Dale Pettyjohn

Dale Pettyjohn, age 90, of Bushnell, formerly of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at the Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings.
Dale was born January 4, 1933 on the family ranch to Alfred and Clarissa (Willsey) Pettyjohn. He grew up and attended school in Kadoka. He was quite the basketball player and played for Kadoka High School, later graduating. He even met the famous basketball player John Huebner at a game in Mitchell.
Dale attended SDSU and majored in rodeo and dancing. He graduated and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Artillery serving in the U.S. Army in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Six months later he moved back to Kadoka. Dancing was his main passion. “Dancing Dale” traveled the Midwest attending big band dances.
Dale was united in marriage to Nancy Morgan and together they had one son, Andrew. Later the couple divorced and Nancy moved back to Massachusetts.
Dale ranched and helped his brother Ted move houses. In the hard times Dale’s brother Ted moved to the Black Hills area, and Dale lost his ranch. Fortunately, Dale’s nephew, Brett and his wife Tammy Prang were able to buy back part of the ranch and help work and live on it.
Dale also worked at the Kadoka Nursing Home and other odd jobs throughout his life.
Dale attended a dance in Illinois where he met Lois O'Flanagan who also loved to dance. He married Lois and moved to Illinois. When times got hard there he and Lois moved back to Kadoka where they later divorced. In 2012 Dale moved to Brookings and worked for Dakota Stoneware part-time where he monitored the shop and packed pottery pieces to be shipped. Dale danced every night somewhere! His ankle gave out in later years so he had to quit dancing in 2021.
Dale entered the hospital with an infection which forced him to move to a nursing home in Brookings where he resided until his death.
Survivors include son Andrew Pettyjohn; sister Kay Pettyjohn; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Nona (Kieth Prang); and brother Ted (Mary) Pettyjohn.
Memorial services were held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 5, 2023 at the Frying Pan Ranch Family Cemetery south of Kadoka. Following the service everybody is welcome to Brett and Tammy Prang's house for a time of food and fellowship.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.

The Pioneer Review

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