Dale was born May 27, 1935, at Wall, the second son of Russell F. and Eleanor (Bliss) Lewis. With the exception of fourth grade at Wasta, Dale attended Wall Schools, graduating in 1953. He received a B.S. in journalism and business administration from the University of Nebraska in 1957. While stationed at Fort Monmouth, N.J., with the National Guard, he attended the U.S. Army's School of Photography.
Dale married Nancy Collins in August 1957 at Lawrence, Kansas, and they had one daughter, Tammy. In 1974 he married Donna Todd of Rapid City.
In April 1994 Dale purchased the Bennett County Booster. He and Mary (Solon) Gibson of Kadoka married and made their home near Martin. After retiring in 2001, they moved to Wasta. Dale was a member of the Methodist Church and South Dakota Press Association.
Journalism, photography and travel were Dale's life-long interests, along with his horses and dogs. For 35 years he edited and published weekly papers: The Bowdle Pioneer at Bowdle, Hosmer Bulletin at Hosmer, Pennington County Courant at Wall and Bennett County Booster at Martin. He taught two years at Wakpala High School and one year at Interior. He was executive director of the South Dakota Hall of Fame for 10 years and edited the Dakota West and later the Hall of Fame magazine. During the past fifteen years he wrote and published six books: Roy Houck, Buffalo Man; Duhamel, from Ox Cart to Television; Wall of the Badlands; Wasta 1906-2006; Art Kroetch, Iron Worker; and LeBeau, A Sputtering Flame. These books and thousands of photos attest to his love for journalism and photography. When one trip was over, there was always another spot in the world that Dale thought he should experience. In recent years he had traveled throughout Alaska and Canada, Ireland, Cuba, China, Turkey, Costa Rica and Panama and still had hopes of seeing Argentina or Australia.
Survivors include his spouse, Mary Lewis of Wasta; daughter, Tammy Lewis, Wall; granddaughter, Summer (Mark) Jakopak, and great-grandchildren, Autumn and Bohdan, of Quinn; a sister-in-law, Pat Lewis, Calgary, Alberta;
and several nieces and nephews.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Kenneth.
Closed casket visitation was held 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, April 7, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, at the United Methodist Church in Wall, with Pastor Brad Kattelmann officiating.
Interment was in the Wall Cemetery.
A memorial is established to the Lurz Park in Wasta.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 – 10:00 a.m.
United Methodist Church
Wall, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Brad Kattelmann
USHERS
Betty Alishouse – Margee Willey
Jerry Johannesen – Bill Leonard
MUSIC
Dorothy Shearer – Organist
DeAnna Kammerer – Vocalist
“Hymn of Promise”
“Send In The Clowns”
Congregational Hymns
“Amazing Grace”
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
PALLBEARERS
Gerald Kessler – David Hansen
David Burnett – Grady Crew
Glenn Alishouse – Lloyd Willey
INTERMENT
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota
Guest Book
Dear Mary and family thinking of you with a prayer in our hearts for you. The Madsen's
~ Bruce and Bonnie Madsen
Kadoka,SD (4/5/2008)
I would like to express my most sincere sympathy to Mary and the family. I knew Dale when he was running the paper here in Martin and appreciated the enthusiasm that he had for the community. He was alway one to stir up some excitemnet. He will be missed.
~ David P Jones
PO Box R, Martin, SD (4/5/2008)
Dale is a dear old friend whom I will miss very much.
~ Jim Joyce
Custer, SD (4/5/2008)
It is with a heavy heart that I write this entry today. Dale will be deeply missed by so many people. I can't think of a more generous person than Dale. We will never have the chance to plant watermelons on the hill, there will never be another talent show like the ones that Dale had, there will never be another 4th of July like the ones we had with Dale. And Dales photos, he was such an artist and his work will be greatly missed. There were so many things that Dale still wanted to accomplish and I know that in heaven he will accomplish all of this and more. WE LOVE YOU DALE.
The Ferris Family
~ Gina Ferris
10 Burns Road, Douglas, WY 82633 (4/5/2008)
Dear Mary and Family;
It is tough to loose a fellow school mate and author.His personality and work will be long remembered.
Larry
~ Larry Lytle
Rapid City, SD (4/5/2008)
Mary and Tammy,
He was a "good guy" and I know he will be sorely missed. I have many fond memories of the "Jensen-Lewis" connections going back to when I was really little!! Mary, my kids still talk about that wonderful day we went walking along the Cheyenne. We all enjoyed that day so much! My condolences and prayers to you!! Margaret
~ Margaret (Jensen) Rhodes
Aurora, Illinois (4/5/2008)
My deepest and heartfelt sympathy go out to Mary and Tammy, what a loss. I knew Dale from way back in the 60's when he was one of my teachers at Wakpala High School. Not only was he a great teacher but a great inspiration to many Native
American students. He will be truly missed.
