Jean Elrod Hunter Obituary

Jean Elrod Hunter was born April 7, 1933, in Midland, South Dakota, to Artie and Goldie Elrod. She was the third of four siblings, spending most of her childhood and school years in Midland. From 1942-1945, during World War II, her family lived in Seattle, and she spoke fondly of riding the bus all over the city with her sister, Phyllis. In high school, she was a cheerleader, math whiz, and senior queen.

She met and married Ray Hunter in 1950. Jean and Ray had four children - Casey, Billie, Jackie, and Mike - and the family lived in several different communities in western South Dakota, spending many years in Cottonwood and ranching near Belvidere. Jean was small but mighty, as ranching life sometimes found her hauling buckets of water from the spring to home for her four small children.

In the mid-1960s, she started working at Wall Drug making rolls, eventually becoming a bookkeeper in the office. She loved working at Wall Drug, where she would stay for over 50 years, working part-time into her early 80s because she loved meeting new people. Jean moved to Wall permanently in 1996.

Jean enjoyed gathering with family and always looked forward to the annual Midland Memorial Day celebration to visit with her siblings, relatives, and friends. She had a love of travel and sightseeing, often visiting places where she could reconnect with relatives she hadn’t seen in many years. With her friend Richard, she traveled many places over the last twenty years.

She never missed sending a birthday card to her loved ones, and she and her cards will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her sister, Phyllis Skow, Minneapolis, MN; daughters Billie (Steve) Swan, Hubbard, TX, and Jackie (Dave) Driscoll, Pierre, SD; sons Casey (Linda) Hunter, Stephenville, TX, and Mike (Kim) Hunter, Huntsville, TX; sisters-in-law Joanne Elrod, Skykomish, WA, and Lois Elrod, Sparks, NV; 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Jean is preceded in death by her parents, Artie and Goldie Elrod; Ray Hunter; brothers, Leonard and Keith Elrod; brother-in-law, Al Skow; and longtime companion, Richard Mauer.

Memorial services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 27, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland with Pastor Cindy Bisser officiating.

Interment will follow at the Midland Cemetery.

Guest Book

Jean was always so pleasant to visit with! She will be missed in our community. May she rest in peace, and sending prayers for her family.
~ Kelly Lurz Wall, SD (12/29/2020)

Your mother will be missed by many used to visit her when she was at Wall Drug. I remember her growing up near Cottonwood and 4-H times. She was such a wonderful caring lady. My thoughts are with you all.
~ Amelia Hurley Philip (12/30/2020)

I am so sorry for your loss. Our deepest condolences and prayers for you all.
Jean will be sorely missed. R.I.P. You always shared a smile.
~ William Brown Kadoka, SD (12/29/2020)

Jean and her family were special people to the Midland community. We had commented how we missed seeing her and the family with the memorial service canceled here. RIP dear friend.
~ Pat and Reuben Vollmer & George Stroppel Midland (12/29/2020)

Richard and Jean were such a treasure to our family and will be greatly missed. She was very proud of her kids and grandkids and loved sharing stories. Peace and love during this difficult time.
~ Lynn Dunker Wall, Sd (12/29/2020)

Jean Elrod Hunter

of Wall, South Dakota, died on Sunday, December 13, 2020
at a hospital in Texas at the age of 87

Service Details

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Jean Elrod Hunter

of Wall, South Dakota, died on Sunday, December 13, 2020 at a hospital in Texas at the age of 87

Service Details

Guest Book

Flowers

of Wall, South Dakota, died on Sunday, December 13, 2020
at a hospital in Texas at the age of 87