Custer Rotary Club member Scott James was the club's guest speaker at the club's June 9 meeting. James, an attorney spoke to the club about wills and powers of attorney for finances and health.
July= Karen Kraus
August= Jared Slagle, Monica McGowan
September= Amanda Carlin, Cody Herman
October= Lori Svoboda, Patrick Argabright
November= Fred Hlava, Scott James
December= Marguerite Cullum
January= Nathan Weiderholt, Michelle Fischer
February= Greg Giese, John Twiss
March= Jason Ferguson
April = Dan Hutt, Scott Eastman
May = Rob McWhorter, Jim Meyer
June= John Carson, Mark Naugle
President
Secretary
Treasurer
Director
Director
Club Service
Past President
Sergeant-at-Arms
Welcome to our Club!
SERVICE ABOVE SELF
We meet In Person
Mondays at 12:00 p.m.
Custer Senior Citizen's Center
538 Mt Rushmore Rd
Custer, SD 57730
United States of America
Custer, SD 57730
United States of America
Welcome to our Rotary Club! 
This website is for the use of the membership of Custer Rotary Club, it's leadership, and the public. Please browse the information, suggest additions and changes, or ask questions in "Contact Us". If you login as a member of our club, you can access additional club and club management information.
Rotary International is the world's first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to bring peace and stability to the world by providing water and sanitation, disease prevention and treatment, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, economic and community development, peace and conflict prevention/resolution. One of the major commitments is to eradicate polio from the face of the world. Our motto: Service Above Self.
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Members of the Custer Rotary Club joined forces to conduct a roadside ditch cleanup May 22. The ditch cleaned the west side of Hwy. 16/385 heading north from town from the Custer Cemetery to Heritage Village. The cleanup was part of the club's "Trash Bash" challenge against the YMCA, which will cleanup the other side of the highway, with the group that picks up the most trash winning the traveling trophy. Rotarians John Carson, John Twiss, Greg Giese, Jason Ferguson, Nathan Wiederholt (and his daughters), Dan Hutt and visiting Rotarian Ralph Zuke participated in the cleanup.
The Custer Rotary Club had a pair of visitors at its May 19 meeting, as Cody Norberg of South Dakota Stargazing, a local astrophysicist, joined the club to discuss his "South Dakota Stargazing" business and answers a barrage of questions about the mysteries of the universe. He was presented with the guest speaker mug and pen from club president-elect Jason Ferguson at the conclusion of his talk.
Also joining the club was Ralph Zuke, a rotary club member from St. Louis who is biking from St. Louis to Calgary, Alberta, Canada as part of Rotary's End Polio Now effort. Zuke stayed in Custer for a few days, and even joined the club on a roadside cleanup before pedaling north. To learn more about Rotary's fight to eradicate polio, visit endpolio.org.
Custer County equalization director Scott Storms was the guest speaker at the May 12 meeting of the Custer Rotary Club. Storms told the club about the
process of valuing property in the county and the success and tribulations that come along with being in the office. Storms, left, is pictured with club president Rob McWhorter.
The Custer Rotary Club celebrated a successful Beer and Wine Extravaganza Fundraiser at its April 30 meeting with a special cake.
Club president-elect Jason Ferguson and president Rob McWhorter did the honors of displaying the cake before those in attendance dug in.
Storehouse director Kim Canete was the guest speaker at the April 28 meeting of the Custer Rotary Club. Canete gave the club an update on happenings and usage at
the Storehouse, and the club presented Canete with a $500 check for use at the facility. Presenting the check is club president Rob McWhorter.
Matt Tramp of Esther's Rising was at the April 14 meeting of the Custer Rotary Club to tell the club about Esther's Rising, which provides restorative
care for adolescents who are at risk for or have experienced sexual exploitation or sex trafficking. The club also gave Esther's Rising a $500 donation.
Gary Kuchar of the Custer County Historical Society was the guest speaker at the April 7 meeting of the Custer County Commission. Kuchar spoke about some of the interesting history of the town,
including bringing the actual rope and hood used in a hanging of an outlaw. Kuchar, left, is pictured with club president Rob McWhorter.
