Staff Bios – Whitewood Public Library

Our Dedicated Team

At Whitewood Public Library, our team is committed to fostering a love for reading and learning within our community. Meet the passionate individuals who make it all possible.

Deb Turhune

Library Director

Racine Morgan

Historian

Sandy Huffman

Part-time Librarian

Esther Walker

Part-time Librarian

Olyn Smith

Part-time Librarian

Donna Wilson

Part-time Librarian

Deb Terhune

Iowa was my home until we decided to sell our house, bought an RV, and traveled the country for 8 years. Florida was my favorite winter spot, and most summers were spent in the Black Hills.

In my career I was a branch manager for a national company, a Director at a college center, and Business Development Specialist for a non-profit serving disabled adults. I was involved in numerous volunteer activities including Make A Wish, Human Resource groups, President of a city board, hospital ICU, and many more. I am a graduate of Upper Iowa University with a degree in Marketing and HR Management.

My family includes two grown boys and one grandson. Most of my family live in Iowa and Wisconsin. When my kids were young I volunteered at their school on my lunch hour and coached many of their sports including softball and soccer. My own activities when I was younger included snowmobile racing, racing my Mustang at the local drag strip, camping, fishing, and sports. We also traveled thousands of miles each summer on our Harley. I still enjoy outside activities, trying to garden (or feed the deer), and going for rides in this beautiful area.

Once we moved to Whitewood, I wanted to work part time to meet people and wanted to find something I truly enjoyed ~ and working at the library was a perfect match!! The people have been so great, and we have the best group of employees and volunteers.

Racine Morgan

I was born and raised most of my life in Wyoming. Graduated from Casper in 1965. Worked for the Airlines and the industry for most of 50 years. Traveled to see lots of the world. Even lived in Columbia for about three years when my husband worked for Exxon. In 2016 while living in Thermopolis WY, I was curator and director of the Hot Springs City Historical Museum. I got hooked on history while doing a lot of research on Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch who spent a lot of time in the area. I retired at the end of 2020 to move to Whitewood. I have been married for 54 years. We have 2 sons with two wonderful daughter in laws. No grandchildren for me. I retired from the Whitewood Library last July. But I continue to help with the local history research.

Sandy Huffman

I grew up in the Tulip city of Holland, Michigan, was an honor student, dutchdanced in the Tulip Time Parade, participated on the Tennis Team, Basketball and Ski Club, and enjoyed traveling, camping, skiing and vacationing with family. After researching Music/Piano Pedagogy from the Holland Public Library and graduated from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD with a BS in Elementary Education and Music. I met my husband and gave birth to 3 sons. I have 6 grandchildren and currently live in Whitewood. After choosing a healthcare career as Case Manager, Life Enrichment, Human Resources, and Resident Relations Manager in Memory Care/Assisted Living and Nursing Homes, taught 3rd/4th grade in Christian school, writing a grant for tour bus, taking advanced classes, CPR and the heartwarming rewarding times with leadership experience and a commitment to supporting residents and families. I also taught hundereds of children and adults piano lessons for 40 years or more. I love to read novels, traveling, play piano, walk my dogs, sing in a choir, 8-10 Club meeting, gardening, and learning more from the staff and members at the Whitewood Library.

Esther Walker

I was raised here in Whitewood, SD. I am a homeschool kid; I honestly enjoyed it.

I love pretty much anything involving the great outdoors- hiking, camping, fishing, etc. If it were up to me, I would have moved to the forest a long time ago.

I was a volunteer at the library until one day I was hired. I am guessing that means I was doing something right!

If being a bookworm were a crime, I fear I would have been convicted long ago. My favorite genres are action, adventure, mystery, and fantasy. My favorite book series is the Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. Yeah, I feel old.

Olyn Smith

I grew up on a ranch in Bolivia, South America, and spent hours reading as a child. I was always jealous of librarians because they got to spend their whole day with books! I moved to Chicago, IL to study Elementary Ed at Moody Bible Institute. There, I met my husband Cory, got married, and graduated with my El Ed degree. I taught Kindergarten at a school in Chicago until we had our first child.

We moved to the Black Hills in 2021 to be closer to family in Montana, for my husband to be a pastor in Spearfish, and to enjoy the wonderful outdoor activities. We absolutely love it here, and love living in Whitewood! We have five children ages 6 and under. Besides working for the library part time, I also tutor and do some freelance writing .

I still love reading and we are raising some avid book lovers! My favorite books to re-read are “Pride and Prejudice”, “Anne of Green Gables”, “Little Women”, “Screwtape Letters” and anything by James Herriot! Some of my kids’ favorite books include “Little Pilgrim’s Progress”, “Charlotte’s Web” and “Little Blue Truck”.

Donna Willson

I was born and raised in Western South Dakota. Living in Whitewood, I met and married Jim Willson, a local rancher 57 years ago.

We have two kids, Doug in Washinton and Melanie in Colorado. We have four awesome grandkids!

I worked alongside my husband helping with the cattle, hay crop, cooking, and enjoying a garden.

I applied and was hired in 1998 as a part time librarian at the Whitewood Public Library.

I retired in 2016 after 18 great years!

I had a chance to come on board again at the library in February of this year. I decided, why not! Always fun to go to work and to work with a great team!