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Lloyd Harold Claussen
TUTHILL — Lloyd Harold Claussen, 71, Tuthill, died Sunday, July 22, 2001, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Survivors include his wife, Connie Claussen, Tuthill; three daughters, Rose Claussen, Tuthill, Susan Williams, Long Valley, and Robin Stoner, Hayes; three sons, Dane Claussen and Chuck Claussen, both of Martin, and Robert Claussen, Sioux Falls; one sister, Arlen Curtis, Winner; three brothers, Kenny Claussen and Robert Claussen, both of Martin, and Ralph, Labolt; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at American Legion Auditorium in Martin, with the Rev. Terry Olthoff officiating.
Burial, with Masonic and Eastern Star rites, will be at Fairview Cemetery in Rushville, Neb.
Ziegler Funeral Home of Martin is in charge of arrangements.
Stephen E. Butler
RAPID CITY — Stephen E. Butler, 44, Rapid City, died Monday, July 23, 2001, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Butler, Rapid City; three sons, Tyler Butler and Nicholes Wiest, both of Rapid City, and Patrick Butler, Sioux Falls; two daughters, Lacey Butler and Lucinda Butler, both of Rapid City; his mother, Alice Butler, Rapid City; his father and stepmother, Robert and Violet Butler, Rapid City; one granddaughter; one stepbrother, Rodney Neisent, Rapid City; and two stepsisters, Linda Birdwell and Jo Ellen Lepine, both of Rapid City.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at Behrens Funeral Home in Rapid City and for one hour before services at the funeral home on Friday, July 27.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 27, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Duane Duley officiating.
Burial will be at Mountain View Cemetery in Rapid City.
Arthur J. Shepersky
RAPID CITY — Arthur J. Shepersky, 75, Rapid City and formerly of Lead, died Tuesday, July 24, 2001, at Bella Vista Nursing Center in Rapid City.
Survivors include three daughters, Betty Millard, Box Elder, and Debbie Loghry and Sharon Lord, both of Reno, Nev.; and three sons, Donald Shepersky, Rapid City, and Tim Shepersky and Mark Shepersky, both of Reno.
Arrangements are pending with Fidler Funeral Chapel of Lead.
LaVern A. Ekstrum
CUSTER — LaVern A. Ekstrum, 57, Custer, died Monday, July 23, 2001, in the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming.
Survivors include his mother, Alice Ekstrum, Peterson, Iowa; his wife, Cinda Ekstrum, Custer; one son, Daniel Ekstrum, Custer; one stepson, Shane Hauschen, Sioux Rapids, Iowa; two daughters, Deb Clark, Custer, and Tanya Gaer, Irwin, Iowa; two brothers, Richard Ekstrum, Aurelia, Iowa, and Marvin Ekstrum, Dayton, Ga.; and six grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, July 27, at Southern Hills Church of Christ in Custer, with Dean Stewart officiating.
Rooks-McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer is in charge of arrangements.
Randy R. Burget
RAPID CITY — Randy R. Burget, 43, of Rapid City, died Saturday, July 21, 2001, at Crook County Memorial Hospital in Sundance, Wyo.
He was born Sept. 30, 1957, at Missoula, Mont., to Marcus A. and Lavinia A. (Brzazowsky) Burget. Because his father was in the Air Force, he attended elementary schools in Rantoal, Ill., Alexandria, Va., and Rapid City, graduating from Central High School in 1975. He served in the U.S. Army for a short time, returning to Rapid City, where he had resided since. He worked many years as a jewelry designer and manufacturer for Black Hills Gold Jewelry by Coleman and for Neugebauer's Fine Jewelry.
He was active in Scouting and Boy Scouts of America, attended the Police Cadet Program in high school, was a life member of the NRA, enjoyed hunting, fishing and photography, and was an avid rock hound. He was a talented self-taught artist working with a variety of media.
Survivors include his mother, Lavinia Burget of Rapid City; a sister, Sharon Howke and her husband, Ronald, of Manassas, Va.; a sister, Sheryll Williamson and a great-nephew, Tyce Williamson, Harrisburg, Pa.; four aunts, Lois Haynes, Rapid City, Shirley Nall, Tullahoma, Tenn., Lucreta Davis, Salem, Ore., and Audrey Monroe and her husband, Gene, Orinda, Calif.; one uncle, Erwin Burget, Auburn, Wash.; a special friend, Susan May, Rapid City; and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father in 1987.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, at Osheim-Catron Funeral Home in Rapid City. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 26, at the funeral home, with Rev. Steve Rhodes officiating. Interment will follow at Pine Lawn Memorial Park in Rapid City.
A memorial has been established in his memory.
Dr. Robert H. Quinn
SPEARFISH — Dr. Robert H. Quinn, 82, died Monday, July 23, 2001, at Lookout Memorial Hospital in Spearfish.
Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 26, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will be with full military honors at the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis.
Dr. Quinn was born July 3, 1919, in Omaha, Neb., to Henry T. and Ester M. Quinn.
