Edward "Dane" Cummings

Edward “Dane” Norman Cummings, 77 of Mahnomen, MN (formerly of Martin, SD) passed away February 18, 2022, at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND. Ed “Dane” was born on January 7, 1945, in Pine Ridge, SD to Frank and Mary Belle (Buck) Cummings, youngest of their 6 children. The family lived north of Martin and Dane attended elementary school in Martin and Holy Rosary Mission in Pine Ridge.

On November 1, 1962, he married Cecelia Brill in Rapid City, SD. They began their marriage in Martin and were blessed with 2 children, Jody and Carla. Shortly after the children were born, they moved around living in Wyoming, California and Texas. In 1971 Dane moved his family back home to South Dakota to help care for his father who suffered a stroke. They lived in Batesland the first year before moving into Martin. Dane drove truck for Burnell Wheeler until 1975 when he would make a change and become a deputy sheriff, beginning his career in law enforcement. He served as Sheriff of Bennett County for 5 ½ years (1977-1982), before leaving to become Chief of Police for the city of Martin. He also worked for the Oglala Sioux Tribe Public Safety as a tribal officer. Throughout these years Dane always had a side venture going, he ran a small pig farm north of Martin for several years, he owned the E&E Tavern a short time and repaired lawn mowers out of his garage. This is what would lead him to Minnesota. While helping his sister move to Minnesota, he decided he would try something new too. In 1986 he opened the “Uptown Small Engine Repair” in Nisswa, MN. His family joined him in 1987. Dane returned to Martin in 1991, working for his cousin Doug at O’Bryan Contracting at different times. He worked for the OST Public Safety again, this time as Sargent, in charge of Lacreek District for about 5 years. He also spent time working as a jailer at the JDC in Kyle. In 2003 he retired and moved back to Minnesota closer to his family. He moved to Mahnomen in 2007, living at Valley View Commons, making many friends but one was special, Mary Ann Kaiser, both being avid fans of the Minnesota Lynx and Timberwolves. Over the years Dane enjoyed playing cribbage, hunting and especially fishing. He leaves us with many fish tales and memories.

Dane is survived by his son, Jody Cummings, Pequot Lakes, MN and daughter, Carla (Ed) Carlson, Nisswa, MN; grandchildren: Lindsey Cummings, Pequot Lakes, MN, Cody (Amanda) Carlson, Walker, MN and Mandy (Sam) Larsen, Bemidji, MN; great-granddaughter, Kaylee Cecelia Cummings; sister-in-law, Naomi Cummings, Prineville, OR; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Margaret (Lynn) Frost, Lynna (Bud) Hicks and Elsie Bostock; brothers, Melvin “Buzz” Cummings and Clarence “Swede” Cummings. ex-wife but forever friend and mother of his children, Cecelia Cummings; and, Kola, Dean Bettelyoun.

Memorial services will be held March 26, 2022, at 11 AM, at Kline Funeral Home, Pequot Lakes, MN.