Josephine (Briscoe) Boyer, age 95, passed away on September 21, 2023, at her home in Spearfish.

Josephine was born in Ziebach County at the family ranch in the shadow of Thunder Butte, one of ten children. For many years she was the head bookkeeper at Spearfish's First National Bank of the Black Hills. She was truly a lifelong learner, earning her B.A. at age 49 and her master's degree shortly after - both from Black Hills State College. She taught in various schools in South Dakota and Wyoming, ending her career at the El Paso Independent School District in Texas.

Josephine also taught informally during her more than 20 years of volunteer activities. A favorite was at High Plains Western Heritage Center, where she was a docent at the sheep wagon. She regaled tourists with stories about her family's use of the sheep wagon in Perkins and Ziebach Counties during the early 20th century.

She loved to travel and visited 49 states and 9 countries on 3 continents. She was also the "social spark plug" of several groups of friends. Always up for an adventure, Josephine rode a mule to the bottom of the Grand Canyon at 80 years old. And she flew to Amsterdam at the last minute to take a friend's spot on a cruise in Europe.

Josephine was a devout woman and began attending Spearfish United Methodist Church when she moved to town in 1958.

Josephine will be missed by her large family, including sister Dorothy Eliason of Gettysburg; son Darrell (Roxanne) Boyer of Rapid City; daughter Violet Boyer of Seattle; son-in-law Joe (Jeanette) Rail of Hot Springs; and brother-in-law Ken Boyer (Buffalo). Her grandchildren are Hope (Wilbur) Blinco, Hawthorne, NV; Nathan (Stephanie) Rail, Rapid City; McLain (Mystie) Rail, Anchorage; and Dana (Brian) Jackson, Anchorage. Josephine also leaves behind her 12 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren, four generations of nieces and nephews, and many, many great friends.

Josephine was preceded in death by her daughter Jeannie Rail.

A celebration of Josephine's life will be held on Saturday, October 7 at 10:30 a.m. at Spearfish United Methodist Church. Josephine requests that in lieu of flowers, you hug your grandchildren. If you wish, donations can be made to the High Plains Western Heritage Center or to Grace Bulloch Memorial Library.

Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com