In 1982 Dale and Dorothy Weir buy a 131 acre piece of prairie and build a summer home.  In 1999 the Weirs give this land to the City of Sioux Falls to be used as a nature park.

One Christmas season Dale and Dorothy were driving South on Minnesota Ave and when he asked her what she wanted for Christmas she looked out the window and pointed to a huge 50 foot pine tree near 14th street and said I want that tree decorated for Christmas. A fun comment to make in what was clearly a content life. Dale a romantic bought that tree and had it decorated for Christmas. This became a tradition. So much so that when Dorothy passes away in 2003 he continues to have this decorated for Christmas, as Dale prepared for his own passing he also left a legacy gift ensuring the tree will continue to be decorated for Christmas.

Earlier this year when driving down Minnesota Avenue I noticed, the tree had a large brown spot on it and had less branches, the tree was dying.

First United Methodist the caretaker of the tree and who holds tree lighting each year had to figure out what to do next, and I don’t think they took it lightly. After hearing from tree experts the tree was dying they make the hard decision to remove the tree but continue the spirit of this tradition by installing a new 40 foot artificial tree much like the one displayed at the Pavilion each year.

I think this is a beautiful example of life, love and loss, some of us have to go through during the holiday season. I am so sad the tree died and I wish it was here but I am glad they were able to find a way for the spirit of the gift to live on.