Frank Gilchrist, age 79, of rural Iroquois, SD, died Friday, April 15, 2011, at Huron Regional Medical Center. His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 18, at Riverview United Methodist Church with burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-8 p.m. at Welter Funeral Home with family present from 5-7 p.m. and a Prayer Service at 7 p.m.; and visitation continuing Monday morning one hour prior to the service at the church. Frank Ward Gilchrist, son of Charles and Ina (Putman) Gilchrist, was born on, December 9, 1931, his mother's birthday, in Huron, SD. He graduated from Iroquois High School in 1951. He worked for Beadle County and later farmed for many years with his Dad on the family farm. On June 9, 1951, Frank married Agnes Stafford in Minnesota. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and playing cards, but his greatest joy was teasing his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Frank always had a wonderful sense of humor and everyone who met him became a friend. Frank is survived by his wife, Agnes of rural Iroquois; 5 children, Debbie (Gene) Russell of Oral, SD, Ward (Betty) Gilchrist of Aberdeen, Penny (Randy) Keating of Iroquois, Peggy (Rick) Eckmann of Cavour, and Jackie (Brian) Friedrichsen of Wolsey; 1 brother, Warren (Esther) Gilchrist of Hitchcock; 1 sister, Phyllis Rogers of Evansville, IN; 18 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren; 10 step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a young sister, Alice Gilchrist; and a step granddaughter, Robyn Peterson.