~ Del Iron Cloud
3932 Doral Dr., Rapid City SD,57702 (4/5/2008)
Mary
Our sympathy on your loss of Dale. You have been an asset to the Wasta community. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
~ Shelia Trask
Wasta, SD (4/5/2008)
Our prayers and thoughts are with you Mary.
~ Hugh & Delia Harty
Milesville, SD (4/5/2008)
Mary: I was so sorry to hear about Dale. It was always so enjoyable to visit your home in Wasta, talk history and books. This last year Dale told me of his interest in motorcycles, that was so much like him, always trying to find some common ground. My sympathy goes out to you. Philip Wilson
~ Philip and Mary Kay Wilson
18351 Smithville Rd. Elm Springs, SD (4/5/2008)
Mary and Tammy, Please accept my condolences and know that he will be missed by many, many people. He always had time to stop and visit with old friends and to make new friends.
~ Luann Spence
El Dorado, KS (4/5/2008)
Our sympathy and prayers to all. There were few boundaries that Dale encountered that weren't met with enthusiasm and success. His books are a legacy that will keep on giving and the memories of travels are priceless.
~ Marsha and Bill Sumpter
Kadoka (4/5/2008)
We both have fond memories of Dale, including the purchase of our 17-hand Standard-Bred trotter, Tally, or as she is now known around here, Tally, the Harlot. (We used to have two studs, as well, but since Tally joined our family, the former studs are singing to her in much higher voices.) Our thoughts and our hearts go out to Mary and Tammy and their families. Dale was always a font of information and help to me in the editing and writing fields; he was always there with answers to any question I had for him. I will always be grateful. And we will always miss you, Dale.
~ Jonny and Chuck Holsether
Wall, SD (4/5/2008)
You have our sympathy and prayers. I will never forget Dale. Living in the Joe Shoe Shop right next door to the printing office in Wall. We had lots of fun. Now Dale is up in Heaven with his parents, looking down and watching over his family. God Bless you all
~ Gladys & Bill Hunt
Mesa, Arizona (4/5/2008)
Our love and prayers go to Mary and family at this time. So glad we got to visit a little at the celebration this past year. God Bless. Denny and Susan
~ Dennis and Susan Walsh
200 SE 15th RD. 7J, Miami FL. 33129 (4/5/2008)
Dear Mary, Tammy, and Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. My memories of Dale go back many years to when we (the Joe Larson Family "Joes Shoe Shop") lived next door to the Courant. I can still picture Dale and his parents working on the newspaper. But Dale always found time to visit with us, especially my mother. I enjoyed reading Dale's book, "Wall of the Badlands". He captured so many of the events that happened in Wall in the 40's/50's. Dale always enjoyed visiting and being with people. I'm happy I was able to have a good visit with Dale last summer when he hosted a picnic in Wasta for his fellow classmates. Dale will always be a part of our fondest memories.
We will all miss Dale.
~ Janett (Larson) Bradford
10083 E. Emily Dr. Tucson, AZ 85730 (4/5/2008)
Dear Mary and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God grant you a peace that surpasses all understanding. The Lewis's
~ Scott Lewis
Rapid City (4/5/2008)
I'LL always remember the pictures in the BC Booster. Dale and Mary were good to me. God bless you Mary, LOVE Carolyn
~ Carolyn Page
616 Christensen Dr Spearfish,SD (4/5/2008)
Mary and Tammy,
I am so sorry to hear of Dale's passing. He was an important person in my life. His encouragement meant a lot to me. The world won't be a better place without him. I'm thankful that I got to spend a few hours with him (and Mary) in Wasta last summer. It was a lovely afternoon. I had no idea it would be the last time. He was a colorful, kind, ornery, funny, smart, talented, wonderful man. He will be missed. Take care of yourselves and know that I'll be thinking of you.
~ Cindy Kruse
2136 Horse Prairie Dr. Henderson, NV (4/5/2008)
Mary and Tammy--So sorry about the death of Dale. I hope you remeber me--we met at the 1999 Solon reunion in South Dakota. That was fun and Dale seemed to enjoy himself even though he was not a blood Solon. He accomplished a lot in his life and seems to have used and enjoyed the producs of his several natural gifts. WE should all be so fortunate. I hope his final days were inspiring and as pain free as possible. I am a Hospice volunteer so I understand the circumstances.
My sympathies to all the Solon relatives.
~ John Stack
Charlottesville. VA (4/5/2008)