LaRayne Dodd, 94, of Mitchell, died Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Nov. 24 at the United Methodist Church in Plankinton with burial in the Mizpah Cemetery at Plankinton. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23 at the Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell.
LaRayne Gertrude Dodd was born Dec. 18, 1920, to Josephine (Adams) DeJong and Bert DeJong. She grew up in Storla and spent much of her childhood helping her dad at the Storla Store. She graduated from Letcher High School in 1937 and was married to Bernard “Bud” Dodd on July 16, 1939. Their union was blessed with three children, Ronald, James and Lori.
Bud and LaRayne were not only partners in marriage, but partners in business, as well. During the early years of their marriage, they owned the Storla Garage and in 1947, formed a construction company with Bud’s brother and his wife and moved the business through Montana and into the Black Hills. In 1950, they moved to Plankinton and operated Dodd Implement from 1950-1972, and just prior to Bud’s death in 1972, they purchased a hardware business, Dodd Hardware, also in Plankinton, which LaRayne and son, Jim, operated from 1972-2000. She kept books for both businesses and also for L & A Oil Co., a partnership formed between LaRayne and Annie Sauvage.
LaRayne enjoyed her family and her hobby of making silk flower arrangements and nut cups for community occasions. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church and a member of the Eastern Star for over 60 years.
She is survived by her daughter, Lori (John) Fett of Mitchell; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
LaRayne was preceded in death by her parents; three stepmothers; her stepbrother, Robert DeJong; her husband; and her two sons.