Echo Rockafellow

Echo Rockafellow of Philip, South Dakota, died on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at the Philip Nursing Home at the age of 83.

Echo Ada Marie Harnisch was born October 5, 1938, in Rapid City, South Dakota. She grew up north of Quinn with her sister, Elvera, and their parents, John and Velma Harnisch. Echo graduated from Quinn High School in 1956. Echo went on to attend Chadron State College for one year. 

On August 25, 1957, Echo married her high school sweetheart, Richard Rockafellow, of Quinn, South Dakota. Through this union they were blessed with two daughters and one son. They lived in Buffalo Gap, South Dakota for three years then moved to Carthage, South Dakota for two years. Later moved to Ringsted, Iowa for eight years, Springfield, South Dakota for three years, Midland, South Dakota for three years, and Geddes, South Dakota for twenty-one years. They moved to Philip, South Dakota in 1999 upon Richard’s retirement.

Echo was a homemaker who loved to cook, sew, spend time with her family, and attend church. Echo’s stroke in 1973 did not keep her from being an avid sports fan. If the vehicle was moving, Echo was in the passenger seat ready to go. Echo’s passions in life were always her family and faith. 

Survivors include her husband, Richard “Dick” of Philip; her three children: Rhonda (Rick) Coyle of Philip; Judy Rockafellow of Pierre; and Mark (Lisa) Rockafellow of Hartford, South Dakota; six grandchildren: Denise Biegler (Jeremy), Cody Sentell (Aimee), Brynn (Randy) Cotteau, Seth (Shelby) Rockafellow, Elliott (Nick) O’Donnell, Cole (Paige) Rockafellow, nine great-grandchildren; her sister Elvera (Tyrone) Moos; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Echo was preceded in death by her parents; her mother-in-law Lucille; and father-in-law Harry Monroe.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Philip Health Services and Scotchman Living Center.

At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the First Lutheran Church in Philip or the activities department at the Scotchman Living Center.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 10, at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 11, at First Lutheran Church in Philip with Pastor Cindy Bisser officiating.

Private family interment will be held at a later date at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 127 Philip, SD 57567.

 Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.