Hugo Ray Stender, 66, of Custer, SD, died Sunday, November 17, 2013, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Hugo was born on December 30, 1946, in Hot Springs, SD, to Ray and Giulia (Anticoli) Stender. He was a life long Custer resident who attended school in Custer up until his senior year when he transferred and graduated from Hill City, SD, in 1965. Upon his graduation, he enlisted in the South Dakota National Guard with six years of service. He married Pam Ellerton and they had a son, Travis. Hugo later married Beth Evans and through their union had a daughter, Shana. On December 16 1993, Hugo was united in marriage to Dawn Peterson and had a son, Joseph. Hugo spent his career in the logging industry and participated in the Jaycees and the Log Haulers Association. Some of his favorite pastimes included playing basketball, riding motorcycles, hunting, fishing, entertaining his friends and family and cooking, especially recipes from his Italian roots. Hugo most enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and his Chihuahua, Mocha.

Survivors include his wife, Dawn; children, Travis (Lori Boggs) Lipp of Belle Fourche, SD; Shana Stender (Brad Huffman) of Spearfish, SD; Joseph Stender (April Johnson) of Custer; grandchildren, Justin Stender of Spearfish; Emitt Lipp of Belle Fourche; Madison and Aubree Stender of Custer; sister, Anna (Lennis) Baumiller of Gary, SD, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Giulia Stender; father, Ray Stender, and Stepmother, Dorothy Stender.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 21, 2013, at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 22, 2013, at the Custer Community Church in Custer with Pastor Comfort officiating. Interment will follow in the Custer Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, November 23, 2013, at the Custer VFW.

A memorial has been established in Hugo's name.