Pearletta Drolc April 28, 1929 - July 15, 2021

Pearletta Drolc went to be with Jesus on July 15, 2021 at her home with two of her daughters by her side.  Heaven was full of reunions that morning as Pearletta and many were reunited again.

Pearletta Siewert Drolc was born on April 28, 1929 at Firesteel, SD to Jacob and Meniva (Thorstenson) Siewert.  The family moved to Harding County when she was 6 years of age.  She always talked about the sod house they lived in.  She attended Vessey school which was approximately 4 miles from their home.  She rode her horse to school every day and a neighbor girl became her friend and graciously helped her since she was so young to be on her own.

There were 2 sisters that lived in the house beside the school Pearletta attended.  One taught the kids their school work, the other one was a minister and conducted church services on Sunday.  Both their school and their church were in the same building as the family decided to attend church there.  The lady that was the teacher also gave Pearletta piano lessons and was responsible for her unique style of playing.  Pearletta knew how to drive a team of horses at around 8 years of age and hook them up when necessary.  She also drove a John Deere tractor in the fields, many times  she drove all night if needed at her young age.  She always said she was her dad’s hired hand, and she knew how to take care of the necessary business of farming even though she was young.  Pearletta said her dad taught her well.

Pearletta started high school in Bowman, ND and attended there for 2 years.  She lived in a dormitory and cleaned for a family across the street which helped pay her room and board.  Her last two years of high school were spent in Hettinger, ND.  She stayed in different homes until she was a senior and her parents bought a home there.  Her dad helped her get a job at the bank in Hettinger after she graduated from high school in 1947, and she worked there for 2 ½ years until she married Sam Drolc on April 2, 1950.  Sam and Pearletta farmed in the Ralph SD area for 5 years and the had three children: Kathy, Monte, and Randy.  They moved to Belle Fourche in 1955 where Sam started working as a mechanic at Butte County Motors.  They had two more children: Karen and LaRae.  They attended the Foursquare Gospel Church where she was the pianist for 42 years.  She also taught Sunday School for many years.

Pearletta will always be known for her unconditional love of family, taking the time to cook many a meal for unexpected guests, and always having a listening ear.  Her commitment to serve Jesus all the days of her life has left a legacy that her family and others will be eternally grateful for.

Pearletta is survived by her 5 children, Kathy and Pete Gradinaru, Monte and Heide Drolc, Randy and Sherry Drolc, Karen and Keith Massey, and LaRae Huffman.  She is also survived by 12 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandson; brother, Manley Siewert; sister, Minetta (Henry) Zimmermann; and very special friends, Arlene Bowman and Bob Magby.

Pearletta was preceded in death by her husband, Sam; her parents, Jacob and Meniva Siewert; brother, Duane Siewert; and 2 sisters-in-law, Virginia and Arlene Siewert.

The funeral service will be held 10:30 am Saturday, July 24th, 2021 at the Connection Church in Belle Fourche.  Visitation will take place 5 to 7pm Friday at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche.  Interment will take place at Pine Slope Cemetery.

Memorial gifts will be shared between SD Kids Belong and Rainbow Bible Ranch.

Arlene Siewert January 6, 1941 - June 2,2021

Arlene Elsie Siewert was born on January 6, 1941 to Leroy and Elsie (Erdman) McFarland in Hettinger, North Dakota.  She attended Ellingson school and graduated from Hettinger High School with honors in 1958.  She also attended Black Hills Teacher’s College for one year.  Arlene married Manley Siewert on September 12, 1959 and to this union three sons were born; Delroy, Daluss, and Dalynn.  Arlene loved gardening and working with livestock.  She once bottle-fed and raised a buffalo calf that had been rejected by its mother.  An accomplished seamstress, she made clothes for herself and her family.  One of the things she enjoyed most was teaching her 4H club boys’ how to cook.  Over the 10 years she was a leader, she taught 25 boys.  She was the leader of the ladies church group in Scranton, North Dakota and in Hot Springs, South Dakota. 

