Dale Wobschall

Obituary

Dale William Wobschall was born in Waldorf, Minnesota, on March 6, 1928, to William Carl and Agnes M. (Ewert) Wobschall.  Descended from some of Waseca County’s first settlers, he grew up surrounded by extended family.  Dale was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth at First Lutheran Church in Waldorf, Minnesota.  He graduated in 1946 from Waldorf High School, learning mechanics by working in his father’s service station and in mechanics training with the United States Army.  Dale served in the Army during World War II, he was stationed in Germany and honorably discharged in 1956.  In later years, he became a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7622 in New Auburn, Minnesota, serving as Post Commander and twice earning the white hat of All-State Commander.  

On March 6, 1959, Dale was united in marriage to Audrey Frances Fowler at the Methodist Church in Waseca.  Three children were born to them while they lived in Waldorf and then in 1967, they moved to Gaylord.  Dale and Audrey celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary in 1984 and she passed away later that year.  In retirement, Dale fulfilled his lifelong dream of living in northern Minnesota.  He always loved the natural beauty of the lakes and forests.  In 2015, he returned south to be near his family and lived at Pheasants Ridge Assisted Living in St. Peter.  His family was tremendously grateful for his time there and the loving care he received.   

Throughout Dale’s life, he used his mechanics training to work as a school bus driver, a mechanic, and lastly, in highway maintenance for MN/DOT.  He retired in 1992, after 25 years of service.  Dale was an active member at Salem Lutheran Church in Longville, Minnesota. 

Dale loved the outdoors and always encouraged others to do so as well. In Waldorf, he taught hunting and firearm safety as a certified Firearms Safety Instructor. Many vacations and weekend trips to the family cabin included legendary evenings of fishing bullheads and playing cards, exploring Minnesota’s north-central lakes, and hunting small game.  He was one of the first to take up the challenge of deer hunting with the muzzle-loader.  He competed alongside Brett and Cheryl in several trap-shooting leagues, and was a member of the Amateur Trapshooting Association. 

Family was always very important to Dale.  He raised his children in the church, attending every Sunday together as a family.  Then they would drive down to Waldorf to visit his parents.  Wherever he was, whatever sport or interest he was pursuing, Dale made sure it was something his children could participate in.  As Scoutmaster in Gaylord, Dale was inducted into the Order of the Arrow.  He attended concerts and Christmas pageants.  Dale loved to jump in the car with his children and explore new places.  He was always willing to answer a question, and lend a hand where needed.

Dale passed away on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at Pheasants Ridge Assisted Living in St. Peter, Minnesota, at the age of 89 years.  Blessed be his memory.

Dale is survived by his:
Children, Brett Wobschall and his wife, Kimberly, of Mankato, MN,
                Cheryl Harris and her partner, Steve Polleys, of Snow Camp, NC,
                Rev. Carla Wobschall of Powhatan Point, OH;
Grandchildren, Christopher Harris and his fiancé, Megan Wood, Douglas Harris;
Great Grandchild, Wyatt Harris;
Many other relatives and friends.

Dale is preceded in death by his Parents, William and Agnes Wobschall; Wife, Audrey Fowler Wobschall; Sister, Alvera Wiebold and her husband, Albert; Son-In-Law, Wayne Harris.