Dale E. Wolfe, age 81
Kiester — Dale Earl Wolfe, age 81, of Kiester, died Sept. 28, 2009, at his home. Memorial services will be held Friday, Oct. 9, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Kiester. Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009, from 4-7 p.m. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Rev. Dick Steffen will officiate and burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in rural Kiester. Military Honors will be provided by the Kiester American Legion.
Dale Earl Wolfe was born Jan. 8, 1928, the fourth child of Ernest and Bess (Anderson) Wolfe. Dale married Lydia Rusley in 1949 and she passed away in 1951. On June 20, 1954, he was united in marriage to Charlotte Christian in Kiester.
Dale grew up on the family farm three miles east of Kiester. He graduated from Kiester High School in 1945, and he joined the Merchant Marine in June 1945. After coming home, he bought East Side Motors in 1948. He returned to active duty in the Army in January 1951 and was discharged as sergeant first class on May 23, 1952. He returned to his work at East Side Motors and it remained his livelihood and his passion until he sold the business in 2005. During his 57 years of business he also was a Polaris and Arctic Cat snowmobile dealer, amongst the first in the state. He was very active in the community and was instrumental in many civic activities, including: Firearms Safety instructor, where he was certified December 12, 1955, and received recognition for 50 years of service. He was a Snowmobile safety instructor for 35 years, and was past President Kee Area Sportsmen, a member of the Kee Valley Saddle Club and the Borderline Riders Saddle Club. Dale was a Cub Scout leader, Boy Scout Master, 4-H leader, and Faribault County Horse Superintendent. He was active over the years in the Borderline Campers Club, Rice Lake Development and Farming of Yesteryear. As a Kiester supporter, he was a Kiester city council member, a past President Immanuel Church, past President Kiester Civic and Commerce, and a member of the Kee Economic Development. He was a 41 year member of the Kiester Fire Department and served as chief for many years. He was an organizer of #454 American Legion Drill team, a past master of Doric Lodge (56 years Masonic Lodge), a Life member of the Masons, York Rite, Zurah Shrine, a Member VFW, the Minnia Shrine President, a past member of the Elks and the Legion. Dale was an avid outdoorsman who hunted and fished much of North America. He was a Pilot, SELS (Single Engine Land and Sea rating). Dale loved his Whitewater hideaway cabin and was well known as a collector of antique firearms, Indian artifacts, cars, buggies, coins, and tractors. He shared his love of the outdoors, flying, animals and his talents as a horseman with his family. With all his hobbies, passions, and interests, he joked that he was also a part-time husband, father and mechanic!
Dale is survived by his wife of 55 years, Charlotte (Christian), his children, Kyle (Becky) Wolfe of Owatonna and Tom (Nona) Nesseth of Shorewood, his cherished granddaughters, Clara and Celia Charlotte Nesseth, and his sister, Maxine Karlberg of Champaign, Ill., brother-in-law, Irving Christian of Grandin, N.D., and special coffee friends, Jim Engebretson and Larry Fosness.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Gordon Wolfe and Chester Wolfe, and his first wife, Lydia.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Kiester Rescue Squad or Kiester Fire Department.