Charlotte Joan Stover

Charlotte Joan Stover, 96, passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2023. She was born on October 17, 1926, in Humboldt County, Iowa, Weaver Township. 

She and her parents, Walter R. and Viona (Rowe) Green moved to the Black Forest near Colorado Springs, Colorado, when she was three years old. However, she had memories of their home in Iowa, telling her mother what the furniture arrangement used to be.

While in Colorado, her "Daddy" drove the bus where she went to elementary school. Living in Colorado gave her a love for the mountains. She graduated from Colorado Springs High School in 1944. Charlotte was employed first at a soda fountain and then by the Bell Telephone company as an operator.

She met her husband, Kenneth E. Stover, in December of 1942 on a blind date while he was stationed at Camp Carson in Colorado Springs. They were married on June 25, 1944 in Durham, North Carolina.

During this early time, while Kenneth was in the Army, they lived in North Carolina. During WWII, as Kenneth was shipping out for the European Theater, Charlotte returned to CO to live with her parents.

When Ken was discharged and within a couple of years of returning to South Dakota they purchased land. They began to live their dream on the "Bahr Place" in 1950 and in 1960 moved to the "Benson Place" near Owanka.

Charlotte and Kenneth began a family in 1947 with David Derald. He was a "wonderful first baby".

Keith Martin came (with a curl in the middle of his forehead) just a short 13 months later in 1948. Timothy Neil followed in 1952, and his brothers thought he was their toy.

Debra Kathleen was born in 1955 (disappearing while Mom heated a bottle – found laying on Kenneth's chest) and Beth Janeen surprised them (with a mind of her own) in 1961.

Being a homemaker/ranch wife/branding cook etc. was her life's work and passion. She loved to visit with her friends and hosted many Sunday dinners (noon meal).

Time was spent with the neighbors on the 4th of July, brandings, potlucks at Church and pancake suppers just to name a few. Ken and Charlotte loved to go dancing at the many country dances and later the Elks Club.

Charlotte played the organ at the Wicksville Community Church for many years and wrote the Owanka News for the local newspapers. Charlotte and Kenneth spent ten years as the Leaders of the Prospectors 4-H Club.

When Kenneth passed away in 1985, Charlotte continued to reside at their ranch near Owanka, South Dakota. She moved into Rapid City in 1988 and lived in West Rapid in an apartment until 2017 when she moved to Edgewood (formerly Somerset).

While living in Rapid City, she enjoyed the live theater and many concerts. She worked as a "TV lady" at the Rapid City Regional Hospital and also was a Rest Stop hostess for the State of South Dakota.

During this time, she was able to travel to many parts of the state for "training". Charlotte loved to travel! Many trips were taken with Ken and the kids and later even a trip to Europe.

She enjoyed crossword puzzles, clipping interesting articles and making sure her family knew our rich history. She also loved to read and passed on her love of books to her family.

Charlotte's love for the Lord and His Word was important to her and she passed that love down through taking her children to Sunday School and reading Bible stories to them.

Charlotte is survived by her five children, David (Marilyn) Stover of Owanka, Keith (Sandy) Stover of Nixa, Missouri, Tim (Sheila) Stover of Owanka, Deb (John) Mannetter of Sundance, Wyoming and Beth (Lonny) McGee of Buffalo, Wyoming. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and soon to be 10 great great grandchildren, many spouses, nieces and nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by two stillborn siblings; her parents, Walter and Viona Green; her husband, Kenneth; twin great great grandsons; a nephew; and cousins.

Funeral services were held at the Wicksville Community Church on Saturday, March 25. Burial followed at the Lakeside Cemetery north of Wicksville. kirkfuneralhome.com