Dorothy McKinney

of Rapid City, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, December 18, 2024
at her home in Rapid City at the age of 95

Dorothy Loretta Lamm was born April 16, 1929, in Philip, South Dakota, the youngest of six children born to Clemens “C.J.” and Mary (Hoffman) Lamm. She was raised north of Philip, where she received her education. She came to Rapid City and attended beauty college in 1952. She went to work at Black Hills Beauty Shop after graduation. She met Arthur “Mac” McKinney and married her soulmate in 1954. She had four children, Bruce, (Butch) McKinney, Michael McKinney (wife Pamela), Carol Patridge (husband Steve) and Kathleen Bessette (husband Doug). She was also a parent of two step-sons, Arthur McKinney and Steve McKinney. In 1959 she also adopted her sister’s children, Tommy Roth, Rudy Roth and Janet Lewis. Arthur was in the Air Force, and gone quite often during the first 10 years, and Dorothy was busy growing her beauty industry. She definitely made Rapid City beautiful.
Governor Bill Janklow declared August 17, 2002 “Dorothy Lamm McKinney Day" acknowledging her accomplishments as a business owner for 50 years.

She was one of a kind. She had her own businesses, three at one time, and provided services for hair care for many women in Rapid City. Dorothy would work late evenings in order to serve those women who worked days and needed time to be styled after normal hours. She always had a lap full of yarn and was always crocheting a blanket for a grand, or great-grandchild. Ronalda and Kathy, Dorothy’s daughters, worked with Dorothy for many, many years. She was an inspiration to women, who rarely had the opportunity to become a business owner at that time. Black Hills Beauty Shop will be fondly remembered.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mac, all of her brothers and sisters, special nephews, Bobby Lamm and Tommy Roth, and a granddaughter, Jolene Mitchell.

She is survived by her children listed above, She had13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. She also is survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. GG as she was known by all will be greatly missed.

Dorothy passed with her family by her side, who give a gift of gratitude for the urology nurses who cared for her. Her main caretaker was her granddaughter, Melanie Allen and her family as well as great-granddaughter, Destiny Trujillo.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 27, at Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home in Rapid City.

Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 28, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, with a rosary service at 10:30 a.m.

Graveside services will follow the rosary service at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Service Details

FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday, December 27, 2024 - 11:00 a.m.
Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home
Rapid City, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Mark Boettcher

MUSIC
“Jealous of the Angels”
“Will The Circle Be Unbroken”
“Amazing Grace”
“A Bushel and a Peck”

PALLBEARERS
Jason Jones - Shane McKinney - Chris Bessette
Andrew Lewis - Bobby Allen - Rudy Roth
Steve Buchholz - Mark Buchholz

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Jalen Allen and All Nieces and Nephews

ROSARY SERVICE
Saturday, December 28, 2024 - 10:30 a.m.
Rush Funeral Home
Philip, South Dakota

CLERGY
Fr. Grant Gerlach

GRAVESIDE SERVICE
Saturday, December 28, 2024 - 11:00 a.m.
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Guest Book

Happy Birthday! I love and miss you so much! Today us girls are going to celebrate you! ❤️🎂 keep watching over me
   ~ Melanie Rapid City (4/16/2025)
Hey….grandma…I always called you that even when everyone says GG or mom. I really really miss you. But I am glad I can come here and still talk to you. I have a really hard time letting you go but I know now you are happy and healthy once again. That is what keeps me going…knowing you are ok with grandpa and all the family we so dearly miss and I know you would not want me to be sad. I just miss you. Talking with you…and someone that just listened and only gave advice when you knew it was needed. I will be strong for you and do great things just like you. I hate to be bias but I/we were the luckiest people to have you as Mom, grandma, and GG…you truly were our rock in this family and I will always remember the things you taught me. To be kind to everyone and to always have a place at the table for a stranger….to never get too mad at my husband and to always always be there for my kids and family. I love you I miss you and I will forever treasure every minute I had with you. You always told me you are gonna be ok…and I will. Love you! See you on the other side. ❤️
   ~ Melanie Dorothy Rapid City (2/27/2025)
Dorothy may your walk threw the spirit world be peaceful and harmoniss.Bless your family with the ability to allow your journey to be pleasant. May we celebrate your life remembering all the good you did and all the accomplishments you had. Let us come together and celebrate you and all your goodness. RIP Dorothy, sail on my friend I will see you on the other side
   ~ Elana Woodman Goldendale, Washington (12/27/2024)
Without Dorothy, our lives would not have been touched by Butch, Melanie & Bobby. I shared such a sweet time of folding laundry with Dorothy one beautiful morning. Despite the disease, her kind and caring personality shown through. Rest peacefully in our Saviours arms Dorothy, good and faithful servant.
   ~ Marie Young Boiling Springs, South Carolina (12/20/2024)

Flowers

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Sam, Mel, Josh, Mady and John H.
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First Wesleyan Church
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Nickolus
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Lonny and Mattie Ryman
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Daryl and Lesley Harney
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Sisters of Susan Eagleton
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David and Cindy Luxem
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Russell, Marie, Logan and Reece
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Mike and Sonya Wibum