husband, Maurice of Philip; eight step-grandchildren, Scott and Kevin Pinney, Teresa O’Connell, Bradley, Chad, Lori and Bryon Fite, and Vona Cuny; eighteen step-great grandchildren, Brady, Austin, Cheyenne, Kenzy, Kady, Kaylor, Kayla, Jeff, Mason, Owen, Ashley, Austin, Zenayah, Tracey, Lukus, Casey, Kenda, and Trenton; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Donald W. "Donnie" Jacobson, age 74, of Philip died Saturday afternoon, January 10, 2004, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
Memorial services was held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday January 13, 2004, at the American Legion Hall in Philip, with Pastor Paul Bly officiating.
Following his request the body was cremated and will be buried at the Masonic cemetery in Philip.
Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
Phyllis Jeann Dorn was born July 24, 1928, in Hendricks, Minnesota, the daughter of Victor W. and Bernice (Selleck) Dorn.
She grew up in Hendricks and graduated from Hendricks High School
Phyllis was united in marriage to Leslie E. Johnson on June 26, 1949 in Hendricks, Minnesota.
After their marriage they lived in Hendricks and various towns in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, before moving to Wall in 1961.
While in Wall Phyllis worked at the Wall Drug Store, the GW Market, before becoming a partner in the Badlands Bar in 1980. She continued in the Badlands Bar until the time of her death.
Phyllis was a member of the United Methodist Church in Wall, the Order of Easter Star, and a charter member of the Wall Women’s Bowling Association, serving as city secretary, league president, and secretary several times during her thirty-four years of bowling.
Grateful for having shared her life include her husband Les of Wall; three sons, Lee Johnson of Wall, Kenton Johnson and his wife Becky of Gillette, Wyoming, and Kevin Johnson and his wife Delph of Elko, Nevada; seven grandchildren; three great grandchildren; two sisters Margret Widmark and her husband John of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Joyce Hexum and her husband Lowell of Longmont, Colorado; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; a brother Kenneth Dorn; and two nieces Lori Widmark and Wanda Hexum Johnston.
Phyllis J. Johnson, age 75, of Wall, died Tuesday, March 2, 2004 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Visitation was 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 8, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall.
Funeral services were 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 9, at the United Methodist Church in Wall, with Pastor Jim Cissell officiating.
Interment was in the Wall cemetery.
A memorial is established.
Howard Dale Hieb, 40, of Black Hawk, South Dakota, and formerly of Murdo and Valley Springs, South Dakota, passed away Friday June 24, 2005, as a result of an unfortunate motorcycle accident.
Howard Dale Hieb was born September 24, 1964, in Mobridge, South Dakota, the son of Donald and Cecelia (Schaeffer) Hieb. He was raised in the quaint growing community of Murdo where he attended Jones County High School graduating in 1983. Upon his graduation, he chose to remain within the local area having been employed both at the Triple H Truck Stop and Horsley Farms while earning his way toward his goal of attending the Southeast Technical Institute between the years of 1985-87. It was while he was there that he met Connie I. Blomberg and married
his sweetheart on September 26, 1987, in Valley Springs, South Dakota. Howard and Connie were the loving parents to two sons Kolbe and Jeramie and one daughter Tandy. The family remained in the Valley Springs area where Howard developed his own business, CNH. In 2002 the family found their home in Rapid City where Howard expanded his business and was a part time employee of H & R Block. The family recently relocated to Black Hawk.
Howard’s many interests involved numerous indoor and outdoor activities. One of his favorite activities was spending time with his granddaughter, Keegan. He aspired to plan, construct and tool with his hands a retirement dream home for his family from the South Dakota soil upon which he made and forever left his roots. As an avid gun collector he was in the early phases of teaching his youngest son, Kolbe, the important principles of gun safety, while enjoying seasonal activities of hunting and fishing in the surrounding hills of the region. An aside passion entailed tinkering around with mechanical gadgetry – most particularly his old cars and his recently acquired bike upon which his life was suddenly stricken while enjoying the sport of cycling which he loved. Howard looked forward to and enjoyed selling fireworks to the children and felt this was important.
