Suhr, Dale William

SUHR, HANSON, WILSON, HUGHSON, EVANSON, FEIGENSPAN, ELROD, SPEER, GIDDENS, PITTS, MARESH, BELLES, ROEHRBORN, KAMPER, WILSON, BUHMANN, HENDERSON, WALSH

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 11/16/2024 at 11:26:04

Dale William Suhr, 82, passed away Oct. 28, 2024, in Decorah.

Dale was born in Fayette County on Sept. 2, 1942, to Paul and Elsie Suhr, the sixth of 13 children. After graduating from Arlington High School, Dale attended Universal Trade School in Omaha, Nebraska. Dale was then drafted into the United States Army where he spent most of his service working at a military prison in Germany. He married the love of his life Margaret (Hanson) on April 15, 1967, and they eventually settled on a farm in Winneshiek County where they raised four children.

Dale was a lifelong farmer and he loved attending Farmers Markets. He was especially fond of raising free range chickens and helping Margaret prepare her famous Norwegian Lefse and Kringla. Dale also loved to take Margaret dancing and riding their bicycles all over the country before arthritis made these activities too difficult to enjoy.

Dale was active in his church and community. He was a member of Calmar Lutheran Church where he served on the church council. Dale also served on the Boards of the Aase Haugen Home and the American Farm Bureau, was Clerk of Calmar Township, and was a member of the American Legion.

Dale also genuinely loved people and was especially fond of children. In addition to raising their own kids, Dale and Margaret also welcomed many foster children into their home. Dale never missed the opportunity to be a role model and mentor to any young person in need of a father-figure. Dale was friendly and outgoing by nature; just as likely to strike up a conversation with a long-time acquaintance as a complete stranger. Dale will be best remembered for his amiable and fun-loving personality. Dale’s good-natured humor and infectious smile brought laughter and joy to everyone who had the pleasure to meet him.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Elsie Suhr; father and mother-in-law, Bernard and Alma Hanson; four brothers: Arnold Suhr, Donald Suhr, Paul Louie Suhr and Gary Suhr; four brothers-in-law: Lyle Wilson, Dick Hughson, Paul Hanson and Harley Evenson; five sisters-in-law: Luella Suhr, Beverly Suhr, Elaine Suhr, Sylvia Feigenspan and Judy Hanson; niece, Sarah Hanson; and nephew, Ben Elrod.

Dale is survived by his wife of 57 years, Margaret Suhr; four children: Lynne Speer (Eric Giddens), Keith Suhr, Amanda Pitts (Larry) and Ramona Maresh (Don); granddaughter, Shanell Belles (Travis); two great-grandchildren: Briley and Braxton Belles; two brothers: Duane Suhr (Mary) and Ron Suhr (Phil Roehrborn); six sisters: Ruth Kamper (Roderic), Esther Wilson, Joann Hughson, Nancy Buhmann (Richard), Mary Henderson (Terry) and Donna Buhman (Mike); four brothers-in-law: Harold Hanson (Leanna), Enoch Hanson (Gina), Albert Hanson (Trudy) and Marvin Feigenspan (Erma); and four sisters-in-law: Randine Evenson, Inga Hanson, Elsie Walsh (Kevin) and Cora Elrod (Gary).

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 at Calmar Lutheran Church, 200 East St., Calmar, with Pastor Daryl Thompson officiating. Visitation will be held at the Calmar Lutheran Church from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22 and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service Saturday.

Memorials can be designated to Calmar Lutheran Church and Bremwood Lutheran Children’s Home in Waverly.

Source: Decorah Newspapers Nov. 13, 2024