Obituary: Claude Allen Berry

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In memory of

Claude Allen Berry

of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at his residence in Kadoka at the age of 88

Claude Allen Berry, Jr. was born March 11, 1926, in Mitchell, South Dakota, the son of Claude Allen Berry, Sr. and Edna Ruth Bedford. He grew up on his parents’ ranch on Pass Creek, where he received his education at the rural school nearby, and his mother was the teacher. He began his high school education in Wanblee, at a boarding school, then took a year off before, attending Kadoka High School, graduating in 1944.

Allen worked in Rapid City at the Ford Garage, then cutting posts at Custer with Loyd VanderMay. In the summer of 1950, he helped his sister Thelma and her husband Leslie Handcock during harvest, and met a hired girl by the name of Betty Kaltenbach.

On February 8, 1951, Allen married Betty Kaltenbach, in Kadoka, South Dakota; and to this union were born four children, Carla, Barbara, James, and John. They made their home on the Pass Creek Ranch, near his parents’ home. In 1994, they moved to the north end of the ranch. On June 1, 2014, they moved into Kadoka, where they have since resided.

Ranching was Allen’s passion, and took pride in the care he gave to all his animals. Allen enjoyed hunting in his younger days, and loved the camaraderie of the hunt. He loved his semis, John Deere Tractors, and Ford Pickups. Any machinery Allen had, he was meticulous about keeping them clean. He would keep wax and a rag in every piece of equipment.

Allen was on the Washabaugh County School Board while his kids were in school, received his 50-year Mason pin from the Mt. Moriah Lodge, a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Long Valley, and a current member of Concordia Lutheran Church of Kadoka.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Betty of Kadoka; four children Carla Berry of Pierre, Barbara Lamb and her husband Allen of Nisland, Jim Berry and his wife Beverly of Kadoka, and John Berry and his wife Lisa of Kadoka; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one sister Thelma Handcock of Rapid City; and a host of other relatives and friends. Allen was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter Kimberly Lamb; a great-granddaughter Evelyn Molnar; and two sisters Margaret Davis and Ruth Ahlyne Berry as an infant.

Visitation was held 5-7 p.m. Friday, October 17, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Saturday.

Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 18, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka, with Pastor Gus Craven and Pastor Duane Neugebauer officiating.

Interment was at the Kadoka Cemetery.

A memorial is established to the Kadoka and Long Valley Volunteer Fire Departments.

Cards and memorial may be sent to P.O. Box 74, Kadoka, SD 57543.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Saturday, October 18, 2014 - 10:00 a.m.
Presbyterian Church
Kadoka, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Duane Neugebauer
Pastor Gus Craven
MUSIC
Randi Oyan - Prelude/Postlude
Beverly Berry - Pianist
Congregational Hymns
“Amazing Grace”
“Old Rugged Cross”
John Kaiser — Boyd Porch — Carl Bauman
“Home on the Range”
“How Great Thou Art”
USHERS
Brett Prang — Chuck Vander May
PALLBEARERS
Duane Lamb — Blake Berry
Dak Carley — Warren Berry
Rob Hopkins — Foster Berry
Sterling Lamb
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Francis Vander May — Lloyd Olson
INTERMENT
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota

Open the Memorial Folder

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Friday, October 17, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka.

Funeral services: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 18, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka.

Interment: Kadoka Cemetery.

A memorial is established to the Kadoka and Long Valley Volunteer Fire Departments.

Sign the guestbook

Sorry for your loss. May Claude Allen rest in peace. ~ Sue Hoon Kadoka (10/15/2014)
We extend our deepest sympathy for your loss of Allen. You are in our prayers. May His mercy and grace wrap you up in a warm and loving embrace and hold you tight during this time of sorrow. ~ Pastor Gus and Terry Craven Wanblee (10/15/2014)
Claude was an amazing person. Always had a story to tell. He will be Missed by all that loved Him. May he rest in peace.
~ Joe Hatheway Blackhawk So.Dak (10/15/2014)
Dear Betty, Carla, Barb, Jim, John and families,
We are shocked and saddened to hear of Claude Allen's passing. We remember our early years of marriage and starting a family while living on beautiful Pass Creek Ranch. You and Allen were good to us "kids". Kenny will always remember Allen's guidance in his early years of Masonry. God bless and keep you. ~ Kenny & Lyndy Ireland Philip, SD (10/15/2014)
Thoughts and prayers sent during this difficult time. May God wrap his loving arms around each of you and comfort you. May you find comfort in knowing he is in great hands.
Many prayers sent your way,
Rowdy and Cindy ~ Cindy Schuler Philip (10/15/2014)
Sincere Sympathy to family of Claude Allen. Prayers to Betty and the children. Another cowboy in Heaven, we will miss you Claude Allen. My Mom worked for your parents when you were small. The Strattons and Allen's have known all of you for so many years. May God be with you and help you get through this difficult time.

~ Joe and Betty Lou Stratton Kadoka, SD (10/15/2014)
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. ~ Kari Porch Pierre SD (10/15/2014)
Claude Allen was such a ray of sunshine whenever I had the opportunity to visit with him when I returned back home. He always wanted to know about the hog hunting. I will miss having those opportunities. Praying for comfort for your family. ~ Janelle Madsen Popwell Wellington, Texas (10/15/2014)
Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I have so many memories of Claude Allen and the whole Berry family that I treasure. Mom and Dad (Betty & Ken Kaltenbach) took my kids out "West" for a vacation and the kids still talk about the fun they had at Allen and Betty's. What precious memories we have. He was a great man and will be greatly missed! May the choirs of Angels come to greet him, may they speed him to paradise, may the Lord enfold him in his mercy, May he have eternal life. Love, Karol & Rockie West Family ~ Karol Kaltenbach West Sioux Falls, SD (10/15/2014)
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Allen. Though words can't take away the pain, please know there are so many family members and friends that are thinking of you during this most difficult time. We will keep you in our prayers. Cherish the wonderful memories and take care of each other. Our love and hugs to you. ~ Fred, Janel & Kayla Kaltenbach Canton, SD (10/15/2014)
My sincere sympathy to you, Betty and your family. I remember Claude Allen from the time I was small. God's blessing to your all. ~ Elaine Staben Bozeman MT (10/15/2014)
You are In our thoughts and prayers. ~ Paul and Kathy Grosskrueger E6120 Lane drive Reedsburg, wi 53959 (10/15/2014)
Our community lost a good neighbor and friend. The Berry's and VanderMay's have been neighbors and friends for near 100 years - 5 generations! It is awesome that after all the years and people involved there were never disputes or divisions. From playing cards, sharing meals, hauling cattle, gathering pastures and machinery talk fun times were had. Claude Allen is the only man known that could drive out on the muddiest road in the county and have a shining vehicle when he reached the highway! Highway 73 separated our homes. Several years ago we upgraded a combine. Claude Allen seen it delivered and soon called questioning about the new machine! He asked " Does mine shine more than yours?" Well come the next spring his combine glowed it shined so much! As Claude Allen suffers no more may his legacy glow in each of his family and friends he left behind. We all have some "waxing" to do. May we always have compassion for one another, a lending hand to those in need, a good steward of the land, proper care for the animals, be ready to play some cards and at least 1 clean shining vehicle at all times! God bless you all. ~ Chuck & Janet VanderMay Kadoka (10/15/2014)