Dale A. Stroschein, 71, Sturgis, died Monday, December 15, 2008, at Sturgis Regional Hospital.

Visitation will be Thursday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis from noon until 9:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2008, at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis with Rev. Michael Fox officiating. Burial will be at Bear Butte Cemetery at a later date.

Dale was born December 27, 1936, at Estelline, SD, to Albert and Margaret (Slattenow) Stroschein. He grew up on a farm near Toronto, SD, where he attended school and graduated from high school in 1954. He married Mary Ann Clausen on June 9, 1957, in Brookings, SD. He graduated in 1959 from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy. He was a prominent figure in Sturgis and surrounding areas for over 30 years.

As a pharmacist for 34 years, he began at the Don Peterson Pharmacy in Rapid City from 1959 until 1960. He moved to Carter Drug in Belle Fourche (1960-1962), and became part owner of Sturgis Drug (1962-1992). While a practicing pharmacist, Dale held many positions, offices, and honors. Dale was honored with the Bowl of Hygeia Award in 1985 for outstanding service to his community and his profession, and served on the South Dakota Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Committee, the South Dakota State Board of Pharmacy, the South Dakota Pharmacy Association as President and Vice President, and the Black Hills Pharmaceutical Association. He was a member of the National Association of Retail Druggists. When he retired from Sturgis Drug, Dale remained active in the Meade County Mental Illness Board, as well as other health and medical related associations.

Many local civic and societal organizations benefitted from his contributions and involvement as he took great pride in the community he and his family lived in. He was a long time treasurer of the Bear Butte Flying club, and a private pilot for 22 years, and served on the Sturgis Airport Improvement Committee. He was a member of the Sturgis and Northern Hills Development Corporations. With the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce, he was President, Treasurer, Director, and Crazy Days Chairman, and served on the Downtown Business Improvement Committee. He also served on the Sturgis Park Board; Heritage Acres Board; The Black Hills Motorcycle Classic Board of Directors; served for 20 years as a Sturgis Volunteer Fireman; a charter member of the Black Hills Four Wheelers; and the Sturgis Jaycees where he received a Distinguished Service Award in 1966, Outstanding Religious Lay Leader, Key Man Award, and Outstanding Committee Chairman. As a member of Grace Lutheran Church, he served as President, Vice President, Council Member and Sunday School teacher. Aside from all of his activities, he really enjoyed fishing, hunting, and card playing.

Dale is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Ann, Sturgis; son, Robert Stroschein and his wife, Rose, Lakewood, CO; and son, Timothy Stroschein, and his wife, Kristi, and grandson, Samuel, Gillette, WY.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Alden.

Contributions in lieu of flowers are requested to be sent in Memory of Dale Stroschein to Grace Lutheran Church, PO Box 577, Sturgis, SD, 57785.