Jack Apland

** Video tribute can be viewed below. ** Jack E. Apland, age 89 of Belle Fourche, passed away Friday, September 30, 2016 at the Belle Estate in Belle Fourche. The funeral service will be held 1pm Friday, October 7th, 2016 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Belle Fourche. Visitation will be held 5 to 7pm Thursday at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held in Pine Slope Cemetery. Jack Apland’s life is a piece of South Dakota history. His grandfather, Albert came from Norway in 1852, serving 2 terms in the SD State Legislature. His parents John and Dorothy (Steele) Apland owned the state’s first milk production machine, serving the Ortman Hotel in Canastota. Jack was born in Sioux Falls on Friday, September 16, 1927. His family moved from Canistota when he was 13, joining Dorothy’s large Steele family in Belle Fourche. The kids used to sled and ice skate in the area that is now the bowling alley. The family rented farms west of highway 34, and near downtown before purchasing the Apland Ranch. Jack and his siblings would ride horse or catch a ride to a country school. When Dorothy began teaching in Kadoka, his dad would tend the ranch. The Apland kids lodged with families in town, everyone coming together on the weekends. Jack also attended Kadoka school during his senior year of high school. Jack, his siblings and cousins enjoyed attending dances held in the Belle Fourche area. In 1949, Jack was married to Thelma Fay Riggins. They had one child, Gwen, before divorcing. Later, Jack married a spirited four foot eleven inch red head named Lenore in 1956. They danced their way through 40 years of marriage, providing a home rich in love and laughter. Jack was an exemplary father. He didn’t believe in spanking, but he parented in a way that disappointing him was the punishment. Along the way, Jack worked as a mechanic at Snyder Buick, the Sugar Factory, and he was a handyman, a milkman (his milking days ended when he broke his thumb wrecking Dennis’ motorcycle), maintenance worker at American Colloid, and rancher. Jack believed that you work for what you want. Jack and Lenore enjoyed hosting generations of families and friends at the ranch, but in 1977 they built a home in town doing some of the work themselves. Jack said if he had to live in town, he at least wanted a country view. The couple enjoyed a few trips to Las Vegas as well as a 25th anniversary trip to Hawaii. Jack lost his dancing partner and companion to cancer in April of 1996. He married Juanita "Pete" Murray in 1997, and she was a part of his life until June of 2016. Jack spent his life helping his ranch neighbors, enjoying those he befriended along the way, and loving his family. His unconditional love, kind spirit and fun personality fill his loved one’s memories. Left to carry on his legacy include: Dennis and Pam Apland, Nora Lee Apland, Lisa and Doug Wells; 10 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as his cousin Dorothy Kaiser and sister-in-law, Lorraine Aberle. Being the family patriarch, Jack had many who preceded him, including his parents; wife, Lenore; daughter, Gwen; siblings, Kenneth, Joyce, Ralph, Larry; and many close cousins. He’s together with them again, having lived a pretty good life.   Celebration of Life 1:00 P.M. – Friday – October 7, 2016 First Congregational United Church of Christ Belle Fourche, South Dakota   Officiant Pastor Del Neumeister   Honorary Casketbearer Travis Lusk   Active Casketbearers Cade Apland                                                                      Troy Lorenz Reese Apland                                                                       Max Main Steve Apland                                                               Brad Steinbach Tom Cooper                                                                       Brett Wells   Music (Recorded) “Amazing Grace”, “Dancing With Angels”, “The Way We Were”, “I Can Only Imagine”, “Grandpa”, “I Hope You Dance”, “Kansas City”, “Cab Driver”   Interment Pine Slope Cemetery Belle Fourche, South Dakota   Thank you Jim Emery for your team of horses, wagon, and helping us take our father to his place of rest.