July 12, 1922 - November 18, 2024
Earnestine was born in Edgemont, S.D. to Ruth (Hofacre) and Harry Spurgin, Earn had one older brother, Mick; and a younger bother, Donnie During a visit with Edgemont family and friends, she met Charles (Chuck) Colgan. After a month’s engagement, Chuck and Earn were married at St. James Catholic Church on June 5, 1944. Chuck was stationed in Europe, and Earn returned to Tacoma to work where she remembered listening to Roosevelt’s Fireside Chats and hearing about his death on the radio. Chuck and Earn moved to Hot Springs in May of 1946. They had three children: Steve, Anne and Chris.
Earn and Chuck believed that shopping in Hot Springs and giving back to the community were important long before it was popular. Even though Earn worked as Chuck and Steve’s New York Life secretary, she found time to volunteer at the Miss South Dakota Pageant for 50 years. Earn also served on the St. Anthony’s Church Council, the funeral committee and helped in any way she was asked. Over the years she was awarded the 1993 Chamber of Commerce “Citizen of the Year,” Business and Professional Women’s “Woman of the Year,” and the 2002 and 2014 Mammoth Site Volunteer of the Year. Governor Janklow also proclaimed July 12, 2002 as Earnestine Colgan Day in South Dakota for her volunteer efforts.
Earn’s greatest joy was her grandchildren; she loved being called “Grandma.” Steve and his wife Sue’s family moved to Hot Springs in 1978 where their children, Sean and Beth spent joyful birthdays, holidays, and family gatherings with Grandma and Grandpa. Chris and Roger Burg’s children, Elizabeth and Eleanor visited often. And then came her “perfect” great grandchildren: Sean and his wife Irene’s Aine and Ciara; and Elizabeth and Kyle’s [Morris] Audrey and Leona.
Earn is survived by “her kids,” Steve and Sue, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, her husband Chuck, and her daughters, Anne and Chris.
As a memorial to her, please consider volunteering at an organization of your choice and remember Earnestine.