Earl Nelson Palmer, 76, of Spearfish, SD, died Saturday, January 26, 2008 at Burr's Tender Care Assisted Living in Spearfish.

Visitation will be from 3:00PM until 7:00PM on Monday, January 28th 2008 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish.

Funeral services will be at 10:00AM on Tuesday, January 29th 2008 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel, burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish.

Earl was born on August 25th 1931 in Golden, CO, to Jesse and Gladys (Boyer) Palmer. He grew up in Denver, CO. After the loss of his parents he moved to Albin, NE, where he graduated from high school. Earl joined the United States Marine Corp and served for three years during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge he attended college at the University of Wyoming and earned his Masters Degree in Education. He taught junior high math in Cheyenne, WY, for 23 years. During these years he raised two beautiful children with his first wife. Earl retired in 1984 and later that same year married his wife of 23 years, Vernette. The couple moved to Rapid City, SD, where they live for 12 years before moving to Spearfish. Earl loved running and took up running in his early 40s. He ran 14 marathons and numerous 10Ks over the years.

Earl's children, step-children and grandchildren were very important to him and he greatly enjoyed the time he spent with them.

Earl is survived by his wife, Vernette Palmer of Spearfish, his children, Loretta (Richard) Dragoo of Pullman, WA, and Daniel Palmer of Portland, OR, his step-children, Jeanne Morse of Spearfish, David (Bonnie) Bevard of Omaha, NE, and Mary (Michael) Kowalski of Columbus, NE, 3 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Pat (Robert) Partney of Corpus Christy, TX, and Donna Hoagland of Overland Park, KS. He was preceded in death by his parents.