Charles Walter Mader, 91, Rapid City, passed away on December 21, 2017 at his home in Rapid City SD. Charles was born near Firesteel, SD to Anna Leta (Van Brocklin) Mader and Clarence George Mader on October 18, 1926. He went to school at the Van Brocklin, Parade, and Eagle Butte schools, quitting in the 10th grade to work on the family farm. He is a veteran of WWII and served as a sergeant in the Army, stationed in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska and was honorably discharged in 1946. He married Lois (Boehrs) Mader on June 30, 1955 in Fort Pierre. He worked for the Holloway Brothers (Eagle Butte), a plumber laying pipe for the new Agency in Eagle Butte, SD, and as a self-employed rancher for many years. Charles was an avid horseman who broke many work and saddle horses. He was a dedicated & proficient brother in the Masonic Lodge (and Scottish Rite), and helped raise many brothers into the lodge, including all four of his own sons, as well as one grandson. He received his 60-year palm for the Masonic lodge in 2016, and received his honorary high school diploma on July 29, 2017. Charles enjoyed hunting coyotes with Shorty Holloway with greyhounds, visiting with friends and family (including close cousins like Edwin (Bud) Spiel), and working cattle. He had a quick wit and a very dry sense of humor. He never complained even to the end about his age-related pain, showing his natural old-time cowboy toughness.

Charles is survived by his wife: Lois (Boehrs) Mader; sons, Jerry (Della) Mike, Robert (Kathy), Lee (Shannon); grandchildren and great grandchildren Zach [Kenzie Zimmerman] (Zylah, Zaydin), Lindsay, Robert H., John, Patricia Caughron (Jeremy), Hunter, Nathan, and Katie Northup (Dirksen) (Caleb) (Teagan Northup); sisters: Irene Stewart and Shirley Hinzman; brothers-in-law Steve Bellissimo, Wayne Boehrs (Judy), Bert Boehrs (Dottie); and sister-in-law Lu Beaird, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Charles is preceded in death by his parents: Clarence & Anna Mader, Sisters: Ione Bellissimo and Infant sister Anna Delores Mader; daughter Sharon; and Brothers-in-Law Paul Hinzman and William (Dub) Stewart. He had many life-long friends, including Buck Miller, Bob Rose, John & Shorty Holloway, Dick Simon, Les Joens, Tony Murray and Les Peterson.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Eagle Butte Masonic Lodge #172, in care of Secretary Dan Booth Jr. P.O. Box 100 Timber Lake, SD 57656.