Dorothy Lamb

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Dorothy L. Lamb, 93, of Onida, SD, died unexpectedly Friday, September 5, 2025, at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital, Pierre.

A celebration of life will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Sully Butte School Gymnasium. Burial will follow in the Onida Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

“I’m going on a long trip, and I don’t know when I’ll be back. I’m not sure where I’ll end up, but I’ll have friends in both places.” This was Dorothy!

Dorothy Louise Hyde was born on July 16, 1932 in the Pierre Hospital to Maynard Conrad (Connie) and Louise Marion (Smith) Hyde. She was very proud to be the great-granddaughter of Sully County pioneer settlers, Charles Agar and Dwight and Ella Howe Hyde. She spent her early childhood years on the original Agar farm, at the southwest corner of Onida, being spoiled by her uncles, Chas and Stewart Hyde, who lived with Connie and Louise. When Dorothy was five years old her family moved into town much to her mother’s pleasure.

Dorothy was an only child until she was twelve years old when the family finally had their prayers answered after many unexpected miscarriages and Louise’s health concerns. Richard Conrad was born in 1944, followed by Robert Maynard in 1946 and Paul Steven in 1951. Even with the large age gap Dorothy always considered her brothers to be her best friends and confidants.

Always known as an independent, outgoing and smart girl, Dorothy was also very athletic and excelled at any sport she took part in. She played high school girls’ basketball half-court style and was also a cheerleader.  Dorothy graduated from Onida High School in 1950. She was offered a scholarship to college, but chose to marry her high school sweetheart, Joseph James (Joe) Lamb on August 21, 1950. They were married for 72 years with Joe passing on their 72nd anniversary in 2022.

After their marriage Joe and Dorothy bought a one-bedroom bungalow across the street from Lamb Service. Daniel Joseph joined the family in 1951, Nancy Louise in 1953, and James Patrick in 1956. With three children they soon outgrew the house, and Dorothy and Joe added on 3 bedrooms. Those were soon filled with the addition of Jeffrey Alan in 1958 and Joseph James, Jr. in 1965. Dorothy continued to live very independently in her home with her two favorite cats until her passing.

Her children will tell you that she was the perfect mother. Even though she loved a nice lawn and beautiful flowers, she gave that up for a yard filled with a dirt basketball court, baseball field, long jump, high jump and pole-vaulting pit, and even a golf course until too many windows were broken. Dorothy has been described as a woman whose heart was open to everyone in the community and to kids of all ages. She could take a couple pounds of hamburger or deer meat, a wrap of Del’s cheese and could feed a houseful of athletes and fans who were always welcome before or after any Onida athletic event. She was always on call to take a station wagon full of kids to a baseball game, basketball game or a day of swimming at Cottonwood Lake. She ruled with toughness and humor, so her children’s shenanigans never got the best of her.

Dorothy’s grandkids will always remember her as their biggest prayer warrior, their mentor, their ride or die, and the greatest secret keeper and advice giver.  Her coffee table was their stage for Miss America pageants or dance-a-thons with her purple and red go-go boots.  She cheered loudly from the bleachers for over 60 years, and her grandchildren will always remember her yelling “Hit It” or maybe yelling “Choke” to a rival team. She was known to apply lipstick if the score wasn’t in Sully Buttes favor and expected all the lady fans to do the same. She believed in the slogan, “Slap on a little lipstick and you’ll be fine.”

Dorothy was instrumental in prospering the Lamb businesses from a service station bought from Joe’s father in 1952 to its present Lamb Chevrolet & Implement and Lamb Discount hardware store. She had a brilliant business and financial mind but often followed her heart, and much to her sons’ dismay she often extended credit when a customer did not qualify, even using her own funds if necessary. She was always repaid even if it took a while! After a lifetime of being a business owner, Dorothy was treated to a retirement party on April 1, 2025. She still showed up for work, but on her own time and especially on days that The Corner was serving hot beef dinners.

The successful business ventures offered Joe and Dorothy many trips around the world with China, Russia, Australia, Scandinavian and European countries being her favorites. She then chose to travel to every school and college event that involved her many grandchildren. Dorothy kept a closet full of purple, then added orange for UJ, green for BHSU, red for USD, and blue for DWU and Augie. When asked why she didn’t retire to Arizona, her response was, “why would I want to sit around with old people talking about BM’s.” She was known by most kids and many adults in Onida as “Grandma Dorothy” and always came prepared for every game with a purse full of gum, candy, band-aids, condiments, and a few bananas.

Dorothy always found time for her community and called Onida her “utopia.” She served on the Sully Buttes School Board in the late 1970’s.  She was a member of the Onida Chamber of Commerce for years and was Mrs. Claus during the Night Before Christmas celebrations. She helped deliver Meals on Wheels and was the chairperson of the Alumni Breakfast each year during the Sully County Fair.  Dorothy was a proud member of the 1960’s “Diet Club” that met every Wednesday morning and actually kept track of its members weights. It soon progressed into a friends’ get together and lasted for over 50 years when friendships were more important than weight!

Grandma Dorothy was the matriarch of the Lamb family, the glue that held the family together and the foundation of family love and traditions. She is survived by her children: Dan (Colleen), Nancy (Terry) Weischedel, Jamie (Susan), Jeff (Becky) and Joey (Brenda); her fifteen grandchildren: Dan and Colleen’s–Kendra (JJ) Hofts, Riley (Tascha) Lamb, Brittney (Derek) Schiefelbein; Nancy and Terry’s– Angie (Darren) Alexander, Amanda (Jake) Hegland, Ryder (Alyssa) Weischedel; Jamie and Susan’s—Katelynn (Clay) Pottorff, Elizabeth (Travis) Salmonson, Jordan (Abbey) Lamb, Deidre (Alexander) Perkins; Jeff and Becky’s—Kylee (Will John) Johnson, Chloe Lamb; Joey and Brenda’s—Jalen (Tiera) Lamb, Josh Lamb and Jett Lamb. She’s also been blessed with 34 of the most adorable great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are her devoted brothers and their wives, Dick and Cheryl Hyde, Bob and Brenda Hyde, Steve and Kathy Hyde, her Hyde nieces and nephews, all the Hyde cousins, and the Lamb nieces and nephews. She also considered her many dear friends as family, especially Sandy Stough and Wayne Miles, and was considered “Grandma Dorothy” to many.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Joe, her parents Connie and Louise, her father and mother-in-law, Tony and Veo Lamb, sisters-in-law, Diane Huse Hyde (Steve), Pat LaRosh Hyde (Bob)and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John (Emma) Lamb, Charlie Lamb, and Delores (Howard) Hanson.

“I thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it’s time I traveled on alone. So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must, then let your grief be comforted by trust. It’s only a while that we must part, so bless the memories within your heart. I won’t be far away, for life goes on. So, if you need me, call and I will hear.” (Author Unknown)

Memorials in Dorothy’s honor may be sent to Paws Animal Rescue, PO Box 954, Pierre, SD 57501 or Missouri Shores PO Box 398 Pierre SD, 57501.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Dorothy’s arrangements.