Jan Gail Duke, 75, of Hill City, passed away on Nov. 28 2017 in Rapid City.

Jan was born in Hackensack N.J. to Frances Mary and Joseph Herman Ochsie. Jan spent some of her early childhood in Japan, where her father was stationed as a Marine. She then spent time living on a beautiful dairy farm on Vermont, where she attended school in a one room school house. As a teenager she lived in California and graduated from San Juan Capistrano High School in 1960. She then joined the Navy, from which she was honorably discharged in 1962. Upon leaving the Navy she became a pioneer in the field of Respiratory Care. She spent the majority of her life caring for others- both her patients and the four legged ones that she adored. After retiring in 2005 she moved to Indiana to be closer to her family. While there she devoted her time to caring for homeless pets at Brown County Humane Society. Although she enjoyed her time in Indiana she always missed the Black Hills and returned to Hill City in 2008.

Jan is survived by three sisters and one brother: Judy Miller, Jo Lux, Jami Beach, and Marc Radner, as well as four nieces and four nephews that she adored. Jan is preceded in death by her son Todd Joseph Duke, and her parents: Frances Mary Ochsie and Joseph Herman Ochsie.

A celebration of her life will take place in May 2018 in Indiana. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent in Jan’s name to the ASPCA, an organization which was close to her heart.