One year Arlene made suckers for the boys’ junior class to sell at games as a fundraiser.  They were so popular that she continued making them for the next 20 years.  She added Kuchen, Lefse, Pizzelles, and choke cherry jelly to her repertoire and began selling these items at craft sales.  Her Kuchen was in great demand and one season she made 1500 Kuchen!  Her choke cherry jelly went all across the nation and was even shipped to two countries overseas.

After moving to Hot Springs, South Dakota, she and her husband became Mountain Man Nut and Fruit distributers which kept her busy in her retirement years.  Arlene was also an avid journal keeper.  She documented everything from major events to everyday happenings at the end of each day and had quite the collection of notebooks!

Arlene’s greatest loves were her Savior, her family, and her many friends.  Fellowshipping with all of the above brought her much joy. 

Arlene has been a resident at Weston County Manor in Newcastle, Wyoming since January 26, 2021.  She passed away on June 2, 2021.

Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Manley Siewert, her sons and daughters-in-law, Delroy and Cindy, Daluss and Lynette, and Dalynn and Tammy; eleven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents and her brother, Eugene McFarland. 

Richard "Dick" Seaman April 14, 1931 - May 15, 2021

Richard Ross (Dick) Seaman was born on April 14, 1931 and went to be with Jesus on May 15, 2021, after living 90 years, 1 month and 1 day of a very full life.

Dick enjoyed life. If it was work, he tried to make fun out of it – not always successful at that, but he tried.  When he played, he did it fast.  He had a saying, “Mom said I wasn’t born in a hurry, but I’ve been in one ever since.”

Dick married his high school sweetheart, Rosella Pollman, on June 19, 1953 and to that union 5 children were born. Barbara (Glenn) Klinkel, Rapid City, SD; Betty (Gregg) Motley (deceased 1998) Overland Park, KS; Brad (Lynn) Seaman, Lenexa, KS; Benita (Gaylen) Engle, Eudora, KS; Boyd Allen (JoLynn) Seaman, Olathe, KS.  From those unions came 24 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Dick and Rosie did missionary work for several years for the American Sunday School Union. Then as the children grew, they joined the Mennonite Church of Onida and served there.  Dick was born on the family farm he lived on for 47 years.  He was always trying something different than what others were doing.  He didn’t really like to farm (that is drive a tractor) as he would much rather work with livestock.  He was the only Grade A Dairy Farmer in Sully County in the 50’s and 60’s.  After he sold the dairy, he was the first to develop irrigation from wells in Sully County.  He was one of the first to background feeder cattle.  He and his son Brad were perhaps the only people in Sully County to ever have a flock of 1,800 sheep that they would lamb out three times in two years and feed out the lambs at about 150% lamb crop.

Dick and Rosie moved to Nemo in 1978. They ranched, worked in a lumber yard and pastored the Nemo Church for 3 and a half years until the church was able to take on a pastor from Village Missions and later a full-time pastor.  They were active as worship leader and pianist respectively for 34 plus years, enjoying seeing the church grow to take on missionary and community projects to further the Lord’s work elsewhere.

In the Black Hills, he had the enjoyment of running cattle on a forest service permit on 10,000 or more acres of the forest. He was quite proud of the fact that in 22 years and approximately 4,500 yearlings, there were only 21 head he was not able to locate.

Some of the things he liked to do were snowmobiling while guiding others in the forest. He also put a lot of miles on his 4 wheelers checking cattle and then rounding them up in the Fall.

Dick and Rosie loved to have company. Besides having neighbors and church family over for meals, they belonged to a worldwide group, known as Mennonites Your Way.  They had many people from all over the world come to stay the night with them, kind of like a Bed and Breakfast.

Dick worked at Blue’s Building Center in Deadwood as a “gopher” for 15 years while Rosie and Benita operated the Shamrock Café which kept them all busy.

