Linda (Keehn) Maxwell DHS1966, Died in Belle Fourche at age 66 as reported by Margaret Crary Sager DHS1961

 Linda Maxwell 

(May 1, 1948 - July 12, 2014)

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Linda (Keehn) Maxwell DHS1966, age 66, passed away July 12, 2014 at Belle Fourche Health Care Center

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Linda was born May 1, 1948 in Flandreau, SD to Lew and Marion Keehn. Linda grew up in Deadwood, graduating from Deadwood High School and then attending Black Hills State College.

One of her fondest life adventures away from the Black Hills was living in Wasilla, Alaska where she made many life-long friends and memories. She returned home in 1980 to learn the fine art of being a Saloonkeeper, prankster and memory maker at the family business, Saloon No. 10.

In the page of Deadwood's history it will be noted that Linda was Deadwood's first female Reserve Police Officer. Her talents were many, but her most acclaim would be for her famous cheesecakes. She took home countless awards for 1st place. She proudly handed out her business card with the title "Cheesecake Diva". In January of 2009, with dignity and grace, she changed her title and business card to "Wheelchair Diva".

Linda had a heart of gold. She always marched to the beat of her own drum, but on the drop of a dime was there to help a friend in need. She loved her girlfriends and their escapades on the road. In her final years at Belle, she developed many new friendships with her caregivers. She was always ready with needed advice, a good joke and bottomless chocolate dish.

She is survived by her brother Gary, sisters Louie and Lori, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephew.

Linda will be greatly missed and admired by all. Her final lesson to us all is to live life to its fullest. Keep the faith. Love a giraffe.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 17, 2014, at 1 pm, at the historic St. John's Episcopal Church in Deadwood. Burial will follow at Oakridge Cemetery. Please join us following the burial for her "secret recipe cheesecake" and spirits at the Charlie Utter Theatre. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for the ongoing repairs and improvements to St. John's Church.

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

Gerald L. Karns DHS1958, 75, Deadwood, SD, died Saturday, May 31, 2014 at Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital reported by Margaret Crary Segar DHS1961

Gerald L Karns 

May 30, 1939 - May 31, 2014

DHS1958

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Gerald L. Karns, 75, Deadwood, SD, died Saturday, May 31, 2014 at Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital. 

Gerald was born on May 30, 1939 to Coye and Genevieve (Hanson) Karns in Bison, SD. He married Wyomia Jo Fruit on December 6, 1963. He started working as a machinist in 1958 and moved on to work underground for Homestake Mine and then for Boeing in the mid-sixties. In the late 60’s he became a concrete mason which led to building his own trade shop, Karns Machine, in 1972. He later became an independent machinist around the Black Hills. He was an avid flat track dirt bike race in his younger years, as he got older he had the same passion in wanting to produce minerals such as gold, silver, tantalite and rare earths at the Tinton Mine.

He is survived by his three daughters, Ashley (Bill) Griffith, Lead, Tawnee (Jarrod) Stark and Korrie (Johnny) Wise, Gillette; ten grandchildren and brother, Larry (Ricki) Karns, Spearfish. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wyomia, sons, Todd and Shane Karns, brother, Randy Karns and his parents.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, June 6, 2014 at the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Mt. Lawn Cemetery in Lead. A memorial has been established to the Twin City Animal Shelter in Lead.

Arrangements are under the care of Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Online condolences may be left at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com

Paul Michael Miller Sr. DHS1965 Died at Age 68 in Spearfish April 4, 2014 - Reported by Renee Sells Bertrand DHS1964

Paul Michael Miller Sr.

(November 8, 1945 - April 2, 2014)

SPEARFISH, April 2, 2014 | Paul Michael Miller Sr. died of heart failure in Spearfish. He was 68.

Paul was born Nov. 8, 1945, in Deadwood to David M. Miller Sr. and Frances “Jackie” Miller. Paul attended school in Deadwood and college at Black Hills State University.

Together with his father and brother, he owned Twin City Fruit & Produce, a wholesale distribution company started during the 1940's. Miller became a prominent Deadwood businessman and member of the Deadwood City Council. Twin City Fruit was sold to a national firm, Sysco, in 1990.

After living in Deadwood for a number of years, Miller and his wife, Ruth, retired to Spearfish.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and his sister, Linda.

He is survived by Paul Jr. of Tucson, AZ; his brother, David Jr. of Rapid City; nephews, Michael Miller of Tulsa, OK, and David Paul Miller of Fort Collins, CO; his niece, Maria Miller of San Francisco, CA; and cousins, Gary Mule Deer and Sheryl Miller of Spearfish, Susan Johnson of Belle Fourche, Kevin Miller of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Patricia and Nicole Nelson of Phoenix, AZ, Connie Cristy of Olympia, WA, Beverly Miller of Independence, MO, Barbara Wilkinson and Judy Slavens of Springfield, MO, and Sharon Sue Armstrong of Tahlequah, OK.

