Willemssen, Dallas Ray 1968-2026

WILLEMSSEN, DICKMANN, SCOTT

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/15/2026 at 14:38:39

Mr. Dallas Willemssen, age 57, of Rock Valley, passed away on Monday, June 1, 2026, at his home.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 5, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm, with the family present from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Hull. There will be a funeral service on Saturday, June 6, at 10:00am, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church near Hull, with the Rev. Owen Hoegh officiating. Interment will follow the service at the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery near Hull.

A recording will be available following the service.

Dallas Ray Willemssen was born on December 4, 1968, in Sioux City, the son of Orville Ray and Wanda Kay (Dickmann) Willemssen. He was a lifelong member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church near Hull, where he was baptized on January 19, 1969, and later confirmed on July 24, 1983. Dallas served on the church council, ushered, and was a regular attendee of the after-church chatter for coffee and goodies.

On January 1, 2011, Dallas married Melanie Geralyn Scott. Their planned day ended up being a unique and special story unlike most others. Plans for a wedding at St. Paul Lutheran shifted last minute due to an emergency heart surgery needed for Melanie’s father, Jack. Rather than postponing the ceremony so Jack could attend and walk Melanie down a long aisle, the Avera Heart Hospital staff and administrators immediately hopped into wedding planning mode so Dallas, Melanie and all their families could attend and celebrate their chosen day. Jack met Melanie in a wheelchair and was able to take a short walk with her to join Dallas at the altar. What a sweet memory for all who were there.

Dallas and Melanie lived on Dallas’ acreage outside of George for a short time before they decided to move to their current home in Rock Valley. Together, Dallas and Melanie proudly raised and guided Brianna and Derek Keyes as teens and young adults. He found tremendous joy in the gifts of grandchildren Brooklyn, Ryder, Mazikeen, and Ivy. Family was of utmost importance to Dallas, and this included his loyal, caring fur baby, Marley.

He held several positions throughout the years in surrounding communities. He worked for Demco Printing, Van’s Implement, Double HH Manufacturing, Groschopp Inc., the United States Post Office, and Sunshine Foods. Every employment opportunity was paired with Dallas’ favorite activity—shooting the breeze with anyone interested in a few minutes of conversation and joking around with those who appreciated a corny sense of humor. Lifelong family and friends will remember Dallas’ soft, kind demeanor along with a giggle that still carried a hint of childlike joy.

Dallas enjoyed different hobbies throughout the years such as trap shooting, boating, skiing, little house projects, and hanging out with friends. Melanie noted that every time Dallas mowed the lawn, he would leave one last unfinished strip for the next day. Perhaps this was just the beginning of his plan for purpose for tomorrow.

Those who knew Dallas knew that he was firm and convicted in all his thoughts and beliefs. Of great comfort to his loved ones, Dallas’ faith in Jesus was unwavering. He walked in daily relationship with Jesus and is walking with him in heaven.

Those left to cherish Dallas’ memory include his wife of fifteen years, Melanie, of Rock Valley; two step children and families, Brianna Keyes, and her children, Brooklyn and Ryder Hewitt, of Sioux Center; Derek and Jade Keyes, and their children, Mazikeen and Ivy of Waco, Texas; his mother, Wanda Willemssen, of Hull; a sister and her husband, Darcy and Nick Litzen, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and their children, Taylor, and her husband, Matt Kumor of Apex, North Carolina; Chloe Litzen, of Chicago, Illinois; Claire Litzen and Stella Litzen, both of Sioux Falls; a brother and his wife, Dalton and Heather Willemssen, of Hull, and their children, Kaden Willemssen, of Hull; Hannah Willemssen, and her fiancée, Noah Adams, of Sioux Falls; and Breckin Willemssen, of Hull, and his fiancée, Megan VanderPol, of Rock Valley; Melanie’s parents, Jack and Pat Scott, of Watertown, South Dakota; and two sisters and their husbands, Allison and Heath Fischer, of Valley Springs, South Dakota, and their children, Ashley Marko and Caden Marko, both of Sioux Falls; and Carson Marko, of Clear Lake, South Dakota; and Sara and Glenn Struckman, of Hazel, South Dakota, and their children, Abby Struckman, Rachel Struckman, and Leah Struckman of Hazel.

He was preceded in death by his father, Orville Willemssen; his grandparents, Irvin and Minnie Willemssen, and Alfred and Elsie Dickmann; and several other aunts and uncles.

Memorials will be given to the family for future designation.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.