Frances Ann Torgrude Erickson (DHS1954), Age 79, of Sturgis, SD, died Oct. 23, 2015 at Sturgis Long Term Care ~ Reported by Shirley Kettelhut Rounesvell DHS1954

Frances Ann Torgrude Erickson

DHS1954

July 26, 1936 - October 23, 2015

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Frances Ann Torgrude Erickson, 79, of Sturgis, SD, died Oct. 23, 2015 at Sturgis Long Term Care. She was born to John and Pansy Marie (Trew) Wagner on July 26, 1936 in Deadwood, SD. She attended school in Deadwood, graduating from Deadwood High School in 1954. She married Conley Torgrude in 1957 and to this union four daughters were born. She married Carl Erickson in Reno, Nevada in June of 1981.

Fran was very active in her church, Bethel Lutheran, later renamed Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church of Lead, SD, serving as parish secretary for many years. She later joined Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis.

Fran began working for the U.S. Forest Service in 1978 at the Box Elder Job Corps Center near Nemo, SD, as the receptionist. When she retired in 2005, with 27 years of service, she was the Administrative Officer. She also worked for the Forest Service at the Nemo Ranger District at Deadwood, and the Spearfish Ranger District. Fran truly enjoyed working and greatly valued the relationships she established with her coworkers and the youth at the job corps.

Fran was involved in sewing, crocheting and crafting in younger years, but in later years, gravitated to more interactive pursuits such as playing cards (she loved pinochle), ballroom and square dancing, and singing with the church choir. She enjoyed traveling to group functions, meeting new friends, and reuniting with old friends and family. She retained a loving connection to her fellow classmates of the Deadwood High School class of 1954, especially with her dear friend, Loyola Moser Rundel.

Fran loved birds, and was especially partial to hummingbirds. She spent hours sitting on her back deck, or wherever they were, watching them flit back and forth.

Fran was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister, Grace Marie, nephews Keith, Brian and James Davidson, and an aunt, Martha Wilkins. 

Fran is survived by her husband, Carl Erickson; daughters, Debbie (Kim) Smoot, Belle Fourche, SD, Connie (John) Schmitt, Grand Junction, CO, Tammie (David) Paulson, Clark, SD, and Pam (David) Carlson, Carol Steam, IL; step-children, Carla (Craig) Clement, Chandler, AZ and Warren Mark Erickson, Craig, CO; sisters, Kathryn LaBau, Spearfish, SD and Johnnie Lee Saunders, Vallejo, CA; 13 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren and extended family and friends.

Memorial services will Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015 at 10:30 AM, at Grace Lutheran Church, Sturgis. Lunch will follow, with inurnment following at 12:30 PM at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis. A memorial has been established. Condolences may be made to the family at kinkadefunerals.com

Major William “Bill” Duane Fish, USMC Ret., 83, of Rapid City SD died on Wednesday, September 30, 2015.

William Fish

DHS1950

August 7, 1932  -  September 30, 2015 

Rapid City SD - Major William “Bill” Duane Fish, USMC Ret., 83, of Rapid City died on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. 

Bill was the third son of Paul & Signe Fish, born in Deadwood, SD. In his beloved Black Hills, Bill and his siblings made a name for themselves as the “Fish Boys,” with their little sister Elaine along for the ride. Bill graduated from Deadwood High School in 1950. While in Deadwood, he met the love of his life, June (Zaiser) Fish. Following his high school graduation, Bill was awarded a scholarship and attended engineering school at the South Dakota School of Mines. However, life took him in a different direction and he enlisted with the United States Marine Corps in 1953. 

Bill and June were married on June 30, 1954 in Santa Rosa, CA. Soon their family grew to include five wonderful and adventurous children. While stationed in San Diego, CA, Bill was selected to participate in and was selected for the Naval Enlisted Scientific Program. Bill and June were moved to Lincoln, NE where he obtained his Bachelors degree in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and was initiated into Phi Beta Kappa. 

When Bill graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1961, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. While attending The Basic School in Quantico, VA, Bill was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. 

During his career with the Marine Corps, Bill was promoted to Captain and later Major. His career took him to California, Okinawa, Virginia, Hawaii, Vietnam, Maryland, and North Carolina. His work as a communications officer included working with the NSA and the 2nd Marine Air Wing. Between deployments and stations Bill and his family always returned to the Black Hills. By the time he retired in 1976, he had received many accolades for his service. 

