Charles "Dale" Miksch

Graveside Funeral Service

Thursday, July 30, 2020, 11:00 AM

Union Township Cemetery, East of Coon Rapids, Iowa

Reverend Joyce Webb, Officiating

Recorded Music

“His Eye Is On The Sparrow”

Casket Bearers  ~ Dale’s Grandchildren

Emma Miksch    Ryan Miksch   Tessa Miksch    Joshua Miksch

Sarah Miksch    Andrew Miksch    Christopher Miksch    Charlie Miksch

  Charles Dale Miksch was born November 5, 1935 in the home of his parents, Forrest E. and Ruth (Pefley) Miksch, in Labette County, Kansas. Dale attended elementary school in a two room school house in Labette City. He then attended Labette County Community High School in Altamont, KS. He graduated there in 1953 with a Trade School Diploma in Vocational Agriculture where he was very active in the state’s largest FFA chapter. He attended Parsons Junior College for one year before transferring to Kansas State University.  Dale graduated from KSU in 1957 with a B.S. in Animal Science. He was a member of FarmHouse fraternity, Alpha Zeta fraternity, and was a member of the livestock judging teams. Following graduation, Dale traveled to Pakistan under the auspices of the International Farm Youth Exchange Program. For five months he lived with families there with this cultural exchange program. Upon completion of this program, Dale spent three years working as an assistant county agricultural agent and a 4H club agent for the Kansas extension service.

   On May 20, 1961, Dale was united in marriage with Beverly Ann Barden at Highland Springs, VA. At this time, Dale worked for the Rudy-Patrick Seed Co, headquartered in Kansas City, MO. Dale and Beverly lived in Hutchinson, KS, where their first son, Scott, was born. After moving to Grand Island, NE, a second son, Gary, came to join them. They made a final move, to Garden City, KS, before accepting a job with the Garst and Thomas Hybrid Corn Co. in Coon Rapids, IA in 1968. Their youngest son, Jeff, joined the family there in 1969. Dale spent 33 years with the seed company in Coon Rapids prior to retirement in January of 2001. All of his time was spent in various capacities with the production department.   

  In Coon Rapids, Dale was a very active member in the First United Methodist Church, the Coon Rapids Rotary Club, REAP committee, and various other activities. He and his family were active for a number of years in the AFS student exchange program. They hosted students from Thailand, Norway, Argentina and New Zealand. Their son Scott participated in the Program in Paraguay. He was active in the American Seed Trade Association where he held several committee assignments. Dale was on the board of directors of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa for two years. He served on the board of directors of the Iowa Seed Association from 1994 – 2001. He was president of that organization in 2000. In November of 2006 Dale was named as an honorary member of the Iowa Seed Association. 

   After retirement, Dale and Beverly continued to travel to see new places, get together with friends, and to visit family. Dale always enjoyed fishing, golfing, restoring antique furniture and doing woodworking in his spare time.

   Dale died on Sunday, July 26, 2020 at Thomas Rest Haven Nursing Home in Coon Rapids, Iowa.  He was 84 years, 8 months and 21 days of age.

   Dale is preceded in death by his parents, Forrest E. and Ruth (Pefley) Miksch; father and mother in law William I. Barden, Sr. and Adelaide (Chiles) Barden; sister Darlene Sinclair; wife Beverly Miksch; three sons: Scott Miksch; Gary Miksch and Jeff Miksch.

   He is survived by his daughter in law, Jean Miksch and her daughter, Emma of Oregon; daughter in law, Lori Miksch and her children, Ryan, Tessa, Joshua, Sarah and Andrew; daughter in law, Jill Miksch and her children, Christopher and Charlie, all of Iowa. He is also survived by his brother, Duane Miksch and wife Pat of Manhattan, KS; sister Dolores Morarity of Jefferson City, MO; and by several nieces and nephews. Also surviving is his special friend, Donna Ankenbauer of Dedham, IA; other relatives and friends.