Major Frank Miller

ALADDIN, Wyo. - Major Frank Miller, 70, Aladdin and Spearfish, S.D., passed peacefully from this life to the next, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, after a very courageous battle with cancer.

Major was born Feb. 14, 1939 in Buffalo to Marshall and Catharine (Buell) Miller. He attended grade school, 1st-8th in Crook County, where he rode to and from school on horseback. He entered his first official school building in Belle Fourche, S.D., when he traveled to town for grades 9-12. Major boarded in town for high school, always returning to the ranch to help with the summer work. Major graduated from Belle Fourche High School in 1957 and then started college in the fall at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He then took a year off to have and heal from a spinal fusion. Major continued his formal education by attending the University of Wyoming in Laramie, graduating in 1964 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Math. On August 23, 1963, Major married his life mate, Ila Rowean Hansen in the Lutheran Church of Lovell, with the Rev. Swiger officiating. To this 46-year union, two children were born - Brittina Marie and Marshall Shea. After graduating from college, Major continued taking classes and working part-time until Ila's graduation from college in 1966. In 1966, Major went to work for the welfare system in Worland and a year later, he transferred to Sheridan to head up the food stamp program for the Federal Government. Major continued his government employment working in Casper, Cheyenne, and Dallas, Texas. From Texas, the family moved to Denver, with Major taking a break from social work to do commercial construction. In 1985 he returned to the ranch at Aladdin to help care of his ill father. After his father's passing, Major moved home to the run the family ranch.

In 1988, Bare Tracks Trophies Outfitters was established, featuring turkey and deer hunting on the home ranch, with antelope hunting in Moorcroft. Major's brother-in-law, Stan Hansen of Lovell, was irreplaceable in helping with and continuing the outfitting business, especially during Major's illness.

Major grew up in 4-H, in college he belonged to the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, he was president of Farm Bureau-Red Water District, past member of Toastmasters, lifetime NRA member, Crook County Commissioner for eight years, President of Northeast Wyoming Economic Development Commission Board, lifetime member of North American Wild Sheep Association, member and board member of the Wyoming Outfitters and Professional Guides Association, Governor-appointed board member of the Governor's Board of Wyoming Outfitters and Professional Guides and founding board member of Northern Hills Hospice.

Major loved his family, ranching, outfitting and reading. He had a passion for teaching hunting, hunting awareness, and gun safety especially to youth and women. Major enjoyed traveling. He was always open to new adventures and new cuisine.

Grateful to have shared his life, Major leaves behind his wife, Ila; daughter Britt and son-in-law Ben Praker; son Shea and daughter-in-law Rocio Miller; four beloved grandchildren, Mikaelyn, Santiago, Ayden and Ryleigh; special cousins, June and Dan Sellars; and many close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marshall and Catharine.

At Major's request, a celebration of life will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at the Spearfish Tretheway Park Pavilion.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of the Northern Hills or the church of your choice.

Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.

Glenda M. Simpson

HILL CITY - Glenda M. Simpson, 62, Hill City, died Monday, Oct. 12, 2009, at home with her family at her side after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Glenda was born July 23, 1947 in Rapid City. She was the second of six children, born to Harry and Velma Sandstrom. She graduated from Faith (S.D.) High School in 1965 and attended the National College of Business in Rapid City. After graduating, Glenda worked as a secretary at the Public Health Service in Eagle Butte. Glenda's career as a secretary afforded her many job opportunities working for the Department of Veterans Administration at Fort Meade, the Bureau of Reclamation at Watertown, and the Department of Interior, Minerals Management Service at Lakewood, Colo. Glenda retired in 2000 after 32 years of federal service.

Glenda met her husband, Ronald Simpson, in Faith. They were married July 24, 1970 in Faith. To this union two children were born.

Glenda was a life long member of the Lutheran Church, a member of Eastern Star, and a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Rapid City. Glenda was an active church member at the Lutheran Church of the Master, Lakewood, doing volunteer work at the church nursery. She did countless hours of volunteer work for the Susan G. Komen Foundation in Denver.

Glenda was a caring and loving mother who was always willing to help anyone. She will be greatly missed in our daily lives. Glenda's family deeply appreciates her friends and neighbors who over the years, and particularly in the last few months, brought her so much joy.

Survivors include her husband of 39 years, Ronald Simpson; her two daughters, Carmen (Chad) Ronish, Hill City, and Cari (Reuben) Toll, Denver; two grandchildren, Cara Jean and Cory Ronish; two sisters, Karen Sandstrom, Rosemount, Minn., and Joanne Sandstrom, Rochester, Minn.; and three brothers, Ronald Sandstrom, Rapid City, James Sandstrom, Philip, and Robert Sandstrom, Seattle, Wash.

