Uncle Dale -- By Dan Ulmer

Uncle Dale
We recently got back from my Uncle Dale’s funeral in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Dale married my aunt Corky who’s my dad’s sister that mothered most of my crazy Minnesotan cousins with whom we all grew with up at Grandma Cora’s house…which is another story in itself.

At some point during the ‘70s Corky and Don divorced and then set an example of companionship that most divorcees only wish they could emulate. They along with their new spouses, Dale and Jan, have remained life-long friends and care deeply about each other’s fate.

Back in the ‘70’s Cork and Dale got together and took their motorcycle to the Sturgis Bike rally, got married, and Dale’s been one of my best Uncle’s ever since. Our families melded and it’s been an amazing journey

As the years pass we’ve seen less and less of each other but whenever when we touch a love that goes to the very core of our beings floods our souls. We always part company with a sense of joyful gratitude that such folks exist in our lives. Mere words can never capture the essence of any mortal but here’s what the folks in Detroit Lakes said about Uncle Dale.

“Dale attended school in Detroit Lakes and in 1949 he graduated form Dunwoody Technical College in Minneapolis in the new field of refrigeration and air conditioning. Upon graduation, Dale joined Star Electric in Detroit Lakes and helped change the business to a residential and commercial refrigeration and home appliance business. Among the various new technologies to come to the doors of Starr electric were the first refrigerators, the first window air conditioners, the first ice machines, the first color television, and the first microwaves.

In the ‘60’s Dale switched to selling Yamaha motorcycles, eventually Starr Electric became Starr Yamaha. Dale was one of the first dealers to offer snowmobiles and numerous off road vehicles in Detroit Lakes.

Dale was Past Admiral of the Detroit Lakes Water Carnival, active in starting the Boys Club, an active Chamber member, longtime Supervisor on the Lakeview Town Board, president of the Church Council, and many other civic organizations (including getting free passes to WE FEST)

In the 1970’s Dale undertook a new profession, which would prove to be his true calling, teaching at Northwest Technical College in Detroit Lakes. His knowledge gave students employable skills. For over twenty years over four hundred students studied under Dale to develop not only their mechanical but also their life skills.

In addition to those hundreds of students his legacy was the confidence he instilled in the people he touched. His principals and his natural gift of communication resulted in many individuals turning their lives around. His sense of humor, fundamental belief that all people are basically good, sound reasoning and always upbeat personality were his enduring qualities.”

I’m gonna miss Dale; but I won’t worry about him because his love will be in in my heart forever. Here’s hoping that folks appreciate the time they get to spend with you too.