Dale Cummins 1927-2008

CUMMINS, GUINN, KLEIN, DREESMAN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/4/2014 at 22:04:33

Dale Cummins, the son of Ralph and Laura (Klein) Cummins, was born May 28, 1927, in Armstrong, Iowa. He departed this life at Avera Holy Family Health in Estherville, Iowa, on Saturday, July 19, 2008, at the age of 81.

He graduated from Armstrong High School in 1945 and left for the United States Navy soon after. He returned home in 1946 and on June 20, 1948, Dale married his high school sweetheart, Burnetta Guinn at the United Methodist Church in Armstrong.

He was employed at Pape's Garage, George Peterson's John Deere, was a dragline operator for Emmet County and was a 25 year lineman for Iowa Electric Light and Power in Armstrong. He retired in 1984 and bought a travel trailer and spent winter months in Florida for about 10 years. Dale was a soloist in high school and sang all of his adult life for weddings, funerals and social functions in the Armstrong area. Until recently, he entertained at the Armstrong Valley Vue Care Center with Glenn Henriksen. He loved singing for the residents.

Dale was a community and church worker and gave of his time and talents in many ways. He was past president of the Armstrong Kiwanis and the Emmet County Historical Society, 60 year member of the American Legion, Boy Scout leader, Cub Scout leader, Junior Choir Director, Little League baseball and softball coach, Big Brother to a couple lads in Armstrong for several years and was chairman of several committee's during the 1968, Armstrong Jubilee and the 1976, Bicentennial Celebrations in Armstrong. Dale was the narrator and a committee member for the Armstrong Centennial Pageant in 1993. He was a past member of the North Forty Chorus, the Algona Barbershop Chorus and the Estherville Many Voices Choir.

His hobbies were woodworking, golf, singing and traveling. They traveled during their marriage to all 50 states and many times taking along mother-in-law, Goldie Guinn and nieces and nephews. Lonnie, Belinda, Kelly and Vance Guinn made their home with them after the death of their mother.

Left to cherish Dale's memory are his wife, Burnetta of 60 years; Lonnie, Belinda, Kelly, Vance; great-niece, Hunter Guinn; nephew, Jerry Dreesman; and many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Dale in death were his parents, Ralph and Laura; sister, Donna Rae Dreesman; mother and father-in-law, Art and Goldie Guinn; friend and Navy buddy, Bob Brunstein; and many other special family members and friends.

INTERMENT: Armstrong Grove Cemetery, Armstrong (MC)