Earl Litch

EARL'S TRIBUTE VIDEO

Earl Litch, 93, of Lebanon, died Friday, November 30, 2007 at the Oahe Manor in Gettysburg.

A celebration of life service were held at 1:30p.m. CST, Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at the Lebanon Legion Hall with Fr. Jerry Kopel officiating and 10:00a.m, MST, Friday, December 7, 2007 at the Little White Church in Hill City, SD with Deacon Pat Coy officiating. Burial of his remains will take place at the Hill City Cemetery in Hill City, SD.

Earl Herbert Litch was born September 26, 1914 in Claremont, SD to Ralph and Dorthea (Berger) Litch. He grew up in the Britton area where he attended school, graduating from the 8th grade. He worked for his grandmother, Kate Berger, until he left in July 1934 and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at Camp Lodge in Custer State Park. He served there until April 1935. He then took a job on the Anderson ranch. Besides his ranch work he built dams and worked for the railroad until he bought his own ranch, the –D Ranch, October 1, 1948 south of Hill City. He raised Hereford cattle and entered many show bulls in the Black Hills Winter Stock Show. He was active in 4-H and his Hereford calves won many ribbons as well as his bulls. Earl had the opportunity to play a part in the movie Chief Crazy Horse in 1954 with actor Victor Mature. He drove his own school bus for the Hill City School District for 26 years and 2 months. He served on the Soil Conservation Board for 17 years and the last few years he served as chairman. He served one term on the FHA board. He had his own truck and permit and did landscaping in the area. He helped get the 1880 train started in June of 1956 and was their first employee, working there for 12 years.

He married Lenora Cury September 25, 1935 and they had three children; Dalton, Doug and Bev. April 5, 1962 he married Della (Odden) Adkinson and her children Jerry, Pat, Mary, Steve and Greg. To this union one daughter Alanna was born. In 1990 he moved to Lebanon, SD where he had a large garden and would sell his produce at the Lebanon Annual Garage Sale. Earl was a soft spoken man who always had a unique smile and a helping hand for everyone.

Earl is survived by his wife of 45 years Della (Odden) Litch, Lebanon, SD; one brother Clayton Litch, Pierpont, SD; one sister Velza (Merle) Behnke, Britton, SD; 3 sons: Jerry (Pat) Odden, Pekin, IL, Steve (Tina) Adkinson, Oconomowoc, WI, Greg (Sandy) Adkinson, Spearfish, SD; 4 daughters: Bev (Owen) Johnson, Hill City, SD, Pat (Jim) Lembke, Hill City, SD, Mary (Barry) Reinhard, Kingman, AZ and Alanna (Mike) Mulder, Springfield, MO. Earl is also survived by 25 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, 3 brothers, 1 sister and 2 sons.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with his arrangements.