Retirement for both came in 1993 when they sold the café and settled down on the ranch. Then Dick got into developing a gravel business with a neighbor, Jerome Hall, that kept him out of mischief for several years until he sold his interest to the Halls.  His next venture was building speck homes on some of the acreage they had bought some 25 years earlier when they moved to the hills.  Three houses later, that experience was over because a buyer came along wanting the rest of the ranch worse than they did so they sold in 2009 and moved into Rapid City for retirement.

Not having anything to keep him occupied, Dick helped his grandson get into a restaurant (Tally’s Silver Spoon) in downtown Rapid City. We’ve been told on good authority that it is the longest running restaurant in Rapid City, at least since 1944, and still going strong. Even though he was retired, Dick was always busy finding ways to share his love of Christ with others.  He was involved with the Gideons; a weekly men’s Bible study called Eternal Investments; and hosted many Bible studies at his apartment complex.  While he had great wisdom, his desire to learn never diminished. 

After 90 years of being blessed by the Lord Jesus Christ, Dick said goodbye and went to sing in the choir of heaven, as singing was another thing he loved to do.

He was preceded in death by his wife Rosie and daughter Betty.

Charity DeLawyer February 1, 1989 - April 18, 2021

Charity Jean Miles DeLawyer was born February 1, 1989 during a snow storm at Cherry County Hospital in Valentine   , Nebraska to her delighted parents Craig and Joy (McCrory) Miles. She was raised on the Miles family ranch near Brownlee. Here she learned to love the outdoors, ranch life and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  From an early age Charity had a strong faith and a strong will. That strong will would help her stand firm in her faith all her life even when it wasn’t popular. Horseback riding, playing with animals of every kind and swirling in skirts were some of many things she so enjoyed.  She was homeschooled from 3rd grade to 7th grade.  While in the 3rd grade her Bible class teacher encouraged her class to read and note the entire New Testament, which she did.  From then on she had an unshakeable faith and concept of God. Charity attended Thedford schools from grades 8-12.  Playing volleyball, acting in plays, giving speeches, going on mission trips to Mexico and running cross country and track kept her very busy.  While in 8th grade her classmate suggested she run the 1600 (one mile) race, mainly because nobody else wanted to.  She ran it and loved it!  After running several races in 8th grade, a track official told her God had given her the gift of running and that she should use it.  From then on she tried to use this gift to glorify her Lord.  She loved running cross country with the Valentine Badgers her junior and senior years, making wonderful friends.  Her favorite races in track were the 1600 and 3200, winning state championships in both her junior and senior years. 

She graduated valedictorian of her class and decided to go into nursing because, as she said, “I was genetically sucked into it.”  Her aunts, mother and grandmother were all nurses.  She was blessed to go to Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, where she ran cross country and both indoor and outdoor track.  She set several GPAC conference records in track, but as Charity would say, all the awards were but rubble compared to Jesus in her life.  She loved her wonderful teammates and classmates, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2011. Charity was blessed to be inducted into the Northwestern Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.

 As a registered nurse, she came back to the same hospital she was born at to give love and tender care for her patients.  It was there in Valentine that she dated and married the love of her life, Steven DeLawyer.  They were married April 18, 2015 staying in Valentine until the fall of 2016 when they moved to Rapid City.  She loved working at the Black Hills Surgical Hospital while in Rapid and found great Christian community at Parkview Church.  Their two sons were born in Rapid City, Samuel Ross in May 2018 and Jesse Craig in November 2019.

In March of 2020 Charity, Steven and their boys moved back to help her family expand their ranch to include a lease on the Pearson Ranch south of Valentine.  Their boys absolutely love living in the country and Charity even had milking goats.  Charity was so gifted artistically as well as in hospitality, having company for Bible studies or just a meal of her delectable food.  She loved spending time with her family and friends, writing special notes, cooking intricate meals or giving her famous foot massages. She also loved her patients in the Oncology department at Cherry County Hospital. Charity always wanted to help others to know and grow in Jesus, sharing the gospel tenaciously especially with those easily dismissed. Valentine Berean became their new church home.  As her friends said, “In her life she constantly pushed me closer to God, whether in teaching me something; in displaying it in her own life; or in challenging me to dive deeper in my faith”.  “She had that extra specialness about her that would make one feel so welcome and loved, she was full of grace.”

