Dale Robert Packer was born June 13, 1931, in Cedar Canyon, SD, to Bob and Blanche (McGillivray) Packer. He grew up on the family ranch northwest of Maurine, SD.

He married Helen Day on June 21, 1953, in Sturgis, SD. Together, they raised four wonderful children. Dale and Helen ranched until 1955 when Dale went to work for the SD State Highway Dept. in Faith, SD. In 1960, he moved his family to Belle Fourche and got into the trucking industry. Dale later sold the trucks and worked as a freight broker.

He was an accomplished lead-guitarist and for 35 years, along with his wife, Helen, played country music with several different local musicians.

Dale peacefully crossed over on Saturday, December 29, 2007, at his home after a lengthy hospital stay.

Those who were blessed to share his life were his wife of 54 years, Helen Packer of Rapid City; son, Bob (Lori) Packer of Sturgis; three daughters, Nadine (Ray) Peek of Pueblo, CO, Koleen (Pete) DeLeon of Riverton, WY, and Seline (Tom) Wargo of Rapid City. Dale was most proud of his thirteen grandsons: Randy (Misty) Ingalls, James (Vanessa) Ingalls, Ty Ingalls, Jasper (Ronja) Ingalls, Josh Peek, Jon Peek, Jerimiah Peek, Troy Packer-Crowser, Casey Packer, Cody Packer, Caden Packer, Samuel (Shannon) Ingalls, and Spencer Ingalls. He was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Danika, Duane, Taylor, Ethan, and Rhyley Ingalls; special niece, Dotti (Nathan) Jedzo; three sisters, Gladys (Dale) Pullins, Arlene Munroe, and Norma (August) Diebert. Family was very special to Dale and he had a special bond with his in-laws, Mary and Dick DeYoe, Iris Day, Debby Day, and Sam and JaLynn Bruno; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and family friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Blanche Packer; one granddaughter, Janiece Dawn Peek in infancy; brother-in-laws, Bud Day, Kenny Day, Bud Jeffries, and Babe Munroe; sister-in-laws, Doris Jeffries and Bernice (Bruno) Hughes; grandparents, McGillivray and Packer; and his aunt, Sister Mary Winifred.

Visitation at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be Friday, January 4, 2007, at the First Presbyterian Church, 1319 Junction Avenue, in Sturgis with Rev. Denzel Nonhof and Pastor Gary Johnson, from Dove Christian Center, presiding. Lunch will follow in the Erskine Room in the church basement, with the funeral procession commencing at 2:30 p.m. for Pine Slope Cemetery in Belle Fourche.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to benefit the medical organizations that continue to fight the diseases that take our loved ones.