RAPID CITY - Watson Hanscom, 71, Rapid City, died Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at the Victorian Healthcare Facility in Rapid City. He was born April 26, 1937, to Bernard Young and Daisy Belle (Olson) Hanscom in Kennebec. Watson married Mary Jo White of Edgemont on Jan. 24, 1959. He graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines with a BS in Geological Engineering. Through 1972, Watson worked as a geologist for the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead. After leaving Homestake, he had various adventures in motel ownership and the pet grooming business. Watson was a devoted husband taking great pride in his children and grandchildren. He was a life member of the Elks Club. Watson always enjoyed a good joke while having coffee with his friends. He enjoyed a love of animals. He is survived by two sons, Scott Hanscom, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Mitch Hanscom, Tucson, Ariz.; three daughters, Jodi Scott, Seattle, Wash., Jill Popham, Denison, Iowa, and Juli Thome, Sierra Vista, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren; and a sister, Bernadine Rindels, Sioux Falls. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jo. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 22, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 23, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, with the Rev. Preston Brown officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. View Cemetery.