Dale Jenison Sailer

Born in Greene County, Iowa on July 12, 1916
Departed on January 25, 2009. Resided in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Memorial

Dale Jenison Sailer, 92 of 1900 Fox Trail Drive NE, Cedar Rapids, IA, formerly of Quasqueton, died at West Village Care Center, Sunday, January 25, 2009, from congestive heart failure. Funeral services: 11am Saturday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories by Rev. Richard Ernst. Burial: Troy Mills Cemetery. A visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 5:00- 8:00pm Friday and after 10:30 am on Saturday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories.

Survivors include: two sons: Dick(Leota) Independence; David(Kathy) Baytown, TX.; four daughters: Joan Coleman of Marion, IA.; Marjory(Bill) Kirkpatrick of Cedar Rapids, IA; Eva(Gary) Mueller of Albuquerque, NM; Carol(LeRoy) Haberl of Carroll, IA. A brother: Kenneth(Shirley) of Ankeny, IA; two sisters: Gertrude Folz of Jefferson, IA; Vera Eatman of Salt Lake City, UT.; nine grandchildren; twenty-six great grandchildren.

Dale was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn; a daughter Thelma; a son-in-law, Leslie Coleman; his parents; two brothers: Paul and Clark; a sister: Lois Hockett; six brother-in-laws and two sisters-in-laws.

Dale Jenison Sailer was the second child born to William Herbert Sailer and Irma Jane Jenison Sailer on July 12, 1916. Dale was born in the family home in Greene County, Iowa. He grew up near Perry, Iowa on a farm with his 3 brothers and 3 sisters, graduated from Jefferson High School and began a correspondence course on photography. He married Kathryn Ruby Pischel on April 18, 1940 and lived on the old Jenison farm near Jefferson, Iowa, and later farmed near Dana and Coon Rapids, Iowa where they raised their 7 children and were members of the Orange Center Wesleyan Church. In 1950 Dale was the first farmer in Guthrie County to start strip farming. He worked with the Soil Conversationalist and they said he had the most extensive and unique farm. In 1960, he moved to Walker, Iowa and became active in the Hoover Wesleyan Methodist church. He was the church treasurer. He took a position working as an International Harvester tractor repair mechanic in Coggon, Iowa working for Ralph Light. Following Ralph's death, he took a position as a mechanic at Walter Rowe's tractor repair in Walker. While working as a tractor repair mechanic, Dale attended classes periodically to stay current with the changes made in tractor designs and to continue learning more about diesel engines. Dale and Kathryn moved to Quasqueton, Iowa in 1972. After retirement he enjoyed helping local farmers whenever they needed their tractor repaired. He then joined Grace Evangelical Church in Independence. His wife Kathryn passed away after 65 years of marriage in 2005.

Dale has spent the last year and a half surrounded by his loving family. He also enjoyed going to Milestones: an adult day-care center where he was able to share with everyone his hobby: pictures of antique cars, steam engines, trains, carriages and animals that he had put into albums. Dale also enjoyed the study of genealogy; taking pictures and making photo albums of family and friends. He would sit for hours organizing them and he was a perfectionist. He had a natural talent for tractors and automotive repair and was outstanding in his trade. Dale celebrated his 92nd birthday with an Open House at the Senior Center in Independence.

Dale was a quiet spoken, strong, hard working man of faith and integrity. Dale loved it when the family would get together, sharing pictures, repeating humorous tales, a good game of dominoes and seeing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved to laugh and always shared a funny story or good joke with anyone. He was an example to follow with his strong work-ethic and uncompromising principles. He was a gentle and caring person and he will be greatly missed by his loving family whom he so loved being with.

The family would like to personally thank Dr. Ersin Atay and Dr. Charles Pruchno and their staff along with Iowa Hospice and their entire team for all their compassionate care.

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