RAPID CITYMartin Edward OLaughlin, 82, died at the V. A. Medical Center in Fort Meade on Saturday, April 10, 2010. How does anyone ever say goodbye? I write. How could I not write this? Martin Edward OLaughlin, Papa, our Marty O was born on July 8, 1927, in Chicago, the son of Mary Magdalene (Collins) and Lawrence E. OLaughlin. He had one sister, Mary Teresa (Berlanga) OLaughlin, who preceded him in death. Her son, Paul, in Chicago, and daughter, Teresa (Halloran) OLaughlin, in Tennessee, survive him. They are loved by us all, though far away. At the age of fifteen following his mothers death, Marty struck out West with his drums, settling in Rapid City (a place he would come to love) when it was barely 12000 population. He would call this place home for the rest of his life, whether he was here or away, and always her returned to his beloved Black Hills and Rapid City. Rapid City is home to four generations of his family, still here. Marty is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Marjorie and their five children: Lawrence Edward, Donna Marie (Mulder) Kitten, Timothy Michael, Daniel Paul Pauly and Gerald Patrick Gee; 10 to 13 grandchildren: Amanda, Lindsay, Meaggen Marie House Mouse (Mulder) Lujan, Gabriel Lujan, Joshua Michael Mulder, Tarah Mae (Mulder) Bolt (and their grandfather, Michael Pudge Mulder), Jared OLaughlin, Ian OLaughlin, Evan OLaughlin, Austin Samuels, Justin Samuels and Zachary and Morgan Rich; four great-grandchildren in Rapid City, Isabell Marie Isa Lujan, Victoria Grace Ria Lujan, Alexandra Mae Lexi Lujan and Nicholas Michael Mulder. Through the years the OLaughlins have fostered and never forgotten countless children and handicapped adults. Their last, Jennifer, is still part of the family today. Also, their daughter, Donnas many, many Mamma Mulder children, from the area, called Marty Papa through the years. Martys Man Cave is famous (or infamous if you like) in Rapid City, and his Irish Ice Cream Socials early each July, and costume galas in winter have been annual affairs in Rapid City and elsewhere for nearly forty years. They often included a real parade, a dance with band and whatever other festivities suited Martys fancy. (As many as 600 have been known to attend.) Marty, and long term special people, Sheryl and Roger Hendricks, of Rapid City, have jammed on piano, organ and drums, usually twice weekly, in his Man Cave, for many years. Friends who knew joined them when possible. Though a scrooge about birthday parties, we often chided Marty on the biggest birthday party on record each year. For many people and children in the area, 917 Columbus has always been and will always be sanctuary of comfort in times of trouble. Our lives will never be the same. Marjorie OLaughlin, AKA Jorie Jertson. Visitation will be Tuesday, from 5 until 7 p.m., with a Christian wake service at 7:00 p.m., at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 14, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help with Father Tyler Dennis presiding. Burial, with military honors provided by Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the South Dakota Army National Guard, will follow in Black Hills National Cemetery. Martin served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1947.