RAPID CITY | Amy B. Stamper died Monday, Feb. 26, 2018, at a healthcare facility as a result from a stroke.

She was born Nov. 21, 1925, in Rushville, NE, to Scott and Lorna Brown, the youngest of three children. Amy grew up on the Brown Brothers' Ranch 10 miles south of Rushville. As a young girl she won an award for cat training and has forever held the honor as a "Cat Whisperer."

She was married to Edmund F. Stamper on August 26, 1946, in Rushville shortly after the end of World War II. They were married for 56 years.

After living in Kansas City, MO, while Ed attended watchmaking school, they returned to Rushville in 1947 to begin a new life as business owners. In 1956, Amy, with her family, moved to Rapid City. She and Ed purchased a Black Hills Gold Jewelry Manufacturing Co. in 1959, which eventually became Stamper Black Hills Gold. Amy operated the company until she retired. She especially loved working during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and continued to do so even after her retirement.

Amy's passions in life were her family and the operating of their business. She was an accomplished business woman/owner at a time when it was not the norm for a woman to be an entrepreneur. She set a great example for her daughters and granddaughters as well as her son and grandsons.

Amy was preceded in death by her husband Ed; her parents, Scott and Lorna Brown; and her brother, Stuart "Billy" Brown,

She is survived by her son, Rodney E. Stamper and wife, Terri of Rapid City; her two daughters, JoEllen Stamper Riley of Rapid City and Kristine Stamper Huber and her husband Larry of Gillette, WY; and her sister, Marjorie Messenger of Cody, WY.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: E. Jason Stamper and wife Tracy of Rapid City, Jennifer Stamper of Rapid City, Jamie Stamper Dubblede and husband Darren of Box Elder, Stephanie Dowling Eschmeyer and husband Chad of Rapid City, Sarah Dowling Kirsch, husband Adam of Rapid City, Adam Stamper Riley of Blue Springs, MO, Dylan Alexander Huber of Gillette, WY, Ian Scott Huber of Gillette, WY, and Kelly Kristine Huber of Denver, CO.

Amy is also survived by 17 great-grandchildren. They were her greatest joy and she took so much pride in rocking and singing to them for hours. "Out of a few, grew many." The many are Miles, Avery, Charli, Blake, Carter, Lorelei, Case, Quinn, Burke, Hollis, Kellen, Kane, Dagney, Cameron, Travis, Hayden, Jameson.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 1, 2018,  at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, with Pastor Chris Swarthout officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to services. Burial will follow at Pine Lawn Memorial Park.

A memorial has been established for the Humane Society of the Black Hills.