Service Information
Dale S. Thomas, age 70, husband of Valerie J. Thomas, of Cosmos, Minnesota, passed away on January 9, 2022, at Hutchinson Health in Hutchinson, Minnesota.
Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 14, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at Peace Lutheran Church in Cosmos, Minnesota.
Military Honors by the Cosmos Honor Guard.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Obituary
Dale Steven Thomas was born on March 10, 1951, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, Minnesota. He was the son of Bert and Ruth (Lietzau) Thomas. Dale was baptized as an infant on June 3, 1951, at Svea Lutheran Church by Rev. Roger W. Anderson. He was later confirmed in his Christian faith on May 2, 1965, at Cosmos Peace Lutheran Church by Rev. Thomas C. Smrcka.
Dale grew up on a farm in the Lake Lillian Township area and attended Minnesota Elementary School Distract No.344 and graduated from Cosmos High School in 1969.
Dale entered active military service in the United States Army on January 27, 1971. He completed his basic training at Fort Stewart, Georgia and then transferred to Fort Campbell Kentucky working as a Truckmaster and Chauffeur, earning decoration in Expert Rifle M-16.
During his time in the service Dale was united in marriage to LeeAnn Erickson. From this marriage a son, Gabriel Steven, was born on September 13, 1971, in Savannah, Georgia. Dale was released from active duty, due to hardship, and received an honorable discharge on February 8, 1972, achieving the rank of E-3 PFC.
Upon his return to Minnesota and after his Father's recovery, Dale began employment with Krasen Plumbing and Heating in Hutchinson as a Journeymen Plumber.
On June 30, 1984, Dale was united in marriage to Valerie J. Hoff at Peace Lutheran Church in Cosmos, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with a son, Joshua Dale, on December 14, 1986.
In 1987, Dale was hired by the City of Cosmos as their Maintenance Supervisor, taking on a wide variety of job responsibilities. Dale was actively involved during the construction of the new water treatment plant facility, earning a Class C license for water and a Class D license for wastewater to operate and maintain the new facility. Dale worked for the City of Cosmos for 27 years until his retirement in April 2014. In addition to his job with the City, Dale was also employed by Peterson Bus Services for 25 years as a bus driver for the Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City school district.
Dale was an avid hunter and especially loved hunting pheasants during that "magical hour" after his bus route, as the sun was setting in the West. Dale shared his love of hunting with his dad, brothers, and sons and had many successful hunts. But Dales biggest love was his Harley Davidson. Dale was one of the first people to purchase a new Harley from Joe Apol, who owned and operated Apols Harley Davidson in Raymond, Minnesota. That love affair lasted 50 years and included multiple trips West to Sturgis, Wyoming, and Colorado with friends and family. More great memories were made on fishing trips taken up North with his brother Dave and wife, Punky. We'll never forget the Beaver! During the Winter months, Dale enjoyed riding snowmobile and took many trips up North with his family.
Dale and Valerie shared a love for gardening and maintained one together every Summer for 35 years. Dale loved his grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them and shared many special times with his granddaughter, Abby. Dale and Valerie shared 37 years of marriage in Cosmos together on Milkyway Ave.
Dale passed away on January 9, 2022, at Hutchinson Hospital, at the age of 70 surrounded by his family. May he rest in peace.
Dale is survived by his
Wife Valerie J. Thomas;
Children, Gabriel (Dennise) Thomas,
Josh (Kathy Holland) Thomas;
Grandchildren, Abbigale Thomas, Kyler Thomas and Tristan Thomas;
Siblings, David Thomas and his wife,
Carol, Brad Thomas and his wife, Valerie,
Becky Macik and her husband, Myron;
Sisters and Brothers-in-law; Carol (Lyle) Bahr,
Sherry (Larry) Fisher;
10 nieces and nephews.
Dale was preceded in death by his Parents, Bert & Ruth Thomas; Father and Mother-in-law, Victor & Colleen Hoff; Brother-in-law, Gary V. Hoff; Sisters-in-law; Julie Hoff and Diane Hoff in infancy; and Niece, Jessica Thomas.
Shirley Hackbarthth says
Val, my heart aches for you, and your family. May God bring you comfort & peace.
Bill Teetzel says
Hugs for your heart & prayers for sure!!!!
Debra J Minnick says
Our Sympathy to Val and family! Mark and Deb Minnick. Tyler Minnick and Brittany Leeson.
