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Ella M. Hart, age 74, of Philip, died Thursday, October 11, 2007, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
Ella M. Fitch was born July 2, 1933, in Milesville, South Dakota, the daughter of Harve and Mary (Bodkin) Fitch. She grew up and received her education in the Milesville school. She later attended Philip High School, and during that time lived with Howard and Dorothy Kennedy.
Ella was united in marriage to George Hart on November 22, 1949, in Huron, South Dakota. After their marriage, they moved to Philip where George was a carpenter and Ella stayed home to raise their six children.
Ella earned her G.E.D. May 3, 1979, with the help of her daughter, Linda.
Ella worked at various places in the Philip area, including Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital, Philip Nursing Home, the Kadoka Truckstop, managed the Senechal Café in Philip, and later ran the Creative Cottage for four years.
Ella was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Sacred Heart Evening Guild, and the Bad River Senior Citizens, all of Philip.
Ella spent many hours helping people in the area when they were sick or in need of care including many trips to Rapid City. She also took care of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and their spouses were Ella’s life.
Ella enjoyed gardening and flowers.
Grateful for having shared her life are her two sons, Steve Hart and his wife Vickie of Denver, Colorado, and Tom Hart and his wife Rita of Brea, California; four daughters, Linda Kuchenbecker and her husband Keith of Rapid City, Pam Ingram and her husband Jerry of Philip, Cindy O’Connell and her husband Kent of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, and Susan Heinz and her husband Jack of Philip; seventeen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; a brother Ed Fitch of Philip; one sister Dorothy Nesberg of Madison, Wisconsin; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Ella was preceded in death by her parents, one brother Bud Fitch; one sister Mary Jane Hovland; and a nephew Harry Hoag.
Visitation was held 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 15, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial was held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 16, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father Ron Garry as celebrant, and Father Tim Hoag as con-celebrant.
Interment was in the Masonic cemetery, Philip.
A memorial is established.
Helen J. Hamann was born October 17, 1920, at Bloomfield, Nebraska, the daughter of Hans George and Augusta (Jurgensen) Hamann. She grew up on a farm near Creighton, South Dakota, and received her education in the Creighton Rural School. As a young lady, Helen worked with her parents on the family farm.
Helen was united in marriage to George Winkowitsch on April 11, 1944. Soon after their marriage, George was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in Germany during World War II. George was killed in action in the Battle of the Bulge on March 6, 1945. Helen made her home with her parents in Wall and she worked at various business places.
She was united in marriage to Edward Carl Hanewinckel on April 3, 1947 in Rapid City, South Dakota. They made their home in Quinn, South Dakota, for ten years prior to building a home in Wall where they resided all their married
life. While in Wall, Helen worked as a waitress for the Sportsman Lunch for several years and then at the Wall Drug Store until she retired.
Her husband Edward preceded her in death on January 13, 1994.
Helen continued to reside in her home in Wall until 1999 when health reasons forced her into the Good Samaritan Center in New Underwood, where she has since resided.
Helen was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Wall.
Grateful for having shared her life include her brother Roy Hamann and his wife Dorothy of Wall; a niece Lucille Holsether of Wall; two nephews, Bob Hamann and his wife Kathy of Gering, Nebraska and Bill Hamann and his wife Neva of Wall; special friends Hazel Fox and Alice Richter; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to her first husband George, and her second husband Edward; Helen was preceded in death by her parents.
Helen J. Hanewinckel, age 83, of Wall, died Thursday morning, October 7, 2004, at the Good Samaritan Center in New Underwood.
Visitation was held 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 10, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Monday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 11, at the First Lutheran Church in Wall, with Vicar Monte Dell officiating.
Interment will be in the Wall cemetery.
Rush Funeral Chapel of Wall is in charge of arrangements.
Joan Prichard
age 76 of Rapid City, formerly of Kadoka, SD, died November 7, 2009, at the Golden Living Center Bella Vista in Rapid City.
