Oscar L. Bachand: 1923-2012

Oscar Leroy Bachand, 89, of Faith, SD, died on Dec. 6, 2012, with family in Faith.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis with Pastor Denzel Nonhof officiating. Burial followed at the Bear Butte Cemetery.

Oscar was born at home, east of Sturgis, to Frank and Mary (Kincheloe) Bachand on Sept. 20, 1923, and was raised on the home ranch. He attended country school to the south east, over the hill from the ranch. He started high school in Sturgis, but quit as a freshman and walked home with a neighbor boy, 30 miles east of Sturgis. He then worked the ranch with his parents and later worked for Emmett Pharis. Oscar spent his early years rodeoing, riding broncs, and bull dogging. He was also a pickup man and was involved in rodeo for many years, including the Days of '76. On New Year's Eve of 1951, he married Charlotte Ziegenbein and to this union, four children were born, Marlene, Mike, Melodee, and Melissa. He spent his remaining years ranching and haying throughout western South Dakota.

Oscar is survived by his sister, Francis Wetz; and his children, Marlene Bachand, Spearfish, Mike (Kelly) Bachand, Powell, WY, Melodee (James) Inghram, Faith, Melissa Bachand, Belle Fourche; 15 grandchildren, Jason (Ginny) Anders, Justin Anders, Jayna (Nate) Frederickson, Tanya (Kevin) Keser, Tracie (Milton) Davis, Trampus Bachand, Tasha (Richard) Schlenker, Spencer (Andrea) Woody, Nalen Inghram, Stormy (Tory) Devall, Jarret Inghram, Derik Trainor, Charlotte (Shawn) Hofstetters, Tyrel Taton, and Shayla Walker; 16 great-grandchildren; and a whole bunch of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte; his brothers, Ezward and Ralph Bachand; brother-in-law, Oliver Wetz; and one grandson, Travis Anders.

Memorials have been established to the Days of '76 museum and the Hospice of the Northern Hills.