Michael Mark Carter

Michael "Mike" Mark Carter of Glenham, South Dakota, died at his home on October 17, 2025. He was born on February 22, 1954, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas to Mark and Jean (Letourneau) Carter, and grew up in Hoven, South Dakota as the second oldest of eleven children. Mike proudly embraced his identities as both a Hoven Greyhound and as a "Carter from Hoven." Mike spent 51 years married to Joanne (Schekel) Carter, sharing a lasting bond built through decades of family life-the everyday comings and goings, memorable vacations, time on the water boating and waterskiing, relaxing on sandy beaches, and through the simple, treasured moments of meals together, games, and laughter around the table. They nurtured their children, Bonnie, Michelle, and Brian into adulthood-as well as Mike's sister, Melanie, whom they welcomed into their family at age seven following the deaths of Mark and Jean. Mike was also a loving grandpa to Bjorn and Kennedy, a devoted uncle to Maria, Teresa, and Will, and a proud godfather to his nephew Marcus and niece Kendall.

An outdoor enthusiast and skilled marksman, Mike especially loved hunting, fishing, boating, gardening, food preservation, and grilling-activities he most enjoyed sharing with family, friends, dogs, and the many guests he warmly welcomed to the Lazy SY Lodge on his property. Mike enjoyed tinkering with home and land projects, from everyday repairs to improving hunting grounds, restoring prairieland, and planting trees. He delighted in discovering unique treasures on his property and admired South Dakota's breathtaking skies-especially sunrises, sunsets, and northern lights-which he often captured in photos to share with family and friends.

Mike earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from South Dakota State University in 1977 and built a distinguished career as a pharmacist, most notably serving Native American communities for over 24 years as a commissioned officer in the United States Public Health Service (USPHS). He took great pride in providing for his family through his career and applying his expertise to help people manage their health. A lifelong learner, Mike explored topics ranging from current events and financial markets to health and wellness and world history. He was especially captivated by the early American frontier and the journeys of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark-a fitting reflection of his ever-curious and adventurous spirit. His passion for genealogy led him to eagerly seek connections with distant relatives near and far. Mike was a proud member of Pheasants Forever, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the USPHS Commissioned Officers Association, the American Pharmacists Association, the Knights of Columbus, the Jaycees, and the Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, always staying tied to his career, hobbies, and his community.

Mike's legacy invites us to seize the day, notice the sky and appreciate the beauty in nature, work seriously without taking oneself too seriously, and find humor in the ordinary. Though his cause of death is currently unknown, what's certain is that his spirit lives on in the stories, lessons, and memories of a life defined by a career of service, family, hospitality, and the great outdoors, and marked by a sharp wit, boundless curiosity, and a mischievous smile.

He cherished the relationships he built with others, and is lovingly remembered by his former spouse Joanne (Schekel) Carter of Whitewood, SD; their children and grandchildren-Bonnie Carter (Erik Valberg) and their son Bjorn Valberg of Cedar Rapids, IA, Michelle Carter (Tim Lupfer) of Silver Bay, MN, Brian Carter (Allison Creed) and their daughter Kennedy Carter of Sturgis, SD; siblings Cathy (Ed) Gerrish of Watertown, SD, Roger (Shirley) Carter of Watertown, SD, Diane (Joe Richardson) Carter of Ruston, LA, Andre (Camilla) Carter of Arlington, TX, Amy (Fred) Merritt of Aurora, CO, Christy (Carl) Schaller of Georgetown, TX, Denise (Tim) Wilson of McMinnville, OR, John (Kelli) Carter of Fort Collins, CO, Mary (Zach) Peer of Chicago, IL, Melanie (Scott) Pfeil of Sun Prairie, WI; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Mike was preceded in death by his parents Mark and Jean (Letourneau) Carter; his grandparents WFJ and Eva (Ledoux) Carter and Ronald and Reina (Morrissette) Letourneau; his parents-in-law Lorin and Violet (Hetterle) Schekel; and his infant daughter, Dawn Marie Carter.

A Memorial Wake begins with visitation on Friday, November 14 at 5pm, with a service at 7pm at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Mobridge, SD. A Funeral Mass will be held at the same location on Saturday, November 15 at 11am, with lunch to follow at the church. A Burial Committal Service will take place at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD on Monday, November 17 at 10am Mountain Time / 11am Central Time.

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