Dale Bistodeau

CLAREMONT- Dale Bistodeau, 69 of Claremont and formally of Webster died on Monday, May 5, 2008 at Manor Care in Aberdeen. His funeral will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday, May 9, 2008 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster, Rev. William Olsen will officiate. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery, Langford. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Thursday 5-8 P.M. and prior to services at the church on Friday. Dale Vernon Bistodeau was born on Tuesday, June 21, 1938 to Gilbert and Leone (Olson) Bistodeau on the family farm near Langford, South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Langford. He attended school in Langford and graduated from Langford High School in 1956. In June 1956 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Forrestal. He was honorably discharged in May 1959 but remained in the Naval Reserve until 1962. On October 15, 1960 he married Elaine Bunde at Watertown, South Dakota. After their marriage the couple made their home in St. Paul, Minnesota and then in 1964 returned to Watertown where he worked for Fleet Wholesale. In 1977 they moved to Webster where he owned and operated Hammerbacher Hardware which he later renamed Our Own Hardware. In 1991, after the store closed he returned to Watertown to work for Midcom and later transferred Midcom in Aberdeen, at that time he moved back to the family farm near Claremont. For health reasons he retired from Midcom in 1996 and worked for area farmers. He was a Past President of Day County Fair Board and the Webster Lions Club. He was a member of Herbert McKennet Post 40 American Legion in Webster. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping, golfing, gardening, restoring old tractors and flying airplanes. Spending time with his children and grandchildren was the highlight of his life. Dale passed away on Monday, May 5, 2008 at Aberdeen, South Dakota at the age of 69 years, 10 months and 14 days. Survivors include one son, Alan (Jodi) Bistodeau of Rapid City, SD; one daughter, Michelle (Danny) Valsvig of Webster, SD; two brothers, Harlan (Sandra) Bistodeau of Claremont, SD and Steven (JoEllen) Bistodeau of Aberdeen, SD; two sisters, Joann (Franklin) Olson of Pierpont, SD and Linda (Richard) Jaycox of Pierce, CO; seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Jim and a son, Douglas.