Dr. Quinn practiced medicine in Sioux Falls from 1946 until 1986, during which time he served as president of the S.D. Medical Association, president of the American College of Surgeons, AMA Delegate and, most notably, VP of Health Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine at University of South Dakota. In 1986, Dr. Quinn and his wife, Ruth, moved to Spearfish, where Dr. Quinn continued his medical teaching and surgery at the VA Medical Center in Sturgis and Rapid City Regional Hospital. He will be remembered professionally as not only an excellent surgeon, but also a kind, caring and giving teacher to his medical students.
Aside from his professional duties and responsibilities, Dr. Quinn served in various capacities in the American Legion, Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, Mundt Foundation Board of Directors, McCrossan Boys Ranch Board of Directors, Clinical Fellowship Advisory Board for the Bush Foundation, Rapid City Eye Institute Foundation Board of Directors, Ranch A Restoration Foundation Board and many other boards and civic associations.
In 1999, he was elected into the South Dakota Hall of Fame honoring him for his lifetime of special service to South Dakota.
Dr. Quinn served as a physician with distinction in the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps in World War II. He was in the Pacific Theater and with the first troops to enter Nagasaki after the bombing. Following the war, he continued his service in the U.S. Naval Reserve until 1958.
Survivors include his wife of almost 60 years, Ruth Quinn; his four children, Karen Tufty of Flandreau, Terry Quinn of Rapid City, Dr. Tom Quinn of Omaha, Neb., and Lisa Nolen of Rapid City. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, including Dr. Geoffrey Tufty of Sioux Falls, Jennifer LuMaye of Greenbay, Sarah Tufty of Kansas City, Tiffany Middleton of Belle Fourche, Molly Toner of Bozeman, Aaron, Robert and Megan Quinn, all of Omaha, and Nicholas Nolen of Rapid City. In addition are three great-grandchildren, including Addison and Avery Middleton of Belle Fourche, and Claire Tufty of Sioux Falls. Surviving sisters are Patricia Eggers of Sioux Falls and Catherine Heiman of Kansas City.
He will be missed greatly by his wife and family and his medical students, all of whom he cared for and gave so much.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Carlsen & Aldinger Funeral Home of Spearfish.
Walter W. Black
CUSTER — Walter W. Black, 88, of Custer, died Monday, July 23, 2001, at Custer Community Hospital. He was born May 21, 1913, in Lead, the son of Andrew Gibson and Anne (Wallace) Black. Walter resided in Lead, graduating as valedictorian in 1930. He attended South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. On March 30, 1935, he married Gertrude (Doots) McKean of Newcastle, Wyo. They made their home in Lead, where Walt worked at the Homestake Mine. He later worked as a civilian at Ellsworth Air Force Base and then moved to Custer to manage the Mica Mine in 1943. Doots preceded him in death. On April 21, 1977, he married Esther (Young) Estrup in Rapid City, and the couple made their home in Custer.
Walt was a member of Custer City Lodge 66 and belonged to Naja Temple Southern Hills Shriners Club. He was a Knight Templar in Schrader Commandery No. 9, K.T., and was a Cryptic Mason in good standing in Black Hills Council No. 3, CM. Walt was also State Associate Guardian of Job's Daughters.
Walt managed Custer Lumber Co. for years and was very active in the timber industry, including memberships in Western Wood Products Association and the National Lumber Manufacturers Association, where he received the 1963 Industry Statesmanship Award. He also served as the fifth president of the Federal Timber Producers Association and was also active in Black Hills Forest Resources Association. After serving on the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Commission from
1979-1987, Gov. Janklow honored Walt by declaring Jan. 6, 1987, Walter Black Day. Walt was also active in the Custer County Chamber of Commerce, the Custer Community Church and the Custer Rotary Club.
Walt is survived by his wife, Esther; two daughters, Sue Hartsook of Sioux Falls and Shana Hindman of Norfolk, Neb.; two stepdaughters, Robyn Opstedahl of Rapid City and Kristen Gordon of Fort White, Fla.; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a myriad of other relatives and friends.
Graveside services with Masonic rites will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, at the Custer Cemetery. Memorial services will follow at 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Custer Community Church, with Rev. Keith Ballinger officiating.
Memorial funds have been established for the Custer Ambulance Service and the Custer Community Church. Donations to the funds in lieu of flowers would be appreciated.
Todd Kevin Barker
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Todd Kevin Barker, 39, Falls Church, died Friday, July 20, 2001.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 26, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Gary Larsen officiating. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m. until service time at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.
Todd was born in Sturgis, S.D., on April 3, 1962, to Duane and Catherine (Scott) Barker. He grew up in Spearfish, S.D., and Dowagiac, Mich. He returned to Sturgis, where he graduated from Sturgis High School in 1980. He was president of the senior class and is listed in "Who's Who Among American High School Students." He attended the School of Mines and Black Hills State College. Todd later worked for Mesa Airlines in Denver, and Deer Valley Airport in Phoenix. At the time of his death, he was attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and working in security for the Smithsonian Institution Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
He was a member of the Aircraft Operators and Pilots Association.
