Alma E. Olson
SPEARFISH - Alma E. Olson, 85 died peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, at the David Dorsett Regional Care Center in Spearfish.
She was born May 17, 1924, in Adams County, N.D. to John & Louise (Hepper) Klemann. She grew up with her family of six brothers and one sister in the Hettinger-Lemmon area and graduated from Lemmon High School in 1942. On Dec 5, 1943, she married Vernon L. Olson in Lemmon. While raising their three children, they lived in Hettinger, N.D. and Terry, Mont. as well as New Town, N.D. and Mobridge, S.D. During these years they developed many wonderful friendships that continued throughout their entire lives. Alma worked for the Bell Telephone System for many years, first as an operator and then in the business offices in Hettinger and Mobridge. After Vernon's death in 1981, Alma continued to live in Mobridge until moving to Rapid City in 1985 to be near her family, especially her first Grandchild, Scott Olson. In 2004, the family helped Alma move to Spearfish where her daughter, Jo, became her caretaker and angel while she resided at Burr's Tender Care Assisted Living and later the David Dorsett Care Center. Alma's family is very grateful for the wonderful care she received at each of these facilities.
Alma was a very loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister and Friend. Her children always came first and she took great pleasure in her Grandchildren. She will be missed by everyone she knew. Although suffering from severe dementia during the last few years, Alma's nurturing nature and sense of humor somehow managed to shine through to the very last day.
Alma was active in Eastern Star in Hettinger, N.D. and was a member of UCC church in Mobridge, S.D.
Alma is survived by her three children, Wayne Olson (Myrna Mitchell) of Rapid City, Jo McQuillen of Spearfish, and Tami (Ben) Ekrem of Sioux Falls and three grandchildren, Scott Olson and Fiancee Kirsten Keljo of Bellevue, Wash., Sarah Ekrem of Aberdeen and Kristen Ekrem of Sioux Falls, one brother and four sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law: Alfred (Donna Lee) Klemann and Lois Klemann, all of Anaconda, Mont. and Idelle Olson of Hettinger, N.D. and E. Nels (Mary) Olson of Minot, N.D. and several nieces and nephews. She was also honored to have Sally Samuelsen-Wharton, James & Jason Samuelsen and Austin & Tannen Mitchell-Briggs as part of her extended family. Her parents, five brothers and one sister preceded her in death.
Cremation will take place under the direction of Osheim-Schmidt Funeral Home and committal services will be held at a later date in Hettinger, N.D. Friends may sign an online guestbook at www.osheimschmidt.com.
Rose M. Torres
RAPID CITY - Rose M. Torres, 65, Rapid City, died Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, at her home.
Survivors include her husband, Andres "Buzz" Torres, Rapid City; three sons, Michael Torres and Andy Torres, both of Rapid City, and Daniel Torres, Grand Island, Neb.; a daughter, Sarah Torres, Rapid City; four brothers, Jesse Galvan, Michael Galvan and John Galvan, all of Grand Island, and Bobby Galvan, Omaha, Neb.; a sister, Sheila Sanchez, Omaha; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a Christian wake service and rosary at 7 p.m., at Edstrom & Rooks Funeral Services at Serenity Springs.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, with the Rev. Dave Matzko officiating.
Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
An online guestbook is available at www.serenityspringsfuneralchapel.com.
Robert G. Stumpf
BELLE FOURCHE - Robert G. Stumpf, 84, Belle Fourche, died Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at Belle Fourche Regional Senior Care.
Survivors include a daughter, Linda Harlan, Beulah, Wyo.; a son, Robert Stumpf, Belle Fourche; two brothers, Walter Stumpf, Nisland, and Murphy Stumpf, Chula Vista, Calif.; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Christian Life Center in Belle Fourche, with the Rev. Paul Howard officiating.
Burial with full military honors will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Hospice of the Northern Hills.
An online guestbook is available at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.
Wealthy Ann Rigter
ABERDEEN - Wealthy Ann (Hazeltine) (Hodgin) Rigter passed away quietly Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 in Aberdeen. A memorial service is scheduled for Nov. 27, 2009, time and location to be announced.