Burial and a celebration of life are scheduled for Saturday, May 10. Time and location will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the Children’s Home Society of South Dakota and earmarked for the Black Hills Children’s Home at 24100 Rockerville Road, Rapid City, SD 57701 http://www.chssd.org/childrens_home_society/Index.htm

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish. Online condolences may be left at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com

Paul Miller DHS1964 Bear Log

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Evelyn Faith (Lackey) Maynard DHS1969 Died at age 62 February 22, 2014 reports Sandy Smith Bittner

Evelyn "Faith" Maynard
(June 2, 1951 - February 22, 2014)

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Evelyn Faith (Lackey) Maynard, 62, of Spearfish, SD passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Rapid City Regional Hospital. 

She was born in Brush, Colorado on June 2, 1951 to Lester and Ethel Lackey. She moved with her family to South Dakota in 1952 where she lived her entire life. She graduated from Deadwood High School in 1969 and attended Mitchell Technical Institute where she graduated with a degree in Accounting. 

She worked hard all of her life as a Nurse aid, Cook, Server and a Manager. She was an avid

animal lover that had multiple pets throughout her life. She also had a passion for sewing for her children and grandchildren. You could always find her listening to Elvis music or watching a Disney movie. Her family always said, “She was a stubborn lady with a heart of gold that always placed other’s needs before her own”

She is survived by her sons, Jason (Susan) Maynard, of El Paso, TX, and Chad (Heidi)

Maynard of Harrisburg, SD; eight grandchildren; brother, Larry (Beverly) Lackey of Warner Robbins, GA, sisters Monica Albrecht of Belle Fourche, SD, and Dolly (Gary) Venables of Huron, SD and five nieces and nephews.

Faith is preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Ethel Lackey of Spearfish, SD, daughter Kimberly K. (Maynard) Miiller of Ethan, SD, and nephew, Robert Warren Lackey of Warner Robbins, GA.A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church at 310 North Rowley St in Mitchell, SD on Saturday, March 1st, 2014. The family will be present from 2:00-4:00pm with a prayer service beginning at 3:00pm.

DHS1969 Graduation

Ronald L. Chyba, 67, passed away on February 9 2014, in Lihue, Hawaii as reported by Janet Chyba Thoresen DHS1955

Ron is holding his Derringer dual barrel  .45/410 shotgun for self defense

Ronald L. Chyba, 67, passed away on February 9 2014, in Lihue, Hawaii.

He was born September 18, 1946 to Joseph and Ann Chyba, in Deadwood, and attended school there and Riverside, Calif. He went to Black Hills State University, and took courses at Riverside City College.

Ron was a computer programmer for ESCO Technologies, working on guidance systems for submarines. He received helicopter training in the Army, and was stationed in Texas.

He is survived by his brother, Robert Chyba of Campbellsport, Wisconsin; sister, Janet Thoresen of Spearfish South Dakota; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place, with inurnment to be at a later date.

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DickD Remembrance

Ron at his 81 Stewart Street house

I knew Ron his whole life.  He was my friend. 

Chybas, Allens, Veitls, Lesters, myself, and others lived in the neighborhood behind the Deadwood Hospital.  Ron was much younger than the rest of us so he was always left behind.  As a result he was loner when growing up.  He attended the Deadwood School and was already in high school when he and his mother moved to California. After high school graduation Ron attended college. 

Being extremely intelligent, he was interested in computing and electronics.  He excelled at ESCO Technologies with major contributions.  Ron was always a voracious reader and developed mystical beliefs along with a strong wanderlust to travel.  His computing ID was Shivaron from his interest in the Hindu Shiva.  Ron’s belief of Shiva set his spiritual life and minimalist quiet lifestyle of a complete loner.  His wonderlust to travel was strong so he lived wherever he had a interest to be. 

He left California and ESCO and eventually returned to Deadwood and the Black Hills. At one time he had a rough terrain motorbike and completely explored the Black Hills.  

Ron and I spent quiet times talking and at my urging, he explained his beliefs and lifestyle.  He agreed it was different that most people but observed it was not a life for most people.
 

For his last destination he moved to Kauai HI USA as he felt his exploration of the Black Hills was complete. Little was heard from Ron until his death.

