Charles P. O'Dell

RAPID CITY - Charles P. "Digger" O'Dell, 92, Rapid City, died Saturday, April 30, 2011, at Fort Meade Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

He was born on July 15, 1918, in Roscoe, N.Y. His family moved to a farm south of Winner in 1928. After graduating from the 8th grade he worked on ranches in Nebraska at Springview and Valentine. In 1936 he returned to stay with his mother at Keypaha and then joined the Civilian Conservation Corps as a LEM, Local Experienced Man, which he was although only 18 years old.

After the CCC stint he worked on various ranches, went to Pascoe, Wash., for a while, then back to work on various ranches, hauled cattle and bought his first truck. In 1943 he married the love of his life, Vada Papke. They ranched in Springview, Neb., and then farmed 800 acres near Clearfield. In 1945 he took a trip to Italy courtesy of the U.S. Army. Discharged in 1946, he worked for Joe Weeks until 1949 when he started O'Dell farm equipment selling Ferguson tractors. In 1954, when the company became Massey-Ferguson, he became the district manager for them and was stationed in Sioux Falls.

In 1958 they bought a Dairy Queen in Sioux Falls, and then did some more trucking and construction work. After promoting an oil lease in Wyoming he moved to Rapid City where he bought Gaulkes Drive Inn and ran it for the summer.

Dick then worked for Sheldon Reese managing the 240 Apartment complex on Signal Heights. In 1960 he started hauling trailers for New Moon trailer Co. In 1962 he contracted to work for Robbins and Stearns Lumber Co. Dick or "Digger" as he was also known, had four trucks and drove one for over three-and-a-half million miles before he sold his ICC license for East West Motor Express and retired in 1984.

Dick always credited his success in East West to his good drivers, to his loyal friend and mechanic, Ole Keehner, to his wife Vada, who did all the bookkeeping and errands while he was gone, and to the good Lord who was always with him.

Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Vada, in 2007; a brother, Jack; and sisters, Tanna and Patta. He leaves behind many good friends and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 pm. Tuesday, May 3, at Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 4, at First Christian Church, Rapid City. Interment will follow at Pine Lawn Memorial Park.

Condolences may be conveyed to the family at www.behrenswilson.com.