Special Remarks from Ercell and Family:

I personally feel so lost and sad that she has gone on ahead. I know that she is in a better place but it is still so darn hard being without her. Knowing I will meet up with her again in heaven is my only saving grace!  Not ever hearing her sing will leave an emptiness in me that I will feel forever.  Her singing always made me tear up. I just couldn't believe that I could be married to someone that could sing like that.  I just never got used to it.  I hope I can stop crying long enough to thank you all for being there for her and me. I know she loved you all! - Ercell

Colonel Mark “Tyson” Andrew Sletten was called home into the arms of his precious savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. He was flying a Piper PA-18 Super Cub floatplane around Crescent Lake on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska when the plane unexpectedly crashed.

Keith was born to Robert and Marjean (Diede) Fawcett as the third child of three, the only son and the 4th generation to thrive on the ranch, which would become known as Fawcett’s Elm Creek Ranch.

Joan Nathalee Morrill Aarsby, “Nat” was born on June 6, 1936, (She always liked to say 6/6/36) in Santa Paula, California.  The oldest of 2 redheaded daughters of J. Nathan and Katharine C. (Casey) Morrill. She and her sister Marilyn spend all their growing up years in the family homes in Santa Paula, during the WWII years. She told many stories of life during those war years.

 Paul Ray Marrs was born on November 24, 1955, in Deadwood, South Dakota to Ray and Alice Marrs.  Paul was the oldest of four siblings, Annette, Dan, and Kari, and grew up on the family ranch on Whitewood Creek, South Dakota where he lived for his entire life.

 Walter Allen Simons was born September 29, 1930, to Sam and Ada (Burditt) Simons in Sturgis, SD.  Walt spent his childhood years on their homestead in Marcus.  He then attended Sturgis Brown High School.  After graduation, he earned his teachers certificate at Black Hills State Teachers College. Walt taught school for a short time, before joining the US Air Force during the Korean War. After he was honorably discharged from the Air Force, he married Barbara Newbill on August 27th, 1955, in Alburquerque, New Mexico.

Dean was born to Delbert and Lydia (Kerher) Rueb in Mobridge, SD on September 3, 1955. He was raised and thrived on the family farm in Herreid, SD. He attended Herreid high school graduating in 1973. After graduation, Dean attended Trinity Bible College for 1 year. He married the love of his life, Norma, after an extremely patient courtship of 5 years

Bob was a devoted follower of Christ and served in leadership positions at the churches he attended throughout his life. As a young man, he proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. Upon moving to Massachusetts, he enjoyed a long career at General Electric in Lynn, MA as a Senior Engineer.  In retirement, he and his beloved wife Barbara loved to travel across the country in their trailer, even as far as Alaska.