Joan Y. Hansen was born December 28, 1932, north of Interior, South Dakota, the daughter of Alfred and Sylvia (Paulsen) Hansen. She grew up and received her education at Interior through the third grade. The family moved to Kadoka in 1942, where she continued her education, graduating from Kadoka High School in 1951. After graduation, she taught school one year at Weta.
Joan was united in marriage to “Lonesome” Lloyd Prichard on July 22, 1952, after he rode into the Weta School on horseback and proposed to her.
They made their home on a ranch in the Weta area, where she raised her four children, and helped on the ranch.
In 1964, their family moved into Kadoka, where Joan started working at the Kadoka Clinic for Dr. Sundet, and later for Dr. Swisher, where she managed the pharmacy.
Her husband Lloyd preceded her in death on December 31, 1994. Joan continued to live and work in Kadoka, until retiring in 2003, after 35 years. Joan remained in Kadoka until 2007, when due to health reasons, she moved to Rapid City, where she has since resided.
Joan was an unbelievable homemaker, kept an immaculate house, was an amazing seamstress and a great cook. She loved horses, old time country music, but most of all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka, where she served as a deacon. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Order of Eastern Star Evergreen Chapter #97, all of Kadoka.
Joan was one of the nicest people anyone could have met. Although she endured many hardships the last few years of her life, she continued to worry more about others instead of herself. Her dignity was an inspiration to all her family.
Survivors include her son Cleve Prichard and his wife Laurie of Kadoka; three daughters Kim Noyes and her husband Doug of Rapid City, Debbie Kezar and her husband Terry of Whitman, Nebraska; and Joni Thomsen and her husband Robert of Long Valley; fourteen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one brother Jerrald Hansen and his wife Norma of Spearfish; one sister Marilyn Brooks and her husband Darral of Rapid City; a sister-in-law Ruth Cullin of Arizona; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband Lloyd Prichard; her grandson Todd Prichard; her parents; and her nephew Cory Brooks.
Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka, and one hour preceding the services at the auditorium on Friday.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 13, at the Kadoka City Auditorium, with Pastor Jim Sorum and Pastor Gary McCubbin officiating.
Interment will be in the Kadoka cemetery.
A memorial is established.
Mary Jane Hovland, age 86, of Philip and formerly of Rapid City died early Friday morning, July 21, 2006, at the Michael Daly ranch west of Midland.
Mary Jane Fitch was born August 13, 1919 in Milesville, SD the daughter of Harvey and Mary (Bodkin) Fitch the second of five children, Ed, Mary Jane, Dorothy, Bud and Ella. She grew up on the Fitch farm near Milesville and received her education in that area. As a young lady she and her sister, Dorothy, worked for a teacher at Cherry Creek on the Reservation.
She met her future husband, Anton Hovland, while working for the Nobles at Nowlin, South Dakota. They were married
on December 20, 1939 in Nowlin. They resided with Grandma Hovland for several years during which time they had two children, Sadie Rae and Gary.
In 1944 they moved to Omaha, Nebraska where they resided until moving to the Hudson Flat near Milesville in 1945. While on the ranch a son Doug was born. They farmed and ranched on the Hudson Flat until 1965 when they moved to Rapid City. While in Rapid City they owned and operated a laundromat and dry cleaners for several years. After her husband's death on April 4th 1981, she continued to reside in Rapid City
Mary Jane was an avid gardener and also raised beautiful flowers. She was known for her mall walking, which she did daily and made many friends.
She was a former member of the Peace Lutheran Church of Rapid City and joined Our Redeemer Lutheran Church when she moved to Philip in 2004, even though she was unable to attend.
Grateful for having shared her life are her daughter Sadie Rae Singleton of Philip and her special friend Michael Daly; a son Doug Hovland of Cottonwood; four grandchildren, Ryan Hovland, Blaine and Gary Wood and Tawnya Wilson; three great-grandchildren, Rayde, Dylan and Reese Wilson; a brother Ed Fitch of Philip; two sisters Dorothy Nesberg of Madison, Wisconsin and Ella Hart of Philip; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband Anton, she was preceded in death by a son Gary; her parents; and a brother Bud Fitch.
