Obituary: David Hand

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Funeral Services

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 1:00 PM (Central).

St. John's Catholic Church
Ft. Pierre, South Dakota

Interment

Saturday, December 7, 2019 - 3:30 p.m. CST
Deep Creek Lutheran Cemetery
rural Midland, South Dakota

Visitation

5-7 p.m. CST Friday, December 6, 2019
Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. CST
St. John's Catholic Church
Ft. Pierre, South Dakota

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In memory of

David Hand

of Midland, South Dakota, died on Monday, December 2, 2019 at Avera St. Mary's Emergency Room in Pierre at the age of 79

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 will be 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 will be 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 will be held 3:30 p.m. CST on Saturday, at Deep Creek Lutheran Church north of Midland.

Open the Memorial Folder

VISITATION
Friday, December 6, 2019 - 5-7 p.m. CST
St. John's Catholic Church
Ft. Pierre, South Dakota

VIGIL SERVICE
Friday, December 6, 2019 - 7 p.m. CST
St. John's Catholic Church
Ft. Pierre, South Dakota

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Saturday, December 7, 2019 - 1 p.m. CST
St. John's Catholic Church
Ft. Pierre, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Ron Garry

MUSIC
Shirley Gross - Organist
Melinda Hetzel - Cantor
Frank and Shirley Halligan
“Amazing Grace” -“Psalm 23”
“Be Not Afraid” -“O Loving God”

LECTORS
Seth Caldwell - Rob Coverdale

ALTAR SERVERS
Sam Hand - Elijah Hand

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Jeri Fosheim - Beth Hand - Isiah Hand - Renee Allen - Malinda Hetzel

USHERS
Chris Fosheim - Rob Coverdale

PALLBEARERS
Byron Hand - Duane Hand - Brad Hand - Mason Stucky-Hand
Seth Caldwell - Austin Hand - Colton Carter - Jim Larson

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Saturday, December 7, 2019 - 3:30 p.m. CST
Deep Creek Lutheran Cemetery
rural Midland, South Dakota

Sign the guestbook

Dear Laura and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Dave's passing, he certainly was a wonderful man who has left an amazing legacy. The video tribute was beautiful, memories never die. My love and prayers to you and yours. ~ Mary Ann Kane Keldron, SD (12/12/2019)
So sorry for your loss. I have a lot of good memories playing ball at 4-corners Rest in peace Dave ~ Keith Norman (12/7/2019)
Dave rest in peace . ~ Ed Thompson Hot Springs (12/6/2019)
Laura and family, we are so sorry to hear of Dave's passing. Our sympathy and thoughts are with you during this difficult and sad time. ~ Eileen Stolley Kadoka (12/5/2019)
Dear Hand Family,
We are so sorry for the loss of Dave. He was such a wonderful man, so nice to be around. He was the best father-in-law to our Julie. We know how much she loved him. Prayers for comfort and peace. Love to all. ~ Jim and Mary Bauer Salem SD (12/5/2019)
Dear Laura and family....so sorry for your loss of David....we did love visiting with him. A real nice, kind 'Character' (I think that describes him well!) His unique sense of humor, his smile, his kindness, his knowledge.....all a part of his character package. And the memories you all must have to cherish and share! Love and prayers to all of you, his family and friends. ~ Ann Cvach Midland (12/5/2019)
Words cannot express the range of emotions that are going through our hearts Rest assured that your entire family are in our thoughts and prayers now and in the coming days and weeks ~ Kevin-Mary Neuhauser Midland (12/5/2019)
It saddens me to read of Dave's passing. I only met him recently and was struck by what a decent, kind individual he was, and so easy to visit with too! My prayers for all his family in these days and weeks ahead. ~ Vonda Hamill Milesville, SD (12/5/2019)
Your in my thoughts and prayers ~ Kelly Madsen Fort Pierre (12/4/2019)
Sorry for your loss. Sending my condolences to the entire Hand family. ~ Jason Taylor Fort Pierre, South Dakota (12/4/2019)
South Dakota ~ Bruce & Cindy Bresee Pierre (12/4/2019)
I'm sorry for your loss. David was a great person and always had something to say when you saw him. God bless all of you in this time of sorrow. ~ Tom Parquet Midland (12/4/2019)
So sorry for your loss. Praying Gods peace over your family during this difficult time.
Nick, Hallie, Chevy & Memphis Konst ~ Konst Family Philip SD (12/4/2019)
Sending our prayers to the Hand family. ~ Jeremy and Julie Holter Gilbert, AZ (12/4/2019)
Our deepest sympathies to your family at this difficult time. We always enjoyed visiting with David at baseball games at Four Corners! God bless you all! ~ Jeff & Kelly Penticoff Philip, SD (12/4/2019)
My sympathies to the Hand family's. David was a great guy, and would always go out of his way to say hello and talk with me when I'd make it home. RIP Dave!! ~ Barry Hunt Battle Mountain, Nevada (12/4/2019)
Sending our deepest condolences to Laura and the entire Hand family. David was an easy guy to be around and he will certainly be missed by all. hugs and prayers for you all. ~ Todd and Barb Larson Sioux Falls, SD (12/4/2019)
South Dakota ~ Lola Sigvaldsen Lemmon (12/4/2019)
My condolences to Aunt Laura and family. Uncle Dave was one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving visits and he will be missed. ~ Marie Hetzel Gladstone,ND (12/4/2019)
We are so sorry for your loss. May God hold you close during this very hard time. ~ Larry & Julie McLaughlin Midland, SD (12/4/2019)
Prayers and hugs to all the Hand family! So many great memories of a super man. ~ Patti Jennings Fort Pierre (12/4/2019)
Like to wish the Hand Family prayers from our home to yours ~ Wes Nelson (12/4/2019)
Sending prayers to all of you. David was such a great guy. It was always fun to see him when he would come over and visit with Dad. He leaves behind a beautiful family. ~ Pam Kendall Rapid City (12/3/2019)
Laura and family: So sorry! Our thoughts and prayers are with you. ~ Jim and Jessie Root (12/3/2019)
Our condolence to David's family. I spent the summer of 82 working for David and Tommy, David was also a joy to be around and a very considerate and fare man to all. RIP David ~ Pat and Reuben Vollmer Midland (12/3/2019)