Della (Crago) Courtney

Della Elizabeth was born on October 20, 1924 to Lester and Island (Kirkham) Horton at Dalzell, SD. She attended rural schools in the area and graduated from high school in Rapid City in 1942. She attended Black Hills State College receiving a one year teaching certificate. She married Walter Crago December 16, 1943 in Broadus, MT. To this union four children were born: Marilyn, Marcia, Lester and Cliff. Throughout their life they raised registered Hereford cattle in the tri-state area. She was a past president of the South Dakota Cattlewoman’s Association and she was chairman of the First National Beef-Cookoff. She was a charter member of the Tri-State CowBelles. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and served several terms as president of the women’s Circle. She was active in Colony Club and the Butte County 4-H Rodeo. She was a 4-H parent for many years. She and Walt served as a host family for the first AFS student in Belle Fourche, Aud (Willoch) Fett. They have maintained a lifetime friendship. Della was devoted to her husband and family. She cherished the times she spent with her children and grandchildren. Her hands were never idle as she enjoyed knitting, crocheting and sewing for her family. She lovingly cared for her husband Walt as he dealt with his terminal cancer. After being widowed in 1982, she worked at JC Penney’s, developing special friendships. June 21, 2002, she was united in marriage to Jim Courtney. Once again she was able to enjoy the Hereford cattle and her love for the country life. She enjoyed their many travels especially the trips to Canada. She has spent the last year in the nursing home due to her declining health. She went home to the Lord on September 11, 2012 with her family at her side. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Jim Courtney, Alzada; her daughter Marcia (Howard) Heinje, Wilmot; her son Cliff (Chris) Crago, Belle Fourche; son-in-law, Frank Dobesh, Belle Fourche; daughter-in-law, Sue Whitman, Belle Fourche; AFS daughter Aud (Ivar) Fett, Norway; her sisters, Pat (Joe) Nonnast, Sturgis; Peggy (Jim) Sigman, Sturgis; her stepchildren Lezlie(Larry) Moore, Vivian; Tom (Jody) Courtney, Alzada; Colleen Courtney, Belle Fourche; her grandchildren: Misti (Kerri) Wahl, Boe (Lisa) Dobesh, Clint (Sherri) Dobesh, Dane (Kristi) Dobesh, Rhonda (Tim) Mitchell, Bryce(Paula) Heinje, Chuck (Sally) Heinje, Tami (Scott) Ryan, Cody Crago, Curt (Missy) Crago, Calie (Brad) Vance, and Clay (Chas) Crago; 13 step grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Walter Crago, one son Lester Crago, one daughter Marilyn Dobesh, two brothers Arnold “Tuffy” Horton and Archie Horton, one sister Ada Mae O’Grady and her stepdaughter Jeanne Wombold. Services will be held 10:30am Monday September 17th, 2012 at the St. James Lutheran Church in Belle Fourche, with Rev. Jean Helmer officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, 3pm to 7pm with a public prayer service at 7pm, at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Interment will take place in the Pine Slope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Northern Hills and the Belle Fourche Fire Department. IN LOVING MEMORY Della (Crago) Courtney Date of Birth October 20, 1924 – Dalzell, South Dakota Date of Death September 11, 2012 – Belle Fourche, South Dakota Funeral Service 10:30 A.M. – Monday – September 17th, 2012 St. James Lutheran Church Belle Fourche, South Dakota Officiant  Pastor Jean Helmer Music “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art”, “I Want to Stroll Over Heaven With You” Pete Buer, soloist Cong. Hymn – “The Lord’s Prayer” Judy Howard, pianist Pallbearers Clay Crago                                                                Clint Dobesh Cody Crago                                                               Dane Dobesh Curt Crago                                                                 Bryce Heinje Boe Dobesh                       Kyle Ryan                Chuck Heinje Interment Pine Slope Cemetery Belle Fourche, South Dakota