Rodger Setser

Rodger “Podge” Setser, 74, of Sturgis, formerly of Eagle Butte, passed away Saturday, September 9, 2017 at Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at All Saints Catholic Church, Eagle Butte with Fr. Dan Juelfs presiding. Visitation was held two-hours prior to the service. Burial will take place at Westminister Memorial Park, Westminister, CA.

Rodger Herbert “Podge” Setser was born January 21, 1943 in Carmi, IL to Robert Leslie and Amy Grace (Simms) Setser. He grew up in the Carmi area where he obtained his schooling, graduating from Carmi Township High School in 1962. He went on to attend Santa Ana Junior College for one year, prior to receiving a football scholarship to play ball at Western Montana College in Dillon, MT. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education.

Following graduation, Rodger taught school at Cutback and Stanford, MT. He taught there until 1973 when his father was diagnosed with lung cancer. Rodger returned home to care for him until his passing in March of 1974. In the fall of 1974, Rodger moved to Eagle Butte, SD. He spent the next 28 years teaching English, American History and Drivers Education in the Cheyenne Eagle Butte School System. Over these years, he coached the CEB Braves in football, boys’ basketball and track. Football was his longest coaching career, coaching from 1974 until the late 90’s.

In 2002, Rodger retired and moved to Sturgis where he enjoyed the outdoors. One could find him fishing, hunting or snowmobiling. He also spent a great amount of time substitute teaching for the Sturgis and Belle Fourche school systems until his health started to fail in 2016.

Rodger’s life will be cherished by his brother, Robert (Phyllis) Setser, Carlsbad, CA; nieces: Amy (Rob) Cochran and their children, Abigail and Andrew of John’s Creek, GA and Katie Unland and her children, Noah and Hannah of Aliso Viejo, CA; and his beloved dog, Mitzi. Rodger is also survived by many special friends: Joe Burckhard, Harley and Carol Morgan, Francis Zacher, Craig and Linda Euneau, Ed and JoAnn Wegner, Vern Soeldner, Terry and Cindy Nelson, Joe and Glenda Nedved, Gary and Ardia Breidenbach, Dave and Shawn Nicholas, Ron Kingery, Sami Ducheneaux, Nancy Zins, Ede Claymore, Arlie and Janie Davis, Cal and Linda Corey, Gary and Lucie Thorsenson, Karen Daly, Loxy Burckhard, Ralph and Rosella Vrooman, Everett and Melinda Hunt.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his beloved dogs: Charlie Brown and Sol.

He will be missed by many people, especially his family and friends in South Dakota.

Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte has been entrusted with Rodger’s arrangements.