Obituary for Dale E. Kirchner

He was born on March 19, 1935, on the family farm in Mindoro to his parents, Martin and Helen (Huber) Kirchner. Dale graduated from Mindoro High School in 1953. On June 30, 1956, Dale married Betty Tracey at Mindoro Lutheran Church. Dale became a member of the church and ushered there for many years. He also served on the church council.

After graduation, Dale began working at the Mindoro Co-op Creamery until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in July 1957. Dale was active duty for two years then returned to working at the Co-op Creamery. He accepted a position at Farmers Co-op S&S in West Salem until transitioning to a manager position at Farmers Central Co-op in Mindoro. Dale retired in December 1996. He made many friends and shared great memories over the years.

Dale enjoyed hunting with family, making knockwurst, and homemade noodle soup. He was proud to work on the farm that has been in the family going on 117 years. Dale was still driving tractor through this past summer. Dale shared his love for the farm with his sons, Doug and Mark, and later to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dale and Betty loved sports, especially the Packers, Brewers, and cheering for Melrose-Mindoro. Dale played left field for the Mindoro Merchants fastpitch softball team for many years. In 1972, they won the Class B Fastpitch Softball State Tournament. The team was so fun to watch. Dale enjoyed bowling and Jay Buckley bus tours. Dale was active as a Lion; along with his wife Betty, they worked numerous pancake breakfasts and spent lots of time at the Spanferkel. He was the last living charter member of the Mindoro Lions Club, serving 45 years as the treasurer. Dale was proud to have been awarded the Lions Melvin Jones Award.

Survivors include his wife, Betty, of over 69 ½ years; two sons, Douglas (Becky) and Mark (Carol); six granddaughters and six great-grandchildren, Jessica (Ryan) Hytry and Evan; Michele (John) Romanshek, Tye and Theo; Nicole Johnson, Colin and Carter; Erin (Joe) Bickler; Danielle (Garrett) Earley and Winnie; and Katie Kirchner; sisters-in-law, Alice Baumer, Ruth (Leon) Pfaff, and Cindy Tracey; brother-in-law, Sam (Pam) Tracey; special nephew, Dick (Debbie) Kirchner; along with many nieces and nephews.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters-in-law, Sid and Gail Kirchner, Pete and Janice Kirchner, infant brother, William; nephew, Danny Kirchner; great-nephews, Joel and Colton Kirchner; his in-laws, John and Vivian (Hanson) Tracey; brothers-in-law, Jim Baumer and John Tracey; and sister-in-law, Carol Paisley.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and team at St. Croix Hospice.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, January 16, 2026, at Mindoro Lutheran Church. Pastor Emma Grinde will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in Farmington Cemetery. The funeral service will be live streamed on the Mindoro Lutheran Church Facebook Page.

A visitation will be held from 4:00pm until 7:00pm, on Thursday, January 15, and from 9:00am until the time of service, Friday, January 16, BOTH at Mindoro Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Mindoro Lutheran Church Building Fund, Mindoro Area Outreach, Melrose-Mindoro Elementary Schools, or the Mindoro Lions Club.

Online condolences may be offered to Dale’s family at this site.