DALE LaNAIS FICHTEL 1924-2005

KLAMMER, FICHTEL, POLEDNA, HANGARTNER, BALLARD, OLSON, ANDERSON, SWENSON

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 8/20/2005 at 21:05:51

Dale Fichtel

A Time of Remembrance for Dale Fichtel was held Tuesday, August 2, 2005, from 4:00 p.m. and concluding at 7:00 p.m., with a committal service at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 3, in the Postville Cemetery, with Military Honors. The Reverend Steve Brackett officiated. Honorary Casket Bearers were: Stan Schroeder, Robert Roffman, Loren Meyer, LeRoy Odem, Robert Converse, Hall M. Roberts. The Schutte Funeral and Cremation Service of Postville was in charge of arrangements.

Dale LaNais Fichtel was born May 31, 1924, at Westgate, Iowa, to Harry H. and Elsbeth (Klammer) Fichtel. He passed away Friday, July 29, 2005, in the Infinia Nursing Home at Faribault, Minnesota at the age of 81 years.

He was baptized at Westgate, Iowa and confirmed on April 2, 1939, in the Zion Lutheran Church in Alta Vista, Iowa. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville and was presently attending the First English Lutheran Church in Faribault, Minnesota.

Dale graduated from the Alta Vista High School and was a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

On March 9, 1946 he was married to Mary Ellen "Molly" Poledna at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Vancouver, WA. To this union three children were born, Peggy, Peter, and Paul.

He lived in Mason City and Oelwein, Iowa, moving to Postville in 1958. He was employed by the Standard Oil Company for many years, by LeRoy Odem at the Postville Feed Mill, and then by Hall Roberts’ Seed and Feed Company. He has lived in Faribault, Minnesota for the past 16 years.

Dale served on the Church Council at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville and on the Postville City Council. He was a Navy veteran of WWII and was active in the American Legion, serving as Post Commander and mended the flags that were brought in to be restored. Dale was a skilled carpenter throughout his life and enjoyed making items out of wood in his later years.

Surviving are his children, Peggy (Frank) Hangartner, Fayette, IA, Peter (Kathleen) Fichtel, Hiawatha, IA, and Paul (Shari) Fichtel, West Union, IA, five grandchildren, Deb (Greg) Ballard, Lance (Sabrina) Hangartner, Travis and Tyra Olson, and Kim Fichtel, four great grandchildren, Gregory Ballard, Tyler Anderson, Lindsey Hangartner, Damon Swenson, and a brother, Tom (Darlene) Fichtel, nieces and nephews.

Also surviving is his special friend of 17 years, Diane Schimanski, her daughters, Janelle and Janine (David), her grandchildren, Kevin, Natasha, Ashlie, and Anton.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Molly.

Postville Herald-Leader, August 10, 2005