Obituary: Dale Keyser

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In memory of

Dale Keyser

of Wall, South Dakota, died on Monday, April 6, 2015 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 96

Dale Gibson Keyser was born February 1, 1919, on Ash Creek, where his ranch is today, the youngest child of Effie and Clarence Keyser. Clarence and Effie came out to the Ash Creek area in 1905 with two boys, Lowell and Russell, from Percival, Iowa. They had four more children after that, Thelma, Maxine, Wayne and Dale. Clarence died in 1934, and at the age of 15. Dale was now in charge of the ranch along with his mother. He had proved he could do that work because at age 14, Dale and his future brother-in-law took a herd of horses from Ash Creek over land to Madelia, Minn. They took only their bedrolls and it took 14 days. His mother, Effie, died in California on December 2, 1966. Dale, the youngest, was preceded in death by all of his brothers and sisters.

Dale met Mary Wolf at the Hilland Store and after introducing himself (and a few candy bars later) was united in marriage on July 13, 1938, in Custer. Pulling the minister away from a baseball game and quickly saying their vows, they returned to the ball game so the minister could take his turn at bat. Dale and Mary stayed to watch the rest of the game. They were married 64 years.

Dale and Mary had four children, Marlene, Gary, Kirby and Pam. They worked the ranch as a team as Mary was Dale’s right hand. Dale loved to go to the sale barn on Tuesdays for pie and ice cream and buy and sell a few cows if that fit his plans. Dale enjoyed going to church on Sundays at Dowling Baptist Church on Ash Creek. He made everyone get up for church after a late Saturday night at Grindstone. He loved going to brandings to rope, visit and to eat the meal and pie after. Later on, most of his brandings involved him sitting on a tailgate just to continue to live the life he loved.

He was one of the first and last living original board of directors for Golden West Telephone. He was on the board of directors for P.C.A. He was the recipient of the Pioneer Award on February 5, 2010, and was a longtime supporter of the Philip and Wall High School sports where he watched his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in football, basketball and rodeo. Through hard times and good, they put together a good ranch until 2002 when his wife, Mary, passed away from cancer.

Dale moved to town and he always said, “I live in town but my heart lives in the country.” Dale said, “most everyone gets their high school education in four years; I got mine in six weeks as my dad died in 1934, and it took me the rest of my life to educate myself in ranching and I never did learn it all, plus I never graduated from it.” He loved to play a practical joke on his friends, neighbors, and people he didn’t even know, and on his special ones that took him to the sale barn on Tuesdays. He was once asked if he had ever met anyone he didn’t like and with his trademark grin answered, “No, I guess I haven’t, but I had a few close calls.” The Keyser Ranch is about 110 years old, which the family will continue to operate.

Dale was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, in 2002; daughter, Marlene O’Dea, in 1998; and infant granddaughter, Tina O’Dea, in 1960.

Dale is survived by his three children Gary, Kirby, and Pam. Marlene’s children, Debbie Hapney: (Rocky, Levi, Jessie, Bailey), Michael O’Dea (Krista): Nathan, Brandon, Austin. Gary and Ruby Keyser children: Janae Hagberg (Dan): Hannah, Alex, Justin Keyser (Cheryl): Tayler. Kirby Keyser and children, Stacy Keyser: (Brady, and wife Biby, Amber, Tayah), Tyler Keyser (Jackie). Pam Blakesley (Gene): LaLainya Rennpferd (Dave): Maddie, Macy, Halley. Merinda Hanson (Wyatt): Brisco, Caitlynn, Traften.

Dale had eight grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren, three step-grandchildren: Dawn Nagel, Kent and Mark Patterson; seven step-great grandchildren; a niece, Carol Anne Hodge; several nieces and nephews; and a special cousin, Max (Diana) Bebout.

Visitation was held 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall, with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m.

Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 9, at the United Methodist Church in Wall, with Pastor Darwin Kopfmann officiating.

Graveside services were held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Thursday, April 9, 2015 - 10:30 a.m.
United Methodist Church
Wall, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Darwin Kopfmann
MUSIC
Arla Olson - Pianist
Paige Cordes - Vocalist
“Grandpa”
“Little Brown Church”
Congregational Hymns
“The Old Rugged Cross” #504
“There’s Within My Heart A Melody” #380
“How Great Thou Art” #77
EULOGY
Pastor Harold Delbridge
Lloyd Frein
USHERS
Pete Dunker - Wayne Davis - Dave Olson
PALLBEARERS
Justin Keyser - Tyler Keyser - Michael O’Dea
Dave Rennpferd - Wyatt Hanson - Darrell Keyser
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Lloyd Frein - Myron Williams - Ron Millage
Larry Eisenbraun - Harlan Eisenbraun - Jem Kjerstad
Larry Gabriel - Gary Allison - Lynn Denke
Lyle Williams and the
Philip Sale Barn Friends and Neighbors
INTERMENT
Thursday, April 9, 2015 - 2:00 p.m.
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Visitation: 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall.

