SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- Thursday, April 19, marks the 25th annivsary of the plane crash that took the lives of eight South Dakotans, including then Governor, George S. Mickelson. They were returning from a trip to Cinncinnatti, Ohio, where they were working to keep the John Morrell plant open in Sioux Falls. Along with the Governor were:
Angus Anson, of Sioux Falls, was general manager and chief executive for Northern States Power Co. for South Dakota. He was chairman-elect of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation Board.
David Birkeland, of Sioux Falls, was president and chief executive officer of First Bank of South Dakota.
Roland Dolly, of Pierre, was named commissioner of the Governor's Office of Economic Development in 1991.
Roger Hainje, of Sioux Falls, was president of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and Forward Sioux Falls, a partnership between the development organization and the Chamber of Commerce.
Ron Reed, of Pierre, was commissioner of the state Office of Energy Policy.
David Hanson, of Pierre, joined the state Transportation Department in 1990 after 13 years of flying for the state Highway Patrol.
Ron Becker, of Pierre, had been the state's chief pilot for six years. He had been flying for the state since 1980.
Ron Reed, of Pierre, was commissioner of the state Office of Energy Policy.
Governor Dennis Daugaar says, " with limitless energy, and genuine compasion, he challenged us to realize bigger dreams. George Mickelson made a difference."
Their plane crashed into a farm silo outside of Dubuque, Iowa.