Home > United States of America > South Dakota > Hand County > Miller > G A R Cemetery > Elbert Ray “Duke” Testerman

Elbert Ray “Duke” Testerman

View larger map

Birth	:	16 May 1938 Hand County, South Dakota, USA
Death	:	22 Sep 2004 Dell Rapids, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	G A R Cemetery, Miller, Hand County, USA
Coordinate	:	44.5078011, -98.9858017
Plot	:	Blk 53 Lot 9 Grave 3
Description	:	E.R. "Duke" Testerman, 66, of Dell Rapids, S.D., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2004, following a 20-year battle with heart disease. His funeral service was held on Saturday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls. Interment was in the GAR Cemetery at Miller. Elbert Ray Testerman was born May 16, 1938 to Freel and Orena (Hale) Testerman on the family farm south of Wessington. He and his twin sister, Ella, were the youngest of nine children. They were named "The Duke and the Duchess" by loving family members, and for 66 years Elbert was "The Duke."... Read More	E.R. "Duke" Testerman, 66, of Dell Rapids, S.D., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2004, following a 20-year battle with heart disease. His funeral service was held on Saturday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls. Interment was in the GAR Cemetery at Miller. Elbert Ray Testerman was born May 16, 1938 to Freel and Orena (Hale) Testerman on the family farm south of Wessington. He and his twin sister, Ella, were the youngest of nine children. They were named "The Duke and the Duchess" by loving family members, and for 66 years Elbert was "The Duke." He graduated from St. Lawrence High School in 1957. He attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie; Northern State University, Aberdeen; and received his degree in Hospital Administration from the University of Minnesota. He was united in marriage with Carolyn Blakslee, daughter of Lowell and Mildred (Yearous) Blakslee of Miller, July 30, 1961. They had two daughters, Robin and Renae. Their family resided in Miller until 1985. Duke was a bank officer of First National Bank in Miller for 13 years following college. He became a hospital administrator in 1972 and was CEO in Miller, in Polson, Montana, and in Lynch, Nebraska, where his hospital was one of the top 100 performing hospitals in the nation. He was president of the South Dakota Hospital Association; a member of the United Methodist Church in Miller; Past Master of St. Lawrence Masonic Lodge No. 39; El Riad Shrine; a 20-year 4-H leader; and a Dell Rapids City Council member. He enjoyed fishing with his son-in-law, Joel, and hunting on his son-in-law David's ranch. Duke was proud "PaPa" to Rachael and Matthew, his beloved "Lil' people." His happiest moments were spent gardening, canning and watching nature. Duke was extremely proud that both his daughters chose "healthcare" as their profession. Duke was the ultimate "jokester." He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Carrie, of Dell Rapids; his daughters, Robin (David) Gadd of Highmore, and Renae (Joel) Clark of Sioux Falls; his two grandchildren, Rachael and Matthew Clark; two brothers, Russel (Berniece) and Philip (Phyllis) of Miller; three sisters, Marion Sears of New Kirk, Ok, Aloa (Roger) Carter of Greensboro, N.C., and twin sister, Ella (Richard) Cotton of St. Lawrence; sister-in-law, Eva Testerman of Seattle, WA.; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of close friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents, three siblings, a nephew and a niece.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Elbert Ray “Duke” Testerman's memorial?
Elbert Ray “Duke” Testerman's memorial is located at: G A R Cemetery, Miller, Hand County, USA.
When did Elbert Ray “Duke” Testerman death?
Elbert Ray “Duke” Testerman death on 22 Sep 2004 in Dell Rapids, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Elbert Ray “Duke” Testerman's memorial?
Latitude: 44.5078011
Longitude: -98.9858017

Family Members:

Parent

Freelan Alexander “Freel” Testerman

(1899 - 1962)

Orena Elizabeth Hale Testerman

(1904 - 1990)

Siblings

Russel Dean Testerman

(1924 - 2008)

Wilma Jeane Testerman

(1928 - 1929)

Donald Freel Testerman

(1935 - 1951)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. G A R Cemetery
Miller, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5078011, -98.9858017

2. Hillcrest Cemetery
Miller, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5207000, -99.0006100

3. Saint Ann's Cemetery
Miller, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5222015, -98.9732971

4. Saint Lawrence Cemetery
Saint Lawrence, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5292015, -98.9321976

5. Morningside Cemetery
Ree Heights, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5147018, -99.1903000

6. Beulah Cemetery
Vayland, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6060982, -98.8060989

7. Alden Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6775017, -99.1203003

8. Sunbeam Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6777992, -98.8407974

9. Wessington Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4569016, -98.7102966

10. Saint Josephs Catholic Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4574400, -98.7100400

11. Burdette Cemetery
Burdette, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.7002983, -98.7869034

12. McCord Cemetery
Wessington, Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3998500, -98.6673100

13. Rosehill Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2980995, -98.7731018

14. Howell Cemetery
Miller, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.7757988, -98.9766998

15. Buffalo Cemetery
Spink County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6918983, -98.6853027

16. Cedar Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2775002, -99.2238998

17. Mount Calvary Cemetery
Polo, Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.7827988, -99.1097031

18. Sand Creek Cemetery
Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3055800, -98.6791200

19. Ebenezer Baptist Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2106018, -98.9056015

20. Mondamin Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2158012, -99.1238022

21. Highmore Cemetery
Highmore, Hyde County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5074997, -99.4197006

22. Saint Marys Catholic Cemetery
Highmore, Hyde County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5063800, -99.4214900

23. Saint Johns Cemetery
Tulare, Spink County, USA
Coordinate: 44.7202988, -98.6600037

24. New Zion Cemetery
Hand County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2043991, -98.8206024