Memorial services were held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Philip with Pastor Robert Oettel officiating.
Inurnment followed at the Nowlin cemetery, Nowlin, South Dakota.
A memorial is established to fund Alzheimer's research.
Gladys M. Gardner, age 78, of Ridgecrest, California, formerly of Wall, South Dakota, died Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at her home in Ridgecrest.
Gladys M. Miller was born on October 24, 1927, in Wall, South Dakota, the daughter of Eugene and Violet E. (Whitwer) Miller. She attended Wall Public School for twelve years, graduating in 1945. She attended Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota, where she awarded a BA degree in 1951 and a BA degree in 1953. She attended the University of South Dakota at Vermillion and many other colleges and universities, earning a LBS and a Master's of Science degree in Childhood Education. She taught in public schools in South Dakota, North Dakota, Washington, Alaska, and California. She retired in 1991 after teaching for forty-four years.
Gladys married
Dr. Dwylan L. "Rocky" Gardner on August 28, 1949 at the Methodist Church in Wall with E. Jensen, ordained elder, officiating. To this union no children were born.
Gladys enjoyed reading and watching television. She had a great social awareness and empathy for her fellow human beings. She especially liked dogs.
Gladys is survived by her husband Dr. Dwylan L. Gardner, the man she adored. She and her husband were married
57 years. Other survivors are Gail Miller, her brother, and his wife Delores of Pierre; sister-in-law Nedra Kaufman of Yankton; a niece Alana and her husband Bill Tamisiea; five great-nieces and nephews; six great-great-nieces and nephews.
Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Violet Miller, and her father and mother-in-law, Samuel and Anna Gardner.
Visitation will be held two hours preceding the services at the church on Thursday.
Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 29, at the United Methodist Church in Wall, with Pastor Brad Kattelmann officiating.
Interment was in the Wall cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Optimal Hospice Care, 1653 Triangle Drive, Ridgecrest, CA 93555.
Rush Funeral Chapel of Wall is in charge of arrangements.
LaVonne O. Green, age 83, of Interior, died Wednesday morning, August 2, 2006, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
LaVonne O. Kruse was born on her parent’s ranch in Conata Basin near Interior, the youngest of fourteen children born to William and Lena (Schluter) Kruse. She grew up on the ranch, and received her education in that area, graduating from Cottonwood High School.
LaVonne then attended one year of college in Chicago before transferring to the University of Denver, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. As a young woman she worked in California for two years, then moved to Anchorage, Alaska. While in Anchorage, she met and later married
Nathaniel Green in 1947, and to this union were born three children, Nathaniel Douglas, Daniel Putnam, and Teresa Mary. They owned and operated the Arctic Circle Trailer Park in Anchorage. While in Anchorage, Lavonne was very active in politics. She was a member of the Zonta Club and was president of the Fairview Elementary PTA. In 1971, LaVonne, Nathaniel, and Teresa moved to Colorado Springs. While in Colorado Springs, her husband Nathaniel preceded her in death.
After his death, Lavonne and Teresa moved to Interior where they, along with her son-in-law Ansel, owned and operated the Wooden Knife Cafe until her retirement in 2002. After her retirement, she continued to reside in Interior. While in Interior, LaVonne was a member of the Presbyterian Women’s Club and the Current Event Club.
Grateful for having shared her life include a son Daniel Putnam Green of Nashville, Tennesse; one daughter Teresa Mary Wooden Knife and her husband Ansel of Interior; seven grandchildren Nathaniel Jonathon Green, Jocelyn Elise Green, Cyler Jaros Green, Shiloh LaVonne Wooden Knife-Willard, Brandy Joy Wooden Knife, Rebecka Sioux Wooden Knife, and Nathaniel Wolf Wooden Knife; four great-grandchildren; two brothers Lawrence Kruse and his wife Betty of Interior, and Forrest Kruse of San Benito, Texas; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband Nathaniel, LaVonne was preceded in death by a son Nathaniel Douglas; her parents; and eleven brothers and sisters.
