Harold Eugene Dale
Harold Eugene Dale
Decorah
Harold Eugene Dale passed away at his home in Decorah, IA, on September 16, 2024.
H. Eugene Dale (Gene) was born January 15, 1934, to Harold L. and Rachel E. (Robbins) Dale in Barrington, IL. He attended school and graduated from Hirsch High School in Chicago. Gene came to Iowa as a teenager after high school and attended Iowa State University in the AG Program. In later years he attended Luther College in the Arts Program. Gene was united in marriage to Mary Lou Woodward (Orchard, IA) on October 16, 1954, at the United Methodist Church in Osage, IA. From this union 3 children were born, Kathleen, Arlene, and Russell. Gene and family farmed in the Orchard and Riceville areas in Mitchell County. The primary interests in farming were crops and livestock consisting of dairy cattle then beef cattle, hogs, and horses. Farming continued for 39 years until 1996. Gene and Mary Lou divorced in 1994 but remained friends through the years. In 1997, Gene sold his farm and equipment and moved to the Decorah area where he intensified his interest in oil painting, attending art workshops in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Gene did considerable oil painting from 1989 until present, mainly birds, wildlife, and landscape. His work was accepted into juried exhibitions across the U.S. Gene also had a big interest in photography which he used as reference material for his artwork. Gene also liked hunting and fishing when time allowed and was treasurer for the Upper Iowa Audubon. He was an active member in the congregational UCC in Osage and later in Decorah.
Surviving are 2 children, Arlene (Den) Felper of Riceville, IA, and Russell (Kathy) Dale of Elmhurst, IL; grandchildren Todd Felper of Riceville, IA; Jodi Felper of Westgate, IA; Craig (Nikki) Felper of New Hampton, IA; Angie (Bill) Mahr of Lime Springs, IA; Shawn Mayer of Riceville, IA; and Nathan, Justin, Christian, and Kathryn Dale of Elmhurst, IL; 11 great-grandchildren and 2 nieces, Sharon and Debra Dale, of Mt. Prospect, IL.
Gene was preceded in death by Mary Lou in 2019, daughter Kathy in 2014, his mother in 2008, his brother Ron in 1998, and his father in 1975.
Gene’s final wishes were to be cremated. His family will hold a private celebration of life.