Dale J. Timmons, 89, a retired Meade County rancher, died surrounded by family, Friday June 6 due to complications following surgery.

He was born in Sturgis, South Dakota, August 27, 1918 to Ellen Kathryn (Fahey) Timmons and Frank Timmons of Marcus, South Dakota. He attended grade school at the Simons School, a mile south of the family ranch, and graduated from high school in 1938 at St. Martins Academy in Sturgis, South Dakota.

Dale spent his life ranching on land which was first homesteaded around 1890 by his grandfather, Joe Timmons, and then added to by his parents, Frank and Nellie Timmons. Dale also added land to the ranch in his years living there. He stayed on the ranch during World War II to help his father keep it running while his brothers Tim and Tom served overseas in the war.

He married Gertrude McTighe of Maurine, South Dakota, January 8, 1944 in New Underwood, South Dakota and they made their home and raised their family on the ranch where he grew up. Dale and Gertrude were active in the Red Owl and White Owl communities and the Swinging Wheels Square Dance Club. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church at Red Owl until he moved to Rapid City where he was a member of the Cathedral Parish. Dale remained actively involved in the Marcus and White Owl area communities after Gertrudes death in 1991, and even after his retirement and his move to Rapid City in 1997. He divided his time between Rapid City and the ranch, and in his later years he still looked forward to the calving and haying season and being on the land that he loved so much. He remained very active and put in full days of hard work when he went out to help his sons, Frank and John Timmons, who continued ranching on the home place after his retirement. He was still helping work cattle on horseback until 2001. He also helped with putting up the hay and taking care of the cattle until his death.

Joe Timmons planted the cottonwood trees, that surround the home place today, from saplings he carried by horseback from the Cheyenne River. Dale and Gertrude added a conservation shelter belt and an apple orchard in the early 1960s, which became a great source of enjoyment and pride. Dale loved caring for the trees until his death.

Dale was content to stay close to home; however a memorable trip to California the year of his High School graduation with six other family members in their 38 Ford, became family legend. His mother raised chickens to fund the trip, which almost ended in Buffalo, Wyoming when the fuel pump went out on the car. The $10 needed to replace it took a sizeable bite out of their $110 travel budget and they considered turning back. But they journeyed on and each time they stopped to refuel, someone would say úthere goes another chicken.

Survivors include three daughters Susan Timmons (Jim McCann) Rapid City, SD, Patricia Timmons Kasch, Algona, IA; Mary Timmons Olson Rapid City, SD; two sons Frank Timmons and John (Cathy) Timmons both of White Owl ,SD; two brothers Tim and Tom (Bernice) Timmons of Rapid City, SD. Dale is also survived by ten grandchildren and 9 great grand children who reside in SD and IA.

He was preceded in death his wife Gertrude, an infant daughter, infant sister, and by his parents.

Visitation will be 7 p.m. Tuesday June 10, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. A Wake and Christian Prayer Service will begin at 7 p.m. at the Funeral Chapel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at St. Francis Of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis with Father Arnold Kari and Father Michel Mulloy officiating. Burial will be at the White Owl Cemetery.

A memorial has been established to the White Owl Cemetery.