Mass of Christian Burial for Lorita Hall, 87, of Timber Lake was held Friday, November 22, 2024, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Timber Lake. Burial was at St. Theresa’s Catholic Cemetery in Whitehorse under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.
Lorita Ann (Lawrence) Hall passed away on November 17, 2024, at Cheyenne River Health Center. Lorita was born on July 22, 1937, at the Old Cheyenne River Agency to Robert and Delphine Lawrence. She was raised in White Horse and attended school at St. Joseph Indian School and Stephan Boarding School.
After graduation she attended Presentation College in Aberdeen. In 1957 she married Cedric Hall, and they had four children, Janell, Karla, Lisa, and Halsey. They moved to Texas to explore the world but ended up coming back to South Dakota to raise their family. They settled in Blunt, where there were lasting friendships and great memories made. After their children graduated, they moved to Piedmont. The grandkids have fond memories of her hosting Christmas gatherings.
Lorita worked for the State, County and Federal governments. She remained in Piedmont until her retirement in 2011, then relocated to Timber Lake and that is when “The Granties” were established. With the age differences between Lorita and her siblings (2 children were born in the 30’s, 2 in the 40’s and 2 in the 50’s) and with the older children going to boarding school, The Granties made up for lost time. Aunt Faye’s house became the gathering place for nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. There were numerous hours of card games, love and laughter shared during this time, as well as great meals. Traveling with her sisters was one of her favorite things to do. They took trips to California to see their aunts, went to PBR’s and also took up camping for a couple of years. Lorita will be remembered for her quick wit, fun personality and kind heart.
Lorita is survived by her four children: Janell (Todd) Ward of rural Mobridge, Karla of Aberdeen, Lisa (Jess) Schlosser of Timber Lake, and Halsey (Sarah Wetzler) of Rapid City; her sisters: “The Granties” Clarice Bender, Almeda Lawrence, Janet Keckler and Faye Kraft; grandchildren Kyle, Kayla, Morgan, Amber, Lanie, Kasen, Ryan, Quintin, Jesse “OP,” Skyla, Paige, and Halle; greatgrandchildren Hudson, Cody, Taylor, Ethan, Marley, Jersie, Emmie, Kyler, Daris, Neveah, Natalia, Jesalyn, Ronsyn, Rae’ah, Emma, Ryatt, Ryan Jr and Eastyn; great-great-grandchildren Kinzley, Kash and Lennox; and numerous nieces and nephews in the Lawrence and Hall families.
Welcoming Lorita into her eternal resting place are her parents, Robert and Delphine (Rousseau) Lawrence; brother Robby Tom Lawrence; sister Peggy Lawrence; brother-in-law Marlyn Bender; nieces Ranee Keckler and Robbi Birkeland.
(Janell Ward’s address is 13691 279th Ave., Mobridge, 57601; Lisa Schlosser, Box 213, Timber Lake, 57656; and Faye Kraft, Box 219, Timber Lake, 57656.)