Glenda was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at the Kirk Funeral Home Chapel, 1051 E. Minnesota in Rapid City. Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis at a later date, upon completion of the Columbarium wall.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the Humane Society of Rapid City, 1820 E. St. Patrick St., Rapid City, SD 57703, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, 1835 Franklin St., Denver, CO 80218 (please include a note indicating the donation in Glenda's memory and to whom an acknowledgement be sent), or Lutheran Church of the Master, 14099 W. Jewell Ave., Lakewood, CO 80228.

An online guest book is available at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.

Kenneth 'Kenny' Marsh

CAPUTA - Kenneth "Kenny" Marsh, 76, Caputa, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at his ranch.

As per Kenny's request, he has been cremated and no services will be held.

Kirk Funeral Home of Rapid City is in charge of arrangements.

An online guestbook is available at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.

Edna Mae Jorensen Winkler

GREYBULL, Wyo. - Edna Mae Jorensen Winkler, 79, Greybull, died Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, at Midway Clinic.

Survivors inlcude three children, Yvonne Clark, Denver, Stanley Jorensen, Evanston, and Gwenda Healey, Rawlins; two brothers, Merlin Smith, Powell, and Dave Smith, Crooked River Ranch, Ore.; three stepchildren, Kay Lynam, Basin, and Robert Winkler and LeRoy Winkler, both of Greybull; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Niels Jorensen and Ray Winkler.

Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to time of services, which will be at 10 a.m. today at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis, S.D., with the Rev. Denzel Nonhof officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

A memorial has been established at the Bank of Greybull with proceeds to go to Midway Clinic.

An online guestbook is available at www.kinkadefunerals.com.

Joshua Ailts

GILLETTE, Wyo. - Joshua Ailts, 22, Gillette, died Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.

Survivors include his parents, Jeffrey and Holly Ailts, his brother, Benjamin Ailts, and two sisters, Jessica Ailts and Karissa Ailts, all of Gillette; paternal grandparents, Bernard and Sarah Ailts, Sioux Falls, S.D.; and maternal grandparents, John and Audrey Zwingelberg, Whitewood, S.D.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Gillette Memorial Chapel.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Trinity Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Scott Firminhac and the Rev. Jared Tucher officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery.

An online guestbook is available at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.

Paul A. Anderson

MURDO - Paul A. Anderson, 94, Murdo, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, at St. Mary's Healthcare Center in Pierre.

Survivors include his wife, Marjorie Anderson, Murdo; two sons, Walter Anderson, Rapid City, and Jim Anderson, Eureka; one daughter, Linda Nill, Pierre; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Arrangements are pending with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.

Coletta Ellwanger

BOISE, Idaho - Coletta Ellwanger, 90, Boise and formerly of Custer, S.D., died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, at Life Care of Treasure Valley Nursing Home in Boise.

Survivors include her grandchildren, Chad Ellwanger, Brian Ellwanger and Scot Ellwanger; and seven great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer, with the Rev. Bill Savery officiating. Visitation will be one hour before services. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, S.D.

An online guestbook is available at www.mccolleyschapels.com.

Madeline Claseman

ROSEVILLE, Ill. - Madeline Claseman, 95, Roseville and formerly of Rapid City, S.D., died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, at Roseville.

Survivors include a daughter, Peggy McIntyre, St. Louis, Mo.; a brother, John Mercy, Tulsa, Okla.; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are pending with Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City.

Helen I. Daughenbaugh

RAPID CITY - Helen I. Daughenbaugh, 90, Rapid City, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at Westhills Village.

Survivors include a son, Randy Daughenbaugh, Rapid City; a daughter, Gail Westendorf, Beaumont, Texas; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Kirk Funeral Home and one hour before services at the church.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at First Congregational Church, with the Rev. Dr. Ted Huffman officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery.

An online guestbook is available at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.

Alma E. Olson

SPEARFISH - Alma E. Olson, 85, Spearfish and formerly of Rapid City, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, at David M. Dorsett Health Care Center.

Survivors include a son, Wayne Olson, Rapid City; two daughters, Jo McQuillen, Spearfish, and Tami Ekrem, Sioux Falls; a brother, Alfred Klemann, Anaconda, Mont.; and three grandchildren.

Arrangements are pending with Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home of Rapid City.

Herman E. Weeldreyer

MITCHELL - Herman Egbert Weeldreyer, 79, Mitchell, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at Veterans Affairs Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Survivors include his wife, Loretta Weeldreyer, Mitchell; four children, Greg Weeldreyer, Huron, Debbie Brune, Sioux Falls, Jarvis Weeldreyer, Mitchell, and Julie Roe, Rapid City; a brother, Lawrence Weeldreyer, and two sisters, Ruth McKinney and Hermaine Leslie, all of Sioux Falls; 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. CST Friday, Nov. 6, at Will Funeral Chapel.

Services will be at 1 p.m. CST Saturday, Nov. 7, at the funeral chapel. Burial will be at Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery.

Duane Traversie

EAGLE BUTTE - Duane Traversie, 72, Eagle Butte, died Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, at Fort Meade Veterans Affairs Hospital.

A Scriptural Wake service will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at All Saints Catholic Church.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at the church. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements.