Beulah Gertie Dunham was born September 9, 1908 on a farm north of Yankton, SD, to Hiram E. and Gertie (Kendall) Dunham. She grew up and received her education in the Yankton area. When she was 16 years old, she moved with her parents, brothers and sisters to a farm in Haakon County, northwest of Philip. She completed her education in Haakon County Schools.

She was united in marriage to Gerhardt William Hespe on October 4, 1927 in Kadoka, SD. They farmed and ranched in the Milesville area until 1968 when they retired and moved into Philip. Her husband preceded her in death on December 19, 1970.

Beulah continued to make her home in Philip and in July 1989 she moved into the Senechal Apartments and in 1998 she moved into the Philip Nursing Home. She was a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church and the Bad River Senior Citizens Center, both of Philip.

Grateful for having shared her life are her four sons, Kenneth Hespe and his wife Marjorie of Midwest City, OK, Robert Hespe of Rothsay, MN, Wayne Hespe and his wife Karen of Yankton, SD, Locket Hespe and his wife Pearlene of Weatherford, OK; a daughter, Beulah Neville and her husband Richard of Philip, SD; thirty grandchildren; sixty great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; one sister, Sylvia Ryken of Yankton; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband, Gerhardt, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Irene Fairbanks; a grandson Steward Hespe; her parents; six brothers, Richard, Jason, Raymond, Donald, Leo, and Lester Dunham; and two sisters, Ethel Huber and Evelyn Schmelzel.

Funeral Services for Beulah G. Hespe, age 94, of Philip, were 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 31,2002, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Philip, with Pastor Robert Oettel officiating.

Visitation was from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 30 and one hour preceding the services at the church on Tuesday.

Interment was at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

MINISTER
Pastor Robert Oettel

MUSIC
Marilyn Millage – Organist
Debbie Hansen & Pat Krogan - Vocalists
"Old Rugged Cross"
"What A Friend We Have In Jesus"
"Rock Of Ages"
"Beulah Land"

USHERS
Tyrone Moos - Joe Gittings

PALLBEARERS
Rex Radway - Bob Neville
Jerald Neville - Lee Ike Neville
Gene Deuchar - George Gittings

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

"Tribute to Grandma"

As we travel through life, we are presented with opportunities to extend a hand to someone less fortunate than ourselves. Often, those opportunities will have a lasting effect on the recipient of our helping hand.

During the most influential years of my life, grandma extended her hand to me. She opened her home to me and provided me love, nurturing and taught me how to persevere. She encouraged me to be successful regardless of the odds, obstacles or challenges. She gave me hope, drive, determination and a will to succeed. She gave, because she cared.

Regardless of the strength or size of our hand, we have opportunities to make a difference in someone’s life. As we move forward, I challenge each of us to look for opportunities to acknowledge a deed well done, thank a neighbor or friend, praise a child, tell a senior thanks, or extend a hand to someone less fortunate than ourselves.

Grandma, thank you for extending your hand, I’m forever grateful.

Love,
Darwin Johnson