Marie Lattimer

Marie Lattimer, 89, of Rapid City, South Dakota, passed away March 6, 2023.

Marie worked at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company and was on the chosen committee to call all the phone numbers and instruct residents on how to utilize the phone system; also chosen to be one of the operators when President Eisenhower was at his summer White House at the Game Lodge in Custer, SD. She then went into civil service, working at Ellsworth AFB as a telephone operator; and as a switchboard operator for the new base hospital in 1958.

Obituary at https://www.kirkfuneralhome.com/obituary/marie-lattimer

Donna Wehrkamp

Donna Wehrkamp, of Hartford, South Dakota, passed away May 20, 2023.

Donna had a 26 year career at the phone company.

Obituary at https://www.millerfh.com/obituary/donna-wehrkamp

Frances Ruud

Frances Ruud, age 82, od Ocala, Florida, previously Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Minneapolis, Minnesota, passed away April 27, 2023.

While attending high school in Sioux Falls Fran began working part time for Northwestern Bell. She moved to Minneapolis, and later back to Sioux Falls while continuing to work Northwestern Bell. Fran retired in 1995. She was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers.

Obituary at https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/27821098/frances-louise-rudd

Sandra Ahrendt

Sandra K. Ahrendt, age 80, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away March 29, 2023.

Sandra worked for Northwestern Bell for 20 years as an operator. 

Obituary at https://www.millerfh.com/obituary/sandra-ahrendt

Helen Wallace

Helen Wallace, 83, of Pierre, South Dakota passed away Sunday, March 26, 2023.

Helen joined the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Pierre. She took calls and shared information at the telephone company for the next 21 years.

Obituary at https://www.isburgfuneralchapels.com/obituaries/Helen-Etta-Wallace?obId=27596333#/celebrationWall

Francis “Fran” Synsvoll,

Francis “Fran” Synsvoll, age 88, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away on March 17, 2023.

Fran retired from Northwestern Bell Telephone Company and was a member of the CenturyLink Retirees. 

Obituary at https://www.georgeboom.com/obituary/francis-synsvoll

Marie “Terrie” Miller

Marie “Terrie” Miller, 94, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away on Friday, February 17, 2023

Terrie worked at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company as an operator and in other positions for 36 and a half years until her retirement in 1984. She was a member of The Telephone Pioneers and the CenturyLink Retirees.

Obituary at https://www.millerfh.com/obituary/marie-terrie-miller

Wendell “Dean“ Oak

Wendell “Dean“ Oaks, age 88, of Marion South Dakota, passed away February 4, 2023.

Due to Dean’s job he called various places throughout the country home; including Georgia, Yankton, Rapid Valley, Edgemont, Mitchell, Sioux Falls, Tea, Custer and most recently Marion. Dean worked for Northwestern Bell for 35 years before his retirement in 1985.

Obituary at https://www.millerfh.com/obituary/wendell-dean-oaks

Arlene Lundquist

Arlene Martinsen Lundquist, age 93, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota passed away January 1, 2023.

Arlene started at Northwestern Bell in Centerville as an operator, She later transferred to Sioux Falls where she worked until her retirement.

Obituary at https://www.wassfuneralhome.com/obituary/arkene-lundquist

Betty Hoffman

Betty Jean Hoffman, age 78, of Sidney, Nebraska, passed away January 2023.

Betty worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company as an operator in Winner, South Dakota. Later, in Chadron, Nebraska, she worked at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company until they closed in 1973. In 1974.

Obituary at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/betty-hoffman-obituary?id=38700184