Dale E. Sample
Dale E. Sample, age 79 of Sioux Falls, SD passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls. His family will be present for Visitation on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 from 5:00-7:00 PM at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls. His Memorial Service will be 10:00 AM Thursday, August 6, 2026 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls. Interment to follow at Hills of Rest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, consider memorials to Feeding South Dakota.
Dale Eugene Sample, son of Glenn and Mae (Nelson) Sample, was born January 8th, 1947, in Yankton, SD. For most of his young life he lived in Wakonda, SD. He enjoyed the times he spent “helping” out at the soda fountain in Samples’ Pharmacy. Dale spoke fondly of the family trips that they would take on weekends when Glenn and Mae would close the pharmacy and drive all night so they had more time to enjoy together. Dale loved to talk about his football days for Wakonda. You could hear the passion in his voice and see the twinkle in his eyes recounting them. He graduated from Wakonda High School in 1965.
Dale traveled to California where he learned how to repair jewelry, during this time he lived across the freeway from Disney. He stayed in California for a short time until 1972 when he moved back to Sioux Falls and started his career in jewelry repair and design, opening his own business, The Golden Anvil.
Dale was united in marriage to the love of his life, Jan Vanderhoff, on July 5th, 1972 at Benton Lutheran Church.
After helping to care for his mother in 1990, he decided to change career paths to become a registered nurse and graduated from USD in 1994. He spent the next 20 years helping others at Neurology Associates. He retired in 2013 and was able to explore his other passions of stained glass, gardening, canning, and jelly making. Some of his favorite things were traveling to see his grandchildren in NY, vacationing at Disney, and collecting smashed pennies. In 2022 Dale and Jan celebrated their 50th anniversary with a party at Pizza Ranch, followed by an Alaskan cruise in 2024.
He was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and also frequented St. Andrew Lutheran Church when visiting NY. He had been battling cancer since 2024.
Dale lived a life marked by dedication, strength, and care for those around him. He touched the lives of many through his kindness, friendship, and the memories he created with family and loved ones over the years.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Jan Sample of Sioux Falls, SD; daughters, Tami Johnson of Sioux Falls, SD, Sarah Sample of Sioux Falls, SD, and Anna (Molly) Sample of Gansevoort, NY; five grandsons, Alex (Annika) Ludwig, Aaron Ludwig, Devon Ludwig, Augie Sample, and Eli Sample; sister-in-law, Barb Sample of Madison, SD; and a host of other relatives and many friends.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Mae (Nelson) Sample; and his brother, Richard “Rich” Sample; and his parent-in-laws, Duane and Gertie Vanderhoff.