Oakley Eide

Funeral services for Oakley Eide was held on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Sarah Hermann officiating.

Music was provided by Twylah Ward, accompanist, and Lucille Teel and Sharon Neuharth were in charge of registration.

Casket bearers were Chelsea Fuhrer, Blake Jacobsen, Dustin Eide, Seth Kuchenbecker, Cole Kuchenbecker, and Chesney Haase. Honorary casket bearers were all of Oakley’s relatives and friends.

Interment was in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Oakley Wayne Eide, Jr. was born in Burke, South Dakota, on July 23, 1936, to Oakley and Dorotha (Burkinshaw) Eide. Oakley was a 1954 graduate of Burke High School and a 1958 graduate of South Dakota State College where he was active in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). He was also a member of the Alpha Zeta Fraternity, Blue Key, and the Scabbard and Blade. In 1959, 1st Lt. Eide completed the officer leadership course at the Army Infantry School in Fort Benning, GA.

On September 6, 1958, he married Frances Marie Forchtner to which three children were born: Clay, Shelly, and Shana. Oakley farmed and ranched the balance of his life north of Burke, SD, on a South Dakota Centennial Farm homesteaded by his family in 1907. Oakley was involved in the Herrick Masonic Lodge, the Rosebud Shrine, and the Methodist Church. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. One of their favorite outings was their trips to the Burke elevator for pop followed by a visit with Great-Grandma Dorotha.

Later in life, Oakley and Fran also ran “The Outback” hunting preserve on the family farm. Over the years, they met, entertained, and became friends with sportsmen from all parts of the country.

Survivors include Fran his wife of 63 years; three children; Clay (Lisa) Eide, Valentine, NE, Shelly (John) Jacobsen, Burke, SD, and Shana (Kevin) Kuchenbecker, Deadwood, SD; six grandchildren: Chelsea Fuhrer, Valentine, NE, Blake Jacobsen, Burke, SD, Dustin Eide, Valentine, NE, Seth (Mackenzie) Kuchenbecker, Boise, ID, Cole Kuchenbecker, Lead, SD, and Chesney (Dean) Haase, Baltic, SD; one great-grandchild; sisters: Donna (Ivan) Zarling; Spokane, WA, Marlys Nellermoe, Pierre, SD, and Lynn Eide, Phoenix, AZ; and brother, Terry Eide, Miami, FL.

He was preceded in death by his parents.