Luther 'Lute' Ray Stiver

Luther Ray Stiver Jr., 90, died Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at son-in-law, Jack Cameron’s home out east of Oral, SD. He had been receiving in-home hospice care from many concerned family members over his last four months of life. All who were able to assist him at the end count it a privilege and an honor. Luther was the second of five children born to Luther Sr. and Neva Stiver in rural Mitchell, NE on December 22, 1923. He loved the soil just as his father did and made it his life’s pursuit after graduating from high school. Although he enjoyed raising cattle, Luther loved growing corn; it was a passion. His children can recall how being with him when out irrigating corn, that he would talk to the corn as he walked through it. He might tell it to hurry along or to soak up some more nitrogen, potash or phosphate. One of his favorite things in late June or early July was to walk out into the corn with kids in tow and be completely still so that all could literally hear the corn leaves unfolding as they grew. Friends and neighbors would often stop by or call “Lute” as he was always known, and talk about the latest science coming from an in-house agronomist for Pioneer Seed Corn Co. Lute sold their seed for decades in the community. Luther met Naomi Bissell in 1947 when he was visiting her newly married sister in Nebraska. He was instantly impressed by his younger brother’s sister-in-law. He was so impressed that he chased her on his tractor until she stopped the horse she was riding so that they could talk. Needless to say, it all led, as Naomi tells it, to her marrying her older sister’s younger husband’s older brother. Luther and Naomi went on to raise their four children on their family farm east of Oral. His extended family remembers him as a hard working, loving man who was always eager to share his convictions, interests and passions. Neighbors will remember him as a man who was honest to a fault and always willing to help. Luther was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, one brother, and by his daughter Gaye Cameron. He is survived by his wife Naomi, daughter Lark Durland, sons Randy and Marshall Stiver, and one sister June Rice. He’ll be missed by his 8 grandchildren, 10 great grand-children and many nieces and nephews to whom he was close.