Howard is survived by his beloved wife Connie of Black Hawk; two sons Kolbe Hieb of Black Hawk and Jeramie Hieb of Brandon, South Dakota; one daughter Tandy (Hieb) Thompson and her husband Ryan of Brandon; and one granddaughter Keegan Thompson of Brandon. He is also survived by his father Donald Hieb and wife Mary of Murdo; two sisters Mary (Hieb) Cazan and her husband Matt of Murdo, and Donna (Hieb) Fischer and husband Adam of Miles City, Montana; one brother Richard Hieb and wife Kathy of Lake Dallas, Texas; several nieces and nephews; three great nieces and nephews; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and the pooch "Nibbers".
Howard was preceded in death by his mother Cecelia (Schaeffer) Hieb; his grandparents Arvid and Bessie Schaeffer, and William and Mary (Hieb) Nash
Visitation was held 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, June 28, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. all at the Murdo Auditorium.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. CDT Wednesday, June 29, at the Murdo Auditorium, with Rev. Tom Beaverson officiating.
Interment will be in the Murdo cemetery.
A memorial is established.
Scott Thomas Hildebrandt died Thursday morning in Worthington, Minnesota while traveling back to Wall, South Dakota.
Scott was born November 14, 1951, at Rapid City, South Dakota the son of Vernice and Dakota (Threadgold) Hildebrandt. The family made their home on the Hildebrandt farm north of Quinn at that time.
They moved into Quinn when Scott was a very small child and then into Wall several years later.
Scott attended school in Wall graduating from Wall High School in 1970. He then attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, graduating with a degree in communications.
He ran an advertising agency in Minneapolis and a printing company in Big Lake, Minnesota over the years. At the time of his death he was working at the Economy Inn in St. Paul, Minnesota.
He loved sports and did play by play announcing for small schools and was a friend to many professional athletes over the years.
He leaves to mourn his passing, two children, Tanner and Katlyn Hildebrandt and their mother, Nancy Masson, all of Apple Valley, Minn., his stepfather, Cecil Nelson of Sturgis, one brother, Wayne (Linda) Hildebrandt of Maywood, Nebraska, one sister, Wanita Gravatt of Rapid City, and two step-sisters, Shirley (Alan) Raby of Atlanta, Georgia, Sharon (John) Narem of Lead, and one step-brother, David (Linda) Nelson of Golden, Colorado. Also, he leaves seven nieces and nephews, seven great-nieces and nephews, five step-nieces and nephews, five step-great-nieces and nephews, one uncle, Harlyn (Audrey) Threadgold of Brandon, South Dakota, three aunts, Phyllis (Jim) Williams of Sun City, Arizona, Dawna (Ray) Felix of Visalia, California and Doris Threadgold of Mitchell, So. Dak.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernice and Dakota.
Funeral services for Scott Thomas Hildebrandt age 53, of St. Paul, MN and formerly of Wall, SD were held in conjunction with his mother’s funeral, Dakota Hildebrandt Nelson at 10:00 am Saturday April 30, 2005 at the United Methodist Church in Wall with Brother Bill Myers O.S.L. Officiating.
Visitation was held one hour before the service on Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Wall.
Interment was in the Wall cemetery
Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Chapel of Wall.
Committal services for Thomas and Berdine Hanson will be held 2:00 p.m. August 15 at the Black Hills National cemetery. A VA Chaplain from Fort Meade will officiate the brief interment services with military honors presented by the Sturgis Honor Guard.
Thomas Leonard Hanson was born July 22, 1916 in Mt. Vernon, South Dakota. Tom was the thirteenth child of the fourteen born of Martin and Lizzie Hanson. He was a retired supervisor with Lockheed Missile and Space Company located in Sunnyvale, California. He is survived by his loving brother, Hans Hanson, of Philip, South Dakota.
Helen Berdine Hoff was born June 30, 1918 in Mondamin, Iowa. Berdine was the youngest of seven children born to Walter and Alice Hoff. She was a retired elementary school teacher in the Santa Clara Unified School District located in Santa Clara, California.
