Dale L. Andersen

VisitationSunday, January 4, 20094:00 - 6:00 PMOhde Funeral Home, KimballtonFuneral ServiceMonday, January 5, 2009 10:30 AM

Elk Horn Lutheran Church Elk Horn, Iowa

Reverend Keith Menter, Officiating

"In The Garden"Terri Thielen, Vocalist

 How Great Thou Art?    

Just As I Am, Without One Plea?

Congregation     Laura Olsen, Accompanist

Ron Andersen     Randy Poldberg     Mark Nelsen

Larry Eskov     Toni Elmquist     John Andersen

Brenda Carr     Brent Gregersen     Sara Vorm

Jason Baier     Gina Baier     Valerie Andersen    

Shelly Schlake     Sheena Hagen     Sharla Schlake

Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery, Elk Horn, Iowa

American Legion Post 322

     Dale Lavern, son of Jens P. and Hilda (Hansen) Andersen was born March 11, 1926, in Elk Horn, Iowa. He was baptized at Elk Horn Lutheran Church and his family later moved to Council Bluffs where Dale attended school. After his schooling he began working at his familys gas station in Council Bluffs. On March 27, 1945, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served until his discharge on November 22, 1946.

      On January 20, 1948, Dale was united in marriage with Verlee Andersen at Jacksonville Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Iowa. They farmed in Minden several years, during which two daughters, Mary Jane and Lois, were born. In 1952, they purchased a farm in Oakfield Township, Audubon County, moving there in 1953. Two more children were born to the family, Allan and Carol.

     In addition to farming, Dale worked for Elk Horn Oil Company, Larsen Construction, Rays Plumbing and as a commodity inspector for ASC in Audubon County. As a 60 year member of the American Legion Post 322 in Elk Horn, he served as commander and vice commander. Dale enjoyed dancing and listening to polka music, and he loved to visit Lake Okoboji in the summer and California in the winter.

    After Verlee passed away on May 25, 2000, Dale remained on the farm. In 2005, he moved to an apartment in Atlantic where he died suddenly on January 1, 2009, at the age of 82 years, 9 months and 21 days.

    Dale was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother Clifford Andersen and wife Glenda; sister June and husband Burdette Poldberg and brothers-in-law Lynn Andersen, Gene Elmquist and Albert Eskov.

     He is survived by his children: Mary Jane and husband Alan Gregersen of Goleta, CA; Lois and husband Greg Baier of Audubon; Allan Andersen and wife Jolene of Elk Horn and Carol and husband Kelly Schlake of Atlantic; grandchildren: Brenda and husband Tom Carr; Brent Gregersen and wife Keri; Sara and husband Nate Vorm; Jason Baier and wife Carrie; Gina Baier; Valerie Andersen and fianc John Greving; Shelly Schlake; Sheena and husband J.R. Hagen and Sharla Schlake; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters: Millie Eskov of Elk Horn and Leila Mae and husband Lloyd Nelsen of Kimballton; sisters-in-law: Marilyn Bennett of Atlantic; Kay Elmquist of Mapleton and Mary Lou Andersen of Jacksonville; friend Janis Andersen of Atlantic; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.