Dale Burton THOMASON

THOMASON, THOMPSON, DUCASTELLE, FYFE, GOETCH, HANSEN, HERMAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/27/2014 at 17:27:53

November 24, 1926 ---- January 25, 2014

Dale Burton Thomason, the son of Willard and Florence (Thompson) Thomason, was born November 24, 1926, on a farm east of Eagle Grove where he lived until he graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1944. That same year Dale enlisted in the Merchant Marines and was sent to Sheep's Head Bay in New York. In the spring of 1945, he contracted rheumatic fever and received a medical discharge. After only three weeks back home Dale was drafted into the Army and stationed at Camp Hood in Colorado.

Dale also served in Europe from 1945-1948, where he met and married his wife, Genevieve Ducastelle on February 17, 1947 in Pouillon, France. They continued to live there until Dale was honorably discharged in November of 1948, when the couple returned to Eagle Grove where he worked for area farmers until 1952, then they operated their own 200 acre farm for 8 years. During this time, Dale and Genevieve raised a family of five. Following their farm life, Dale was employed by Umthun Trucking for 32 years as a long haul driver. He was the first President of the Umthun Union. Dale retired at age 62 and in 1988 was awarded Iowa's Driver of the Year accumulating over 2 million miles of safe driving.

Dale and Genevieve were "snow birds" for the next 20 years, camping in Apache Junction, Arizona where they made many good friends and happy memories. Dale was a loving husband for 66 years and a wonderful father with a special fondness for each of his 13 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren, who were all unique in his eyes.

Dale passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2014, at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Clarion at the age of 87 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Orin; sisters, Phyllis Fyfe and Wilma Goetch and a son, Loren. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Genevieve of Eagle Grove; son, George (Sandra) Thomason of Eagle Grove, Ramona (Mark) Hansen of Goldfield, son, Ralph (Pat) Thomason of Eagle Grove and son, Michel (Candy) Thomason of Goldfield and a sister, Delores Herman of Waukee.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 29, 2014, at Samuel Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove with Pastor Richard Taylor officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.