HURON — Clifford E. Gascoigne, Jr., 94, of Huron, passed away Sunday, January 21, 2024, at Good Samaritan Center in De Smet.

His Funeral Service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at Welter Funeral Home, with burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation, with his family present, will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, at Welter Funeral Home, with a time of sharing to begin at 6 p.m.

Clifford Eugene Gascoigne, Jr., was born March 24, 1929, in Huron. He was the son of Beulah (Martin) and Clifford James Gascoigne. Clifford “Gene” grew up in Huron and attended school through the 12th Grade. After high school he worked for the railroad.

Gene met the love of his life, Helen Hurst, in 1949 and they were married on March 24, 1950. Their first home was a one room house, 7 miles NE of Huron along the river. From there they lived in the Yale area. They then moved to the Hitchcock area where they farmed and milked cows for about 15 yrs. He bought his first farm by Yale on the Hoover Road, where they continued farming and milking cows and raising hogs. When Gene retired from farming, they sold their farm and moved to a small acreage west of Huron, where they lived for 16 years.

They always had a huge garden wherever they lived.  They then moved to Huron to an apartment where he lived until April of 2021, when he became a resident at the Good Samaritan Home in De Smet.

Clifford was a member of many boards including, South Dakota Farmers Union, AMPI, and Township.

Clifford is survived by his children, Chuck of Huron, David (Michelle) of Lake Byron, Gena (Eddie) Rusher of Carthage; son-in-law, Rick Byrd; 12 grandchildren, Angela Thuestad, Heidi Gascoigne, Erik (Angela) Gascoigne, Hilary Robey, Shane Gascoigne, Benjamin (Kimberly) Gascoigne, Jesse (Jessica) Lilleskov, Stacy (Robby) Tryon, Brian (Elizabeth) Byrd, Brad (Melinda) Rusher, Jamie (Travis) Stevens, and Erin Rusher; 25 great-grandchildren, Adam and Josh Thuestad, Katie Gascoigne, Henry Gascoigne, Adelle Gascoigne, Eleanor Gascoigne, Stella Gascoigne, Emmet Gascoigne, Ender Robey, Skylee Robey, Windom Gascoigne, Charlotte Gascoigne, Ethan Lilleskov, Peyton Tryon, Alyssa Tryon, Brook Rusher, Skylar Rusher, Jordy Rusher, Terry Stevens, Bryer Stevens, Kayley Stevens, Kiley Stevens, Corbin Byrd, Brielle Byrd, Raelyn Byrd; and one great-great-granddaughter, Sophia Lilleskov; his sisters-in-law, Dorothy Brandenberg and Peggy Snyder; and many nieces and nephews.

Clifford was preceded in death by his wife, Helen in 2014; his parents, Clifford and Beuhlah; his brother, James Gascoigne; his daughters, Debra Kay and Dawn Byrd; daughter-in-law, Myra Gascoigne; grandson, Garred Gascoigne; granddaughter, Kyla Lilleskov; brothers-in-law, Charles Hurst, George Hurst, Donald Frank, Don Brandenberg, Daelyn Mason; sisters-in-law, Mary Matinson, Judy Hurst, Marge Frank, and Mary Hurst.

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