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Frances M. Heckert
age 79 of Philip, South Dakota, died May 6, 2010, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Frances M. Heckert was born February 5, 1931, in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Joseph and Armina (Taylor) Meketuk. She was raised in Denver until the age of 5, when she and the family moved to Englewood, Colorado. She attended grade school in Englewood through the 6th grade, when the family moved onto a farm in Missouri for one year, before moving back to Englewood. She continued her education there, graduating from high school in 1949.
In 1951, Frances entered the United States Marine Corp, serving until her honorable discharge in 1954.
On May 5, 1962 she married
Bob Heckert in Englewood, Colorado.
Frances was a member of the Jehovah’s Witness Congregation in Philip.
Survivors include her husband Robert “Bob” Heckert of Philip; one son Michael Joseph Heckert of Denver, Colorado; one brother Henry Meketuk and his wife Carole of Lander, Wyoming; a sister-in-law Wilda Meketuk of Denver; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother Gene Meketuk.
Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses (1111 Oriole Dr.) in Rapid City, with Henry Meketuk officiating.
Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
Mildred M. Horton, age 94, of Rapid City, died Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at the Westhills Village Healthcare Center in Rapid City.
Mildred Horton was born April 5, 1912 at Estherville, Iowa, the daughter of Sidney E. and Bertha J. (Davis) Bemis. She went to school there until her father became Clerk of Courts in Iowa, whereby they moved to Des Moines, Iowa where she finished high school. Mildred worked for several insurance companies in Des Moines, Kansas City and Sioux Falls, SD.
She married
Fred Horton and they lived in Sioux Falls until they retired and moved to Eustis, Florida. When her husband died she moved to Rapid City to be near her daughter, Janice and her family. Mildred moved into West Hills Village and West Hills South until moving to West Hills Health Care.
Her family consists of her daughter Janice Ferguson of Rapid City; four grandchildren Shawn (Brad) Jenison, Shelly (Tracy) Engebretson, Jay (Marcia) Fines and Stephanie (Cecil) Bachman; two step-grandchildren Val (Mitch) Mitchell and Greg (Cristi) Ferguson, sixteen great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Mildred was preceded in death by her husband Frederick W. Horton on October 17, 1984, and her son in-law Tom Ferguson.
She will be buried beside her husband, Fred Horton at Bay Pine National cemetery in Bay Pine, Florida where services will be held there for the family.
Rush Funeral Home of Philip is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Nell Mansfield was born March 8, 1923 in Center, Nebraska, the daughter of Benjamin J. and Leafy A (Larson) Mansfield. The family moved to Niobrara, Nebraska when Betty was twelve days old. In 1929, Betty moved with her family to Bennett County, south of Vetal. She attended country school and Bennett County High School.
Betty was united in marriage to Forrest "Shorty" Ireland, May 16, 1942 in Valentine, Nebraska. Their first four years of marriage were spent ranching and farming in Bennett and Todd counties, moving to Washabaugh County thirteen miles southwest of Belvidere, on April 13, 1946. While at the Belvidere ranch, they raised their six children: Jerry, Howard, Kenny, Connie, Harold and Ronald.
In 1979, they retired from the ranch and moved into Kadoka, where they have since resided.
Betty was a member of and served countless hours in behalf of the Kadoka Presbyterian Church, the Kadoka Presbyterian Women, Order of Eastern Star, the Kadoka Lions Club, and the South Dakota Cowbelles.
Betty was beloved by all who knew her. She was active in her community her whole life and one of her greatest pleasures was bringing joy to those around her. She was always there to lend a helping hand. Betty enjoyed needlework, blessing many people with handmade quilts, doilies, and afghans. Her greatest love was her family
Grateful for having shared her life include her husband of sixty-two years, Forrest H. "Shorty" Ireland; six children Jerry Ireland and his wife Pam of Miami, Oklahoma, Howard Ireland and his wife Cathy of Belvidere, SD; Kenny Ireland and his wife Lyndy of Philip, Connie Holso and her husband Seig of Cody, Wyoming; Harold Ireland and his wife Edith of Ft. Belvoir, VA, and J. Ronald Ireland and his wife Thesa of Kadoka; twenty grandchildren; thirty-four great-grandchildren; a brother John A. "Bert" Mansfield and his wife Eaulalia of Martin; and a sister Joyce Handcock of Long Valley; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings.
