Lon Allen Hall, 69, of the Lake Albert/Poinsett area died Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown.
Funeral services are at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Arlington United Methodist Church in Arlington with the Rev. Teresa Whetsel officiating. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. Monday at the Johnson-Henry Funeral Home in Arlington and preceding services in the church on Tuesday.
Lon was born in Estelline on April 8, 1948, to Wilbur and Marjorie (Sween) Hall. He attended District 40 in Windsor Township through the eighth grade, and graduated from Arlington High School in 1966.
He attended Dakota State University in Madison and then transferred to South Dakota State University where he graduated with a degree in wildlife and fisheries/biology.
He served in the National Guard from 1969 to 1975.
Lon married Susan Jensen on June 23, 1972. In 1975, they welcomed daughter, Heather, and in 1978 their son, Jesse, was born. Lon worked as a carpenter, mobile home salesman and gas station attendant before he began working as a research technician for the oat breeding project at SDSU in 1975.
During this time he went on to obtain his master's degree in plant science. In 2001, he became head of the oat breeding program. He and his research assistant, Rachel Bauer, worked very hard and took great pride in releasing several varieties of oats. He continued his research after his retirement, recently starting Halls Seed with his son, Jesse.
In his younger years, Lon enjoyed many outdoor activities including ice fishing, hunting and playing softball with local ball teams. Farming with his son, brother and nephews was one of his greatest rewards. You could often find him on the road in his Ranger doing a no-till crop tour. He always had a passion for exercise and lifting weights. Many Sunday afternoons were spent at Oakwood Lake picnicking and playing bean bags.
Lon loved spending time with his family, especially his granddaughters (Grandpa's Girls). Lon had a never give up positive attitude and he always strived to make everything better. He is missed.
He is survived by his wife, Sue; daughter, Heather (Levi) Pearson of Watertown; son, Jesse (Laura) Hall of Arlington; three granddaughters; mother Marjorie; brother Jon (Brenda) Hall; nieces and nephews: Nick (Denise), Brooke (Andy) Berdan and Cody and his special friend Amanda Jensen, along with numerous extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur and in-laws, Gordon and Ruth Jensen.
