Robert "Elly" Priewe

Robert Ellison “Elly” Priewe age 79 of Colony WY, died Saturday October 18th, 2008 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital. The funeral service will be held 10:30am Thursday at the United Methodist Church in Belle Fourche, with Rev. Gail Arnold officiating. Visitation will be held 4 to 7 pm Wednesday, with a public prayer service at 7pm, at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Interment will be held in Pine Slope Cemetery in Belle Fourche. Memorials are preferred to the United Methodist Church or charity of choice. Robert Ellison Priewe was born March 18, 1929 in Casselton North Dakota. He was the son of Robert and Pernella (Ellison) Priewe. He was the first of five children. Elly moved with his mother and siblings to rural Belle Fourche in 1941 where they grew up with his uncle and aunt, Bill and Esther Jeremiason. In 1948 he graduated from the Belle Fourche High School and following his schooling he worked on both North Dakota and South Dakota farms. In 1950 he began farming for himself. Elly was united in marriage to Kari Jensen at the United Methodist Church in Belle Fourche on September 20, 1950. The following November they moved to Wyoming to ranch with Kari’s father, Thorval Jensen Sr. For the rest of his life, Elly ranched side by side with his wife Kari on the Muleshoe Ranch southwest of Colony. Elly served on many boards and organizations including the Crook County School Board, the School Reorganization District Board, Crook County Predator Baord, Crook County Irrigation District (which he helped organize), and the Moreau Grazing Association. He was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Belle Fourche where he had served in many capacities. Elly was a pilot for many years. He loved flying and spent many hours flying over the ranch area. He was a good friend and neighbor to many and he loved the ranch life. He will be remembered for his calm nature, honesty and integrity, and his positive attitude toward everything in life. He was an inspiration to all whose lives he touched. This past August, Elly had a terrible accident at the ranch and for the past seven weeks he has fought for his life. He was a strong man and a good man, a devoted father, grandfather, and husband. He will be greatly missed. Robert is survived by his wife, Kari; son, Chico (Cathy) of Colony WY; daughter, Roxie (Jim) Dacar of Colony, Alicia (Bob) Olson of Alzada MT; grandchildren, Doran (Vondell) Priewe of Gillette WY, Dawn (John) Habeck of Belle Fourche, Krista Olson of Pierre SD, Ducine (Todd) McLaughlin of Wasilla AL, Levi Dacar of Sundance WY, Caleb Dacar of Colony; 11 great grandchildren; sister, Marge (Delbert) Justice of Ekalaka, MT; and brother, Roderick (Dorothy) Priewe of Colorado Springs, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark; grandson, Chad; sister, Pernella Torrey; and brother, Conrad Priewe.