Betty Ireland, age 81, of Kadoka, died Monday, May 31, 2004 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Visitation was held 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 3, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Kadoka, and one hour prior to the services at the auditorium on Friday.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 4, 2004 at the Kadoka City Auditorium with Pastor Gary McCubbin officiating.
Interment will be in the Kadoka cemetery.
A memorial is established.
Mac B. Houston, age 69, of Wanblee, died Sunday, December 4, 2005 at Meadowbrook Manor in Rapid City.
Mac Bryan Houston was born April 21, 1937, in Baldwin, Mississippi, the son of Milton and Annabelle (Miller) Houston. He grew up in Moro, Arkansas, where he received his education.
As a young man he served in the United States Army National Guard for a year and a half before enlisting in the United States Army. While in the Army, Mac served in the United States, Germany and Korea. While in Germany, he met and later married
Magdelena Zeller on May 4, 1964. The first two children, George and Susan, were born in Germany. They returned to the U.S. where he was stationed at Ft. Bragg and this is where their youngest son, James, was born. Later he served in Korea and then returned to Ft. Bragg, where he continued his military career until retiring in 1975.
After his retirement, they made there home in Fayetteville, North Carolina. They operated a hockey rink for ten years, then managed an outdoor rental for eight years, both at Ft. Bragg. After his wife’s death on October 31, 1991, he continued to live at Fayetteville, until his retirement in 1993. He then moved to Holden Beach, North Carolina, and later to Shallotte, North Carolina, before moving to Camron, North Carolina, to be near his son James and his family. In August 2005 Mac moved with son James and his wife Cori and their family to Wanblee, South Dakota, where he continued to reside until his death.
Survivors include two sons James Houston and his wife Cori of Wanblee, and George Houston and his wife Michele of Ashland, Kentucky; one daughter Susan Houston of Miami, Florida; eight grandchildren; his special aunt Mary Lou of Arkansas; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to his wife Magdeline, Mac was preceded in death by his parents.
Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 9, 2005 at the Black Hills National cemetery near Sturgis, with Rev. Williams Zandri officiating.
Military honors will be provided by the South Dakota Army National Guard of Camp Rapid.
Rush Funeral Home of Philip is in charge of arrangements.
Emma Jeanne McCartney, better known as "Jeanne" to her family and friends, was born February 5, 1928, in Cherokee, Iowa, the daughter of John and Bertha (Lickiss) McCartney. As a child they lived in Quimby, Iowa, and graduated from high school in Worthington, Minnesota.
Jeanne was united in marriage to Lawrence "Larry" Hunt on April 17, 1946 in Worthington. They lived in Minnesota, Iowa, and Texas before moving to Philip in 1958. She worked at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in the laundry department and later as a nurse’s aide. After she completed the medical records course in 1967, she worked for over thirty-years in medical records and bookkeeping at the hospital. In 1984 she received her Nursing Home Administrator License. She worked part time as Administrator of the Philip Nursing Home.
Jeanne was a state officer for the South Dakota Medical Records Association and the Business and Professional Women. She was the local Business and Profession Woman of the Year in 19__. She was a member of the United Church in Philip, where she served on the finance committee. Jeanne also served as bookkeeper and secretary for the Haakon County Prairie Transportation, and was active with the Philip Drama Group.
Grateful for having shared her life include two daughters Gayle Matz and her husband Ralph of Brookings, and Arnis Knutson and her husband John of Quinn; five grandchildren Erin and Randy Matz, and Scott Knutson, C.J. Knutson and his wife Jill, and Katie Knutson; one sister Carol Lei of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband Larry Hunt on July 7, 1989; a son Craig Hunt in July 1970, her parents; and a brother Loris McCartney.
Jeanne Hunt, age 76, of Philip, died Tuesday morning, October 12, 2004, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
Memorial services were held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 16, at the United Church in Philip, with Pastor Mark Ford officiating.
Interment will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 26, 2004 at Black Hills National cemetery.
In lieu of flowers a memorial is established to the Philip Health Services, the Philip Drama Club, and the United Church of Philip.
Rush Funeral Home of Philip is in charge of arrangements.
J. Ronald Ireland
age 59 of Kadoka, South Dakota, died April 24, 2010, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
James Ronald Ireland was born November 9, 1950, at the old Kadoka Hospital, the son of F.H. “Shorty” and Betty N. (Mansfield) Ireland. He grew up on a ranch southwest of Belvidere, attending grade school at the Buffalo School and grades 7-12 at Kadoka, graduating from Kadoka High School in 1969. 4-H was a big part of his growing up years. After graduation, he attended one year of college at Black Hills State.