Following retirement from the Marine Corps, Bill and June moved back to the Hills, where they’ve remained ever since. He continued his work as an electronics engineer working with Motorola and then Solar Sound until his final retirement. Bill not only enjoyed golfing with his friends and family, he loved riding through the Hills, always meeting a friend, and using his sharp wit and humor with those he loved.

In addition to his love and wife, June, and progeny, he leaves behind his sister, Elaine Casteel (Perry) of Shelbyville, TN; as well as his friend and brother-in-law Leonard “Peanuts” Newman and sister-in-law Claudette Newman of Rapid City; sister-in-law Anna Fish of Alexandria, VA; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Bill was pre-deceased by his parents, Paul and Signe Fish; his mother and father-in-law, Herb and Lillian Zaiser; brother Donald Fish; brother John “Roy” Fish; brother-in-law Verne Zaiser and his wife Betty; and grandson Michael Paul Fish. 

Bill’s legacy continues to live with his children and their children: Rick Fish (Linda) of Albuquerque, NM; Kevin Fish (Veronica) of Deadwood; Ken Fish of Deadwood; Lauri Fish of Wilmington, NC; and Becky Bell (Mack) of Wake Forest, NC; 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors 4:00 to 6:00 pm. on Monday, October 5 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City. 

A funeral service will be held at Osheim & Schmidt on Tuesday, October 6 at 10:00 am. with Chaplain Herb B. Cleveland officiating. 

The burial service will take place at 12:00 pm. at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with full military honors.

An online guest book for Bill may be signed at www.osheimschmidt.com

Helen Brandt Battiste DHS1955 passed away in Tucson AZ on January 31, 2014

Helen Brandt Battiste

DHS1955

Died January 31, 2014

Helen Brandt Battiste began her life in the Black Hills of South Dakota on June 17, 1937, and later moved to the Southwest, having fallen in love with Arizonia's Sonoran Desert.

Helen was a master's degree Registered Nurse for 50 years, working in behavioral health, and was an early pioneer in hospice nursing. She retired in 2007 from the Carondelet Hospice where she was a nurse case manager. 

Helen died in Tucson AZ on January 31, 2014.

She is remembered by friends and family members including son, Jack and his wife, Mary; grandson, Matthew; great- grandsons, Austin and Benjamin and her life partner, Josefina Ahumada.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Helen's life was held on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at Southside Presbyterian Church, 317 W. 23rd St., Tucson, AZ.

Donations may be made in Helen's name to Southside Presbyterian Church, 317 W 23rd St, Tucson, AZ 85713.

Alvin Max Oestreich DHS1950 passed away in Rapid City Regional Hospital on August 11, 2015

Alvin Max Oestreich

DHS1950

Died Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015

Alvin Max Oestreich, 83, Hill City, died Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. He was born in Deadwood to Henry and Iva (Peyton) Oestreich. He graduated from Deadwood High School in 1950. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1954.

On January 16, 1952, he married Arlene Yost in Deadwood. They moved to Rapid City in 1954 and to their “home in the pines” near Hill City in 1988.

He is survived by 4 daughters, Sandra (Gary) Eschenbaum, Pueblo, Colo.; Jeri (Tom) Poland, Black Hawk; Tami (Mark) Skvicalo, Lead; Stacey Remily, Rapid City and son Norman (Patty) Oestreich, Hill City; nine grandchildren, Ashley (Tommy); Whitney (Marc); Elijah; Nicholas (Kristen); Cody; Max; Mark (Kari); Matthew (Keeli); LeVon and Sheena, and five great-grandchildren, Brynn, Max, Taylor, Diamond, and Nevada.

Geraldine “Jerry” Page Nelson DHS1955 passed away in Rapid City Regional Hospital on September 19, 2015 by Leatha Satterlee

Geraldine Page Nelson

DHS1955

June 16, 1936 - September 19, 2015

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Geraldine “Jerry” Lea Nelson of Rapid City passed away in Rapid City Regional Hospital due to pneumonia complications on September 19, 2015.

She was born on June 16, 1936 to Leonard (Spud) and Tina Page in Deadwood, South Dakota. She attended school and graduated from Deadwood High School in 1955. Jerry married LaVerne Theodore Nelson on June 1, 1955 and during their 21 years of marriage made their home in Lead, SD. They had two children, Claudia Jean Nelson Fredericksen and Brian LaVerne Nelson.

