Dale Edward NELSON

NELSON, WOBBEKING

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:02

Dale Edward Nelson
12 September 1928 --- 22 May 1946

Tragic Death of Popular Eagle Grove Boy Attracts One Of Largest Funeral Crowds

More than 600 persons attended the funeral of Dale Nelson held Sunday in the Methodist church. Among them were many famous high school and college wrestlers from all over the state. 700 had signed the register at the funeral home previous to the service.

Rev. Clarence Tompkins, pastor of the Methodist church, was in charge and gave the sermon. Mrs. E. O. Johnson and Mrs. John Potgetter sang, accompanied by Mrs. George DeForest.

Pallbearers were 6 boys who had been school friends of Dale and 4 of them from the wrestling team. They were Donald Cannon, Lewis Larson, George McCart, Kenneth Gangestad, Robert Nelson and Gerald Sunner.

A. B. Parsons, who had been Dale's coach all through his career, gave a tribute to Dale which is reprinted here.

The Tribute

"One should be tested by the things he did, by the things he admired, and by the people he respected and the things to which he was loyal."

Dale was one of those fortunate people who like other people. He liked his old friends. He relished making new ones.

When one examines the things he did, and the vigorous way that he did them, it is evident that his faults were those of youth – which are also the glories of youth.

He loved action. He loved adventure. He loved people.

He had no realization of danger, nor consideration of the possible cost of an action. How much more could humanity accomplish if our leaders did not consider so many things impossible of attainment, or ???.

What did Dale admire and to what was he loyal? Well, he had a great admiration for his father and his mother, and loyalty and liking for the others of the family. Being a boy, and a boy of energy, there were many times when he disagreed with his parents. In all the years that I have known him, however, there was never a suggestion of the idea that he did not respect and admire them. Many a time when the question of what should or should not be done, arose, Dale's answer came back, "Yes, I’ll do that. My folks would want me to." Other times, it would be, "No. I won't. Dad doesn't, think that's a good thing to do.''

He used to tell me that his brothers, Bill and Harry, spoiled him some, because he was little, and they thought that he needed protection. He liked them for it.

He had many friends, and he deserved to have them too. Loyalty is appreciated, kindness is appreciated. This last year, during the wrestling season, Dale had time to work with the little kids, the fifth, sixth, and seventh graders, who came down to watch wrestling practice, and shyly began to try out some of the things they saw. To them Dale was tops. Dale learned that one of the cheerleaders needed a sweater for the programs. He told her that she could use his. For an entire year he never once failed to get the sweater to her on time whenever an event called for her to have one. In the wrestling line, he liked best among his opponents those who were the toughest: Wally Hagen from Clarion wrote repeatedly to Dale after he left school. Dick Hauser from Waterloo and Dale had a mutual liking and respect which was a pleasure to observe – the respect of one honest workman for another.

A teacher in a school is always pleased when the nature of the questions asked and the advice called for by the boys’ and girls' shows thoughtfulness and growth. This last year, Dale's questions indicated that he had reached another level of development, and was reaching out to meet new problems and new situations.

I could go on with incidents and illustrations, but they are not necessary.

Dale's outstanding characteristics, admiration for positive, honest, energetic people, a fine capacity for friendship, enjoyment of people, together with loyalty and respect for the other members of his family, are characteristics which we all would be glad to possess.

Obituary

Dale Edward Nelson was born on September 2, 1928, at Alden, Iowa. He started to school at Alden then came to Eagle Grove and here he came to be loved among his fellow students and graduated from high school and this life this past week.

He united with the Methodist church April 22, 1944, with his brothers, Harry and William, and his father and mother. He was treasurer of the Junior League four years ago and later taught in the Junior League. He was a kind hearted true friend and affectionate son. He leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Nelson, his brothers and sisters at home, Bill, Mary Ann, and Donald Lee, Nada of Cleveland, Ohio, Phyllis Wobbeking of Dows, and Harry Jr. now serving with the armed forces, and two nephews and one niece.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE ---- Eagle Grove, Iowa
May 30, 1946

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Source --- Paul Wilde