Gerald Lage

Gerald Lage of Pahrump, NV, formerly of Milbank, SD, died on January 31, 2019, in Las Vegas, NV, at the age of 72.

A graveside service will be held on July 15, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. at Milbank City Cemetery.

Gerald Lee Lage was born on August 15, 1946, in Milbank, SD. He was the son of Wilbur and Annie Lage. He was baptized and confirmed at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank and graduated from Milbank High School. He and his dad, Wilbur, opened the Sportsman Bar, now known as Speedway Bar & Grill, which they built out of a creamery.

After graduation, he moved to Washington, D.C., and began working for the federal government. He later worked at the Tennessee Detention Facility as administrator, supervisor, and investigator from 1996-2000. He excelled at his work. Gerald later began working as an over the road truck driver, which took him to many cities. He drove truck for many years and was still driving truck until his death. He was a huge NASCAR racing fan. He would occasionally get to haul racing trailers for NASCAR drivers. He was especially excited to have met Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who gifted his racing jacket to Gerald.

His truck driving brought him back to Milbank at times, and he enjoyed visiting his sister, Janice. He and Janice enjoyed their phone calls; he would always ask about how the Holtquist boys, Bob and Dustin, were doing and how their races were going. He loved watching the boys’ races. In his later years, Gerald enjoyed riding his motorcycle.

Gerald is survived by his sister, Janice Schwandt of Milbank, SD; nieces and nephews: Bob (Brenda) Holtquist of Milbank, SD; Chris (Myron) Temple of Wilmot, SD; and Debra (Robert) Van Hout of Milbank, SD; Michael Bellus of Odenton, MD; and many other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Wilbur and Annie Lage; his sister, Darlene Bellus; and nephew, Thomas Bellus.