Graveside services were held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 5, 2006 at the Fairview cemetery in Interior, South Dakota.
Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
Pearl Edna Voss was born December 2, 1910 in Andover, South Dakota, one of ten children born to Claude and Alta (Peterson) Voss. She grew up and received her education in Andover.
Pearl was united in marriage to Bob Gerdon on January 24, 1927 at Clark, South Dakota. They lived in the Clark area for two years before moving to Mellette County in 1929.
Raising their family in the depression years of the 30¹s was trying. Pearl and Bob lived on a farm approximately twenty miles southeast of Belvidere, milking cows, raising chickens and geese, and growing a garden. Bob worked construction during the summer months. For eight years Pearl cooked and worked at the nearby England Ranch during the summer months and at that time her children took over the chores at home.
In 1955 Bob and Pearl sold their cows and moved into Belvidere where Bob was the town Marshall. Pearl cooked at the Belvidere School for three years, and in later years she worked at cafes and managed the Cozy Corner Motel. Pearl kept her clippers and scissors busy being the town barber. She was a nursemaid and carried mail and groceries to the elderly. Pearl was very well-known for her photography as she never left home without her camera.
From March 1958 until January 22, 1974, Pearl was employed as clerk at the Belvidere Post Office. On April 13, 1974, she was appointed Postmaster. After becoming Postmaster, Pearl joined two postal leagues and attended all the state and national conventions.
It was at this time she earned her nickname "Flying Grandma" for all the traveling she did attending different seminars and conventions.
In January 1978, her husband Bob preceded her in death. She continued to work as Postmaster and in 1979, Pearl was awarded the Postmaster of the Year honor at the state convention in Spearfish. In 1980, Pearl retired from the Postal Service after twenty-two and a half years of service.
After retirement, Pearl spent the winter months in Arizona and lived in Belvidere during the summer. Later, Pearl moved to Philip and in November 1999 she moved into the Silverleaf Assisted Living Center in Philip. In 2001 Pearl moved into the Kadoka Nursing Home, where she has since resided.
Pearl was a member of the United Church of Philip, and the Peterson-Stoddard American Legion Auxiliary of Belvidere.
Grateful for having shared her life include two daughters Charlotte Blom and her husband Willis of Philip, and LaVonne Foreman and her husband Milton of Belvidere; one son Roscoe Gerdon of Tucson, Arizona; fourteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; nineteen great-great-grandchildren; a sister Eunice Meyer of Yuma, Arizona; three brothers Clifford Voss of Hill City, Orville Voss and his wife Jacquie of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Gordon Voss and his wife Hellen of Phenix City, Alabama; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband, Bob, Pearl was preceded in death by two daughters Myrna Gerdon and Mardell Ufen; one grandson Neil Foreman; one great-grandson Jeramiah Kary; her parents; one sister, Verna Deardorff; four brothers, Cecil, Norman, Leo and Marvin.
Pearl Edna Gerdon, age 93, of Kadoka, formerly of Belvidere, died Thursday morning, October 7, 2004 at the Kadoka Nursing Home.
Visitation was held 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 12, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Kadoka, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Wednesday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 13, at the Belvidere Presbyterian Church in Belvidere, with Pastor Gary McCubbin officiating.
Interment will be Wednesday at 1:45 p.m. CDT at the Murdo cemetery.
A memorial is established.
Rush Funeral Chapel of Kadoka is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial service for Diane D. Gegelman of Gillette, Wyoming was at 7:00 pm on Monday, April 25, 2005 at the Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Scott Firminhac of The Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. A memorial service was also held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Creighton, South Dakota with Pastor Monty Dell and Pastor Scott Firminhac officiating. Inurnment was in the Emanuel Lutheran cemetery in Creighton.
Diane Delores Gegelman, age 52, of Gillette, Wyoming passed away on Friday, April 22, 2005 at her home after a courageous battle with cancer.
