Alice Hartford

After nearly a century-98 years, the spirit of an angel on earth has been lifted to her eternal resting place in heaven.

Alice Ruth Jons Hartford passed away April 29, 2025 in Rapid City, SD. Funeral services will be held at the Winner Methodist Church May 5, 2025, at 1 PM. A visitation will be held one hour prior. Followed by a burial at Rosebud Cemetery in Bonesteel, SD.

Alice was born the second child of six to Emil and Lydia (Schroeder) Jons on their farm near Bonesteel, SD. Her early life was spent supporting the dairy operation, and as a teenager, she would make early morning milk deliveries to the surrounding area before school. As a youngster, she and her siblings walked a mile to a country school when the weather permitted.

Alice was an excellent student throughout her school years and set her sights on becoming a teacher after high school when she attended the State Normal School in Springfield, SD. After completing her teacher training, she initially taught school in Burke, SD.

During her senior year of high school, she noticed a tall, thin lad with red hair - Gerald Hartford. He must have noticed her too since after she graduated, they started dating and continued to do so through the Springfield period. Alas, with WWII, Gerald entered the Marine Corps in August 1945 and was sent to Parris Island, SC for Recruit Training. Fortunately, the war ended, and after 13 months, Gerald was discharged and returned to Bonesteel to resume his courtship of the young Ms. Jons.

Alice and Gerald decided to get married, but honoring a promise to his mother, Gerald agreed to not marry while a teenager. So, the day after he turned 20, Alice and Gerald were married at her parents' house on the farm in April of 1947. Interestingly, the roads were muddy from a recent rain, and future father-in-law Emil had to get a tractor out to pull Gerald up the driveway to the house.

Alice and Gerald then set up house in Mitchell, SD, where she found a job working with an accountant, and Gerald worked at Rozum Ford.

After 18 years in Mitchell, the family moved to Winner, SD where Alice continued her accounting work remotely. Files would be bussed from Mitchell to Winner and returned upon task completion. She was an early version of a female working remotely from home. Gerald was the sales manager at Miller Bros. Auto.

With the advent of Alice and Gerald purchasing Hiway Lumber, she ended her work with the Mitchell accountant, and focused on helping grow and operate the lumber yard for the next 20 years. After the sale of the lumber yard in 1992 (age 66), she kept the books for the Hartford Cabinet Shop until they retired from that business in 2012 with Alice age 86.

All through the years, Alice was a tireless, steady hand in supporting business ventures, but more importantly, she was a mother. Taking care of the home and providing support to four growing children. She was never cross with anyone, always recognized the good in people, always took the high road, was always a lady, and held her religious faith close. The definition of a role model.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 76 years Gerald "Red" Hartford who passed away in May 2023.

Left to honor her memory are her four children, Barbara Tracy of Rapid City, SD, Gerald Hartford Jr. "Jerry" (Leslie) Amarillo, TX, Lynn Jacobs (Pete) Rochester, MN, and Rick (Twila) Hickory, NC. Plus, six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in her name to Winner Methodist Church or your preferred charity.