George Leroy Turpen, 83, Minot and formerly of Black Hawk, SD, died Thursday, March 5, 2009 in a Minot nursing home.

George was born August 17, 1925, in Belle Fourche, SD. He was one of five children born to Emil and Florence (Schipke) Turpen. They enjoyed growing up in Nisland. He attended high school in Rapid City and graduated in 1943.

Following graduation he entered the US Navy and served in the Pacific. Towards the end of World War II, he married Delores Briggs in Rapid City on November 15, 1945. After the war, George went to work for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad as a Depot agent and worked in numerous towns in Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming until his retirement.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and racing pigeons during the early years. After retirement he would play golf and look forward to his trips to Deadwood and raise his beloved poodles.

Survivors include a daughter, Trudy Ptak and her husband Timothy of Minot, ND; two grandchildren, TJ Ptak and Tonia Kirk, both of Minot; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Leona Hamlin of Rapid City, SD; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Rapp of Rapid City, SD and brother-in-law, Alvin Harding of Casa Grande, AZ along with several nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter, Linda, sisters, Vivian Gilbertson and Margaret Turpen and brother, Enio Turpen.

Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, March 14, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church, Rapid City, SD
Interment: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Rapid City, SD
Visitation: Tuesday, March 10, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot and Friday, March 13, 2009, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.at Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home in Rapid City, SD
Memorials are preferred to the donor's choice.