Coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb, with the help of Grandma Berry, HENRY EUGENE BERRY, was born during a blizzard on November 15, 1937, to Roy and Mae (Paschke) Berry in Rapid City, South Dakota. The doctor could not make it to the house in his horse and buggy for three days after his delivery!
Henry was raised around the Rapid City and New Underwood area. He was the second of five children.
He loved competing in rodeos, which did not make his mother happy.
He enlisted in the Navy in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1957 and was in San Diego for boot camp. He was a part of the Heavy Attack Squadron. He was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis. When asked what he did for fun while in Cuba, he stated, “Drink rum!” For a time during his Navy stint, he was stationed on the famous United States Naval supercarrier, Kitty Hawk!
Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he went to work for a crash and salvage crew at Sherman Field where he met and married Martha McDonald on March 17, 1960. Martha came as a package which included her daughter Julia, whom he loved as his own. In 1961, their first-born son, John, was welcomed into this world. He worked driving a semi-truck for Blythe Trucking for about six months. Hank packed up the family in 1962 and moved to Rapid Valley from Pensacola, Florida.
He went to work for LG Everest, running equipment on a road construction crew for three years.
In 1963, their second and final son, Roy (Pete) was born. Hank and Marty fought over what to name this son. Hank wanted to name him Roy after his dad, and Marty wanted to name him Pete after her dad. So, they compromised by naming him Roy and calling him Pete!
He milked cows for six months in the winter of 1964. He was hired on at the South Dakota Cement Plant on May 6, 1965, and was a Shipping Supervisor for 23 years of his 35 years, retiring May 8, 2000, partially due to the Cement Plant’s computer-age changes!
On June 7, 1972, he and his brother-in-law, Bill, worked for the Rapid City Fire Department trying to save lives during the flood. Their house in Rapid Valley was condemned after the flood, and they soon relocated to Box Elder, South Dakota, just east of Ellsworth Air Force Base. Many good times were had by all at their house. Hank and Marty were always up for dinner parties, card games, and company!
Marty passed away in 2011, leaving Hank devasted and by himself for the first time in 51 years. Roy and his family moved to Newell and was continually asking him to move to Newell, and he would always say “no”. Then, having taken ill and falling from Influenza A, he decided he would move to Newell in 2018 to be closer to his family. It was a great blessing.
Hank was a great father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to many. He loved his hand painted pumps, metal wagon wheels, and his flowers. He said his favorite flower was the red rose, followed by the yellow rose. He also loved the farm life. He had many animals over the years.
He bought his very first four-wheel drive pickup after moving to Newell. He was very happy and contented with his new house, and family so close by. He spent Sunday dinners with Roy, Suzi, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. He loved to read and watch rodeo on TV, when he wasn’t able to work in his yard. He had one of the prettiest yards in the city of Newell!
Halloween was his special holiday because he could spoil all of the children in Newell with regular size chocolate bars. He would sit out on his porch and wait for them to come. They had him pegged, too, because his second to final Halloween (his last Halloween was spent in the hospital) he went through at least 100 candy bars! He was pretty sure he saw the same kids more than once! But he didn’t care, it made him so happy to see the kids so happy.
In the winter of 2024, he was not feeling well, and it was discovered that he had terminal cancer. He opted for no treatment. His final destination on this Earth was Community Living Center in the hospice division at Fort Meade VA. He received excellent care from the wonderful staff.
Up until his few final days, he could still crack a joke and give us a smile. It was during this time that the man of strength was able to let his family know how much he loved them. He was saved in his last month of life, praise God.
He passed away peacefully on a warm summer day, June 29, 2024, he was 86.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Martha; son-in-law, Doug Booth; and two brothers, Bill and Frank.
Left to mourn the loss of the greatest man: Julia Booth, her children, Ashley, Clifton, and Kelsey; John Berry (Richard Anderson); Roy (Suzanne) Berry, and their children, Austin (Melissa) and Collin (Carlee); great grandchildren, Patience, Jillian, Abigail, Sean, Hannah, Mason, Piper, and his namesake, Cade Henry; sister, Frances (Bill) Aby, and brother, Charles Berry; and all of his nieces and nephews.
He gave a special thank you to his daughter-in-law, Suzi, for all her help, care, kindness, and love.
A family interment will be held at Black Hills National Cemetery on July 22, 2024, followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:30 am to be held at the Vet’s Club, 868 Main Street in Sturgis.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, PO Box 2067, Belle Fourche, SD 57717 or to Newell Ambulance, PO Box 568, Newell, SD 57760.
You may sign his online guestbook at blackhillsfuneralhome.com.
