Edythe G. Wood, 94 of Spearfish died Sunday, August 31, 2008 at Spearfish Regional Hospital.

Memorial Services will be held at 3:00 P.M., Thursday, September 4, 2008 at the United Church of Christ in Spearfish with Pastor Peg Grzelkowski officiating, inurnment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish.

Memorials have been established to benefit the Grace Balloch Memorial Library and the United Church of Christ both of Spearfish.

Edythe was born March 11, 1914 in a tar paper shack on a homestead in south Perkins County, South Dakota to William Ed Alexander and Lydia Ann (Morris) Alexander. She attended rural Antelope School in south Perkins County, high school in Bison and college at Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish. Edythe taught in rural schools in Perkins and Butte counties. She married Elmer Edwards on May 24, 1937. The couple made their home in Spearfish. Elmer passed away in 1965 and Edythe returned to college and earned a library certificate. She then went to work at the library located on Canyon Street. She researched and helped get the grant and funds to build the new Grace Balloch Library then located on Kansas and Main. Edythe on her own accord, was responsible for starting supplementary library services at Central Elementary School, provided rural teaching services for a number of years and was secretary of the committee which acquired county funding for Lawrence County libraries from January 1976 to 1978. Edythe also secured Black Hills State University's cooperation in starting and continuing the story hour, a children's program that helped children and provided credits for college participants. She helped instigate the summer reading program for children in pre-school through grade six. Edythe was honored as the "Librarian of the Year" in South Dakota in 1979. She was the librarian for the City of Spearfish from 1966 to 1982. Edythe married Jonas C. Wood on August 5, 1975, the couple moved to a farm west of Belle Fourche. Jonas passed away in 1982.

Edythe was a member of the United Church of Christ, American Legion Auxiliary of Spearfish, Quarter Century Club of Lawrence County, Belle Fourche and Spearfish Senior Citizens, IOTA Chapter of Delta Kappa, Rocking Chair Club of Belle Fourche and the Book and Thimble Club of Belle Fourche.

Edythe was a very thoughtful and caring person. She helped family and friends throughout her life, always doing what she thought was best. Even though Edythe was not blessed with any children of her own, her nieces and nephews and families were her children who loved her deeply.

Survivors include her niece, Shirley Kenoyer of Sturgis and many great nieces, great nephews and friends.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels & Crematory Service in Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com