David Hand
David Hand, age 79, of Midland, South Dakota, died on Monday, December 2, 2019 at Avera St. Mary's Emergency Room in Pierre.
James David Hand, better known to family and friends as Dave, was born on November 1, 1940 to Percy and Celeste (Boysen) Hand. He joined three older siblings – Mary, Tommy, and Kathleen - and grew up near Hayes, South Dakota.
As a child, Dave attended elementary school at Little Eagle country school near his home – literally uphill both ways and often rode a horse to school. He later attended Midland High School, participating in football, basketball and track as a Viking during his time there. After graduating high school in 1958, he attended college at South Dakota State University and was a founding member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity for students with a focus in the agricultural field. He was on the SDSU Shooting Sports Club, which provided him with opportunities to travel across the United States competing and winning many competitions. Dave graduated from SDSU in 1963 with a degree in mechanized agriculture, then enlisted with the South Dakota National Guard and returned to his family farm and ranch, where he lived and worked his entire life.
In 1967, Dave met Laura Hetzel who at the time was a schoolteacher at Liberty School. Dave and Laura were married on June 19, 1969, just days after his enlistment in the National Guard ended. Together they had five sons: David Dean, Terence Gene, Michael Louis, Jeffrey Allan, and Jeremy James. In 2019, Dave and Laura celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
A hunting enthusiast, Dave especially loved hunting deer and elk, often with his brother Tommy, friends and neighbors. He often celebrated his birthday by traveling to the Black Hills for the opening days of deer season. He was a founding member of and played first base on the Four Corners baseball team, was a member of a bowling league for over 30 years in Pierre, and enjoyed playing cards, particularly pinochle, cribbage, and in poker tournaments with friends. He was fond of playing sports himself and later, watching his boys and his grandchildren play almost any sport or activity. He was a lifetime member of the Four Corners Fire Department, the American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who was a progressive and innovative farmer and rancher and he loved what he did. Dave “retired” in 2006 but continued to help his boys in any way he could. He had a clever sense of humor and enjoyed bantering with anyone who was up for it, which was usually how he showed his affection to his family and a trait he passed along to his sons. He was kind, sincere, always had a pot of coffee ready for visitors, and always took time to chat and get to know people – he would often strike up a conversation with a perfect stranger in a waiting room or restaurant.
He is survived by his wife Laura; sons David Dean, Terry (Christi) Hand, Mike (Michelle) Hand, Jeff (Jill) Hand, and Jeremy (Julie) Hand; sister-in-law Lani Hand; fifteen grandchildren and one great-grandson; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Celeste (Boysen) Hand; his brother Tom Hand; sisters Mary Perryman and Kathi Hand; brother-in-law Rex Perryman; nephews Brent Hetzel and Matthew Smith; and niece Theresa Hetzel.
Visitation was held 5-7 p.m. CST on Friday, December 6, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m., all at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ft. Pierre.
Mass of Christian Burial was held 1:00 p.m CST on Saturday, December 7, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ft. Pierre, with Father Ron Garry as celebrant.
Graveside services were held 3:30 p.m. CST on Saturday, at Deep Creek Lutheran Church north of Midland.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
