Dale Aeschbacher, 89, of Billings, MT passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the auditorium in Wood, SD. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Burial will follow the services at the Evergreen Cemetery in Wood, SD.
Dale was born on his family homestead on Aug. 5, 1930 north of Mosher, SD in Mellette County to Ernest and Catherine (Dimond) Aeschbacher. Around 1940 the family moved to Wood SD. Dale had two older brothers Ray and Herbert.
Dale was most proud of his track career and his relay team. Dale went to the Basset NE track meet his senior year where he won the 100meter dash. He would often times refer to the medal he had won which had a milk cow and a water tank on it. Dale graduated from Winner High School on May 27, 1949.
When Dale was just 21 years old, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on the 29 of Jan 1952. Dale served in the Korean War as a result of action against enemy forces on the Oct. 26, 1952 Dale was injured in Western Korea.
Dale earned multiple medals including: Korean Service Medal W/1, Purple Heart Medal, United Nations Services Medal, National Defense Services Medal. Dale received Honorable Discharge on the 30th of September 1953. Later in 2016 Dale received the Korean Ambassador Peace Medal.
Upon returning home from the war and healing from his wounds Dale met and married Verna Forsch on April 27, 1954. They built a house together in 1954 in Winner, SD. From this union they had four sons Allen, Myron, Meldon, and Joel.
Dale worked for the government at the Bureau of Indian Affairs with the Rosebud Agency Land management for 30 years before retiring. Dale was proud of the work he had done and the friendships he had made during his time with the BIA.
After retirement Dale enjoyed spending his time being a grandfather. He enjoyed attending every sporting events his grandsons took part in and held a very special tender place in his heart for his granddaughters. He was also an avid Dodgers baseball fan & Chicago Bears football fan.
Dale took the most pride in teaching and making memories with his grandchildren.
Deer hunting was a hobby Dale loved and a family tradition. He enjoyed spending time and passing on this family tradition with his children and grandchildren where they made many memories from hunting in Mellette County, the Badlands, and along the White River.
Another hobby that Dale enjoyed with Verna was spending Sunday evenings going downtown and playing pitch and thirty-one with friends over a few cups of coffee and great conversation. Dale had a very fast witty mind and had stories for all.
Dale is survived by his wife of 65 years Verna Aeschbacher. He also survived by his children: Allen Aeschbacher Helena MT, Myron Aeschbacher Billings MT, Meldon & Kathy Aeschbacher Ashland WI, Joel & Rhonda Aeschbacher, Wanblee SD, Grandchildren: Domenica VanDyke Sarasota FL, Brooke & Dustin Fisher Winner SD, Sam & Elaine Aeschbacher Ideal SD, Bridget & Younger Kramme, Presho SD, Patrick Aeschbacher Winner SD, Jenie & Nick Borders Thermopolis WY, Jess & Miles Vondra, Zap ND. Great Grandchildren: Payton, Bailey Carley, Jerrod, Evelyn, Elyse, Eloise, Emerie, Mieka, Lincoln, Baylee, & Tayton.
Dale is preceded in death by his parents Earnest and Catherine Aeschbacher, his in-laws Emil and Albina Forsch, his brother Herbert Aeschbacher, his sister in law Shirley Aeschbacher, his brother Ray Aeschbacher.
The family ask that you send sympathy cards to:
30171 SD Hwy 248
Presho, SD 57568
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