Gaya Churchill passed away October 26th at the Seven Sisters Living Center in Hot Springs at the age of 90. Gaya Carmen Engle was born in June, 1932, at Witten SD, the ninth of ten children to William and Etta Engle. Gaya’s family moved to Custer State Park while she was a teenager. While living there she met Jack Churchill of Hermosa and they were married in November, 1950. For a time, Jack and Gaya ran a filling station and café in Hermosa before Jack launched his career as an auctioneer. Gaya helped with the auction business, clerking farm and estate sales. She was a member of the Hermosa Eastern Star and Congregational Church.

Following Jack’s death in 1975, Gaya moved to Rapid City and eventually lived in Crescent City, CA and Vernal, UT before returning to Rapid City in 2001. Gaya enjoyed life and activities with her family and friends in the Black Hills. An avid card player, she attained the rank of Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League.

Gaya was preceded in death by her parents; brothers William, Willard, Owen and Roald; and sisters Phoebe Harrison, Robin Sanders, Nelda Beck and Iva Davis. She is survived by sister Charlotte Carter of Spearfish; daughter Jackie Workman (Wane), Roosevelt UT; son Jim (Janice), Goodyear AZ and grandsons Joshua Haakinson (Kim), Roosevelt UT, Jeremy Haakinson (Jamie), Vernal UT; great granddaughters Lauren Haakinson, Lexie Haakinson, Abigail Haakinson, and Emma Haakinson; and numerous nieces and nephews.