Ron married
his high school sweetheart, Thesa Wolfe, on June 10, 1970, in Kadoka, and to this union were born four children, Holly, Naomi, Callie, and Terry. The couple worked on ranches in the badlands, Mission, Robbs Flatt, and Valentine, Nebraska, before returning to ranch in the badlands, raising quality Angus cattle and Quarter horses.
Ron was a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association, and American Angus Association, a Mason for 33 years, a member of the Eastern Star for 32 years, and also belonged to the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, Jackson County Bootstraps, R-Calf, Lions Club, and the Kadoka Presbyterian Church.
Ronnie was a longtime participant and supporter of high school rodeo, competing as a rough-stock rider at the National Finals High School Rodeo in 1969. Later, he was a clown and bullfighter for local high school rodeos. He boxed Golden Gloves for 4 years in his teens, placing regionally.
He was well-known in eight states as an experienced freeze brander and AI man, and always ready to give the neighbors a helping hand. Ronnie loved trail riding and along with his family, has hosted riders in the badlands for 20 years, entertaining riders from almost every state in the union.
Dad believed anything was possible and spent numerous hours traveling to his children’s and grand-children’s sporting events and extra-curricular activities.
He will be sorely missed by all and is survived by his wife Thesa Ireland of Kadoka; three daughters Holly Clements of Murdo, Naomi Dobson and her husband Matt of Sioux Falls, and Callie Rhead and her husband Tim of Canton, South Dakota; one son Terry Ireland and his wife Kacey of Kadoka; twelve grand-children Henry Ireland, Earl, Christena, Audra (Harold) and Geona Clements, Dylan Westman, Tyler, Trace, and Tallon Dobson, Marcus Ireland, and Keandra and Roni Rhead; two great-grandchildren Adilyn Ireland and Jason Moran; his father F.H. “Shorty” Ireland of Kadoka; four brothers Jerry Ireland and his wife Pam of Miami, Oklahoma, Howard Ireland and his wife Cathy of Belvidere, Kenny Ireland and his wife Lyndy of Philip, and Harold “Hal” Ireland and his wife Edith of Piedmont; one sister Connie Holso and her husband Seig of Cody, Wyoming; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Ron was preceded in death by his mother Betty Nell Ireland on May 31, 2004.
Visitation was held 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, at the Kadoka City Auditorium, and one hour preceding the services on Thursday.
Funeral services were held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 29, at the Kadoka City Auditorium, with Pastor Gary McCubbin and Pastor Gus Craven officiating.
Interment, with Masonic Rites, was at the Kadoka cemetery.
A memorial is established.
Marie K. Illian, age 94, of Midland, died Thursday, November 23, 2006, at the Kadoka Care Center.
Marie Katherine Getz was born June 11, 1912, at Dallas, South Dakota, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Knittel) Getz. She was baptized in St. John’s Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) in Gregory, South Dakota. She lived in Dallas until 1924, when the family moved to a farm near Hamill, South Dakota. On August 25, 1926, she confirmed her baptismal vows in St. John’s Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) in Gregory. Later that year the family moved to Okaton, South Dakota, and in the fall of 1928, they moved to Belvidere, South Dakota.
Marie was married
to Charles Illian on November 15, 1931, at her parents’ home in Belvidere. After their marriage, they lived in Midland and Philip, South Dakota. On June 1, 1944, the family moved back to Midland where they served as janitor of the Midland School House, ran a small dairy, and Charlie worked as a mechanic. In 1952, Marie opened Mom’s Café, which she ran for eight years. After that she became the head cook at the Midland School from 1964 to 1987, from which she retired at age 75. She lived in retirement in her home on the north edge of Midland amidst a profuse display of flowers and memorabilia. In October 2001, because of failing health she moved to Kadoka Care Center where she resided until her death.
Survivors include two sons James Illian and his wife Helen of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Rev. Donald Illian and his wife Kathy of Hudson, Iowa; eight grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; one brother Robert Getz and his wife Frances of Kadoka; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband Charles Illian; a son Gerald Illian; a daughter Anita N. McLeer; her parents; two brothers; and four sisters.
Visitation was held from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 26, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Monday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 27, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland, with Pastor Ann Schlossnagle officiating.