I did receive an email from Shivaron two years ago that addressed my email question of his writing about cave living:

Ron’s email response reads:

DickD wrote: "For a cave, how you (Ron) picked the spot, planning, access, cave set up, how you passed time, experiences, and why you gave up on the idea. I think this is a great personal interest story. As I remember you never felt that you were alone there and felt a strong need to leave"

I did a lot of camping in the hills, but never lived in a cave. So.. there was never a "giving up on the idea" or "feeling a strong need to leave. True, it would make for a GREAT human interest story on your website if that were the case. I think this is how rumors get started, no?
 

I can tell you truthfully that one night at one of my base camps and on a full moon, a pack of four or five coyotes showed up and began howling just a few yards from my tent. I attached some significance to that encounter at the time because it just happened to be on the morning of my birthday!

Also, I can address the issue of not feeling alone.  As a kid, I spent a lot of time by myself in the forest behind our old house on Stewart St. I would hike up to White Rocks or Devil's Cave and eat lunch there or sometimes take a book and climb a tree and read. I read the entire book "Old Yeller" in a tree. It was during that period that I learned to feel comfortable being alone. Early on I realized one could feel "lonely" in a crowd of people and also one can feel "crowded" when all by oneself. It occurred to me that it's simply a  point of view. It was one of those "Aha" moments that I've always valued. No matter what circumstances I've found myself in throughout my life, I've never felt crowded OR alone. But more importantly I've never made decisions based on that kind of subjective perception.

Josephine Faye (Parker) Zellmer passed away Februrary 9, 2014

Zellmer, Josephine 'Josie'
Oct 16, 1944 - Feb 9, 2014

RAPID CITY | Josephine Faye (Parker) Zellmer was born Oct. 16, 1944, to H. Jay Parker and Doris (Wilson) Parker in Pierre, SD. Josie passed away Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, at Hospice of the Black Hills with dignity and self-confidence at the age of 69, from complications of cancer and pneumonia.

Josie’s early school years were spent at Kirley School until her family moved to the farm south of Deadwood, where she continued her education in the Deadwood School system. After high school she relocated to Pierre where she worked in various bookkeeping jobs. It was in Pierre she met her soul mate, Bill Zellmer. They were married on June 25, 1988. After Bill retired they moved to Rapid City.

Josie was active in quilting clubs in both Pierre and Rapid City and especially enjoyed quilting retreats and workshops. She made many quilted items for family and friends and made sure she had a denim quilt ready for her great-nieces and great-nephews as they graduated from high school. Josie also loved rides through the Hills, gardening, and photography. She always enjoyed the Parker family reunions and attended as she was able.

Josie is survived by her husband, Bill; her sister, Hannah (Jim) Heath; her brother, Keyron (Mary) Parker; and several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

As per her wishes, she was cremated and will be remembered at a Celebration Of Life to be held at a later date.

A memorial has been established by the family.

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Mary L. (Roebuck) McGovern DHS1960 died in IL at age 71 reports Bonnie (Roebuck) Huber DHS1954

Mary L. (Roebuck) McGovern
April 1, 1942 - December 19, 2013
DHS1960

Mary L. McGovern, age 71 of Maquon, Illinois died at 4:27 A.M. on Thursday, December 19, 2013 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg, Illinois.

She was born on April 1, 1942 in Deadwood, South Dakota, the daughter of Reinhold and Irene Colwell Roebuck. She graduated from Deadwood High School and completed two years of college. She married Donald E. McGovern on October 3, 1970 at Deadwood, South Dakota. He survives of Maquon, Illinois.

Surviving are her children: Kelley S. (Nathan) Kohring of Cleveland, Ohio; Heath J. McGovern of Peoria, Illinois; Daniel D. (Charlet) McGovern of Pekin, Illinois; Anita D. (David) Novak of Brimfield, Illinois and Michael S. (Marcie) McGovern of Kansas. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. One brother, Clifford (Vicky) Roebuck of Yorba Linda, California and one sister, Bonnie Huber of Sparta, New Jersey. She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter Tamara, one grandson Tyler and one sister Shirley.

She was a letter carrier for eleven years at the Peoria, Illinois post office. She was a 4-H leader, Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader in Yates City, Illinois. She enjoyed bowling and working with senior citizens in Maquon, Illinois. She was a member of the Douglas United Methodist Church, Douglas, Illinois.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., with a one hour visitation prior, on Monday, December 23, 2013 at the Maquon United Methodist Church in Maquon, Illinois. Rev. Sue Bryce will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 22, 2013 at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home in Knoxville, Illinois. Interment will be at the Maquon Cemetery, Maquon, Illinois. The family requests memorials be made to the Lung Transplant Patient Care Fund. On-line condolences and sympathy cards may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhomes.com