Charlotte Ann Price was born July 14, 1960, in Miles City, Montana, the daughter of Reatha Tall Bull. She was of Native American Northern Cheyenne blood and would never forget her roots. She felt proud and blessed to come from where she did. Char was adopted, along with her brother Clay, and brought home to Charles and Carol (Wilsey) Price on their ranch on Ash Creek in northwest Haakon County near Dowling, South Dakota. Her home was a log church in the beautiful cedar breaks that was moved from Pedro on Deep Creek, near Creighton, on the south side of the Cheyenne River. She attended Indian Springs Schoolhouse 14 miles away until 1971, when they moved to Bridger Creek, three miles east of Ash Creek, to be closer to school. She then attended Cheyenne School, five miles west, right across the road from where her father Charles attended school at Hartley. She attended Philip High School, graduating in 1978. During her school years, she was involved in gymnastics, cheerleading, basketball, and 4-H.
She later attended nursing school, graduating from SDSU in 1995, with a BS degree in Nursing. She spent two years in New Mexico working in labor and delivery. She loved New Mexico and loved her work. It had it’s rough times but it was rewarding to be able to help welcome new life. Char came back to the ranch to help her dad and also compete in rodeos and roping that she was so passionate about. She team roped and steer tripped, and did it well. She was fond of her memories of her roping with Ansel Tibbs, Jim Willuweit, and others. While on the rodeo road, she met a blessing in her life, David Stangle. She supported him and his travelling buddies. She loved everything about it, and that is where her love of rough stock really bloomed.
Char loved the wild, carefree, camaraderie and positivity that is rough stock. She would passionately volunteer her time for the love of rodeo, especially bareback and saddle bronc riding. She admired cowboys and they were a great role model to her, and wanted to be a role model and support them as well. Char prided herself in knowing good quality horses and cattle.
Char has been a member of the SD Stockgrowers Association since 1990. She was a director for four years before becoming Regional Vice President in 1997, and Vice President in 1998. Char was a longtime member of the Brand and Theft Committee, and made numerous trips to Pierre and meetings across the state to work on policies for independent livestock industry in the state. She also rode her horse to the State Capital in Pierre to protest a bill that was meant to do away with horse brand inspection.
Char supported her children and encouraged them to make the right choices. She stood up for herself and others when things were being handled unjustly. She loved to help others, especially younger people to get their life on track and be positive. She was a good mother to many people. She opened the door of opportunity for many, and cared for others more than herself. She was really tough physically and mentally, even though it didn’t always seem like it. She also had a good sense of humor and often like to “stir the pot” and joke around.
Grateful for having shared her life include her husband Dave; three daughters Alyssa Bryan, Michaela Bryan, and Alaina Stangle; four grandchildren Christian Stangle, McKenna and Teegan Lafferty, and David Ezekial Switzer; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Char was preceded in death by her father Charles Price in 2001, her mother Carol Price in 2015, and her brother Clay Price in 1987.
Visitation will be held 6-7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 28, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with Father Ron Garry, and Father Gary Oreshoski as celebrants.
Interment will be at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.
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