By Jolene Farley
A car accident near Presho, S.D., Friday claimed the life of 51-year-old Patricia (Gibson) Van Wyhe, and left her husband, Tom, hospitalized.
Tom is the son of Cliff and Vi Van Wyhe, Hills. PatriciaÕs father, Marshall Gibson, is a former Beaver Creek postmaster. Tom and Patricia are both Hills-Beaver Creek High School graduates.
Tom suffered a broken right hand and left collarbone and lacerations and bruising.
"Tom had surgery and he's out of intensive care," said his brother, Steven Van Wyhe, Steen. "His prognosis is good. He'll recover."
The couple was returning to their home in Sioux Falls from a basketball game in Pierre, S.D., when they swerved to miss a stalled semi.
Patricia was killed instantly when their vehicle left the road and rolled.
Co-workers of Patricia's, a doctor and a nurse, were first on the scene and reported the crash by cell phone and administered care until emergency personnel arrived.
Tom was transported to Pierre by ambulance, then flown to Sioux Falls. He is a patient at Sioux Valley Hospital.
A 28-year employee of Sioux Valley Hospital, Patricia was director of surgery and anesthesia.
Memorial services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church, Sioux Falls. See the full obituary on page 2.