Elmer Edward Flatt, 78, of Custer, died Monday, October 30, 2006 at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Elmer was born May 27, 1928 at his parent's home near Quinn, SD, the third son and fourth child of Floyd Franklin Flatt and Alice Pearl Street. He attended rural schools near Quinn and graduated from Wall High School in 1946. After a couple of summers working on grasshopper eradication and moving houses for Joe Knapp, Elmer started working for West River Rural Electric Association in July 1947. That was the beginning of a 35-year career with the Rural Electric Association (REA).

Elmer enlisted in the U. S. Army in November 1950 and received training as a radio operator. He spent time in Unalakleet, Alaska, monitoring messages sent during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in November 1952.

Elmer married O. Virginia Turner on June 3, 1953 at her parents' home in San Francisco, CA. They returned to Rapid City, SD, where Elmer was employed by West River REA. Their two children, Monica and Eric, were born in Rapid City.

Elmer attended the National School of Business in Rapid City and received his degree in Senior Business Administration in August 1960. In 1961, he was named Area Development Director for West River REA. In 1964, Elmer was named manager for Black Hills Electric Association in Custer, SD, a position he held until his retirement in January 1984. During his career, he was: President of Rushmore Electric Managers' Association; President of the South Dakota Rural Electric Managers' Association; charter member of Rushmore Electric Federal Credit Union; charter Director of the National Cooperative Services Corporation in Washington, D. C.; Director of the South Dakota Association of Cooperatives; Director of the South Dakota Electrical Council and member of the South Dakota Rural Electric Legislative Committee. The Custer Jaycees named him Boss of the Year in 1966. He was a member of the Rotary Club, Elks, Masonic Lodge, American Legion and the Custer Community Church. Elmer was a delegate (twice) to the Republican State Convention. He served on the Custer County Planning Commission as well as on the Board of Directors for the Southern Hills Bank at Edgemont. He was on the Board of Directors of Custer County Bank, later named First Western Bank, from 1963 through 2006.

Elmer was a Charter Director of the Custer Trail Riders that was incorporated in 1976. He was an active member of the Buckaroos and involved in the Buffalo Roundup in Custer State Park. Elmer participated in the Pageant of Paha Sapa during Gold Discovery Days and was named Parade Marshall in 1995. In November 2004, Elmer was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce.

Elmer was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives in 1986. He represented District 30 and served on the Appropriations Committee during his four terms as State Representative. He declined to run for re-election in 1994 and retired from politics.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Pearl Flatt; wife, Virginia; brother, Olin; sister, Ione; mother and father-in-law, Blanche and Willie Turner; brothers-in-law Jim Turner, Bill Bullerdick; sisters-in law Cel Turner, Alma Mills and Evelyn Bullerdick.

Elmer is survived by his children, Monica (Joseph) McGowan of Lakeville, MN; Eric (Lori) Flatt, C.J. and Levi of Morongo Valley, CA; grandson, Alan Flatt of Buffalo, WY; brother Merl (Eileen) Flatt of Rapid City; sister Alice (Chris) Woods of Edina, MN; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Elmer was married to Dotty Kautzsch in 1988. They were divorced in 2005. He is also survived by Steve (Sharon) Kautzsch, Grand Junction, CO; Topper and Cindy Kautzsch, Big Piney, WY; Randy and Susan Kautzsch, Pocatello, ID; grandchildren, Tammy, Brian, Amy, Shawn, Tiffany, Jennifer and Jessica and great-grandchildren Kaleb, Brandon, Jack and Katherine.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, November 7 at McColley's Chapels of the Hills in Custer.

Services will be 10:00 a.m, Wednesday, November 8 at the Custer Community Church, 547 Harney Street in Custer, with the Rev. Don Stoebner officiating and special music provided by Twin Cities Bronze of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Memorials can be made to the Elmer E. Flatt Memorial at any First Western Bank.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer, SD.
Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.