DALE 'PETE' TALSMA
Funeral services for Dale “Pete” Talsma, 78, of Springfield were held Friday, September 23 at Pete’s barn on thefarmatSpringfield.Burial followed in the Pioneer Cemetery,ruralSpringfield, with military honors. Peters FuneralHomeinSpringfield was in charge of arrangements.
Dale “Pete” Pete Talsma wasbornathomeonNovember 7, 1943 to Ray and Donia (Unruh) Talsma at the home place west of Springfield. He died at the age of 78 on September 20, 2022 in his home surrounded by his family.
Pete attended Hornstra Grade School #44 through the eighth grade and Springfield HighSchool,graduating in 1961.
After graduation he volunteered for the Army, training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and then stationed in White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. He worked in the motor pool as a mechanic until his honorable discharge. It was here that he met the love of his life, Tommie and kids: Christine and Ray. Pete and Tommie were married on June 15, 1966.
After moving back to South Dakota, Pete farmed and ranched with his dad and brothers until he moved to Belle Fourche to work on Kinghorn Ranch in 1972. He moved back in 1974 and eventually settled on the corner twelvemilessouthofAvon, which became known as Pete Talsma’s corner.
Pete spent the next four decades farming, raising corn, wheat, oats, popcorn and various other crops and later on organic farming. Cutting and baling hay became a busy commercial business for him. As a talented mechanic, he maintained his old Minneapolis Moline tractors, combines and swathers, and he used them over and over. In the winters,owninghisowntruck, hewouldhaulcattleandhayto New Mexico and other places. He even lived in New Mexico for a few winters.
Pete was known for driving his red CJ5 Jeep all over the country and fields in all kinds of weather. Many miles were driven in that jeep since he only owned two since high school. His other loves were hitching Belgians, longhorn cattle or mules and using them to farm with. He loved giving rides and participating in parades with his teams. He also loved playing mandolininacountrymusic band called the Sandy River Boysinthe60’s.Afterhebuilt hisbarnin1984,hehostednumerous barndancesthrough the years and sometimes would play his mandolin.
Peteissurvivedbyhiswife Tommie of 56 years; son Ray (Kim) Talsma of Pratt, KS; daughter Christine (Erick) Legarda of Las Cruces, NM; grandchildren: Kenny (Theresa) Talsma and Candi Zahradka; great-grandchildren: Angel, Peter, Tessa and Annie Talsma, Britton, Braylee and Briella Knowles; siblings: Joyce Lukkes, Mollie Nichols, Rose Adema, John (Gladys)Talsma,Bob(Mary) Talsma and Lyla (Dennis) Brandt;sister-in-lawGeorgia Talsma;cousin-in-lawNettie Talsma; many nieces and nephews who he loved.
Petewasprecededindeath byhisparents;brothers:Merle (Shirley) Talsma and Larry Talsma; brother-in-law, WayneNichols;cousins,Jack TalsmaandTracyJonas;and niece Tanya Talsma.