Dennis Dean Thomas, 90 of Spearfish passed away peacefully at Hospice of the Hills early Sunday morning, September 10, 2011.

He was born March 24, 1921 to Josephine (Schaffer) and George William Thomas in Dupree, SD, where he spent his youth. He joined the US Navy and served four years in the Pacific during WWII. Dennis returned to South Dakota to farm, ranch and operate the Bagley Elevator in Dupree. On June 24, 1954, Dennis wed his favorite dance partner and the love of his life, Vivian Olson. He went to work for the South Dakota Department of Highways and served as highway foreman in Ziebach County until the couple moved to Deadwood in 1975. He hired on with Lawrence County Highway Department and retired from that job in 1986.

Over the years Dennis enjoyed woodworking, bowling, golf and whirling around the dance floor with Vivian in his arms. Most of all he and Vivian enjoyed being a big part of the lives and adventures of their loving nephews and nieces.

He will be sorely missed by his wife of 57 years, Vivian; brother Duane and wife Alice; sister Bernice Capp; sister Evelyn Anderson; his large extended family; and a lifetime of good friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Stanley in WWII, brothers Clinton, Willis and a sister Jean Capp.

Memorial Services will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel, 80 Dunmire Dr., Lead, SD, followed by lunch at the VFW in Deadwood. Inurnment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery at 2:00 PM. Memorials have been established to Hospice of the Hills and Black Hills National Cemetery Flag Fund.