Al Weisbecker, a former Dell Rapids resident, age 86, of Madison, died May 22, 2017, at his residence.  On-line condolences may be left at the Ellsworth Funeral Home.

Albert Frank Weisbecker was born March 29, 1931, at Aberdeen, to Albert and Hazel (Gillis) Weisbecker. He graduated from Aberdeen Central High where he was all-state in football before attending Northern State University. During college he joined the SD Army National Guard and served during the Korean War in Alaska. He returned to Northern State where he graduated and was all-conference in football. Al later received his master’s degree from South Dakota State University. Following college, he taught and coached all sports at Bristol High School before taking the same positions at Ruthton, MN and Watertown.

Al married MaryJane Houske on December 20, 1959 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison then returned to Watertown and taught and coached for two years before moving to Flandreau where he was the football coach. The couple then moved to Madison where he coached, taught and was the athletic director. He led the Madison football team to its only ESD conference championship. Al then began teaching and was the defensive coordinator at DSU and led the team to victory at the Boot Hill Bowl. For 17 years he was defensive coach at Dakota State, where his defensive unit topped the nation in defense in 1977 allowing only 4.3 points per game.

In 1985, the family moved to Spearfish where Al was the head football coach at Black Hill State University and was voted Coach of the Year. While at BHS he began participating in the SD Senior Games when he turned 55. Al and his family then moved to Dell Rapids and he became the Executive Director of the SD Senior Games. The family returned to Madison and he retired a few years ago. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Dell Rapids American Legion, and was a member of NSU, DSU, and SD Senior Games Hall of Fame.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Casper Frank Weisbecker; two sisters, Beverly Ochs and Janice Skorheim; one grandson, Kalvin Berry “KB” Hernandez; and one brother-in-law, Harold Houske.

Survivors include his wife MaryJane; two children, Lynn Hernandez of Madison, William Weisbecker of Egan; two grandchildren, Benjamin (Allison) Hernandez, Julian (Amanda) Hernandez; five great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Julian, Ruby, Jadeyn, James; one sister-in-law Margaret Weisbecker of Mankato, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be directed to the DSU Foundation or an organization of choice. The family has chosen body donation to the USD School of Medicine.