Allevia “Dolly” Louise Gillespie died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014, at Kindred Nursing and Rehabilitation-Wind River. She was 85 years old.
A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish, S.D., with visitation one hour before the Mass. Burial will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish, S.D.
Allevia Gillespie was born May 30, 1929, in Phillip, S.D., the daughter of Roy and Laura Royer. Her family said she was the center of her parents’ lives as well as her great-grandparents, Robert and Minnie Hanrahan.
She was raised on the family ranch north of Phillip, S.D., and she graduated from St. Martin’s Academy in Sturgis, S.D., in 1947.
She attended Black Hills Teacher’s College for a year. There she met her husband, Gordon, and they married Nov. 12, 1948, in Milesville, S.D.
Her family said that because she and her mom both were only children, she said she would like to have a dozen children: six for herself and another six for her mama. She did her best and had seven children whom she and her husband raised in Spearfish, S.D. Her family said she was a hardworking wife and mother. She was involved in the VFW Auxiliary in her younger years and was an active member in the Catholic church while raising her children, serving with St. Joseph’s Altar Society and singing Latin solos at many funerals.
They said she was always willing to serve a meal to anyone who stopped to visit at her home, and she was known for the milk and cream she sold, as well as for her special caramel rolls. Her family said she was always the one to go to when family picnics and get-togethers needed to be organized. They said she was an enthusiastic bowler and enjoyed being the secretary of many leagues. After her children were out of the house, she kept her hands busy by making quilts, crocheting, knitting and crafting plastic canvas angels, snowflakes and Christmas ornaments. Her friends and family received many of these items over the years.
She is survived by her children, Gerald (Mineko) of Salina, Kan., Roger (Sandy) of Whitewood, S.D., Jason (Nicky) of Gillette, Debra Fustos of Riverton, Phyllis (Terry) Zenk of Riverton and Barb (Larry) Deibert of Spearfish, S.D.; grandchildren Clint, Shannon, Steve, Carmen, Casey, Cassie, Gen, Kenya, Danielle, Kelsey, Abbey, Tyler, Zachary, Tazmine and Blakelee; great-grandchildren Wyatt, McKaya, Whitney, Cody, Keeley, Brinley, Paige, Cameron, Jared, Kylee, Audrie and Alex; brothers-in-law Robert Gillespie of Belle Fourche, S.D., and Paul (Mary) Gillespie of Houston, Texas; many nieces and nephews; special cousin Merle (Viola) Royer of Belle Fourche, S.D.; and other cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her son Keith and her parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to an organization of the donor's choice.
Correspondence with the family may be sent to P.O. Box 396, Whitewood, SD 57793.
Arrangements are under the direction of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels & Crematory
Service of Spearfish, S.D. Online condolences may be left at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.
A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish, S.D., with visitation one hour before the Mass. Burial will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish, S.D.
Allevia Gillespie was born May 30, 1929, in Phillip, S.D., the daughter of Roy and Laura Royer. Her family said she was the center of her parents’ lives as well as her great-grandparents, Robert and Minnie Hanrahan.
She was raised on the family ranch north of Phillip, S.D., and she graduated from St. Martin’s Academy in Sturgis, S.D., in 1947.
She attended Black Hills Teacher’s College for a year. There she met her husband, Gordon, and they married Nov. 12, 1948, in Milesville, S.D.
Her family said that because she and her mom both were only children, she said she would like to have a dozen children: six for herself and another six for her mama. She did her best and had seven children whom she and her husband raised in Spearfish, S.D. Her family said she was a hardworking wife and mother. She was involved in the VFW Auxiliary in her younger years and was an active member in the Catholic church while raising her children, serving with St. Joseph’s Altar Society and singing Latin solos at many funerals.
They said she was always willing to serve a meal to anyone who stopped to visit at her home, and she was known for the milk and cream she sold, as well as for her special caramel rolls. Her family said she was always the one to go to when family picnics and get-togethers needed to be organized. They said she was an enthusiastic bowler and enjoyed being the secretary of many leagues. After her children were out of the house, she kept her hands busy by making quilts, crocheting, knitting and crafting plastic canvas angels, snowflakes and Christmas ornaments. Her friends and family received many of these items over the years.
She is survived by her children, Gerald (Mineko) of Salina, Kan., Roger (Sandy) of Whitewood, S.D., Jason (Nicky) of Gillette, Debra Fustos of Riverton, Phyllis (Terry) Zenk of Riverton and Barb (Larry) Deibert of Spearfish, S.D.; grandchildren Clint, Shannon, Steve, Carmen, Casey, Cassie, Gen, Kenya, Danielle, Kelsey, Abbey, Tyler, Zachary, Tazmine and Blakelee; great-grandchildren Wyatt, McKaya, Whitney, Cody, Keeley, Brinley, Paige, Cameron, Jared, Kylee, Audrie and Alex; brothers-in-law Robert Gillespie of Belle Fourche, S.D., and Paul (Mary) Gillespie of Houston, Texas; many nieces and nephews; special cousin Merle (Viola) Royer of Belle Fourche, S.D.; and other cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her son Keith and her parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to an organization of the donor's choice.
Correspondence with the family may be sent to P.O. Box 396, Whitewood, SD 57793.
Arrangements are under the direction of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels & Crematory
Service of Spearfish, S.D. Online condolences may be left at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.