Interment was in the Midland cemetery.
Memorials can be directed to the Kadoka Care Center or Trinity Lutheran Church of Midland, and the Midland Independent School.
William Edward "Bill" Jackson, age 80, of Hot Springs, formerly of Philip, passed from this life on Thursday, October 11, 2007, at the VA Medical Center in Hot Springs, following a long illness with Parkinson's disease and pancreatic cancer.
William "Bill" Edward Jackson was born November 1, 1926 at his grandparents’ (William Augusta Voelker) home in rural Lyman County to Robert William and Charlotte Isabel (Voelker) Jackson.
He attended elementary school in rural Mellette Co, Rosebud, the boarding school at Mission and Wood. He continued his education in Presho for grades 9-11. He was drafted during his junior year and entered the US Marine Corps on January 19, 1945. He proudly served his country and believed-once a Marine, always a Marine. In 2004 he was awarded an honorary diploma from the Presho High School. Education was very important to Bill and he always wished to have completed high school.
November 20, 1948, Bill married
Alice Marie Waldron at her parents’ home north of Presho, SD. Two children were born to them-Constance Leigh and Edwin Jay Jackson.
Bill married
Marcia Alyce (Nelson) Butler February 18, 1983 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland, SD. Bill became the stepfather to Betty Ann, Richard and Lane Butler. Bill and Marcia made their home in Midland until October, 1995 when they moved to Philip and then to Hot Springs in July, 2005.
Bill spent most of his working life ranching and enjoying the outdoors. He especially enjoyed working at the Western Cattle Co. for 5 years north of Philip on the Cheyenne River, for the Herman and Gordon "Doc" Bork Ranch for 25 years west of Okaton/Murdo and the Diamond Ring Ranch for nearly 15 years under different owners north of Midland.
Bill was an avid athlete with baseball as his favorite sport. He often remembered games he pitched and friends he met at these events. One of his most treasured keepsakes was a letter of recommendation to a baseball scout of the Western League of his abilities. He enjoyed watching his children as they developed their athletic skills and proudly remembered details of all events. Bill counted his wealth in friends and worked his loop to make the circle ever larger.
He was a member of the American Legion Post of Midland, SD.
Bill is survived by his wife Marcia (Nelson) Jackson, his children: Constance Leigh O’Bryan and fiance Thomas Fagan of Anaheim, CA, Edwin Jay (Mari) Jackson of Nebraska City, NE; Stepchildren- Betty Ann (Melvin) Buchheim of Highmore, SD, Richard Oliver (Carrie) Butler, Casselton, ND and Lane Allen (Bette) Butler, Enning, SD. Grandchildren: Craig Ching, Eric Ching, Todd Ching, Jay Jackson, Joe Jackson, Ashley Jackson, Brandon Butler, Dena Martin, Soren Butler and Mari Butler; a brother Robert (Ada) Jackson, Murdo two sisters – Nancy (Lowell) Iversen of Murdo, Isabel (Dale) Valburg, Horsefly, British Columbia, Canada, many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Charlotte Jackson and a brother Clifford Wayne Jackson.
Visitation was held 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 14, at the American Legion Hall in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the hall on Monday.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 15, at the American Legion Hall in Philip, with Pastor Frezil Westerlund officiating.
Interment with military honors by the Sturgis Honor Guard will be held 2:30 p.m. Monday, October 15, at the Black Hills National cemetery near Sturgis, with Chaplain Wil Olsen officiating.
A memorial is established.
Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
Mert I. Nelson was born June 1, 1929 in Alliance, Nebraska, the daughter of Edward John and Bertha (Randall) Nelson. She grew up and received her education in Alliance. Mert was united in marriage to Laurence V. Rubottom on November 30, 1945 at Hot Springs, South Dakota and to this union were born five children: Karen, Larry, Robert, Vickie, and Debra. They made their home in Alliance until moving to Rapid City in the early 1950’s.
In 1957 she and her children moved to Philip.
Mert was united in marriage to Glen L. Fite in October 1961. While in Philip she worked for Ed and Opal Bodkin. Her husband Glen preceded her in death on March 28, 1972.
She was united in marriage to Donald W. Jacobson on June 3, 1976 at Newcastle, Wyoming. They made their home in Philip where she continued to work for Ed and Opal for a total of twenty years. In 1987, due to health reasons, she retired from her work.
Her husband Donald Jacobson preceded her in death on January 10, 2004.
