Argus-Leader from Sioux Falls, South Dakota • Page 6

6A Mickelson plane crash Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, S.D. Tuesday, April 20, 1993 PstoftsiifDS 'I'm crushed. South Dakota is taking a real crushing blow -Phyllis Rink Huron resident am's house when we heard something on the TV where a governor and five or six people had gone down," Rink said. "I thought 'It couldn't be." "But when more news followed, I was absolutely sick. I'm crushed.

South Dakota is taking a real crushing blow tonight." Piersol echoed that thought saying the loss of Mickelson, as well as state economic development personnel and Sioux Falls business leaders who were on the flight, leaves an incredible void for the state to fill. "I don't know what the problem on that plane was, but those things are not supposed to happen to people like this," Piersol said. "But you know, life will go on in regard to the state and to business here. The ultimate tragedy is to their families, and after that to their friends. Those are the people we have to remember tonight." I did and I was able to find an apartment I'll tell you, I couldn't do that in New York.

I feel a great loss." Eric Dooyema, a Lincoln High School senior, was in The Empire mall Monday, shaken by the events of the day. "It just seemed like a terrible day from the start with the David Koresh thing and now this," Dooyema, 18, said. "It is things like this that really slow people down." Many people in Sioux Falls were only hearing bits of information Monday night and dismissing it as little more than rumor. "We've heard it, but most of the people in here don't know if it is true," said Jim Skrovig, assistant manager of Scheels in the mall. Sioux Falls lawyer Larry Piersol said he had just finished dinner at Minerva's and was heading to his office to prepare for an upcoming hearing when he heard the news.

our faces we looked awful." She remembers the last time she heard such stunning news. She was in The Empire on that occasion, as well. It was the day the Challenger space shuttle exploded. "Just like then, I'm sure we'll always remember where we were when we heard this news," Kaatz said. "I can still remember with Challenger all the people gathered around the television screen in Dayton's." Phyllis Rink, former chairperson for the Beadle County Republicans, was returning to the home of Sioux Falls friend Miriam Underwood when she learned of the plane crash.

Rink and her husband, Dick, have often hosted the state's Republican leadership in their Huron home during State Fair fund-raising events. "We had just walked into Miri By DAVID KRANZ and STEVE YOUNG Argus Leader Staff South Dakotans shed tears for Gov. George Mickelson Monday night Most had never met the governor before, but were saddened by his death and the deaths of seven others in a plane crash about 4 p.m. Monday southwest of Dubuque, Iowa. Those who did know Mickelson and the others were numbed by the moment and remembered better times.

When Claudette Washpun moved to Sioux Falls with her four children in 1988, she couldn't find an apartment. In the midst of her frustration, she went to the highest source. "I picked up the phone and called the governor," she said. "I told him about me and my children and he told me, 'Call me back in IS "I'm just sick," Piersol said. "I've just been kind of ambling around since I heard.

The governor and his wife had been friends of mine since we were all undergraduates." Piersol said his work on plane crash lawsuits made him well aware of what it was like to be in an aircraft that was crippled by engine failure. News reports indicate the twin-engine turboprop Mickelson and the others were on had lost an engine and was headed for an emergency landing at the Dubuque airport when it struck a barn and silo about nine miles south of the city. "I know as close as anybody can what that's all about," he said. "And knowing that makes it even worse." Joyce Kaatz and her daughter, Julie, were shopping at The Empire when they overheard a saleswoman come into a store and tell another saleswoman that the governor was dead. "We just stopped," Joyce Kaatz, of Sioux Falls, said.

"I'm sure by the expressions on Miller to become state's 29th DubuaueV MICH. Phirann J. S.D. Pierre Sioux MINN. rans' NEB, IOWA Plane crashed nine miles southwest of Dubuque, fowa ILL IND.

OHIO I Left for I L. I return trip 'In Mobridge, people thought world of him' we can remember him by, it is a monument to his existence to continue those efforts. It is very tragic. The state will be a long time picking itself up, but the people are strong here. South Dakota has some strong cultures, Indian and non-Indian.

They will pull together and continue to do what he wanted to achieve, and his memory will propel us to achieve those things." Dr. William Farber, retired professor of political science at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, said the issues Mickelson worked for will become a basis for future growth. "He was such an active governor. When there was a problem like this, he personally would do something about it," Farber said. "You have to commend a man who would take the time, no matter what, to do the investigating and help in any way he could." Bob Bums, professor of political science at SDSU, said that even those who differed with Mickelson saw him as bringing a tremendous amount of energy and dedication to South Dakotans.

"I don't look for a lot of change, but I hope that Governor Miller could work to continue Mickelson's efforts in health care. I think that was his biggest disappointment, and I would hope Governor Miller could help propel that," Burns said. Dona Brown of Huron, a longtime educator, called Mickelson courageous and dedicated. "We find the deaths of our leaders an overwhelming loss. It By DAVID KRANZ Argus Leader Staff PIERRE Lt Gov.

Walter Dale Miller will be sworn in as South Dakota's 29th governor today. Robert Miller, chief justice of the state Supreme Court, said there was no urgency to swear the lieutenant governor in Monday, in the aftermath of the death of Gov. George Mickelson. "There are automatic powers for the lieutenant governor to act in the absence of the governor. There are just too many things going on today," Justice Miller said.

