Lawrence “Bruce” Whidby was born December 14, 1939, in Rushville, Nebraska, to Glenn Henry and Minnie Thelma (Fuhr) Whidby. He was the fourth born out of five children. He attended various schools, including Pine Ridge, Rapid City, and Belvidere where his father was the superintendent until a car accident claimed the life of his father, Glenn, and his sister, Waneta, on February 8, 1949. He was the lone survivor. Bruce then moved to Hazelton, North Dakota, with his mother and younger sister, Margaret. He graduated from Hazelton High School in 1957. He joined the Army National Guard after he graduated. He then moved back to Kadoka, South Dakota to work for his brothers, Bud and Julian, on their ranch south of Kadoka. While in the Army National Guard, he completed a cold weather operations course at Fort Greely, Alaska. He was honorably discharged December 14, 1999.


Bruce married the love of his life, Lila Jean Hamilton, on June 27, 1962, in Kadoka, and to this union four children were born: Monte, Matthew, Gwen, and Diana. They lived on his brother’s ranch south of Kadoka until they moved to town in 1986. He worked for Steve Jeffords maintaining the Belvidere Rest Area and later took over the contract for the Belvidere Rest Area from 2004-2008. He greatly enjoyed visiting with the travelers who stopped at the rest area and made friends with many of them over the years.


After retiring, he enjoyed fishing, gardening, and spending time with his family. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially pulling them around in his garden wagon.


Survivors include his wife of almost 64 years, Lila; two sons Monte (Vicki) and Matthew (Trish); two daughters Gwen (Paul) McConnell and Diana (Chad) Konradi; 15 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.


He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws; two brothers Bud and Julian Whidby; two sisters Waneta Whidby and Margaret Kell; and one great-granddaughter, Silver Brunson.

Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Sunday, May 17, 2026 at the Kadoka Bible Church.

Funeral Services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 18, 2026 at the Kadoka Bible Church with Pastor Jesse Taylor officiating.

Interment with military honors will be held 2:30 p.m. Monday, May 18, 2026 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 563 Kadoka, SD 57543.