Charity went to the arms of her loving Lord and Savior in the beautiful Sandhills that she loved on April 18th, 2021.

Charity was preceded in death by her grandparents: John McCrory, DVM, Jean Ravenscroft McCrory McGaughey and Royal McGaughey.

Left to grieve her passing are her husband, Steven, of exactly 6 years; their two sons whom she adored and treasured Samuel and Jesse; parents Craig and Joy Miles; best friend and brother Caleb; grandparents Sam and Charlotte Miles;  parents–in-law Mark and Marilyn DeLawyer (Joice, IA);  brother and sister in law Jacob and Kelly DeLawyer (Joice,IA); uncles and aunts Scott/Gwenna Miles (Haslet,TX); Julie/Terry Pitkin (Scottsbluff); John/Rhonda McCrory (Tonapah, AZ); Carol/Steve Moreland (Merriman); many wonderful cousins, family and friends.

Doug Mastel May 29, 1953 - March 20,2021

In honor of the life and memory of Doug Mastel

Doug J. Mastel was born May 29, 1953 in Faith, South Dakota. He was the 3rd of 4 children born to Paul and Varbana Mastel. He married the love of his life, Patti Grass, July 14, 1979. He has two children, son Nathan and daughter Alyssa.

     Patti encouraged Doug to study metallurgical engineering at SD School of Mines and Technology. He graduated 1981 and was always a great ambassador for the SD Mines. After graduation, with the help of his brother-in-law, Dr. Alan Baribeau, MD, he started his company Magnum Diamond, later known as Mastel Precision Surgical Instruments. His creativity and genius were shown through his innovative development of surgical instruments, used in the field of ophthalmology. Doug would never compromise quality, which was appreciated by his colleagues and employees (some of whom were with him more than 25 years). Doug was able to share his love for the company with daughter, Alyssa, when she joined the company for 3 years. It was a special time for both of them.

     Doug and Patti loved camping with Benny, their well-loved dog. Fishing and hunting were huge passions, which he shared with son, Nathan. They enjoyed many fishing trips together and loved pheasant and big game hunting. One of the highlights of Doug’s life was being with Nathan when he shot his first elk. Doug also taught Nathan the value of hard work and loved to tell the story of Nathan’s lawn mowing days. Doug paid Nathan $1.00 to mow the front yard and $1.00 to mow the backyard. As Nathan grew older, he recognized the backyard was at least twice the size of the front yard and demanded $2.00 for the backyard. Doug still got a bargain!

     Doug shared his love of music with Alyssa as she learned to play violin. Being an accomplished pianist, he taught her how to read music. Doug retaught himself trigonometry and calculus to aid her in her studies for admission to SD Mines.

     At the tender age of 10, Doug suffered the loss of his father. This immense pain molded him into a deeply compassionate and generous man. Many can tell stories of that compassion and generosity throughout his life. One such story took place at the airport. Doug noticed a total stranger was trying to board an airplane, but was denied entrance because he had no shoes. Without hesitation, Doug gave him the shoes he was wearing. This “new friend” mailed the shoes back to Doug with a note telling him he would never forget that kindness. Doug had the gift of making every person he talked to feel special. He walked the truths of James 1:22-25. His generosity inspired many to follow his example.

     Doug was granted his wings on March 20, 2021. Because of his great faith, we know he is in a better place.

     Doug is survived by Patti, his wife of 41 years; son, Nathan and daughter, Alyssa (Tony) Krautbauer; sisters, Patricia (Dennis) Lunsford and Paulette (Alan) Baribeau; brother, Dave; and many extended family members.

     Doug was dearly loved and will be missed by so many.

     In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rainbow Bible Ranch in Sturgis, South Dakota, Love Inc., or a non-profit of your choice.  Thank you for the kindness shown to the family at this time of sadness.

