Edgar "Buster" Berry

of Gordon, Nebraska, formerly of Scenic, South Dakota, died on Thursday, September 22, 2016
in Gordon, Nebraska at the age of 83

E. F. Buster Berry was born March 5, 1933, in his grandparent’s ranch house at Farmingdale, South Dakota to Franklin and Marjorie (Hann) Berry. He attended first grade at Bison, South Dakota. The remainder of his schooling was at Farmingdale and New Underwood. Buster graduated from New Underwood High School in May 1950.

He made his home with his grandparents, “the August Bollmanns”. He worked for various ranchers, namely Lemley, Taylor, White, and Costello.

Buster was united in marriage to Mary Lou Hill at Scenic in 1953. They had six children of whom he is very proud of. “They are my greatest assets” referring to his six children, 17 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. Buster volunteered for the draft in October 1953 and was inducted into the U.S. Army at Ft. Riley, Kansas, in January 1954. He served one year in Kansas and one year in Augsburg, Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1954 at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois.

He returned to Scenic, South Dakota, and began his small ranching and farming career with his father-in-law (Cliff Hill). In 1958 he moved to Farmingdale where he spent most of his childhood. He leased the Bollmann place with his beloved grandfather “Dado” who made his home with them until his death in 1960. He continued living there until 1964 then moved back to Scenic and lived there six years before moving for a short stint to Martin, then back to Scenic where he ran the Costello Ranch until it was sold. In 1975 they moved to Gordon, Nebraska, where Buster was employed as a feed salesman from 1975 to the present time.

Buster and his family were always involved in rodeo. He enjoyed rodeoing himself for years and especially enjoyed his kids, who won numerous awards and now the grandkids continue the rodeo tradition. “Guess we’ll rodeo forever”. He was also involved in helping organize the first high school rodeo in the state of South Dakota which was in New Underwood. It was only the third one in the U.S. at the time. He also loved watching his children and grandchildren play ball.

Buster belonged to the PRCA over 40 years. He was a gold card member of the PRCA, 45 yr. member of the American Legion and a life member of Post 240 of Martin. Buster was also a continuous 36 yr. member of the AQHA and the APHA.

Life’s been tough but good. God blessed me with a wonderful wife, six great children, and a super good grandfather “Dado”. Take me back to the Badlands, to me that’s the best place on earth.

Survivors include three daughters, Deb (Kip Krull) of Harrold, South Dakota, Roxanne Hauk (Ron Ward), of Caputa, South Dakota, Tracy (Rick Burdyshaw) of Perry, Ohio and three sons, Wade (Corina) of Miles City, Montana, Bruce (Jeanne) of Interior, South Dakota, and Ote of Checotah, Oklahoma; 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou on May 26, 2009; his parents; a brother James Berry; and a sister Betsy.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established. Cards and memorials may be sent to Bruce Berry, P.O. Box 14, Interior, SD 57750.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 25, at the American Legion in Philip.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 26, at the Rockyford School Gym 20 miles south of Scenic.

Interment with military honors will be held at the Scenic Cemetery in Scenic.

Service Details

VISITATION
Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 5-7 p.m.
with a prayer service at 7p.m.
American Legion
Philip, South Dakota

PRAYER SERVICES
Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 7:00 p.m.
American Legion Hall
Philip, South Dakota

OFFICIANT
Brett Buress

MUSIC
Liz Fisher - Vocalist
“Home on the Range”
“In The Garden”

USHERS
Wes Ginkens - Ed Ginkens

PALLBEARERS
Vernon Schnose - Jack Grieves - Cleon Boomer
Tom O’Rourke - Duck Thorson - Lyle O’Rourke
Ed Taylor - Kenny Boomer - Dick Miner - Clay Johnson

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Butch Tinant - Tom Ward - Bret Blasius
John Holloway - Scott Hall - Keith Bowman
Ed Powers - Don Hutchinson - Dwight Higgins
Bat Pourier - Fred Larsen - Roger Voss
Link Thompson - Buck Buckles - Gary Petersen

INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Scenic Cemetery
Scenic, South Dakota

Guest Book

Sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad.
   ~ Sid & Zelda Fairbanks Philip, SD (9/23/2016)
A once neighbor and friend. He was quite a guy. Prayers to the family.
   ~ Gale/Marge Shellito Gering,Ne. (9/24/2016)
Bus and Mary Lou, together again!!! That makes me smile, I know the reunion for the two of them was amazing. They have always been a special couple to me since I was a teenager. True one of a kinds both of them. Loss is always hard, but the amazing legacy they have left behind will carry on and that will make them very proud. They loved all of you very much and were so very proud of each and everyone of you. Thoughts and prayers Deb, Roxanne, Tracy, Wade, Bruce, Ote and all your families!
   ~ Wendy Junge Gordon, NE (9/25/2016)
My memories of Buster go back to as far as I can remember. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time.
   ~ Lea (Willuweit) Ymker Armour SD (10/3/2016)
Although my brother Frank and I were born and raised in western South Dakota we have been gone from there for many years. However we try to keep up with old friends especially Buster. Buster was indeed one of kind and his exceptional memory and recall were phenomenal. His great stories with accurate dates and facts will be truly missed. May God bless his and Mary Lou's children and family.
   ~ Larry O'Neill San Antonio, Texas (9/25/2016)
Our thoughts and Prayers are with the Berry family and friends with the loss of Buster. He will be missed by many who knew him. Rest in Peace Buster.
our thoughts

   ~ Dale & Penny Baumann Quinn, SD (9/22/2016)
My thoughts and prayers are with Buster's family and many friends He will be missed God took another great man home may he rest in peace
's

