Dale Hall Strother, 85, of Anamosa, formerly of rural Martelle/Mount Vernon, died Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011. A casual gathering of friends and family for a Celebration of Life will be held at Grace Christian Fellowship on Saturday, Jan. 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. (north of intersection of Highways 1 and 151, Fairview, Iowa). Dale was born Nov. 12, 1925, in Linn County, to Glenn E. Strother and Doris E. (Armstrong) Strother. After graduating Martelle High School, he completed Wartime Radio procedures training at Gallups Island, Mass. He served in the U.S. Merchant Marines as a radio operator during World War II on several Liberty ships traveling the world. While working as a heavy equipment operator building roads in Eastern Iowa for his uncle, JP Strother of Ottumwa, Dale met Esther M. Thomas, and they married on Sept. 17, 1949. They have five children, Jane (Bob) Beck of Cedar Rapids, Judy (Gary) Petersen of Anamosa, Jon (Bev) of Mount Vernon, Jack of Nampa, Idaho, Jim (Lana) of Ely. He is survived by his wife; children; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Richard (Donna) Strother, Mount Vernon; sister, Lois Darlene Davis, Mount Vernon; and sister-in-Law, Jacqueline Strother, Martelle. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Louis Strother. Dale farmed most of his life near Martelle and retired to Anamosa. He was active with Linn County Farm Bureau, Linn County Republican Party, and served as Linn Township Trustee. He was a longtime active member of Martelle Christian Church and continued worshipping at Grace Christian Fellowship, Fairview. Dale took great pride in the fact that he and his children built their family homes together and always treasured being with his family. Family vacations were a highlight in his life. The family requests, in lieu of flowers or plants, memorials be made to Anamosa Area Ambulance Service for needed equipment. Online condolences: www.morganfuneralchoices.com
Dale Strother was a 50 year plus member of New Hope Lodge at Eldon. As Secretary of the Lodge I enjoyed hearing from Dale each year at our annual mailing of membership cards. I want to express sympathy to his family on behalf of the members of New Hope Lodge at Eldon. Fraternally yours, Joe Goudy Secretary New Hope Masonic Lodge #480
Cousins Jane, Judy, Jon, Jack, Jim and Aunt Esther, We are very sorry for your loss. My heart is very heavy, but I have many wonderful memories of spedning time with your family on the old farm. Those were good times! Uncle Dale’s infectious smile will be missed. All our love, Luanne, Jim and Dani
Our condolences to the family. I (Ed) knew Dale and Esther through political events and always found Dale to be a gentleman of the highest quality. Keep his memory in your hearts forever.
What a kind man Dale was. He always smiled like a youngster pleased with life and seeing you. These things surely came from his spirit blessed by God. We will miss that and his gentle nature. To each of you, his children and spouses, we are so thankful for knowing you and want God to bless you, even more so today.
Jane and family: I am sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time. May the memories sustain you. In prayer, Gary & Sue Vavroch
I am sorry I missed the notice of Dale’s passing. I would have loved to visit with the family last Saturday. Dale and Esther were our neighbors as I grew up. Dale was the best neighbor any person could ever have. Whenever he saw my dad doing something that he thought two people should be doing, he would drop whatever he was doing and come over to lend a hand. Esther and my mother were close friends, walking back and forth between the two farms. I remember many visits by Esther along with the Strother kids. I particularly remember haymaking with Dale at our house. He was always the person who set the fork, and I was the person who brought the rope back and hooked up the tractor for my Mom, who would not drive the tractor in reverse. We always engaged in fun conversation while doing this. I called him “old chop” and he called me “old bean”. Dale was one of the kindest and honest people I have ever met. Later as an adult he farmed this ground and it was nice to renew our relationship as adults. He was always there when we were cleaning fence rows and when we cleaned out dead trees down at their new house on Yeisley Rd. Thank you Dale for all the wonderful memories and for being a role model for me as I grew up. When he was a little boy my son Drew also spent some good times with Dale. My deepest sympathy to your family and again I regret that I somehow missed the notice of his passing. I hope we can see each other sometime soon to share remembrances of this special man. Gladys Olsen
Strother family: My mother just told me about Dale passing. I am sorry to hear this and wanted to send you our sympathy. As a boy I used to go over to the farm when I saw Dale outside working. I would sit and watch and ask him questions. He made me feel like he was glad to see me and always answered my questions. Again we am sorry for your loss. Drew and Renee Virlee
I would like to offer my condolences to the Strother family. I only knew Jane from high school, but I have admired the Strother family after reading in the Mt. Vernon Alumnus Newsletter about the family’s scholarship. I pray you will all find peace in the loss of your father.