Obituaries

Benjamin Raver

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 11:07am

Benjamin James Raver was born Oct. 22, 1954, in Hot Springs, S.D., to Lloyd and Gladys (Brown) Raver.  He was raised on the family ranch that his grandparents, Benjamin and Daisy Di Raver, homesteaded on Ruby Creek west of Custer, S.D.
Ben attended school in Custer where he was an avid wrestler.  He graduated in 1972 and went on to college at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D. There he received a scholarship in drama to attend an acting school in Mankato, Minn.

Patricia Fritz

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 11:06am

Patricia Alvina Fritz was born March 18, 1934, to Herman and Marcella (Schriver) Blaeser. She met the love of her life, Donald Fritz, in 1951 and they married in 1952.  
They farmed together for 50 years in the Gary, S.D., area and retired to Custer, S.D., in 2002, loving their brand new home. Patricia was known as Patricia, Ma, Pat and Mom. She will be remembered for her pretty smile and always being welcoming, caring, fun and loving.
Patricia, formerly of Custer, passed away March 10, 2023, at Pine Hills Retirement Community in Hot Springs, S.D.

Kenneth Schmitz

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 11:05am

Kenneth “Ken” Nick Schmitz was born September 10, 1948, in Kenmare, N.D., to Leo and Evelyn (Ackerman) Schmitz.  
Ken was first and foremost a family man. He deeply loved his family, especially his children and grandchildren.
Ken always stayed connected and in the know regarding events, milestones and achievements. He would proudly share the successes of his family to anyone who would listen. He thoroughly enjoyed his walks in nature around his beloved home of Custer, S.D.

Lewis Proctor, Jr.

Published by admin on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 10:02am

Lewis J. Proctor Jr. was born July 18, 1945, in Bedington, W.V. to Lewis Sr. and Frances (Harpine) Proctor. He graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1965. After graduation, Lewis joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, S.D., with a deployment to Okinawa.
Lewis met his wife, Shirley Ennis, while stationed in Rapid City in January, 1967, and the couple was married in Custer, S.D., on Thanksgiving Day 1967. Two sons were born to Lewis and Shirley while living in South Dakota: William in 1969 and Bradley in 1971.

Michelle Gudeta

Published by admin on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 10:01am

Michelle Kristine Gudeta was born to Rick and Adriana in 1993 in California. Her family moved to Custer, S.D., when she was in second grade. After graduation, she attended college in Chadron, Neb., and lived there until now.
Michelle was known by her loyal, kind heart; her smile and sense of humor touched everyone she met. She made friends easily yet had a small circle of close friends; she was always ready to help anyone who would need it. She had a highly independent, courageous and compassionate nature and an insatiable thirst for learning and experiencing new things.

Benjamin Raver

Published by admin on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 10:00am

Benjamin James Raver was born Oct. 22, 1954, in Hot Springs, S.D., to Lloyd and Gladys (Brown) Raver.  He was raised on the family ranch that his grandparents, Benjamin and Daisy Di Raver, homesteaded on Ruby Creek west of Custer, S.D.
Ben attended school in Custer where he was an avid wrestler.  He graduated in 1972 and went on to college at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D. There he received a scholarship in drama to attend an acting school in Mankato, Minn.

Gary Frohme

Published by admin on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 10:00am
Gary Frohme was one of three children, son of Chas and Isabelle Frohme born in St. Croix, Wis.
After retiring from the Air Force he resided in Rochford, S.D. There he served as the fire chief for the Rochford Volunteer Fire Department. Additionally, he worked with the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department on both the snowmobile trail program and the Mickelson Trail.
Gary, beloved father and 20-year US Air Force veteran, passed away Feb. 28, 2023. He was 85.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon.

John Hazeltine

Published by admin on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 9:59am

John Carton Hazeltine was born Aug. 14, 1931, in the Black Hills near Custer, S.D., to Byron and Beatrice Wealthy (Carton) Hazeltine, the fifth of six children. John graduated from Custer High School in 1949 and attended South Dakota State University for a semester.
He was a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving most of his career in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). John retired in 1982 as the first Master Blaster, recognizing him as the Navy’s senior EOD Master Chief.

Kelly Miller

Published by admin on Thu, 03/09/2023 - 10:18am

A celebration of life for Kelly Miller will be held in Custer, S.D., at a date and location to be announced later this spring.
Miller, 65, passed away Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Arizona.
Miller was well-known in the Custer business community, and retired as market manager from Highmark Credit Union in December 2020. He continued to be active in the business community and Custer Area Chamber of Commerce.

Virginia Shattuck

Published by admin on Thu, 03/02/2023 - 11:31am

Virginia L. Shattuck was born December 28, 1948, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Fred and Lelia (Fetterman) Carlson.
Virginia L. Shattuck, of Custer, S.D., passed away Feb. 17, 2023, at her home in Custer. She was 74.
Virginia is survived by her brothers, Fred Carlson of Custer; Rick Carlson of Kentucky and Dan Carlson of Florida.
Private family services will be held in Centerville, S.D.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer.