Dana Vail
January 15, 1947 ~ August 5, 2014
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
View Dana's Tribute Video
Dana Vail, 67, of Gettysburg, passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at his home in Gettysburg.
Dana Vail, 67, of Gettysburg, passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at his home in Gettysburg.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 11, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gettysburg with Fr. Jerry Kopel presiding. Inurnment followed in the Springs Cemetery, Tolstoy. A prayer service was held at 5:00 p.m, Sunday, August 10, 2014 at the Masonic Lodge in Gettysburg.
On January 15, 1947 at 12:30 p.m., no two parents could have been more proud when their only child, a baby boy named Dana John, was born.
Dana grew up in the public eye, hanging out with his mom at her drugstore, where he became a bit of a social person. He attended Gettysburg Elementary and High School, where he was a member of the 12 year club. He participated in football, basketball and band. He also received the highest ranking as an Eagle Scout. After graduation, Dana attended SDSU at Brookings, NDSU at Ellendale, ND and Northern State University at Aberdeen. In Dana’s last year at college, he realized he just wanted to return home to farm with his dad. Dana farmed with him until his death in 1987.
On December 28, 1966 Dana married Linda Thomas in Las Vegas, NV. They made their home in Gettysburg where Dana was involved in several businesses including: part owner and manager of Dakota Lanes Bowling Alley, Vail Liquor Store, and as a spray pilot for Lehrkamp Spraying Service and Fischer Spraying. Dana also worked for the S.D. Department of Transportation. He was set to retire in one more year in order to enjoy his passion of restoring old cars (mostly 1940 Fords), when he was diagnosed with cancer.
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Masonic Lodge, the Shrine Club, National Pilots Association, and served on the Gettysburg City Council. Dana enjoyed Battler games and activities, which led him to become a driver of the Battler’s activity bus; allowing him to transport students to all of their sporting events and music activities. He was an avid outdoorsman, always looking for a good challenging hunt. He enjoyed his buffalo hunts in South Dakota, Caribou hunts in Alaska and bear hunts in Canada plus any deer, antelope and pheasant hunting he could do around South Dakota. When it was no longer a challenge to him, Dana gave up hunting and just collected guns. He also enjoyed restoring his PA-11, the aircraft many passengers will remember.
Dana will be remembered mostly for his entertaining stories and his compassion to do for others first and always, but also for his love to live life to the fullest. Dana was quick to tell others he was a “jack of all trades and a master of none”, which was not true.
Dana is survived by his wife Linda of Gettysburg; his daughters: Lisa (Brett) Stanley of Sioux Falls, Leah (Daren) Lowinske of Canistota; grandchildren: Shelby Byington, Mason Stanley, and Sophia Stanley; mother and father-in-law: James and Elaine Thomas; special cousins: Michael (Nancy) Kramer of Minot, ND and Russell (Janice) Kramer of Fresno, CA; brothers and sisters-in-law: Daniel (Bev) Thomas of Gettysburg, Robert (Carmen) Thomas of Gettysburg, Sandra (Jay) Hagen of Rapid City, and Rhonda (Dale) Schmautz of Belle Fourche and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Shirley (Moes) Vail.
Memorials are directed to the Gettysburg Masonic Lodge, 906 E Commercial Ave, Gettysburg, SD 57442.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Dana’s arrangements.
On January 15, 1947 at 12:30 p.m., no two parents could have been more proud when their only child, a baby boy named Dana John, was born.
Dana grew up in the public eye, hanging out with his mom at her drugstore, where he became a bit of a social person. He attended Gettysburg Elementary and High School, where he was a member of the 12 year club. He participated in football, basketball and band. He also received the highest ranking as an Eagle Scout. After graduation, Dana attended SDSU at Brookings, NDSU at Ellendale, ND and Northern State University at Aberdeen. In Dana’s last year at college, he realized he just wanted to return home to farm with his dad. Dana farmed with him until his death in 1987.
On December 28, 1966 Dana married Linda Thomas in Las Vegas, NV. They made their home in Gettysburg where Dana was involved in several businesses including: part owner and manager of Dakota Lanes Bowling Alley, Vail Liquor Store, and as a spray pilot for Lehrkamp Spraying Service and Fischer Spraying. Dana also worked for the S.D. Department of Transportation. He was set to retire in one more year in order to enjoy his passion of restoring old cars (mostly 1940 Fords), when he was diagnosed with cancer.
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Masonic Lodge, the Shrine Club, National Pilots Association, and served on the Gettysburg City Council. Dana enjoyed Battler games and activities, which led him to become a driver of the Battler’s activity bus; allowing him to transport students to all of their sporting events and music activities. He was an avid outdoorsman, always looking for a good challenging hunt. He enjoyed his buffalo hunts in South Dakota, Caribou hunts in Alaska and bear hunts in Canada plus any deer, antelope and pheasant hunting he could do around South Dakota. When it was no longer a challenge to him, Dana gave up hunting and just collected guns. He also enjoyed restoring his PA-11, the aircraft many passengers will remember.
Dana will be remembered mostly for his entertaining stories and his compassion to do for others first and always, but also for his love to live life to the fullest. Dana was quick to tell others he was a “jack of all trades and a master of none”, which was not true.
Dana is survived by his wife Linda of Gettysburg; his daughters: Lisa (Brett) Stanley of Sioux Falls, Leah (Daren) Lowinske of Canistota; grandchildren: Shelby Byington, Mason Stanley, and Sophia Stanley; mother and father-in-law: James and Elaine Thomas; special cousins: Michael (Nancy) Kramer of Minot, ND and Russell (Janice) Kramer of Fresno, CA; brothers and sisters-in-law: Daniel (Bev) Thomas of Gettysburg, Robert (Carmen) Thomas of Gettysburg, Sandra (Jay) Hagen of Rapid City, and Rhonda (Dale) Schmautz of Belle Fourche and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Shirley (Moes) Vail.
Memorials are directed to the Gettysburg Masonic Lodge, 906 E Commercial Ave, Gettysburg, SD 57442.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Dana’s arrangements.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
He ran the best race of any man I have known. My sympathies to the family.A great Loss.
Linda and family, we are so sorry to hear that Dana passed away. We are praying for you and your family.
RIP Dana
Dad I am going to miss you terribly but I am happy that you are no longer suffering.
Love always,
Lisa
Dana’s parents, Ed and Shirley Vail, were so proud of Dana in the 1960’s becoming ” an Eagle Scout”…which required working on numerous merit badges as required. Very few made it…but Dana did. God bless Dana’s family and friends.
Linda & Family, please accept my most sincere condolences to you and yours for your loss.
Burt
Linda and Family Our sincere sympathies to each of you. We have fond memories of your loved one; our friend and neighbor. Good times and visits. Could not have ordered better friends across the street. Linda a big hut to you; we plan to be with you at the service.
Pray for the family, Dana will be missed.
So sorry for your loss. Hugs to all sending prayers.
Very sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I’m so sorry to hear of Dana’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all, these are difficult times to go through but always remember you not alone. God is by your side and watching over all of you. If there is anything I can do please let me know.