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Lois J. Prokop, age 90, of Kadoka, died Thursday, October 13, 2005, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Lois J. Prokop was born February 1, 1915 in Cherry County, Nebraska.  She passed away October 13, 2005 in Philip. As a baby, her family, Orville and Hazel Hampton, moved to Wellsburg, SD in Haakon County.  They lived in the Philip, Kadoka, Wanblee area for many years.  Lois graduated from Philip High School and went on to marry Otto F. Prokop in 1932.  They lived on the last place to be homesteaded in Jackson County and eventually added land and cattle to create the Half Diamond Seven Ranch.  The Half Diamond Seven was known for good Hereford cattle and warm hospitality and Lois' kitchen fed many a hand, neighbors, family and people just passing through the area.

Lois has a daughter, Bonita, who ranches in Custer, SD with her husband Clair. Her son, Veryl, ranches on the home place and near Kadoka with his wife Marilyn.   Remaining family includes four grandchildren, Sheri (Harris) Webster and her husband Ray of Custer, SD,  Jane Harris and Dean Hitshew,  also of Custer, SD, Tammy Ann Prokop of the Minneapolis, Minnesota area and Charlie Prokop, Kadoka, SD.  She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Anthony Webster, Rapid City, SD, Andrew Webster, Spearfish, SD, Joey Harris-Phillips, Custer, SD, Jenna Harris, Custer, SD, Jake Harris-Raver, Custer, SD and Jazmin Hitshew, Custer, SD.  She is blessed with two great-great-grandchildren, Derek and Addison.  Brothers and sisters include Harry Hampton, Redondo Beach, California, Mary Tucker and husband Charles, Tillamook, Oregon, Rose Lewis and husband Gil, Bryan, Ohio and Russ Hampton and his wife Patricia of Keizer, Oregon.  She loved and was loved by many nieces and nephews. 

Lois was a wonderful historian and spent many hours assisting people with family information, and doing research on the history of the Jackson and Haakon County areas.  She helped to author the Jackson-Washabaugh County History Books and also authored  the book Women, Horses and Show  'Biz, a biography of  Madge and Grace Runyan, champion lady bronc riders and trick riders in the early 1900's.  Lois also wrote for the Kadoka Press for many years keeping the area informed on the Wells Community news.  She wrote numerous articles over the years for area papers and was instrumental in the founding of the Kadoka Museum.  A member of the South Dakota Historical Society, Lois was also a proud member of the South Dakota Stock Growers Association.
Lois was a charter member of the Kadoka Senior Citizens and served in many capacities at the Concordia Lutheran Church including being an avid quilter with the Ladies Guild.  She loved playing cards, especially Hand and Foot with her friends at the "Apartments".  She and Otto spent many hours producing music at dances and for the family at get-togethers, Otto on the fiddle and harmonica, Lois playing the banjo.  They loved to square dance and spent many evenings attending dances around Western South Dakota and especially the old-time community picnics and dances.  The old Sauser house shook with the sound of foot stomping and fiddle music.

Lois was active in the ranching business until her death and loved her cattle and horses.  Her hobbies included numerous handcrafts with thousands of stitches crocheted and  many quilts gracing the homes of friends and family.  She was also an able handyman, rebuilding broken appliances and little projects around the house.  Lois learned to run a computer at age 88 and enjoyed keeping in touch with family and friends through technology.  Her favorite pastime was working crossword puzzles and she was rarely caught without a puzzle at hand and a good  sharp pencil.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband Otto, parents Orville and Hazel Hampton, brothers Leslie and Don Hampton and sister, Violet. 

Visitation was held 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m on Sunday, October 16, at the Rush Funeral Home in Kadoka, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Monday.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 17, at the Concordia Lutheran Church in Kadoka, with Pastor Ann Schlossnagle officiating.

Interment will be in the Kadoka Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial is established.

A cactus in bloom.

A Hereford cow washing

her baby’s crisp, white face.

A horse with a good walk.

Dough gobs in the frying pan and

the smell of buns baking in the kitchen.

The Tennessee Waltz played rich and pure

by an old time fiddler.

Family.

These were special things

to our dear Grandmother…

Please take a moment when you

run across them in your daily life

to enjoy God’s gifts as Grandma did

each and every day of her 90 years.

Love and God bless,

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