Dale "Coach" Hardy

Dale 'Coach' Hardy

WINNER | Dale Walter "Coach" Hardy, 88, passed away Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, at the South Dakota Veteran's Home in Hot Springs.

Dale was born Dec. 6, 1924, to Walter and Hazel Hardy, the oldest of four children. Dale married Georgene Tarrant Feb. 22, 1945. To this union three children were born.

After graduating from Sturgis High School in 1943, Dale attended the University of Colorado through the Naval V-12 program. Following a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, he earned a BS degree from BHTC in 1948. His teaching and coaching career began at Winner HS. At this time, he also played semi-pro baseball with the Winner Pheasants and the Goodland (KS) Tigers. In 1950, he again served his country with the Army 196th RCT in Anchorage, AK, as 2nd Lt. Chief Athletic Officer. After earning his MS degree from the University of Colorado in 1954, Dale continued his career at Trinidad Jr. College, at Denver University and finally at BHSU. He earned a directorate degree from the University of Indiana in 1968.

Dale excelled as an athlete in his younger days. Later in life, he was honored as a Hall of Fame inductee with BHSU, SDIC, SD state Amateur Baseball, and Sturgis HS Athletics.

Dale enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, training race horses, and playing cards. He was active in his church, his community, and with the Green and Gold Club at BHSU.

He is survived by daughters, Sharon Schramm (Jeff) of Winner, and Gwen Varland (Dennis) of St. Paul, MN; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Carroll Hardy (Jan) of Longmont, CO; and sister, Janice Hardy of Rapid City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Georgene; son, Brian; and brother, LaVerne.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner. Visitation will be one hour before services.

Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Mason Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.