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Peter A. Carmichael

Funeral services for Peter A. Carmichael, age 78, of Timber Lake were held Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011 at the Timber Lake Gym, with visitation one hour prior to services.
Peter Albert Carmichael |

Peter Albert Carmichael passed away Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011 at his home. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge, SD, is in charge of arrangements.

Peter Albert Carmichael was born Nov. 1, 1932 to Peter and Garnet Carmichael in Faith, SD. Pete attended school through the 8th grade. He worked for his parents and area neighbors herding sheep and ranching. As a teenager he participated in the Eddie Bachman Wild West Show which traveled the south eastern U.S.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army by his father who was on the draft board in January 1953 and participated in combat in South Korea. He earned the Korean Service ribbon with one Bronze Service Star, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and United Nations Service Medal. Pete was honorably discharged on Aug. 13, 1954. His discharge certificate lists his main civilian occupation as a “saddle horse breaker.”



Upon his return, he traveled the rodeo circuit and married Treva McGinnis and this union produced three children: Tracie, Ryan and Graling.

From 1959-1966 he was the ranch foreman for the Western Cattle Company at White Thunder Ranch north of Milesville, SD. He then began ranching on the Cheyenne River until March 1974.



He married Ann Rankin with daughter Julie of Faith in 1970. In March of 1972 a daughter Heidi was born to this union and in 1974 they purchased land northeast of Timber Lake, SD, and started Lookout Limousin Ranch where they raised Limousin cattle. He and his family traveled across the country gaining national acclaim. Pete was a pioneer in the purebred cattle industry implementing artificial insemination, pregnancy testing and embryo transplant.

He tested about 15,000-20,000 cows a year over about 40 years. His first border collie, Tom, put about 450,000 cows down the chute for him. Pete’s dog trialing began with two “friends” paying $50 and entering him. He came out commenting that he had given them $50 in entertainment. In the spring of 1998 he sold the main ranch and retired west of Timber Lake. During his “retirement” he bred and trained some of the top border collies in the nation. Along with running upwards of 1,000 head of sheep, he traveled the U.S. judging and participating in sheep and cattle dog trials. He sold dogs and mentored many people through the United States and Canada.

Peter was honored to have received the 2007 South Dakota Master Lamb Producer, 2008 South Dakota Excellence in Range Management Area III, and the most recently, 2010 Tom Didier Pioneer Award at the Black Hills Stock Show.

His legacy was his sense of humor, hard work ethic and his ability to relate to people and dogs of all ages.

Grateful to have shared his life are his wife, Ann, of 41 years; and children: Tracie Bollinger, Mandan, ND; Ryan (Susan) Carmichael of Midland, TX; Graling (Carla) Carmichael of Rapid City, SD; Julie (Dan) Mewes of Collinsville, AL; and Heidi (Deb) Ducheneaux, 14 grandchildren and eight great-children.

He was preceded in death by his parents Pete and Garnet, his brother James (Bubby) and one grandson Brandon Bollinger.