Allen 'Chief'

R. Hurlbert

Allen "Chief" Ray Hurlbert, 78, of O'Neill, died Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a 7 p.m. prayer service.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 at Christ Lutheran Church in O'Neill. Rev. John Nelson will officiate.

Burial will be in the O'Neill Cemetery, in O'Neill with military rites provided by the O'Neill American Legion Simonson Post 93.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Allen was born on Nov. 12, 1945 in Loup City to Kenneth and Mary (Barnes) Hurlbert. He grew up in Sargent and attended Sargent High School through the 11th grade.  

He then went to work in Aurora for Dowd Grain. He and Don Novak moved to O'Neill to install Irrigation Systems for Dowd's on their O'Neill Farms location. 

  Chief then joined the U.S. Army on Oct. 17, 1968 and served a tour in Vietnam. After he was honorably discharged on July 8, 1970, he returned to O'Neill.  

One of Chief's friends introduced him to his sister Patsy Newton. The couple was married on Nov. 13, 1971 in the First United Methodist Church in O'Neill. To this union was born two children; daughter Brenda and son Keith.  

Chief worked for Dowd Grain/O'Neill Farms for 40 years where he was a foreman for the elevator. Chief helped build the huge flat storage buildings that are well known in the O'Neill area. He retired in 2002 due to health issues but continued to help part-time.

  Chief enjoyed going camping, fishing and having coffee with friends and family.  In his free time, he would enjoy watching western shows and in his younger years enjoyed friends and a cold one at Tom's Madison Street Tavern and Dugan's Pub.  

Chief was a member of the O'Neill American Legion Simonson Post 93 and the VFW Post 926 for many years.

  Chief is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Patsy Hurlbert of O'Neill; two children Brenda Hurlbert of O'Neill and Keith (Amy) Hurlbert of Norfolk; five grandchildren Katelyn, Addison and Korbin Hurlbert, Paige Woodson and Aubrey Herbolscheimer; two great-grandchildren Lyberty Hurlbert and Ripley Foran; two sisters Karolyn (Herb) Glinsmann of Arcadia and Marcia (Pat) Carruth of Poulsbo, WA; one brother Kenny (Judy) Hurlbert of Wheatland, WY; one sister-in-law Marlys Hurlbert of Pendelton, OR; and several nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Mary Hurlbert and two brothers Garrie Hurlbert and Freddie Hurlbert.