Dale Brownell, 55, of Spearfish, died Sunday, July 10, 2011 at home, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Dale was born on March 9, 1956. As a lifelong resident of Spearfish, Dale was an institution. He felt most comfortable within the boundaries of Spearfish – he loved all aspects of this town, from the people to the places here. He graduated from Spearfish High School (1974) and Black Hills State College (1979).

Dale was best known as the owner of Lucky Strike Lanes. His journey began in 1976, when he started working part time at the downtown lanes for John Fuller. Two years later, Fuller sold the lanes to Jerry Krambeck, and Dale stayed on to help with the machinery. After five years, the Krambeck's offered the business to him. In the time since then, Dale expanded the six-lane downtown center to the current 10-lane center located behind Safeway – to include automatic scoring, bumpers and an 18-hole Mini-Golf course. The love of the sport of bowling was paramount to Dale; he served as a mentor for many. Dale had a knack for remembering patron's names and their bowling shoe sizes – always making people feel special. Dale was a good friend to everyone.

For 28 years, Dale served in many officer positions for the State Youth Bowling Program, taking his young bowlers to numerous state tournaments each year. He was one of the first certified coaches in the West River, has served on numerous state youth boards, as well as various youth directors for state USBC boards, and was the president of the State Proprietors Association, and was selected at Bowling Proprietor of the Year in 1999. In 2009, Dale was inducted into the South Dakota USBC Bowling Hall of Fame. Dale was one of the early members of the Spearfish Jaycees, hosting the Haunted House in the basement of the lanes.

Dale was an avid gardener and landscaper, never afraid to get his hands dirty. He put his education to work in designing sprinkler systems for his second business, Spearfish Turf Systems. Dale would go out of his way to help out his clients, spending many long, arduous hours installing systems to help make lawns and plantings beautiful.

It is still hard to believe that somebody who had as much energy as Dale did can now be gone. In so many ways, Dale will be immortal. When you think of Dale, always think of infinite existence. He was so creative, so brilliant and so alive - but quietly so. He did not need fame or fortune or recognition to know that what he was embarked upon was a good thing. He just knew.

Dale felt that family and friends were the keys to a good life. Although we will all miss him dearly, his legacy lives on through us. Dale leaves behind his mother, Frieda Tracy, Spearfish; his brothers, Delmar "Woody" (Ann) Brownell, Spearfish; Dave Brownell, Boulder Canyon, and Daryl (Deb) Brownell, Belle Fourche; his sisters, Delores Eastwood, San Antonio, TX; D'Anna (Kevin Eastwood) Medellin, Laconia, NH; and Dory (Ken) Batka, Spearfish; nephews, Levi (Michelle) Brownell, Travis (Cali) Kenway, Nathan Eastwood, Jeremy Brownell, Drew (Sabelle) Brownell, Jereme Fish, Jason (Rachel) Walker, Colton (Tabitha) Brownell, Tanner Batka, and Dillon Batka; his nieces, Loni (Josh) Geffre, Raven Bowen, Nina Medellin, and Alex Medellin; and many close dear friends.

Dale was preceded in death by his father, Durwood "Brownie" Brownell; maternal grandparents, Willie and June Shuck; paternal grandparents, Fred and Waunita Brownell; step-father, Hugh Tracy; uncles, Albert "Sonny" Shuck and Jimmy Key; aunt, Adirenne Kinstead.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2011 at 10:30 am at the United Church of Christ, 920 Main Street, Spearfish, followed by a luncheon. A private family inurnment will be held following the luncheon, at Rose Hill Cemetery – Rose Garden.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Dale Brownell Memorial Scholarship Fund.