Gerald Walter ‘Chuck’ Bixby
STURGIS — Gerald Walter “Chuck” Bixby, 66, Sturgis, died Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Survivors include his wife, Claudia “Suds” Bixby, Sturgis; two sons, Joe and Tom Bixby, both of Minnesota; a stepdaughter, Kim Nelson, and a stepson, Bill Estes, both of Sturgis; three brothers and two sisters all of Minnesota; and four grandchildren.
Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the funeral chapel. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
An online guestbook is available at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
Delberta ‘Del’ Conner
SPEARFISH — Delberta “Del” Conner, 68, Spearfish, died Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Survivors include a daughter, Sherry Bosco, Spearfish; a son, Robert Conner, Mount Shasta, Calif.; four sisters; a brother; and five grandchildren.
Arrangements are pending with Black Hills Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Sturgis.
An online guestbook is available at www.blackhillsfuneralhome.com.
Vivian S. Dayton
LEMMON — Vivian S. Dayton, 95, of rural Adams County, N.D., died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, N.D.
Survivors include two daughters, Verna Burton, Spring Valley, Ohio, and Myrna Nikont, Lemmon; a son, Lowell Dayton, rural Adams County; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Vivian was preceded in death by her husband, Adon Dayton.
A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
An online guestbook is available at www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com.
Mary Sue Hagenson
RAPID CITY — Mary Sue Hagenson, 56, Rapid City, died Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Survivors include her parents, Leo and Mary Hagenson, Hot Springs; and a brother, Richard Hagenson, Northfield, Minn.
Wake services will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Hot Springs.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at the church, with the Rev. Peter Kovarik officiating.
Burial will be at Cold Springs Cemetery at a later date.
A memorial has been established.
McColley’s Chapels of the Hills in Hot Springs is in charge of arrangements.
An online guestbook is available at www.mccolleyschapels.com.
LaVar James Kenney
NEWCASTLE, Wyo. — LaVar James Kenney 64, Newcastle, died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, in Cheyenne.
Survivors include two sons, Robert Kenney and Chris Kenney, both of Newcastle; and six grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at Worden Chapel.
Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the chapel, with the Rev. Charles Dutcher and the Rev. Bill Haley officiating.
Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery.
A memorial has been established.
Worden Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
An online guestbook is available at www.wordenfuneraldirectors.com.
Robert R. Slocum
“But once again, he’s flying over the hump. And this time it is not with God as the co-pilot. This time God is the pilot-in-command. The landing will be easy even if the flight is rough. And I know his safety is assured.”
By Pastor Ted Huffman, First Congregational Church, Rapid City, S.D.
RAPID CITY — Robert R. Slocum slipped quietly away the evening of Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, at Hospice House in Rapid City. He was 89 years old.
Robert R. Slocum was born March 28, 1920, on the family farm in Campbell County to Juliana and Edward Slocum. He attended rural elementary school in Campbell County and graduated from high school in Mitchell. He began college at South Dakota State College in Brookings in 1940, until he was inducted into the U.S. Army on June 8, 1942, reporting to Fort Snelling, Minn.
Volunteering for pilot training as an Aviation Cadet, he received his pilot’s wings and a commission as second lieutenant on Aug. 31, 1943, class 43-H Army Air Corps. The China-Burma-India theatre was his station in World War II, where he flew 46 missions as co-pilot and pilot of B-24 four-engine bombers. Bob received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with oak leaf cluster. In 1994, he was inducted into the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame in recognition of his service as a combat aircrew member.
Upon his return state-side after combat, he was designated as a flight instructor in advanced pilot training at Enid, Okla., and was discharged from service on July 22, 1945.
Robert R. Slocum was united in marriage July 14, 1946 with Lorraine E. Kundert in Selby. He enrolled in law school at Missoula, Mont., in the fall of 1946, and they moved to Vermillion in 1947, where he completed his law degree. He started his law career in Mound City in private practice. He and his bride moved to Mitchell with their young family in 1959. They moved next to Texas, then on to Pierre in 1964. Robert worked as an attorney for the South Dakota Department of Public Welfare in Pierre for seven years.
