Dave Lensegrav

The funeral service for Dave Lensegrav, 75, of Meadow was held Monday, July 5, 2021 at the Beeler Community Center in Lemmon with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating. Burial was in Gallaway Cemetery at Meadow.

Dave passed away on Tuesday evening, June 29, 2021 at his ranch south of Meadow.

Dave made his entrance on February 28, 1946 at Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin, ND to his parents, Olav and Edna (Wolff) Lensegrav.

His attended grade school at Grand Central Country School, where his mode of transportation to and from school was by horse, tractor or whatever was handy. He was active in the Rough and Ready 4-H Club, where he represented the club’s name well by riding bulls, breaking horses, and taking chances.

Dave hadn’t firmed up his college plans. So, good friend Eddie Texley drove into his parents’ yard in the fall of 1964. Eddie told Dave to pack his suitcase. Dave called time out. They first had to go out into the pasture and rope a cow and load it onto Eddie’s pickup and take it to the sale barn. The sales proceeds paid Dave’s first semester tuition.

He married the love of his life, Rhonda.

Dave graduated with a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University, where he managed the Jack Rabbit Stampede in 1967. He returned to his family ranch roots at Meadow. He worked hard at building his cattle business. He was offered a teaching position at Thorpe Country School and later Progress School, if he would take some courses at Black Hills State. Dave went for it, as he was flat broke and brought in $385 a month teaching.

In 1972 Dave crossed his first cows with Gelbvieh and 50 years later the Gelbvieh cows still walk his ranch. Dave treasured his bull sale customers and always went the extra mile to make sure everyone was happy. In 1988 Dave became a proud member of the Buckaroos.

In 2018 Dave and Rhonda were honored as the Lemmon Boss Cowman honorees.

Dave was a true fan of rodeo with over 60 years competing and watching his kids and grandkids compete. He served as chute boss at many area rodeos over the years.

Surviving family members include his wife, Rhonda of Meadow; children, Ken (Kim) Lensegrav of Interior, Kristi (Jace) Birkeland of Dupree, Jesse Lensegrav (special friend, Dorena Weichmann) of Meadow, and Taylor Lensegrav (fiancé Kayla Cook) of Golden, CO; six grandchildren, Katie (Bryce) Dibbern, Kelsey Lensegrav, Sidni, Fletcher, Cruz, and Tee; one sister, Kathy Otterberg of Leesburg, FL; sister-in-law, Virginia Lensegrav of Meadow; brothers-in-law, Curt (Judy) Elson of Belle Fourche and Nick (Karen) Pitharoulis of Rapid City.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents; his infant brother, Larry Lensegrav; brother Gary Lensegrav; mother and father-in-law, Ken and Esther Elson; and a brother-in-law, Warren Otterberg.