Howard Millett, 91, passed away January 11, 2008 in Lexington, Kentucky. Howard was born at Sorum, South Dakota in 1916. His parents were Fred and Mabel Millett. His father, Fred, homesteaded in Harding County in 1908. Howard attended grade school at Slim Buttes School District # 4. He later attended High School in Sorum which he graduated from in 1934 and then entered Morningside College. Shortly thereafter, he began ranching with his father at Reva.

Howard married Rose Kari in 1937, who he met at Sorum High School, and they moved to their ranch home two miles west of Sorum, South Dakota. They celebrated 62 years of marriage before she passed away in 1999. In 2004, he moved to an assisted living facility in Lexington, Kentucky to be close to his daughter Maxine and family. At his new home, he acquired the title of "pianist in residence" as he entertained the residents and his family with his musical hobby.

Howard was always concerned about improving his community. His special interest in improving the community's road and telephone system led Howard to run for and be elected to the Harding County Commission in 1952. He served on the Commission for 28 years. He worked with community leaders to merge the old Sorum telephone company into a larger telephone system to serve Perkins and Harding County. Their efforts later led to the formation of West River Cooperative Telephone Co. which currently serves that area. Howard later served as Vice President and President of the West River Cooperative Telephone Co. and served as a member of the board of directors for 22 years.

Howard also served as President of the Black Hills Commissioners Association and as President of the South Dakota Commissioners Association in 1963. Howard was also actively involved in the formation of the Sorum Fire Department in 1948 (now the Sorum/Reva Fire Department). He served on the Sorum Fire Department board of directors for 48 years, "retiring" in 1996.

While actively involved in community activities, Howard "took time off" to raise Hereford and later Angus cattle and Columbia sheep on his Harding County ranch. He enjoyed playing the piano and was a late convert to golf which he took up after retirement while spending winters in south Texas. He spent the rest of the year on his ranch managed and operated by Larry Weishaar until moving to Kentucky.

Howard and Rose had two daughters Betty Ann and Maxine. Betty Ann now lives in Dallas Texas and Maxine and husband, Merl, live in Lexington, Kentucky. Howard has four grandchildren Jeff Hackbart (Claudia), Jody Wedge (Paul), Scott Preszler (Joanna), and Julie Peinado (George) and nine great grandchildren.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife Rose, and a son-in-law, Doug Preszler, husband of Betty Ann. In addition to his immediate family, Howard is survived by his nephews Mark Millett (Janie) of Reva, South Dakota and Dean Millett (Sharon) of Pomeroy, Washington.

The funeral service will be held 11am Thursday at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche, with Rev. Gail Arnold officiating. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held in Pine Slope Cemetery, in Belle Fourche.

Memorials are suggested for the Reva/Sorum Fire Department or Hospice of the Bluegrass in Lexington, Kentucky.