Lucile Velva Bell was born November 13, 1912, on her parents’ homestead in what was then Stanley County, near Marietta, South Dakota, the daughter of James and Velva (Wedeman) Bell.

She attended school in Haakon County rural schools and graduated from Philip High School in 1930. After two years at Marietta Consolidation School and one year in Gordon, Nebraska, she attended Black Hills Teachers College one year, earning a teacher’s certificate and began her teaching career with five years in rural schools in Haakon County. After attending Northern State College in Aberdeen to earn a State Certificate, she taught primary grades in various schools in South Dakota, including Bowdle, Gayville, Platte, Lead and Aberdeen. After her marriage she returned to teaching in Midland, South Dakota and then Philip, where she retired in 1980 after thirty-eight and one half years teaching.

During this time, she took summer and extension courses and graduated from Black Hills State College in 1970. During World War II, she and her sister spent a year at Hill Field Air Base at Ogden, Utah where they did clerical work but returned to teaching.

Lucile Bell and Clinton Harry were united in marriage August 1, 1946 at First Lutheran Church in Philip. They made their home near Midland until Clinton’s death January 15, 1968. She remained there until moving to Philip in 1971, although for several years, she spent summers and vacations in Midland while teaching in Philip.

Lucile was a member of First Lutheran Church, the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #100, Bad River Senior Citizens Center, and the Philip Area Retired Teachers all of Philip. She was also a member of the New Century Federated Women’s Club for many years in Midland.

For a number of years, Lucile read a story to primary children each week when they visited the school library. She loved children and enjoyed keeping in touch with school after retirement.

Grateful for having shared her life include her two sons, Keith Harry and his wife Cheryl of Midland, and Lee Harry and his wife Bonnie of Dillon, Montana; two grandchildren, Jason Harry of Philip, and Lynette Harry of Custer; one niece; seven nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband Clinton Harry, Lucile was preceded in death by two sisters Hazel Ferguson and Boneta Warren, and a brother John Bell.

Visitation was held 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 5, 2004 at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Tuesday.

Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 6, at the First Lutheran Church in Philip, with Pastor Paul Bly officiating.

Interment with Eastern Star Services was held at the Masonic Cemetery, Philip.

A memorial is established to the First Lutheran Church of Philip and the Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Tuesday, July 6, 2004 10:00 a.m.
First Lutheran Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Paul Bly
MUSIC
Organist – Marlis Doud
Vocalist – Jan Hewitt
"His Eye Is On The Sparrow"
"Just A Closer Walk With Thee"
"Good Night and Good Morning"
USHERS
Dave Calhoon – Gene Deuchar
ACTIVE PALLBEARERS
Michael Schofield – Glenn O’Connell
Morris Jones – Barry Jones
Jim Petoske - Wylie Schwalm
Craig Warren - Carl Snook
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
WITH EASTERN STAR SERVICE
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota
Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #100, Philip
MEMORIALS ESTABLISHED TO:
First Lutheran Church – Philip
Trinity Lutheran Church – Midland
"At The Place Of The Sea"
Have you come to the Red Sea place in your life,
Where, in spite of all you can do,
There is no way out, there is no back,
There is no other way but – through?
Then wait on the Lord with a trust serene
Till the night o f your fear is gone;
He will send the wing, He will heap the floods,
When He says t you soul, "Go on."
And His hand will lead you through – clear through
Ere the watery walls roll down,
No foe can reach you, no wave can touch,
No mightiest sea can drown;
The tossing billows may rear their crests,
Their foam at your feet may break,
But over their bed you shall walk dry shod
In the path that you Lord will make.
In the morning watch, ‘neath the lifted cloud,
You shall see but the Lord alone,
When He leads you on from the place of the sea
To land that you have no known;
And your fears shall pass as your foes have passed,
You shall be no more afraid;
You shall sing His praise in a better place,
A place that His hand has made.
Annie Johnson Flint