Ricardo Ohmit July 16, 1946 - January 15, 2021

Ricardo (Rick) L. Ohmit of Quartzsite, Ariz., passed away Jan. 15, 2021, of natural causes at home in Arizona, where he and his wife, Mary, retired to in October 2020.

Rick was born July 16, 1946, in Urbana, to Norma Jean and Donald Ohmit. His mother passed away of TB when Rick was 9 years old in New Mexico. He was sent to live with his grandparents, Ethel and Laurence Ohmit. They proceeded him in death. He attended school in Champaign.

In 1965, he met and married Mary Pontius. To that union was born one son, Loren R. Ohmit, who proceeded him in death.

Rick is survived by many other loved ones and friends. Rick was a fabulous locksmith, owning Tri Color Lock Key & Alarm and Signs for almost 38 years. Rick was a charter member of the AMBUCS club.

Bruce Knauer October 27, 1937 - January 30, 2021

Bruce Leslie Knauer, 83, passed away on January 30, 2021.

Bruce was born on October 27, 1937 in Jeffersontown, Kentucky to George and Irma (Brian) Knauer.  He was the eldest of four sisters:  Janice, Karen, Lois, and Gail.  He was also their big brother.  Bruce was noted for many different accomplishments.  At a very young age, he expressed his life desires:  being a jockey, cowboy, pilot, fireman, and cop. 

He learned the ethic of a job well done and complete.  He was responsible for milking cows before and after school, making hay, and harvesting crops.  Summer lifeguard for the family park.  Noted swimmer for the school team, later an accomplished water skier.  He experienced a short period of horse racing and at 18 joined the Air Force in 1956 and retiring in 1976.  He flew on 6 different airplanes worldwide, being stationed in Canada, England, Panama Canal, Vietnam, the East Coast, and EAFB, SD.  He ended his AF life on the C141 Jet Cargo plane flying augmented around the world.  Most interesting was flying the presidential support with Secret Service vehicles and officers.   Airlifting for disaster countries had mixed feelings.  One of the most interesting was assisting President Nixon’s trip to China and bringing back the Pandas.   He met his future wife, Mary Vee, while assigned to EAFB, SD.  He not only fell in love with her, but the SD Black Hills.  They were married in 1968.

He retired in 1976 and returned to Rapid City working briefly at Wards, moving on to Pennington County Sheriff, retiring after 28 years.  He became a Reserve Sheriff and acquired many lasting friends.  He also was an active volunteer with the Whispering Fire Assn, building a bigger building with best friend Ray Johnson.

He became friends and worked with the Black Hills Aero Adventure helicopters.  He so enjoyed it mostly for the children.  He had a special relationship with them and the church children.  They tell, even after when grown, of the interest he showed them.

Bruce leaves behind his wife, Mary Vee (Smith) Knauer; four children, Charles Knauer of Rapid City, SD, Theresa (Doug) Heil of Mt. Washington, KY, Bruce Jr (Lory) Knauer of Bloomfield, KY, Melody (Rick) Finn of Louisville, KY; 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Bruce lived his life’s dream of accomplishing his 5 desires.  His living and sharing with so many leave a vacant space in all the lives that knew him. 

Barney Nordstrom April 2, 1920 - January 30, 2021

Barney Nordstrom, 100, died on January 30, 2021 in his own bed at home.  His two daughters and daughter-in-law were with him.  Barney was born on April 2, 1920 to Otto and Emily (Wiswell) Nordstrom.  With his brother Cole, they homesteaded about 10 miles east of Fairburn and later moved to the residence three miles east of Fairburn, where Barney resided until his death.

Barney was a great story teller and always loved a good story and laughed aloud, often at his own expense.  He told us many stories about some of the pranks his and his pals played on each other in High School.

He joined the U.S. Navy during WWII and served in the South Pacific.  He always said that even though the Army drafted him, he decided he liked the Navy uniforms better and joined up one day to the year after Pearl Harbor.  Basic training was in Idaho and that was the year Bing Crosby sang “White Christmas” and he said they were marching around in snow up to their a— and the camp only played “White Christmas.”  He always hated that song.

