Barbara Ann Alexander

Barbara A. Alexander, 82, Rapid City, passed away Tuesday March 15, 2011 at the Rapid City Regional Auxiliary Hospice House, surrounded by her children after a short battle with cancer.She was born February 3, 1929 in Nisland, S.D. to Walter and Dora Grant. Barb graduated from Sturgis High School in 1947 and National Business College in Rapid City in 1948.Her first job was at Nash Finch in Rapid City where she met her future husband. On January 2, 1953, she was united in marriage to Duane Alexander and to this union three children were born: Penny, Craig and Gary.Barbara was active in the Fireman’s Wives Auxiliary when her husband was a fireman. She was a stay-at-home mom when her children were young. When she returned to the work force, she was employed as an office worker until her retirement in 1987. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, Canyon Lake Senior Citizens Center and Minneluzahan senior citizen Center. She was also a volunteer as a voting pole worker.She loved gardening, cross-word puzzles, bingo and going to Deadwood on a bus with her friends. They gave her many hours of happiness.She was a wonderful, supportive mother and grandmother, never missing an activity her family was involved in. She was always there to cheer them on, even if it meant driving hundreds of miles to do so.She is survived by her daughter Penny (Bob) Lore; grandson Nick and great-granddaughter Isabella, granddaughter Samantha (Aaron) Roeber, Rapid City, a son Craig (Marian) Alexander; grandson Matthew (Sarah) great-grandchildren Claire and Tate, Laramie, Wy and grandson Ross (Stephanie) Rapid City, and a son Gary, Rapid City.Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Duane, her parents, her sister Betty and her brother Robert.