Obituaries

Frederick Adams, Sr.

Published by admin on Thu, 01/26/2023 - 12:58pm

Frederick “Fritz” Joseph Adams was born Nov. 5, 1931, in Omaha, Neb., the son of Emerson and Arlene Adams. He was a proud graduate of Central High School. He later attended Grinnell College, the University of Omaha and the University of Nebraska.

Ilona McDill

Published by admin on Thu, 01/26/2023 - 12:58pm

Born at home Oct. 15, 1938, in Duluth, Minnesota, Ilona Gene McDill was the first of seven siblings. There, she developed a deep love of nature and all living creatures a part of it. Her passion for horses also flourished early and became an integral part of her entire life.
After high school, Ilona found her way to Kansas City Art Institute in pursuit of another love, art. Soon after she met Francis (Jerry) Cameron, married, and raised five children. Ranch life was in her blood and Custer, S.D., became the place she chose to realize so many of her dreams.

Ardis Treloar

Published by admin on Thu, 01/26/2023 - 12:57pm

Ardis L. Treloar was born June 24, 1941, to Franklin and Dorothy (Huntoon) Olsen. She attended elementary school in a one room school house and then attended Potterville School Systems, graduating high school in 1959.
She worked for several banks in the Lansing, Mich., area and in California after moving there in 1960. She met her future husband, Ronald Treloar, at Camp Pendleton.  Ronald and Ardis were married in 1962 and they had two children, Scott in 1963 and Amber in 1966.

Ruth Swedlund

Published by admin on Thu, 01/26/2023 - 12:56pm

Ruth and her twin brother Raymond were born in Brown County, S.D.,  Dec. 4, 1923, to parents Albert and Mabel Ofstedal.
The Ofstedal children, Marion, Sylvia, Raymond and Ruth, attended the local country school as young children and then attended high school in Ellendale, N.D.
The Ofstedals and many of their relatives and friends were long time members of Aurdal Lutheran church.
After graduation from high school she worked for a short time and then received notice she had received a scholarship to South Dakota State University.

Michael Murray

Published by admin on Thu, 01/26/2023 - 12:55pm

Michael Travis Murray was born Nov. 26, 1995, in Rapid City, S.D., to Peter and Dawn (Kainz) Murray.    
He grew up in Custer, S.D., loving animals, sports and the outdoors.  He attended Custer High School where he played football and wrestled.  He enjoyed cooking and writing.
After graduating Michael left to fulfill his dream of being a Marine. He proudly served in the U.S. Marines with 2/6 Golf Co. until his honorable discharge with the rank of corporal in 2018.
Michael, of Longmont, Colo, passed away Jan. 15, 2023. He was 27.

Ramona Roadifer

Published by admin on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 10:08am

Ramona Louise Roadifer was born  Dec. 8, 1928, in Wahpeton, N.D., to Henry and Myrtle Haugen.
She was the youngest of five children and the only girl. The family moved to Custer, S.D., when she was 10.

Penny Knuckles

Published by admin on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 10:03am

Penny Lynn (Ward) Knuckles was born in Ohio in January 1951 and was raised in New Jersey.  
While studying biology at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania she chose Jewel Cave National Monument in South Dakota as a place to work as a park ranger in 1972. There, she met Dennis Knuckles, also a ranger, and a 50-year partnership began. Penny finished her degree and she and Dennis were married in the pines near Jewel Cave in December 1973.  

Gerald Woodford

Published by admin on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 10:03am

Gerald “Gary” William Woodford was born Nov. 26, 1945, to Ted and Bonnie (Ayers) Woodford in Hot Springs, S.D. He spent most of his childhood in the Custer, S.D., area, graduating from Custer High School in 1964. He left briefly to attend Black Hills State College and obtained a degree in business administration.  

Joyce Baker

Published by admin on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 9:58am

Joyce Belle Severson Barker (Stish) was born May 8, 1922, and at the age of 100 she went to join her beloved husband, Dallas A. Barker, on his birthday Jan 11, 2023.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer, S.D.

Louella Peterson

Published by admin on Thu, 01/12/2023 - 9:47am

Louella Edna Peterson was born in Ridge, Mont., and moved to Newcastle, Wyo., where she graduated high school in 1963.
After high school she attend business college in Rapid City, S.D.
While she was at a dance in the Spencer Hall she met Ervin Peterson. Ervin fell for her because she was as country as him. On Oct. 18, 1967, Lou and Ervin married in Newcastle. The couple had three children— Gary, Brett and Chad.