Wealthy was born Feb. 8, 1930 on the family ranch south of Custer to Byron and Beatrice Hazeltine. She attended school at Custer, graduating in 1948. She went on to attend college at South Dakota State University in Brookings. Wealthy, then known as Susie by family and friends, married Francis "Al" Hodgin in the late 50's and they had two sons, Larry A. Hodgin and Lloyd D. Hodgin. She and her family lived in Watertown and Yankton before returning to Custer in 1970. Wealthy managed the Custer Chamber of Commerce for a number of years and also worked for the Custer Chronicle. She was a member of the Custer School Board as well as various boards concerning tourism and Gold Discovery Days. Wealthy was married to John F. Rigter in 1976 and moved to a home east of Custer, where she remained until 1998. During the 80's and into the 90's, she worked for Crazy Horse Monument and operated two Custer businesses with her brothers. In 1998, to be closer to her two sons and their families, Wealthy moved to Aberdeen, where she remained until her death.
Wealthy's memory will be cherished by her sons Larry (Karen) Hodgin and their sons Curt and Cory, and Lloyd (Kim) Hodgin and their children Casey, Laura and Dan; her brothers, John (Rose) Hazeltine and David (Joyce) Hazeltine; and nephews, Bob Hazeltine, Neil Hazeltine, Rick Hazeltine, Tim Hazeltine, Jerry Hazeltine, Derek Hazeltine and their families. A very special relationship was shared between Wealthy (Aunt Susie) and her niece, Tara (Gordy) Heggen.
Wealthy was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Byron Hazeltine, Stillman Hazeltine and Douglas Hazeltine; her husbands, Francis Hodgin and John Rigter; and nephews, Scott Hazeltine and Kirk (Kristen) Hazeltine.
Wealthy had a lifelong love affair with the Black Hills. Each time she left, she returned. She will again.
Helen E. (Raba) Amborn
RAPID CITY - Helen E. (Raba) Amborn, age 61, of Rapid City, died on Wed., Nov. 4, 2009, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Helen was born in Walworth County, S.D. to Martin and Katherine (Kosters) Raba on Jan. 6, 1948. She attended grade school in Selby and high school in Java. She graduated in 1966 and went on to college at Northern State in Aberdeen where she received her B.S. degree in Elementary Education. Her first teaching assignment was in Mobridge from 1970 to 1975. She also taught in Lower Brule for three years. In 1978 she began teaching in the Douglas School District. She married Wallace "Red" Amborn on July 18, 1981, in Rapid City at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and they made their home in the Black Hills near Johnson Siding.
She retired from teaching in the Douglas School System in June 2004. She continued working with children as a substitute teacher in Rapid City public and private schools until January, 2009.
She belonged to Blessed Sacrament Church and the Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed the sports activities of her children, including the long drives to practice and games. She liked traveling with friends to Florida and went on a mission to Mexico City while working in Mobridge.
Survivors include her husband, Wallace "Red" Amborn, Rapid City; one son, Jeremy (Rose) Amborn, Ellsworth Air Force Base; two daughters, Heidi (Ethan) Rector, Wauwatosa, Wis., and Ericka Amborn, Rapid City; seven sisters, Arlene (Art) Marty, Rapid City, Delores James, Coppell, Texas, Kathleen Raba, Sioux Falls, Cecelia Adams, Rapid City, Agnes (Delano) Sandy, Selby, Anna (Dave) Weber, Maple Grove, Minn., and Barbara Raba, Selby; one brother, Martin Andrew (Nancy) Raba, Selby; five grandchildren, Alexzandr Amborn, Jillian Amborn, Aiden Amborn, Kailey Amborn and Samantha Helen Rector; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City, with a Wake Service at 7 p.m. Viewing will also take place one hour before funeral services begin on Tuesday.
Mass of Christian Burial is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Rapid City, with Father Andrzej Wyrostek as celebrant. Interment will take place at Black Hills National Cemetery, near Sturgis, at 1:30 p.m. that same day.
A memorial has been established in her name by the American Heart Association.
Friends may sign Helen's online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.
Mabelle E. Fatherlos
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Mabelle E. Fatherlos, 86, formerly of Rapid City, S.D., passed away from natural causes Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, at the Peace Hospice in Great Falls.
