Dale Aesoph

Dale “General” Aesoph, age 76 of Milbank who died June 23, 2017, at his residence.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, June 28 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Rev. Gary DeRouchey will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in the St. Lawrence Cemetery.

Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a prayer vigil at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Wednesday, one hour prior to the Mass.

Casket bearers will be: Jared Aesoph, Jesse Forman, Alex Aesoph, Gene Johnsen, Pat Raffety, and Mark Hughes. Honorary bearers will be the active and honorary members of the Milbank Fire Department, Milbank City Council and Employees, and General’s golfing buddies.

Dale Joseph Aesoph was born on September 12, 1940, in Redfield, SD. He was the son of Henry and Helen (Sweetland) Aesoph. His family moved to Milbank, SD and Dale graduated from Milbank High School with the Class of 1958. He was united in marriage with Jean Marie Hoeke on March 3, 1962, in Milbank.
Dale and Jean moved several times before settling in Milbank in 1968, at 209 South Viola Street. He acquired the nickname “General” which he is still known by. He began his career with Ortonville Stone in 1969, working as a loader operator and then as superintendent. Dale was a dedicated member of the Milbank Fire Department where he served from November 5, 1970, until his retirement on his birthday in 1996. He served as Captain and Assistant Fire Chief for many years.

Dale served the city of Milbank for 35 years with leadership and dedication. He was a city Councilman from 1979 – 2001. He was Mayor of Milbank from 2001 – 2014.

General was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed golfing, and golfed with his partner, Dick Berens for 20 plus years. General loved to drive around – checking out the activities and sights in Milbank. He will be remembered as the man dressed in black with his red coffee cup. He was tough on the outside, but a gentle soul inside.

General is survived by his wife, Jean of Milbank; six children: Jason (Rose) Aesoph of Sioux Falls, SD; Angela (Kevin) Seehafer of Eagan, MN; Julie (Chris) Forman of Watertown, SD; Noelle (Chris) Synsvoll of Colorado Springs, CO; Maggie Aespoh of New Richmond, WI; and Mark (Katrina) Aesoph of Sioux City, IA; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; four brothers and two sisters: Don (Patti) Aesoph of Milbank, SD; Rheta Kopecky of Sioux Falls, SD; Jeanne (Don) Shelton of Issaquah, WA; Jon (Laura) Aesoph of Whidbey Island, WA; Jim (Brenda) Aesoph of Watertown, SD; Chris (Lauri) Aesoph of Vancouver, B.C.; sister-in-law, Mary Aesoph of Sioux City, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandchild, Kelly; and two brothers: Thomas and Gary.