Cecil Harsin, Sr.

Funeral services for Cecil Lewis Harsin, Sr. were scheduled for Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Southern Baptist Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Russ Grim officiating.

Music was provided by Laura Welker, pianist, Janice Hogrefe, song leader, and Abby Cole and Alayna Cole, duet.

Bonnie Warriner was in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Doug Cole, Dhani Cole, Craig Lyon, Chuck Harsin, Scott Harsin, and Shaun Harsin. Honorary casket bearers were all of his church family. Interment was in the Hillview Cemetery in Dallas, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Cecil Lewis Harsin, Sr. was born on October 1, 1929, in Steele, ND, the oldest son of Henry Lewis Harsin and Myrtle (Gruenewald) Harsin. When he was an infant, the family moved to Blunt, SD, where he grew to manhood. Soon after moving, he was joined by two brothers, Calvin and Charles and one sister, Marjorie. As a child, Cecil was nicknamed “Buddy” by his parents, but as he grew to be a very tall, slender young man, he became known as Slim.

Cecil married his first wife, Leona, in 1949, and to this union six children were born: sons: Arylin, James and Cecil Jr., “Louie”, and three daughters: Jean, Lynda and Leigh.

After his marriage he began many lifelong careers, and always worked two and sometime three jobs at a time to support his growing family. He learned auto mechanics from his father, who owned and operated an auto repair business, service station and restaurant in Blunt. Following his marriage he settled in Gregory, SD, to raise his family. When he was only 23 years old he began working in the theater business at night and on the weekends operating the projector, in addition to working a full-time job. He eventually purchased the Hipp Theater and the Hilltop outdoor drive-in Theater in Gregory. He had been in the theater business his entire adult life, well into his 80’s. Cecil’s work career included 20 years at the Gregory County Highway Shop as shop foreman and driving the school bus. Cecil organized, and was the scout leader to Troop 107 in Gregory for over 20 years and devoted much time to the Boy Scouts and youth of Gregory. Cecil was a lay reader at the Episcopal Church.

Following a divorce from his first wife, Cecil was united in marriage to Linda K. (Simmons) Bush and they began their life together, adding four more children, Cindy, Jon, Bill and Jason, combining their families, and celebrating nearly 20 years of togetherness. Cecil was grandpa to many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and he thoroughly enjoyed every minute with all of them.

Cecil was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Leona; his siblings; sons Arylin and Louie; daughter Leigh; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

Slim is survived by his wife Linda; daughters Jean and Lynda; son James; and by his step-daughter Cindy; step-sons Jon, Bill, Jason; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.