Ethel B. Rounds, 98, of Rapid City, died Monday, April 11th, 2016 at Westhills Health Care in Rapid City.

Ethel was born November 24, 1917 to Alcaner and Helen (Leyse) Lowry in Thermopolis, Wyoming. She grew up there, graduating from Thermopolis High School in 1936. Her family then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, so that she and her brother could attend the University of Minnesota, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education.

Her music teaching career began in Webster, South Dakota, then continued in Alpena, Michigan until she was married in 1944 to Clare Ruthruff and they had a daughter, Karen. After the marriage ended, she moved to Rapid City with Karen in 1947 to take a music teaching position in the school system, where she taught classroom vocal music until 1960.

In 1959, she married Dean Rounds, expanding her family to include two daughters, Nancy and Julie. She and Dean had a son in 1961, William (Bill). They enjoyed their home and family, as well as horse-back riding, fishing and picnicking in the Black Hills until Dean passed away in 1968.

In 1977, she began teaching again, this time in the elementary string program. She retired in 1985.

Music was her life passion, from her childhood piano lessons to her 98th birthday when she played her favourite pieces from the Big Band era from memory on her piano. During her years in Rapid City she contributed her musical talents to many organizations. She was the first president of the Black Hills Symphony League and served on the Rapid City Community Concert Series Board. She sang in the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Choir for 68 years, also directing the choir and playing the organ there at different times. She often did piano accompanying and hosted members of the musical community in her home.

She was also a member of PEO for 80 years.

Ethel is survived by her son, William Rounds (Marla), Roslindale, MA, her daughters Karen Farrar, Centennial, CO, Julie Fulton, (Ken), Powell, WY, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Dean, her brother, Robert Lowry, and her daughter, Nancy Kirkpatrick.

A memorial will be set up in Ethel's names to sponsor deserving music teachers with the Black Hills Symphony.

A visitation will be held from 5:00pm until 7:00pm on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Funeral services with Holy Eucharist will be offered at 10:00 am on Monday, April 25, 2016 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church with Fr. Chris Roussell presiding.

Interment will be in the Mt View Cemetery.

Friends may sign her online guest register at www.osheimschmidt.com.