Carson Walker, left, of South Dakota News Watch, was the guest speaker at the March 31 meeting of the Custer Rotary Club. Walker, the CEO of News Watch, gave the club a PowerPoint presentation about News Watch, the media and the challenge of being in the media in this day and age. He received a Rotary coffee mug from the club, presented by club president Rob McWhorter.
Custer Rotary Club welcomed two new members at its March 24 meeting. Left is Amanda Carlin, an agent with Lewis Realty, and right is Lori Kraus Svoboda, an owner/broker at Western Skies Real Estate.
District 30 Rep. Tim Goodwin was the guest speaker at the March 24 meeting of the Custer Rotary Club. Goodwin gave the club an overview of what went on during the most recent legislative session, with an emphasis on proposed property tax reform.
Goodwin, left, receives a Rotary mug from Custer Rotary board member Patrick Argabright.
Evelyn Rosse of Elk Mountain School was a guest at the March 17 meeting of the Custer Rotary Club, and read aloud her winning entry in the club's Four Way Test Essay Contest, telling the club about how living one's life by the code of the Four Way Test can improve life. Evelyn received a $150 check for her efforts and her essay will now move head to the District 5610 contest. In addition, the club presented her mother, Anine Rosse, with a Rotary Club mug.
South Dakota Department of Criminal Investigation special agent Bob Palmer was the guest speaker at the March 17 meeting of the Custer Rotary Club. Palmer gave the club an overview of how DCI operates, told stories of past operations in the state and even brought a brief case full of confiscated drugs and paraphernalia for the club to observe. At the end of his presentation he was presented with the coveted rotary club mug by club president, Rob McWhorter, right.
Custer County Commissioner Mike Busskohl was the guest speaker at the March 10 meeting of the Custer Rotary Club. Busskohl told the commission about some recent
happenings at the county level, while a big focus of both Busskohl's talk and questions from the club centered around ever-rising property valuations and taxes. Busskohl, left,
is pictured with Custer Rotary Club president Rob McWhorter.
South Dakota State Railroad Museum director Rick Mills visited the Custer Rotary Club at the club's March 3 meeting. Mills told the club about the museum's past, present, future as well as its mission.
The club even discussed holding a future meeting at the museum. Mills also received a coveted Rotary coffee mug from club president Rob McWhorter.
Lea Anne McWhorter, wife of Custer Rotary Club president Rob McWhorter, addressed the Custer Rotary Club at its Feb. 24 meeting. McWhorter gave an update on legislative efforts regarding the City of Custer seeking money for the reconstruction of West Dam, as well as where property tax bills sit in the legislature.
Bruce Schroeder, area engineer for the South Dakota Department of Transportation was the guest speaker at the Feb. 10 meeting of the Custer Rotary Club.
Schroeder informed the group about area highway projects underway or in the future, and also answered questions from club member. Schroder, left, is pictured with club president Rob McWhorter.
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HONORED ROTARIANS
Rotary Club bids farewell to Scheibes
The Custer Rotary Club lost a stalwart member of its club when Verl and wife Kathy Scheibe, both rotarians, both made the move from Custer County to Tea, S.D., to be closer to family.
Verl married Kathy in 1971 and transplanted her (a native Oregonian) to the farm in eastern SD for eight years. Then they moved back to Oregon where Verl worked in a John Deere dealer organization for 29 years. Verl retired April 1, 2009 and built a home on Emerald Road north of Custer. Verl and Kathy enjoy hunting, fishing in Alaska (and anywhere where the fishing is good), and flying. They were also members of the Custer Lutheran Fellowship. Verl first became a Rotary member with the Newberg Rotary Club in Oregon in 1991. He had received his first Paul Harris Fellow from RI President Bill Huntley in 1994 at the Rotary International Convention in Portland, Ore. Verl and Kathy (a multiple Paul Harris Fellow) have one daughter, Tanya, (a Paul Harris Fellow) who lives in Nampa, Idaho, where she teaches the third grade.
Verl married Kathy in 1971 and transplanted her (a native Oregonian) to the farm in eastern SD for eight years. Then they moved back to Oregon where Verl worked in a John Deere dealer organization for 29 years. Verl retired April 1, 2009 and built a home on Emerald Road north of Custer. Verl and Kathy enjoy hunting, fishing in Alaska (and anywhere where the fishing is good), and flying. They were also members of the Custer Lutheran Fellowship. Verl first became a Rotary member with the Newberg Rotary Club in Oregon in 1991. He had received his first Paul Harris Fellow from RI President Bill Huntley in 1994 at the Rotary International Convention in Portland, Ore. Verl and Kathy (a multiple Paul Harris Fellow) have one daughter, Tanya, (a Paul Harris Fellow) who lives in Nampa, Idaho, where she teaches the third grade.
Verl has long been the unofficial "tech" man for the Custer Rotary Club, with his knowledge of Club Runner greatly benefitting the club. He was also a frequent presenter to the club thanks to his various diving exploits, and earned the moniker "Mr. Rotary" for Custer. He and Kathy will remain on the Custer Rotary Club roster, but his knowledge, generosity and expertise will be greatly missed.
Donald Raymond Kraus was born March 29, 1947 in Detroit Lakes, MN to Darwin and Verona Kraus. Don later landed a job in 1970 as Highway design Engineer for the SD Highway Department on Interstate 90 construction projects near Chamberlain, SD that included the 2000’ bridge across the Missouri River. While in Pierre Don worked as Aviation Planner/Construction Programmer with the SD Division of Aeronautics working with all 75 public approved airports. He designed, planned and programmed for State and Federal Aviation Administration funding, including the airport in Custer SD, where he landed a job in 1984 as Area Engineer. Don’s favorite sayings were “Everybody’s job is important, Just DO IT and you will be successful!” “Hard work and good luck seem to go together.”
Don leaves a legacy of having a positive attitude with a smile on his face! We will continue to laugh and smile the way you showed us how.
Don's smiling face and kind heart will be missed my all, especially his family, this Rotary Club and all who benefited by his many hours of volunteering for anything that was helping others.
Roy Roadifer
We Honor Past President Rotarian, Roy Roadifer, he passed away on 8 Dec, 2020. We remember Roy, as a loyal Rotarian, a knowledgeable geologist, always explaining things about the Black Hills, and a wonderful Humanitarian. He was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow. Roy had been an active member for over 26 years and had over 19 years of perfect attendance. He had served in Okinawa during WW2.
To his wife Ramona, and family, our condolences.
To his wife Ramona, and family, our condolences.
Jill Kettle
We Honor Past President Rotarian, Jill Kettle, who passed away unexpectedly on November 16th. Jill's constant smile and can do attitude was always there as she got things done! She was a hard working Rotarian that lead by example! Jill was an active member of Custer Rotary since 2014. Her leadership at the Custer Senior Center kept it vibrant, and alive. Jill was very active in several local service organizations. She was always giving of herself to help others, a Paul Harris Fellow and True Rotarian. Our Sympathies to Ron and her family, and the dogs she loved.
Sue Brown
We Honor Past Custer Rotarian Board member, Sue Brown. Sue passed away May 10th. She will be remembered for her wonderful smile, and the many who were touched by her generosity, and kindness.
She served on the Boards of many nonprofit organizations in the fields of education, housing, and women’s issues including the Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission, South Dakota Housing Development Authority, YWCA, Habitat for Humanity, United Way and Volunteers of America. She also served on the Boards of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Rotary. She served two terms on the Sioux Falls School Board, worked as a financial services representative for her husband’s business and became President/CEO the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation in 1995. She retired from that position in 2006. Both the School Board and Community Foundation were works that matched Sue’s passions, and she considered these opportunities two of the turning points in her life.
She served on the Boards of many nonprofit organizations in the fields of education, housing, and women’s issues including the Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission, South Dakota Housing Development Authority, YWCA, Habitat for Humanity, United Way and Volunteers of America. She also served on the Boards of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Rotary. She served two terms on the Sioux Falls School Board, worked as a financial services representative for her husband’s business and became President/CEO the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation in 1995. She retired from that position in 2006. Both the School Board and Community Foundation were works that matched Sue’s passions, and she considered these opportunities two of the turning points in her life.
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