Dr. Everett LeRoy Follette, age 92, passed away peacefully with family by his side on May 30, 2026, in Spearfish.

He was born September 25, 1933, in Belle Fourche to Everett H. and Margaret (Parsons) Follette. Through his journey of life, he inspired countless people with his love of learning, his unshakeable faith, a passion for the outdoors, and a steadfast devotion to his family.

Everett grew up first on a small truck farm during the great depression, then the mining town of Lead, and finally on the family dairy farm. He was the eldest of four children and witnessed the great challenges that came during WWII. Everett spent much of his childhood assisting the family in any way he could, whether it was stuffing homemade toys with his mother during the war or working hard in the fields with his father. In the early mornings while milking the cows with his father he found joy listening to his father’s stories and poems. During these interactions with his parents, he developed his work ethic and grew his faith. Which became the foundation for the man he would become. Everett once said he was willing to challenge authorities when he perceived an injustice was being committed. This is who Everett was. He always believed in speaking up for others and showing up for the community.

At the end of his senior year, he tutored a fellow classmate. Everett realized he had a knack for coming up with different ways for a student to learn. This was a defining moment that led him to his lifelong journey of being a teacher. He was the proud recipient of the Homestake scholarship and without it he would not have had the opportunity to accomplish his teaching dreams. At Black Hills Teachers College, he earned his B.S. in Education in 1955. During this time mutual friends set him up on a date with Joan Anderson, who would become his darling Jo, and after that one date he went back to the dorm and told his roommate this was the girl he would like to marry. Everett and Joan would go on to get married on September 15, 1956, at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, while he finished his military obligation.

While in his first teaching position in Custer, Joan gave birth to their first son Everett. From Custer they moved to Cedar Falls, IA where Everett received his Master’s in education and welcomed their daughter Sheila in 1959. After the move back to Sturgis, SD the family had two more children, Debbie and Brian.

Everett’s teaching career spanned four decades, which included teaching math, chemistry, physics, methods, and algebra. When he returned to Sturgis, he led a historic change in creating the state’s first high school earth science course and was subsequently awarded an honor from SDSM&T. In 1965 he joined the faculty of Black Hills State College and later went on to receive his Doctorate from the University of Colorado in 1971. He also created the Outdoor Education major at BHSU. In 1990 he spent a year in Iceland where he made lifelong friends and was inspired by their culture and society. In 1995 he retired from teaching and was always proud of the countless young people he mentored. Even after retiring he never truly stopped teaching.

Everett and Joan fell in love with cross-country skiing and brought the sport to Spearfish in 1976 by opening the first Cross Country Ski shop in Spearfish, Ski Cross Country, which they ran together until 2013. Throughout those years Everett and Joan were influential in creating the Big Hill Trail system, grooming the trails, and founding ski races like the “Spearfish Challenge.” Their efforts in advancing the sport were recognized by Visit Spearfish with the “Tip of the Spear” award. They were also awarded the F.I.S.H. from the Spearfish Chamber of Commerce.

For 16 years, Everett served faithfully as a school math aide. He was a deeply active leader in the church and many education groups. He served as conference President of the United Methodist Men and was inducted as a fellow of the Society of John Wesley. He was awarded the “Friends of Education Award” from the Spearfish Education Association. His civic pride also led him to serve on the South Dakota Bicentennial Commission. Everett’s life was a beautiful gift of endless service to God and community.

Everett lived a long and fulfilling life, one that he dedicated to serving a higher purpose in many ways. Throughout his time as a teacher and in the church, he inspired so many people. He was never one to leave a job unfinished or fail to speak up for all who needed it. He believed wholeheartedly that education was the most impactful tool in someone’s life. Everett dedicated his life to his family, learning, and making this world a better place. He will be remembered as a faithful husband, a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, patient teacher, and a friend to all who knew him.

Preceded in death by his beloved wife Joan (Anderson); his parents Everett H. and Margaret (Parson); his sister Nancy (Follette) Frey, and granddaughter Amy Follette

He is survived by his four children and their families: son Everett A. Follette of Spearfish, SD; Tami Follette (Shirran) of Spearfish, SD; daughter Sheila (Follette) Ahmed of Spearfish, SD; daughter Debra Follette-Feyh and German Feyh of Boulder, CO; son Brian and Julie (Weber) Follette of Crookston, MN; His eight grandchildren: Evan and Whitney Follette of Spearfish; Lukas and McKenzie Feyh of Highlands Ranch, CO; Nicholas Follette of Crookston, MN; Aeriell and Ben Jastorff of Brandon, SD; Markus and Sarang Feyh of Berkeley, CA; Christopher and Caisie Follette of Seattle, WA; Tasbeer Ahmed of Boston, MA; Fahbia Ahmed of Denver, CO; and eight great-grandchildren. His siblings Charles Follette and Jeanette (Follette) McElwain.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 am on June 29, 2026, at United Methodist Church 845 N 5th st Spearfish, SD.

Memorial contributions can be sent to the Spearfish United Methodist Church-UMMen’s and Children’s First.

Prevenient Grace Video:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOr61DKovPO9MekSq8iWVfoKeiUWzA3eB&si=WBSA2utZu2vZJWNx 

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