Grateful for having shared her life are two sons Larry Fite of Kadoka, and Robert "Bob" Fite and his wife Lou Ann of Philip; two daughters Karen Pinney and her husband Terrance of Philip, and Vickie Fite and her husband Maurice of Philip; thirteen grandchildren, Scott and Kevin Pinney, Teresa O’Connell, Bradley, Chad, Lori and Bryon Fite, Vona Cuny, Andrew, Melissa, Matthew, Ashley and Marlis Reckling; eighteen great-grandchildren, Brady, Austin, Cheyenne, Kenzy, Kady, Kaylor, Kayla, Jeff, Mason, Owen, Ashley, Austin, Zenayah, Tracey, Lukus, Casey, Kenda, and Trenton; two brothers Ray Nelson and his wife Maxine of Alliance, Nebraska, and Bill Nelson of Yuma, Arizona; one sister Marvis Kaplan of Greeley, Colorado; three step-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 step-daughter, Dawn Jacobson of Lincoln, Nebraska; seven step-grandchildren, Travis, Joyel, Tory, and Tyler Jacobson, Mindy and Gunner Rush, and Bryce Ritchie; seven step-great-grandchildren, Zack, Hunter, Hayden, McKenzey, Morgan, Skylar, and Heaven; her father and mother in-law, Stanley and Loleta Jacobson of Philip; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husbands Glen L. Fite and Donald W. Jacobson, Mert was preceded in death by a daughter Debra Rubottom; her parents; her brother Eugene Nelson; and three sisters Florence Morse, Helen Opal Nelson, and Hilda Apple Garth.
Mert I. Jacobson, age 75, of Philip, died Thursday, June 03, 2004 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip
Visitation was held 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 6, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Monday.
Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Monday, at the First Lutheran Church in Philip, with Pastor Ann Schlossnagle officiating.
Interment was in the Masonic cemetery, Philip, South Dakota.
A memorial is established.
Jerry Lee Jakeway, age 58, of Kadoka, died Sunday morning, November 12, 2006, at his residence southeast of Kadoka.
Jerry Lee Jakeway was born May 20, 1948, on his parents’ ranch southeast of Kadoka, the son of Charles and Sarah (Rooks) Jakeway. He grew up on the ranch and graduated from Kadoka High School in 1966. As a young man he enlisted in the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War. He served in the 1st Infantry Division and then served with the Robin Hood Assault Helicopters as a gunner. He was honorably discharged on January 11, 1970, with two purple hearts and a silver star.
He returned to Kadoka and was united in marriage to Debrah Horst on July 2, 1971, and to this union was born a daughter Jenee. They made their home in Interior where Jerry worked for the railroad for seven years. He then moved to Kadoka where he worked for Burns Brothers Truck Stop for twenty years, as a mechanical technician.
Jerry met Diane Wilson on July 4, 1980 and they have been dedicated to each other since. Jerry was a dedicated father to Eliel Poor Bear and Jo Poor Bear. Their daughter Laurie was born May 24, 1982. After his retirement they purchased a country home southeast of Kadoka, where they ranched and continued to reside. In June 2004, Jerry began working for the Jackson County Highway Department, as a truck driver and operator, a position he held until the time of death.
Jerry enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and also guided hunters. He loved spending time with his family and especially the grandchildren. Jerry was a member of the NRA and a member of the Robin Hood Military Club.
Grateful for having shared his life include his devoted companion, Diane Wilson of Kadoka; a son Eliel Poor Bear and his wife Jennifer of Kadoka; three daughters Jenee Jakeway Hightower of Rapid City, Laurie Jakeway of Kadoka, and Jo Poor Bear and Shane Thin Elk of Vermillion; nine grandchildren Krisana Jakeway, Joardin Jakeway Hightower, Lynzee Jakeway Hightower, Shania, Cheyenne, Tristin, and T.J. Mallory, and Desmond Thin Elk, and Keaunna Poor Bear; his brothers Williams Jakeway and his wife Marilyn of Wanblee, and Bud Jakeway and his wife Sally of Spearfish; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation was held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Thursday.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 16, 2006, at the Presbyterian Church, with Pastor Gary McCubbin officiating.
Interment will be in the Kadoka cemetery.
A memorial is established.
Robert "Bud" Jeffries, age 83, of Quinn, died Thursday, March 22, 2007, at the Belle Fourche Regional Senior Care Center.
