Bennie Spring

Bennie “Ben” Otis Spring was born at the family homestead in Custer County, S.D., Dec. 28, 1924, to Frank Spring and Beatha (Kost) Spring.  He joined his sister, Carol and brother, Theodore “Ted” and several years later they were joined with a sister, Hazel. Their father passed away in 1937, leaving their mother, Beatha to care for and raise the family.
Bennie attended the one room school, Fairview, through the eighth grade, which was located about a mile from their home. He enjoyed the outdoors and loved to go fishing, hunting, and loved the ranching life.
At a young age he and his brother, Theodore, would take off and go to their favorite fishing hole and on one occasion they were not alone as President Coolidge was there fishing and the security told them that they would have to leave, but the president said they could fish with him.
He and his mother, Beatha, continued to work and care for the Spring Ranch till her death in 1987. He loved his Hereford cow/calf herd which he would show at the Custer County Fair at Hermosa and also when he would sell them at the auction. He loved the spring time as he fed and attended his cattle during calving and loved watching the young baby calves.  
He also loved hunting with a bow and/or a rifle and spent time with family, friends and neighbors deer and elk hunting and they have many fond memories to tell. He also was so very proud of his archery trophy deer he harvested and mounted.
Ben passed away peacefully at The Hospice House in Rapid City, SD, on July 2, 2023. He was 98.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Beatha Spring; sister, Carol; brother-in-law, Don Hoover; brother, Theodore “Ted” Spring; sister, Hazel (Frank) Jensen; niece in law, Robbin Spring;  and nephew in law, David Cook.
Ben is survived by sister in law, Kathryn Spring of Union Center, S.D.; nieces and nephews, Charles (Claireen) Spring of Union Center, Shirley (Gary) Baker of Enning, S.D., Glen Spring of Union Center, Susan  (Norman) Delbridge of Faith, S.D., Janice (Paul) Nelsen of Faribault, Minn., Harry (Joan) Hoover of Sandy, Utah, Ruth Cook of Charlotte, N.C., Mary (Roger) Hendrick of Opp, Ala., Rebecca (Stephen) Ashbridge of Blythewood, S.C., Barbara Jensen of Nisland, S.D., and Andrew Jensen of Vale, S.D.; special friends, Jodi and Richard Dusenbury of Hermosa, S.D.; cousins; and many great-nieces, great-nephews and their families.
Funeral services were  July 10 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Hermosa, S.D. Interment will follow at the Highland Park Cemetery in Hermosa.
A memorial has been established for the Foundation of the Blind, and the Highland Park Cemetery fund.
Condolences may be sent to the family at kinkadefunerals.com.