Floretta Marie Harter, age 65, of Hot Springs, SD, passed away April 22, 2009 at Rapid City Regional Hospice House in Rapid City, SD.

Floretta started her education at a country school near Minnekahta. She finished her elementary and high school at Igloo, SD graduating in 1961. She attended Springfield State, Western Dakota Vo Tech Institute studying Banking.

She married Ed Harter May 6, 1972. She was actively involved in all aspects of the family beekeeping business as well as working in banking for 22 years. Floretta was an active member of the Hot Springs Christian Church serving as a Sunday school teacher, treasure, board member and day care board member. She served on the Fall River Health Services Board and worked with the Miss America Pageant for several years. She was also very involved with the Prison Ministries Program and helped with many other activities and events.

Floretta loved many things, the Lord, her family and friends, cooking, blue grass festivals, fishing, camping, visiting and probably most of all people. She was one of a kind, very unique, much loved and an awesome example for us who are left behind.

Floretta is survived by her husband, Edwin 'Ed' Harter of Hot Springs; four sons, James Harter of Rapid City; Larry (Stacie) Harter of Edgemont, SD; Charles (Shannon) Harter of Hot Springs; Russell (May) Antoine of Rapid City; one daughter, Starla (Lou) Ditzler of Cheyenne, WY; brothers, Lawrence Witt of Tahoka, TX; Nelson Witt of Portland, OR; Sidney Witt of Pine Ridge, SD; Patrick Witt of Spearfish, SD; Wayne Witt of Oglala, SD; Lyle Witt of Hot Springs; sisters, Eugenia Battalyon of Wanblee, SD; Sandra Witt of Rapid City; Becki Benton of Hot Springs; eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Floretta is preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Nathaniel Witt, Frank Witt, James Witt, William Mesteth, Lawrence Mesteth; two sisters, Nora Lou Rabbit and Mary Ann Sadowski.

Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 27, 2009 at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 28, 2009 , at the Mueller Center in Hot Springs with Pastor Bill Hallsted officiating. Interment will follow at Buffalo Gap Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Floretta's name to benefit Small Wonders Christian Daycare.

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