Edgar Samuel Kumley

Click here to watch livestream Edgar Samuel Kumley, 102, of Redig, died Sunday, April 6th, 2025 at Southwest Healthcare in Bowman, ND. He was born October 15th, 1922 in Mitchell, SD to Ella (Ferguson) and Earl Kumley. He married Elizabeth Krug January 7th, 1944. To this union was born 10 children. They include: Earl (deceased), Greta, Frank (deceased), Carol, Betty, Edward, Tina, Allyn, Kathy, and Barbara Jo. He loved his children and made sure they were all educated and in the career field of their choice. He paid for piano lessons, accordion lessons, and delighted in the growth of music in his children. He and his wife would join the musical fun as he would play his mandolin and Gibson guitar and his wife would play the zither. To him, the most treasured part of his life was the time spent with his children and their families. With every child born, he invented a new very important job that needed to be done. He was a faithful Catholic and enjoyed saying the rosary in the evening. Once a year, he took all the children and his wife to attend midnight mass. All the children received their essential sacraments and graces. He was married for 65 years with his dear wife Elizabeth Magdalena with whom he shared all parts of his life. Between Richard Smith and Edgar, the vegetable garden was always ready for each new season for Elizabeth. Having worn many different hats to serve the community, he faithfully completed all that he undertook. He was a postmaster, telephone lineman, sheep herder, night lamb guardian, mechanic, welder, rancher, and he enjoyed haying and made sure all his children helped out. He was also a trucker and owned his own trucks, which meant staying up all night fixing and repairing them. He also tended the Redig store and sold groceries and gas. He would spend hours talking with his patrons. He also had a barber shop on Friday nights for anyone who wanted a haircut. In his youth, Edgar participated in commercial gardening by his family and sold produce to individuals and grocery stores. He worked his way through high school by working for a dairy farmer outside of Rapid City. After he graduated from Rapid City high school, he was drafted into the United States Army. He was sent home with 6 months to live and a bad heart. He enjoyed riding horses, and had many exciting experiences. He especially liked his horse named Rex. He rode across the prairie without fences to slow him down. He enjoyed attending country dances and loved to dance with Elizabeth. His father loved music and built the dance floor at the Redig Hall. In December 1948, Edgar became acting Postmaster of Redig. He was appointed Postmaster on March 25th, 1949 under the Truman Administration. At the Redig post office, he served as Postmaster for nearly 66 years, until his retirement on January 10th, 2015. He is the third longest-serving Postmaster in the United States. He is survived by his children, Greta Wall of Redig, SD, Carol (Ken) Smith of Redig, SD Betty Catalan of Laredo, TX, Edward (Leesa) Kumley of Rapid City, SD, Tina (David) Barnes of Yankton, SD, Allyn (Jeff) Waltz of Del Rapids, SD, Kathy Williams of Loveland, CO and Barbara (Mark) Walter of Clarinda, IA; 41 grandchildren, 78 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Elizabeth Kumley; sons, Earl and Frank Kumley; sister, Mary Schreier; brothers, Ira Kumley, Robert Kumley and John Kumley. A Visitation was held on Thursday, April 10th from 5-7 pm with sharing of memories by friends and family and a Rosary at 6:30 pm at Kline Funeral Chapel in Belle Fourche. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, April 11th at 11:00 am at St. Paul Catholic Church in Belle Fourche. Interment will be in Pine Slope Cemetery in Belle Fourche. The family welcomes friends to attend. An online guest book and video tribute is available at klinefuneralchapel.com The funeral will be livestreamed and can be viewed on Edgar's obituary page at klinefuneralchapel.com