Bernice 'Elaine' Korthaus, age 95, passed away Thursday, October 11, 2007 at Castle Manor in Hot Springs, SD.

Elaine was born May 12, 1912 to Joseph (Joe) Korthaus and Estelle (Etta) McVey, in south central Custer County. Her home was the territorial horse and cattle ranch known as the 55 Ranch, located just west of the territorial town of Bakerville, SD, now a ghost town .She grew up loving ranch life, animal husbandry and her family. Her rural school education in one room log schools ended with her attending her last years and graduating from Oelrichs High School, Oelrichs, SD in 1930, in southwest Fall River County. Elaine married Merle Getzmeyer. They ranched in several Black Hills locations. They carried a lease on The Gideon Place, located in Ghost Canyon, owned by the constructor of the State Game Lodge; President Coolidge's Summer Whitehouse. Here they had a dude ranch and a string of trail rides. They raised registered purebred Arabian horses and sold horses to Forts Meade and Robinson. They also ranched east of Hermosa, South Dakota. Many of Merle's folk were from the area south of Oelrichs. Elaine and Merle had no children of their own, but they cared for her nephew Charles Boyd Bochert, and her niece, Bonnie Quarve, for long periods of time, enriching their lives. Elaine enjoyed community functions such as community dances, square dancing, rodeos anywhere, Days of 76 in Deadwood and Belle Fourche's Round-Up Celebrations were events to set the calendar by. Other yearly 'must attends' were the Buffalo Gap 4th of July and Founder's Day celebrations, the Hermosa Fair and Fairburn community activities. Participation in the Custer Gold Discovery Day's Parade and Pageant where for many years she and her white horse, Silver, represented the Great Spirit and where her husband, Merle, rode his red horse which represented Fire. Elaine always had dogs and loved training them, she was also an avid bird watcher. Elaine loved picnics, family drives and other outings. She played pitch, cribbage and scrabble. She was always excited to go to Hazel Rod Camp Ground and accounted how it reminded her of her childhood along South Lame Johnny. Elaine told stories of her youth and of the family accounts about the 1860's to 1990's.
Devastated through events that brought about their divorce after about 22 years of marriage, and taking back her maiden name, Elaine left the Hermosa community for Hot Springs.

Elaine became family historian and archivist in her later years, helping three area authors compile local stories. She saw that substantial collections were exhibited in Custer and Fall River County Museums. Elaine loved picnics, family drives and other outings. She played pitch, cribbage and scrabble. She was always excited to go to Hazel Rod Camp Ground and accounted how it reminded her of her childhood along South Lame Johnny. Elaine told stories of her youth and of the family accounts about the 1860's to 1990's.

Elaine was a member of the Cold Springs School House Historical Society. She and her mother bought and had installed the fence that surrounded the cemetery for decades. This fence was replaced around the year 2000.

Survivors include one sister, Irene Quarve, of Rapid City; one niece and one nephew.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Margaret (Bochert) Brackett.

Memorial gathering will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Thursday, October 17, 2007 at McColley's Chapel in Hot Springs.

A memorial has been established in Elaine's name to benefit Sun Catchers Therapeutic Riding Academy, 12337 Beaver Den Dr., Custer, SD 57730

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel in Hot Springs. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.