Dale Bramblee
September 9, 1953 ~ September 25, 2016
Dale Lee Bramblee, 63, of Gettysburg, passed away Sunday, September 25, 2016 at the Avera Gettysburg Hospital surrounded by his family.
A celebration of Dale’s life will be 1:30 p.m., Thursday, September 29, 2016 at the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg, with Pastor Jeff Adel presiding. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service, at the church. Burial will be in the Gettysburg Cemetery at a later date.
Dale was born on September 9, 1953 to William and Grace (Combellick) Bramblee at the Gettysburg Memorial Hospital. He attended school in Gettysburg, graduating high school in 1971. After graduation, he followed his brother, Orie, to California. While there he worked for the Radio Shack Warehouse in Costa Mesa. He returned to South Dakota and began working for the Homestake Gold Mine in the Black Hills. He was an adventurous man and left the mine and hitchhiked to Florida with his three-legged dog, where he worked on a shrimp boat in Key West. During his time in Florida, he also worked for a Coke company in Jacksonville. His many talents gave him the opportunity to work in many different trades throughout his travels. He returned to Gettysburg and worked for Williams Farms and Joe Beetsch Construction. In 1987 he met the love of his life, Lily VonWald LaPlant, and they were married December 24, 1992. He began his career in 1985 at the Gettysburg Medical Center in maintenance, retiring after 28 years in 2013 due to his failing health.
Dale was a member of the Gettysburg Volunteer Fire Department for 18 years. He held the position of Vice President of the Dakota Sunset Museum Board for over 21 years. He was a member of the Potter County Historical Association and was very involved with the local AA program.
Dale was a “jack of all trades”. He enjoyed tinkering, drawing, wood carving, painting, coin collecting, carpentry and spending time with his family. He was never afraid to take things apart and put them back together. In the last few years of his life, he enjoyed riding his dune buggy around town. He loved to entertain and make people laugh and always had a smile on his face. He was an amazing person who touched the lives of many.
Dale is survived by his wife, Lily of Gettysburg; son, Gary LaPlant of Aberdeen; daughters, Yolanda LaPlant (Scott Schumacher) and Heather (Lee) Eckmann both of Aberdeen, and Kayla LaPlant of Gettysburg; brother, Orie (Monica) Bramblee of Hayes, SD; mother-in-law, Lakota LeBeau of Gettysburg; his special aunt, Elsie Bartels of Newell, SD; eight grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Grace Bramblee; sister, Lucille; brother, Lyle; and nieces, Patricia Bramblee and Robyn (Bramblee) Bothwell.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Dale’s arrangements.
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I am so sorry to hear of Dale’s passing. He was my classmate for 12 years and had a gift with his art. He will be missed.
I am so very sorry for loss.. Dale was a wonderful man and would help anyone out, and never ask for anything in return..
Lily and family, So sorry to hear of Dale’s passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Lily, I am so sorry for your loss. You helped him make the most of the last years. He was such a talented person. But certain vices are so hard to kick. I drove by your place last Thursday and thought of Dale. Two weeks before I met you two on the street and figured he was doing well. He believed in Gods grace n I’ll send prayers for him. Linda
Thoughts and Prayers are with the family of Dale I remember Dale in school and when I lived out there he was a great person would help any one RIP my friend
A lot of good memories…. Rest In Peace….old friend
Lily and families: I am so sorry to hear of Dales passing. As a childhood neighbor, I have known him all my life. They don’t get any better, and he definitely fought a hard battle. My thoughts and prayers are with you all…
Lily, my heart goes out to you. Dale was such a great guy and always treated me with kindness. You are in my thoughts. Vernell
Rest in peace Dale
So sorry to hear of Dale’s passing. He was such a great guy!
So sorry to hear of Dale’s passing. He was such a great guy!
So sorry to hear of your lose. Prayers being sent your way.
To Dale"s Family and Friends We send our Deepest Sympathy To All of You.Dale Will Be Greatly Missed.
With out deepest sympathy on the loss of Dale. He will be greatly missed by us. He was a very good friend. If you need anything please let us know. Keeping all of you in out thoughts and prayers and our hearts.
I was sad to hear about Dale’s passing. You have my deepest, sincere sympathy – he was such a kind man.
So sorry for your loss, Dale was an awesome guy .
Sorry to hear of Dale’s passing. A good man in every way.
To Lily and Family, remember that great big smile as that is how he left everyone he met. He was the happiest man ever. May he RIP now.
Dale was a kind man with such a sweet spirit. Ms Lilly, your family is in my thoughts and prayers for the rough days ahead.
Dale was a terrific man, and I felt fortunate to have known him during the time I practiced at Gettysburg Hospital. He always had a smile on his face and was genuine. He made a positive difference in the lives of those he touched. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. You were blessed to have him in your lives. Larry Sluiter PA-C
Dale was a tremendous man who was admired by many. I got to know Dale when I worked at the Gettysburg hospital a few years back, and counted him as a dear friend. Always with a smile, Dale made a positive difference in those around him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
I had fun years working with Dale at the Oahe Manor, him inside and me outside … except when he got tired of the inside or female staff drama and needed a break. We planted a ton of trees/flowers and grass. He was the consummate organizer, and labeled everything. I” sure you can still crawl through the atttic of the manor and find his handwriting on bulbs, filters, ballasts and other things. Such a good guy! He lived about 3 lifetimes of experiences, especially when young. Did he ever tell you why his shrimp boat in Florida didn’t stink? Great stories!
My sincere sympathies to Dale’s family. He was a very special man and will be missed by so many. Dale was my classmate and my parent’s neighbor.
I am sorry to hear about the loss of your dear loved one. Please accept my condolences at this painful time. Losing a loved one is distressing and as comfort is needed from family and friends, it is my hope your family will find comforting the promise at Isaiah 25:8 where we are assured that "death will be swallowed up forever." It is my hope your family will find strength to endure during the days ahead.
Lilly and Family. Sorry to here of Dales passing. such a wonderful man you are one of the few that found Serenity. He help so many people obtain sobriety.
My condolences to the family on the loss of your dear loved one.True comfort comes from the God (psalms 83:18) of tender mercies and God of all comfort. So draw close to Him in prayers and He will draw close to you to comfort you and take care of you.( 2 Corinthians 1:3,4: James 4:8).