   ~ Harriet Hurd Lumberton Mississippi (9/23/2016)
So sorry for your Loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. What a wonderful man.
   ~ Doug Bachand Edgemont, sd (9/26/2016)
Sorry about Buster He was a good guy always took time to talk to a person and help them out.Was glad to get to see him last summer. He has been around my family in the folsom area my whole life. My thoughts and prayers to the whole family . He will be missed
   ~ Jerry Lowe Rainter WA (9/26/2016)
So sorry for your loss. He will be missed. Had lots of good times with Buster at Interior. He always took time out to say hello and visit.
   ~ Kori Grass Rapid City SD (9/26/2016)
Thinking of you all. Have only happy memories of your dad.
   ~ Loretta White-Sheffield (9/22/2016)
So sorry for your loss.
   ~ Carolyn Olic Thompson Rapid City, SD (9/24/2016)
Buster and Mary Lou are together again and have so much to be proud of. Their legacy lives on in the six great kids they raised and all the grandkids, too. Proud to know such a nice family of hard working, honest cowboy people who are great friends to many, including me.
   ~ Kendra Santos Creston, California (9/24/2016)
So sorry to hear of your loss. So glad we got to see him when he came to say farewell to Paul. They were an awful lot alike! We always enjoyed visiting with Buster and joked about just how many Busters there could be in one area. He will darn sure be missed.
   ~ Buster & Nancy Peterson Kadoka (9/22/2016)
THANKS FOR SERVING
   ~ A VETERAN (9/26/2016)
Sorry for your loss. We enjoyed visiting with Buster at the 2016 BHS, we'll miss his stories they made us smile.
   ~ Dennis & Lisa Selle Grabury Texas (9/24/2016)
May your memories bring smiles and peace to your hearts, thinking of you all!
   ~ Dawn Hoffman Newland Belle Fourche, SD (9/23/2016)
I sure will miss seeing Busters smiling face & great stories. He will be greatly missed in our community.
   ~ Ang Madsen-Gilchrist Gordon, NE (9/23/2016)
Our condolences to the Berry Family. A good cowboy has ridden on ...he will be truly missed....but he has left a great legacy .
   ~ Kathy & Ted Thompson Whitewood, SD (9/24/2016)
Buster was always a favorite of Dean and myself. He was truly one of a kind. Our sympathy and prayers to his family.
   ~ Nancy Becker Edelman Ashby, Ne (9/24/2016)
Deb, Jack, Tracy, Wade, Bruce, Ote, and families, I don't know what to say. Do we ever? First of all, I'm late out the gate on this, and failed to spur on the first jump, so you can dock me points. Had I broken the barrier, we'd all get at least 10 seconds more, wouldn't we? In this case we'd want that extra time, just to say more, to do more, to make up for something, wouldn't we? Dad said your dad went in his sleep and we both agreed, "That's the way to go, isn't it?" I don't know if there's any "way to go" when we have to say goodbye to so much time, so much history, and even some of the silent mysteries left behind. I may be far away, but I always think of your folks' visits, being down in the grocery store in Gordon with your mom, getting cake from your dad, at old timers' rodeos having mom tell me to stand by your mom's cigarette smoke so the mosquitoes would stop bugging me (it worked!). I also remember your mom telling the funniest stories (oxygen tank, be damned) at Auntie Fern's 100th birthday at Jack's. And Jack, you told the funniest stories when my mom was in the hospital about my dad keeping you guys awake when you used to live over at Ralph's. I loved your dad's voice, tempered with whisky and cigarettes, deep, knowing. And I love knowing a family that surrounds itself with such strong, funny-as-hell women. I think that speaks volumes. Champion cowboys. Women that can spin a yarn and have everyone on the floor. The biggest funeral dad's ever seen. "Well, Buster knew everyone," dad said. You've all left such an indelible impression on our lives, and we love you so very, very much. Keep the stories. Keep telling them. You're adding to all our lives when you keep those memories alive. Thank you.
   ~ Michelle Thorson (Duck & Joan's daughter) Seattle, WA (formerly of Scenic, SD) (10/22/2016)
Tracy, I have thought of you many times over the years wondering where you were after you moved from Martin. I am so sorry for your loss.
   ~ Joan Muller Lyons Spearfish, SD (9/24/2016)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you with the passing of you dad. Cherish the memories and he will forever be missed.
   ~ Randy & Debbie Wall (9/22/2016)
Thoughts and prayers for all of you.
   ~ Brenda(Becker) Booth Casper, Wyoming (9/26/2016)
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Berry family in their time of loss. Know that Buster touched the lives of all the people who met him. I can still see him joking with my dad at High School and Little Britches Rodeos. The Grand Entries won't quite be the same without him. R.I.P. Buster.
   ~ William and Starla Brown Kadoka, SD (9/23/2016)
Thinking of you all!! "Bus" was a great guy, he will be missed!
   ~ Colton and Abbi McDaniel Philip, SD (9/22/2016)

Flowers

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Crew Agency - Rusty, Tanner, Taylor, Dana, Heidi, Grady, and Bernice
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Peggy Hauk and Families
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Family - "Grandpa Bus"
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Pastor Dave Morrison and churches under his care
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Family - "Bus"
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Dan, Donna, Dustin, & Rowdy Curr, Mike, Lacey Johnson & Family, and Holly & Taten Gittings
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ETC-DAPL Spread 4 Inspection Staff
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The Smith's - Jim & Delores, Justin & Family, and Garett & Jamie
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Class of 1976 Wall High School
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Dean, Julie Burdyshaw and Girls
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Gene and Sheryl Michael and Family
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Charlie, Kathleen, Cally, and Alayna Carlson
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Butch and Ann
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Carney and Waguestack
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Kent and Stephanie Kjerstad
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The Garrett's
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Wall High School Class of 1973
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Shayne, Heidi, and Girls
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Family - "Dad"
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Dan and Cindy Hauk and Families
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Mike, Tracy, Jaxon, and Jhett
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Steve and Valli Petersen
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Gale and Tammie