Diane Delores Gegelman (Eisenbraun) was born on February 1, 19 53 to Otto Eisenbraun and Delores Eisenbraun (Strandell) of Wall, South Dakota . Diane was raised and educated in the Wall/Creighton area and graduated from Wall High School in 1971. On November 3, 1973 Diane married
Delbert Gegelman of Halliday, North Dakota at Creighton’s Emmanuel Lutheran Church . They made their home in Wall for almost ten years and had their first born son in October of 1976. Diane had worked various positions at the famous Wall Drug Store for over fifteen years before moving with her husband and son to Gillette, Wyoming in 1983. After the family moved to Wyoming, Diane worked with her husband as a contract worker at Wyodak Coal Mine. Then, during the late 1980’s recession, Diane found work in downtown Gillette as a Cook/Dishwasher at Bailey’s Bar and Grill. In 1989, Diane became a Nutrition Aide at the Campbell County Memorial Hospital where she remained for over ten years. Diane and Delbert’s second child, a daughter, was born in September of 1993. Diane spent her remaining years as a Dietary Cook at Pioneer Manor. In late January of 2003, Diane was diagnosed with lung cancer, which she fought a very courageous battle with. Even in the end, Diane had a smile and a humorous word for her friends and family. Diane loved being with her family and friends. Diane also enjoyed arts, crafts, painting, drawing, and above all writing poetry. She had one poem, “Catch My Tear Drop” published by the Poetry Guild in 1998. Diane also enjoyed dancing, traveling, camping, boating and fishing with her best friend Betty in the Big Horn Mountains .
Diane is survived by her husband of 32 years, Delbert Gegelman of Gillette, Wyoming; a son, Shawn and his wife Lora Gegelman of Gillette, Wyoming; a daughter, Shelly Jo Gegelman of Gillette, Wyoming; a sister, Joann and her husband Sam Hoffman of Wright, Wyoming and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and maternal and paternal grandparents.
A memorial has been established to Campbell County Health Care Foundation to benefit either Hospice of Campbell County or the Radiology Department of Campbell County Memorial Hospital.
Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home 210 W. Fifth St., Gillette, Wyoming 82716
Eric Charles Eisenbraun, age 51, son of Emanuel and Glenda (Cleveland) Eisenbraun, born December 26, 1955, in Quinn, South Dakota, passed away December 30, 2006, in Houston, Texas.
He was baptized on February 5, 1956 (on his father’s birthday) at First Lutheran Church in Wall, South Dakota. He was confirmed May 17, 1970, at First Lutheran Church in Wall, South Dakota.
Eric received his elementary and high school education at Wall Public School. He obtained his undergraduate degree at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and his Law Degree at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He spent many enjoyable summers as an employee at the Wall Drug Store while in high school and college. He practiced law in Dallas, Texas.
Eric was a loving father and brother. He drew solace from camping, fishing, and spending time with his children.
Grateful for having shared his life include one son Quinn Eisenbraun; two daughters Erika Eisenbraun and Sarah Eisenbraun; four brothers Mark Eisenbraun, Neal Eisenbraun, Dale Eisenbraun, and Dean Eisenbraun; one sister Cindy Rockwell and her husband Steve; several nieces and nephews; a very special aunt, Iva Eisenbraun; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Eric was preceded in death by a son, Alec Eisenbraun; and his parents Emanuel and Glenda (Cleveland) Eisenbraun and his grandparents.
A memorial service will be held Friday, March 16, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Wall, South Dakota.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the World Wildlife Fund or Sierra Club.
Floy May Fugate, age 92, of Rapid City, died Sunday morning, October 8, 2006, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip, after a forty-year battle with cancer.
Floy May Casner was born June 25, 1914, on a farm near Hawk Point, Missouri. She moved with her family to Marmaduke, Arkansas, when she was five. She grew up and received her education in Marmaduke, graduating with honors from Marmaduke High School. After graduation, she took a business course at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She worked in the Agriculture Adjustment Administration in Paragould, Arkansas from 1938 to 1945.
