Ronald Dale

Ronald Wayne Dale, 77, of Anita, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, August 3rd, 2023, at Caring Acres Nursing Home in Anita Iowa.

Ronald was born on May 30, 1946, in Williston, North Dakota, the son of Richard and Sylvia Dale.  Ronald spent most of his youth in Harvey, North Dakota and was Confirmed in the First Lutheran Church there.  Always the explorer, he was an active child seeing all that the town had to offer while racing on his tricycle and bike (AKA: “Runaway Dale”).  A polio victim at age seven, and an early beneficiary of Salk Vaccine, he never let it keep him from doing anything. 

In high school, Ron participated in many things.  He was a football player and gained his nickname “Breeze,” because he ran with such a flurry of limbs.  Ron also wrestled despite his Polio.  He played in the band and sang in the choir, as well as performed as part of a trio, “Peter, Paul and Fred.”  He was a noted tuba player, earning the top score at the state band competition and toured Europe as part of an “International Peace Gardens” Band Camp group.  He had much fun playing in the Harvey Clown Band.

Ron attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, from 1964 to 1968 studying Philosophy, Psychology and Religion.  In the early 70’s he moved to Iowa, eventually becoming part of the Life Engineering Foundation at Camp Eowata at Bridgewater, Iowa.  At Camp Eowata, he took an active part in the philosophical thinking of the group, exploring the consciousness, spirituality and healing of man. At the camp, Ron was the creative engineer, designer and builder of symbolic stations, including “Fulton’s Folly Steamboat,” that he researched when visiting the Washington Museum of History with his nephews.

Later moving to Atlantic, Iowa, he worked as a telemarketer, sign painter and driver, chauffeuring railroad workers to their job assignments.  Ron always liked cars and enjoyed tinkering with the engines.  He loved talking to the mechanics in town.  He took joy in getting old junkers to work, once buying two similar cars and welding them together to become a working car. 

Ron was known for his story telling, which he generously shared with everyone he met.  His sense of humor was also evident whether it involved a whoopee cushion or a rubber chicken.

Due to physical health issues, Ron moved to Caring Acres Nursing Home in 2019. This was a great place for him to be.  With regained health, he enthusiastically embraced the staff and residents, read his car magazines, enjoyed being on the patio and being in the company of the deer, the trees, and the hummingbirds.  Ron especially enjoyed his drives through the countryside with his dear friend, Mary Turner.

Ron’s wonderful spirit of kindness, fun and joyfulness lives with us.

He is survived by his sister, Valorie Xenakis, of Cortland, New York; and brother, Douglas Dale, of Reno, Nevada; nephews, Paul Xenakis, of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Mark Xenakis of Rochester, New York; John Xenakis of South Bend, Indiana; and Reid Dale, of Sacramento, California.

He is preceded in death by his Father and Mother.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 9th at Caring Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Anita with his brother Doug officiating.  Ron’s family is planning to have his burial at Sunnyside Cemetery in Harvey, North Dakota at a later date.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Ronald’s family and the arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.