Jerry was involved in Girl Scouts as a Brownie and continued her involvement as an adult serving on the Black Hills Girl Scout Council Board of Directors, Camp PaHa SaPa Caretaker for two years, Day Camp Director, Neighborhood Chairman of Lead/Deadwood, Troop Leader, Trip Director for Girl Scout Council trips to Canada and Washington D.C., plus numerous troop trips to Canada, Medora, National Center West, Ft. Robinson, and 6th Grade Trip to Pierre. She also worked on numerous Girl Scout Council events such as a Council sponsored National Girl Scout event called “Do It In Dakota”; the Mall Festival, Super Saturday, and Heritage Trail. Jerry also served as a Camp Director at a Girl Scout camp in Indiana for one summer. She was one of the original people involved in the establishment and development of Camp Friendship for the physically and mentally challenged. She received the highest award in Girl Scouting, the Thanks Badge.

Jerry had a passion for bowling, she bowled on leagues in Deadwood and Rapid City for many years. Being on oxygen 24/7 did not prevent her from participating in the bowling leagues.

She was involved in the Episcopal Church in Deadwood while she was raising her children, belonged to a card club in Lead and was active in the Lead/Deadwood community. She moved to Rapid City and attended National American University and received an Associate Degree in Accounting and an Associate Degree in Business Administration. Jerry worked at several businesses in accounting and was forced into retirement due to her physical limitations. Jerry loved to camp, travel, play cards, gamble, go 4-wheeling, work her puzzles, be with her dogs and be with her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her two children, Claudia (David) and Brian (Mel), all from Lead, good friend and companion, Bonnie, four grandchildren; Jeremiah, Davida, Brianna and Casey, and eight great-grandchildren: Ashley, Jeremiah Jr., Alejandra, Erica, Hannah, Payton, Keaten, and Kinsly.

A celebration of life will be held at 10am, Friday, September 25, 2015 at the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. A lunch will follow at the V.FW. in Deadwood.

A memorial has been established.

Bob Heller Passed Away July 14, 2015 in Rapid City reported by Renee Bertrand DHS1964

RAPID CITY | Robert Eugene "Bob" Heller, 82, died July 14, 2015.

He served in the U.S. Air Force.

Visitation from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. July 16, at Serenity Springs Funeral Chapel.

Services at 10:30 a.m. July 17, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Canyon Lake Drive. 

Burial at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bob's Bio+ from Bob himself in the January 2008  dhsclassmates website.  Notice he usually typed in all caps! :

BOB HELLER'S BIO: 75 YEARS OLD. PLAY FOR FUN, TENOR SAX AND TRUMPET. NORTHERN HILLS BAND, NEW HORIZONS BAND, SAXY SENIORS GROUP AND THE 7TH CAVALRY DRUM AND BUGLE CORP AND THE SPEARFISH COMMUNITY COLLEGE BAND WHEN I HAVE TIME. I PURCHASED LAVERN CLARK'S ("BOSS") MARTIN TENOR FROM DORY AFTER THE BOSS PASSED THRU THE VALE. I'M VERY HUMBLE TO HAVE IT. MY WIFE PHYLLIS IS AN ARTIST AND A GENEALOGY RESEARCHER. SHE ENJOYS MUSIC BUT DOESN'T PLAY ANYTHING. I STARTED OUT WHEN THE BOSS SAW A C-MELODY SAX IN MY GAS STATION AND GOT ME STARTED IN 1963 AT A CONOCO STATION WE OWNED IN DEADWOOD. SINCE THEN I PLAYED FOR 3 YEARS WITH THE NORTHERN HILLS GROUP AND THEN QUIT. 2001 I STARTED AGAIN AND TOOK LESSONS AND STILL DO. TENOR SAX IS MAIN INSTRUMENT AND THE NORTHERN HILLS BAND IS THE MOST IMPORTANT. THANKS FOR INVITING ME TO THIS BLACKHILLSMUSIC GROUP. Favorite Music CONCERT AND BIG BAND SOUNDS


BESHARA'S GARAGE IS ME AND MY GIRL FRIEND, PHYLIS, MY WIFE NOW. ABOUT 1954, I THINK. I WAS IN AIR FORCE AT ELLSWORTH THEN.

