Harold Piper, 90, of Wood, South Dakota passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Facility in Winner, SD.  Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM at the Wood Community Center.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery near Wood, SD.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 from 6-7:00 PM at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner, SD with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM.

Harold Dwight Piper, 90, of Wood, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on July 2,

2026, at Winner Regional Health. He was born on June 8, 1936, in Wood, South Dakota,

to Vern and Beatrice (Casey) Piper.

Harold was born and raised on the family ranch south of Wood, where he developed a

lifelong love for ranching, horses, baseball, and the western way of life. One of his

favorite childhood memories was traveling by train to Washington, D.C., with the Boy

Scouts at the age of nine. It was an adventure he spoke of often and remained one of

the highlights of his life.

He attended elementary school at a country school west of his family home and then

attended school at Wood Public Schools before beginning high school in White River,

where he stayed with Laura Kirsch during the week. Harold later transferred to Winner

High School to pursue his passion for baseball. A gifted pitcher, he starred for the

Winner baseball team and graduated with the Class of 1954.

Harold's talent on the mound earned him a tryout with the Milwaukee Braves. Although

an injury prevented him from pursuing professional baseball, his love for the game

never faded. Baseball remained his favorite sport throughout his life, but basketball

was a close second.

Following graduation, Harold's first job was at the Outlaw Trading Post. He later

returned home to the ranching life he loved as a sheep herder and rancher and worked

as a hired hand for many area ranchers. As a young man, Harold and his brothers

raised sheep and hunted coyotes with hounds, embracing the hard work and traditions

of ranch life. He also served as the custodian at the Wood School while his children

attended there, taking pride in caring for the school that meant so much to his family.

On October 21, 1962, Harold married the love of his life, Charlotte Burnham. Together

they built a life rooted in love, family, and the ranch, sharing 63 wonderful years of

marriage.

Harold and Charlotte were blessed with three children. Through them, they were also

blessed with nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, who brought Harold

tremendous pride and joy.

As a father, Harold taught his children the value of hard work, responsibility, and the

ranching way of life. He faithfully attended their sporting events and, being a referee

himself, was never one to sit quietly in the stands. He often joked that he rode his

horse to school "uphill both ways," a story his family heard many times over the years.

Harold's love of sports extended beyond baseball. For many years he officiated high

school football and basketball games throughout the area, earning the respect of

athletes, coaches, and fans alike.

Music was another source of joy in Harold's life. He enjoyed playing the guitar while

Charlotte played the accordion, and together they entertained family and friends at

gatherings and celebrations, creating memories that will be cherished for generations.

A true cowboy at heart, Harold loved horses and was known to collect them whenever

he had the opportunity. There was seldom a horse he didn't admire or a day on the

ranch he didn't appreciate. He also had a special love for animals, especially his

favorite dog, Sput, whom Harold proudly called his best friend.

Harold attended the Congregational Church in Wood, and when it closed he began to

attend at the Methodist Church in White River.

Harold is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Charlotte Piper of Wood; his

daughter, Carol Rogers of White River and her sons, Cory and Colbe; his son, David

(Shelly) Piper of Wood and their children, Kendra (Colter), Courtney, Chance, Kaylar

(Lily), and Brittney (Cody); his son, Casey (Kaylee) Piper of White River and their

children, Gunner (Shelby) and Quincey; and 11 cherished great-grandchildren.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Vern and Beatrice (Casey) Piper; his four

brothers, Don, Ed, Roland, and Rodney Piper; and his sisters-in-law, Nancy Piper and

Ina Piper. As the last surviving brother of the five Piper boys, Harold now joins them

once again.

Harold will be remembered for his quiet strength, unwavering work ethic, love of

family, passion for baseball, dedication to his community, and deep roots in the South

Dakota ranching tradition. Whether he was horseback on the prairie, calling a game

from the field, cheering from the stands, playing guitar beside Charlotte, or spending

time with his family, Harold lived a life marked by integrity, humor, and a genuine love

for the people and places that shaped him.

His legacy lives on in the family he loved, the values he instilled, and the countless

lives he touched throughout his 90 years.