Harold McRae

Harold McRae was born January 26, 1909, on his parents' homestead in the South Creek area, nine miles north of Kadoka, the son of Cecil and Inga (Nelson) McRae.

He grew up on the homestead and received his education in that area.  During his youth and early manhood, he worked at many jobs, including breaking horses, picking corn by hand, sticking turkeys, and building roads and dams with horses and a fresno.

Harold was united in marriage to Cecilia Lesmeister on September 26, 1934, at Kadoka.

In 1936, they moved into Kadoka where Harold worked in Hunt's Hardware Store and later ran the Kadoka Equity Union Exchange Elevator.  In 1946, he purchased the International Harvester business, which he operated until 1960 when he started ranching.  He ran cattle on shares and leased land.

Harold loved the cattle business, the cowboying, and the great friendships he developed with his neighboring ranchers.

During his years in Kadoka, he was very active in many community activities, including Deputy Sheriff (12 years); Fire Chief (21 years); president of the Kadoka School Board (23 years); president of the S.D. School Board Association for one term; County School Board President (14 years); served on the Kadoka City Council (6 years); was a director of the REA Board and chairman of the Rushmore Electric in Rapid City; and served as president of the Gateway Housing Development.  He was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church of Kadoka.

Harold was an avid hunter for most of his life and even after he could no longer hunt, he ran a hunting camp for many years in the Black Hills.  He always enjoyed telling about his hunting experiences.

The last few years, he spent much of his time writing his memoirs.  His book was printed this past November and is now being enjoyed by his family and his many friends.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Cecilia McRae of Kadoka; a son, Richard McRae and his wife, Janice, of Denver, Colorado; three daughters, Janis Kelley and her husband, Tom, of Pierre, Jeanette Cote of Denver, and Kathleen Nelson and her husband, George, of Brookings; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Alyce Kjos and Ileen McRae.

A memorial has been established.

Mass of Christian Burial
Monday, January 26, 1998
10:00 a.m.
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Kadoka, South Dakota

Officiating
Father Bob Baden
Deacon Heckathorne

Music
Randi Oyan - Organist
Tim Polzin - Vocalist

Ushers
Bruce Conlee - Raymond Terkildsen

Active Pallbearers
Cory Coellen - Eric Coellen
Tom Kelley - Jay Oligmueller
Chuck Vander May - Jim Berry

Honorary Pallbearers
Pat Kuck - Lyle Labree - Larry Kobriger
Bob Slaba - Larry Schacht - Norm Kempf
Jim Likness - Tom Coleman - Paul Woeldryer
Tom Clemens - Dwayne Breyer
John Schroeder - Gary Hansen

Interment
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota

Service Details

Mass of Christian Burial
Monday, January 26, 1998
10:00 a.m.
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka