Dell F. Oliver

Funeral services for Dell F. Oliver, age 91, lifelong Shadehill area rancher, will be 11:00am Monday January 31, at Spencer Memorial Presbyterian Church in Lemmon. Florence Hoff, CLP and Pastor David Bauchspiess will officiate with burial in the Gallaway Cemetery at Meadow.

A family service will be at 7:00pm on Sunday evening at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon.

Honorary Casketbearers are Jim Anderson, Wilford Seim, Jonathan Weichmann, Bud Smebakken, Muriel Peck, Jim Lyon, Harold Anderson, and Wayne Smith, Elmer Hauge, Clyde and Fred Ross. Serving as Active Casketbearers are his grandchildren, Cindy Butts, Brad Hatle, Peggy Pagliaro, Arlen Hatle, Monte, Darin, Ryan, and Cody Oliver; David Lyon, Cherrie Dyck, Ron Lyon, Don Lyon, Brett Clark, Scott Clark, Todd Even, Jennifer Bauchspiess, and Chad Even.

Special music will be provided by Carolyn Petik, pianist. Dan Nelson, Earl Stugelmeyer and Pat Clark will sing, "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art." The concregation will sing "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" and "Home On The Range."

DELL FREDRICK OLIVER was born in a log cabin on the family ranch near Meadow, SD on April 28, 1913 to Herbert Thomas and Marie (Ecker) Oliver. He attended Thompson School near his home from grades 1 to 11 and graduated in 1932 from Lemmon High School. Following graduation he assisted his father with his ranching operation. On August 16, 1936, he was united in marriage to Luella Mae Hylland at Bison. They live 10 miles southwest of Meadow on the former Charles Settle place for 10 years. After the death of his father in 1946, they moved to the family ranch northwest of Meadow where Dell has continued to reside.

Dell and Luella raised 5 children, Della, Darwin, Bonita, Darlys, and Lynette. Luella suddenly passed away on October 18, 1975 after 39 years of marriage. On June 4, 1978, Dell married Margaret M. Shama in Deadwood. After 25 years of marriage, Margaret passed away on April 11, 2004.

Dell has been involved in the cattle business since 1936. After raising Hereford's for many years, he purchased his first Charolais bulls in 1958 to start a cross-breeding program. For several years he showed cattle at local fairs taking home numerous trophies.

Dell often recalled early experiences from his childhood. The tornado that hit on June 14, 1924 killed seven hundred of their sheep and nearly destroyed all their ranch buildings. The following year the construction of a new house was started with Dell and his father hauling the lumber, bricks, and other supplies from Lemmon by team and wagon. At the time Dell was 12 years old, he was in charge of the wagon and the teams on the three day trip. Dell has also broke many horses. As a teenager he saddled up a bronc that belonged to one of his father's sheep herders, and while bucking away, the horse squealed loud and then dropped dead. "I was not very welcome at the supper table that evening," he replied.

Dell helped organize the first Ranchers Camp Meeting which is still in existence today and being held at the Darrell Lyon 4-H grounds. He was also active in the Presbyterian Church, his local township and school boards. He was also a past member of the American International Charolais Association, a member of the Grand River Grazing Association, Abundant Wildlife Society of Rural America, and an Honorary member of the South Dakota Sheriff's Association.

Dell periodically resided for a short time in other parts of western South Dakota but always the happiest when he returned to the family ranch. He enjoyed socializing, dancing, and neighborhood song fests. He had a terrific sense of humor and was particularly proud of his grandchildren, whom he was always concerned about. One of the highlights in his life was when he was the 28th Anniversary Boss Cowman Honoree at the Lemmon's annual Boss Cowman Celebration. He was able to be on the ranch where he was cared for his family and Audrey Lorius. Dell passed away on Thurday, January 27, in Hettinger.

Surviving family members include 1 son and daughter-in-law, Darwin and Arlene Oliver, Shadehill, SD; 4 daughters and sons-in-law, Della Hatle, Bison; Bonita and Gene Lyon; Darlys and Ben Clark, Lynette and Ken Even, all of Rapid City; 17 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, 1 sister, Helen Everson, Edgerton, WI, and numerous nieces and nephews, and special cousins Clyde and Fred Ross.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Luella, and his wife, Margaret , 1 great grandson, Levi Butts, 2 sisters, Lois Maier and Pearl Petik.

Visitation will be Sunday 1:00 to 7:00pm at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon and on Monday 10:00am to 11:00am at Spencer Memorial Presbyterian Church in Lemmon.

A memorial has been established.