Dale Dunn, 90, of Redfield, formerly of Dell Rapids, passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2016 at the Eastern Star Home in Redfield. His funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 8, 2016 in the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. Interment will be in the Trent Cemetery. A Masonic Service will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 7, 2016 in the chapel at the Eastern Star Home in Redfield.

Dale Rodney Dunn was born to Dr. Leonard L. and Effie A. (Peterson) Dunn in Harrisburg, SD on January 29, 1926. At the age of 2, his family moved to Dell Rapids, SD where the family was engaged in farming and his father was the local veterinarian. Dale attended Dell Rapids Public School and graduated in 1944.

During high school Dale was actively involved in music and sports and played in the 1943 State B High School Basketball Championship game. In 1944 he received an appointment to the US Naval Academy. He attended prep school at the University of South Dakota where he played basketball. He enlisted in the US Navy in the spring of 1945 during World War II and was stationed in the Pacific until 1947.

Following Dale's military service he returned to South Dakota and was united in marriage to Alice M. Lee on June 27, 1948 at the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. He farmed with his family and attended South Dakota State College during the winter quarters until he graduated with a degree in Poultry Science in 1952.

In 1956 Dale received an appointment as Postmaster in Dell Rapids, South Dakota. Dale retired in 1988 after serving as Postmaster in Dell Rapids and Trent for 32 years. After retirement, he worked part time at the Eastern Star Home in Redfield from 1989 until 1993. Dale also served as caretaker of the Trent Cemetery for many years.

As an adult Dale enjoyed hunting, playing golf, bowling and participated in a horse shoe league. During retirement he enjoyed doing laundry, baking. yard work and spending time with his standard Poodle "Doc". Dale was a member of the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids where he taught Sunday School, served on church Council and was head usher for many years. He was a 70 year member of the Dell Rapids American Legion, 69 year member of the Masonic Lodge and served as Worthy Patron of his Eastern Star Chapter for over 30 years. He was a charter member and served on the Board of Directors of the Dell Rapids Historical Society, served on the Dell Rapids City Planning & Zoning Board and was a member of the Dell Rapids Lions Club.

During the 1980s and 90s Dale and Alice enjoyed wintering in Mesa, Arizona during February and March following the spring practice of the Chicago Cubs. In recent years they became active fans of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings.

Following a lifetime of living in and loving the Dell Rapids community, Dale and Alice moved to the Eastern Star Home & Star Court Suites in Redfield in 2011. During the past five years Dale has aged with dignity and enjoyed life to the fullest.

Dale is survived by his wife of 68 years, sons Mark (Darlene) Dunn and Rodney Dunn of Sioux Falls and Raymond Dunn of Redfield and daughters Mary (Gail) O'Donnell and Karen (Jon) Jacobs of Redfield; sister Barbara Christopher of Rapid City; 15 grandchildren, 8 step grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters, 2 brothers, 2 son-in-laws, one daughter-in-law and one step-grandson.

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