Mabelle was born March 14. 1923, in Sturgis, S.D. to Claude A. and Minnie B. (Hough) Thurlow, and in 1928 moved to Newell, S.D., where she graduated from Newell High School in 1939. She then attended the Black Hills Commercial College in Rapid City, and later married Dale Fatherlos Sr. in October of 1941 and they spent 59 years together. Mabelle worked for Anderson Mill Work and Magnetic Peripherals, Inc. as computer technician for many years, before retiring in 1985. She was the very first Commander for the Woman's Auxiliary for the Disabled American Veterans in Rapid City. Mabelle enjoyed spending time with her family, fishing, playing cribbage and traveling all over the United States.
Mabelle is survived by her sister, Inez Trusty of Rapid City; a son, Dale D. Fatherlos Jr. and wife Pat of Pasadena, Md.; a daughter, Phyllis Lidman of Great Falls; five grandchildren, Wendy Lidman and Lee Lidman and his wife Gwen, all of Great Falls, David Fatherlos and his wife Heather of Spring Grove, Pa., Amy Megan Fatherlos of Philadelphia, and Brian Fatherlos and his wife Shirley of Alcester, S.D.; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Dwyer Fatherlos Sr. in 2000.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home, with Rev. Julie Norwood officiating. Inurnment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
Condolences may be conveyed to the family at www.behrenswilson.com.
Joan Prichard
RAPID CITY - Joan Prichard, 76, Rapid City and formerly of Kadoka, died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, at Golden Living Center Bella Vista, Rapid City.
Survivors include a son, Cleve Prichard, Kadoka; three daughters, Kim Noyes, Rapid City, Debbie Kezar, Hyannis, Neb., and Joni Thomsen, Long Valley; a brother, Jerrald Hansen, Spearfish; a sister, Marilyn Brooks, Rapid City; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are pending with Rush Funeral Chapel in Kadoka.
Eugene 'Gene' Dahl
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Eugene "Gene" Dahl, was born Sept. 9, 1931 in Dewey County, S.D., to Henry and Harriet (O'Leary) Dahl. He passed away on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, at his home in Phoenix.
Gene grew up in Hetland and Arlington, S.D. He graduated from Arlington High School in 1950 and resided there until 1971. During his childhood, he spent his summers at his grandparents' O'Leary ranch near Timberlake, S.D. He moved to Vermillion, S.D., in 1971 and later spent winters in Phoenix.
Gene worked for Central States of Omaha for over 40 years where he retired as Regional Manager of the Northern Division. He received their highest accolade, the "To Care is to Grow" award in 1980.
Gene is survived by his three living children from his first marriage of 20 years to Audrey Dahl, Mary Dahl (Patrick) Havener and Mitch (Nelly) Dahl, all of Rapid City, and Jerome (Kendra) Dahl of Denver; his daughter-in-law, Kay Dahl of Crooks; 11 grandchildren, Travis (wife Dana), Cally (husband Robert), Zachary (wife Cassie), Noah, Haley, Elizabeth, Breeze, Caleb, Gabriel, Max and Jack; seven great-grandchildren, Mason, Tycen, Maggie, Sampson, Oliver, Abraham "Avi," and Mark; and his sister, Joyce Dahl Colby, Arlington.
He was preceded in death by his children's mother, Audrey Dahl-Chapman; two sons, Mark and Marlen; and his brother, Lloyd.
Also surviving is his second wife, Sue Carter Dahl, her six children, 20 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
A Catholic life remembrance service was held Nov. 2, in Phoenix. Burial will be in Vermillion at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the National Emphysema Foundation or the Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude.
A.L. Moore Grimshaw Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Kenneth J. Richards
RAPID CITY - Kenneth J. Richards, 74, Rapid City, died Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at a local nursing home.
Survivors include his wife, Vera Richards, Rapid City; and two sisters, Myrna Zephier, Minneapolis, and Mary Ann Trimble, Rapid City.
Arrangements are pending with Edstrom & Rooks Funeral Service at Serenity Springs in Rapid City.
Nancy Lee Foster
BELLE FOURCHE - Nancy Lee Foster, 63, Belle Fourche, died Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009, at Sturgis Regional Hospital.
