Roger Lee Dale

Roger Dale, age 86, of Hanley Falls, Minnesota, died on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at Prairie Home Fieldcrest in Cottonwood, Minnesota. Funeral Services are 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 1, 2022, at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall, Minnesota. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Marshall Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. A Prayer Service will begin at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will then continue one hour prior to the service, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., on Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are preferred to the Marshall American Legion (Post 113) Honor Guard or to donor’s choice.

Roger Lee Dale was born November 14, 1935, above Camden State Park to Alfred and June (Fligge) Dale. He was the oldest of 9 children and was blessed to share his birthday with his 2 younger sisters, Carolyn and Mary. In 1953, Roger graduated from Marshall High School and continued to farm with his family until 1962. Roger served 7 years in the Minnesota National Guard. He worked winters in Minneapolis at Northrup King Seeds. Then in 1964, Roger returned to farming. He met Joanne Duus and on August 8, 1965, the couple was united in marriage at the Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler. To this union, three children were born: Tim, Julie, and Andrea. He sold corn and soybean seed over many years and enjoyed keeping in contact with customers well into his retirement.

Roger was an active member of many organizations, including local and state levels of the Farm Bureau, Minnesota Soybean Growers, becoming the organization’s state president in 1999, the Pioneer Power Threshing Club, Minnesota Machinery Museum in Hanley Falls, and the Minnesota Corn Growers Board for a term. Roger was a major help in lobbying for biodiesel. He was instrumental in organizing Ag in the Classroom in Yellow Medicine County. He thoroughly enjoyed restoring and displaying his collection of machinery.

Roger joined the town’s softball league when he was 35 and continued until the age of 72. He was one of the main pitchers, always thankful for the good reflexes he was blessed with. Roger especially enjoyed his last year playing when his grandson, Tyler, joined him and Tim on the team. Roger joined the Marshall Legion, Post 113, Honor Guard in his early 80s and felt privileged to honor fellow veterans. He was a member of Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall.

Roger loved visiting with people and truly never met a stranger. He was known to be fair and equal in dealings and hardworking in all aspects of life. He was interested in new technologies but glad he didn’t have to learn it, saying, “I’ll leave that to the young, whipper-snappers.” Roger loved to share stories of his past to the grandkids and enjoyed spending time outdoors.

Roger Lee Dale died on Saturday, June 25, 2022, in Cottonwood, Minnesota. He reached the age of 86 years, 7 months, and 11 days. Blessed be his memory.

Roger is survived by his wife, Joanne Dale of Hanley Falls; son, Tim Dale (Amy) of Hanley Falls; daughters, Julie Kosen of Cottonwood, Andrea (Paul) Nienaber of Blue Earth; 7 grandsons, Tyler (Morgan) Dale, Trenton Dale, Logan Dale (Talia), Landon Dale (Abby), Tanner Kosen, Dakota Kosen (Lyndsee), Austin Kosen; 3 great-grandchildren, Dierks Dale, Nettie Dale, Waylon Kosen; siblings, Carolyn (Jim) Harwood of Roswell, GA, Mary DeAustin of Marshall, Peggy (Gene) Dixson of Bloomington, Allen (Cathy) Dale of Marshall, Albert (Karen) Dale of Coyle, OK, Irene Dale of New Hope; brother-in-law; Bill Meyenburg of Shelton, WA; sister-in-law, Janet Dale of Sauk Rapids; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Alfred and June Dale; sister, Helen Meyenburg; brother, Rolland Dale; and brother-in-law, Larry DeAustin.