The next move took the Slocums to Mobridge in 1971, where Bob opened private practice and served many years as both Walworth and Campbell County State’s Attorney. He retired from Walworth State’s Attorney in 1985 after completing approximately 25 years of public service. He also served as Veterans’ Service Officer for Campbell and Walworth counties, and as a lobbyist for the elderly as a member of the South Dakota Legislative Committee of AARP. He maintained his private law office at Mobridge until 1995.
He and Lorraine moved to Rapid City in 1999 to be near their children and veterans care facilities. Here he was a member of Canyon Lake Senior Center and the First Congregational Church and was a short-time resident at Prairie Hills Care Center.
Some of Robert’s interests and associations include S.D. Bar Association, American Bar Association, American Legion, VFW, Air Force Association, Masons, S.D. Historical Association, S.D. Genealogical Society, North Central Genealogical Society, Chapter 1085 AARP, Lions Club, men’s barbershop chorus, and the Congregational Church where he served on various church committees and commissions. His hobbies included rock-hounding, rock cutting and polishing, gardening, fishing, genealogy and creative writing. He authored several books, autobiographical in nature, including books about his wartime service, his life as a lawyer and his family history. He also was a columnist for the Mobridge Tribune, writing a column regarding the adventures and discoveries of Lewis and Clark.
Survivors include his bride of 63 years, Lorraine Slocum; three children — two sons Edward (Monica) of Eagle Butte, and Robert A. (Pam) of Rapid City; and one daughter, Rhonda (Rick) Rylance, Rapid City; eight grandchildren, Betsy, Robert, Andrea, John and Mark Slocum; Erica Stafford (Will), and RJ and Reid Rylance; and five great-grandchildren who brought Grandpa great joy.
Services will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday Nov. 24, at the First Congregational Church, with the Rev. Dr. Ted Huffman officiating. Interment, with military honors provided by TREA Honor Guard, will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements and condolences may be conveyed to the family at www.behrenswilson.com.
Donald W. Taylor
MISSION, Texas — Donald W. Taylor, 83, Mission, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at his home surrounded by his family.
Donald was born Jan. 9, 1926, in Crawford, Neb., to the late Harvey and Flora Taylor. Along with his brother, the late Harvey Jr., the family moved to Rapid City, S.D., in 1929. He graduated from Rapid City High School in 1944, and married Caroline Cochran Taylor on Jan. 18, 1947.
Don served in the U.S. Navy, from 1944-1946, aboard the USS New Orleans.
During his time in Rapid City, Don had several businesses, including Taylor’s Restaurant, Taylor Construction, Don Taylor Real Estate, and Taylor Sign Company. He greatly enjoyed building homes for families and welcoming customers to his restaurant. Don was also a founding member, builder, and lay leader of Canyon Lake Methodist Church.
During his time in Rapid City, Don was active in several service and social organizations. He was also an avid golfer, dancer, and swimmer. Teaching swimming to children and adults alike was a lifetime passion.
He is survived by his wife, Caroline Taylor; daughter and son-in-law, Sheri and Brian Gibbs, Erie, Pa.; his daughter and son-in-law, Tami and Kent Polenz, and two grandchildren, Max and Elizabeth Polenz, all of Euless, Texas; his brother-in-law, Tom Cochran, Plymouth, Minn.; sisters-in-law, Alice Cochran, Naples, Fla., and Bonita Ley, Rapid City; along with several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, at El Valle del Sol. Interment will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, S.D., at a later date.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to all of the loving friends of El Valle del Sol Park, the caring staffs of Mission Hospital and Legacy Hospice, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Dahlberg, and his very special care provider, Sandy Conde. You all have added such comfort to his final days.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Legacy Hospice of Mission. Donations and condolences may be sent to Caroline Taylor, 2500 E. Bus. 83, Lot 228C, Mission, TX 78572.
Ryan Lee Zorn
WRIGHT, Wyo. — Ryan Lee Zorn, 35, Wright, died Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, when the armored vehicle he was riding in overturned in Tal Afar, Iraq.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1994 to 2009.
Survivors include his parents, Myron and JoAnn Zorn, and a brother, Todd, all of Wright.
A gathering of friends and family will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 23, at Wright Baptist Church.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the church, with the Rev. Clay Alexander officiating.
Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, S.D.
A memorial has been established.
Gillette Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
An online guestbook is available at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.