Tom and Berdine met in California and were married
on July 5, 1942 and began their married
life in Southern California. Tom and Berdine had two daughters, Tonnie and Cindy. In 1958 they moved to Northern California were they resided until they retired to Hemet, California in 1977. In 1993, Tom and Berdine relocated to Maui, Hawaii where they spent many happy years before their final move to Kona, Hawaii in 2001.
Tom was known for his love of gardening and was always sharing his fruits and vegetables with friends and neighbors. He delighted in children and was a child at heart himself. Berdine’s gentle spirit could be found in her classroom and her home. Her quiet strength uplifted and inspired others. Tom and Berdine loved to dance and were devoted to each for over 60 years.
Tom and Berdine passed away peacefully in Tonnie’s home in Kona. Berdine was called home by the Lord on February 12, 2004 and the Lord called Tom on October 15, 2004.
Memorial services for Berdine were held in Kona at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity on February 23, 2004. The memorial service for Tom was held in Kona at Tonnie’s home on November 1, 2004.
Tom and Berdine Hanson are survived by oldest daughter Tonnie and her family (husband Gary Bernhardson, sons Quentin and Erik Bernhardson and daughter Britta Bernhardson-Brunz), and youngest daughter Cindy Hanson-Goltzer and her family (husband Michael Goltzer, daughters Thomasina, Larisa, and Savanna Goltzer). In addition they are survived by three great-grand children (Devin, Stormie, and Jameson), and numerous nieces and nephews.
Elna M. Hortman, age 94, of Kadoka, died Saturday, June 30, 2007, at the Kadoka Nursing Home.
Elna M. Bundy was born May 12, 1913 at Belvidere, South Dakota, the daughter of Robert B. and Minnie (Sission) Bundy. She grew up and received her education in the Belvidere area.
Elna was united in marriage to Henry Enders in 1931, and to this union was born a son Robert. They made their home in Kadoka, where Elna worked at the H&H Motel for many years. She and her husband also ranched north of Kadoka. In November 1961 her husband Henry passed away. After his death, Elna continued to reside in Kadoka.
She was united in marriage to Elmer Hortman in 1970. They resided in Kadoka in the summer months and Arizona in the winter months. After his death in August 1984, she continued to live in Kadoka where she worked at the Kadoka Care Center for nearly ten years.
Elna was a member of the Presbyterian Church, the Order of the Eastern Star, and the American Legion Auxiliary, all of Kadoka.
Survivors include one son Bob Enders and his wife Genie of Evergreen, Colorado; three grandchildren Laurie MacArthur and her husband Tim of Evergreen, Colorado, Lance Enders of Denver, Colorado, and Todd Enders and his partner Tom Stephens of Denver; two great-grandchildren Marlena and Mitch MacArthur of Evergreen; one sister Geil L. Smith of Kadoka; one niece Ellen Schindler and her husband Marv of Roseville, Minnesota; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to her first husband Henry and her second husband Elmer, Elna was preceded in death by her parents; and one sister Meda Bundy.
Visitation was held Thursday, July 5, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Kadoka, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Friday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 6, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka with Larry Dolezal officiating.
Interment was in the Kadoka cemetery.
A memorial is established to the Kadoka Nursing Home.
Emmer Hulce, age 80, of Midland, died Wednesday, September 27, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
Emmer Edward Hulce was born December 27, 1925, in Presho, South Dakota, the second son of Albert and May (Darling) Hulce. Emmer started school in Presho and then attended various country schools. He moved with his parents to Vivian, South Dakota, where he attended and graduated high school. After graduation, he was inducted into the United States Navy where he served aboard a L.S.T. as a radioman. After receiving his discharge, he returned to Vivian where he worked for Harvey and Vera Hullinger.
Emmer was united in marriage to Amy Vernon on May 3, 1947, and was the proud father of two sons, Terry Emmer and Ronald LeRoy. He went onto become a grandfather of seven granddaughters and nine great-grandchildren.
Emmer moved his family to Presho where he worked for John Deere and the local elevator. Emmer was hired by the REA and was stationed in Reliance for two years. He moved again in 1956, when he came to Midland as a lineman. He was promoted to area foreman and there he remained until retirement.
He retired in 1989, leaving him free to indulge his two favorite pastimes, working on cars and going fishing. He wanted the kids to share his enthusiasm for the sport so he took them all fishing. He got our twins fishing rods when they were five years old and they loved to go with "Grampa".
He passed his love of cars and his mechanical ability to both his sons. In later years, he and great-grandson, Connor took rides in his pickup and raced the train. He also liked to go to drag races and always had some idea if the car wasn’t running right. He always had time to lend a hand with advice or anything else that was needed.
Emmer belonged to the Legion and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served on the Midland Town Board for twelve years.
He belonged to the historical society of old Stanley County, and spent two years following and finding signs put up by Roy Wiseman. He has the most complete record of signs and what is written on them for the Black and Yellow, Old Deadwood Trail, and various Indian trails, which has been turned over to Eileen Fischer, who has continued the project. He enjoyed doing this and learning about South Dakota history immensely. Emmer was a man of many talents, he was very good at drawing, he entertained the grandkids and great-grandkids by drawing silly pictures of horses, birds, and dogs. For the grandkids, and great-grandkids' birthdays, Amy baked and Emmer decorated the cakes. He was also a seamstress, helping with the quilts for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the great-nieces and nephews in Oregon. He also designed and sewed a quilt for each of the two Hulce family reunions.
Emmer leaves his wife Amy of fifty-nine years; sons Terry Hulce and wife Mary "Ducie" of Rapid City, and Ronald "Bud" Hulce and his wife Lola of Philip; granddaughters Dodie Heinrich and her husband Fred and their sons Connor and Brennen of Rapid City, Terra Duda and her husband Tim and their daughter Tianna of Rapid City; Amber Pittman and her husband Nate and children Darren and Hannah of Greenwood, Indiana; Jean Hanson and her husband Bill and their daughters Janie and Sara of Pukwana; Kyleen Darrow and friend Shane Leibig and children Kaycee and Tyler of Rapid City; and Brittney and Brianna Hulce of Rapid City; two sisters Alberta Verzani of Presho, and Helen Stracke of Burbank, California; three brothers Dennis Hulce of Chamberlain, Claude Hulce of Sun Valley, California, and Robert Hulce of Waitsburg, Washington. He also leaves sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews; and two special neighbors who will miss his warm comforting hugs, his corny jokes, and his always-ready helping hand.
Emmer was preceded to heaven by his mother May and his father Albert; two brothers Forrest Hulce of Presho, and Walter Hulce of Burbank, California; and one great-grandson Joshua Hanson.
Visitation was held 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Saturday.
Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 30, at the Open Bible Church in Midland, with Pastor Randy Ellendorf officiating.
Interment was in the Midland cemetery.
A memorial is established.
Dakota Lorraine (Threadgold) Hildebrandt Nelson, age 83, of Sturgis, formerly of Wall, died Tuesday, April 26, at the Sturgis Community Healthcare Center.
Dakota Lorraine Threadgold Hildebrandt Nelson was born November 25, 1921, at Artesian, South Dakota, the daughter of Harvey and Gertrude (Scott) Threadgold. She was the eldest of six children. She graduated from Artesian High School Class of 1939 and attended Dakota Wesleyan University at Mitchell, South Dakota. She taught at Roswell, Raymond and Fedora, South Dakota.
After World War II she married
her college sweetheart, Vernice Hildebrandt and moved to his ranch north of Quinn, South Dakota. To this union were born three children, Wayne, Wanita and Scott. That they might have better access to school, the Hildebrandts taught school. Dakota taught the next twenty-five years in the Quinn, Wall, and Wasta schools. By attending summer school sessions and night classes at Ellsworth Air Force Base, she earned her Bachelors Degree in Education. She continued to be active in the Methodist Churches, teaching Sunday School, directing the choir and belonging to the United Methodist Women, where for many years was Chairman of Missions. She was a charter member of Church Response in Wall, which helps the local needy as well as the traveling needy. She was a 4-H leader and belonged to Extension Club. She was a fifty years member of Eastern Star, a charter member of Wonderland Chapter #168 of Wall, and now a member of Philip Chapter #100. She has served as a correspondent for both the Mitchell Daily Republic and Pennington County Courant.