Audrey n Adam Finke n Brian Dunham says
Thoughts and prayers to Val n family. God bless.
Bill and Char Lidberg says
Val so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family .
Bill and Char Lidberg
Sharon Maresch says
My deepest sympathy to u Val and the family. I will be thinking of you all if u need something let me know I will try help
Luann Lang says
Val , Gabe & Josh and family my sympathy to you all . Prayers to all .
Melissa Wanous says
Dear Val,
I am so saddened to read about Dale. Prayers and hugs for you!!
Missy
Laurel says
Sorry for your loss Brad to lose a brother. Sympathies to both Val’s and rest of family.
Twyla G. Waller says
Val,
Our sympathies to you and you Families.
Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Twyla & Chuck
Marj Frieler says
Val so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Dale may be gone but he will always be with you in your heart.
Peggy Olsen manwarren says
So sorry for your loss praying for comfort.
Curt&Heather Schlueter says
Val and family, We were so sadden to hear about Dale. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. (((((Hugs))))
Andrea Anderson says
Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs. I am so sorry for your loss!
Deb Haapala says
Val, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Hugs, Deb
Sheila Jaster says
Oh Val, so sorry, hugs to you and Gabe!
Mary Ann Dettman says
Val, so sorry to hear of Dale’s passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Chuck and Jen Molitor says
Chuck & Jen Molitor
Val sorry hear about Dale. He was a great friend and mentor with the water and sewer dept. in Lake Lillian, MN with me (Chuck). Our prayers are with you and your family.
Wendy Fox says
We were so saddened to hear about Dale and our hearts go out to you, Val and your family. Dale will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all of us at JP.
Barb Schultze says
Sending prayers to you Val
For peace and strength
Also to family
Barb
Karen Hoffmann says
Val & family, Thomas & Hoff families,
Sending our sympathy & remembering all of you in our thoughts & prayers. Cherish the wonderful memories & hold them close to your hearts. May you find strength from the memories & the love of family & friends. May God Bless all of you. Love, hugs & prayers to all.
Karen & Larry Hoffmann
Cindy Ziemer says
Val,
So sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Donna J Meyer says
So sorry for your loss Val, our thoughts and prayers are with you
Kim and Donna Meyer
Kenny Schmeling says
Val so sorry to hear of Dale’s passing, my prayers are with You an your family!
Donna J Meyer says
Val so sorry to hear about Dale, our thoughts and prayers are with you Kim & Donna
NANCY FRENCH says
There are never any words to express at a time like this. Thoughts and healing prayers to you and your family.
Kathy+Remus says
So sorry Val on your loss of Dale. May God comfort you and your family and give you peace. HUGS? Kathy Remus
LINDA BUSKE RANNOW says
Val,
Am so very sorry to hear of Dale’s passing. Many thoughts and prayers for you and your family at this sad time.
Warm Hugs
Lori Carlson McElmury says
Val I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Cherish all the memories that you and Dale made together. Dale was an awesome guy.
Hugs to you and the family. May God bring comfort to you in this difficult time.
DeAnn+Mickolichek says
Val and family very sorry for your loss sending prayers
Jackie Pohlmeier says
They also sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Jackie and Rich
Stacy Twardy says
Val,
Thoughts & prayers for you and your family. Praying for peace & comfort at this difficult time.
Buck and Stacy
Kris Smutka says
Val, sending you warm hugs on the loss of Dale. I’m thinking of you and wishing you moments of peace and comfort.
Brian & Sue Krumrey says
Val and family
So sorry for your loss. Praying for peace and comfort during this very difficult time.
Larry L Lietzau says
So sorry Val and family. I always enjoyed and will remember Dale’s hunting stories. I will think of him often and especially on our shared birthday. Larry
Janet Taylor says
Sorry for your loss. Hugs Val
Bob Boettcher says
Val:
Sorry for your lose of Dale. Our thoughts are with you. Bob and Cathy Boettcher.
Dennise Thomas says
I’m so happy to see all these people caring for Val and remembering Dad. Thank you so much. Val will need a lot of love and support.
Verlyce Runke French says
Val and family,
Sympathy to all. Remember all the good times you and Dale had.
Cheryl Buboltz says
Dear Val, I’m so sorry for your loss. Send prayers that God will comfort you in this difficult time.