John Pollard
Dates
June 2, 1935 - October 11, 2021Obituary
John A. Pollard, 86, of Mt. Vernon, SD, died Monday, October 11, 2021, at Aurora-Brule Nursing Home in White Lake, SD. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Wednesday, October 13, at Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell with a 6:30 PM Scripture Service. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30 AM Thursday, October 14, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Plankinton, SD. Burial will be at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Mt. Vernon. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.
John August Pollard was born on June 2, 1935. He was raised by Joe and Laura (Hedden) Pollard. They loved and cherished him as their own and officially adopted him later in life.
John graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1954. He then attended St. John’s University, an all-boys college, where he met his bride Helen of 62 years who attended the College of St. Benedict, the all-girls college, that was just down the road. John was united in marriage to Helen Rossman on August 29, 1959 in St. Cloud Minnesota.
John started his career in farming on the family farm northwest of Mt. Vernon where he lived the majority of his life. He also owned a welding shop in Mt. Vernon for a few years. He then went to work at Dakota Manufacturing in 1964 in Mitchell, SD as a foreman and later became the Director of Purchasing. In 1984 he went to work for Trail King Industries in Mitchell as the Director of Purchasing until he retired in 1998.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed relaxing weekends walleye fishing at Pike Haven resort near Pierre. He also enjoyed deer hunting and pheasant hunting with his dogs at Keiffer Pheasant Hunting in White Lake, SD. He loved taking camping trips to the river with his family in the school bus he renovated into a camper. John spent many hours building and engineering his own machinery in his shop.
After his retirement John kept busy with his cattle herd on the farm and his love for hunting and fishing.
John is survived by his wife, Helen; sons, John (Sharon) of Fargo, ND, Daniel (Tabitha) of Mt. Vernon; and Bruce (Kathy) of Garretson; daughters, Katheryn (Cal) Runia of Sioux Falls, Carol (Cal) Hoogestraat of Hawarden, IA, Lori (Joe) Leader of Crofton, NE, and Barbara (Travis) Boyer of Brookings; and 20 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, James; parents, Joe and Laura; two great-grandchildren; and three brothers.
Much Love, Janette (Tollefson) and Dan Block
I had the opportunity to see John in White Lake and It was so good to see him.
I will forever miss him till the day God will reunite us.
Helen Carlene and I will never forget the fishing trip at Pike Haven!
John was a great friend to Chance Davis as well. I am so thankful that we were able to be there hunting together.
I know Dan, Bruce and the boys have a good hunting spot.
Can’t write much more I’m filled up with tears.
May God be with each of you.
Your forever friends,
Terry and Carlene Roper
I saw your Dad's obituary in the paper and watched the on-line video. I recognized your picture and knew it was my respiratory therapy classmate. My deepest sympathy. He looked like he was a wonderful man.