Frances Ryther Harris-Swanson

As a depression era child, Frances learned both the frugality and generosity of society during her early years. She started school in Rapid City, SD, however the lengthening depression forced the family to move in search of steady employment. Frances, with her mother (Bess Kennedy Ryther) her brother (LaVere Marvin Ryther) and their collie (Shep) headed to California while her father (Lawrence Ryther) stayed behind in Rapid City.

Throughout the rest of the depression, Bess, Frances and LaVere lived and worked at an Inn which provided their room and board.

When they returned to Rapid City, Frances attended high school while her brother enlisted in the Navy, and Bess went to work as a chef and teacher for the local electric company.

Following her high school graduation, Frances began working for the Rapid City Journal. Being young and wanting more than South Dakota offered, Frances returned to California where she worked for the Sacramento Bee. She returned to Rapid City in late 1949 or early 1950 where she was employed by Duhamel’s Trading Post and enrolled in college at Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, SD.

During this time Frances met and eventually married Ben Harris who was stationed at Ellsworth Airforce Base. Following a transfer to Lockbourne Airbase in Columbus, Ohio, the couple welcomed their first child, Adair. At the end of the Korean War, Ben left the AirForce and went to work for Eastern Airlines as a pilot. This new career necessitated a move to Miami, Florida where their son Brandt was born.

In 1958 they divorced, and Frances returned to South Dakota with her children to complete her Bachelor of Education degree. Upon graduation Frances accepted a position teaching 5^th grade in Sheridan, WY at Linden Elementary where she taught for 5+ years. Always intent on bettering herself, Frances immediately began the quest for her Masters in World History through a summer program at Black Hills Teachers College.

In 1967 Frances accepted a new position at Grant School in Casper, WY. Two years later Frances transferred to NCHS where she taught World & Ancient History until her retirement in 1991.

Never conforming to societal constraints on women in the 60s and early 70s, Frances bought her first home in 1968. She somehow convinced the bank’s mortgage department that she did not need a man to co-sign that loan!

That first home purchase began Frances’ lifelong love of home improvement and remodeling. Over the years that house added bedrooms, bathrooms, and a finished basement. Frances learned to build fences, tile bathrooms, roof a house, paint and wallpaper.