Survivors include her son, Robert Foster; four daughters, Karen Wallace, Debbie Bielby, Connie Lincoln and Patti Merchant; two stepdaughters, Cheryl Crain and Mary Abernathy; two stepsons, Marvin Foster and Duane Foster; three brothers, Wilmer Broome, George Broome and Theodore Broome; two sisters, Marilyn Sobota and Patricia Gilman; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Mannie Foster Sr.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Assembly of God in Newell, with the Rev. Nathan Keller officiating.
An online guestbook is available at www.blackhillsfuneralhome.com.
Madeline Eunice Theresa Claseman
ROSEVILLE, Ill. - Madeline Eunice Theresa Claseman, 95, Roseville, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, at Roseville Country Manor.
Survivors include a daughter, Peggy McIntyre, St. Louis; a brother, John Mercy, Tulsa, Okla.; a foster son, Martin O'Laughlin, Rapid City, S.D.; two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bob Jacobs officiating.
A memorial has been established to Black Hills Sheltered Workshop.
An online guestbook is available at www.osheimschmidt.com.
Melbourn E. Chastain
BELLE FOURCHE - Melbourn E. Chastain, 59, Belle Fourche, died Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, at his home.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969.
Survivors include his sons, Jason Chastain and Wyatt Chastain, both of Denton, Texas; two brothers, Ron Chastain, Belle Fourche, and Kenneth Chastain, Crosby, Texas; and a sister, Brenda Chastain, Houston.
His wife, Anne, preceded him in death.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche, with the Rev. Rick Brennan officiating. There will be no visitation.
Verla (Fanning) Ninas
APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. - Verla Voy (Fanning) Ninas recently went to Our Heavenly Father from the effects of cancer on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, at her home in Apache Junction.
Verla was born March 23, 1939, three miles west of Vetal, S.D. She was the third of four daughters born to Cecil and Frances (Mone) Fanning. Verla went to school at the Old England School House in Vetal and attended her freshman year of high school at Curtis (Neb.) Agricultural School and spent the remainder of her high school years at Bennett County High School in Martin, S.D.
Verla dedicated her life to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and provided Care Giving to the unaided up until her death. She loved to travel; her travels took her from coast to coast, up to Canada and down to Mexico, where she decided to settle in Phoenix for the remainder of her life.
Verla is survived by two sons, Stanley (Starlene) Jamison of Omaha, Neb., and Rex (Deena) Jamison of Tacoma, Wash.; four daughters, Connie Carlson of Eugene, Ore., Betty (Brian) Halvorson of Reed Point, Mont., Virginia (John) Malloy of Manassas, Va., and Sue Swineford of Tacoma; a son-in-law, Bob Eli of Sweet Home, Ore; 16 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Della Trimble of Gordon, Neb., and Zona (Larry) May of Interior, S.D.; along with many friends, family, and loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Francis Fanning; her sister, Wilma Jean Fanning; a brother-in-law, Roy Trimble; her daughter, Linda Rae Eli; her son, Fred Cecil Allabaugh; and her granddaughter, Brenda Jamison.
Verla's wishes were to be cremated. Memorial services will be held in Cody, Neb. at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to Virginia Malloy, 9526 Country Roads Lane
Manassas, VA 20112 or virginiamalloy@comcast.net
We Love You Mom:
1 Thessalonians 2:7 - 8
...but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.
Proverbs 3:13 - 18
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
A Song for Mom
This little light of mine,
I'm going to let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm going to let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm going to let it shine,
Ev'ry day, ev'ry day,
Ev'ry day, ev'ry day,
Gonna let my little light shine.
On Monday, He gave me the gift of love;
On Tuesday, peace came from above.
On Wednesday told me to have more faith;
On Thursday, gave me a little more grace.
On Friday, told me to watch and pray
On Saturday, told me just what to say,
On Sunday, gave the power divine
Just to let my little light shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm going to let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm going to let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm going to let it shine,
Ev'ry day, ev'ry day,
Ev'ry day, ev'ry day,
Gonna let my little light shine.
Now some say you got to run and hide.
But we say there's no place to hide.
And some say let others decide,
But we say let the people decide.
Some say the time's not right,
But we say the time's just right.
If there's a dark corner in our land,
You got to let your little light shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm going to let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm going to let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm going to let it shine,
Ev'ry day, ev'ry day,
Ev'ry day, ev'ry day,
Gonna let my little light shine.