Floy was united in marriage to Edgar L. Fugate on December 10, 1945, in the First Methodist Church in Paragould. They moved to Piedmont, South Dakota in January 1946, where Floy kept books and clerked in the souvenir shop at the Petrified Forest, which was owned by Eddy and his father. Due to Interstate 90 being constructed away from their business, they were forced to move. In November 1955, they bought out his father's interest and built the Badlands Petrified Gardens at Kadoka, South Dakota, and opened for business in April 1956. In 1976, they incorporated, taking their three children into the business. Floy served as secretary-treasurer of the corporation and was the bookkeeper. While in Kadoka, Floy was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Kadoka, and held various offices in the Presbyterian Church.
In October 1986, Floy and Eddy retired and moved to Rapid City. After Eddy's death on August 27, 1991, Floy continued to remain in Rapid City, where she worked for the First Presbyterian Church, ministering to the elderly and shut-ins, a calling she continued until the time of her death.
Survivors include two sons Robert Fugate and his wife Kathleen of Kadoka, and Bill Fugate and his wife Lauri of Kadoka; a daughter Patty Ulmen and her husband David of Kadoka; eleven grandchildren Jason Fugate and his wife Rebecca and their children Ava and Gavin of Chehalis, Washington, Lori Anderson and her husband Tony and children Jacob, Samuel, and Brehanna of Black Hawk, Teresa Steinlicht of Rapid City, Graig Fugate of Rapid City, Bracken Robinson of Gillette, Wyoming, Amy Fugate of Rapid City, Bob Fugate and his wife Shandon and their son Derek of Philip, Jim Fugate of Kadoka, Ann Fugate and her daughter Tyra of Kadoka, Kimberly Ulmen of Kadoka, and Tami Ulmen of Denver, Colorado; a brother Dwight Casner and his wife Midge of Fulton, Missouri, and a sister-in-law Emilie Fugate of Rapid City; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband Edgar, Floy was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters Helen Adkins and Rose Richardson; and five brothers Bob, Bill, and Homer Casner, and two brothers in infancy.
Visitation were held 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Wednesday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 11, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka, with Pastor Gary McCubbin officiating.
Interment was 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, at the Black Hills National cemetery near Sturgis.
A memorial is established.
Memorials may be directed to P.O. Box 458, Kadoka, South Dakota, 57543.
Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Chapel of Kadoka.
Dora A. Finley, age 70, of Philip, died Friday morning, February 3, 2006, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
Dora A. Miller was born August 7, 1935 in Dupree, South Dakota, the daughter of Frank and Esther (Drageset) Miller. She grew up on a farm near Isabel, graduating from Isabel High School. She then graduated from Northern State Teachers College. She taught rural school near Isabel.
Dora was united in marriage to Robert L. Finley on September 1, 1958 in Timber Lake, South Dakota, and to this union were born two children, Doreen and Darin. They made their home in Isabel, where they built and operated the Finley Motel.
In 1971 they sold the motel and moved to Philip, where they have since resided. While in Philip, Dora worked in the house keeping department at the Philip Health Services, a position she held until her death.
Dora was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Philip. She enjoyed gardening, baking, and crafts. She also enjoyed decorating for holidays and won first place in the Christmas decorating contest in Philip in December 2005.
Dora was very much loved and respected by her family and the community, and will be dearly missed.
Grateful for having shared her life include her husband Robert L. Finley of Philip; a son Darin Finely and his wife Patricia of Black Hawk; a daughter Doreen Blanton and her husband Tim of Florissant, Colorado; two grandsons Eric and Connor; two sisters Bonita Ehly and her husband Ben of Timber Lake, and Shirley Peterson and her husband Dennis of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Dora was preceded in death by her parents and one sister Kay Nash.
Visitation was held 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, at the Rush Funeral Home of Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Monday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 6, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Philip, with Pastor Robert Oettel officiating.
Graveside services were held 3:00 p.m. Monday at the Hillview cemetery in Isabel.
A memorial is established.
Rush Funeral Home of Philip is in charge of arrangements.
