Kermit Gerald Stell, 83, formerly of Deadwood passed away Tuesday, October 23, 2012. With him when he died at his home in Spearfish, was the caring staff of Northern Hills Hospice, family and Baxter!

Kermit was born March 3, 1929, in Hot Springs to Kermit and Alice Mae (Murphy) Stell. Shortly after his birth, his parents separated and he was raised by his Aunt Louise Campbell. At a very young age, Kermit began a long career with the military. He served in the United States Coast Guard, Navy, Army, National Guard and Army Reserves. He retired as Sergeant Major with the grade of E-9 after over forty years of service to his country.

He married Marlene Joanne Boehler on October 28, 1955, in Sturgis. Marlene preceded Kermit in death January 23, 2008.

Kermit was graduated from Black Hills State College and took a job teaching in Edgemont, SD. He then served as Superintendent of Lawrence County Schools before beginning a career in banking. Kermit retired from banking as Executive Vice President of Miners and Merchants Bank of Lead and Whitewood.

Kermit and Marlene were involved with a variety of businesses in the Lead and Deadwood area, primarily as owners and operators of the Best Western Hickok House in Deadwood. The couple sold that business in 1991.

Surviving Kermit are his daughter Melodee (Tom) Nelson, Lead; his special friend and companion Dorothy Berry, Spearfish; his niece Vicki (Lee) Roath, Great Falls, MT; his grandchildren AJ (Jodi) Nelson, Sioux Falls; Abby (John) Heath, Buckeye, AZ; and Ben Nelson, Deadwood; plus great-grandsons Johnathyn, Michael, Maxwell and Van.

Graveside service will be Friday, October 26, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery, with the Reverend Steve Agan officiating. The family requests no flowers. A memorial has been established for Hospice of the Northern Hills.