Gari “Jake” Ray Dather
Gari “Jake” Dather, 79, Brandon, died Tuesday, June 07, 2016, at the Dougherty Hospice Home in Sioux Falls, after a short battle with Leukemia.
Memorial Services will be 7PM, Friday, June 10, 2016, with visitation beginning at 5PM and continuing after the service, at Heritage Lutheran Church, Brandon.
Gari “Jake” Ray Dather was born March 15, 1937, in Melvin, IA to Ivan and Freda (Klever) Dather. He attended school in the area until his early teens when the family moved to Ruthton, MN. Jake graduated from Ruthton and then attended SDSU for a couple of years. He worked construction and became a building construction inspector. During his high school days, Jake met his lifelong sweetie from Tyler; Colleen Larsen. On November 2, 1958, the couple was married at Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler and settled in Brookings. In 1970, the family relocated to Brandon where Jake started his own construction business and eventually went to work for the Post Office as a rural carrier. He carried mail for the Brandon and Valley Springs area for 18 years before he retired.
Jake was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. He belonged to the Big Sioux Bowmen and archery became a whole family sport. He even harvested a couple of deer with his bow. Ducks and geese were also favorite targets he pursued throughout his life with many friends creating fond memories. During his Postal days, Jake would “track” wildlife and patterned many deer, coyotes and turkeys. Even after his retirement, he loved to drive around in the country and find animals to hunt. Family was extremely important to Jake. He loved to take his kids and grandchildren target shooting and fishing. He also enjoyed going to family reunions and get-togethers to visit and catch up.
Jake will be deeply missed by his wife of 58 years, Colleen; four children, Brent (Patsy), Maumelle, AR, Grant (Sima Ben David), Sioux Falls, Rhonda (Lee) Schelling, Brandon, and Darren (Lori Jean), Conway, AR; fourteen grandchildren, Crystal, Michael, Ashley, Tyler, Adam, Alexi, Carlee, Andrew, Caleb, Lyndi, Jacob, Katie, Jesse, and Emily; two Great-grandchildren, Macie and Madden; five siblings, Delores Popma, Sanborn, IA, Douglas (Shirley), Worthington, MN, Marilynne Ocando, MD, Ramona Baker, Duluth, MN, and Sandra (Fred) Eichorn, VA; and many nieces and nephews.
Jake was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Freda (Klever) Dather.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Heritage Lutheran Church of Brandon.
My condolences to Jake’s family. Jake was a great guy!! He was our mailman and I got to know him working at his favorite hang-out, the Brandin’ Iron Cafe. Had some good laughs with him while working there. He will be missed!