Gale Harn was born on January 5, 1951, to Wade and Fern (Kennedy) Harn of Long Valley, South Dakota. The youngest of six, Gale grew up on the family farm, learning early the rewards of working hard. He graduated from Kadoka High School in 1969, where he was heavily involved with both rodeo and boxing, making it to state in both sports and winning the SD bantamweight title in 1969.

Gale married Jerry Feltman in 1973. From that marriage, two children were born-Justin (Sandy) Harn and Jody (Tom) Gould. That marriage would end, and in 1988, Gale married Rosemary McGregor, in the process becoming a beloved member of the McGregor family including Gus Magilke (Tammy), Anita Elkin (Jay), Amanda Dinius (Keith), Heidi Meier (Chad), Jess Magilkie (Connie), and Kateri Meier (Jay). He may not have realized it at the time, but marrying into the McGregor clan would bring him the title he cherished above all others, as he became affectionately referred to “Grampa Gale”.

Gale moved to central Minnesota in 1990, taking on jobs as a well driller and jack of all trades, maintenance man for both a sawmill in Menahga, MN and the RDO potato factory in Park Rapids. Eventually, he gave in to the call of the open prairies he grew up in and found an open and welcoming community when he moved to Wild Rose, ND in 2010. As his health started going downhill, he moved to Rapid City, SD in 2022 to be closer to his son Justin and his family.

In 1972, Gale was involved in a farming accident that cost him his left arm. Too stubborn to let anyone tell him he couldn’t do something, he took great pleasure in proving his doubters wrong while he repaired every vehicle and appliance that needed fixing, building a sawmill from the ground up, drilling wells throughout central Minnesota, and keeping the machinery running at the RDO potato factory.

When asked what he wanted to be remembered for, Gale’s first response- “Being an *sshole” might be what he is remembered for in some circles, but those who love him know that’s only a small part of who he was. He also cared deeply for the people he loved, had a willingness to help out a friend whenever they needed a hand (even if he only had one to give), and took more pleasure in wrestling with his grandsons than anything else. Gale also had a quick wit, a what we’ll call unique sense of humor, and never felt the need to impress anyone, a combination that got him into trouble and was the source of more stories than anyone could ever hope to count.

Gale is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Maxine, Ethel, Roy, and Carrol; and grandson, Elliot. He is survived by his children, Justin and Jody; step kids, Gus, Anita, Amanda, Heidi, Jess, and Kateri; brothers, Jerry and Joe, and enough nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to man a small army.