LaRoy "Rusty" Rada

LaRoy “Rusty” Rada age 67 of Spearfish (formerly Belle Fourche), died Friday October 31, 2008 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City. The Memorial Service will be held 11am Monday at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Visitation will be 5 to 7 pm Sunday at the funeral home. Inurnment will be held in the Whitewood Cemetery. An online guestbook is available at www.funeralhomeofthenorthernhills.com. Memorials are preferred to the Whitewood Cemetery. LaRoy Lee Rada was born November 21, 1940 in Custer, South Dakota. He was the son of Charles and Ruby (Baker) Rada. Rusty moved with his family in 1947 to Belle Fourche, where he graduated from high school. Rusty lived in many areas throughout the country and worked in several vocations as well. He lived in Arizona, Hawaii, New Orleans, and Alaska. During these years, he worked in various construction projects, was a certified welder for underwater bridges and ships, a truck driver, and he worked for the Marriot Corporation. He also had a remodeling business and was a road surveyor. He later moved to Belle Fourche and worked as the Code Enforcer for the City of Belle Fourche. Rusty also served his country in the National Guard for several years. Rusty was an avid musician. Since childhood he had a natural ability for music. He could play many different instruments, especially the guitar. For several years, his band “Rusty Rada and the Ranchers” played in St. Onge. He will be remembered for his love of history, and his ability in the kitchen, especially when it came to baking pies. Rusty was a people person and he will be greatly missed by his friends and family. Rusty is survived by his brother, Melvin (Joyce) Rada of Belle Fourche, sister, Charlotte (Tommy) Thompson of Whitewood; numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his very special friend, Mary Herber of Spearfish, and her daughters, Kim Brimm of Rapid City, and Cindy Herber of Spearfish. He was preceded in death by his parents.