The constitution allows Miller to serve the remaining 20 months of Mickelson's term, said Dr. John Hendrickson, retired professor of political science at South Dakota State University in Brookings. Hendrickson said Miller can nominate a person for lieutenant governor, but appointment must be approved by a majority of the South Dakota House of Representatives and Senate. Until that time, Steve Cutler, the Republican speaker of the House from Claremont, is next in succession after Miller. Hendrickson said Mickelson was the first of the state's 28 governors to die in office.

Gov. Richard Kneip left office to become ambassador to Singapore in 1978. Lt. Gov. Harvey Wollman succeeded him.

Those who knew Mickelson said it is difficult to consider the future while the hurt of the governor's loss is so fresh in their memory. But they acknowledge that Mic- Classifieds Sell! 37th Annual Lions Pancake Days Sioux Falls Coliseum Tuesday, Aprl 20, 4:30 9.m. ta 8:00 i.n. Wednesday, Aprl 21, 8:00 i.m. ti 8:00 p.m.

88.00 afratrca 88.50 Daor IMtr 8 Fth Advanca Tickets at Lwl, Sunthint I HyVtra, Econo, Randalls Please bring In used eyeglasses. Sponsored by Sioux Falls Lions Club "IIP Argus Leader graphic by LINDA SMITH governor. "He was a very serious man," Atkinson said. "He took life seriously." Atkinson remembered a hardworking governor who led by example and had at least some humor. But the thing he talked about most was Mickelson's ability as a leader.

"He was a tremendous administrator," Atkinson said. "He gave people the authority to carry out their jobs. He provided leadership at the top, but not interference." For example, Atkinson said the state's tourism industry was fractured and troubled when Mickelson took office. But the governor brought all the sides together, set some goals and helped them meet those goals. The result is a $1 billion industry for the first time ever, Atkinson said.

Darrell Bender, a Republican state senator and mayor of Mobridge, remembered the governor as the kind of man who came to his home county every Fourth of July. "He was a very pleasant person," Bender said. "It's a sad day." But South Dakota can recover from the loss, Bender added. "We have to," he said. "You always go on, but there will be a blank spot." Phyllis Bonato, who works in food service for the Mobridge public school system, added: "Here in Mobridge, people thought the world of him.

I tell you, we couldn't get a better governor." great time By MIKE KRAPPL Dubuque Telegraph Herald The voices of Mobridge, where Gov. George Mickelson was born Jan. 31, 1941, sang a sad song of praise Monday night. Their governor, whose roots were in the Missouri River wheat and cattle country of north-central South Dakota, was by all accounts a man of vision, leadership, integrity and seriousness. His death "is absolutely one of the greatest losses South Dakota could have," said Jim Stoick, a Mobridge grocer who just retired from 20 years in the state Senate.

"Everybody knew the name, and everybody knew him." Mickelson took over the governor's office in January 1987. It was exactly 40 years after his father became South Dakota's governor. Stoick likes to remember Mickel-son's motto for his first year in office: "Everything we do is going to be squeaky clean." He also gave Mickelson credit for bringing jobs to South Dakota. As governor, one of the first things Mickelson asked for was a temporary penny sales tax to pay for economic development. Economic development happened to be the last thing he did for his state.

When his plane crashed, Mickelson was returning from Cincinnati, where he had tried to convince John Morrell Co. to keep its plant in Sioux Falls. Mobridge Tribune publisher Larry Atkinson, a friend of Mickelson and a member of the state Tourism Board, said all of South Dakota is going to feel the loss of its governor will take time to get over the shock, but when we do, our entire population will work together with our political leadership to assist Walter Dale Miller." Two former governors found the loss difficult to accept. "That is a horrible loss to the state, to the families, to the leadership and direction in this said former Gov. Frank Farrar, a Republican from Britton.

"It will not be easy to recover from. "I just hope we can do something for these families. We have to look at their needs now." Wollman said the state needs to stand still for a moment. "I think first we should just take some time and be patient. It is a very painful thing to lose people like that.

You just take time to hurt and mourn. We can't do things in a hurry. There will be time to look ahead." Wollman said that despite party differences, he and Mickelson had a good relationship. "I remember at the governor's hunt, he told people from many states, 'I have the best job in the world and I get paid for it. I love to sell South There was a wonderful spirit about him.

He was a great spokesman, and I think we can build on that." To Wollman, the loss was personal. "When I heard about it, I just thought for awhile and then I cried." Experience the Style Strength of Clipper Jims exclusive hair replacement. Only Clipper Jims will stay styled looking great from the gym, the sauna through the shower. Get "Style before strengtn cluslvely at 334-1418 Free Consultation 3301 S. Western Sioux Falls p.m.

MT Walter Dale Miller Birth date: Oct. 5, 1925. Hometown: New Underwood. Education: New Underwood High School; tended South Dakota School of Mines, Rapid City. Family: Three daughters: Nancy Burma, Karey Albers and Renee Johansen; one son, Walter R.

Miller. His wife, Mary, preceded him in death. Careen Lieutenant governor of South Dakota since 1986; rancher near New Underwood; businessman; member of House of Representatives, 1966-1970, 1972-1980, 1982-1984. kelson left a legacy that provides a foundation of strength for the people of the state. Lionel Bordeaux, president of Sinte Gleske University in Mission, called Mickelson "a very strong and powerful governor." He knew Mickelson as a governor who made a commitment to heal wounds between races.

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