Obit: Meihak, Dale Raymond (1934 - 2022)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Meihak, Meier, Gensmer, Meyer, Brown, Sielaff, Peepgrass

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/19/2022

Meihak, Dale Raymond (17 February 1934 – 6 January 2022) With Flag

Dale Raymond Meihak was born Feb. 17, 1934, in Neillsville to Albert and Ella (Meier) Meihak. Because he was a redeemed child of God, he went home to heaven, receiving a new set of legs, Jan. 6,2022, at the age of 87. He spent his last days resting comfortable at home surrounded by his family in Chandler, AZ.

Dale became a child of God through baptism March 25, 1934, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Neillsville. He attended St. John’s Lutheran School and was confirmed March 21, 1948. He then attended two years of two years of high school at Dr. Martin Luther High School in New Ulm, MN, and two years at Neillsville High School.

After high school, Dale attended college at Wisconsin State College-La Crosse. He attended two years and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. After his military service, he held various jobs including farmer and mail carrier for the post office in Neillsville.

In 1961, while delivering mail, he met Barbara Gensmer from Rollingstone, MN, and the new Lutheran elementary teacher at St. John’s Neillsville. They were married June 16, 1963. In 1968, Dale and Barbara moved from Neillsville to Marshfield where Dale was hired as a police officer. He worked in law enforcement for the next 22 years, serving as a police officer in Prior Lake, MN, and chief of police in Osakis, MN, and Wabasha, MN. While in law enforcement, he served on the board of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association. In retirement, Dale kept busy in various ways, including owning and operating Marigold Dairy, driving tour bus trips, and after moving to Kasson, MN, his final retirement job was driving Bus 13, Kasson-Mantorville Public School bus.

In 2012, Dale and Barb moved to Sun City, AZ, to get out of the Minnesota winter and enjoy time in the sun, joining two daughters in Arizona. They lived in Sun City, AZ, until 2018 when they moved to Chandler, AZ to an assisted living community.

Dale was a member of various Lutheran churches over the years and served on several boards and offices. Dale and Barbara made their faith a priority and raised four kids to know Jesus, working hard to provide Christian education for them as they attended Lutheran Elementary School and Martin Luther Prep School. Almost everyone who knew him realized Dale was an avid sports fan cheering on the Green Bay Packers (a sad fact for his sons and grandkids) and the Chicago Cubs. His love for sports also meant he enjoyed cheering on his grandchildren as hey played sports throughout middle and high school. Whenever possible, he was in the stands but also watched online. He was a sharp card player to the very end. Enjoying cards with friends and family, especially his grandchildren.

Dale will be greatly missed by his wife of 58 years, Barbara; his children, Michelle (Doug) Meyer of Tempe, AZ, and their children Anna (Broderick) Brown of North Mankato, MN, Sam and Olivia of Tempe, AZ, Michael (Sara) Janesville, MN, and their children Tyler (Krista) of St. Paul, MN. Tanner of Duluth, MN, Ellie and Preston of Janesville, MN, Ann (Andrew) Sielaff of Phoenix, AZ, and their children Jonah, Gabriel, Grace and Hope of Phoenix, AZ, and Alan (Katie) of Miami, FL, and their children Molly, Hannah and Will of Miami, FL. He treasured every one of his 14 grandchildren and recently found out he was going to be a great grandpa. He is also survived by one brother Donald (Ruth) Meihak of Neillsville and one sister, Christine (Henry) Peepgrass of Littleton, CO, as well as many nephew and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Ella Meihak, brother Albert Meihak and two sisters Monna Meihak and Lind Meihak.