Aministrator DickD View:

Bob Heller operated the Conoco Service across from the Deadwood School on the corner of Main Street and Pine Street.  He and DHS Band Teacher Laverne "Verne" Clark were close friends.  Verne would take pipe smoking breaks at the Conoco Station and swap stories with Bob.

Bob had a passion for roller skating and music.  He has been involved in Northern Black Hills Band and other private bands.  He had his own website about his music ventures but he was too busy to do much with his website.  Bob would send me interesting items for me to post on this website.

He was a jolly person and was always a part of Deadwood High School Reunions.

Bob with his signature bib overalls will be sorely missed !!  :]

Bob with hair in 2009

 

John Franklin Fillmore DHS1955 of Whitewood, SD passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at Rapid City Regional Hospital

John Franklin Fillmore, 77, of Whitewood, SD, passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at Rapid City Regional Hospital, after a difficult battle with cancer and heart disease.  John was a classmate of Deadwood High School 1955.

 

There will be a visitation at Sturgis Kinkade Funeral Chapel on Sunday, May 3, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

 

Funeral services will be held Monday, May 4, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at Whitewood Presbyterian Church. There will be a reception following the funeral at the Whitewood City (Hale) Hall. Internment will be held on Tuesday, May 5, at 10:00 a.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery.

 

John was born September 30, 1937, at Spearfish, SD, to Millard and Muriel (Schaefer) Fillmore. His first home was in the Tinton area. His family later moved to Spearfish before moving to Casper, WY, for a few years. When he was 5, his family moved to Deadwood. He graduated from Deadwood High School in 1955.

 

In 1956, he joined the U. S. Air Force. He was stationed in South Carolina. While there, he met his bride-to-be at Myrtle Beach. He was transferred to Japan for 2 years. Upon returning from Japan, he married M. Anne Heaton on January 11, 1959. They moved to Whitewood in 1962, where he lived at his time of death. They had four daughters.

 

John worked in his father's hardware store before opening a grocery store in Whitewood. He graduated from Black Hills State College in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in education. He taught school for 7 years and worked as a salesman for Sears. In 1980, he opened The Donut Hole bakery in Spearfish. He sold the bakery in 1994 and semi-retired. He had several rental properties in Whitewood.

 

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, M. Anne Fillmore; daughters, Tracy (Marvin) Fillmore-Frey, Cindy (Lyle) Long, and Kim (Jim) O'Connor; sister, Jeanne Chambers; 11 grandchildren, Amanda (Wade) Smith, John (Connie) Long, Lyle (Darcy) Long, Chad (Jami) Anderson, Jake (Kristi) Heidrich, Josh (Jenn) Long, Jason (Valerie) Anderson, Bobbi Jo (Robert) Koyama, Tiffany (Jessie) Skavang, Kelsey (David) Schweiterman, and Garrett Weber; 4 step-grandchildren, Shanna Martin, Stephanie Johnson, Scot Johnson, and Jessica Frey; 26 great-grandchildren; 3 step-great-grandchildren; an aunt; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

John was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Christy (Bob) Weber; step-grandson, Andrew "AJ" Frey; brother-in-law, Lloyd Chambers; and son-in-law, Tom Johnson.

 

A memorial has been established to the Whitewood Presbyterian Church.

 

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Charles "Chuck" Crotty DHS1956 Passed Away March 10, 2015, at Home Surrounded by His Family, Age 78

Charles "Chuck" Crotty, DHS1956

September 21, 1936 - March 10, 2015

 

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DEADWOOD | Charles Raymond "Chuck" Crotty, 78, passed away March 10, 2015, at home surrounded by his family.

Chuck was born Sept. 21, 1936, in New Underwood to Charles Arnold and Helen (Trotter) Crotty. During his childhood he was active in many sports such as basketball, football, and track. He also enjoyed swimming, hunting, fly-fishing, target shooting, and horseback riding. He graduated from Deadwood High School in 1956 and worked at the Homestake Slime plant after his graduation.

