Dale L. Frank

Dale LaVerne Frank, 93, of Winterset, Iowa, died Wednesday, August 15, 2012, at the Madison County Memorial Hospital in Winterset. Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Monday, August 20, 2012, at the First Christian Church in Winterset with Rev. Kevin and Rev. Sue Blader officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Winterset Cemetery at Winterset. Dale was born on June 13, 1919 at Truro, Iowa to Ernest and Bessie (Loy) Frank. He grew up in Truro and graduated from Truro High School. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Dale enlisted in the U.S. Army. He became a Staff Sergeant and served as a mechanic for the 8th Air Force 34th Bomb Group in England, repairing bombers after they returned from their missions. Shortly after his discharge from the service, he was married Esther Jane Townsend on September 15, 1946 at Winterset. He had been a Winterset resident since. Dale began his business career working for his in-laws in the appliance business. He later worked in the dairy business for a few years. After that, he worked for the Soil Conservation Service until he retired in 1979 from the Engineering Dept. of the USDA. He had been a member of the Kiwanis, First Christian Church, Past Elder of the First Christian Church, V.F.W. American Legion, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and the 8th Air Force Historical Society, Inc. Some of Dale's hobbies included playing cribbage, working with wood (whether it be from making something new to refinishing something old), gardening and fishing. When he was younger he loved to sing. His love of music included barbershop and Glen Miller music. He loved to travel, and he and Esther made friends wherever they went. The thing he loved most was spending time with family and friends-especially during their annual trip to Woman Lake in northern Minnesota. Dale is survived by his son, Thomas Dale (Cindy) Frank of Winterset; daughter, Nancy Jane (Shawn) Hanson of Winterset; sister-in-law, Thelma Frank of Waukee; grandchildren, Adam Dale (Abby) Hanson, Betsy Kae (Bryan) Snyder, Natalie Jane (Kevin) Kauffman, Katie Jane Frank, Scott Thomas (Valery) Hanson and Christopher Thomas Frank; great grandchildren, Brady Snyder, Blake Syder, and four additional great grandchildren to be born in late 2012 and early 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Bessie (Loy) Frank; wife, Esther J. Frank; an infant child; brother, Doyle Frank; sisters, Darlene Johnson and Doris Johnson; and grandson, Sammy Frank. Visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 7 PM at the First Christian Church with family receiving friends from 4 to 6 PM. Memorials will be directed to the First Christian Church. Funeral arrangements are being handled by McCalley-Collins Funeral Home in Winterset. Service: 10:30 AM Monday August 20, 2012 First Christian Church Winterset Visitation: Sunday from 2 to 7 PM Family receiving Friends from 4 to 6 PM First Christian Church Winterset