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Todd -- Cecil M. Todd, the oldest child of Lyle Todd and Jennie Vandenbos Todd passed away at his home in Albuquerque, NM on October 10, 2001 after living a full and rewarding life. Cecil was born on a farm near Lakeview, SD on February 15, 1915. He attended elementary school in Lakeview and graduated from high school in nearby Crookston, NE in 1933. After high school, Cecil attended Blackhills State College in Spearfish, SD and obtained a First Grade Teaching Certificate. Cecil taught school for one year at a rural school in Todd County, SD and along with driving a gasoline tanker between Valentine, NE and Casper, WY, saved enough money to continue his education at Chadron College in Chadron, NE. He graduated from Chadron College with a BA in Education. While teaching in Lakeview, SD following his education, Cecil met Helen Hammond. Cecil and Helen were married on June 18, 1943 in Vancouver, WA. Cecil and Helen were spending the summer in Washington working at the Kaiser Shipyards to help the U.S. war effort. Cecil and Helen were accompanied in this endeavor by Cecil's sister, Eileen and her husband, and his uncle, Glen Todd. In 1945, Cecil and Helen joined the Bureau of Indian Affairs and moved into the Rosebud Boarding School located east of Mission, SD. Cecil spent the next 28 years in both North and South Dakota employed by the BIA as a teacher, guidance counselor, principal and education specialist. He also enjoyed coaching the girls track team in Eagle Butte, SD. These years were enjoyable and Cecil never stopped in assisting young people in pursuit of their education. In 1972, Cecil and Helen retired from the BIA and moved to Glen Ellen, CA. While in Glen Ellen, Cecil became an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church. Cecil also enjoyed gardening and kept the church congregation, neighbors and family supplied with fruits and vegetables of all kind. Cecil and Helen sold their home in Glen Ellen in 1989 and moved to Albuquerque, NM to be closer to their grandchildren. Cecil and Helen were active in St. Mark's on the Mesa Episcopal Church and in the last several years followed Pastor Kathy Newman in her efforts to establish Hope Episcopal Church in Northeast Albuquerque. Cecil was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Mission, SD and a member of Kem Shrine Temple in Grand Forks, ND. Cecil also enjoyed his membership in the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and seldom missed a meeting. Cecil is survived by his wife, Helen; two daughters, Susan Edasi (Gerry) and Marsha Wood (Wayne); two sisters, Eileen Branconi and Luella Roberts (Hollis). both of Cecil's sisters have recently purchased homes in Ripon, CA. Cecil will also be sorely missed by his special nieces, Janice Kelly of Denver, CO, Cherie Conkling of Reno, NV; and his nephew, William Skinner of Tehatchapi, CA; and many, many friends. Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Jennie; his brother-in-law, Tony Branconi; and a special cousin and niece, Pam Todd and Valerie Skinner. We miss you! The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hope Episcopal Church, 5345 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Suite 107, Abq, NM 87109.
        Published on: Sat October 13, 2001