Another old cowboy has been called home; he leaves behind some big boots to fill.
Robert Oakley Jeffries better known as "Bud" was born November 22, 1923, at Pierre, South Dakota, the sixth of nine children born to Vincent and Ruth (Cunningham) Jeffries. His father and mother homesteaded in Haakon County in 1915, a few miles south of the Cheyenne River near Cherry Creek, South Dakota. Bud grew up in Ziebach county living both south and north of Cherry Creek. He attended school at the L slash Y – Jeffries School and in Dupree. In about 1938 at the age of 14 he began working at his life long passion of ranching. He worked for several area ranchers and then Wally and Sarah Knight. He was treated like a son by them, and being the same age as their son Jess, the two grew up together as brothers, working, breaking horses and competing in rodeos.
In the late 70’s Bud rode his last bronc and bull at an Old Timers Rodeo in New Underwood. By then Bud was in his late 50’s. He never lost his passion for raising, riding, and training good horses. He rode everything from broncs to race horses, never afraid to try anything. He was also an avid water skier.
When he was a young man, Bud left Dupree and worked in the zinc and lead mines in Kellogg and Wallace, Idaho. He worked in the copper mines in Butte, Montana once again coming home to Dupree where he lambed for Walt Tidball and then joined the United States Navy.
Bud went to boot camp at Farragut, Idaho. He attended Radio School and spent the winter of 1944 in San Diego. He was stationed on a loading craft infantry ship that was capable of carrying 250 troops at once. During World War II, he received battle stars for Layte, Linguyan Gold, Mindarro, Okinawa, and OkaShima.
Discharged from the service in 1946, he couldn’t wait to get back to Dupree. He worked again for Knights, Hank Meyers Construction, and the Western Cattle Company known as the Chicago Outfit.
In 1947, Bud married
Doris Day who had lost her mother just a few years earlier and was raising her siblings. Bud became an instant parent. On May 22, 2006, they celebrated 59 years of marriage.
Bud was a self-taught musician and loved to play the guitar and sing. His children remember going to sleep with his music at night and waking with it in the morning. Bud was a story teller and Cowboy Poet. He has entertained often in large crowds and on the spur on the moment on the street or in a business. He was a very well read man and had quite a library. His grandchildren loved his stories and often asked him to come to school to pass his history lessons onto others. While his grandchildren were in college, they would still call Granddad for information they couldn’t find, because he would know! His great-grandchildren loved to hear him recite the alphabet backwards as fast as they could recite it forward.
During his life, Bud was a truck driver, heavy equipment operator, a foreman at the Kaiser Aluminum Plant in Spokane, Washington, rancher, horseshoer, a conductor on the Burlington-Northern Railroad retiring from that in 1981. After retiring he leased a place in Haakon County and went back into ranching. Trying to slow down, he moved to a ranch of his daughter and son-in law still running his own cows and helping them until the death of his wife Doris. He then spent time between his children's' and granddaughter’s home and care center in Belle Fourche.
Bud’s "home" was always Dupree and he never got too far from it. He always came back to his "roots". He loved South Dakota and his time spent with people. He never met a stranger and would give anything he had to someone in need. He has passed along his love and knowledge of animals, people, music, books, stories, and of course his love of the land to his family and friends.
Bud always said he had a full house, three queens and two jokers. His family includes Janie (Lee) McLean of Lake Elsinore, CA, Julie (Gary) Nixon of Philip, Joy (Rodney) Bull of Dayton, WY, Zane (Beth) Jeffries of Philip, and Kevin (Julie) Jeffries of Rapid City. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; one brother Kenneth (Cora) Jeffries of Ft. Pierre; a sister Jackie Birkeland of Dupree; three sisters-in-law Helen (Dale) Packer of Rapid City, Mary (Dick) DeYoe of Belle Fourche, Debra Day of Howes; two brothers-in-law Bud (Iris) Day of Meadow, and Sam (J’Lyn) Bruno of Kansas City, MO; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Bud was preceded in death by his loving wife Doris, in July 2006; his parents; a great-granddaughter Rhian Caywood; a brother Jeff Jeffries; five sisters Marjorie, Eileen, Doris, Faye, and Betty Mae as an infant.
Visitation was held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the hall on Wednesday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, at the Pioneer Hall in Dupree, with Pastor Fay Garreau officiating.
Interment was in the Dupree cemetery.
A memorial is established.
Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
