Harlan Hales

Harlan Hody Hales, longtime farmer and resident of Flandreau, SD, passed away April 2, 2026, at Ava's House in Sioux Falls. He had struggled with congestive heart failure in his later life and recently was diagnosed with liver and kidney abnormalities.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 31, 2026. Time and location details pending.

Harlan’s grandparents, George A. Hales & Grace (Gracie) Hales (McTaggert), came to Flandreau in 1894. George was born in Wisconsin, and Grace was born in Oklahoma. George moved to Wilsonville, Nebraska, with his family as a young man and was a bookkeeper for a bank. George married Miss Gracie McTaggert, and they moved to Flandreau. George continued as a bookkeeper in Flandreau for some years and owned a furniture store. George and Gracie also owned and operated the St. Vincent Hotel in Flandreau.

George and Grace had 2 children: Homer G. Hales and Harold D. (Pete) Hales. After Gracie’s passing, Pete and his wife Mildred took over the St. Vincent Hotel until their retirement. Homer G. Hales married Ardyce M. Kohler, the daughter of Alfred E. Kohler and Anna Matilda (Till) Kohler (Miller) of Flandreau. She was the youngest of 8 siblings.

Harlan Hody Hales was born to parents, Homer G. Hales and Ardyce Hales (Kohler), on March 10, 1934. He also had a younger sister, Nancy Hales (Peatross). Harlan resided in Flandreau, SD, and attended the Flandreau School system. As a young adult in the early 1950’s, he joined the Army and served stateside, creating and deciphering code during the Korean War. After his service, Harlan spent much of his life dedicated to the hard physical labor necessary for maintaining the farm, raising cattle, hogs, chickens, corn, and soybeans.

In 1959, Harlan met his sweetheart, Dolly Karla Eva Bohm, while lifeguarding at the city pool. The two were married in Dell Rapids on October 21, 1961. Both Dolly and Harlan made their land thrive no matter the hardships. Harlan even helped with Dolly and her sister, Lisa’s, kennel business. Lido Kennels raised Pomeranian, Rough Collie, Persian, & Himalayan breeds. The couple parented 1 son, Homer, and Harlan adopted Dolly’s son, Paul Herman, from her previous marriage.

The winter of 68/69 was rugged, and farming took a bad turn. In 1970, a decision was made to move the whole family to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. In Arizona, Harlan became the maintenance supervisor for McCulloch Properties. In 1980, the family returned to Flandreau to assist Harlan’s aging mother, Ardyce. During this time, he worked as a commercial refrigeration & equipment tech for A-1 Appliance in Sioux Falls. A few years later, he resumed farming until he retired.

When there was free time away from the farm, Harlan spent time with his best friend fishing in the lakes within 100 miles of Flandreau. He was very proud of his fishing boat. He also loved riding his Harley (& later years Can-Am Spyder), exploring the Black Hills at many Sturgis Rallies in his lifetime.

Harlan was preceded in death by his wife, Dolly (Bohm) Hales; his parents, Homer G. & Ardyce (Kohler) Hales; his sister, Nancy (Hales) Peatross; a nephew, Doug Peatross; his 2 sisters-in-law: Lisa Marga (Boehm) Cummings and Herma Alma (Boehm) Bachmann; and 3 brothers-in-law: Ken Peatross, Friedrich Bachmann, and Louis Cummings.

Harlan is survived by sons Homer and Paul; Paul’s wife, Shelly (Hill) Hales; grandson Branden Hales, his wife Loren (Embry), and 2 great-grandchildren: Mackenzie and Hudson; a nephew, John Peatrosss, his wife Nicole (Koenig), and their children Jayda & Selena.