Manley Burton Feinstein

Manley Burton Feinstein, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, entrepreneur, political force, and community leader, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2022 at the age of 95, surrounded by his loving family.

Manley was born in Mitchell, South Dakota on April 12, 1927, the third son of Saul and Jean Feinstein (née Coval), Jewish immigrants from Ukraine and the United Kingdom. An accomplished student, musician and athlete playing on his high school football and basketball teams, Manley enlisted in the Navy following high school and was deployed to Japan during the early occupation of the country following World War II. Recalling the experience later in life, Manley said that his time in the Navy taught him the value of family, home, and friendship, values which he carried throughout the rest of his life. He served his country honorably and, upon his discharge from service, attended Northwestern University. It was there that Manley joined the Tau Delta Phi fraternity, through which he met the love of his life and wife of 73 years, Carol Feinstein (née Feiman).

Manley and Carol married following their graduation from Northwestern in June of 1949, and then returned to Manley’s hometown of Mitchell to build their lives together. They moved to Aberdeen in 1953 where Manley took control of Feinstein’s Ready to Wear, the family clothing business. Manley proved to be an adept entrepreneur and businessman. Under his leadership the Feinstein’s retail operation expanded to Watertown and Pierre, South Dakota and Jamestown, North Dakota, becoming one of the most well-known family businesses in Northeast South Dakota.

Manley and Carol were devoted parents and instilled strong family values in their children. They worked tirelessly to provide their children with enriching experiences, supporting their activities including school sports, high school debate, the Aberdeen YMCA, and playing instruments in the school band and orchestra. The family spent their summers at Mina Lake where they enjoyed the outdoors, swimming, and water skiing. Manley and Carol formed strong relationships with others in Aberdeen and the local Jewish community, regularly entertaining and welcoming friends into their home and participating as active members of Congregation B’nai Isaac.

Community was important to Manley, and he worked relentlessly to improve life for all who were a part of it. In addition to his role as a business leader, Manley became integral to political and civic life in Aberdeen and throughout South Dakota. He was elected to the Aberdeen Board of Education and later appointed to the South Dakota Highway Commission by Governor Dick Kniep, becoming its Chair. Manley was a true force in South Dakota politics, serving as a confidant and advisor to influential Democratic figures including US Senator and Democratic Presidential nominee George McGovern, US Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, US Senator Tim Johnson, South Dakota Governors Dick Kneip and Harvey Wollman, US Representative Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, and US Senator James Abourezk. Twice – in 1974 and 1977 – the Governor recognized by proclamation “Manley and Carol Feinstein Day”.

All who met Manley understood that he possessed a rare charisma which powered his success in the business and political spheres. People were drawn to him for his intelligence, his unique insights, fairness, and open-minded approach to political debate. Manley saw the world for its untapped potential and consistently recognized his own ability to better the lives of those in Aberdeen and the South Dakota community in which he had built his life. He was as indefatigable in his political activities as he was in his entrepreneurship. As Manley established himself as an indispensable political ally, he continued to expand his business acumen. While growing Feinstein’s Ready to Wear, Manley co-founded the South Dakota Education Assistance Corporation (SDEAC) at a time when large banks were curtailing their student loans, thereby enabling a generation of students to affordably attend college. Through this organization, Manley helped thousands of South Dakota students attend college who otherwise could not afford to continue their academic studies.

He and Carol traveled the world together making frequent trips to destinations across the globe. Through these voyages Manley and Carol often provided enlightening experiences for their family, which had come to include many grandchildren. The entire family would travel together, creating lasting memories and an inspiration in the younger generations that their lives, like Manley’s, could be truly limitless. Manley expanded his horizons even late into his life, traveling and engaging with his interests well into his retirement years. Manley and Carol retired to California in 1982, where they continued to contribute to society. During his time in California, Manley served on the Board of the Jewish Federation of Palm Springs. Here in the desert also Manley's passion for participating in sport activities continued unabated for many more years as an avid singles and doubles tennis player.

He was predeceased in death by his parents and his brothers Ralph and Erwin. Manley leaves a living legacy as the patriarch to several generations which carry forward his values in their own lives. Manley is survived by his wife, Carol, brother Robert, his children Barry, Marc, and Wendy; grandchildren Shira Oppenheim, Jennifer Sharp, Scott, Rachel, James, and Tamir Feinstein and Eitan Feinstein Dar; and great grandchildren Joseph and Coleson Sharp, Alexandra, Lev, and Yulia Feinstein, Ari and Ofri Feinstein Dar, Maya and Aiden Magidson and Talia and Noah Oppenheim.

May his memory be a blessing.

Donations in Manley’s honor may be made to the Anti-Defamation League, an organization with which he closely identified, dedicated to fighting hate, including anti-Semitism, and promoting mutual understanding and appreciation, and Yad Vashem - The World Holocaust Remembrance Center.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cristmortuary.com for the Feinstein family.