Franklin Fite

Mr. Franklin Fite, age 91, Clark, died on Thursday morning, December 22, 2011 in the Golden Living Center at Clark. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 26, 2011 at 1PM in the United Methodist Church at Clark with The Reverend Dayne Zachrison officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Clark. Military honors will be provided by the Smith-Cagley American Legion Post #60 of Clark and the South Dakota Air National Guard Honors Team. The organist will be Wanda Bethke with Greg Furness as soloist. Casketbearers will be Harold Testerman, Harold Dean, Jerry Miller and Kip Gillis. Visitation will be held at the Church on Monday from 10AM until service time. Frank was born on November 21, 1920 at Faith, SD, the son of Clyde and Mary Fite who had homesteaded in that area. He attended school at Faith and later the family moved to Wessington Springs. On July 5th, 1940 he was united in marriage to Georgia Miller in the Shakespeare Gardens at Wessington Springs. Soon after their marriage, Frank spent four years in the United States Army during WWII; serving oversees in England for two of those years working as a radio operator. After his discharge, he returned to South Dakota. Georgia and Frank had two daughters, Pam and Paula. The couple moved to Clark in the mid 1960's and then to Presho where Frank was employed as the Soil Conservation Officer. A short time later, he was transferred back to Clark where he continued his profession with the soil conservation district retiring after nearly 40 years with the agency. He was a member of the United Methodist Church. Frank enjoyed his work, his family, going to Arizona in the winters after his retirement, hiking and dancing. Second to none though was his love of his wife of over 61 years, Georgia. Frank had a blessed and happy life, was loved and respected by all that knew him. Grateful for having shared in his life is his wife Georgia of Clark, daughters, Pam (Al) McIntosh of Winner, SD, Paula (Robert) Bruce of Lansing, IL, grandchildren, Dawn, Mac, Kari and Kip; 5 great-grandchildren, Deiyondra, Kyle, Tawni, Corbin & Shawn. Preceding him in death were his parents, a brother Gilbert and a sister, Gayle. Arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com