top of page

Wayne and Pat Surat

Thank you for visiting our website! We are the last, proud remaining residents of Bijou Hills, South Dakota. We have four children:  

Lisa (deceased in 2016), Alana (Johnson), Christi and Wayne Jr. 

Grandchildren: Ashley Paulsen, Zach Johnson, Kole & Kaleb Winterholler and Great-granddaughter Alexis Stephens. We receive many inquiries about Bijou Hills. Some want to know the history. Some want to know if they have ancestors buried here at the Union Cemetery. Some want to just remember the old days when Bijou Hills was alive and bustling. We've created this website for anyone seeking information, stories or who just wants to recall a simpler time in history. We hope you enjoy your tour.


Alvin and Ruth Surat

Alvin and Ruth Surat were married in 1934 - the year of the "Black Blizzard", often referred to as the Dust Bowl. 

They have five children: Walter (deceased in 1964), Karen (Mrs. Leo Taylor) deceased in 2020, Wayne, Carol (Mrs. Bob Smith) and Carmen (Mrs. Rick Arrowood).


Grandchildren: Craig Winston, Lori Urbatch, Lisa Wandler (deceased in 2016), Alana Johnson, Christi Surat,

Wayne Surat, Jr, Kristopher Smith, Sara Whitehead, Timothy Smith and Dana Arrowood.

Great-grandchildren: Jeffrey Winston, Garrett Winston, Kyle Urbatch, Lucas Urbatch, Ashley Paulsen, Zachary Johnson, Kole Winterholler, Kaleb Winterholler, Charles Whitehead, Christopher Whitehead, Jr., Caroline Whitehead,

Dakota Smith, Neil Smith, Grace Arrowood and Lily Arrowood.

Great-great grandchild: Alexis Stephens.


Ruth was the Bijou Hills Church pianist for 60 years.  She was also the Bijou Hills correspondent for 55 years, writing news for the Pukwana Press Reporter, Brule County News and The Chamberlain Register. In 1942, Alvin and Ruth took over the Bijou Hills General Merchandise Store that Ruth's mother, Sophia (Novak) Houska  owned and operated. 

Alvin was a man of many trades. He was a farmer, business owner and a self-taught plumber, providing on-call services to many Bijou Hills residents and neighbors. 


Alvin passed away in 1997. Ruth passed away November 16, 2020 at the age of 105.

bottom of page