Barney never talked much about the War, just about guys whom he served with that became his friends.  He had some shark’s teeth and a piece of metal from a Japanese aircraft.  Those were always great treasures to his kids. 

While Barney was on leave in San Francisco, he met Opal Elker and they married after the War.  The couple settled in Seattle, near Barney’s Mom, for a couple of years until he thought he was going to rust, therefore they moved Buffalo Gap, SD (No danger of rusting there).  He worked for Nolan’s Feed and Seed until the family of four moved to the family home east of Fairburn.  Dairy cows came next, Barney and Opal milked by hand until electricity showed up.  Two more kids also showed up.  Their kids had a great childhood on French Creek, with many places to build forts and explore.

Barney read a lot to his kids; the story of the Cyclops in the Odyssey was his favorite.  This was where the love of reading started for all four of his children.  They loved to explore the Black Hills, Angostura, the Badlands, Cheyenne River, and the agate beds.  Opal would pack a picnic lunch and off they went.  Barney loved to hunt, agate hunt, and fish.  He was a good Dad, a good friend and a good neighbor. 

Barney was preceded in death by his wife, Opal and his son, Max.

He is survived by his son, Woody; daughters, Sally and Melissa; daughter-in-law, Barb; 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Audrey Hamm March 24,1935 - November 25, 2020

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Audrey Hamm, 85 joined the Lord peacefully on Wednesday November 25th, 2020.

She was born March 24th, 1935 in Dalzell, SD. She is the daughter of Paul and Mabel (Raetz) Wilburn. Audrey is survived by her husband of 66 years Leo Hamm, three daughters, seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and two on the way. 

She first met Leo at Washington Grade School in 1946 (4th grade) and later they graduated from Rapid City High School in 1953. Audrey attended Denver University in Colorado for a year before marrying Leo in 1954.

Audrey and Leo have been lifelong residents of the Rapid City area, SD. They ranched and raised their three daughters. Pennie (Bill) Slovek of Philip, SD, Shellie Parker (Rex) of Rapid City, and Kellie (Jim) Weisgram of Rapid City. Her grandchildren, Belinda Mitchell, Brock Slovek, Bo Slovek, Lindsey Zaback, Dusty Parker, Kelsey Johnson, and Haylee Shreeve.

Audrey and Leo enjoyed traveling together over the years and shared many adventures. Audrey loved spending time with friends and family. She could be found on nice summer days enjoying the golf course or walking at the park with friends and family. She was also an active member of the First Presbyterian church.  

She adored spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved watching all their sporting activities, making beautiful graduation quilts, taking them to movies and watching them play at the park. She had quite the knack for details, especially making holidays and birthdays special. She loved to host and always made things fun. She always had a perfect meal with a beautiful table set for every special occasion. Our family Christmas traditions included making her delicious Russian Tea Cakes, finding the pickle hidden on the tree, family games, and fun gifts. Our Easter’s included fabulous food and Easter egg hunts with the “prized big Easter bunnies” hidden out on the ranch. We will treasure all our memories of her, and she will be missed.

“Though those with Dementia might forget, we as a family will not.”

Albert "Bud" Anderson December 4, 1926 - August 27, 2020

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Albert Anderson of Lake Preston, South Dakota, born in Volga, South Dakota, who passed away on August 27, 2020, at the age of 93, leaving to mourn family and friends.

He was predeceased by : his parents, Albert Anderson and Winnie Anderson (Reeves); his wife Doris Eidsness; his sister Esther; and his nephew Dennis.

He is survived by : his children, Rodney (Bonnie), Bruce (Jan), Kay Hoffman (Ed), Lori Reed (Randy) and David (Dawnette); his grandchildren, Rory Hoffman, Chase Hoffman, Brett Anderson, Ben Reed, Tobi Reed, Daniel Anderson and Christian Anderson; and his great grandchildren, Landon, Kellen and Brooklyn.