Lives Lost
Subject
The Rapid City Flood Memorial, located within Memorial Park, stands as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragic flood June 9, 1972. Each name listed on the memorial is recorded here, along with a brief description and a photo if available.
The total number of people who perished in the flood was 238, including 5 missing. That number also includes three National Guardsmen, three firefighters, seven airmen from Ellsworth Air Force Base, one police reserve officer, and other rescuers.
We need your help - we would like to have a photo of each flood victim. If you have one available for digitization please see the Contact Us page for more information.
The total number of people who perished in the flood was 238, including 5 missing. That number also includes three National Guardsmen, three firefighters, seven airmen from Ellsworth Air Force Base, one police reserve officer, and other rescuers.
We need your help - we would like to have a photo of each flood victim. If you have one available for digitization please see the Contact Us page for more information.
Description
Digital Memorial Wall for those lost in the 1972 flood.
Collection Items
William Albers
William Albers, 57.
Born on July 19, 1914 to William and Cora (Smith) Albers in Litchfield, NE. Employed by the Black Hills Packing Plant at the time of his death. A relative said on the night of the flood, he was helping people cross a bridge from…
Born on July 19, 1914 to William and Cora (Smith) Albers in Litchfield, NE. Employed by the Black Hills Packing Plant at the time of his death. A relative said on the night of the flood, he was helping people cross a bridge from…
William Dean Albright
William Dean Albright, 13.
Born on November 2, 1958 in Wichita, KS, to Charles and Wanda (Purcel) Albright. A student from West Junior High School. On the night of the flood, he tried to move cattle to higher ground in the Nemo Road area. He…
Born on November 2, 1958 in Wichita, KS, to Charles and Wanda (Purcel) Albright. A student from West Junior High School. On the night of the flood, he tried to move cattle to higher ground in the Nemo Road area. He…
Russell Wayne Alcott
Russell Wayne Alcott, 9.
Born on March 17, 1963 to Russell and Violet (Hawk) Alcott.
He was survived by his mother and one brother. Buried in the Mountain View Cemetery.
Born on March 17, 1963 to Russell and Violet (Hawk) Alcott.
He was survived by his mother and one brother. Buried in the Mountain View Cemetery.
Susan Carol (Williamson) Allen
Susan Carol (Williamson) Allen, 22.
Born to Donald and Jeanette (Lidlow) Williamson in Gordon, NE, on March 22, 1950. Married Curtis Allen on July 29, 1970 in Rapid City, SD.
She was survived by her husband and one-year-old daughter, Tammy…
Born to Donald and Jeanette (Lidlow) Williamson in Gordon, NE, on March 22, 1950. Married Curtis Allen on July 29, 1970 in Rapid City, SD.
She was survived by her husband and one-year-old daughter, Tammy…
James Carroll Atkins
James Carroll Atkins, 88.
Born to Jacob and Malinda (Murphey) Atkins on November 3, 1883 in Cedar Hill, TN. Married Maude King on July 31, 1906 in Robertson County, TN. Had been a farmer and then a carpenter in Rapid City. Predeceased by his…
Born to Jacob and Malinda (Murphey) Atkins on November 3, 1883 in Cedar Hill, TN. Married Maude King on July 31, 1906 in Robertson County, TN. Had been a farmer and then a carpenter in Rapid City. Predeceased by his…
Clara (Knutson) Atwater
Clara (Knutson) Atwater, 89.
Born on February 21, 1883 in Alden, MI, to Iver and Anna Knutson. She was a resident of Clarkson Mt. View Rest Home at the time of her death. She was survived by six sons. Buried in the Pine Lawn Cemetery.
Born on February 21, 1883 in Alden, MI, to Iver and Anna Knutson. She was a resident of Clarkson Mt. View Rest Home at the time of her death. She was survived by six sons. Buried in the Pine Lawn Cemetery.
Raymond Sebastian Back
Raymond Sebastian Back, 67.
Born on September 23, 1904 in Chicago, IL, to Joseph and Margaret (Prosser) Back. He was raised in Redwood, MN and came to Rapid City in 1925 from Douglas, WY where his family lived. He married Verna Minton September…
Born on September 23, 1904 in Chicago, IL, to Joseph and Margaret (Prosser) Back. He was raised in Redwood, MN and came to Rapid City in 1925 from Douglas, WY where his family lived. He married Verna Minton September…
James Howard Baldwin, Sr.
James Howard Baldwin, Sr., 76.
Born on December 6, 1895 in White Hall, IL to Clark and Elizabeth Baldwin. He married Bessie McClure on July 11, 1923 in Monticello, IL. They moved to Rapid City in 1933.
In 1935, he and others opened the Baken…
Born on December 6, 1895 in White Hall, IL to Clark and Elizabeth Baldwin. He married Bessie McClure on July 11, 1923 in Monticello, IL. They moved to Rapid City in 1933.
In 1935, he and others opened the Baken…
Blanche Mary (Cariveau) Balsley
Blanche Mary (Cariveau) Balsley, 64.
Born May 20, 1908, at East Grand Forks, MN to John and Clarise Cariveau.
She was married to Herman Balsley July 12, 1926 in North Dakota. They lived for a time in the early 1930's in Beadle County, South…
Born May 20, 1908, at East Grand Forks, MN to John and Clarise Cariveau.
She was married to Herman Balsley July 12, 1926 in North Dakota. They lived for a time in the early 1930's in Beadle County, South…
Daisy Estella (Long) Barber
Daisy Estella (Long) Barber, 82.
