Elmer A. Besler, 83 of Spearfish died Saturday, November 22, 2008 at Dorsett Regional Senior Care in Spearfish.

Visitation will be from 3-7 P.M., Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at Hope Lutheran Church in Spearfish with Pastor Mark Schutz officiating. Burial with full military honors will be held at 2:00 P.M. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

A memorial has been established.

Elmer Arthur Besler was born on the family farm southwest of Bison, SD to Christ and Julia (Wolfe) Besler Oct. 28, 1925. He was the fourth of 13 children. He grew up there and went to elementary school at Antelope country school. During the summers, besides helping his parents, he worked for several neighbors herding sheep, as well as other jobs. He started high school at Bison High School but his schooling was interrupted by WWII. Elmer later received an Honorary High School Diploma presented on his birthday in 2007. Elmer was inducted into the US Army on August 29, 1944. He served in the European Theater until the end of the war and then as part of the occupational force until his honorable discharge on July 9, 1946. After his discharge, he returned home and started ranching with his parents. On March 11, 1955 Elmer married the love of his life, Ellen Jeanette Coffield. They made their home at the ranch near Bison. The first three of their children were born while living there, Rex in 1956, Monte in 1957 and Scott in 1959. In 1959, the opportunity came up to lease Ellen's home place near Reva, SD from her parents, later purchasing it in 1962. In 1961 their only daughter, Reva, was born. Through their hard work and foresight they expanded the ranch several times. In 1997 they leased the ranch to their son and his wife, Scott and Lori. That same year they semi-retired and moved to Spearfish, SD where they have resided to the present.

Elmer served as a director and agent for Harding & Perkins Farm Mutual Company for 30 years. During this time he owned and operated Besler Insurance Agency. He was a member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bison serving on the council numerous times. After moving to Spearfish, Elmer and Ellen transferred to Hope Lutheran Church. Elmer was active in community and county boards and activities. He served on the Harding Co. Planning and Zoning Board, the Harding Co. Crop Improvement Assoc., the Reva precinct election board, and the Slim Buttes Historical Society. He was an active member of the Reva Fire Dept., American Legion Lamnison Post 147 in Buffalo, SD, 84th Infantry Railsplitters Society, Ludlow Cooperative Grazing District, Spearfish Senior Center and Western SD Buckaroos. Throughout the years Elmer enjoyed the camaraderie of hunting, outdoor sports, and neighborhood brandings. All who knew Elmer also knew how much he loved to tell a good story, play cards and roll dice for a pop. Elmer loved his children and grandchildren and was an avid supporter of their activities whether it was athletic or academic. Elmer and Ellen enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family. In his later years, he enjoyed sharing his wartime experience with the public, especially the youth.

Elmer is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Ellen. His children: Monte (Judy) Besler of Williston, ND, Scott (Lori) Besler of Reva, SD, Reva (Harvey) Paulson of Belle Fourche, SD, 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Siblings: Elsie Penor, Alma O'Rourke, Esther (Jim) Haggart and Wayne (Barbara) Besler all of Bison; Victor (Pauline) of San Jose, CA; Oscar Besler of Van Vleck, TX; Ralph (Renae) Besler of Whitewood, SD; LeRoy (Virginia) Besler of Madison, WI; Darrell (Linda) Besler of Sturgis, SD; Marlin (Dorothy) Besler of Minnetrista, MN. Brothers-in-law, Arnold (Mary) Coffield of Hanna, WY; Patrick (Fay) Coffield and William Johnson of Spearfish and sisters-in-law Marie Packard and Carol Shepherd of Gillette, WY.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one infant son, Rex, one grandson, Forrest Paulson, one infant great- granddaughter, Sidney Adam, two brothers, Leland and Raymond, five brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law.

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