Dale B. Wheat

Dale Wheat, age 80, of Storm Lake, Iowa died February 2, 2014 at his home in Storm Lake. Dale Burdette Wheat was born on a farm in Buena Vista County, Iowa, the son of Charles B. and J. Elaine (Eckelberger) Wheat. He was the first of two children born to the couple, Gayle being his younger sister. He grew up in Storm Lake and attended North and West Elementary Schools and graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1951. In September of 1952, Dale began work at the U.S. Post Office in Storm Lake, as a substitute clerk/carrier. His father was the Superintendent of Mails at that time. He and his father painted houses in their spare time as C&D Services and were responsible for painting many of the houses in Storm Lake, inside and outside. On January 24, 1953, Dale was united in marriage to Elizabeth Ann Hughes. To this union, a daughter, Lori Arlyne was born on January 28, 1957. In 1954, Dale volunteered for the draft and was inducted into the U.S. Army. He had his basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. In September of that year, he was shipped to Korea for a tour of duty. He finished this tour and returned to the U.S. at the end of January 1956. Dale returned to work at the Post Office and was appointed as a regular carrier. He carried the mail routes in town for the next 12 Â½ years. He then transferred to the clerk craft at the Post Office and remained as a clerk until he was appointed to the position of Superintendent of Postal Operations. He held this position about six years before he retired on February 28, 1989. He was baptized into the Christian faith at the Church of Christ in Storm Lake in 1956, where Liz was a member. While a member of the church, Dale held jobs as deacon, elder, trustee, and served on several committees in the organization. He sang in the choir, presented special music numbers on occasion and sang at weddings and funerals when asked. Additionally, Dale was a member of the Storm Lake volunteer fire department from June 13, 1961 until January of 1974. He was a member of the American Legion and the AMVETS Honor Guard for 40 years and attended veterans funerals and burials during this time. Daleâ€™s favorite hobby was jigsaw puzzling. He assembled hundreds of them during his retirement years. Dale enjoyed people and regularly visited his parents each day when they were residents at B.V. Manor. He also spent much time visiting those in the hospital and the church family shut-ins. His weird sense of humor will be missed by all of his family and friends. Dale will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. Dale leaves to celebrate his life, his wife of 61 years, Liz of Storm Lake; his daughter, Lori, John and Julian of Blair, Nebraska; one sister, Gayle Sundberg of Storm Lake; sister-in-law, Charlotte Goff of LaSalle, Illinois; brother-in-law, Don (Pat) Hughes of LeMars, Iowa; nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers-in-law: Eldon Sundberg, Dean Hughes, Dean Goff and Dick Hughes.

Dale B. Wheat

May 16, 1933 - February 2, 2014