Born on September 4, 1889 in Indiana to Frank and Mary Long. She married Arley Barber on September 29, 1909 in Hutchison County, SD. Daisy was predeceased by her husband in 1961.
She was visiting her daughter,…
Born on September 4, 1889 in Indiana to Frank and Mary Long. She married Arley Barber on September 29, 1909 in Hutchison County, SD. Daisy was predeceased by her husband in 1961.
She was visiting her daughter,…
Henry Andrew Bauch, Jr.
Henry Andrew Bauch, Jr., 26.
Born in Burkburnett, TX on January 10, 1946 to Henry and Minnie Bauch. Married Valerie Weddington on November 26, 1966 in Lawton, OK.
He was employed as a manager at a vending machine company. The Bauch family moved…
Born in Burkburnett, TX on January 10, 1946 to Henry and Minnie Bauch. Married Valerie Weddington on November 26, 1966 in Lawton, OK.
He was employed as a manager at a vending machine company. The Bauch family moved…
Valerie Jean (Weddington) Bauch
Valerie Jean (Weddington) Bauch, 25.
Born on March 6, 1947 to Charles and Ethel Weddington in Peoria, IL. Married Henry Bauch on November 26, 1966 in Lawton, OK.
She arrived in Rapid City with her husband one year before the flood. She perished…
Born on March 6, 1947 to Charles and Ethel Weddington in Peoria, IL. Married Henry Bauch on November 26, 1966 in Lawton, OK.
She arrived in Rapid City with her husband one year before the flood. She perished…
Roland "Babe" Baumberger
Roland Jugene "Babe" Baumberger, 50.
Born on January 2, 1922 to Emil and Mary Baumberger in Minnehaha County, SD. Married Margene Ryland on June 3, 1947.
He owned and operated Flowers by Leroy from 1964 until his death. He was survived by his…
Born on January 2, 1922 to Emil and Mary Baumberger in Minnehaha County, SD. Married Margene Ryland on June 3, 1947.
He owned and operated Flowers by Leroy from 1964 until his death. He was survived by his…
Henry K. Beberger
Henry K. Beberger, 87.
Born on June 15, 1884 to Frank and Mary Beberger in Wall Lake, IA. Came to South Dakota in 1929 and worked as a farm laborer in Montrose, SD.
He was residing in a Rapid City nursing home at the time of his death. His…
Born on June 15, 1884 to Frank and Mary Beberger in Wall Lake, IA. Came to South Dakota in 1929 and worked as a farm laborer in Montrose, SD.
He was residing in a Rapid City nursing home at the time of his death. His…
Elmer Leonard Bendert
Elmer Bendert, 66.
Born on April 14, 1906 to Carl and Dora Bendert. He married Jean Jackson in 1954. He was employed as a carpenter at the Robbins and Sterns Lumber Co. He lived in Jackson Park and he, his wife, and others went to higher ground…
Born on April 14, 1906 to Carl and Dora Bendert. He married Jean Jackson in 1954. He was employed as a carpenter at the Robbins and Sterns Lumber Co. He lived in Jackson Park and he, his wife, and others went to higher ground…
Nellie Katherine (Beatty) McKay Bishop
Nellie Katherine (Beatty) McKay Bishop, 49.
Born on October 1, 1922 to Francis and Edith Beatty in Piedmont, SD.
On August 21, 1944 she married Lloyd McKay in Washington DC. They had three children. They divorced in 1950.
On October 24, 1952,…
Born on October 1, 1922 to Francis and Edith Beatty in Piedmont, SD.
On August 21, 1944 she married Lloyd McKay in Washington DC. They had three children. They divorced in 1950.
On October 24, 1952,…
Wilbur "Bill" Bishop
Wilbur George "Bill" Bishop, 54.
Born on February 1, 1918 to George and Elsie Bishop near DeSmet, SD.
Married Nellie Beatty on October 24, 1952 in Winner, SD. Served in the Army Air Corps during World War II.
At the time of his death, Wilbur was…
Born on February 1, 1918 to George and Elsie Bishop near DeSmet, SD.
Married Nellie Beatty on October 24, 1952 in Winner, SD. Served in the Army Air Corps during World War II.
At the time of his death, Wilbur was…
Patricia Marlene Blomlie
Patricia Marlene Blomlie, 19.
Born in Minnesota on February 16, 1953 to William and Clara (Holan) Blomlie. She graduated from Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis in 1971. She worked at Burger King at 2220 W. Broadway Ave in…
Born in Minnesota on February 16, 1953 to William and Clara (Holan) Blomlie. She graduated from Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis in 1971. She worked at Burger King at 2220 W. Broadway Ave in…
Christel Blum Bostick
Christel Blum Bostick, 49.
She was born in Germany on May 3, 1923, and married Richard Bostick, a U.S. Air Force Airman. Richard preceded her in death in 1965. She became a US citizen in April 1965. She was a secretary at the Black Hills Packing…
She was born in Germany on May 3, 1923, and married Richard Bostick, a U.S. Air Force Airman. Richard preceded her in death in 1965. She became a US citizen in April 1965. She was a secretary at the Black Hills Packing…
Matilda June (Olson) Broderson
Matilda June (Olson) Broderson, 56.
Born on April 10, 1916 to Ole and Anna Olson in South Dakota. Married Martin Fenner on February 24, 1934. He passed away in 1948. She married John Broderson on November 11, 1950.
Matilda was survived by her…
Born on April 10, 1916 to Ole and Anna Olson in South Dakota. Married Martin Fenner on February 24, 1934. He passed away in 1948. She married John Broderson on November 11, 1950.
Matilda was survived by her…