Andrew "Andy" Jochim

Andrew “Andy” Jochim, 89, of Ft. Pierre and formerly of Eagle Butte, passed away January 15, 2015 at Kelly’s Retirement Home in Pierre.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. MST, Saturday, January 24, 2015 at All Saints Catholic Church, Eagle Butte with Father Dan Juelfs officiating, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Eagle Butte Cemetery. A wake service will be held at 6:00 p.m. CST, Friday, January 23, 2015 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Ft. Pierre with Father Ron Garry officiating, with visitation one hour prior to the service.  

Andrew “Andy” Jochim was born north of Eagle Butte in Dewey County on October 29, 1925. He was the fourth out of eleven children born to Rose (Dorscher) and Peter Jochim. He attended school at the Butte View School located north of Eagle Butte.

After leaving school, Andy began working for various ranchers, mainly herding sheep, in the Dupree/Isabel area. One of his first jobs was working for Art Anderson for $25 a month. He also worked for Cad Holmes, Walter Weaver, and Oliver Jewett to name a few. It was while working for Oliver that Andy met his best friend, Gwin Jewett. Eventually Andy and his brother Tony pooled their money and bought the Miller Place (currently Charlie Brooks place) and began ranching for themselves. When Tony decided to get married, Andy and Tony dissolved the partnership, and Andy moved back to the home place and helped his dad before buying the place a few years later. Andy raised, broke, and trained many saddle and quarter horses. Andy’s favorite horse was one he named Pal. On the ranch Andy raised Hereford cattle, and in later years, Tarentaise/Limousin cross cattle as well. He raised a lot of hay and would sell any extra. Andy had mastered the art of bucking hay stacks allowing them to be picked up and moved easily.

Andy enjoyed being outdoors hunting and fishing with his good friend Ray Moland, and in later years, with Shawn Olsen. Andy filled one of the first permits to hunt mountain goats in the Black Hills. He continued to hunt deer up until two years ago. He did taxidermy work for himself and others. Over the years he had preserved a moose, many deer and antelope, and a grizzly bear hide. Andy prized the many mounts that hung in his house and would tell the story of each one. Andy always had a project in the works which usually centered around making something better. At one time Andy and Ray had built three different boats. Andy enjoyed bowling, something he did both in Eagle Butte and later on Wednesday afternoons in Pierre.

On July 30, 1976, Andy married Gladys Ganje in Eagle Butte. They made their home on the ranch north of Eagle Butte. Andy and Gladys enjoyed traveling and seeing the country. They would spend some of the early winter months in California, Florida, and Texas. During many of these trips, there would always be time spent fishing. Once Andy decided to retire, they built a new home along the Missouri River at Marion’s Garden in Ft. Pierre and moved in on January 1, 1996. This allowed Andy to continue doing what he loved: being outside fishing, walking along the river, and tending to the yard. In November 2014, Andy’s health began to fail so he moved to Kelly’s Retirement Home to be with his wife Gladys. They were married 38 years until her passing on December 2, 2014

Andy is survived by his sisters: Kathryn (Andy) Ripplinger, Spokane, WA; Theresa (Ray) Barrett, Fernley, NV; brothers: Wendylen (Ursula) Jochim, Spokane, WA; Bernard Jochim, Bend, OR; Steve (Nelda) Jochim, Moab, UT; numerous nieces and nephews; and many people considered “adopted children”.

He was preceded in death by his wife Gladys; his parents; brothers: Tony, Pius, Louis, and Valentine; one sister Mary Ripplinger; and two infant siblings.

A memorial has been established to the High Plains Wildlife Association. Cards and memorials may be sent to: 16891 224^th Ave. Dupree, SD 57623.