Dakota was named Senator Larry Pressler’s Senior Citizen Intern for a week’s study of legislation for the elderly in Washington, D.C. in May 1984. As a result of that study, Dakota came home to Wall, determined to have a bus to provide transportation for the elderly and handicapped in Eastern Pennington County. That dream was realized in April 1986 with the help of good friends in the communities. She acted as Project Director of the Eastern Pennington County Transit, helping folks get to their medical and business appointments and arranging fun trips to the Badlands, Black Hills and Missouri River areas to help brighten their days.
After retiring from teaching, she worked at Wall Drug for fifteen years, continued to live in Wall enjoying helping her neighbors. The Catalyst Club honored Dakota on April 9, 1988 with a hand-carved bust of herself as a "Good Neighbor" award.
Her husband, Vernice Hildebrandt died April 25, 1983. On September 29, 1990 Dakota married
Cecil Nelson, formerly of Artesian, South Dakota. They have made their home in Sturgis, South Dakota.
She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband Cecil Nelson of Sturgis; two sons Wayne (Linda) Hildebrandt of Maywood, Nebraska, Scott Hildebrandt of St. Paul, Minnesota; one daughter Wanita Gravatt of Rapid City; and three step-children Shirley (Alan) Raby of Atlanta, Georgia, Sharon (John) Narem of Lead, and David (Linda) Nelson of Golden, Colorado. Also, she leaves seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; one brother Harlyn (Audrey) Threadgold of Brandon, South Dakota; two sisters Phyllis (Jim) Williams of Sun City, Arizona, and Dawna (Ray) Felix of Visalia, California; two step-brothers Dennis (Diane) Rubida and Darrel (Loretta) Rubida, of Gilroy, California; and one sister-in-law Doris Threadgold of Mitchell, South Dakota.
In addition to her first husband Vernice, Dakota was preceded in death by her parents; a sister Betty Fitzgerald; and a brother Robert Threadgold.
Visitation was held 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 29, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Saturday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at the United Methodist Church in Wall, with Brother Bill Myers officiating.
Interment with Eastern Star services were held at the Wall cemetery.
A memorial is established to the Hildebrandt Scholarship Fund at the Wall High School.
Danelda Lorena Jerke was born April 14, 1913 in American Falls, Idaho, the daughter of Fred and Dora (Fisher) Jerke.
She was united in holy matrimony to Theodore Miller on November 8, 1940 in Ellendale, North Dakota.
After moving numerous times throughout their life, they moved to Philip in 1955, where Lorraine worked many years at the Philip Hospital as a well known and loved cook. Lorraine was known by many people throughout the area for her meringue pies.
Her husband preceded her in death on February 11, 1970.
Lorraine enjoyed spending time with her family. Her grandchildren were a special joy to her. She also enjoyed baking, gardening, and crocheting.
Grateful for having shared her life are her two daughters, Joan Patterson and her husband Jerry of Kadoka, and Carlyn Williams and her husband DeLayne of Philip; one son, DeWayne Miller of White Lake, SD; ten grandchildren, Bob Patterson, Sharon Bebout, Grant (Susan) Patterson, Scott (Arla) Patterson, Cindy (Mark) VanderMay, Tammy (Mark) Carlson, Lisa (Scott Romero) Patterson, Melody (Scot) Eisenbraun, Travis Williams and his fiancé Alexis Norton, and April Patterson; twenty-eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; three brothers, Arthur Jerke of Galt, California, Marvin Jerke of Middletown, California, and Henry Jerke of Ellendale, North Dakota; one sister, Rose Jerke Quast of Bismark, North Dakota; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband, Lorraine was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Inis Iris Miller, her parents Fred and Dora, one brother, Fred Jerke; and two sisters, Ruth Keller and Violet Weible.
Funeral services for Lorraine D. Miller, age 88, of Philip were held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 7, 2001 at the Community Evangelical Free Church in Philip, with Roger Quast, officiating. Visitation was held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 6, 2001 at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip.
Lorraine died Friday evening, August 3, 2001 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
Interment was in the Masonic cemetery in Philip.
A memorial is established to the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital.
