Loyd William Thomsen, 72, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family after a short battle with cancer on October 21, 2016.

Loyd was born in Chadron, NE on March 19, 1944, to Harry and Josephine (Felz) Thomsen. He was raised on the family homestead west of Oelrichs, SD where he developed a genuine passion for hunting and ranching.

In 1966, he began a career with Northwestern Bell Phone Company in Chadron, NE. Two years later, he met a girl in the office, Karen Vavra, who became the love of his life for 48 years. In 1972, a son, Brad was born, followed by twin girls, Jennifer and Jody, in 1974, and another son, Travis, in 1977. Loyd and Karen moved the family from Chadron to the Thomsen family ranch in 1973. Loyd worked for the phone company while maintaining the ranch for 30 years. During that time, he kept his artistic side alive by creating anything from intricate drawings for his children to custom built, handmade knives. He instilled his love for the outdoors, old cars, and firearms into the hearts of his children. Loyd could fix anything and everything; rarely was there a time when a neighbor's car or farm equipment wasn't in his shop. His one frustration was his inability to fix his cancer. In 2011, Loyd retired from ranching and moved to Custer, SD with Karen, leaving behind a century-old family farm and ranch. He filled his retirement by restoring classic cars, pillow fighting with his thirteen grandchildren, entertaining family with his deadpan one-liners, and still working as a co-owner/operator of French Creek Firearms. Loyd was always available for a good conversation about guns, politics, hunting, and his family.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother; one brother, Harry.

He is survived by his loving wife, Karen; sons, Brad (Jodi) of Ardmore; Travis (Sara) of Sidney, NE; daughters, Jody of Parachute, CO; Jennifer (Craig) Connell of Rapid City, SD; thirteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild on the way, and his Border Collie, Bandit. Surviving siblings are Art (Cathy) of Alliance, NE; Charlie (Debbie) of Laramie, WY; and Nadine (Tom Saults) Thomsen of Fort Collins, CO.

A Wake with storytelling will be held 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 24, 2016, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Custer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 25, 2016, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Custer with Fr. Grant Gerlach as celebrant.

Interment will be held 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 25, 2016, at the Hillside Cemetery in Oelrichs, SD.