Losing someone in a small community like Pierre feels different. It’s not just a private family matter; it’s a ripple that moves through the coffee shops, the Capitol hallways, and the fishing spots along the Missouri. For over a century, the primary way those ripples are recorded is through Pierre Capital Journal obituaries.
Whether you're looking for a lost branch of your family tree or trying to figure out where a neighbor's funeral service is being held this Friday, these records are the heartbeat of Hughes and Stanley Counties. Honestly, in a digital world, you’d think these printed notices would have faded away. But in South Dakota? They’re still the "gold standard" for saying goodbye.
Finding Pierre Capital Journal Obituaries Today
If you are looking for a recent passing, the process is pretty straightforward, but it's changed a bit lately. The newspaper was recently acquired by Forum Communications Company in early 2026, transitioning away from its long-time owner, Wick Communications. This means some of the digital portals are sleeker, but the core archive remains the same.
You’ve basically got three main ways to track down a notice:
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- The Digital Daily: Most current obits are hosted on the Capital Journal website or through their partnership with Legacy. This is where you’ll find the guestbooks and those high-res photos.
- The Physical Paper: It still prints Monday through Friday. For many locals, holding that paper is the only way it feels "official."
- Local Repositories: The Rawlins Municipal Library in Pierre is a hidden gem for this. They keep records that the internet sometimes forgets.
The Costs and "How-To" of Submitting
Let's talk money, because nobody likes surprises when they're grieving. As of 2025 and 2026, placing an obituary in the Capital Journal usually starts around $50, but that’s just the baseline.
If you want the "full treatment"—three photos, a 500-word life story, and multiple days of print—you’re looking at a higher bill. Most people work through a funeral home like Feigum or Isburg, who handle the formatting and submission for you. It’s easier. They know the deadlines. If you’re doing it yourself, you have to hit the "WickObits" or the new Forum submission portal by the mid-morning deadline for the next day's run.
Why Genealogy Buffs Love These Archives
If you're doing a deep dive into South Dakota history, the Pierre Capital Journal is basically a time machine. It was founded in 1881. Think about that. It has recorded every major death in the state’s capital since before South Dakota was even a state in 1889.
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GenealogyBank and NewsLibrary have digitized huge chunks of these. Pro tip: if you’re searching for a female relative from the early 1900s, search for "Mrs. [Husband's Name]." It’s annoying and dated, but that’s how they were listed back then.
Common Misconceptions
A lot of people think a "death notice" and an "obituary" are the same thing. They aren't.
- Death Notice: Short, usually just the facts. Name, date of death, service time. Often free or very cheap.
- Obituary: The life story. Where they went to school, how many fish they caught at the Oahe Dam, their secret recipe for chili. You pay for this space.
What Most People Get Wrong About Searches
Don't just search the name. In a town like Pierre, names repeat. Search for keywords like "Oahe," "State Capitol," or "Fort Pierre" to narrow things down. Also, check the surrounding towns. Sometimes a Pierre resident might have their "official" record in the Capital Journal, but a more personal story shows up in the Madison Daily Leader or a paper in Rapid City if they moved later in life.
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The paper serves as the official record for both Hughes and Stanley counties. This means it’s the place for legal notices too. If a will is being probated or an estate is being settled, the Capital Journal is where that paper trail begins.
How to Access the Archives
If you aren't a subscriber, you can often find what you need through these specific avenues:
- South Dakota State Archives: Located right in Pierre at the Cultural Heritage Center. They have the Capital Journal on microfilm dating back to the beginning.
- Legacy.com: Good for anything from the last 20 years.
- Library Cards: Your Rawlins Municipal Library card often gives you "backdoor" access to databases like Ancestry or HeritageHub that include these obits for free.
Actionable Next Steps
If you need to find or publish an obituary right now, here is exactly what you should do:
- For Current Info: Go to the official Capital Journal website or their Legacy-hosted obituary page. It’s updated daily, usually by noon.
- To Submit: Call the newspaper directly at (605) 224-7301 or ask your funeral director to handle the "WickObits" or Forum submission portal. Do this before 10:00 AM for the best chance of next-day publication.
- For Historical Research: Visit the South Dakota State Historical Society’s website or physically head to the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The microfilm collection there is the most complete record in existence.
- Check Social Media: Believe it or not, the "Pierre/Fort Pierre Community" Facebook groups often share links to Capital Journal obituaries faster than the search engines index them.