| Death | January 2005 | Marion Edward Travis died in January 2005 at age 77 Funeral services for Marion and Dorothy Travis were held Saturday, Jan. 29, 2005, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Mobridge, with Fr. John Short and Rev. Doug Westerlund officiating. Music was provided by Marge Mertz, organist, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Choir and the congregation. Interment was made at the Greenwood Cemetery in Mobridge. Casketbearers were Lyle Fuhrman, Ron Heper, John Leff, Bob Larson, Robert Krumm, Ken Heil, Don Paulson, Everett Batcheller, Art Borth, Ray Miklos, Steve Fuhrman and Shorty Bader. Marion Edward Travis was born April 12, 1927, on a farm near Platte to Edward and Elsie (Peterson) Travis. He grew up on this same farm and attended school in Platte, graduating from Platte High School in 1945. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1945-1946. Following his discharge from the Army, he attended South Dakota State University and earned a bachelor of science degree in agriculture. He spent a short time living and working in Kansas City. He married Dorothy Gerlach at Platte June 9, 1953. They made their home in Watertown for a short time before moving to Tyndall where he began his career with the Dept. of Social Services. In 1959, they moved to Mobridge where they have since resided. While living in Mobridge, he continued his career with the Dept. of Social Services before retiring in 1989. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the Lions Club, Bridge City Coin Club and the State Archeological Society.
Dorothy Margaret Travis was born November 17, 1929, at the Gerlach farm near Corsica to John E. and Margaret (Riecke) Gerlach. She grew up on this same farm and attended rural grade school and later Parkston High School graduating in 1947. Following high school, she attended Springfield College, where she received her two-year teaching certificate. She then taught rural school for a short time before her marriage to Marion. After moving to Mobridge, she substitute taught, was an Avon representative, worked as a receptionist at the McClellan Dental Office and also worked part-time at Home Spun.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Trinity Lutheran Church Women. They are survived by their four children, Joel Travis, Geismar, La., Mary Travis, Austin, Texas, Joan Helvik, Huron, and Nancy Wagner, Kasilof, Ala; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. In addition, Marion is survived by one brother, Leo Travis, Platte; and three sisters, Helen Srstka, Geddes, Leona Hastert, Raytown, Mo., and Lois Franssen, Platte. Dorothy is survived by five brothers, Norbert Gerlach, Mt. Vernon, Harlan and David Gerlach, both of Rapid City, Garhardt Gerlach, Corsica, and Lambert Gerlach, Clarksdale, Ariz; four sisters, Mary Paradise, Mitchell, June Droppers, Rapid City, Barbara Nesheim, Cave Creek, Ariz., and Patty Butterfield, Seattle, Wash. Marion was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Mark Allen in 1967; and two brothers, Dallas and LuAllen. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Mark Allen, in 1967; and one sister, Judy Mae. |