Alma Crosbie

Alma Crosbie, age 80, of New Underwood, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at the Monument Hospital in Rapid City.

Alma was born on December 30, 1943, the third of three triplets: Alice, Anna, and Alma (she always joked she kicked the other two out). She grew up on the family farm in Creighton, SD, helping her parents and siblings. By 11 she was driving tractor and had already begun learning to play the accordion, starting a lifelong love of music and performance.

Her first job outside the farm was at Wall Drug (earning 78 cents/hr, a great wage!), and she often played music with her family at local events and dances. She graduated high school in 1961. In her 20's she was an avid bowler, and competed for Miss South Dakota Stock Growers, sponsored by the Elm Springs Cowbells. In 1966 she met a handsome young cowboy named Gene Crosbie, and the two were wed a few years later on June 28, 1970.

Alma attended Black Hills State University (then known as Black Hills Teacher's College) and taught for 43 years. Beginning at age 19, she taught at country schools in Elm Springs, Cottonwood, Creighton, and Wicksville, followed by 35 years in New Underwood, SD.

She was always very active in her community. Among her many activities, she spent 24 years as superintendent of creative hobbies at the Central States Fair, 10 years on the Pennington County Election Board, was President of American Legion Auxiliary #256, Treasurer of the 1902 Cowboys, Queen coordinator for the South Dakota State High School Rodeo, a member of the Red Hat Society and Farmingdale Merry Mixers, secretary of the Catalyst Club, and longtime gossip columnist for the New Underwood Post and Pennington County Courant (Baseline Breezes with Shirley & Cathie Printz).

Alma was a devout Lutheran throughout her life. She was baptized and confirmed at Emmanual Lutheran Church in Creighton, SD, taught Bible School alongside her cousin Paula Eisenbraun at Elm Springs Church, and was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church, Rapid City, SD for 52 years.

In her spare time, Alma enjoyed sewing & quilting, toll painting, gardening, cake decorating, doting over her grandchildren, and beating Gene at card games.

Memorial gifts will go to the New Underwood School Music Department, Peace Lutheran Church, Rapid City, and Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Creighton.

Survivors include her husband Gene; one son Casey Crosbie and his wife Erin of Orange County, California; two grandchildren Winry and Tawan Crosbie; one brother Fred Eisenbraun and his wife Doris of Creighton; two sisters Alice Richter of New Underwood and Lorraine Fauske of Wall; a brother-in-law Don Brown of Elko, Nevada; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Alma was preceded in death by her parents Oscar and Margaret (Luikens) Eisenbraun; one sister Anna Brown; and two brothers-in-law Ted Richter and Norman Fauske.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. on Friday, October 18, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 19, at the New Underwood Gym, with Pastor David Lindenberg officiating.

Interment will be at the New Underwood Cemetery.

Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Wall.