Obituary of Dale W. White

Dale W. White, age 86, of Yankton, passed away early Thursday, October 16, 2014 at the Wakonda Heritage Manor (Avera Health), Wakonda, SD. Funeral services will be 1:30 PM, Monday, October 20, 2014 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, SD with Rev. Velma Larson officiating. Burial will be in the Gayville Cemetery at approximately 3:30 PM with Military graveside rites by the Rudolph Christensen American Legion Post #237 and US Navy Military Honors. Visitations will be from 5 to 7 PM, Sunday, October 19, 2014 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, and then one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Dale Wayne White (aka Smoke) was born on January 18, 1928, to Victor and Regina (Lee) White in Yankton, SD. He was baptized and confirmed In Gayville Lutheran Church. He attended grade school at the Howard County School and attended Gayville High School, graduating in 1946. Immediately after graduation, Dale enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving two years. His basic training was in San Diego, CA. While on duty, his travels took him to such places as Arabia through the Suez Canal on Christmas Day, to Japan and to Alaska. His honorable discharge was in 1948. Dale then returned to South Dakota to help farm with his father. He married Barbara (Gath) White on September 25th, 1949. They resided in Mission Hill and together had three daughters and a son whom they lost in a fire at age five. Barbara passed away in 1990. Dale worked hauling papers in the 1950's and for the County Highway Department through 1953-1960. He then went to work for Kaneb Pipeline as an electrical engineer until he retired in 1990. He married Annabel (Colwell) White on January 18th, 1991 and lived in Yankton, SD. Annabel passed away in 2006. Dale was a member of VFW Post No. 791, the Emmanuel Church, and was very active at the Senior Citizen Center where he received a volunteer of the year award. Dale enjoyed traveling with the Senior Center Bus. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting and was known to some as The Great "White" Hunter. Dale is survived by his three daughters: Susan (Jim) Burton of Nevada, Kristi McKee of Arizona, and Lisa Grandoff of Iowa; seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren; also four stepdaughters: Callie Ann (Dale) Olson, Nyla (Rick) Billings, Connie (Duane) Holoch, Vickie (Mohammad) Alekajbaf; eight step-grandchildren; four step great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Gladys White of California and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Regina, his brothers: Chester, Willard, Thomas, Donald (Dale's twin) and William, sisters, Buelah Christensen and Gladys Baade, his son, Steven, his wife, Barbara, and his wife, Annabel.