RAPID CITY--Eldon G. Rosander, 96, died at a local nursing home on Saturday, December 19, 2009. Eldon was born on February 23, 1913, in Roosevelt, Minnesota to Oscar and Florence (Like) Rosander. Soon after his birth, Eldon and his mother returned to the family ranch near Isabel and he grew up and attended country schools. Eldon worked the family ranch, where they ran cattle and sheep. He was a true cowboy. Eldon was united in marriage to LuVerne Isley in 1938 in Dupree. Her father was a shearer, and they lived their first 2 years of married life in a shear wagon while working with her father. They returned to the family ranch and continued to work it with his family and he also worked with other area operators. He is proud to have carried on the familys brand, +X and eventually passed it on to his son. +X is now in its 4th generation of use. Everything Eldon had was branded (including his casket) and it became a part of him. Eldon was considered the unofficial mayor of Isabel and Green Grass with all of his community and local rodeo involvement. He was recognized during the 2002 Isabel Rodeo as a founding member of the Isabel Rodeo Association. In 1968 Eldon moved to Rapid City, where he owned and operated Villa Ranchero Dry Cleaning near Ellsworth Air Force Base. He ran the business until 1990. On May 25, 1989, he was united in marriage to Eleanor Bickford. They traveled North American, cruising and touring extensively on the continent. Eldon received a proclamation from the governor on his 90th birthday. Eldon was a longtime Mason and he also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Survivors include his wife, Eleanor Rosander, Rapid City; a son, Larry M. Rosander, Oacoma, 2 sisters, Florene Reyman and Elva Bell, both of Belle Fourche; a brother, Judge (Lois) Rosander, Nisland; 4 grandchildren, Robb (Wendy) Nelson, and their son Brady, Windsor, CO, Shawn (Stephanie) Lyons and their sons, Michael and Jonathan, Pierre, Michael (Brandie) Rosander and their children, Morgan and Wyatt, Wolbach, NE and Taralynn Rosander, Denver, CO and many special friends and neighbors over the years. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Elwin at birth; his son, Bobby Rosander in 1953, his daughter Gloria Lyons in 2001; his grandson Michael Rich; a great-grandson Hunter Nelson, and his first wife LuVerne in 1984. Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 23, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ with Rev. Ted Huffman officiating. Masonic rites will also be performed by Rapid City Lodge 25 AF&AM. Burial will follow in Pine Lawn Memorial Park.