Curtis Layton Gilbert

1928 - 2008 KEYSTONE - Curtis Layton Gilbert took the last trail to the green pastures of eternity at his home in Keystone, following a lengthy battle with cancer on Friday, March 28. He was born in Rockerville, SD on December 30, 1928 to Edward and Marguerite Raga Gilbert. He attended the Pine Grove School in Rockerville, and left to serve in the Army during the Korean War. In 1956 he married Phyllis Wright in Pierre. They ran strings of trail horses at Rockerville, Gordon Gulch and Keystone. Curt's life was his horses, trying many breed combinations to produce a strong horse for carrying the public through the Black Hills. He also ran a stagecoach ride concession for many years in Keystone, SD and trained and drove many draft horse teams. Last September he served as Grand Marshal of the Horse Parade at Keystone's Holy Terror Days. He was preceded in death by infant twin siblings, and sisters Mary Ella and Edna, his brother Clyde, his parents, and his life companion, Becky Burke Johnston. He is survived by a brother, Oscar Gilbert, of Casper, Wyoming, nephew Corey Gilbert, Rapid City, stepdaughter Anita Landis of Phoenix, Arizona, step-granddaughters Lorraine (Doug) Smith of Rockerville, Kimberlee Gilbert of Phoenix, and extended family Tom, Brenna, and Seth Burke of Wyoming, Tim and Zack Burke of Keystone. In lieu of flowers the family has established a memorial fund at First Western Bank, 296 Main St, Hill City, SD 57745. Graveside services will be held at the Rockerville Cemetery Tuesday, April 1 at 2:00, with a reception to follow at The Gaslight in Rockerville. Condolences may be conveyed to the family at www.behrenswilson.com. Arrangements are in the care of Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home, Rapid City.