Dave Lensegrav

Dave made his entrance on Feb 28, 1946, at Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin North Dakota to his proud parents, Olav and Edna (Wolff) Lensegrav. He grew to be an inquisitive little guy, sporting blonde hair and was slightly ornery. He was not the typical kid and was willing to watch, learn and became a fixture in the hayfield and livestock world. His grade school days were spent at Grand Central Country School where his mode of transportation to and from school was by horse, tractor or whatever was handy. He was active in the Rough and Ready 4-H Club where he represented the club’s name well by riding bulls, breaking horses, and taking chances.
Dave hadn’t firmed up his college plans. So, good friend Eddie Texley drove into his parent’s yard in the Fall of 1964. Eddie told Dave to pack his suitcase. Dave called time out. They first had to go out into the pasture and rope a cow and load it onto Eddie’s pickup and take it the sale barn. The sales proceeds paid Dave’s first semester tuition.
He married the love of his life, Rhonda and from this union came a beautiful baby boy Ken. Ken had a dislike for the hayfield and found that rodeo was his chance to escape the tractor. Ken graduated from Montana State and went on to do his parents proud with his rodeo career. The nut didn’t fall far from the tree. Ken went on to compete at the college and professional rodeo level that led to his induction into the Casey Tibbs Hall of Fame.
Dave was a SDSU College graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree where he managed the Jack Rabbit Stampede in 1967. Dave made countless college buddies that have turned into lifelong friendships. Oh, the stories those guys could tell. He returned to his family ranch roots at Meadow, South Dakota. He worked hard at building his cattle business making improvements to the place. In addition, he was offered a teaching position at Thorpe Country School and later Progress School, if he would take some courses at Black Hills State. Dave went for it, as he was flat broke and brought in $385 a month teaching. Dave brought new meaning to education as he often tutored students at his ranch, but in turn they had to tamp railroad ties till dark. Then came tutoring, supper and by the time they got to bed they were so played out that it didn’t take them long to do better in school and no tutoring became the norm. A lesson well learned.
Kristi came along in 1970 and fit right into the ranch life. She graduated from National College. Patterned after her dad and brother, she had great success in the rodeo arena and like Ken, was inducted into the Casey Tibbs Hall of Fame, a proud moment of Dave’s. Another proud moment in his life marked the birth of Jesse in 1985, who had a remarkable imagination with his time spent in Sherwood Forest (cottonwood trees) as Robin Hood. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from SDSU and a Doctorate from the University of Western States. The end gate came with Taylor in 1991. There were fond memories of him being the Cat King as they followed him faithfully along the top of the haystacks. The third member of his family to complete a bachelor’s degree from SDSU, Taylor then went on to receive his doctorate from NUNM.
In 1972 Dave AI’d his first cows to Gelbvieh and 50 years later the Gelbvieh cows still walk his ranch. Time spent going to bull sales to find the next great bull to put with his cows was one of his greatest pleasures. Countless hours were spent trying to create the perfect bull by sorting and resorting. We always said if Dave owned 1 cow, he would cut her in two sorting her. Dave treasured his bull sale customers and always went the extra mile to make sure everyone was happy. In 1988 Dave became a proud member of the Buckaroos. He treasured that bunch of cowboys and the time spent at the annual ride, making and renewing friendships. Wouldn’t we all love to hear that campfire talk as they shared a few beverages and experiences. In 2018 Dave and Rhonda were honored by their community as the Lemmon Boss Cowman. An honor well deserved, as Dave was one of the founders of the annual event.
He was a true fan of Rodeo, spending a career that has spanned over 60 years competing, watching his kids and now grandkids compete. He had a lifetime love of the sport. As a teenager, he needed parental consent to compete, which he conveniently obtained with a forged signature provided by a friend, a story made funnier considering the friend impersonating his father was a black man. He served as chute boss at many area rodeos over the years! His three oldest granddaughters followed closely in his rodeo footsteps. All three competed at the highest high school levels prior to rodeoing at the Collegiate level.
His three youngest grandchildren (triplets) are following in the footsteps of Grandpa Dave and their sister and cousins. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. He loved and inspired his children and grandchildren to strive for excellence.
A constant in Dave’s life was his love of people. He was a master at making friends and keeping them tucked close. Everywhere he went, he knew someone! Both family and friends are richer because their paths crossed with Dave.
Dave was well known for having the right wisdom for the right person at the right time. There was something embedded into his genetic traits that captures one of Mark Twains quotes: Always do right! It’ll amaze some, but it will astonish the rest…
Someone may leave you an inheritance. But the legacy Dave left is substantially more valuable than any inheritance.
Dave left himself in scores of people.
Visitation was on Sunday, July 4, 2021 from 1:00 to the time of the gathering for friends and family at 7:00pm at the Beeler Community Center in Lemmon.
The Funeral Service was held at 2:00pm MT Monday, July 5, 2021 at the Beeler Community Center in Lemmon with Pastor Harold Delbridge, officiating. Following a time of fellowship and luncheon, burial was in Gallaway Cemetery at Meadow, S.D.
Serving as casketbearers are Myron Wolff, Lynn Weishaar, Tim Seim, Ed Humble, Lonnie Hall, Donn Hett, Norman Lyon, and Rusty Foster. All friends and family are honorary bearers.
 Surviving family members include his wife, Rhonda, Meadow, S.D.; children, Ken (Kim) Lensegrav, Interior, S.D.; Kristi (Jace) Birkeland, Dupree, S.D.; Jesse Lensegrav, (special friend, Dorena Weichmann,) Meadow, S.D.; Taylor Lensegrav (fiancé Kayla Cook), Golden, Colo.; 6 grandchildren, Katie (Bryce) Dibbern; Kelsey Lensegrav, Sidni, Fletcher, Cruz, and Tee; one sister, Kathy Otterberg, Leesburg, Fla.; sister-in-law, Virginia Lensegrav, Meadow, S.D.; brothers-in-law, Curt (Judy) Elson, Belle Fourche, S.D.; and Nick (Karen) Pitharoulis, Rapid City, S.D.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, his infant brother, Larry Lensegrav; brother Gary Lensegrav; mother and father-in-law, Ken and Esther Elson, and a brother-in-law, Warren Otterberg.
A memorial has been established.
Cards may be sent to Rhonda Lensegrav, 13641 S.D. Hwy 73, Meadow, S.D. 57644.