Ralph "Doc" Pesicka

Ralph Harlan "Doc" Pesicka, Rs.

In my last posting, I mentioned that Ralph Pesicka had passed away recently. I'm not sure but I think that the funeral was happening during an ice storm in Northern SD (Dupree). I believe that the electricity went out in the community. I need to find out from family just what did occur. Here is Doc's obituary from Rapid City Journal:

Funeral services for Ralph Harland "Doc" Pesick Sr., 88, Dupree, will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Jan 25, at the Pioneer Hall (in Dupree, SD). Visitation will be from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, at Kesling Funeral Home. Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home. Mr. Pesicka passed away Monday, Jan. 18, 2010 at the Mobridge Hospital. Doc was born Jan. 10, 1922 on the family homestead nine miles northwest of Dupree in Ziebach County, SD to George and L. Edna Place Pesicka. Ralph grew up on the family homestead, attending the High Point School in rural Ziebach County, finishing the eighth grade. At age 14 he left home to work as a ranch hand and herded sheep for Sofus Brams in the LaPlant and Ridgeview areas. In 1942 Doc enlisted in the Signal Corp. Reserve and took his training in Aberdeen. It was there he met the love of his life L. Lillian Weeks. The coupole married Jan. 10, 1943 in Aberdeen. They lived in Aberdeen and Minneapolis for a short time where Doc finished his Signal Corp. training. He was called to active duty and transferred to the Air Force, taking his basic training at Sheppard Field, Texas. After training, Doc was sent to Sioux Falls as a radio instructor. Lillie, Bill and Ralph, Jr. joined him there for a short time before Doc was sent to Truax Field, Wis., for more radio school, receiving an honorable discharge there on Nov. 25, 1945. After his discharge the family moved back to Aberdeen and then to North Dakota where Doc worked at a grain mill. Edna Kay and Linda Jean joined the family during this time. In the fall of 1949 Doc and Lillie moved their family to Ziebach County to make their home. Doc engaged in farming and worked for the Davis Gas Co. in Dupree. Richard Wayne was born during this time. In the mid 1950's Doc and Lillie moved into Dupree. In 1958 ran on the Republican ticket for Ziebach Co. auditor taking in office in 1959. He served in that position until 1971. Doc also served 45 years as County Civil Defense Director, 40 years as county Veteran Service Officer, as county Assessor, a deputy Clerk of Courts, a justice of the peace and was custodian at the court house for many years. Doc was a member of St. Philips Episcopal Church and a lifetime member of Post 124 of the American Legion of Dupree. Doc liked country music, dancing and playing cards, visiting with friends and spending time with his family. He leaves to celebrate his life his wife of 66 years, Lillie Pesicka of Mobridge,; two sons, Ralph Jr. (Norma) Pesicka of Timber Lake, and Richard "Dick" (Jeanne) Pesicka of Renton, Wash; three daughters, Patsy Woolery of Aberdeen, Edna Kay (Ken) Bunn of Grand Ronde, Ore., and Linda (Ole) Keehner of Rapid City; 16 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Donald "Pat" Pesicka of Dupree. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Edna Pesicka, son Bill Pesicka; four brothers, Mike, Lawrence, Dick and lee; three sisters, Barbara Eaton, Francis Holder and Maxine Pesicka; and great grandson Martin Ole Dethleff.