Custer County Chronicle

Twylah Hertz

Published by admin on Wed, 11/15/2023 - 9:48am
Twylah Ruth (Fair) Hertz was born to Frank Fair, Sr., and Helena (Mettler) Fair in her parents’ home in Weber, Kansas  Oct. 3, 1930.  She joined an older brother, Frank, and older sister, IdaMae.  She was followed by brother, Walter.  Growing up she lived in Kansas and then in Menno, S.D. 
On Sept. 14, 1954, she married Leo Hertz and after he completed law school in Vermillion, S.D., they moved their two young sons to Armour, S.D., to start his law practice. In Armour their daughter was born and completed their family. 

Winifred Bland

Published by admin on Wed, 11/01/2023 - 9:56am

Winifred “Sammie” Marie (Cochran) Bland was given the name to honor her mom. But to all that knew her, her name was Sammie, which was her nickname given to her by her father.
Sammie was born Feb. 3, 1964, in Monmouth, Ill., to Paul and Winifred Cochran (Aho). She joined siblings Paula, Jesse and Michael; she would later be joined by younger brother, Jamie.  Sammie’s family moved her last year of school, but she remained to finish, living with her best friend Carmel McGrath, whose family became like another family to her.

Dannie Larsen

Published by admin on Wed, 11/01/2023 - 9:55am

Dannie Darrel Larsen was born in Gordon, Neb., Jan. 13, 1942, to Lena and Melvin Larsen, Dannie grew up playing and working in the Sand Hills with his oldest brothers—Gene, Dean, and Dwayne.
Dan, known for his hard work and perfectionism, moved to Rapid City, S.D., in 1960. It was there that he met the love of his life Francie.
Dan and Francie were married Aug. 6, 1961, and were blessed with children Carl and Cathy. Carl and Cathy were Dan’s pride and joy. He loved them unconditionally and made many sacrifices so that each of them could have a better life than him.

Robert Hadley

Published by admin on Wed, 11/01/2023 - 9:54am

Robert Harold Hadley, Jr., was born June 24, 1930, to Robert Harold and Matilda (Klietsch) Hadley in Berkeley, Calif. He grew up and graduated from high school in San Diego, Calif.  He graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1951 where he was a three-year starter for the basketball team.
On Aug. 28, 1949, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Aseltine. They enjoyed 60 wonderful years of marriage. They were blessed with seven children, 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.  

Elizabeth Lyons

Published by admin on Wed, 11/01/2023 - 9:11am
Elizabeth “Betsy” Lyons was born Nov. 9, 1946, in New York City to Dr. Walter C. and Jane Hoyt Lamb. She was married to David M. Lyons for 54 years and moved to South Dakota in 1970 when Dave was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base.  They opened Leather Unlimited in 1972, tooling their own leather until moving the store to the mall in 1978.
Her love of cooking was the platform to open Someone’s in the Kitchen in 1988, which they ran until retiring in 2012.

Jean Kiesel

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

Jean Kiesel was born in Hillsview, S.D., to Jacob and Mathilda Malsam Sept. 26, 1942. She was the oldest sibling to three brothers and three sisters.
Her family moved to Pierre, S.D., when she was 16 years old.
Jean met and married her first husband, Norman, in Pierre in 1962 at the age of 20.  While raising their four children, they relocated to different parts of the mid-west for Norman’s job as an electrical foreman.   

Joan Roberts

Published by admin on Wed, 10/18/2023 - 10:02am

Joan Marie (Schultz) Roberts burst into the world Oct. 29, 1937, one of five siblings and the eldest daughter of Russell and Nellie Schultz.
Born between two boys, brother Max and brother Sam, she was more tomboy than princess, scorning dolls and playing house for outdoor play and athletic endeavors. Baseball became her passion leading her to become an outstanding member of the local women’s softball team and an avid, lifelong Cubs fan. She was also quite accomplished on the coronet and often shared her gift at school, church and community events.

Kenneth Zumbaum

Published by admin on Wed, 10/18/2023 - 10:02am

Kenneth  K. Zumbaum was born March 25, 1939, in New Underwood, S.D., to William and Lyndall (Asbrock) Zumbaum.   
He graduated from Galatia High School in Illinois in 1956 and proudly enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1956 and served until his honorable discharge in 1962.
Kenneth was a Mason, member of American Morgan Horses and a lifetime member of the VFW. His career started with the Burlington Northern Railroad until he settled in Custer, S.D., where he delivered propane and later worked at Custer State Game Lodge.

Clarice Larson

Published by admin on Wed, 10/18/2023 - 10:01am

Clarice “Cary” Ann Larson was born Nov. 4, 1944 in Minnesota to Carl and Edna (Bendt) Larson.
Cary lived a good life at Wedgewood (assisted living) in Custer, S.D., from 1999 to 2023 until she moved to a nursing home in Rapid City, S.D., where she passed away.
She loved to crochet, put together puzzles, hang out with her friends and she always beat everyone at cribbage and then would laugh about it.

Louis Henderson

Published by admin on Wed, 10/18/2023 - 10:01am

Louis Dale Henderson was born Aug. 16, 1946, in Colorado Springs, Colo., to Elvin and Elsie Henderson.
Louis was a Dairyman in Ellicott, Colo., for over 30 years. He was well known for his ability to select quality cattle.
Henderson won many awards for “top producing herd” and “top butter fat” of Colorado. After retiring from the dairy business, Louis found himself in South Dakota, where he lived the remaining years of his life.