On July 13, 1957, he married Karen Marta and they started a family. Chuck was dedicated to serving his community by working as a Deputy in the Sheriff’s Department for many years and was a 1st Lieutenant in the National Guard. He became Sheriff of Lawrence County in 1974 and held the position for 20 years, retiring in 1994. As an adult, Chuck enjoyed being a member of the Lead Rifle and Pistol Club, team roping, and fishing.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. He is survived by his wife, Karen; his sister, Alice Fern (Dennis) Barker; his children, Greg (Jane) Crotty, Lead, Suzanne (Clint) Ruby, Gillette, WY, Charlene (Steve) Ommen, Sturgis, and Jay Crotty, Spearfish; grandchildren, Angela (Jesse) Besel, Patrick Crotty, Kyle and Christine Ruby, Paul, Danica, and Scott Ommen, and Garrett, Ryan, and Alex Crotty; and many great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., with 6 p.m. vigil services Sunday, March 15, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Lead.

Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Monday, March 16, at the church. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Deadwood.

Arrangements are under the care of the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to provide a law enforcement scholarship at Western Dakota Vo-Tech for a Lawrence County high school graduate.

Georgia Lubisher DHS1939 , 94 of Spearfish, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Rapid City Regional Hospital

Georgia Lubisher  

(February 22, 1921 - February 28, 2015)

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Georgia Lubisher, 94 of Spearfish, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Georgia was born on February 22, 1921 to Philip and Mary (Kosch) Lubisher in Madison, (Humphrey) NE. The family moved to the Black Hills in 1936. She graduated from Deadwood High School in 1939. 

Following her graduation she became the receptionist for Dr. F. S. Howe, pioneer doctor in Deadwood. She put her secretarial skills from her high school training to work when she worked for the US Forest Service in Deadwood and also Fort Meade in Sturgis before becoming the Office Manager for Canyon Oil and Clark Tire Companies in Deadwood. She left that position to open a Public Accounting Service also in Deadwood. 

Leaving Deadwood in 1973, she relocated to Boise, ID to take over the position of office manager for G&S Construction. She remained in that capacity until her retirement in 1983. 

Georgia devoted many hours of service in her retirement years to volunteering at St. Luke’s Hospital in the accounting department, receiving a certificate of merit for 2000 hours when she left Boise. She had also been active in a number of business and professional organizations throughout her career. 

Georgia returned to the Black Hills in 1998 and lived independently until she was forced to go into assisted living following a fall in 2012. 

Georgia was known for her loyalty, generosity and being fiercely independent. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother Duane. She is survived by her sister Patricia Hungerford of Murphys, California 

 Arrangements are pending. 

 Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels & Crematory Services, Spearfish SD

Barbara Rich Larson DHS1959 died Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital - Reported by Margaret Crary Sager DHS1961

Barbara Larson

October 3, 1940 - January 6, 2015

Barbara M. Larson, 74, Deadwood, SD died Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital.

Barbara was born October 3, 1940 to Peter and Lillian (Hammer) Rich in Deadwood. She attended St. Ambrose School in Deadwood through the eighth grade, she went on to graduate from Deadwood High School in 1959. She then attended Black Hills State College for a year. During this time she met and later married Michael Larson on December 19, 1960. She then became a stay at home mother raising her two sons, Mark and Dan. They lived in the Deadwood area most of her life, with the exception of 17 years that they lived in St. Cloud, MN, while Mike worked at the VA medical center.

She was active in her church, passionate about theater and the arts, including time spent teaching tap dancing to senior citizens. She spent many summers playing Calamity Jane in the Trial of Jack McCall. She was a prayer warrior, who was very passionate about sharing her love of Jesus, her Savior and Lord. She was very devoted to raising her two sons and loving her six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Mike, Deadwood; son, Mark Larson, Deadwood; grandchildren, Hannah Larson, Malachi Larson, and their mother Juli Larson, all of Breamen, GA; son, Daniel (Belinda) Larson, Spearfish, grandchildren, Savannah (Lance) Horst, Spearfish, Amber (John) Jones, Spearfish, Rebekah Larson, Dickinson, ND, Luke Larson, Deadwood; great-grandchildren, Asher Horst, Rhyker Horst, Seaira Frasier and Lamont Jones.

Visitation will be from 5-7 pm, Thursday, January 8, 2015 at the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Funeral services will be at 11 am, Friday, January 9 at Lead Assembly of God Church. Interment will follow at Oakridge Cemetery near Deadwood.

Arrangements are under the care of the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. 

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

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From the DHS1959 Bear Log:

Barbara Rich

Band 1, 2, 3, 4; Christmas Play 2, 3, 4; Class Play 3, 4; Dramatics 2, 3, 4; Oratory 3; Bruin Staff 4; Glee Club 4; Mixed Chorus 4