Survivors include his mother, Catherine Barker of Falls Church, Va.; his father, Duane Barker, of Sturgis; one brother and his wife, Scott and Kim Barker, and nephews Bryan and Matthew, all of Apple Valley, Minnesota; his paternal grandmother, Marian Barker, of Sturgis; along with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by both grandfathers and his maternal grandmother.
John P. Gray
HOT SPRINGS — John P. Gray, age 90, longtime Hot Springs resident, passed away July 23 at Rosehaven, Custer. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, at Rooks-Isburg Chapel of the Hills. Services will be at St. Luke's Episcopal Church on Thursday, July 26, at 10 a.m., with the Rev. C.E.B. Harnsberger officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Hot Springs.
John was born Sept. 12, 1910, in Yankton, to William S. Gray and Ada Bell (Moores) Gray.
John lived on the family farm in Yankton and White River until age 12, when the family moved to Hot Springs, where he graduated in 1931 from Hot Springs High School.
John worked for the State Highway Deptartment, Army engineers, and soil conservation. In 1947, he transferred to the Bureau of Reclamation, working on the Angostura project until his retirement in 1970. From 1978 to 1992, he and his wife Genevieve lived in Mesa, Ariz. They returned to Hot Springs and lived there until 1999. He has resided at Rosehaven, Custer, since then.
He married Genevieve B. French in 1936. A son and daughter were born to this union.
John was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church and the Elks Club.
Grateful for having had the pleasure of sharing his life are son John P. Gray Jr. and wife, Nan, Queanbeyan, Australia; daughter Carolyn and husband Ben Volker of Raytown, Mo.; grandson Gregory Volker and wife Shelley, Kansas City, Mo.; granddaughter Sandra Schnack and husband Troy of Blue Springs, Mo.; one great-granddaughter; two great-grandsons; nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
John was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, four brothers and one sister.
A memorial fund has been established at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Hot Springs.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Rooks-Isburg Chapel of the Hills.
Loraine Williams Thomsen
PALM DESERT, Calif. — Loraine Williams Thomsen passed away on July 21 at home in Palm Desert, Calif. She was 93. Mrs. Thomsen was born Aug. 13, 1907, in Macon County, Mo., to Louise Ratliff Williams and Sanford H. Williams, and was the first of 10 children. The Williams family moved to Spearfish, S.D., where Mrs. Thomsen attended grade and high schools, and Black Hills Normal School, now Black Hills State University. She was an accomplished soloist and devoted to light opera. She married Immanual H. "Tommy" Thomsen of Minden, Neb., on Nov. 27, 1931, in Kimball, Neb., and subsequently, they lived in Minden, Ogallala and Hastings; Denver; and Mountain Home, Idaho. Mr. Thomsen was a civil engineer. After the death of her husband in 1946, Mrs. Thomsen and her daughter made their home in Lincoln, Neb., for many years, where she was a marketing executive for Delano Granite Works. She had been active in the Republican Women's Club, among others, and was a member of the Congregational Church.
She is survived by her daughter, Karen Thomsen Golay, of Palm Desert, Calif.; grandson, John S.T. Golay, Los Angeles; sisters Cloa Kemble, Rapid City, and Yvonne Hanson, Roseville, Calif.; brothers Hubert Williams, Whitewood, S.D., and Emery Williams, Fremont, Neb.; sister-in-law, Bernice Nelson, St. Petersburg, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. Burial will be at the Minden Cemetery, Minden, Neb. A graveside service will be held September 15 at 11 a.m. The family asks that donations be made to Visiting Nurse Association Hospice, 42-600 Cook Street, Ste. 202, Palm Desert, CA 92211 or the Arthritis Foundation, North First Avenue, Hastings, NE 68901.
Clyda J. Raber Kasinger
MILLS, Wyo. — Clyda J. Raber Kasinger, 54, Mills, died Monday, July 23, 2001, in Casper.
Survivors include her children, Chris Norris and Clint Kasinger, both of Powell; five grandchildren; her mother, Darleen Raber, Belle Fourche, S.D.; three brothers, Ron Raber and Monte Raber, both of Belle Fourche, and Lloyd Raber, Alzada; and four sisters, Wanda Crozier and Cherie Renneisen, both of Cheyenne, Marie Eby, Gillette, and Roxie Fox, Belvidere, S.D.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 28, at Pine Slope Cemetery in Belle Fourche, with the Rev. Paul Howard officiating.
Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche is in charge of arrangements.
Irma Kukuk
PARKER — Irma Kukuk, 68, Parker, died Tuesday, July 24, 2001, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Survivors include eight sons, Henry Tiedeman and Walt Tiedeman, both of Parker, Donald Tiedeman, Ken Tiedeman, Jesse Tiedeman, David Tiedeman and Duane Tiedeman, all of Sioux Falls, and Clayton Tiedeman, Rapid City; two daughters, Diane Tiedeman and Lori Christenson, both of Sioux Falls; 12 grandchildren; two brothers, Bill Wilcox and Albert Wilcox, both of Rapid City; and three sisters, Geneva Gonzalez, Rapid City, Zona Brown, Pine Ridge, and Florence Wilcox, Denver.
Visitation and prayer service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 27, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Rapid City.
Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
George Boom Funeral Home of Sioux Falls is in charge of local arrangements.
