Householder is 2019 Citizen of the Year

Picking one person for the Citizen of the Year honor is a challenging task.

In an area that produces so many people that dive right into working to improve the community, many names come to mind that are deserving.

But one man above them all stood out due to his work to better the community — Dale Householder.

“He is very active,” said his wife, Susan Householder. “And driven. He seeks good when he sees an injustice, and he tries to straighten it out. He definitely cares about others.”

Householder was born June 3, 1949, to Richard and Margaret Householder and was raised in Alliance, Neb. He graduated from Chadron State College in 1971. He taught school for three years, worked on the railroad, purchased a Daylight Donut business in Scottsbluff, Neb., in 1976 and made a career purchasing distressed businesses and building them up. These businesses include Janz Crafts, Norge Village Laundry, Roto Rooter, Blaze King, Montgomery Ward Catalog Store and Arrow Association Store.

In 1987, Householder began his career as a rehabilitation specialist with Intracorp in Des Moines, Iowa, where he assisted worker’s compensation injured workers to return to work or train for a new career. He was later sought out and changed companies to Ohara Managed Care from Sioux Falls.

He married his wife Aug. 24, 1969, and the two recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. The two moved to Hill City in 2013 and immediately got involved.

Householder and his family visited the Black Hills frequently when he was a child, Susan Householder said. His dream was to live in the Hills in the summer and a warmer climate for the winter.

“He became so active here that he just didn’t find a second residence,” Susan Householder said. “He loves to travel and does so frequently. These trips are scheduled around meetings.”

His commitment to service, though, started at a young age. Householder is an Eagle Scout and was a member of Alpha Phi Omega — a fraternity that’s main focus is community service.

Shortly after moving to Hill City, his service to the community began at Hill City Senior Center.

“(Householder’s) book is always full,” said George Edwards, a member of the Hill City Senior Center board of directors. “He is busy-busy.”

Kay Raderschadt, another member of the Hill City Senior Center board, said Householder is the backbone of Hill City Senior Center. His love is the senior center, Edwards added.

As president of the senior center, Householder will often pick up the food for the monthly breakfasts and helps spearhead the center’s breakfasts it holds during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

“(Householder) is here every day,” said Mary Walton, Hill City Senior Center director. “It’s rare that he’s not here.”

Householder is involved in everything, Edwards said. And he steps in whenever he is needed, Raderschadt said.

Edwards explained that the expected addition to the senior center was Householder’s idea, and he has championed the work to make sure it gets done. Householder lives for the senior center, Walton said.

Radeschadt reflected on how he first got involved at the senior center.

“It was right when he and (Susan Householder) first moved her,” Raderschadt said. “We needed volunteers for something, and Dale raised his hand right away. No one really knew who he was at the time, but he has made his mark on the senior center ever since. He cares a lot about this town, too. He helps take care of the Hill City Food Pantry, as well.”

Even with all of his work, Walton said that Householder has a good sense of humor. Anyone who knows Householder knows he is quick with a joke or two.

Householder is the type of guy who is always willing to help others, Walton said.

“If we have a function, he’s always willing to lend a hand,” Edwards said. “He’s a go-getter.”

Even after serving at the senior center — where he is currently president — Householder wanted to give more and became a member of the Hill City Planning and Zoning Commission.

Householder has brought the planning and zoning commission to a new level, said Kathy Skorzewski, Hill City mayor.

“(Householder) understands and embraces the community,” Skorzewski said. “He’s supportive of the community at all levels.”

Householder, though, isn’t limited to service to those boards. He also serves as a member of the Pennington County Council on Aging and was recently asked to join the Heart of the Hills Economic Development Council.

He’s also a die-hard Nebrasksa Cornhusker fan.

Householder can’t sit still for a second, Susan Householder said with a laugh. But he always wants to help when and where he can.

“I think he’ll be shocked when he learns he’s the citizen of the year,” Susan Householder said. “I know I was...but he has the good of the community in his heart. That is the truth.”