Dorothy Jean (Ross) Delicate, 87, of Custer, SD, died on Sunday, November 16, 2014, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, SD. She died following a stroke surrounded by family.

Dorothy was born on a farm near Gering, NE, during a blizzard on April 3, 1927. She was the only child of John and Marie (Kaufman) Ross. The family moved to Custer in 1933, to engage in placer gold mining. She attended grades 1-12 in the Custer School system, graduating in May 1945. During her Senior year, her parents moved to California for health reasons and Dorothy lived with the Jacobs family until graduation. Then she too, joined her parents in San Diego, working for the Ryan Aeronautical Company making airplanes for World War II.

When the War ended, the Ross family moved back to Custer where Dorothy again worked in the feldspar, beryl and mica mine owned by her parents. Soldiers were returning from the war, so her Dad hired Donald Delicate to work in the mine. When Donald went back to the U. of Minnesota to finish his mining degree, Dorothy went to work as a bookkeeper at the Custer County Bank owned and managed by her future father-in-law T.W. Delicate.

Don graduated in December 1947, and on January 1, 1948, Don & Dorothy (Ross) were married at the Custer Community Church. After a honeymoon in Denver, they moved to Lead, SD, where Don began a 42 year working career with Homestake Mining Company.

Their first child, Ann, was born in 1951, in Deadwood, SD, followed by Tom in 1954. When Tom was six weeks old, Don was transferred from Lead to a mining camp near La Sal, UT, to begin and manage a uranium mine for Homestake. The family lived in a trailer camp at the mine site for three years.

The next transfer was to Grants, NM, continuing with Homestake's uranium mining. Jane was born in Albuquerque, NM, in 1957, followed by Mike in 1960. The final transfer in December 1963, brought the family back to Lead. Cathy was born in Deadwood, SD, in 1964.

The 16 years between 1963 and Don's retirement in 1979 were filled with Dorothy's many activities raising the children, Presbyterian church activities-playing the organ, teaching Sunday School, both Dorothy & Don were ordained Elders; school activities where Dorothy played the piano for school contests & programs; and social events especially when Don was Manager of the Homestake Gold Mine and the family lived in the Homestake Mansion from 1972-1979. While living there, the family hosted over 800 visitors a year in their home both locally and from abroad. All the children graduated from Lead High School except Cathy.

Dorothy, a 63 year member of the P.E. O, was elected to the State Board of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, serving in offices for six years and as President in 1973-74. She then was appointed State Historian, serving in that capacity for 20 years.

She was active in many organizations including being a Junior Girl Scout leader and involved in all the children's activities. Dorothy had successful breast cancer surgery and 5 years later was chosen as Ms. Hope of SD, representing the cured cancer patients in the state in 1980.

Dorothy accompanied Don on business trips to Australia and South Africa. They also enjoyed two cruises—Caribbean/Panama Canal, and the Inland Passage to Alaska.

Don retired as Manager in July 1979, and the family moved back to Custer to the ranch they purchased northeast of Custer which has been home for the past 35 years. Don continued to do consulting work for Homestake for 11 more years. Cathy graduated from Custer High School and Dorothy continued her involvement in community activities. The family joined Custer Lutheran Fellowship where Dorothy played the piano and organ, served on the Church Council, Pastoral Support Committee, various other committees and duties. She again played for school contests; became a charter member of Zonta, and continued with her work with the Black Hills Playhouse Board of Directors for 11 years, the last seven as President. She then served as Historian for 14 years. She was a nominee for the state wide Spirit of Dakota award in 1991 and again in 1995. Women are chosen for this award who are role models, who promote social, civic, cultural, and educational advancement of others.

Dorothy always enjoyed writing and photography. She was the photographer for several organizations she belonged to. It was a great joy for her to give copies of the pictures to others. She wrote two books "Let The Memories Begin" the History of the P.E.O. Sisterhood in South Dakota 1905-1991; and "One Man's Dream" The History of the Black Hills Playhouse in Custer State Park 1946-1995. She also worked on writing the Family History and enjoyed the research process. She served as Don's secretary when he was doing consulting work. She learned to use the computer in 1989, and spent many hours writing books, and corresponding with friends.

The last member of the family came into the Delicate home in 1992, when Simon Hasulube, 22, from Uganda, East Africa came to study in the United States and thus became a member of the Delicate family. After finishing his education, he married, became an American citizen and lives in the Chicago area. Dorothy accompanied Simon on two trips to Uganda, getting acquainted with his family and friends. She then began a ministry of helping Simon's young relatives with school expenses enjoying many fine relationships, including Kajjumba Rashid, Simon's best friend, whom the Delicate's helped educate in NE. Two Ugandan children are named after Dorothy.

Don, the love of her life, died of leukemia on November 9, 1997, just seven weeks before their 50th wedding anniversary. Dorothy continued to live on the ranch with her much loved dogs. Canines have always been a part of her life beginning in childhood.

Dorothy & Don were always active in a church and were members of several, depending on where they were living. They included the Custer Community Church; Lead Presbyterian Church; conducted their own Interdenominational Sunday School in a Utah mining camp; Grants, NM Presbyterian Church; and the Custer Lutheran Fellowship.

In 2007, she was selected as one of the honorees for the Elder Wisdom/Children's Song program with the Custer Elementary school. She was Zontian of the year in 2002, and received the Yellow Rose award in 2007.

She served on several Boards of Directors: the Lutherans Outdoors in SD Board for 3years, Life member of the SD State Historical Society and Custer Senior Center; Served six years on the Senior Center Endowment Fund Committee and two years on the Senior Center Board as Secretary; and ten years on the Board of the Custer County Historical Society as President and Vice President. Prior to that, she served in the Museum book store purchasing books and providing pictures of exhibits for sale. She was elected President of the Black Hills Society of Pioneers Board, but her term was cut short following open heart surgery. She was a charter member of the Badger Clark Memorial Society.

In her less active years, she carried on a greeting card ministry, noting any special occasion of her many friends and family. This included sympathy cards and memorials to friends who lost their pets. One of the joys of her life was family gatherings at the ranch, including all the dogs.

She will be greatly missed by family, friends and all who knew her.

She is survived by three daughters - Ann (Lin) Thompson, Rapid City, SD; Jane Ahl, Bailey, CO; Cathy (Harry) Lynch, Ft. Collins, CO; three sons: Tom Delicate, Lafayette, CO; Mike (Karen) Delicate, Rapid City, SD; Simon (Justine) Hasulube, Aurora, IL; eleven grandchildren; Adam and Molly Thompson, Katie and Sarah Ahl, Jessica (Kyle) Beck, Jemi, Sasha, Andrew, Joshua, Jordon and Chelsea Hasulube; and one great grandson, Finn Beck.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Don, and son-in-law, Ted Ahl.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., November 21, 2014, at the Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer. Prayer services to follow at 7:00 p.m..

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, November 22, 2014, at the Custer Lutheran Fellowship with Pastor Tom Opoien officiating. Burial will follow at the Custer Cemetery.

A memorial has been established for Custer Lutheran Fellowship Memorial Fund, 12622 US Hwy 16A, Custer, SD 57730. Condolences may be sent to: Ann Thompson, 5542 Meteor St., Rapid City, SD, 57703.