Custer County Chronicle

David Fish

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 2:40pm

David “Hooter” Charles Fish, age 84, passed away peacefully Oct. 3, 2025, at Monument Health Hospital in Custer, South Dakota.
Hooter was born May 10, 1941, in Arlington, S.D., to Marion and Genevieve Fish. He proudly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1960 and was honorably discharged in 1961.
Upon returning to Sioux Falls, S.D., Hooter married the love of his life, Mary “Jean” Jeanice Barnhouse, in 1961. Together they shared 64 wonderful years of marriage.

Rowena Richardson

Published by admin on Wed, 09/24/2025 - 12:58pm

Rowena Sue Richardson passed peacefully the morning of Sept. 7 at her home in Custer, S.D., with family by her side. 
Born  Aug. 29, 1941, she grew up in Oceanside, Calif., among strong family ties and friendships. As a child she was known for her curiosity, social nature and love for music and animals as demonstrated by the various stray animals she often brought home from the park. She graduated from Oceanside High School in 1959 after creating many lifelong friendships and cementing her love for education.

Gary Herman

Published by admin on Wed, 09/17/2025 - 9:33am

Gary Lee “Doc” Herman passed away the evening of Sept. 9, 2025, while out feeding his deer.
He was born July 24, 1941, in Caldwell, Idaho to Raleigh and Elsie (Shambaugh) Herman. Gary and his mother moved to Rapid City, S.D., in 1953. He graduated from high school in 1960.
He worked at Sooper Dooper and Myron’s Cashway making cabinets before joining the Navy Seabees in 1962.  In 1966, Gary started with the Rapid City Fire Department and retired Sept. 9, 1991, after 25-1/2 years of service.

Shelly Stanton

Published by admin on Wed, 09/17/2025 - 9:32am

Shelly Lynn Stanton, 69, of Custer, S.D., passed away peacefully Aug. 30, 2025.
She is survived by her mother, Iris; and her two sons, Thaddeus and Kaleb;  two brothers, Jimmy Dean and Zachary; two sisters, Nicolle and Marnie; two daughter-in-laws, Gloria and Maggie; her four grandchildren, Isaiah, Malachi, Lucas and Thatcher; four great-grandchildren, Shaylah, Jedidiah, Hazil and Josiah; along with lots of nieces and nephews. 

Wildcats make personal records at Augie Twilight

Published by admin on Wed, 09/10/2025 - 4:37pm

Around 2,500 high school and college athletes turned out for the Augie Twilight Cross Country Meet Sept. 5 at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls. 
The crowd proved to be a learning experience for the Custer High School cross country athletes as they were challenged to run in a crowd and break through walls to get better positions. 
The course itself is flat and fast, which allowed the athletes to see how fast they could run and boosted their confidence. 

Arthur LeFebvre

Published by admin on Wed, 09/10/2025 - 4:34pm

Arthur Reed LeFebvre was born Nov. 12, 1938, in Doylestown, Pa., to Arthur F. R. LeFebvre and Reba Pyatt LeFebvre. He was raised in Trenton, N.J., and graduated from Ewing High School. 
Reed served active duty twice in the Army National Guard. Reed worked for Western Union in New Jersey and Washington, D.C., where he met the love of his life, Diane Koistinen. They transferred to Florida, where they happily raised their family of four. 

Nicholas Constant

Published by admin on Wed, 09/03/2025 - 11:53am

Nicholas E. Constant, 67, of Custer, S.D., passed away Aug. 26, 2025, at Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, S.D. 
Nick was born May 28, 1958, in Woodland, Calif., to Edwin and Joyce (Bishop) Constant.

Mark Helgerson

Published by admin on Wed, 09/03/2025 - 11:53am

Mark “Doc” Helgerson was born July 11, 1951, in Yankton, S.D. He lived a life full of hard work, humor and heart. He was happiest when helping others, spending time in the woods “killing trees” or surrounded by the dogs and pets he loved. Doc was deeply loyal to his friends and family, and he carried a gift for making people feel welcome and cared for.
Doc, of Custer, S.D., passed away at his home Aug. 14, 2025. He was 74.

Diana Caspersen

Published by admin on Wed, 08/20/2025 - 12:28pm

If you ever called Diana Caspersen, you knew you’d be greeted by her trademark “eh, hello.” If you happened to be a telemarketer, though, you might also have been informed—quite seriously—that she was going to sue you. That mix of humor, candor and fierceness was part of what made her unforgettable.
Born Oct. 16, 1946, in Ellensburg, Wash., to Charles P. and Lucille L. Weiker, Diana lived a life anchored by love, faith and family. With her husband, Larry, she helped establish the Lutheran church in Altus, becoming a founding member and steadfast supporter of that congregation.

Gerald Scott

Published by admin on Wed, 08/13/2025 - 1:20pm

Gerald Dean Scott was born Aug. 18, 1933, in Edgemont, S.D., to Ralph and Madge (Robison) Scott. He grew up in the Minnekahta Valley on the family’s ranch just north of the Fall River/Custer County line. 
He graduated from Edgemont High School in 1953. That November he was inducted in the United States Army, taking his basic training at Ft. Riley, Kan. He was transferred to Ft. Baker, Calif., where he served with the 561st Engineer Port Construction Company. He was honorably discharged Feb. 21, 1956.