Mass of Christian Burial for Albert Gorham, 86, of Mobridge will be at 10 AM, Monday, August 10, 2026 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home in Mobridge. Visitation will start at 4 PM with a wake service at 5 PM Sunday at the funeral home. Al passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Avantara Nursing Home in Pierre.
Albert Lee Gorham was born December 22, 1939, in Huron, SD, to Albert K. and Thelma M. (French) Gorham. Al was the first-born, followed by sister Deloris, brother Larry, sister Barb, and little brother William. The Gorham family lived in the Huron area where they farmed. Al went to rural schools near Broadland, SD, then attended Huron H.S. and graduated in 1958. After 1 year at Huron College, Al got a job with Weyerhaeuser in Seattle and put a couple dollars in every letter sent home. Just 3 months later, a funeral, and his love of family, brought him back to Huron. That is how he met the beautiful bank teller named Bonita.
Albert was married to Bonita Mersch on May 20, 1961, at St. Martins Catholic Church in Huron. In June that year he got a job with Western States Wholesale based out of Pierre, so they moved to Pierre. In October 1962, they bought the house in Mobridge to raise a family. Al continued to work for Western States Wholesale until 1970, traveling and selling health and beauty products to small town grocery stores across 2 states. From ’61-‘70, Bonnie gave birth to 5 children: Sandy, Coreen, Annette, Doug, and Russell. It was time for Al to stay home.
After 6 years of odd jobs around Mobridge, Al started with the City of Mobridge Water Department in 1976. Working first with the town crew, then moved out to the drinking water treatment plant, eventually becoming plant manager and official weather observer for the National Weather Service. 25 years later, Al retired in 2002.
Al joined St. Joseph Catholic Church in 1982. He served on the parish council and worked many fund-raising projects for the Knights of Columbus. From 1997 until 2005, Al also delivered the morning daily paper for Aberdeen American News. He wanted “to get paid for taking a walk every morning.”
As a member of the Mobridge Jaycees, Al held several offices including President. As a member of the Mobridge Moose Lodge, Al held several offices including Governor. As an avid bowler, Al served as the bowling league secretary for many years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He enjoyed playing dice, playing cards and organizing tournaments. Whist became his favorite card game.
After Bonnie’s retirement in 2007, they spent each winter at the Aztec Resort trailer park in Mesa, AZ, where they were a good team acting as the activity directors. After contracting valley fever, Bonnie passed away April 16, 2015. Al missed her dearly every day.
Al was a regular at the SD State Fair and the Mobridge Sitting Bull Stampede every year. In 2023, they honored his 61st year of attendance at the Mobridge rodeo with a certificate for a new pair of Justin Boots to replace his Velcro shoes!
In 2024 with ailing health, Al moved back to Pierre to be closer to family and medical care. Al passed away peacefully August 4, 2026, in Pierre. Al will be buried with Bonnie in Mobridge’s Greenwood Cemetery, section D.
Al’s surviving family includes his sister Barb Iverson of Huron, and his brother-in-law Lyle Ratliff of Watertown. The 5 kids here today are:
- Daughter Sandy Meier (& Randy) of Pierre added 2 grandkids & 5 great-grandkids
- Daughter Coreen Carlton (& Dave) of Phoenix added 3 grandkids
- Daughter Annette Rentschler of Sioux Falls added 3 grandkids and 3 great-grandkids
- Son Doug Gorham (& Amy) of Pierre added 2 grandkids
- Son Russell Gorham (& Joleigh) of Colorado added 3 grandkids