Prayer Service: 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall.

Funeral services: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 9, at the United Methodist Church in Wall.

Graveside services: 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Sign the guestbook

I am so very very sorry for your loss. Dale was such a great man & I will forever remember his big hugs with a peck on the cheek...floolwed by his laugh! I've know him ever since I can remember & know he touched many of us young folk from the Ash Creek area! He will be missed by all who knew him! ~ Cindy Nuzum Wall, SD (4/6/2015)
To all my family my love thoughts and prayers are with you. ~ Tammy wolf Lester prairie mn (4/6/2015)
Oh what fun Dale brought with him wherever he went. We enjoyed visits at the ranch with him and Mary and he always had a twinkle in his eye and good words for all. He and Dad will be having a great time together. ~ Bill and Marsha Sumpter Kadoka (4/6/2015)
God Bless our amazing Grandpa and Cowboy. Our Angel will continue to watch over his friends, family and neighbors. Until we meet again. ~ Stacy Keyser Wall, SD (4/6/2015)
So sorry for your loss he sure was a happy and funny man. Will remember him always. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all and may God bless. Rest in peace Dale. ~ Jerry & Kim Morgan Wall, S.D. (4/6/2015)
We have known Dale since we were little kids, all the fun dances at Ash Creek and Grindstone. This last year we enjoyed seeing him at the dances at the nursing home, one night he danced his walker all around the room with perfect beat to the music. He will be missed. ~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip (4/6/2015)
We are saddened to hear of Dale's passing. We will be holding you all in our prayers. ~ Terry Craven Wanblee (4/6/2015)
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family as you have lost such a wonderful man. God comfort your broken hearts. ~ Terry Knapp Craven Wanblee (4/6/2015)
Thoughts and prayers are with all of you! ~ Fawna Geigle Sturgis, SD (4/6/2015)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this trying time. Please hold onto the wonderful memories you all have. I will definately miss his smiling face and kind hugs. Our Deepest Sympathy. Jason & Aimee Paulsen and family ~ Jason & Aimee Paulsen Wall, SD (4/6/2015)
Our thoughts and prayers to your family in the loss of Dale. ~ Connie Ryan Rapid City, SD (4/6/2015)
Our thoughts an prayers are with you,God Bless ~ Marcene Bourne West 4411 resort dr Granbury Tx 76048 (4/6/2015)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Dale was a wonderful gentle man, who gave the best bear hugs when he saw you. Rest in Peace Dale, you will be missed by many that were touched by you and your kind heart. ~ Dale and Penny Baumann Quinn, SD (4/6/2015)
Dale had a full life and enjoyed so much. Remember the good times and always keep them in your heart. Mary and Dale are together again. ~ Jim and Vonnie O'Dea Howes, SD (4/6/2015)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Dale. ~ Kerry and Windi Hanson Baldwin WI (4/6/2015)
Sorry to hear of Dale's passing! I always enjoyed trying to get the first word in with Dale. I will miss him! ~ Joe Millage Philip SD (4/6/2015)
My condolences to all the family...Many nice memories of visiting the Keyser place with my Grandma Ella Price.... ~ Price Shearn Prescott, Arizona (4/6/2015)
We want to extend our deepest sympathy to the entire Keyser family. Dale a friend to many but we always seemed more like family. Between branding, hunting or playing cards we were together alot and those times will never be forgotten.I am sure Dale and Dad are once again riding and checking the herd. God bless you all. Love Tom, Kamie, Abbie and Emily Carmichael ~ Tom and Kamie Carmichael Oakland, NE (4/6/2015)
Our condolences to all of Dale's families. He was a colorful gentleman!
~ Ed & Linda Eisenbraun Rapid City, S.D. (4/6/2015)
My condolences and prayers to all the Keyser family in your loss...I remember well my Grandma Ella Price taking me to the Keyser's to various things, including playing with David...Lots of wonderful memories... ~ Price Shearn Prescott, AZ (4/6/2015)
Deepest sympathy to all of Dale's family.. He was one of a kind,find comfort in the great memories.

~ Don & Susie Cuppy Mitchell (4/6/2015)
To the Keyser family,
God must have expanded his herd and needed one more good cowboy. It is so hard to say goodbye to such a wonderful person. Let your heart be comforted by the fact that he and his beloved Mary are together again and he is safely home. Do you suppose that they have pie in heaven? Our thoughts and prayers are with you. ~ Donnie and Bobette Schofield Milesville, SD (4/6/2015)
Our thoughts are with you. Dale was a very special man. We will miss seeing him. ~ Arley & Almarie Rancour P O Box 73 Wasta SD (4/6/2015)