Calvin Gadd
February 21, 1929 ~ August 11, 2007
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Calvin Gadd, 78, of Highmore, died Saturday, August 11, 2007 at TCU St. Mary’s Healthcare Center in Pierre after a two-year struggle with kidney failure and a brief battle with cancer.
Funeral services were held at 10:30a.m. Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at the Church of Christ, Highmore with Rev. Bart Bartel officiating. Burial was in the Highmore Cemetery, directed by Luze Funeral Home of Highmore. Visitation was held from 3:00-7:00p.m. Monday, August 13 with a 7:00p.m. prayer service at Luze Funeral Home, Highmore.
Calvin Louis was born February 21, 1929 in Highmore to Gordon and Mildred (Simons) Gadd. He grew up on the Gadd family ranch. He attended country school at Bramhall and later graduated from Highmore High School in 1947. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and then returned to the ranch until he retired.
He was united in marriage to Shirley Smith on January 15, 1965 and to this union, one son and one daughter were born.
He took great pride in his ability to artificially inseminate cattle and used this skill to improve the genetics of not only the ranches’ herd but also several local area ranches. He always did his best to be prepared for the worst and hope it would not happen. He often repeated his father, “Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves.”
In his younger days, he enjoyed bowling and taking several trips to Mexico. Later came pheasant hunting, gaining friends from Rapid City, Missouri all the way to New Mexico. He was an excellent shot. Fishing was also a very favorite pastime.
Calvin’s memory will be cherished by his wife, Shirley of Highmore; daughter, Michelle (Merle) Reed and their children: Heidi, Cody, and Mary all of Highmore; son, Michael (Danette) Gadd and their children: Karie and Nolan all of Rapid City; one sister, Maurine Coleman of Shawnee Mission, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Gordon and Robert.
Pallbearers were Brian Nielsen, Jon Jessen, Todd Martin, Bill Whipple, Steve Bonnichsen, and Dan Pekarek.
Honorary Pallbearers were Kenny Ferris, Francis Hale, Bill Melton, Robert Nielsen, Chuck Byrum, Dan Connors, Allan Pray, Rod Connors, and Ray Kusser.
Pianist was Katherine Hieb with Rich Larson as soloist.
Pat Bonnishsen was guestbook attendant and Kathy Marsden and Janet Kusser were flowerbearers.
Funeral services were held at 10:30a.m. Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at the Church of Christ, Highmore with Rev. Bart Bartel officiating. Burial was in the Highmore Cemetery, directed by Luze Funeral Home of Highmore. Visitation was held from 3:00-7:00p.m. Monday, August 13 with a 7:00p.m. prayer service at Luze Funeral Home, Highmore.
Calvin Louis was born February 21, 1929 in Highmore to Gordon and Mildred (Simons) Gadd. He grew up on the Gadd family ranch. He attended country school at Bramhall and later graduated from Highmore High School in 1947. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and then returned to the ranch until he retired.
He was united in marriage to Shirley Smith on January 15, 1965 and to this union, one son and one daughter were born.
He took great pride in his ability to artificially inseminate cattle and used this skill to improve the genetics of not only the ranches’ herd but also several local area ranches. He always did his best to be prepared for the worst and hope it would not happen. He often repeated his father, “Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves.”
In his younger days, he enjoyed bowling and taking several trips to Mexico. Later came pheasant hunting, gaining friends from Rapid City, Missouri all the way to New Mexico. He was an excellent shot. Fishing was also a very favorite pastime.
Calvin’s memory will be cherished by his wife, Shirley of Highmore; daughter, Michelle (Merle) Reed and their children: Heidi, Cody, and Mary all of Highmore; son, Michael (Danette) Gadd and their children: Karie and Nolan all of Rapid City; one sister, Maurine Coleman of Shawnee Mission, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Gordon and Robert.
Pallbearers were Brian Nielsen, Jon Jessen, Todd Martin, Bill Whipple, Steve Bonnichsen, and Dan Pekarek.
Honorary Pallbearers were Kenny Ferris, Francis Hale, Bill Melton, Robert Nielsen, Chuck Byrum, Dan Connors, Allan Pray, Rod Connors, and Ray Kusser.
Pianist was Katherine Hieb with Rich Larson as soloist.
Pat Bonnishsen was guestbook attendant and Kathy Marsden and Janet Kusser were flowerbearers.
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Sorry to hear about Cal. He is at peace with the Lord and no more pain and discomfort.
Sorry for your lose.
We are praying for you.
To Mike and family,
We are sorry to hear about your father.You are in our hearts and prayers.
God Bless
Sarg, Tammy,and Samantha
Was so sorry to hear of Calvin’s passing. I have known him since 1936 and valued him highly as neighbor, schoolmate and friend.
We want to send our condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I wish to send condolences to the Gadd families that we have known over the many years in Hyde County. I send our sympathy to the remaining Gadd family from the Fife’s that are scattered so far from that area. You will always be remembered. With deepest Sympathy,
Frank W Fife
Michelle and family, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Michelle I know it has been a long time since we last talked. Hope you keep the good times close. Take care. Your Friend Kathy.
Our sympathy to Shirly and the family.
Alvin and Hazel Wolff
Shirley & Family,
So sorry to hear about the passing of Calvin. Calvin was always such a character. He would make you laugh without him even saying a word. He would always give me a bad time when I worked at the bank. Out thoughts and prayers are with you all, Shirley.
I remember Calvin well because he was my first cousin on my mother’s side. On one visit from our home in Iowa, I was assigned to his bedroom on our visit. Calvin was in Mexico for warmer weather. His room was on the second floor in the Gadd family house south of Highmore. While in Mexico, Calvin would buy custom made boots, hat, and belts. My aunt Mildred told us he swam in the ocean and probably fished.
Some visits, Calvin was at home. He was unmarried when I knew him, living at home and working on the family ranch. I recall my enthusiasm for operating farm equipment so he showed me how at age 11, to run a small Farmall tractor and cultivate corn. He supervised from a vehicle where he took a nap or watched the nearby cattle.
As an older man, now 73, I fondly remember Calvin, his brothers, his sister, and my beloved aunt Mildred and uncle Gordon. Mildred Gadd was close to my mother, Leota Hall, because Blanche my grandmother died too early and Mildred, her sister, was loved by us as a grandmother. I am proud to be related to this fine segment of America!
Mel Chandler, MD
Edmonds, WA 98020