Dale Lester REICHERT

REICHERT, GOETZ, EVANSON, LUNDGREN, SCHULZ

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/25/2012 at 16:30:54

October 8, 1916 ---- March 23, 2012

EMMETSBURG - On October 8, 1916, the world became a better place when at 5:15 A.M. in Vincent Iowa, Joseph Myer Reichert and Mina Goetz Reichert were blessed with the arrival of their son, Dale Lester Reichert. From that day forward until March 23rd 2012 when Dale went Home to reunite with his wife, Lennice, Dale continued to shed warmth and love with his infectious smile and endearing personality on all who were lucky enough to know him.

Dale spent his early years assisting his father in their family grocery store in Vincent, IA. When Dale wasn't working he attended Eagle Grove High School where he graduated in 1935. After graduation Dale entered the workforce working at Fort Dodge Foods until he enlisted in the Army in 1941. Dale was deployed overseas where he participated in the invasion of Northern Africa and was ultimately captured at Tunas Pass by the German Military in February 1943. Dale served a total of twenty-six months as a POW at prison camps in Sicily, Italy & Germany. Dale was listed as M.I.A for several months until he was able to get word home to his family through a Catholic priest that he was indeed alive. Dale's military career ended as a result of a prisoner exchange program. He arrived home in Iowa weighing 97 pounds and smiling from ear to ear.

Dale resumed his civilian life by returning to Fort Dodge and soon met the love of his life, Lennice Beatrice Evanson. They were united in marriage on December 31, 1945 in Fort Dodge. Dale and Lennice relocated to Mason City where he began a lifelong career in seed sales and started their family. John Marshall (Jack) and Deborah Ann (Deb) were born to these two beautiful people and became the center of their whole lives.

The family enjoyed many days of water skiing, boating and relaxing on the beaches of Clear Lake and evenings enjoying family time in the cabin that Dale and Lennice built. The family moved to Emmetsburg in 1956 where they spent the rest of their lives living for and loving without fail their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dale was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed spending time with his wife and friends on the Emmetsburg golf course and various courses in Mesa Arizona where he and Lennice enjoyed their winters.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Jack (Debbie) Reichert of Winter Park, Colorado and Deb (Wade) Lundgren of Emmetsburg; grandchildren: Haley Reichert, Todd (Lisa) Lundgren, Tracie (Brian) Schulz, Ryan (Peg) Lundgren, Ehren Lundgren and Brandon Lundgren; great-grandchildren: Isaac, Tanner, Baylee and Riley Lundgren and Taylor and Ava Schulz. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lennice; sister, Zoe, and an infant great-grand son.

Known to all who loved him as "Grandpa," Dale left a heart print on each. The heart print that he left on his family and the hole that was created in their hearts when he had to leave them will never be replaced or filled. He was truly a gentle, kind and wonderful man who always put himself last and his family first.

Thank You, Grandpa!

Funeral service is 2:00 p.m, Tuesday, March 27th at the First United Methodist Church in Emmetsburg. Burial is in High Lake Cemetery. Visitation is 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday at Joyce Funeral Home in Emmetsburg.

March 25, 2012
Fort Dodge Messenger - Iowa