Custer County Chronicle

Lawrence Ventling II

Published by admin on Wed, 01/22/2025 - 9:58am

Lawrence Mathis Ventling II was born to Lawrence and Anna Larson Ventling in Hot Springs, S.D.,  April 7, 1941. He weighed just over two pounds at birth and was brought home to Pringle, S.D., in a shoebox. His parents incubated him in the bread warmer above the wood stove to keep him warm.

Nancy Barker

Published by admin on Wed, 01/15/2025 - 3:11pm

Nature lover, Artist, Cowgirl, Activist and self-described “Hiker-chick,” Nancy Barker, went on the ultimate solo adventure after a short illness Jan. 5, 2025, leaving this earthly realm and crossing into the great unknown.

Rhea Plaisted

Published by admin on Wed, 01/15/2025 - 3:09pm

Rhea Nartez (Hendrickson) Plaisted was born Jan. 8, 1977, in Rapid City, S.D.
Rhea grew up in Custer, S.D., and graduated high school from Custer in 1995. She pursued a secondary education graduating from National American University as a paralegal. She settled in Arizona as she was fond of the warmer weather. She was a very organized and extremely motivated woman and took her career extremely serious.
She had a passion for motorcycles, tattoos and concerts.
Rhea passed away Dec. 30, 2024, unexpectedly at her home in Mesa, Ariz. She was 47.

Gloria Shippy

Published by admin on Wed, 01/15/2025 - 2:45pm

Gloria Jean Walker Shippy was born in Tyndal, S.D., July 22, 1949. Shortly after, her family moved to Custer, S.D., until her parents divorced.
Gloria and her mother, Velma, then moved to Rapid City, S.D. Gloria’s mother remarried and they lived in Germany for two years, after which they returned to Rapid City where Gloria graduated from Rapid City High School in 1967.
After Gloria completed cosmetology school she worked at her mother’s Powder Puff Beauty Salon in Rapid City until the murder of her mother by her stepfather, Ron Kolb. Gloria was only 18 years old.

Lois Pepper

Published by admin on Wed, 01/08/2025 - 9:13am

Lois Jean (Williams) Pepper was born at her grandparents’ home south of Bonesteel, S.D., to Roy and Alpha (Lunn) Williams Nov.27, 1935.
Lois grew up in Bonesteel, attending country school and Bonesteel High School before graduating as valedictorian of her class in 1953. She worked as a teller in the Bonesteel bank both before and after graduation.

Gene Loghry

Published by admin on Wed, 01/08/2025 - 9:11am

Gene “Genie” Rae Loghry was born June 6, 1950.
Genie grew up in the Midwest and spent her retirement years near her daughter in Coolidge, Ariz.
She loved life and lived in the moment. Genie delighted in silly jokes and had sparkling eyes and an infectious laugh. When she travelled, she liked to “sneaky snake,” to drive unknown roads and byways. Every trip was an adventure, whether going across the country or to the grocery store.

Nancy Barker

Published by admin on Wed, 01/08/2025 - 9:10am

Nancy Anne Barker, 72, of Custer, S.D., passed away Jan. 5, 2025, after a very brief illness.
Full obituary is pending.
A ceremony of her life will be held in the Spring.   
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer.

David Hessman

Published by admin on Wed, 01/08/2025 - 9:07am

David Hessman was born Jan. 10, 1952, in Rapid City, S.D., to Leo and Shirley (Johnson) Hessman.
David, 72, of the Black Hills, passed away Nov. 4, 2024.  
He is survived by his step children, Kasey Mills and Kesha Mills; sister, Julie Brown of Rapid City; and nieces.
A celebration of David’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Jan. 10 at Living Outreach Church, 25189 Hwy 385 in Custer, S.D.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer, S.D.

Gloria Shippy

Published by admin on Wed, 01/08/2025 - 9:06am

Gloria J. Walker Shippy, 75, passed away Jan. 4, 2025.  Full obituary is pending.
Christian Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10 at St. Rose of Lima in Hill City, S.D. with Christian Funeral Committal at 1 p.m., at Custer (S.D.) Cemetery
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer,.

Jim Daggett

Published by admin on Tue, 12/31/2024 - 10:07am

Jimmy “Jim” Lee Daggett was born Aug. 12, 1952 to Lewis and Shirley (Johnson) Daggett in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Jim grew up in the Lennox (S.D.) area, graduating from Lennox High School in 1970. After that he attended the police academy in Phoenix, Ariz.
Jim began his career in law enforcement in 1972.  While working for Minnehaha County in South Dakota he met Debbie Mikkelsen, who was working for the courthouse.  The two were married Sept. 27, 1980. They had two children, Melissa and Shawn.