Obituary: Rev. Dr. Dale L. Sattgast, former president of the LCMS South Dakota District

The Rev. Dr. Dale Sattgast, left, comforts a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Delmont, S.D., in May 2015 after the church was destroyed by a tornado. At the time this photo was taken, Sattgast was about to retire as LCMS South Dakota District president after serving three terms. The Rev. Dr. Scott Sailer, pictured in the background, was a month away from being installed as Sattgast’s successor after being elected new district president in April of that year. Sattgast died on Aug. 1, 2025. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

The Rev. Dr. Dale L. Sattgast, former president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) South Dakota District, died on Aug. 1. He was 76.

Sattgast was born to Herman and Dorothy (Fisher) Sattgast in Payette, Idaho, on July 12, 1949. He was baptized on Aug. 28, 1949. He grew up working on the family dairy farm near New Plymouth, Idaho.

Sattgast joined the United States Navy immediately after high school graduation and, after specialized training, became the youngest air traffic controller serving at that time. He served for four years active duty on Guam and Whidbey Island, Wash., plus one year of reserve duty.

Following his military service, Sattgast earned an Associate of Arts (1973) at Concordia College in Portland, Ore.; a Bachelor of Arts (1975) at Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Ind.; and a Master of Divinity (1980) at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL). While he was a student at Concordia College, he met and married Deborah Heins.

Sattgast served his vicarage in Flint, Mich. His first pastoral call was to the dual parish of Zion Lutheran Church, Canistota, S.D., and St. John’s Lutheran Church, Montrose, S.D. He then accepted a call to a mission congregation in Albuquerque, N.M., serving there 1984–1987.

Sattgast then returned to South Dakota, serving as senior pastor of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Huron for 19 years. In 2006, he was elected to serve as president of the LCMS South Dakota District, a position he filled for nine years. During that time, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Concordia University, St. Paul, St. Paul, Minn.

The Rev. Dr. Scott Sailer, who was elected as South Dakota District president in 2015 following Sattgast’s retirement, had served as a first and second vice-president during Sattgast’s tenure as president. Sailer appreciated the mentorship Sattgast provided while they served together as district officers and during the transition following Sailer’s election as president.

“I just admired him and his churchmanship,” Sailer said. “He was always ready with an answer from God’s Word to the thorny issues that sometimes develop in the district. He was so good at not only helping a congregation toward a resolution, but [in] the way that he gave confidence to God’s people on the basis of God’s Word … that’s what I remember.

“His calm leading of God’s people, giving them hope by the Gospel, was something to watch and to learn from.”

Sattgast also served the the national Synod in a variety of ways, including as a reconciler and facilitator for the LCMS Reconciliation Program; both a delegate and an advisory delegate to the LCMS convention; and a member of various convention floor committees.

In addition, Sattgast was active in his community as a den master for the Cub Scouts; a member of the board of directors of the Huron, S.D., Adult Day Care Center; and a member of Rotary International. Upon his retirement as district president, he continued actively assisting congregations. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, camping and gardening.

Sattgast is survived by his wife, Deborah; children, Rachel (Robert) Lail of Spokane, Wash.; Mark (Amanda) Sattgast of West Lafayette, Ind.; and Joel (Laura) Sattgast of Spokane, Wash.; eight grandchildren; four siblings; and many other extended family members.

A funeral was held on Aug. 9 at Mount Calvary, Huron. The Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher, who is now serving as LCMS South Dakota District president (Sailer retired after serving three terms), preached during the funeral.

“As we gather here today it would be very easy for us to spend our time talking about Dale, talking about all the things he has done,” Sturzenbecher said. “That’s not why we’re here, and if Dale knew we were doing that, he would be upset with us because he wants us to hear Christ crucified for you.

“He wanted us to have hope. He wanted us to have sure and living hope in Jesus Christ risen from the dead because that’s how Dale lived every day of his life, with that hope.”

A recording of the service is available at mtcalvaryhuron.org/livestream.

Memorials may be made to CSL or any Concordia university.

Posted Oct. 9, 2025