Darlene Francis (Collins) McKee was born Oct. 14, 1926, to Martin and Leonida Collins in Chamberlain, S.D. Her family soon moved west and she was raised on a buffalo ranch south of Deadwood, S.D., along with six younger siblings Nadine Kliment, James (Barbara) Collins, Mary Collins, Patrick (Rita) Collins, Geri (Dennis) Cummings and Chris (Bill) Miller.
Thomas B. Piersol was born to Harold G. and Charlotte Thomas Piersol in Royal, Neb., July 23, 1933.
Tom served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1953 to 1955 as a helicopter engine mechanic in Korea, Indochina and California. He married Judy Gregerson in Pierre, S.D., in 1958, and two sons, David and Dale, were born in 1959 and 1960.
Tom worked on the Oahe Dam in Pierre and installed tile and carpet as well as other work. He worked for Klein’s Office Equipment in Pierre for 20 years. Tom and Judy divorced in 1986.
Sheral Ann Ducheneaux was born May 22, 1943, at Old Agency, S.D., to Fredrick and Josephine (Annie) LeBeau Ducheneaux. Sheral was the oldest daughter of four brothers and five sisters.
Sheral held various jobs during her life as a dental assistant after high school with Indian Health Service. She went to Dallas, Texas, with her first husband, Charles Peterson, Sr. in 1961. She then worked as a nurse’s aide at Parkland Hospital and Texas Instruments.
Yvette Renee Beyer was born Feb. 16, 1968, in Rapid City, S.D., to Ronald Kirschenmann and Susan (Dugan) Knudtson.
Yvette was an extremely dedicated, wonderful mother to Rachel and grandmother to her three beautiful grandchildren. She was a loving sister and an incredible daughter.
Yvette passed away Dec. 19, 2021, at her residence in Rapid City, S.D. She was 53.
Wilma “Scotty” J. Burr was born Feb. 3, 1928, in Miller, S.D.
Scotty graduated from Custer (S.D.) High School in 1945. She married Lloyd Klaudt in 1956. They had two children, Sarah and Raymond. Scotty married James S. Burr Sept. 11, 1992, in Rapid City, S.D.
Scotty has lived in Rapid City on and off since 1954. She made her final move to Rapid in 1979. She worked many jobs, one of which was an office assistant for Rapid City Medical Center.
An enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, James William “Jim” Emery was born at Cheyenne Agency, S.D., Jan. 24, 1934, to James E. Emery and Edith V. (Claymore) Emery. He attended school in Pluma, Nisland and Deadwood, S.D., graduating from Deadwood High School in 1952.
Patricia “Patty” Marie Snyder was born in Rapid City, S.D., Nov. 28, 1961, to Harold Allen Snyder and Myrna Andrenne Olson. Patty and her older sister, Terry, grew up on a farm in Minnesota.
Patty was a strong-willed child with a mind of her own. Patty’s first grade teacher nicknamed her “Sarah Bernhardt” after the famous 19th century French actress because she was so dramatic.
Lewis John “Lew” Spencer was born in White Lake, S.D., June 2, 1941 to John and Evelyn Spencer. Lew’s siblings were Dennis (deceased) Sharon Jost (deceased) and he is survived by Gary of Fort Pierre S.D. They were a farming/ranching family in eastern South Dakota.
Lew served in the National Guard for four years and married Jerlyn Clemetson. They made a home in Wessington Springs, S.D., and were blessed with five children. The family moved to Hill City, S.D., where Lew owned and operated a logging business and helped start The American Lutheran Church in Hill City.
